Measuring and analyzing multi-dimensional sensory information for identification purposes

• US 7,840,359 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Detection (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Detection (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Li, Jing, Munoz, Beth, Steinthal, Michael G., Vicic, Michael A., Hsiung, Chang-Meng B., Zhang, Shou-Hua, Sunshine, Steven A., Roy, Ajoy K.
• Primary Examiner(s): BHAT, ADITYA S
• Application Number:
  US12/382,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234587A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 702/22
• US Class Current: 702/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0031 comprising two or more sensors, e.g. a sensor array electrochemical electrode arrays G01N27/27
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0034 comprising neural networks or related mathematical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/40 Software arrangements specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. user interfaces or toolboxes therefor

Abstract

Methods and systems are provides for measuring multi-dimensional sensing information for identification purposes. The identity of one or more substances is determined through analysis of multidimensional data that can include, among others, intrinsic information as well as extrinsic information. The method for identification of a substance comprises utilizing pattern recognition to form descriptors to identify characteristics of the substance. A system and computer program for performing analysis of the multidimensional data are also described.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer code product to be executed by a computer, the computer code product comprising:

a) a code directed to acquiring over a computer network a first data from a first sensing device, wherein the first sensing device comprises at least one chemical or biological sensor;

b) a code directed to acquiring over the computer network a second data from a second sensing device, wherein the second sensing device comprises at least one temperature, pressure or magnetic sensor that respectively detect temperature, pressure and magnetism of an environment in which the second sensing device is located;

c) a code directed to applying a pattern recognition algorithm to the first data and second data and performing a combined analysis on the first data and second data to classify or identify a substance; and

d) a code directed to performing filtering of the first data and the second data received over the computer network, wherein the filtering increases a signal-to-noise ratio of the first data and the second data prior to applying the pattern recognition algorithm to the first data and the second data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pattern recognition is a Fisher Linear Discriminant Analysis.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data and the second data are selected from a transient stream of data or from a static source of data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for shipping container monitoring.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for perimeter monitoring.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for explosive monitoring.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for hazardous spill monitoring.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for radiation monitoring.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensing device comprises at least one temperature sensor, at least one pressure sensor, and at least one magnetic sensor.

9. A method comprising:

a) acquiring, by a computer over a computer network, a first data from a first sensing device, wherein the first sensing device comprises at least one chemical or biological sensor;

b) acquiring, by the computer over the computer network, a second data from a second sensing device, wherein the second sensing device comprises at least one temperature, pressure or magnetic sensor that respectively detect temperature, pressure and magnetism of an environment in which the second sensing device is located;

c) storing, by the computer, the first data and second data in memory;

d) applying, by the computer, a pattern recognition algorithm to the first data and second data and performing a combined analysis based on the first data and second data to classify or identify a substance;

e) storing, by the computer, a classification or identification of the substance; and

f) performing, by the computer, filtering of the first data and the second data received over the computer network, wherein the filtering increases a signal-to-noise ratio of the first data and the second data prior to applying the pattern recognition algorithm to the first data and the second data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pattern recognition is a Fisher Linear Discriminant Analysis.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first data and the second data are selected from a transient stream of data or from a static source of data.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for shipping container monitoring.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for perimeter monitoring.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for explosive monitoring.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for hazardous spill monitoring.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the data from the first device and the second device is data obtained for radiation monitoring.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the second sensing device comprises at least one temperature sensor, at least one pressure sensor, and at least one magnetic sensor.