Risk profiling using portal based scanners

• US 10,366,794 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2015
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Globaltrak LLC (ORBCOMM Incorporated)
• Inventors: Meyers, Richard C
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivera Vargas, Manuel A
• Application Number:
  US14/930,553
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/167 Measuring radioactive content of objects, e.g. contamination whole body counters G01T1/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/80 for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu

Abstract

A system and method for consolidating data collected using a hierarchical scanning system and assessing security risks regarding the shipping containers is provided. The hierarchical scanning system collects information from distributed and repeated screening throughout a container journey and enables pattern analysis over groups of containers. During the journey of a container, risk profiles are created at short term events based on information collected via non-intrusive rapid inspections. Using combined information from the risk profiles, the initial manifest, and group based statistical intelligence, a risk quotient for each container is determined based on deviations calculated at each point of the journey. Accordingly, authorities are alerted when the risk quotient indicates that a specific container is at risk.

Claims

1. A hierarchical scanning system for monitoring shipping containers within a transportation system having one or more shipping cranes, the system comprising:

a portal-based scanner, wherein the portal-based scanner is deployed on a structure which handles shipping containers during short term events;

wherein the portal-based scanner comprises a sensor to detect the presence of a shipping container;

further wherein the portal-based scanner is configured to scan and detect container anomalies;

wherein the portal-based scanner is attached to a shipping crane;

a data fusion center, wherein the data fusion center is configured to receive data detected by the portal-based scanner;

further wherein the data fusion center is further configured to collect and consolidate information from a plurality of additional portal-based scanners;

a first receiver, wherein the first receiver is configured to receive data from the portal-based scanner;

a processing element for identifying anomalies;

a decision module for generating an alert message containing data regarding identified anomalies; and

a first transmitter, wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit an alert signal comprising the alert message;

wherein the data fusion center is configured to receive initial manifest data regarding the shipping container;

further wherein the initial manifest data comprises data regarding the container inventory and the container itinerary;

wherein the portal-based scanner is configured to gather data about the container in a short-term interaction and to transmit the data to the data fusion center;

wherein the data fusion center is configured to create a risk profile for the container based on data collected during the short-term interaction;

wherein the processing element is configured to compare the risk profile to at least one risk profile from a previous short-term interaction to identify anomalies.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a backend analysis module that is configured to analyze patterns among a group of shipping containers and generates statistical intelligence.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the data fusion center consolidates multiple sources of information and alarms to assist agencies to identify suspicious containers.