METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ACTIVE NON-INTRUSIVE INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION OF CARGO AND GOODS

• US 20070145973A1
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Passport Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Passport Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Bertozzi, William, Ledoux, Robert, Bottan, Gustavo
• Granted Patent: US 7,372,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/300
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/076 X-ray fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/223 by irradiating the sample with X-rays or gamma-rays and by measuring X-ray fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/28 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for the non-intrusive inspection and/or verification of cargo. In an exemplary embodiment, an elemental signature is determined at a first point in a supply chain and transmitted to a second point in the supply chain. When the goods arrive at the second point, the elemental signature of the goods may be measured and verified against the original elemental signature. In another embodiment, an elemental signature may be measured to verify the origin or identity of the goods. In some embodiments such elemental signatures are inherent to the shipped goods and/or their packaging. In other embodiments, elemental signatures are applied to the shipment as tag materials.

Claims

1. A method for verifying contents of a container, comprising:

a) obtaining a first elemental signature of said contents;

b) obtaining a second elemental signature of said contents, the said second elemental signature being determined after the container has been transported and/or stored;

c) comparing the first elemental signature and the second elemental signature; and

d) verifying the said contents upon the comparison of the first elemental signature and the second elemental signature passing a predetermined test.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the contents comprise a tag material, and the first and second elemental signatures comprise elemental signatures of the tag material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second elemental signature comprises information about an isotopic or elemental composition of the contents determined by Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence imaging.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second elemental signature further comprises information about an isotopic or elemental composition of the contents determined by measurements of effective atomic number.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second elemental signature further comprises information about a spatial distribution of the contents in the container.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the information about the spatial distribution of the contents is based at least in part on measurements of X-ray transmission.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the second elemental signature further comprises information about a spatial distribution of the contents in the container.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information about the spatial distribution of the contents is based at least in part on measurements of X-ray transmission.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second elemental signature comprises information about an isotopic or elemental composition of the contents determined by measurements of effective atomic number.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second elemental signature further comprises information about a spatial distribution of the contents in the container.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information about the spatial distribution of the contents is based at least in part on measurements of X-ray transmission.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first elemental signature comprises information calculated or predicted based at least in part upon the isotopic or elemental composition of the contents without Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence imaging measurements or measurements of effective atomic number of the contents.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first elemental signature comprises information determined at least in part by Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence imaging measurements or measurements of effective atomic number of the contents.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second elemental signatures comprise information about the presence and/or intensity of at least one specified spectral line of at least one specified isotope.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the occurrence of a predetermined environmental condition is detected by a sensor during transport and/or storage, and based upon the detection of the said predetermined environmental condition during transport and/or storage, the spatial distribution of the contents in the container is altered.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined environmental condition is the temperature or humidity falling below a predetermined value.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined environmental condition is the temperature or humidity exceeding a predetermined value.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined environmental condition is vibration or acceleration falling below a predetermined value.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined environmental condition is vibration or acceleration exceeding a predetermined value.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined environmental condition is the presence of a particular substance exceeding a predetermined value.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the comparison of the first elemental signature and the second elemental signature determines whether the said contents have experienced the said predetermined environmental condition during transport and/or storage.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the said contents comprise a portion of the contents of the container.