Mobile frame structure with passive/active sensor arrays for non-invasive identification of hazardous materials

• US 8,304,740 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2009
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EMR Resources, LLC
• Original Assignee: Innovative American Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Frank, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sung, Christine
• Application Number:
  US12/468,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20120267540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 250/370.11
• US Class Current: 250/370.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/26 Passive interrogation, i.e. by measuring radiation emitted by objects or goods
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/281 detecting special nuclear material [SNM], e.g. Uranium-235, Uranium-233 or Plutonium-239
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/05 Recognition of patterns representing particular kinds of hidden objects, e.g. weapons, explosives, drugs

Abstract

A system, method, and mobile frame structure detect radiation and identify materials associated with radiation that has been detected. A mobile frame structure is maneuvered over an entity to be examined. A set of radiation data associated with the entity is received from a set of radiation sensors that are mechanically coupled to the at least one portion of the mobile frame structure. At least one histogram is generated based on the set of radiation data. The at least one histogram is compared to multiple spectral images associated with known materials. The at least one histogram is determined to substantially match at least one of the multiple spectral images. A determination is made whether a material associated with the at least one of the multiple spectral images is a hazardous material. Personnel is notified that the at least one radiation source is a hazardous material.

Claims

1. A method, with a mobile frame structure comprising a first portion and a second portion configured to examine an entity to be examined therebetween, for detecting radiation and identifying materials associated with radiation that has been detected, the method comprising:

maneuvering at least one of the entity and the mobile frame structure such that the mobile frame structure is located over the entity to be examined for radiation sources emitting radiation from the entity;

receiving from a set of radiation sensors mechanically coupled to the at least one portion of the mobile frame structure, a set of radiation data associated with the entity;

generating at least one histogram based on the set of radiation data, wherein the at least one histogram represents a spectral image of at least one radiation source associated with the entity;

comparing the at least one histogram to a plurality of spectral images associated with known materials;

determining that the at least one histogram substantially matches at least one of the plurality of spectral images;

determining if a material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images comprises a hazardous material;

notifying personnel that the at least one radiation source comprises a hazardous material in response to determining that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images comprises a hazardous material;

comparing the material with at least one manifest associated with an entity comprising the radiation source;

determining if the material matches at least one item on the at least one manifest; and

notifying personnel that the entity comprises at least one unauthorized item, in response to determining that the material fails to match any item on the at least one manifest.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

re-sizing the mobile frame structure to accommodate the entity by one of retracting and expanding one or more portions of the mobile frame structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of radiation data is received while the entity is moving through the mobile frame structure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of radiation data is received while the entity is stationary and the mobile frame structure is stationary.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of radiation data is received while the entity is stationary and the mobile frame structure is moving over the entity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of radiation data includes at least gamma radiation information.

7. A mobile frame structure for detecting radiation and identifying materials associated with radiation that has been detected, the mobile frame structure comprising:

a mobility mechanism for maneuvering the mobile frame structure over an entity;

a first side portion;

at least a second side portion situated substantially opposite to the first side portion, wherein a passage is created between the first side portion and the at least second side portion configured to allow the entity to pass between the first side portion and the at least second side portion, and wherein at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion are adjustable in their position relative to each other;

at least one set of radiation sensors mechanically coupled to at least one of the first side portion and the at least second side portion;

a communication mechanism communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the communication mechanism transmits a set of radiation data associated with the entity that has been detected by the set of radiation detectors to at least one information processing system; and

at least one information processing system communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the at least one information processing system is adapted to;

receive from the at least one set of radiation sensors the set of radiation data associated with the entity,

generate at least one histogram based on the set of radiation data, wherein the at least one histogram represents at least one spectral image associated with the entity;

compare the at least one histogram to a plurality of spectral images associated with known materials;

determine that the at least one histogram substantially matches at least one of the plurality of spectral images;

determine if a material associated with the matching at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;

notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one radiation source that is a hazardous material in response to determining that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;

determine that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images fails to be a hazardous material;

compare the material with at least one manifest associated with the entity;

determine if the material matches at least one item on the at least one manifest; and

notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one unauthorized item in response to determining that the material fails to match any item on the at least one manifest.

8. The mobile frame structure of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one additional portion situated above the first side portion and the second side portion.

9. The mobile frame structure of claim 8, wherein the at least one additional portion includes:

a set of radiation sensors disposed thereon.

10. The mobile frame structure of claim 7, wherein the set of radiation data includes at least gamma radiation information.

11. A system for detecting radiation and identifying materials associated with radiation that has been detected, the system comprising:

a mobile frame structure comprising;

a mobility mechanism for maneuvering the mobile frame structure over an entity;

a first side portion;

at least a second side portion situated substantially opposite to the first side portion, wherein a passage is created between the first side portion and the at least second side portion configured to allow the entity to pass between the first side portion and the at least second additional side portion, and wherein at least one or the first side portion and the at least second side portion are adjustable in their position relative to each other;

at least one set of radiation sensors mechanically coupled to at least one of the first side portion and the at least second side portion; and

a communication mechanism communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the communication mechanism transmits a set of radiation data associated with the entity that has been detected by the set of radiation detectors to at least one information processing system; and

at least one information processing system communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the at least one information processing system is adapted to;

receive from the at least one set of radiation sensors the set of radiation data associated with the entity,

generate at least one histogram based on the set of radiation data, wherein the at least one histogram represents at least one spectral image associated with the entity;

compare the at least one histogram to a plurality of spectral images associated with known materials;

determine that the at least one histogram substantially matches at least one of the plurality of spectral images;

determine if a matching material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;

notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one radiation source that is a hazardous material in response to determining that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;

determine that the matching material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images fails to be a hazardous material;

compare the matching material with at least one manifest associated with the entity;

determine if the matching material substantially matches at least one item on the at least one manifest; and

notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one unauthorized item in response to determining that the matching material fails to substantially match any item on the at least one manifest.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the mobile frame structure further comprises:

at least one additional portion situated above the first side portion and the second side portion.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one additional portion includes:

a set of radiation sensors disposed thereon.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of radiation data includes at least gamma radiation information associated with the entity that has been detected by the set of radiation detectors.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the mobile frame structure is adapted to re-size to accommodate the entity by one of retracting and expanding at least one of the first side portion and the at least second side portion.