Metal Detection System and Method
First Claim
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1. A metal detection system comprising:
- a sensor array comprising a plurality of magnetic field fluxgate sensors mounted on a support structure, the sensors being arranged to define a sensing region within the sensor array;
electronic drive circuitry in communication with each magnetic field fluxgate sensor, the electronic drive circuitry comprising one or more filtering digital mixers and a frequency-to-voltage converter;
data acquisition circuitry in communication with the electronic drive circuitry of each magnetic field fluxgate sensor;
a video camera aimed at the sensing region of the sensor array;
a video frame grabber in communication with the video camera; and
a computer control unit comprising a control module and a user interface, the computer control unit in communication with the data acquisition circuitry and the video frame grabber.
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Abstract
This application describes a system for contraband and weapons detection. The system comprises a coplanar sensor array, electronic drive circuitry, a data acquisition circuit, a video frame grabber, a video camera, and a computer control unit with a control module installed. Properly constructed and aligned, the system allows for the detection of very small magnetic moments, which surround ferromagnetic materials. This ferromagnetic detection allows users to screen personnel for contraband electronic devices and concealed weapons.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A metal detection system comprising:
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a sensor array comprising a plurality of magnetic field fluxgate sensors mounted on a support structure, the sensors being arranged to define a sensing region within the sensor array; electronic drive circuitry in communication with each magnetic field fluxgate sensor, the electronic drive circuitry comprising one or more filtering digital mixers and a frequency-to-voltage converter; data acquisition circuitry in communication with the electronic drive circuitry of each magnetic field fluxgate sensor; a video camera aimed at the sensing region of the sensor array; a video frame grabber in communication with the video camera; and a computer control unit comprising a control module and a user interface, the computer control unit in communication with the data acquisition circuitry and the video frame grabber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A metal detection system comprising:
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an array of magnetic field sensors mounted on a support structure, each sensor being configured to generate an output signal having a frequency that is substantially proportional to a magnetic field detected by the sensor; means for physically aligning the magnetic field sensors; means for electronically tuning the magnetic field sensors; electronic drive circuitry in communication with each magnetic field sensor; and data acquisition circuitry in communication with the electronic drive circuitry of each magnetic field sensor, wherein the data acquisition circuitry is configured to communicate with a computer via cabling. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification