Integrated detection and monitoring system

• US 20050156734A1
• Filed: 01/19/2005
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MC Technology Company Limited (Haas Group International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MC Technology Company Limited (Haas Group International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zerwekh, William D., Martinez, Ted R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,502,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/167 Measuring radioactive content of objects, e.g. contamination whole body counters G01T1/163
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 7/12 Provision for actuation of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/0083 utilizing a network, e.g. a remote expert, accessing remote data or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/271 using a network, e.g. a remote expert, accessing remote data or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 31/00 Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data

Abstract

A method and system is provided for implementing an integrated detection and monitoring system. Aspects of the present invention include mounting at least detector into a vehicle to provide a mobile detector. The mobile detector is then transported to a security checkpoint and positioned along side a vehicle pass-through. As a vehicle passes through, the mobile detector scans the vehicles to detect levels of one or more designated materials. If any material detected exceeds a threshold alarm level, the detected level of the material is stored in a file that is associated with the vehicle, and the file is wirelessly transmitted to a command center to notify authorities.

Claims

1. A method for implementing an integrated detection and monitoring system, comprising:

(a) placing at least one detector into a vehicle, thereby providing at least one mobile detector;

(b) transporting the more mobile detector to a security checkpoint and positioning the mobile detector along side a vehicle pass-through;

(c) using the mobile detector to scan vehicles that pass by to detect levels of one or more designated materials; and

(d) if any material detected exceeds a threshold alarm level, storing the detected level of the material in a file that is associated with the vehicle, and wirelessly transmitting the file to a command center to notify authorities.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:

providing at least two mobile detectors.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further includes the step of:

utilizing detectors that are capable of detecting a material including at least one of a nuclear/radioactive material, an explosive material, a chemical, a drug, and a biological agent.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein step (a) further includes step of:

customizing the support stands for a type of vehicle selected to house the detectors, and mounting the dectors to the customized support stands.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein step (a) further includes step of:

utilizing non-powered vehicles, including trailers, as the vehicles housing the detectors.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein step (a) further includes step of:

utilizing powered vehicles for housing the detectors.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (e) further includes step of:

associating at least one digital image taken of the vehicle with the vehicle, and transmitting the at least one digital image to the command center.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein step (e) further includes step of:

passing the levels of the material detected from the detector to a controller, and from the controller to a computer, and displaying the detected levels on a user interface of the computer.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein step (e) further includes step of:

also transmitting to the command center a location of the mobile detectors and a direction of travel of the vehicle that caused the alarm.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further includes step of:

setting up the one or more mobile detectors to begin scanning vehicles for one or more designated materials.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein step (d) further includes step of:

after the detectors are aligned,

(i) establishing a background count rate from the detectors and performing a test to establish a variance in a measured signal from the detectors;

(ii) setting first alarm level above the background by a margin of approximately six times the standard deviation established by the test;

(iii) setting a second alarm level at approximately ten times the original margin; and

(iv) setting a third, high level alarm, corresponding to count rate equivalent to a maximum reading of at a predetermined distance from a surface of a standard vehicle.

12. The method of claim 2 wherein step (b) further includes step of:

further providing each of the mobile detectors with a set of vehicle sensors for lining up the detectors once deployed in the field and for detecting approaching vehicles, and an environmental control unit.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein step (b) further includes step of:

further providing a second one of the mobile detectors with a controller, computer, a wireless communications link, a digital video and still camera, and a power source.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein step (c) further includes step of:

wirelessly coupling the controller in the second one of the mobile detector to the detector in the other mobile detector.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the digital camera is a combination video and still camera that continuously captures video of a vehicle as it passes by the vehicle sensors, and optionally captures a digital still image of the vehicle'"'"'s license plate if a high level alarm is triggered.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile detectors are configured to be deployed covertly at security checkpoints for monitoring at least one of roads, shipping containers, train depots, and ingress and/or egress points for facilities.

17. A transportation detection and monitoring network, comprising:

a central computer; and

one or more mobile detectors located along side a vehicle pass-through at a security checkpoint in communication with the central computer, wherein each of the mobile detectors comprise a detector in a vehicle for measuring levels of a material in vehicles, and a vehicle for transporting the detector,

wherein at least one of the mobile detectors further includes,

a power source for supplying power to the mobile detectors,

a computer coupled to the detectors, the computer for processing data detected by the detectors for each vehicle, and

a communications link for transmitting the data from the computer to a central command computer for monitoring.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein each of the mobile detectors further includes a set of vehicle sensors for detecting approaching vehicles.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein each of the mobile detectors further includes an environmental control unit.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the communication link comprises a satellite communications link.

21. The system of claim 19 further including a digital camera for capturing a digital image of each vehicle that generates detected levels that exceed a predetermined threshold.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the digital camera is coupled to the computer continuously captures video of a vehicle as it passes by the vehicle sensors, and optionally captures a digital still image of the vehicle'"'"'s license plate if an alarm is triggered.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the detectors are capable of detecting a material including at least one of a nuclear/radioactive material, an explosive material, a chemical, and a biological agent.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the detectors are mounted on support stands that have been customized for a type of vehicle selected to house the detectors.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein non-powered vehicles, including trailers, are used to house each one of the detectors.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein powered vehicles are used to house each one of the detectors.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein at least one of the vehicles is camouflaged.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the detector from at least one of the mobile detectors is removed from its vehicle, placed on one side of the vehicle pass-through, and camouflaged.