System, method and devices for detecting, monitoring, tracking and identifying explosive materials using RFID tags

• US 20070008115A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ExploTrack, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ExploTrack, Inc.
• Inventors: Morhard, Robert, Zukovich, Thomas, Gelormino, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/435,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008115A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring, detecting, tracking and identifying explosive materials. The system and method involves placing RFID tags within or on explosive materials.

Claims

1. A tracking system, comprising:

a first identifier adapted for use with an explosive material, wherein said first identifier is a RFID tag;

a RFID integration device adapted to receive data from said first identifier; and

a first database adapted to receive data from said RFID integration device.

2. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein said RFID tag is an active RFID tag.

3. The tracking system of claim 2, wherein said RFID tag is adapted to transmit a signal at a power less than 0.004 watts.

4. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein said first identifier is a passive RFID tag, and said RFID integration device is adapted to transmit a signal to said passive RFID tag at a power less than 0.004 watts.

5. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a storage element for said explosive material.

6. The tracking system of claim 5, wherein said storage element further comprises sensors for detecting physical properties.

7. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a transportation unit.

8. The tracking system of claim 7, wherein said transportation unit further comprises a GPS unit.

9. The tracking system of claim 8, further comprising a second database adapted to receive data from said transportation unit.

10. The tracking system of claim 9, further comprising an interface attached to said transportation unit and adapted for stopping said transportation unit from a non-local location.

11. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a container for holding said explosive material, wherein said container has a second identifier attached thereto.

12. The tracking system of claim 11, wherein said second identifier is an RFID tag.

13. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising attaching a second identifier to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is a nano-mark.

14. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising attaching a second identifier to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is a visibility device and said visibility device is a micro-fiber.

15. An apparatus for tracking explosive material comprising:

an explosive material; and

an RFID tag attached to said explosive material.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said explosive material is a detonator.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said RFID tag is an active tag that transmits a signal at a power less than 0.004 watts.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said RFID tag is a passive tag that transmits a signal at a power less than 0.004 watts.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a second identifier attached to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is a nano-mark.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a second identifier attached to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is a micro-fiber.

21. A method for tracking an explosive material using an RFID device comprising:

attaching a first RFID tag to an explosive material; and

receiving data from said first RFID tag at a first RFID integration device.

22. The method of claim 21, interrogating said first RFID tag with said first RFID integration device, wherein said first RFID integration device transmits a signal using less than 0.004 watts.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing said explosive material into a container having a second RFID tag connected thereto.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising placing said container onto a transport unit, wherein said transportation unit further has a third RFID tag connected thereto and a second RFID integration device connected thereto.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising transmitting data from said first and second RFID integration devices to a database.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising monitoring said transportation unit while said transportation unit is transporting said explosive material.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising triggering an alarm when said transportation unit deviates from a predetermined route.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising triggering an alarm when said transportation unit enters a geo-fenced area.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising triggering an alarm when said explosive material is moved from said transportation unit while being transported.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising attaching to said explosive material a second identifier selected from the group consisting of a visual identifier and an ID mark.