Risk profiling using portal based scanners

• US 9,177,462 B1
• Filed: 12/04/2011
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• 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): La, Anh V
• Application Number:
  US13/310,769
• Time in Patent Office: 1,430 Days
• Field of Search: 340/500, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/545.1, 340/545.6, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 3405721-5729, 455/41.2, 235/385, 235/384, 235/375
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 scanning system for monitoring shipping containers during transport, the system comprising:

a portal based scanner configured to directly detect one or more exterior characteristics of a transported shipping container;

wherein the portal based scanner is attached to structures or equipment which handle shipping containers during short term events;

a data fusion center that collects and consolidates information from a plurality of portal based scanners;

a first communication element that provides information exchange between the portal based scanner and the data fusion center, wherein the portal based scanner gathers data about at least one container in a short term interaction and transmits the data to the data fusion center;

a processing element for identifying anomalies based on the detected exterior characteristics of the transported shipping container and for

generating an alert according to identified anomalies.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data fusion center creates a risk profile for at least one container based on the one or more exterior characteristics detected during the short term event.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processing element compares the risk profile to at least one risk profile from a previous short term interaction and identifies any anomalies.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a backend analysis module that analyzes patterns among a group of shipping containers and generates statistical intelligence.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data fusion center consolidates multiple sources of information and alarms to assist agencies to identify suspicious containers.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the risk profile comprises at least one detected characteristic from the following group:

chemical residue;

bio residue;

the presence of radioactive isotopes;

a picture of identifying numbers; and

an image of the container'"'"'s overall condition and integrity.