U.S. patent application number 11/363594 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for container verification system for non-invasive detection of contents.
This patent application is currently assigned to Innovative American Technology Inc.. Invention is credited to David L. Frank.
Application Number | 20060261942 11/363594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38092889 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060261942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frank; David L. |
November 23, 2006 |
Container verification system for non-invasive detection of
contents
Abstract
A radiation, explosives, and special materials, detection and
identification system includes a housing supporting one or more
gamma sensors and one or more solid-state neutron sensors proximate
to container contents under examination. The system collects
radiation data from the sensors and compares the collected data to
one or more stored spectral images representing one or more
isotopes to identify one or more isotopes present. The identified
one or more isotopes present are corresponded to possible materials
or goods that they represent. The possible materials or goods are
compared with the manifest relating to the container to confirm the
identity of materials or goods contained in the container or to
detect and/or identify unauthorized materials or goods in the
container. A battery powered sensor arrangement is also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Frank; David L.; (Boca
Raton, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLEIT, KAIN, GIBBONS, GUTMAN, BONGINI;& BIANCO P.L.
ONE BOCA COMMERCE CENTER
551 NORTHWEST 77TH STREET, SUITE 111
BOCA RATON
FL
33487
US
|
Assignee: |
Innovative American Technology
Inc.
Boca Raton
FL
|
Family ID: |
38092889 |
Appl. No.: |
11/363594 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11291574 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
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11363594 |
Feb 27, 2006 |
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10280255 |
Oct 25, 2002 |
7005982 |
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11291574 |
Dec 1, 2005 |
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60759332 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
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60759331 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
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60759373 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
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60759375 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
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60347997 |
Oct 26, 2001 |
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60631865 |
Dec 1, 2004 |
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60655245 |
Feb 23, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/539.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V 5/0083 20130101;
G01V 5/0016 20130101; G01T 1/167 20130101; G01T 3/08 20130101; G01V
5/0008 20130101; G01V 5/0075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/539.26 |
International
Class: |
G08B 1/08 20060101
G08B001/08 |
Claims
1. A radiation detection and identification system, comprising: a
frame structure; one or more gamma sensors; one or more solid-state
neutron sensors, wherein the one or more gamma sensors and the one
or more solid-state neutron sensors being collectively mounted on
the frame structure that can be located in proximity to a container
under examination; a digital data collection system,
communicatively coupled with the one or more gamma sensors and the
one or more solid-state neutron sensors, for collecting radiation
data from the one or more gamma sensors and the one or more
solid-state neutron sensors; a multi-channel analyzer system,
communicatively coupled with the digital data collection system,
for preparing histograms of the collected radiation data; a
spectral analysis system, communicatively coupled with the
multi-channel analyzer system and the digital data collection
system, for receiving and analyzing the collected radiation data
and the histograms to detect radiation and to identify one or more
isotopes associated with the collected radiation data; a first data
storage means for storing data representing isotope spectra for use
by the spectral analysis system, where one or more spectral images
stored in the first data storage unit represent each isotope, the
first data storage means being communicatively coupled with the
spectral analysis system; an information processing system,
communicatively coupled with the spectral analysis system, for
analyzing the identified one or more isotopes and to determine the
possible materials or goods that they represent; and a second data
storage means for storing data representing a manifest relating to
the container under examination, the second data storage means
being communicatively coupled with the information processing
system, the information processing system further for comparing the
determined possible materials or goods with the manifest relating
to the container under examination to determine if there are
unauthorized materials or goods contained within the container
under examination.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the one or more gamma sensors
comprise: integrated analog interface and analog to digital
converter, sensor resolution of 3.4% or better between 1 kev and
662 kev, and sensor resolution of 12% or better between 662 kev and
3 Mev; and the one or more solid-state neutron sensors comprise:
integrated analog interface and analog to digital converter, and a
moderator for thermal neutron detection.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame structure is mounted on
a separate supporting structure that comprises any of the
following: a crane arm assembly, a spreader bar, a stationary
support, a fork lift truck, a ship; a plane, a truck, a rail car,
and any combination thereof.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame structure is mounted on
a separate supporting structure that is part of a fork lift
truck.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame structure is mounted on
a separate supporting structure that comprises at least one of a
railway, airport, and sea port, crane system.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a shock absorbing
system mechanically coupled with the frame structure for protecting
the one or more gamma sensors and the one or more solid-state
neutron sensors being mounted on the frame structure.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the frame structure is mounted on
a separate supporting structure, and wherein the shock absorbing
system protecting the one or more gamma sensors and the one or more
solid-state neutron sensors from shock forces of up to 200 G-forces
present at the separate supporting structure every minute for an
extended period of time.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame structure comprises at
least a partial housing around the one or more gamma sensors and
the one or more solid-state neutron sensors.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least a partial housing
comprises one or more housing walls attached to the frame
structure.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least a partial housing
comprises a complete enclosure around the one or more gamma sensors
and the one or more solid-state neutron sensors.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a shock absorbing
system mechanically coupled with a spreader bar of a gantry crane;
and a sensor housing containing the one or more gamma sensors and
the one or more solid-state neutron sensors and being mounted on
the spreader bar via the shock absorbing system to protect the one
or more gamma sensors and the one or more solid-state neutron
sensors from shock forces of up to 200 G-forces present at the
spreader bar every minute for an extended period of time.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a housing for
containing the one or more gamma sensors, the housing being
ruggedly constructed to withstand an environment at a spreader bar
of a gantry crane, and the housing providing minimal reduction of
gamma radiation passing through the housing to the surfaces of each
of the one or more gamma sensors.
13. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a housing for
containing the one or more gamma sensors, the housing being
constructed of material comprising one or more strong metals to
withstand a rugged environment at a spreader bar of a gantry crane,
the housing having at least one housing wall that is milled to a
thin layer at each position of the one or more gamma sensors to
minimize gamma radiation shielding by the housing for sensing gamma
radiation at any of the individual gamma sensor surfaces.
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a housing for
containing the one or more gamma sensors, the housing being
constructed of metal comprising beryllium to withstand a rugged
environment at a spreader bar of a gantry crane while minimizing
shielding of gamma particles passing through the housing for
sensing the gamma particles at any of the individual gamma sensor
surfaces.
15. The system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one shock
absorption mounted detector including one or more analog gamma
sensors with shielded analog cable to reduce background noise on
the output signals from the one or more sensors and to reduce
mechanical shock impact on the one or more sensors.
16. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless or
wire-line communications system to transport the radiation data
collected by the one or more gamma sensors and the one or more
solid-state neutron sensors to the spectral analysis system.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors, the digital data
collection system, and the spectral analysis system, are integrated
on a spreader bar of a gantry crane.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more gamma sensors
include respective one or more gamma detectors, and wherein the one
or more gamma detectors are either continuously exposed or
selectively exposed to a trace level of a radiological material to
provide a reference signal associated with one or more gamma
sensors for sensor calibration of the one or more gamma
sensors.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the multi-channel analyzer
system uses the reference signal associated with the one or more
gamma sensors to adjust the collected radiation data from the one
or more gamma sensors to obtain proper calibration of the collected
radiation data.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the spectral analysis system
analyzes the collected radiation data to identify one or more
isotopes associated with the collected radiation data by: comparing
one or more spectral images of the collected radiation data to one
or more spectral images stored in the first data storage means,
each known isotope being associated with one or more spectral
images stored in the first data storage means, and wherein the
stored one or more spectral images associated with a known isotope
represent one or more levels of spectral radiation data that may be
collected from the one or more sensors when detecting the known
isotope.
21. An explosives and special material detection and identification
system, comprising: one or more RF signal generators, mounted on a
spreader bar of a gantry crane, that transmit RF signals through
electrical contacts between the spreader bar and a shipping
container under examination and then into a cavity of the shipping
container under examination; one or more RF receivers for coupling
to one or more RF antenna systems for receiving returning signals
from within the cavity of the shipping container under examination,
the one or more RF antenna systems receiving returning signals from
within the cavity of the shipping container under examination
through electrical contacts between the shipping container under
examination and the spreader bar; a data collection system,
communicatively coupled to the one or more RF receivers, for
collecting received returning signals from the one or more RF
receivers; a spectral analysis and information processing system,
communicatively coupled with the data collection system, to analyze
the collected received returning signals for detecting materials in
the cavity of the shipping container under examination, and to
identify the possible explosives and/or special materials therein;
and a data storage means for storing data representing a manifest
relating to the shipping container under examination, the data
storage means being communicatively coupled with the spectral
analysis and information processing system, the spectral analysis
and information processing system further for comparing the
identified possible explosives and/or special materials with the
manifest relating to the shipping container under examination to
determine if there are unauthorized explosives and/or special
materials contained within the shipping container under
examination.
22. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a user interface,
communicatively coupled with the spectral analysis and information
processing system, to present to a user at least one of a
representation of the collected received returning signals, the
identified possible explosives and/or special materials in the
shipping container under examination, and the system identified
unauthorized explosives and/or special materials contained within
the shipping container under examination.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the special materials include
highly enriched uranium.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the spectral analysis and
information processing system compares the identified possible
explosives and/or special materials to the manifest by converting
the manifest relating to the shipping container under examination
to expected explosives and/or radiological materials and then
comparing the identified possible explosives and/or special
materials with the expected explosives and/or radiological
materials.
25. A battery powered sensor arrangement comprising: a battery; and
a solid-state neutron detector, electrically coupled with the
battery, the battery operated sensor arrangement for mounting to a
shipping container.
26. The battery powered sensor arrangement of claim 25, further
comprising a frame structure for mounting to an inner surface of a
shipping container.
27. The battery powered sensor arrangement of claim 25, further
comprising a frame structure, for mounting the solid-state neutron
detector thereto, the frame structure including a stacking
interlocking mechanism of a shipping container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on, and claims priority from,
prior co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/759,332, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK, and
entitled "Sensor Interface Unit And Method For Automated Support
Functions For CBRNE Sensors"; and further is based on, and claims
priority from, prior co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/759,331, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK,
and entitled "Method For Determination Of Constituents Present From
Radiation Spectra And, If Available, Neutron And Alpha
Occurrences"; and further is based on, and claims priority from,
prior co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/759,373, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK, and
entitled "Distributed Sensor Network with Common Platform for CBRNE
Devices; and further is based on, and claims priority from, prior
co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,375,
filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK, and entitled
Advanced Container Verification System; and furthermore is a
continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, prior co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/291,574, filed on Dec. 1, 2005,
which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, prior
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/280,255, filed on
Oct. 25, 2002, that was based on prior U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/347,997, filed on Oct. 26, 2001, now expired,
and which further is based on, and claims priority from, prior
co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/631,865,
filed on Dec. 1, 2004, now expired, and which furthermore is based
on, and claims priority from, prior co-pending U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/655,245, filed on Feb. 23, 2005, now
expired; the collective entire disclosure of which being herein
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates in general to shipping container
contents detection systems, and more particularly to a noninvasive
system and method to detect and identify hazardous materials within
containers, such as radiation and/or neutron emitting materials,
explosives, and special materials such as highly enriched uranium,
and further to identify the normally occurring radiological
materials within containers. Such a noninvasive container contents
detection and verification system operates without having to enter
the cavity of a container under examination. The system can include
a radiation sensor system that uses integrated sensors for Gamma
and neutron detection, and with a spectral analysis capability to
identify the specific isotope(s) of materials in containers. Such a
system can also include detection and identification of explosives
and special materials in containers. These special materials may
include highly enriched uranium.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Current attempts at providing radiation, neutron,
explosives, and special materials, detection systems to verify
shipping containers, such as those that have been mounted on the
gantry crane arms, have resulted in detection systems that have
limited sensitivity and efficiency and can not withstand the harsh
environment. Radiation detection systems for detecting radiation
from shipping containers have not had the ability to identify the
specific isotopes. The inability to identify the specific isotopes
present in the containers has not allowed these systems to further
identify the goods or materials within the containers and therefore
has restricted their ability to reliably evaluate the validity of
the contents. Moreover, it has not allowed for a use of the
manifest for verification of the container contents which has
resulted in substantial false alarm rates and has impacted the flow
of commerce. Further, these conventional implementations can be
difficult to overcome analog noise caused by analog cabling
systems. Furthermore, large shock factors of up to 200 G-forces per
minute during normal operations handling large containers can cause
failure and unreliable operation to key components of conventional
radiation detection systems. These characteristics of current
shipping container detection systems, such as for use with gantry
cranes, detrimentally affect the commercial viability of radiation,
neutron, explosives, and special materials, detection systems,
cause substantial negative impacts to the flow of commerce, and
particularly reduce their effectiveness and reliability in
rugged-use environments.
[0006] In addition, technologies used to detect explosives can not
penetrate metal or include methods that are dangerous to humans
such as active x-ray or gamma imaging leaving no effective means to
detect or identify explosives hidden in shipping containers.
[0007] Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the
prior art as discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
detection system and method detects gamma and neutron radiation
with more effective methods that effectively eliminate vibration
issues, noise gathered by analog cabling, and shock factors, such
as encountered in harsh operating environments. The gamma detectors
provide high-resolution data from 1 kev to 3 Mev to enable spectral
analysis. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention
provides radiation detector support functions such as automated
calibration, automated gain control, and automated calibration
verification to enable highly accurate calibration of a sensor or
sensor array. The present invention, according to an embodiment,
allows easy integration of commercial off-the-shelf or proprietary
radiation sensors into a non-invasive container verification
system. Additionally, an embodiment of the present invention
includes rapid and highly accurate spectral analysis software to
interrogate radiation data acquired from radiation sensors, and to
identify the specific one or more isotopes and their ratio.
[0009] In order to verify whether radioactive materials are
concealed within a shipping container, isotope sensing and
identification systems can be deployed in association with a
container, such as with a crane assembly used to lift shipping and
transfer containers. Typically, the container crane includes a
hoist-attachment which engages the shipping container. An isotope
sensing and identification system would consist of one or more
gamma and neutron detectors that are mounted on the crane
hoist-attachment (or on the spreader arm) and provide detailed
radiation spectral data to a computer performing spectral analysis
for the detection and identification of isotope(s) that are present
in the containers. Many normally occurring radiological materials
exist in common goods and cause radiation detection systems to
produce false alarms. By identifying the specific isotope(s) that
are present allows the system to also identify the types of goods
or materials that the isotopes represent. With a list of potential
goods that represent the identified isotopes, the system can
perform a comparison between the identified goods or materials and
the shipping container manifest to determine if the radiological
material(s) present match the expected materials within the
container. The process of 1) identifying the isotope(s) that are
within a container, 2) identifying the goods or materials that the
isotopes represent and 3) verifying the contents of the manifest
against the identified goods, allows the efficient verification of
the container without negative impact to the flow of commerce
[0010] Also, an embodiment of the present invention benefits from
gamma sensors that are integrated with analog circuits and digital
converters to eliminate the analog cabling and greatly reduce the
analog portion of the system design thereby reducing background
noise in the system design. The introduction of solid-state neutron
sensors that are not affected by vibration or system shock and have
integrated analog to digital converters greatly reduces the
background noise during the system operation. This results in more
reliable detection and sensing of radiation from within containers
during normal shipping and handling operations of the
containers.
[0011] In one embodiment, a Sensor Interface Unit (SIU) provides an
open interface for radiation detectors based on an analog sensor
interface module contained on an interchangeable daughter board.
The analog section is responsible for amplifying and shaping the
detector output, and converting the analog pulses to a digital
signal. The digital section reads the digital signal, detects the
peaks of the incoming pulses, and sends the peak data over a
communications path to a processor that performs spectral
analysis.
[0012] According to an embodiment, the gamma sensors are
incorporated in the hoist-attachment (e.g., such as at the spreader
bar), or the gamma sensors are mounted in a housing (e.g., a metal
tube) designed to be strong and rugged to work in connection with
the crane arm (or spreader bar) environment yet have a bottom
surface (or surface facing the containers under examination) that
provides minimum impact on the gamma particles passing through the
housing to maintain sensitivity of the gamma sensors. This can be
accomplished through the use of specialized materials or machining
of the housing surface in proximity to the containers under
examination, such as the bottom metal surface of the sensor tube at
each sensor location.
[0013] According to an embodiment, neutron sensors are incorporated
in the spreader bar of the crane assembly. Alternatively, the
neutron sensors can be mounted in a housing, such as a metal box,
that is designed to be strong and rugged such as to work in
connection with the crane arm assembly and/or spreader bar, yet
have minimum impact on the neutron particles passing through the
housing to maintain sensitivity of the neutron sensors. A neutron
moderator may be deployed within the housing to assist in detection
of thermal neutrons.
[0014] Additional shock absorber methods provided by crane
manufacturers further reducing the shock and vibrations on the
spreader bar of the crane assembly and ultimately on the gamma
sensors and neutron sensors.
[0015] According to another embodiment, the gamma radiation sensors
are comprised of ambient temperature detectors with high resolution
and a gamma range of 1 kev to 3 Mev. One such sensor combination
would be through the deployment of sodium iodide sensors to enable
a range up to 3 Mev with good resolution from 662 kev to 3 Mev and
adding cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) sensors to enable high
resolution between 1 kev and 662 kev. The combination of these two
sensors types or other sensors types enables high resolution and
provides coverage to identify a full range of radiation
isotopes.
[0016] According to another embodiment, one or more battery powered
neutron sensors and/or battery powered gamma sensors are deployed
within the shipping container.
[0017] According to another embodiment, the radiation sensors are
connected to a processor system that collects and analyzes the
gamma energy levels and spectral data detected and then sends this
data to a spectral analysis engine. Data from each detector is
individually addressed and sent to the spectral analysis engine to
allow for analysis of individual detector data or detector group
data.
[0018] The processor system and a data collection system is
electrically coupled with each sensor device within the crane arm
(or spreader bar) sensor system, to collect signals from the array
of neutron sensor devices to form histograms with the collected
spectral data. The histograms are used by the spectral analysis
system to identify the isotopes that are present.
[0019] The spectral analysis system, according to an embodiment,
includes an information processing system and software that
analyzes the data collected and identifies the isotopes that are
present. The spectral analysis software consists of various
filtering techniques for removal of background noise, interfering
signals, such as backscatter radiation, and more that one method to
provide multi-confirmation of the isotopes identified. Should more
than one isotope be present, the system identifies the ratio of
each isotope present. Examples of methods that can be used for
spectral analysis such as in the spectral analysis software
according to an embodiment of a container verification system,
include: 1) a method and system for improving pattern recognition
system performance as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,731; and 2)
a LINSCAN method (a linear analysis of spectra method) as described
in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,331, filed on
Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. Frank, and entitled "Method For
Determination Of Constituents Present From Radiation Spectra And,
If Available, Neutron And Alpha Occurrences"; the collective entire
teachings of which being herein incorporated by reference.
[0020] A user interface of the information processing system,
according to an embodiment, provides a graphic view of the
radiation spectra detected and the isotopes identified. The user
interface allows a user of the system to view, among other things,
the individual detectors, detector groups, individual sensors, and
sensor groups, to quickly identify maintenance conditions,
radiation detected, and isotopes identified.
[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention provides for
material detection using radio frequencies that are driven into the
shipping container by means of the raw metal contacts that exist
between the container and the crane arm (or spreader bar) during
operation of the crane assembly. The use of radio frequency for
material detection such as Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) is a
recognized technology for the detection and identification of
explosives and other materials. Such a method could be used on the
crane assembly (e.g., on the spreader bar) to pulse RF energy into
the cavity of the container under examination and use the container
as a medium to collect returning signals for analysis, detection,
and identification of contents of the container. A key aspect of
this embodiment is to take advantage of electrical connections
(metal-to-metal contacts) between the crane arm (or spreader bar)
and the container to enable, in a non-invasive manner, RF analysis
and detection of explosives and other materials contained within
the container under examination. This method overcomes the
inability of RF signals to penetrate sealed metal objects, such as
a shipping container, and to analyze the container contents for
dangerous or hazardous materials using a method that is safe when
used in an area with human contact.
[0022] In one embodiment of this invention, a sensor interface unit
is used to allow for the integration of commercial off-the-shelf
sensors, and also proprietary sensors, into a non-invasive
container verification system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a picture depicting a container in proximity to a
crane arm assembly (or a spreader bar) with sensors in sensor
housings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic view illustrating an
exemplary placement of sensors and associated electronics on a
crane arm assembly (or a spreader bar).
[0025] FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view illustrating an
exemplary configuration of sensors in a sensor housing.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side longitudinal cross-sectional view of a
spreader bar of a crane arm assembly showing an exemplary
configuration of a sensor housing mounted on the spreader bar,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic view illustrating an
exemplary RF detection system for detecting explosives and special
materials in a container.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data
collection and analysis system, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary battery
operated detector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] While the specification concludes with claims defining the
features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is
believed that the invention will be better understood from a
consideration of the following description in conjunction with the
drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried
forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various
forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the
present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed
structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not
intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable
description of the invention.
[0031] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one,
or more than one. The term "plurality", as used herein, is defined
as two, or more than two. The term "another", as used herein, is
defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or
"having", as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open
language). The term "coupled", as used herein, is defined as
connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily
mechanically. The terms "program", "computer program", "software
application", and the like as used herein, are defined as a
sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer
system. A program, computer program, or software application may
include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an
object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a
servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic
load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for
execution on a computer system. A data storage means, as defined
herein, includes many different types of computer readable media
that allow a computer to read data therefrom and that maintain the
data stored for the computer to be able to read the data again.
Such data storage means can include, for example, non-volatile
memory, such as ROM, Flash memory, battery backed-up RAM, Disk
drive memory, CD-ROM, DVD, and other permanent storage media.
However, even volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cache memory,
and network circuits are contemplated to serve as such data storage
means according to different embodiments of the present
invention.
[0032] The present invention, according to an embodiment, overcomes
problems with the prior art by providing high resolution gamma
sensors with integrated analog to digital converters to reduce
noise and shock factor and by providing solid-state neutron sensors
that are rugged and not affected by vibration or shock factor. In
addition, by mounting these radiation detection devices in a shock
absorbing housing which is also shock mounted onto a spreader bar
of a crane assembly enables a rugged design that can withstand
shock forces up to a 200 G-force every minute for an extended
period of time. The radiation sensor data collected enables
detection and identification of the specific isotopes that are
present in a container under examination.
[0033] An embodiment of the invention includes gamma and neutron
sensors that provide significantly improved isotope detection and
identification efficiency and sensitivity, especially for use in a
harsh environment such as mounted on a spreader bar of a crane arm
assembly. The detectors are connected to a Sensor Interface Unit
(SIU) that provides the calibration, automated gain control,
calibration verification, remote diagnostics, signal processing and
communications to the processor for spectral analysis of the sensor
data. The SIU is described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/759,332, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor David L. FRANK,
and entitled "Sensor Interface Unit And Method For Automated
Support Functions For CBRNE Sensors", which is herein incorporated
by reference. The neutron sensor devices are solid state and
address the deficiencies of conventional neutron sensor devices
especially when deployed in an aggressive and harsh operating
environment such as on a spreader bar of a crane arm assembly.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a crane
arm assembly (or spreader bar) mounted sensor system may comprise a
node within an Integrated Chemical, Biological, Radiation, Nuclear
and Explosives (CBRNE) distributed architecture system. An example
of such a system is described in U.S. Patent Application No.
60/759,373, Filed on Jan. 17, 2006, and entitled "Distributed
Sensor Network With Common Platform For CBRNE Devices", the entire
teachings of which being incorporated by reference.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a crane
arm (spreader bar) mounted radiation sensor system is comprised of
one or more gamma and neutron sensor devices shock mounted to
protect against shock forces up to 200 G-forces per minute for an
extended period of time. One such method is a spring-mass-damper
that can be used to suppress the effects of shock. The sensor
device is assumed to be infinitely rigid, and the shock pulse is
transferred directly into the spring mass damper. Examples of such
shock absorbing systems are found in FIGS. 3 and 4, which will be
more fully discussed below.
[0036] The sensors may also be shielded from
electro-magnetic-interference (EMI). A data collection system,
electrically coupled with each sensor device, collects signals from
the sensor devices. The collected signals represent whether each
sensor device has detected gamma or neutron radiation. Optionally,
a remote monitoring system is communicatively coupled with the data
collection system to remotely monitor the collected signals from
the sensor devices and thereby remotely determine whether one or
more gamma neutron sensor devices from the array have provided
gamma data or neutron radiation data, and a spectral analysis
system identifies the specific isotopes detected by the sensors, as
will be more fully discussed below. A user interface provides
sensor related data, such as a graphic presentation of the data
from each sensor and group of sensors, the detection of radiation,
and the identification of the one or more isotopes detected by the
sensors.
[0037] Described now is an exemplary radiation detection and
identification system mounted on a spreader bar of a crane assembly
and the operation of the same, according to exemplary embodiments
of the present invention.
[0038] An exemplary radiation detection and identification system
deployed on a crane arm (or spreader bar) 101, or on the outside
102 or within a container 103, such as illustrated in FIG. 1,
provides significantly improved detection efficiency and
sensitivity over past attempts to deploy radiation detection
devices in connection with a crane assembly. FIG. 1 illustrates
example installation positions for various sensor housings 104. The
inventive features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of a
radiation detection and identification system, such as deployed in
connection with a crane assembly or other shipping container
handling operation, will be discussed below. However, it is assumed
that the reader has an understanding of radiation and sensor
technologies. Examples of neutron detection semiconductor devices
and technology are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,281 to McGregor
et al., filed on Jul. 6, 2001, and entitled "POCKED SURFACE NEUTRON
DETECTOR", and additionally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,826 to
Klann et al., filed on Nov. 22, 2000, and entitled "COATED
SEMICONDUCTOR FOR NEUTRON DETECTION", and in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/695,019, entitled "HIGH EFFICIENCY NEUTRON
DETECTORS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME" to McGregor et al., the
entire collective teachings thereof being herein incorporated by
reference.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary radiation detection and
identification system is deployed on a crane arm assembly (or
spreader bar) 201. The system includes one or more sensors 202,
including gamma sensors and neutron sensors. The gamma sensors 202
provide high resolution detection across a 1 kev to 3 Mev range.
The one or more neutron sensors 202 comprise solid state devices.
The sensors 202 are communicatively coupled with a data collection
and communications system 203. The mounting of the sensors 202 on
the crane arm assembly 201 will be discussed in more detail
below.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary frame structure,
illustrated as a housing 300, can be configured to support multiple
types of gamma sensors 303, 304, and neutron sensors 305. The
housing 300 is mounted on a crane arm assembly (or spreader bar)
(not shown in FIG. 3). The housing 300 provides modular
installation of a radiation sensor system as well as shock
absorbing capabilities to address shock forces of up to 200
G-forces per minute for an extended period that can be experienced
during operation of such crane arm assemblies while handling large
containers. The housing 300, in this example, is electrically
isolated from the crane arm assembly and further provides EMI
shielding for any electronic circuits and other devices in the
housing 300. Shock absorbing mountings 301, 302 for the housing 300
provide shock absorption between the housing 300 and the crane's
spreader bar (not shown). The sensor shock mounts 306 are provided
to further isolate the sensors 303, 304, 305, from shock forces
experienced during operation of the crane's spreader bar (not
shown). Within the housing 300 can be included other electronics
and devices such as sensor interface modules, data collection
electronics, and data communication electronics. Any of these
circuits and/or modules can also be mounted in the housing 300, or
in another separate housing (not shown), using shock absorbing
mounts to help also isolate these from the shock forces experienced
during operation of the crane's spreader bar (not shown).
Additionally, besides shock absorption, these circuits and modules
in the housing 301, according to the present example, benefit from
electrical isolation from the crane arm assembly, and from EMI
shielding by the housing 300.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a mounting arrangement
between a crane arm assembly (or spreader bar) 401 and a frame
structure (e.g., a housing) 402. The frame structure 402 in this
example comprises at least a partial housing that contains the
sensors 414. The at least a partial housing 402 includes one or
more housing walls attached to a frame structure 402. The one or
more walls help to protect the sensors 414, and other electronics
and devices, in the at least partial housing 402 from external
environmental hazards. Areas that do not include a wall in the
frame structure 402 can provide a more clear and direct path
(without interference of another wall structure) between detection
surfaces of the sensors 414 and a container under examination to
enhance detection sensitivity of the sensors 414. A collection of
shock mounts 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, provide shock absorption to
help isolate the frame structure 402, and the sensors 414 and other
electronics and modules in the at least partial housing 402, from
the shock forces experienced during operation of the crane's
spreader bar 401. The at least partial housing 402 is mounted on
the spreader bar 401 in a recessed region, such as in a recessed
region of an I-beam shape of the spreader bar 401. In this example,
the sensors 414 are mounted in the frame structure 402 to extend
the sensors 414 out of the recessed region of the I-beam of the bar
401. This mounting arrangement of the sensors 414 provides a more
clear and direct path (without interference of another structure
such as the spreader bar 401) between radiation detection surfaces
of the sensors 414 and a container under examination (not shown in
FIG. 4) being held by the crane arm assembly (or spreader bar)
401.
[0042] While the frame structure 402 has been discussed by example
as comprising at least a partial housing supporting the one or more
sensors 414, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in
the art in view of the present discussion that the term frame
structure should be given a very broad meaning to include many
different kinds of frame structures that can support one or more
sensors 414 in accordance with alternative embodiments of the
present invention. For example, a frame structure can include a
frame with no housing walls. A frame structure can also include the
structure of a crane arm assembly, such as the spreader bar itself,
to provide support for the sensors 414. For example, the sensors
414, and even a digital data collection system 610 and a spectral
analysis system 640 (shown in FIG. 6), can be integrated on the
spreader bar of a gantry crane. The frame structure can also
include a structure that is separate and independent from a crane
arm assembly. For example, a frame structure can comprise a fork
lift truck structure. Alternatively, a frame structure can comprise
a stationary supporting structure that supports sensors 414 and
that containers can be located in proximity to the sensors 414 for
a container contents examination operation. In one embodiment, the
frame structure is contemplated to include the frame structure of
the container under examination. Such a frame structure can support
one or more sensors 414 inside the container and/or outside the
container, as will be discussed in more detail below.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the
present invention, a crane arm explosives and special material
sensor system is comprised of one or more RF generators and
receivers 502 generating signals that are pulsed into the cavity of
the container through the raw electrical contacts 503 between the
crane arm assembly (spreader bar) 501 and the container 504 under
examination. The RF return signals (from the cavity of the
container under examination) are received by the one or more
receivers 502 through the container 504 and the electrical
connection to the crane arm assembly (spreader bar) 501. The
container and interconnecting structures collectively provide one
or more RF antenna systems coupling the RF return signals to the RF
receivers 502. The RF receivers 502 then deliver the RF return
signals to a data collection and analysis system (such as the
system shown in FIG. 6) for processing. The receivers 502, in this
example, include processing circuits that convert received return
signals (e.g., received analog signals) into data signals that are
provided to the data collection and analysis system for further
processing.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 6, a data collection system 610, in
this example, is communicatively coupled via cabling, wireless
communication link, and/or other communication link 605 with each
of the gamma radiation sensor devices 601 and neutron sensor
devices 602 in each sensor unit, and with each of the RF sensor
device(s) 603 such as including the one or more receivers 502 shown
in FIG. 5. Cabling preferably includes shielded analog cable to
reduce background noise on the output signals from the one or more
sensors 601, 602, 603. The data collection system 610 includes an
information processing system with data communication interfaces
624 that collect signals from the radiation sensor units 601, 602,
and from the RF sensor device(s) 603. The collected signals, in
this example, represent detailed spectral data from each gamma
sensor device that has detected radiation.
[0045] The data collection system 610 is modular in design and can
be used specifically for radiation detection and identification, or
for RF signal collection for explosives and special materials
detection and identification, or can be combined to support both
radiation detection and RF signal collection.
[0046] The data collection system 610 is communicatively coupled
with a local controller and monitor system 612. The local system
612 comprises an information processing system that includes a
computer, memory, storage, and a user interface 614 such a display
on a monitor and a keyboard, or other user input/output device. In
this example, the local system 612 also includes a multi-channel
analyzer 630 and a spectral analyzer 640.
[0047] The multi-channel analyzer (MCA) 630 comprises a device
composed of many single channel analyzers (SCA). The single channel
analyzer interrogates analog signals received from the individual
radiation detectors 601, 602, and determines whether the specific
energy range of the received signal is equal to the range
identified by the single channel. If the energy received is within
the SCA the SCA counter is updated. Over time, the SCA counts are
accumulated. At a specific time interval, a multi-channel analyzer
630 includes a number of SCA counts, which result in the creation
of a histogram. The histogram represents the spectral image of the
radiation that is present. The MCA 630, according to one example,
uses analog to digital converters combined with computer memory
that is equivalent to thousands of SCAs and counters and is
dramatically more powerful and cheaper.
[0048] The histogram is used by the spectral analysis system 640 to
identify isotopes that are present in materials contained in the
container under examination. One of the functions performed by the
information processing system 612 is spectral analysis, performed
by the spectral analyzer 640, to identify the one or more isotopes,
explosives or special materials contained in a container under
examination. With respect to radiation detection, the spectral
analyzer 640 compares one or more spectral images of the radiation
present to known isotopes that are represented by one or more
spectral images 650 stored in the isotope database 622. By
capturing multiple variations of spectral data for each isotope
there are numerous images that can be compared to one or more
spectral images of the radiation present. The isotope database 622
holds the one or more spectral images 650 of each known isotope.
These multiple spectral images represent various levels of
acquisition of spectral radiation data of known isotopes so
collected radiation data of isotopes to be identified can be
compared and identified using various amounts of spectral data that
may be available from the one or more sensors. Whether there are
small amounts (or large amounts) of data acquired from the sensor,
the spectral analysis system 640 compares the acquired radiation
data from the sensor to one or more spectral images associated with
each known isotope. In summary, the spectral analysis system
analyzes the collected radiation data to identify one or more
isotopes associated with the collected radiation data by comparing
one or more spectral images of the collected radiation data to one
or more spectral images stored in the isotope database 622, where
each known isotope is associated with one or more spectral images
stored in the isotope database 622. The stored one or more spectral
images associated with a known isotope represent one or more levels
of spectral radiation data that may be collected from the one or
more sensors when detecting the known isotope.
[0049] This analysis by comparison to various spectral images
associated with known isotopes significantly enhances the
reliability and efficiency of matching acquired spectral image data
from the sensor to spectral image data of each possible isotope to
be identified. Once the one or more possible isotopes are
determined present in the radiation detected by the sensor(s), the
information processing system 612 can compare the isotope mix
against possible materials, goods, and/or products, that may be
present in the container under examination. Additionally, a
manifest database 615 includes a detailed description of the
contents of each container that is to be examined. The manifest 615
can be referred to by the information processing system 612 to
determine whether the possible materials, goods, and/or products,
contained in the container match the expected authorized materials,
goods, and/or products, described in the manifest for the
particular container under examination. This matching process,
according to an embodiment of the present invention, is
significantly more efficient and reliable than any container
contents monitoring process in the past.
[0050] The spectral analysis system 640, according to an
embodiment, includes an information processing system and software
that analyzes the data collected and identifies the isotopes that
are present. The spectral analysis software consists of more that
one method to provide multi-confirmation of the isotopes
identified. Should more than one isotope be present, the system
identifies the ratio of each isotope present. Examples of methods
that can be used for spectral analysis such as in the spectral
analysis software according to an embodiment of a container
contents verification system, include: 1) a method and system for
improving pattern recognition system performance as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,731; and 2) a LINSCAN method (a linear analysis
of spectra method) as described in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/759,331, filed on Jan. 17, 2006, by inventor
David L. Frank, and entitled "Method For Determination Of
Constituents Present From Radiation Spectra And, If Available,
Neutron And Alpha Occurrences"; the collective entire teachings of
which being herein incorporated by reference.
[0051] With respect to analysis of collected data pertaining to
explosives and/or special materials, the spectral analyzer 640 and
the information processing system 612 compare identified possible
explosives and/or special materials to the manifest 615 by
converting the stored manifest data relating to the shipping
container under examination to expected explosives and/or
radiological materials and then by comparing the identified
possible explosives and/or special materials with the expected
explosives and/or radiological materials. If the system determines
that there is no match to the manifest for the container then the
identified possible explosives and/or special materials are
unauthorized. The system can then provide information to system
supervisory personnel to alert them to the alarm condition and to
take appropriate action.
[0052] The user interface 614 allows service or supervisory
personnel to operate the local system 612 and to monitor the status
of radiation detection and identification of isotopes and/or the
detection of RF signals by the collection of sensor units 601, 602
and 603 deployed on the frame structure, such as on the crane arm
assembly (or spreader bar).
[0053] The user interface 614, for example, can present to a user a
representation of the collected received returning signals, or the
identified possible explosives and/or special materials in the
shipping container under examination, or any system identified
unauthorized explosives and/or special materials contained within
the shipping container under examination, or any combination
thereof.
[0054] The data collection system can also be communicatively
coupled with a remote control and monitoring system 618 such as via
a network 616. The remote system 618 comprises an information
processing system that has a computer, memory, storage, and a user
interface 620 such as a display on a monitor and a keyboard, or
other user input/output device. The network 616 comprises any
number of local area networks and/or wide area networks. It can
include wired and/or wireless communication networks. This network
communication technology is well known in the art. The user
interface 620 allows remotely located service or supervisory
personnel to operate the local system 612 and to monitor the status
of shipping container verification by the collection of sensor
units 601, 602 and 603 deployed on the frame structure, such as on
the crane arm assembly (or spreader bar).
[0055] By operating the system remotely, such as from a central
monitoring location, a larger number of sites can be safely
monitored by a limited number of supervisory personnel. Besides
monitoring container handling operations such as from crane arm
assemblies, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, it should be
clear that many different applications can benefit from the
shipping container verification function to detect and identify
radiation, explosives and special materials. For example, fork lift
truck mounted sensor units communicating with a remote monitoring
system allow radiation detection and identification where large
amounts of cargo are moved and handled, such as at ports, railway,
and intermodal stations, and at ships, airplanes, trucks,
warehouses, and other carrier environments, and at such other
places that have large amounts of cargo to handle as should be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the
present discussion. Note that the sensors 414 can be mounted on
many different types of frame structures and related environments.
This monitoring capability, both local and remote monitoring, and
at a significantly reduced cost of deploying and running such a
monitoring system, provides a significant commercial advantage.
[0056] Additionally, the system monitoring function can be combined
to monitor more than radiation and explosives. Other types of
hazardous elements can be monitored in combination with the
radiation detection by combining appropriate sensors and detectors
for these other types of hazardous elements with the radiation and
RF sensor units and monitoring system according to alternative
embodiments of the present invention.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 7, it should be understood that sensor
devices such as gamma sensors 202 and neutron sensors 202 as shown
in FIG. 2 can be deployed as battery powered devices 700. Power
consumption requirements of such sensor devices 700 can be supplied
for long periods of time by modern battery technologies and power
conservation techniques. This allows mounting these sensors 700 in
many different mounting arrangements relative to different types of
frame structures, and without needing to be tethered to a
continuous power source. The detector 702, according to an example
illustrated in FIG. 7, can include one or more gamma detectors,
neutron detectors, or a combination thereof. The processor 704
communicates with the detector 702 via interface circuitry 706. The
processor 704 stores data signals collected from the detector 702
into memory 708. The memory 708 also stores configuration
parameters and other program and data used by the processor 704 to
perform its functions as a controller-processor 704 for the battery
powered sensor device 700. One such function is the communication
of the collected data from the detector 702 to a data collection
system 610 (such as shown in FIG. 6). The communication function,
in this example, is handled via wireless communication such as
using RF communication via a wireless communication module 710 and
an RF antenna 711. One form of wireless communication is on
wireless networks using ad-hoc communication mode where wireless
devices, such as a collection of battery powered sensors 700
deployed on various frame structures, directly communicate with
each other (in a peer-to-peer communication fashion) to dynamically
establish a network of neighboring wireless devices. Operating in
ad-hoc mode allows all wireless devices within range of each other
to discover and communicate in peer-to-peer fashion without
involving central access points. In one example, every neighboring
wireless device in such a network will communicate its collected
radiation data with the other neighboring devices that then store
all the collected radiation data from all neighboring sensor
devices 700 in memory 708. In this way, when a data collection
system 610 communicates with one of the sensor devices 700 it can
interrogate and receive collected data from all neighboring sensor
devices 700. This is particularly useful where the sensor devices
700 are deployed on various frame structures that include one or
more containers, which are commonly stacked in a container-handling
environment. This allows, for example, examination of containers
located near the center of a stack which otherwise would be very
difficult or impossible to examine without first removing the
container from the stack. This allows a shipping port operation,
for example, to handle containers very efficiently while monitoring
for possible unauthorized contents in any of the containers. Also,
as another example, a monitoring ship carrying the data collection
system 610 and the analysis and monitoring system 612, could ride
along a container cargo ship and the data collection system 610
would interrogate the one or more sensors 700 mounted to one or
more frame structures in the container cargo ship. The data
collection system 610, by communicating with one of the sensors
700, would be able to receive the data collected from all of the
sensors 700 in the ad hoc network.
[0058] The battery and power conditioning circuits 712 provide
power (such as via at least one power bus 714) to all of the
electronics, modules, and devices in the sensor 700. Additionally,
the power circuits 712 provide a power indicator signal 715 to the
processor 704. This allows the processor 704 to monitor when power
is good and when power is getting too low. In the latter condition,
the processor 704 can send an alarm condition via the wireless
communication module 710 to the data collection system 610 and to
the information processing system 612. This allows the system to
take appropriate corrective action. For example, the identification
of the particular sensor 700 with the low power alarm can prompt
service personnel to replace the battery (or to re-charge the
battery) at the sensor 700 as soon as possible. Also, the system
712 can disregard detection and sensing signals from such a device
700 that has sent an alarm indicating an unreliable power
condition. This will help avoid false sensing, or failed sensing,
conditions by sensors 700 that have unreliable power.
[0059] The battery operated sensor devices 700, such as including
gamma and/or neutron sensors, can be mounted in any position on a
container (one type of frame structure). For example, one or more
devices 700 can be mounted to one or more inner surfaces of a
container. A suggested position, according to one embodiment, is at
an inner surface of the center of the roof/ceiling of the container
to allow equal access to monitor all goods and materials in the
container. As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art in view of the present discussion, multiple sensors 700 may be
used and the sensors 700 can be mounted in any position within the
container, on the outside of the container, or any combination
thereof.
[0060] The sensor devices 700, according to an embodiment, are
deployed on the outside of containers, embedded in (or mounted to)
the stacking interlocking mechanisms that are commonly found in
most standard shipping containers. These interlocking mechanisms
are normally found at the corners of a container. There are about
16 million containers worldwide and the stacking interlocking
mechanisms are commonly in use across the world. By embedding (or
mounting) a sensor device 700 in the metal structure of a stacking
interlocking mechanism, such as by mounting a sensor device 700 in
a cavity in each twist lock of the stacking interlocking mechanism
of each container, the one or more sensors 700 could be more
efficiently used to monitor the contents of containers. The use of
these sensor devices 700 in every interlocking mechanism of each
container and communicating with each other in an Ad-Hoc network
would allow a US Customs vessel to come along-side a cargo ship,
initiate communications with any of the wireless communications
modules 710, to determine if there is a radiation detection at a
particular container, even one that is stored deep in a stack of
containers inside the cargo ship hull. This is a significant
advantage of an embodiment of the present invention that has not
been available in the past.
[0061] A reference source of radiation can be found in proximity to
one or more of the detectors 702 in a sensor 700 (also see sensors
202 shown in FIG. 2) to facilitate real-time calibration of the
detectors 702 through communication with the multi-channel analyzer
630.
[0062] Radiation detectors 702 are known to have analog drift over
time. The spectral analysis system 640 typically relies on accurate
spectral data (within calibration) from the sensors 700 to identify
the specific isotopes that are present in the container under
examination. To provide accurate data over time, a minute
radiological source can be exposed to the radiation detector 702
during calibration checks. The radiation source (such as a trace
level of a radiological material) can be a continuous exposure
source at the detector 702, an intermittent (selective) exposure
source (such as in a cup that can be opened or closed to
selectively expose the source for calibration), or any combination
of one or more sources at the detector 702 and/or at the sensor
700. A reference signal from detecting this reference source is
analyzed by the multi-channel analyzer system 630 to ensure that
the detector 702 is in calibration. If the detector 702 is out of
calibration, the multi-channel analyzer system 630 modifies the
received detector data from the particular sensor 700 to bring the
detector data into calibration (sensor calibration) prior to
placing the data into the histogram for spectral analysis by the
spectral analysis system 640.
[0063] The preferred embodiments of the present invention can be
realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and
software. A system according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one
computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different
elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems.
Any kind of computer system--or other apparatus adapted for
carrying out the methods described herein--is suited. A typical
combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose
computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and
executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the
methods described herein.
[0064] An embodiment according to present invention can also be
embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the
features enabling the implementation of the methods described
herein, and which--when loaded in a computer system--is able to
carry out these methods. Computer program means or computer program
in the present context mean any expression, in any language, code
or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system
having an information processing capability to perform a particular
function either directly or after either or both of the following
a) conversion to another language, code or, notation; and b)
reproduction in a different material form.
[0065] Each computer system may include one or more computers and
at least a computer readable medium allowing a computer to read
data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer
readable information from the computer readable medium. The
computer readable medium may include non-volatile memory, such as
ROM, Flash memory, Disk drive memory, CD-ROM, and other permanent
storage. Additionally, a computer readable medium may include, for
example, volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cache memory, and
network circuits. Furthermore, the computer readable medium may
comprise computer readable information in a transitory state medium
such as a network link and/or a network interface, including a
wired network or a wireless network, that allows a computer to read
such computer readable information.
[0066] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand
that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of
the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific
embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any
and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within
the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *