Mobile frame structure with passive/active sensor arrays for non-invasive identification of hazardous materials

A method, with a mobile frame structure comprising a first portion and a second portion configured to examine an entity to be examined therebetween, for detecting radiation and identifying materials associated with radiation that has been detected, the method comprising:

• maneuvering at least one of the entity and the mobile frame structure such that the mobile frame structure is located over the entity to be examined for radiation sources emitting radiation from the entity;
• receiving from a set of radiation sensors mechanically coupled to the at least one portion of the mobile frame structure, a set of radiation data associated with the entity;
• generating at least one histogram based on the set of radiation data, wherein the at least one histogram represents a spectral image of at least one radiation source associated with the entity;
• comparing the at least one histogram to a plurality of spectral images associated with known materials;
• determining that the at least one histogram substantially matches at least one of the plurality of spectral images;
• determining if a material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images comprises a hazardous material;
• notifying personnel that the at least one radiation source comprises a hazardous material in response to determining that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images comprises a hazardous material;
• comparing the material with at least one manifest associated with an entity comprising the radiation source;
• determining if the material matches at least one item on the at least one manifest;
• and
• notifying personnel that the entity comprises at least one unauthorized item, in response to determining that the material fails to match any item on the at least one manifest.

A mobile frame structure for detecting radiation and identifying materials associated with radiation that has been detected, the mobile frame structure comprising:

• a mobility mechanism for maneuvering the mobile frame structure over an entity;
• a first side portion;
• at least a second side portion situated substantially opposite to the first side portion, wherein a passage is created between the first side portion and the at least second side portion configured to allow the entity to pass between the first side portion and the at least second side portion, and wherein at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion are adjustable in their position relative to each other;
• at least one set of radiation sensors mechanically coupled to at least one of the first side portion and the at least second side portion;
• a communication mechanism communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the communication mechanism transmits a set of radiation data associated with the entity that has been detected by the set of radiation detectors to at least one information processing system;
• and
• at least one information processing system communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the at least one information processing system is adapted to:
• receive from the at least one set of radiation sensors the set of radiation data associated with the entity,
• generate at least one histogram based on the set of radiation data, wherein the at least one histogram represents at least one spectral image associated with the entity;
• compare the at least one histogram to a plurality of spectral images associated with known materials;
• determine that the at least one histogram substantially matches at least one of the plurality of spectral images;
• determine if a material associated with the matching at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;
• notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one radiation source that is a hazardous material in response to determining that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;
• determine that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images fails to be a hazardous material;
• compare the material with at least one manifest associated with the entity;
• determine if the material matches at least one item on the at least one manifest;
• and
• notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one unauthorized item in response to determining that the material fails to match any item on the at least one manifest.

A system for detecting radiation and identifying materials associated with radiation that has been detected, the system comprising:

• a mobile frame structure comprising:
• a mobility mechanism for maneuvering the mobile frame structure over an entity;
• a first side portion;
• at least a second side portion situated substantially opposite to the first side portion, wherein a passage is created between the first side portion and the at least second side portion configured to allow the entity to pass between the first side portion and the at least second additional side portion, and wherein at least one or the first side portion and the at least second side portion are adjustable in their position relative to each other;
• at least one set of radiation sensors mechanically coupled to at least one of the first side portion and the at least second side portion;
• and
• a communication mechanism communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the communication mechanism transmits a set of radiation data associated with the entity that has been detected by the set of radiation detectors to at least one information processing system;
• and
• at least one information processing system communicatively coupled to the at least one set of radiation sensors, wherein the at least one information processing system is adapted to:
• receive from the at least one set of radiation sensors the set of radiation data associated with the entity,
• generate at least one histogram based on the set of radiation data, wherein the at least one histogram represents at least one spectral image associated with the entity;
• compare the at least one histogram to a plurality of spectral images associated with known materials;
• determine that the at least one histogram substantially matches at least one of the plurality of spectral images;
• determine if a matching material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;
• notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one radiation source that is a hazardous material in response to determining that the material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images is a hazardous material;
• determine that the matching material associated with the at least one of the plurality of spectral images fails to be a hazardous material;
• compare the matching material with at least one manifest associated with the entity;
• determine if the matching material substantially matches at least one item on the at least one manifest;
• and
• notify personnel that the entity comprises at least one unauthorized item in response to determining that the matching material fails to substantially match any item on the at least one manifest.