Explosive device detection based on differential emissivity
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- creating a virtual portal representing a zone of interest;
monitoring thermal emissivity levels of human traffic within a plurality of sections of the zone of interest;
determining whether the monitored thermal emissivity levels correspond to at least one calibrated thermal emissivity level associated with an object of interest by;
identifying a human associated with thermal emissivity levels corresponding to the object of interest;
uploading a plurality of pre-determined empirical models to compare the monitored emissivity levels against the models;
performing model switching to compensate for a change in distance between the human and a emissivity monitoring system as the human carrying the object of interest moves; and
tracking the identified human within the zone of interest by comparing the detected emissivity level against the plurality of pre-determined empirical models; and
initiating notification of a user indicating that the object of interest is within the zone of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for monitoring thermal emissivity levels of human traffic within a plurality of sections of a zone of interest are presented. The thermal emissivity levels are monitored using an infrared detector with sensitivity range of less than fifty milliKelvin, and in some variations, about fifteen to thirty milliKelvin, such as a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) equipped camera. Based on differential emissivity calculations, a determination is made whether the monitored emissivity level corresponds to at least one calibrated emissivity level associated with an explosive material. The monitored emissivity levels are calibrated to eliminate the effects of other synthetic objects such as clothing, personal items, and other harmless objects. The monitored emissivity levels are also buffered against changes in environmental factors.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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creating a virtual portal representing a zone of interest; monitoring thermal emissivity levels of human traffic within a plurality of sections of the zone of interest; determining whether the monitored thermal emissivity levels correspond to at least one calibrated thermal emissivity level associated with an object of interest by; identifying a human associated with thermal emissivity levels corresponding to the object of interest; uploading a plurality of pre-determined empirical models to compare the monitored emissivity levels against the models; performing model switching to compensate for a change in distance between the human and a emissivity monitoring system as the human carrying the object of interest moves; and tracking the identified human within the zone of interest by comparing the detected emissivity level against the plurality of pre-determined empirical models; and initiating notification of a user indicating that the object of interest is within the zone of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method comprising:
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creating a virtual portal representing a zone of interest; monitoring thermal emissivity levels of human traffic within a plurality of sections of the zone of interest using an infrared photodetector; determining whether the monitored thermal emissivity levels correspond to at least one calibrated thermal emissivity level associated with a synthetic material concealed on a human body by; identifying a human associated with thermal emissivity levels corresponding to the synthetic material; uploading a plurality of pre-determined empirical models to compare the monitored emissivity levels against the models; performing model switching to compensate for a change in distance between the human and a emissivity monitoring system as the human carrying the synthetic material moves; and tracking the identified human within the zone of interest by comparing the detected emissivity level against the plurality of pre-determined empirical models; and initiating notification to a user indicating that the synthetic material is within the zone of interest.
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24. An apparatus comprising:
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a radiation detection unit operable to monitor thermal emissivity levels of human traffic within a plurality of sections of a zone of interest; and a processor coupled to the radiation detection unit operable to determine whether the monitored thermal emissivity levels correspond to at least one calibrated thermal emissivity level associated with an object of interest by; identifying a human associated with thermal emissivity levels corresponding to the object of interest; uploading a plurality of pre-determined empirical models to compare the monitored emissivity levels against the models; performing model switching to compensate for a change in distance between the human and a emissivity monitoring system as the human carrying the object of interest moves; and tracking the identified human within the zone of interest by comparing the detected emissivity level against the plurality of pre-determined empirical models; and initiating notification of a user indicating that the object of interest is within the zone of interest. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An apparatus comprising:
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a quantum well infrared photodetector having sensitivity range of less than fifty milliKelvin operable to monitor thermal emissivity levels of a human traffic within a plurality of sections of a zone of interest; a processor coupled to the quantum well infrared photodetector operable to; determine whether the monitored thermal emissivity levels correspond to at least one calibrated thermal emissivity level associated with a concealed explosive material on a human body by; identifying a human associated with thermal emissivity levels corresponding to the explosive material; uploading a plurality of pre-determined empirical models to compare the monitored emissivity levels against the models; performing model switching to compensate for a change in distance between the human and a emissivity monitoring system as the human carrying the explosive material; and tracking the identified human within the zone of interest by comparing the detected emissivity level against the plurality of pre-determined empirical models; and initiating notification of a user indicating that the explosive material is within the zone of interest; and a data repository coupled to the processor operable to store data associated with calibrated thermal emissivity levels. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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Specification