Method of detection of radioactive material

• US 8,010,461 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quintell of Ohio LLC
• Original Assignee: Quintell of Ohio LLC
• Inventors: Bohinc, Jerry Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZUKANOVICH, BRANDY A
• Application Number:
  US11/958,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20090321649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/26.61, 705/27, 705/316, 705/325, 705/332, 340/539.26
• US Class Current: 705/325
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/265 Personal security, identity or safety
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/06 Details of, or accessories to, the containers

Abstract

A method is disclosed to determine an inspection protocol for radioactive material in shipping containers using an inspection technique threshold characteristic. The method includes weighing a container prior to shipment and determining a relative position of the container weight to at least one of a number of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines in an inspection threshold characteristic. Each of the of the predetermined inspection technique threshold lines corresponds to at least one of a number of inspection techniques. The container is classified as either a heavy container or a light container relative to at least one of the inspection techniques according to the relative position of the container weight to at least one of the predetermined inspection technique threshold lines. An inspection protocol for radioactive material in the container is selected according to the classification of the container.

Claims

1. A method to determine an inspection protocol for radioactive material in shipping containers using an inspection technique threshold characteristic, the method comprising:

(a) receiving, at a control center having a database, a weight measurement of a container prior to shipment;

(b) determining, at the control center, a relative position of the container weight to at least one of a plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines in an inspection threshold characteristic, each of the plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines corresponding to at least one of a plurality of inspection techniques;

(c) classifying, at the control center, the container as one of a heavy container and a light container relative to at least one of the plurality of inspection techniques according to the relative position of the container weight to at least one of the plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines; and

(d) selecting, at the control center, an inspection protocol for radioactive material in the container according to the classification of the container.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a relative position of the container weight to the left of one of the plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines results in a classification of a light container relative to the inspection technique corresponding to the one of the plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein an inspection protocol is selected that includes the radioactive material detection apparatus (RMDA) inspection technique during the transit of the container to the destination port.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein an inspection protocol is selected that includes the radioactive material detection apparatus (RMDA) inspection technique during a quarantine period of the container in the port of origin.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a relative position of the container weight to the right of one of the plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines results in a classification of a heavy container relative to the inspection technique corresponding to the one of the plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein an inspection protocol is selected that includes a physical internal inspection technique of the container prior to shipment.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inspection threshold characteristic is one in which container weight is compared to the total amount of containers destined for a particular port or ports.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one the plurality of predetermined inspection technique threshold lines are based on the radioactive material detection apparatus (RMDA) inspection technique.