Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7760103?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=ininventor:oliver+ininventor:steele
Timestamp: 2015-04-21 21:51:19
Document Index: 395337196

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Patent US7760103 - Multi-stage system for verification of container contents - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA multi-stage process utilizing one or more radiation sensors on a distributed network for the detection and identification of radiation, explosives, and special materials within a shipping container. The sensors are configured as nodes on the network. The system collects radiation data from one or more...http://www.google.com/patents/US7760103?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7760103 - Multi-stage system for verification of container contentsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7760103 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/930,229Publication dateJul 20, 2010Filing dateOct 31, 2007Priority dateOct 26, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS7864061, US20080048872, US20100283619Publication number11930229, 930229, US 7760103 B2, US 7760103B2, US-B2-7760103, US7760103 B2, US7760103B2InventorsDavid L. FRANKOriginal AssigneeInnovative American Technology, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (31), Non-Patent Citations (18), Referenced by (8), Classifications (20), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMulti-stage system for verification of container contents
US 7760103 B2Abstract
A multi-stage process utilizing one or more radiation sensors on a distributed network for the detection and identification of radiation, explosives, and special materials within a shipping container. The sensors are configured as nodes on the network. The system collects radiation data from one or more nodes and compares the collected data to one or more stored spectral images representing one or more isotopes to identify one or more isotopes present. The identified one or more isotopes present are corresponded to possible materials or goods that they represent. The possible materials or goods are compared with the manifest relating to the container to confirm the identity of materials or goods contained in the container or to detect and/or identify unauthorized materials or goods in the container. For shielded materials, explosives and other types of material detection, a neutron pulse device could be incorporated into the system.
1. A method for detecting and identifying radioactive materials within one or more containers, the method comprising:
collecting, by a plurality of radiation sensors situated on at least one frame structure located outside of and in proximity to a container, at least one spectral data set representing radiation data associated with the container and its contents, the container being located in proximity to the plurality of radiation sensors;
spectrally analyzing the collected at least one spectral data set associated with the container and its contents;
identifying, based on the spectrally analyzing the collected at least one spectral data set, one or more isotopes associated with the contents within the container;
identifying materials associated with one or more of the identified one or more isotopes;
comparing the materials that have been identified to at least one manifest associated with the container, wherein the at least one manifest lists a set of materials that are declared to be within the container; and
storing a set of comparison results in memory, the set of comparison results being associated with the comparing the materials that have been identified to at least one manifest associated with the container.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radiation sensors include at least one of:
a set of gamma sensors; and
a set of solid-state neutron sensors.
providing a set of histograms corresponding to the at least one spectral data set, wherein each histogram in the set of histograms represents a different spectral image of radiation associated with the container.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the identifying one or more isotopes associated with the contents within the container, further comprises:
comparing each histogram in the set of histograms to a plurality of spectral images, wherein each spectral image represents an isotope;
identifying, based on the comparing each histogram, each of the plurality of spectral images that substantially matches at least a portion of a histogram in the set of histograms; and
identifying one or more isotopes associated with the contents within the container, each of the identified isotopes being represented by at least one identified spectral image that substantially matches at least a portion of a histogram in the set of histograms.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying materials, further comprises:
comparing the identified one or more isotopes to pre-defined one or more isotopes associated with at least one of a plurality of materials, a plurality of goods, and a plurality of products, that are known to comprise any combination of the pre-defined one or more isotopes; and
identifying, based on the comparing the identified one or more isotopes, at least one material, good, or product, as likely being in the contents of the container, the at least one material, good, or product, comprising one or more of the identified one or more isotopes.
determining if an identified material matches at least one of the set of materials that are declared to be within the container; and
notifying personnel, in response to determining that at least one identified material fails to match at least one of the materials that are declared to be within the container.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the spectrally analyzing further comprises:
spectrally analyzing radiation data in the collected at least one spectral data set over a frequency range and an associated collected neutron count, wherein in the analyzing of the radiation data a collected non-zero neutron count corresponds to subtracting radiation data corresponding to the collected non-zero neutron count from the radiation data in the collected at least one spectral data set.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying one or more isotopes associated with the contents within the container further comprises:
spectrally analyzing a spectral image in a histogram representing a composite spectral image associated with the container and the contents within the container;
comparing a plurality of spectral images to at least a portion of the spectral image in the histogram, wherein each spectral image in the plurality of spectral images represents an isotope;
identifying, based on the comparing, a first spectral image from the plurality of spectral images that substantially matches at least a portion of the spectral image in the histogram;
subtracting the identified first spectral image from the spectral image in the histogram resulting in a remaining spectral image in the histogram; and
repeating the comparing, identifying, and subtracting, for each subsequent spectral image in the plurality of spectral images, wherein each subsequent spectral image after being identified in at least a portion of the remaining spectral image in the histogram, is then subtracted from the remaining spectral image in the histogram.
before the spectrally analyzing the collected at least one spectral data set, subtracting one of a plurality of dynamically changing background radiation data from the collected at least one spectral data set.
10. A system for detecting and identifying radioactive materials within one or more containers, the system comprising at least:
a plurality of radiation sensors situated on at least one frame structure located outside of and in proximity to a container, wherein the plurality of radiation sensors are adapted to collect at least one spectral data set representing radiation data associated with the container and its contents, the container being located in proximity to the plurality of radiation sensors;
an information processing system communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors, wherein the information processing system is adapted to:
spectrally analyze the collected at least one spectral data set associated with the container and its contents;
identify, based on the spectrally analyzing the collected at least one spectral data set, one or more isotopes associated with the contents within the container;
identify materials associated with one or more of the identified one or more isotopes;
compare the materials that have been identified to at least one manifest associated with the container, wherein the at least one manifest lists a set of materials that are declared to be within the container; and
store a set of comparison results in memory, the set of comparison results being associated with the comparing the materials that have been identified to at least one manifest associated with the container.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the information processing system is further adapted to:
provide a set of histograms corresponding to the at least one spectral data set, wherein each histogram in the set of histogram represents a different spectral image of radiation associated with the container.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the information processing system is further adapted to identify one or more isotopes associated with the contents within the container by:
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the information processing system is further adapted to identify materials associated with one or more of the identified one or more isotopes by:
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the information processing system is further adapted to:
determine if an identified material matches at least one of the set of materials that are declared to be within the container; and
notify personnel, in response to determining that at least one identified material fails to match at least one of the materials that are declared to be within the container.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the information processing system is further adapted to:
spectrally analyze radiation data in the collected at least one spectral data set over a frequency range and an associated collected neutron count, wherein in the analyzing of the radiation data a collected non-zero neutron count corresponds to subtracting radiation data corresponding to the collected non-zero neutron count from the radiation data in the collected at least one spectral data set.
This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, prior co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/564,193, filed on Nov. 28, 2006, which is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,332, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK, and entitled �Sensor Interface Unit And Method For Automated Support Functions For CBRNE Sensors�; and further which is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,331, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK, and entitled �Method For Determination Of Constituents Present From Radiation Spectra And, If Available, Neutron And Alpha Occurrences�; and further which is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,373, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK, and entitled �Distributed Sensor Network with Common Platform for CBRNE Devices; and further which is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,375, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK, and entitled Advanced Container Verification System; and furthermore which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/291,574, filed on Dec. 1, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,592,601 which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/280,255, filed on Oct. 25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,982 issued Feb. 28, 2006, that was based on prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/347,997, filed on Oct. 26, 2001, now expired, and which further is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/631,865, filed on Dec. 1, 2004, now expired, and which furthermore is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/655,245, filed on Feb. 23, 2005, now expired, and which furthermore is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/849,350, filed on Oct. 4, 2006, and which furthermore is based on, and claims priority from, prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/363,594 filed on Feb. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,142,109 issued Nov. 28, 2006; the collective entire disclosure of the above-identified applications being hereby incorporated by reference.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-stage detection system and method detects gamma and neutron radiation providing additional data capture times when radiological materials are detected and a secondary position for further analysis. The gamma and neutron detectors mounted on the spreader bar of a gantry crane provide an initial identification of the presence of radiological materials within a shipping container. The spreader bar typically provides up to 30 seconds of close proximity for the radiation sensors to analyze the shipping container. The radiation data captured is analyzed for specific isotope identification. Should the system require more data to complete the analysis, the spreader bar contact with the shipping container is extended to enable additional data capture. Furthermore, if the shipping container requires further analysis time to determine the specific isotopes present, an embodiment of the present invention provides a secondary radiation analysis position comprised of an array of radiation sensors deployed to allow the targeted container to be further analyzed. The present invention, according to an embodiment, allows an extended time for radiation analysis for those shipping containers where radiological materials have been detected and where the normal flow of the gantry crane movement does not allow for a complete analysis. Additionally, an embodiment of the present invention provides for a secondary radiation analysis position where the additional time for analysis is required beyond that provided at the gantry crane. Another embodiment provides for tracking and monitoring of the targeted shipping container as it moves from the spreader bar to the secondary radiation analysis position.
By identifying the specific isotope(s) that are present allows the system to also identify the types of goods or materials that the isotopes represent. With a list of potential goods that represent the identified isotopes, the system can perform a comparison between the identified goods or materials and the shipping container manifest to determine if the radiological material(s) present match the expected materials within the container. The process of 1) identifying the isotope(s) that are within a container, 2) identifying the goods or materials that the isotopes represent and 3) verifying the contents of the manifest against the identified goods, allows the efficient verification of the container without negative impact to the flow of commerce.
FIG. 1 is a picture depicting a container in proximity to a crane arm assembly (or a spreader bar) with sensors in sensor housings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
The terms �a� or �an�, as used herein, are defined as one, or more than one. The term �plurality�, as used herein, is defined as two, or more than two. The term �another�, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms �including� and/or �having�, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term �coupled�, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms �program�, �computer program�, �software application�, and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A program, computer program, or software application may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A data storage means, as defined herein, includes many different types of computer readable media that allow a computer to read data therefrom and that maintain the data stored for the computer to be able to read the data again. Such data storage means can include, for example, non-volatile memory, such as ROM, Flash memory, battery backed-up RAM, Disk drive memory, CD-ROM, DVD, and other permanent storage media. However, even volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cache memory, and network circuits are contemplated to serve as such data storage means according to different embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of a multi-node radiation verification system is shown. The system includes a spreader bar node (as shown in FIG. 1) and a secondary radiation verification node 202 as shown in FIG. 2. A truck 220 carries a container 222 that contains cargo 215 inside the container 222. Multiple radiation sensors 202 are deployed on either or both sides of the container 222 to enable further analysis of the contents 215. A power distribution station 203 provides power to the sensors. A communication distribution module 204 couple signals between the multiple radiation sensors 202 and a distribution network 210 of which is further described in FIG. 3. Once a container cargo 215 is identified at the spreader bar stage as suspect, the container 222 is tracked and moved from the spreader bar position (as shown in FIG. 1) to the secondary verification position (as shown in FIG. 2) for further analysis. In this example, the secondary verification position includes positioning the container 222 by using a truck to move the container 222 to the multiple radiation sensors 202 deployed on either or both sides of the container 222.
With reference to FIG. 3, a data collection system 310, in this example, is communicatively coupled via cabling, wireless communication link, and/or other communication link 305 with each of the gamma radiation sensor devices 301 and neutron sensor devices 302 in each sensor unit, and with each of the neutron pulse sensor device(s) 303. The data collection system 310 includes an information processing system with data communication interfaces 324 that collect signals from the radiation sensor units 301, 302, and from the neutron pulse device(s) 303. The collected signals, in this example, represent detailed spectral data from each sensor device that has detected radiation.
The histogram is used by the spectral analysis system 340 to identify isotopes that are present in materials contained in the container under examination. One of the functions performed by the information processing system 312 is spectral analysis, performed by the spectral analyzer 340, to identify the one or more isotopes, explosives or special materials contained in a container under examination. With respect to radiation detection, the spectral analyzer 340 compares one or more spectral images of the radiation present to known isotopes that are represented by one or more spectral images 350 stored in the isotope database 322. By capturing multiple variations of spectral data for each isotope there are numerous images that can be compared to one or more spectral images of the radiation present. The isotope database 322 holds the one or more spectral images 350 of each isotope to be identified. These multiple spectral images represent various levels of acquisition of spectral radiation data so isotopes can be compared and identified using various amounts of spectral data available from the one or more sensors. Whether there are small amounts (or large amounts) of data acquired from the sensor, the spectral analysis system 340 compares the acquired radiation data from the sensor to one or more spectral images for each isotope to be identified. This significantly enhances the reliability and efficiency of matching acquired spectral image data from the sensor to spectral image data of each possible isotope to be identified.
It should be noted that in one embodiment, the spectral analysis discussed above also spectrally analyzes radiation data that has been collected by one or more sensors over a frequency range and an associated collected non-zero neutron count. The analysis of the radiation data and a collected non-zero neutron count comprises subtracting radiation data corresponding to the collected non-zero neutron count from the radiation data in the collected at least one spectral data set.
Furthermore, the spectral images corresponding to the container can be combined to create a composite spectral image represented by a histogram. In this embodiment, isotope identification can include spectrally analyzing the spectral image within the histogram representing the composite spectral image associated with the container and the contents within the container. A plurality of spectral images, each representing an isotope, is compared to at least a portion of the spectral image in the histogram. The spectral analysis process then identifies a first spectral image from the plurality of spectral images that substantially matches at least a portion of the spectral image in the histogram. This identified first spectral image is then subtracted from the spectral image in the histogram. This results in a remaining spectral image in the histogram. The comparing, identifying, and subtracting processes are repeated for each subsequent spectral image in the plurality of spectral images. Stated differently, after each subsequent spectral image is identified in at least a portion of the remaining spectral image in the histogram, the subsequent identified spectral image is subtracted from the remaining spectral image in the histogram.
Once the one or more possible isotopes are determined present in the radiation detected by the sensor(s), the information processing system 312 can compare the isotope mix against possible materials, goods, and/or products, that may be present in the container under examination. Additionally, a manifest database 315 includes a detailed description of the contents of each container that is to be examined. The manifest 315 can be referred to by the information processing system 312 to determine whether the possible materials, goods, and/or products, contained in the container match the expected authorized materials, goods, and/or products, described in the manifest for the particular container under examination. This matching process, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is significantly more efficient and reliable than any container contents monitoring process in the past.
As shown in FIG. 7, background radiation effects can vary depending on a varying background environment that can be experienced by the sensors, such as the sensors located at the spreader bar and/or sensors located at locations relative to changing background environments. For example, the sensors at the spreader bar can be over water, over a ship, high over the ground, low over the ground, or inside the ship. These different background environments can affect the radiation detection and isotope identification. Radiation from the sky should typically be predominant and remain normal during spreader bar movement. Also, sensors at the spreader bar should typically be protected by the container under examination and the spreader bar from most of the background radiation coming from the ground, water, and over the ship. Accordingly, a new and novel approach to compensate for the changing background effects applies continuous background updates against the main background data.
As shown in FIG. 8, the dynamic background is comprised of the primary background and the incremental background. As radiation data is collected and processed for analysis, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the background environment effects can be subtracted from the collected data using continuous background updates against a main background data. This dynamic background compensation approach has the advantages of increased speed and sensitivity for dynamic background capture, memory efficiency in processing collected data, and flexibility to adjust to variable system parameters and to address specific applications. Further, an information processing system can learn a particular process used in locating sensors during data collection, such as to anticipate the changes in background effects in a normal operation and movement of the spreader bar. Additionally, the dynamic background compensation approach can provide a continuous differential subtraction of the effects of varying background environment. This approach enhances the quality of the analyzed data leading to better and more reliable radiation detection and isotope identification.
Referring to FIG. 5, an example of a spreader bar with radiation sensors installed in the push pull bars is shown. In FIG. 5, one or more radiation sensors are integrated within the push pull bar 501. The radiation sensors are enclosed in a box with shock absorbing connectors 511. The gamma sensors 512 are shock mounted within the box on the lower side of the unit. The one or more gamma sensors comprise sensor resolution of 7% or better at 662 kev. The neutron sensors 514 and the supporting electronics 513 are mounted on the top side of the box. Alternative mounting arrangements of the one or more radiation sensors, the gamma sensors 512, the neutron sensors 514, and the supporting electronics 513, relative to the push pull bar 501 should become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present discussion.
Referring to FIG. 6, an example of a spreader bar with radiation sensors installed in the main unit 601 is shown. In the example of FIG. 6, the radiation sensors are integrated within the main unit 601. The radiation sensors are enclosed in a box with shock absorbing connectors 611. The gamma sensors 612 are shock mounted within the box on the lower side of the unit. The neutron sensors 613 and the supporting electronics 614 are mounted on the top side of the box. Alternative mounting arrangements of the one or more radiation sensors, the gamma sensors 612, the neutron sensors 613, and the supporting electronics 614, relative to the main unit 601 should become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present discussion.
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