US 2011/0255663 A1Published application

Robotic Sensor

AssigneeDeming Systems, LLC

InventorsUday S. Roy, Vishal Sheth, Prithwi S. Roy

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Abstract

A contraband detection system includes one or more detection devices operatively coupled to a spreader beam of a cargo container crane system. Detection devices may include an X-ray scanner, a detection apparatus, and a sensor array. The X-ray scanner is operative for outputting high-energy X-rays capable of penetrating through the contents of the cargo container. The X-ray scanner is movable from an inactive first position that facilitates engagement of the spreader beam with the cargo container to an active second position that facilitates the scanning of the contents of the cargo container. The detection apparatus is similarly deployable from a first position to a second position and includes a plurality of limbs capable of rotation about a plurality of axes. The detection apparatus further includes a radiation source and a receptor plate.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A contraband detection system for screening an object for the presence of contraband materials, the contraband detection system comprising:

a first detection apparatus having a first radiation source and a first radiation detector;
a second detection apparatus having a second radiation source and a second radiation detector, the second detection apparatus disposed opposite the first detection apparatus such that the object to be screened for the presence of contraband materials is located between the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus;
a controller for operating the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus;
and
a data analysis computer operative for receiving signals from the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus,
wherein the first radiation source emits a first radiation beam that is received by the second radiation detector after passing through the object to generate a first signal commensurate with radiation detected by the second radiation detector and the second radiation source emits a second radiation beam that is received by the first radiation detector after passing through the object to generate a second signal commensurate with radiation detected by the first radiation detector, and wherein the data analysis computer receives the first signal and the second signal and analyzes the signals to determine whether the object contains contraband materials.

3 more elements

A contraband detection system for detecting the presence of contraband materials in a cargo container hoisted by a crane system, the contraband detection system comprising:

a crane system having a spreader beam operative for engaging the cargo container and hoisting the cargo container from a first location to a second location;
a first detection apparatus located on one end of the spreader beam and/or the head block of the crane system, the first detection apparatus having a first radiation source and a first radiation detector;
a second detection apparatus located on an opposing end of the spreader beam and/or the head block of the crane system, the second detection apparatus having a second radiation source and a second radiation detector, the second detection apparatus disposed opposite the first detection apparatus such that the cargo container to be screened for the presence of contraband materials is located between the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus;
a controller for operating the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus;
and
a data analysis computer operative for receiving signals from the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus,
wherein the first radiation source emits a first radiation beam that is received by the second radiation detector after passing through the cargo container to generate a first signal commensurate with radiation detected by the second radiation detector and the second radiation source emits a second radiation beam that is received by the first radiation detector after passing through the cargo container to generate a second signal commensurate with radiation detected by the first radiation detector, and wherein the data analysis computer receives the first signal and the second signal and analyzes the signals to determine whether the cargo container contains contraband materials.

4 more elements

A method for detecting contraband materials, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a crane system having a spreader beam operative for engaging a cargo container and hoisting the cargo container from a first location to a second location;
providing a contraband detection system on the crane system for detecting the presence of contraband materials in the cargo container, the contraband detection system having a first detection apparatus and a second detection apparatus;
locating the first detection apparatus on one end of the spreader beam, the first detection apparatus having a first radiation source and a first radiation detector;
locating the second detection apparatus on an opposing end of the spreader beam, the second detection apparatus having a second radiation source and a second radiation detector, the second detection apparatus disposed opposite the first detection apparatus such that the cargo container to be screened for the presence of contraband materials is located between the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus;
identifying the cargo container to be screened for the presence of contraband materials;
controlling the operation of the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus to screen the cargo container;
receiving signals generated by the first detection apparatus and the second detection apparatus;
and
analyzing the received signals to determine whether the cargo container contains contraband materials.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.