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

• US 20070268135A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ExploTrack, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ExploTrack, Inc.
• Inventors: Morhard, Robert C., Zukovich, Thomas M., Gelomino, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US11/435,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20070268135A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring, detecting, tracking and identifying explosive materials. The system and method involves placing visibility devices 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 visibility device;

a visibility device reader adapted to receive data from said first identifier; and

a first database adapted to receive data from said visibility device reader.

2. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein said visibility device is a micro-fiber.

3. The tracking system of claim 2, wherein said micro-fiber is incorporated within said explosive materials.

4. The tracking system of claim 2, wherein said micro-fiber is less than 100 microns in diameter.

5. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein said visibility device reader is at location selected from the group consisting of a magazine, a transportation unit, and a manufacturer.

6. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein said visibility device reader is placed in an area proximate to public transportation.

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 attaching a second identifier to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is a nano-mark.

12. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising attaching a second identifier to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is an RFID tag.

13. The tracking system of claim 11, wherein data encoded on said visibility device matches data encoded on said RFID tag.

14. An apparatus for tracking explosive material comprising:

an explosive material; and

a visibility device attached to said explosive material.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said visibility device is micro-fiber.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said micro-fiber is less than 100 microns in diameter.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said mirco-fiber is attached to a detonator.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a second identifier attached to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is a nano-mark.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a second identifier attached to said explosive material, wherein said second identifier is RFID tag.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said visibility device is a micro-fiber.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing said explosive material into a container having a second visibility device connected thereto.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising placing said container onto a transport unit, wherein said transportation unit further has a third visibility device connected thereto and a second visibility device reader connected thereto.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising transmitting data from said first and second visibility devices to a database.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising monitoring said transportation unit while said transportation unit is transporting said explosive material.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising triggering an alarm when said transportation unit deviates from a predetermined route or enters a geo-fenced area.

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

20. A method for tracking an explosive material using a visibility device comprising:

attaching a first visibility device to an explosive material; and

receiving data from said first visibility device at a first visibility device reader.

28. The method of claim 20, further comprising placing said first visibility device reader proximate to public transportation.