Method and system for screening cargo containers

• US 20060257005A1
• Filed: 11/08/2005
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vanderlande APC Inc (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Optosecurity Inc. (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Perron, Luc, Bergeron, Alain, Bergeron, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/0016 Active interrogation, i.e. using an external radiation source, e.g. using pulsed, continuous or cosmic rays
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/22 Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0004 Industrial image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/898 combination of filters, e.g. phase-only filters
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/05 Recognition of patterns representing particular kinds of hidden objects, e.g. weapons, explosives, drugs

Abstract

A system for screening cargo containers is provided including an image generation device, an apparatus for screening cargo containers and an output module. The image generation device generates an image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container. The apparatus receives the image signal and a list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container. A processing unit processes the image signal in combination with the list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data. The mismatch information data conveys at least one distinction between the list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal. Information conveying the mismatch information data is released and conveyed to a user of the system by an output module.

Claims

1. A method for screening a cargo container, said method comprising:

a) receiving an image signal associated with the cargo container, the image signal conveying information related to contents of the cargo container;

b) receiving a list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container;

c) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with said list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data, said mismatch information data conveying at least one distinction between the list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal;

d) releasing information conveying the mismatch information data.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said list of objects is a first list of objects, said method comprising:

a) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with the group of target images associated with objects to detect a presence of at least one object in the cargo container;

b) generating a second list of objects, the second list of objects conveying objects whose presence in the container was detected on the basis of the processing in a);

c) comparing the second list of objects with the first list of objects to derive the mismatch information data.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said mismatch information data conveys at least one object present in the first list of objects but absent from the second list of objects.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said first list of objects is derived from a manifest associated with the container.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein said method comprises processing a database of target images on the basis of the first list of objects to derive the group of target images, the group of target images being indicative of a subset of the database of target images.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said image signal is derived on the basis of penetrating radiation.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said image signal is a x-ray image.

8. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said image signal is derived on the basis of emitted radiation.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said method comprises causing a display unit to convey the mismatch information data.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said method comprises:

a) generating log information data elements conveying the mismatch information data;

b) storing said log information data elements on a computer readable storage medium.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said log information data elements include a time stamp data element.

12. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein processing the image signal associated with the container in combination with the group of target images associated with objects to detect a presence of at least one object in the container comprises effecting a correlation operation between data derived from the image signal and at least one target image in the group of target images.

13. A method as defined by claim 12, wherein said correlation operation is effected at least in part by an optical correlator.

14. A method as defined by claim 12, wherein said correlation operation is effected at least in part by a digital correlator.

15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the image signal associated with the cargo container is a two-dimensional image.

16. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the image signal associated with the cargo container is a three-dimensional image.

17. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein said cargo container is associated to a cargo identifier data element, said method comprising for processing the cargo identifier data element in combination with a cargo container database to identify a manifest associated with the cargo container.

18. A method as define in claim 1, wherein said method comprises receiving multiple image signals associated with the cargo container, each image signal conveying information related to contents of the cargo container, the images signals being associated to respective views of the cargo container.

19. An apparatus for screening a cargo container, said apparatus comprising:

a) a first input for receiving an image signal associated with the cargo container, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container;

b) a second input for receiving a first list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container;

c) a processing unit in communication with said first and second input, said processing unit being operative for;

i. processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with said list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data, said mismatch information data conveying at least one distinction between the list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal;

d) an output for releasing information conveying the mismatch information data.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said list of objects is a first list of objects, said processing unit being operative for:

a) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with the group of target images associated with objects to detect a presence of at least one object in the cargo container;

b) generating a second list of objects, the second list of objects conveying objects whose presence in the container was detected on the basis of the processing in a);

c) comparing the second list of objects with the first list of objects to derive the mismatch information data.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said mismatch information data conveys at least one object present in the first list of objects but absent from the second list of objects.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said first list of objects is derived from a manifest associated with the container.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said processing unit is operative for processing a database of target images on the basis of the first list of objects to derive the group of target images, the group of target images being indicative of a subset of the database of target images.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said image signal is derived on the basis of penetrating radiation.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said image signal is a x-ray image.

26. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said image signal is derived on the basis of emitted radiation.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said output is adapted for releasing a signal for causing a display unit to convey the mismatch information data.

28. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said processing unit is operative for:

a) generating log information data elements conveying the mismatch information data;

b) storing said log information data elements on a computer readable storage medium.

29. An apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein said log information data elements include a time stamp data element.

30. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein processing the image signal associated with the container in combination with a group of target images associated with objects to detect a presence of at least one object in the container comprises effecting a correlation operation between data derived from the image signal and at least one target image in the group of target images.

31. An apparatus as defined by claim 30, wherein said correlation operation is effected at least in part by an optical correlator.

32. An apparatus as defined by claim 30, wherein said correlation operation is effected at least in part by a digital correlator.

33. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the image signal associated with the cargo container is a two-dimensional image.

34. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the image signal associated with the cargo container is a three-dimensional image.

35. An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said cargo container is associated to a cargo identifier data element, said processing unit being operative for processing the cargo identifier data element in combination with a cargo container database to identify a manifest associated with the cargo container.

36. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said group of target images includes data elements indicative of Fourier transforms of target images.

37. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said processing unit includes an optical correlator, said optical correlator being operative for:

a) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container to derive a first Fourier transform data element, said first Fourier transform data element being indicative of a Fourier transform of the image signal associated with the cargo container;

b) computing a correlation operation between the first Fourier transform data element and at least one Fourier transform of target images to detect a presence of at least one target object in the cargo container.

39. A system as defined in claim 28, wherein said list of objects is a first list of objects, said processing unit being operative for:

a) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with the group of target images associated with objects to detect a presence of at least one object in the cargo container;

b) generating a second list of objects, the second list of objects conveying objects whose presence in the container was detected on the basis of the processing in a);

c) comparing the second list of objects with the first list of objects to derive the mismatch information data.

40. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein said mismatch information data conveys at least one object present in the first list of objects but absent from the second list of objects.

41. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein said first list of objects is derived from a manifest associated with the container.

42. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein said processing unit is operative for processing a database of target images on the basis of the first list of objects to derive the group of target images, the group of target images being indicative of a subset of the database of target images.

43. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein said output module includes a display screen for conveying to a user of the system information derived at least in part on the basis of said mismatch information in visual format.

44. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein said output module includes an audio output for conveying to a user of the system information derived at least in part on the basis of said mismatch information in audio format.

45. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein said processing unit is operative for:

a) generating log information data elements conveying the mismatch information;

b) storing said log information data elements on a computer readable storage medium.

46. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein processing the image signal associated with the container in combination with a group of target images associated with objects to detect a presence of at least one object in the container comprises effecting a correlation operation between data derived from the image signal and at least one target image in the group of target images.

47. A system as defined by claim 46, wherein said correlation operation is effected at least in part by an optical correlator.

48. A system as defined by claim 46, wherein said correlation operation is effected at least in part by a digital correlator.

49. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein the image generation device uses penetrating radiation to generate the image associated with the cargo container.

50. A system as defined in claim 49, wherein the penetrating radiation is selected from the set consisting of x-ray, gamma-ray, computed tomography (CT scans) and millimeter wave.

51. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein the image generation device uses emitted radiation to generate the image associated with the cargo container.

52. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein said cargo container is associated to a cargo identifier data element, said processing unit being operative for processing the cargo identifier data element in combination with a cargo container database to identify a manifest associated with the cargo container.

53. A system as defined in claim 39, wherein said group of target images includes data elements indicative of Fourier transforms of target images.

54. A system as defined in claim 53, wherein said processing unit includes an optical correlator, said optical correlator being operative for:

a) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container to derive a first Fourier transform data element, said first Fourier transform data element being indicative of a Fourier transform of the image signal associated with the cargo container;

b) computing a correlation operation between the first Fourier transform data element and at least one Fourier transform of target images to detect a presence of at least one target object in the cargo container.

38. A system for screening cargo containers, said system comprising:

a) an image generation device suitable for generating an image signal associated with a cargo container, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container;

b) an apparatus in communication with said image generation device, said apparatus comprising;

i. a first input for receiving the image signal associated with the cargo container, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container;

ii. a second input for receiving a list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container;

iii. a processing unit in communication with said first and second input, said processing unit being operative for;

(a) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with said list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data, said mismatch information data conveying at least one distinction between the list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal;

iv. an output for releasing information conveying the mismatch information data;

c) an output module for conveying to a user of the system information derived at least in part on the basis of said mismatch information data.

55. A computer readable medium including a program element suitable for execution by a computing apparatus for screening a cargo container, said computing apparatus comprising a memory unit and a processor operatively connected to said memory unit, said program element when executing on said processor being operative for:

a) receiving an image signal associated with the cargo container, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container;

b) receiving a first list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container;

c) causing the image signal associated with the cargo container to be processed in combination with a group of target images associated with objects to detect a presence of at least one object in the container;

d) generating a second list of objects, the second list of objects conveying objects whose presence in the container was detected in c);

e) comparing the second list of objects with the first list of objects to derive mismatch information data, said mismatch information data conveying at least one distinction between the first list of objects and the second list of objects;

f) releasing information conveying the mismatch information data.

56. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 55, wherein said mismatch information data conveys at least one object present in the first list of objects but absent from the second list of objects.

57. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 55, wherein said first list of objects is derived from a manifest associated with the container.

58. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 57, wherein said program element when executing on said processor being operative for processing a database of target images on the basis of the first list of objects to derive the group of target images, the group of target images being indicative of a subset of the database of target images.

59. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 55, wherein said image signal is derived on the basis of penetrating radiation.

60. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 55, wherein said program element when executing on said processor being operative for causing a display unit to convey the mismatch information data.

61. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 55, wherein said program element when executing on said processor being operative for:

a) generating log information data elements conveying the mismatch information data;

b) storing said log information data elements on a memory unit.

62. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 61, wherein said log information data elements include a time stamp data element.

63. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 57, wherein said cargo container is associated to a cargo identifier data element, said program element when executing on said processor being operative for processing the cargo identifier data element in combination with a cargo container database to identify a manifest associated with the cargo container.

64. An apparatus for screening a cargo container, said apparatus comprising:

a) means for receiving an image signal associated with the cargo container, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container;

b) means for receiving a list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container;

c) means for processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with the list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data, said mismatch information data conveying at least one distinction between the first list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal;

d) means for releasing information conveying the mismatch information data.

65. An apparatus for authenticating the contents of a cargo container, said apparatus comprising:

a) a first input for receiving data conveying graphic information regarding the contents of the container;

b) a second input for receiving data conveying an expected content of the container;

c) an optical correlator for processing the graphic information to detect depictions of one or more objects in the container;

d) a processing unit in communication with said optical correlator, said processing unit being operative for;

i. generating a list of objects detected in the container by said optical correlator;

ii. processing the list of objects detected in the container by said optical correlator in combination with the data conveying an expected content of the container to derive mismatch information data, said mismatch information data conveying at least one distinction between the list of objects detected in the container by said optical correlator and the data conveying an expected content of the container;

e) an output for releasing a signal conveying the mismatch information data.

66. A method for verifying the contents of a cargo container, said method comprising:

a) receiving at a first location a manifest conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container, the manifest having been sent from a second location geographically distinct from said first location;

b) acquiring at the first location an image signal associated with the cargo container, the image signal conveying information related to contents of the cargo container;

c) processing the image signal associated with the cargo container in combination with;

i. said manifest; and

ii. a group of target images;

to verify the contents of the cargo container.