US 2010/0161254 A1 · DETECTING OBJECTS IN SHIPPING CONTAINERS BY VIBRATION SPECTRAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Objects in a cargo shipping container are detected by measuring vibration resonant frequency peaks of the container. The mass of an object on the floor of the container effects the vibration resonance of the container, enabling the object to be detected. A vibration source and a plurality of accelerometers are either attached to the steel structure of the container, or are disposed on a supporting structure, such as a cargo crane or lift, so that they contact the container. The vibration source causes the container to vibrate, and the accelerometers detect the vibration resonance of the container. A mismatch between a cargo manifest and an observed cargo, or detection of an object having relatively high mass, e.g., due to lead shielding, can justify a manual inspection. The process uses synchronous processing to achieve the sensitivity needed, is unobtrusive, and does not slow the flow of cargo through a facility.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for using a vibration analysis to detect an object within a freight shipping container, based on a mass of the object, comprising the steps of:

(a) while the container is being supported, using a vibration source for exciting the container to vibrate;
(b) sensing resonant vibrations of the container in response to the excitation of the container by the vibration source, at a plurality of spaced-apart locations that are coupled with the container;
and
(c) using a computing device, analyzing the resonant vibrations of the container that were sensed, to detect an effect caused by any object disposed within the container, wherein any such object alters a resonant vibration response of the container as a function of its mass, so that the object is detected by its effect on the resonant vibration response of the container.

1 more element

A system for using vibration analysis to detect an object within a freight shipping container, based on a mass of the object, comprising:

(a) a plurality of vibration sensors that are positioned to couple with the container at a plurality of spaced-apart locations;
(b) a vibration source that is configured to be coupled to the container;
and
(c) a computing device that is coupled to the vibration source and to the plurality of vibration sensors, the computing device including:
(i) a memory in which machine readable and executable software instructions are stored;
and
(ii) a processor that is coupled to the memory, the processor executing the software instructions to carry out a plurality of functions, including:
(A) controlling the vibration source to excite the container to vibrate;
(B) receiving vibration sensor output signals from the plurality of vibration sensors;
(C) analyzing the vibration sensor output signals to evaluate resonant vibrations of the container and to detect an object disposed in the container as a function of a mass of the object, based upon an effect of the object on the resonant vibrations of the container;
and
(D) providing an indication of an object detected in the container.

9 more elements

A method for using a vibration analysis to determine a vibration signature of a freight shipping container, comprising the steps of:

(a) while the container is being supported, using a vibration source for exciting the container to vibrate;
(b) sensing resonant vibrations of the container in response to the excitation of the container by the vibration source, at a plurality of spaced-apart locations that are coupled with the container;
and
(c) using a computing device for determining a vibration signature for the container based upon the resonant vibrations of the container that were sensed.

1 more element

A system for using vibration analysis to determine a vibration signature of a freight shipping container, comprising:

(a) a plurality of vibration sensors that are positioned to couple with the container at a plurality of spaced-apart locations;
(b) a vibration source that is configured to be coupled to the container;
and
(c) a computing device that is coupled to the vibration source and to the plurality of vibration sensors, the computing device including:
(i) a memory in which machine readable and executable software instructions are stored;
and
(ii) a processor that is coupled to the memory, the processor executing the software instructions to carry out a plurality of functions, including:
(A) controlling the vibration source to excite the container to vibrate;
(B) receiving vibration sensor output signals from the plurality of vibration sensors;
and
(C) analyzing the vibration sensor output signals to determine a vibration signature for the container.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Detecting objects in shipping containers by vibration spectral analysis

Life of this patent

Detecting objects in shipping containers by vibration spectral analysis

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29