System and method for detecting, monitoring, tracking and identifying explosive materials

• US 20070188325A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• 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:
  US11/435,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20070188325A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring, detecting, tracking and identifying explosive materials. The system and method involves tracking and monitoring the explosive material during every part of the chain of custody.

Claims

1. A system for tracking explosive materials, comprising:

an identifier for an explosive material having means for transmitting information;

a transportation unit having means for transmitting information;

a storage element having means for transmitting information; and

a database having means for receiving information.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of data receiving devices located at predetermined locations and adapted for receiving information transmitted from said identifier, said transportation unit and said storage element.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said identifiers are RFID tags.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of sensors located at said storage element.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of sensors are adapted to measure physical properties selected from the group consisting of light, temperature, motion, sound, and humidity.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of data receiving devices periodically transmit a signal.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said signal is transmitted at a power less than 0.004 watts.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said database is a non-local database.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for analyzing said received information to determine security status of said explosive material.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said transportation unit further comprises means for being remotely deactivated.

11. A method for tracking explosive materials, comprising:

attaching a first identifier to an explosive material;

placing said explosive material into a container;

attaching a second identifier to said container;

receiving data from said first and second identifiers at a first data reception device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising interrogating said first and second identifier with said first data reception device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said interrogation is performed by transmitting a signal at a power less than 0.004 watts.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising placing said container on a transportation unit.

15. The method claim 14, further comprising interrogating said first and second identifier with a second data reception device located on said transportation unit.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting to a non-local database from said transportation unit the location of said transportation unit.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of transmitting to a non-local database is accomplished using a GPS system.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting an alarm if said transportation unit deviates from a pre-determined route.

19. The method claim 18, further comprising stopping said transportation unit in response to said alarm.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising delivering said container to a storage element, wherein said storage element has a third data reception device.