System and method to detect hidden materials using a mobile device

• US 9,417,119 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2013
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abion Inc.
• Original Assignee: Abion Inc.
• Inventors: Workman, Michael George
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US13/908,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20140355384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 1/00 Measuring characteristics of vibrations in solids by using direct conduction to the detector G01H9/00, G01H11/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 Remote or cooperative charging

Abstract

A Mobile Device to detect concealed items in an automobile by measuring vibration. The mathematical formula frequency of vibration uses the mass M which affects the vibration. As mass of solid surface changes, so does the vibration. If difference in the vibration is detected between the inspected vehicle and empty vehicle that is the Baseline Frequency, it may indicate concealed items. The Mobile Device contains components needed to implement this invention. An accelerometer. A vibrator or speaker. A touch screen display. A computer operating system. A computer database. A computer network connection to the internet using a wireless network. A sensor to provide the latitude and longitude location of the device during testing, through GPS, GLONASS, or NETWORK. The device also provides an electrical power source using the device battery, wall outlet electricity, or automobile charging cable connected to an automobile.

Claims

1. A mobile device for detecting whether a vehicle contains a concealed item, the device comprising:

a vibrator for applying energy to a surface of the vehicle, wherein the energy causes the surface to vibrate;

an accelerometer that measures a test frequency of vibration of the surface; and

a means for comparing the test frequency of vibration to a baseline frequency of vibration for an identical surface of a vehicle of a same make, model and type that is empty of concealed items,

wherein a difference between the test frequency of vibration and the baseline frequency of vibration indicates the presence of a concealed item within the vehicle.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone or a mobile tablet computer.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising software for comparing the test frequency of vibration of the surface of the vehicle with the baseline frequency of vibration of said surface held in a database determining whether the test frequency of vibration is different from the baseline frequency of vibration, and indicating the result to the user.

4. A method for detecting an item concealed within a vehicle using a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:

the mobile device applying energy to a surface of the vehicle, causing the surface to vibrate;

the mobile device measuring a test frequency of vibration of the surface; and

the mobile device comparing the test frequency of vibration to a baseline frequency of vibration for an identical surface of a vehicle of a same make, model, and type that is empty of concealed items,

wherein a difference between the test frequency of vibration and the baseline frequency of vibration indicates the presence of a concealed item within the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone or a mobile tablet computer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the mobile device uses a computer operating system.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the vehicle is an automobile.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the surface is a surface of vehicle part selected from the group consisting of a quarter panel, a bumper, a door, a trunk, a hood, a dashboard, and a fuel tank.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the baseline frequency of vibration is recorded in a database, classified according to vehicle make, model, type, and part.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the database is stored on the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein a result of the difference between the test frequency of vibration and the baseline frequency of vibration is reported to a user of the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the result includes a latitude and a longitude location of the vehicle.