Detection and identification of threats hidden inside cargo shipments

• US 7,151,447 B1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Erudite Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Erudite Holding LLC
• Inventors: Stanley, James H., Willms, Paul H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/931,730
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/550, 340/545.6, 109/42, 250/390.04, 376/159, 378/57
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1654 using passive vibration detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/181 using active radiation detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/189 using passive radiation detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/183 Single detectors using dual technologies G08B13/1672, G08B13/2448, G08B13/2494 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/188 Data fusion; cooperative systems, e.g. voting among different detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 31/00 Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data

Abstract

A method for identifying at least one threat to the homeland security. Each threat is either hidden inside at least one cargo container before transit, or is placed inside at least one cargo container while in transit. Each threat while interacting with its surrounding generates a unique threat signature.

The method comprises the following steps: (A) detecting at least one threat signature; and (B) processing each detected threat signature to determine a likelihood of at least one threat to become a threat to the homeland security.

Claims

1. A method for identifying at least one threat to homeland security;

each said threat either being hidden inside at least one cargo container before transit, or being placed inside at least one cargo container while in transit;

each said threat while interacting with its surroundings generates a unique threat signature;

said method comprising the steps of;

(A) detecting at least one threat signature;

(B1,

     1) measuring a background threat signature distribution in a threat-free environment;

(B1,

     2) comparing each said detected threat signature with said background threat signature distribution;

(B1,

     3) if deviation of said detected threat signature from said background threat signature distribution is statistically significant, selecting said detected threat signature to be a part of an array of statistically significant detected threat signatures;

and

(B2) substantially continuously processing said array of selected statistically significant detected threat signatures in order to determine a likelihood of each said threat.

2. A method for identifying at least one threat to homeland security;

each said threat either being hidden inside at least one cargo container before transit, or being placed inside at least one cargo container while in transit;

each said threat while interacting with its surroundings generates a unique threat signature;

said method comprising the steps of;

(A) detecting at least one threat signature;

(B1) selecting an array of statistically significant detected threat signatures;

(B2,

     1) generating a statistically significant threat signature signal corresponding to each said detected threat signature having a statistically significant deviation from a background threat signature distribution;

(B2,

     2) consulting a database of predetermined thresholds associated with a plurality of known threat signatures;

(B2,

     3) comparing each said statistically significant threat signature signal with at least one said predetermined threshold associated with said plurality of known threat signatures;

(B2,

     4) selecting each said statistically significant threat signature signal exceeding at least one said predetermined threshold associated with said plurality of known threat signatures into an N-array of threat signatures, N being an integer;

(B2,

     5) if said integer number N of statistically significant threat signatures signals exceeds a predetermined number N<sub>array—

threshold</sub>, determining a likelihood of each said threat generating at least one said statistically significant threat signature signal exceeding at least one said predetermined threshold;

and

(B2,

     6) if said likelihood of at least one of said threats determined in said step (B2,

     5) exceeds a predetermined likelihood threshold, identifying each said threat as a threat to homeland security.

3. An apparatus for identifying at least one threat to homeland security;

each said threat either being hidden inside at least one cargo container before transit, or being placed inside at least one cargo container while in transit;

each said threat while interacting with its surroundings generates a unique threat signature;

said apparatus comprising;

(A1) a means for detecting at least one threat signature by detecting exchange of energy and/or matter of one said threat with its surroundings;

(B1,

     1) a means for measuring a background threat signature distribution in a threat-free environment;

(B1,

     2) a means for comparing each said detected threat signature with said background threat signature distribution;

(B1,

     3) a means for selecting each said detected threat signature to be a part of an array of statistically significant detected threat signatures, if deviation of each said selected threat signature from said background threat signature distribution is statistically significant;

and

(B2) a means for substantially continuously processing said array of selected statistically significant detected threat signatures in order to determine a likelihood of each said threat.

4. An apparatus for identifying at least one threat to homeland security;

each said threat either being hidden inside at least one cargo container before transit, or being placed inside at least one cargo container while in transit;

each said threat while interacting with its surroundings generates a unique threat signature;

said apparatus comprising;

(A1) a means for detecting at least one threat signature by detecting exchange of energy and/or matter of one said threat with its surroundings;

(B1) a means for selecting an array of statistically significant detected threat signatures;

(B2,

     1) a means for generating a statistically significant threat signature signal corresponding to each said detected threat signature having a statistically significant deviation from a background threat signature distribution;

(B2,

     2) a means for consulting a database of predetermined thresholds associated with a plurality of known threat signatures;

(B2,

     3) a means for comparing each said statistically significant threat signature signal with at least one said predetermined threshold associated with said plurality of known threat signatures;

(B2,

     4) a means for selecting each said statistically significant threat signature signal exceeding at least one said predetermined threshold associated with said plurality of known threat signatures into an N-array of threat signatures;

(B2,

     5) a means for determining a likelihood of each said threat generating at least one said statistically significant threat signature signal exceeding at least one said predetermined threshold;

and

(B2,

     6) a means for identifying each threat having a likelihood of generating at least one said statistically significant threat signature signal exceeding a predetermined likelihood threshold as a threat to homeland security.