Physical geolocation system

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-11-24
SRC INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It is a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system for determining the geographic travel history of an individual or object that uses objective measurements.
[0009] It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system for determining the geographic travel history of an individual or object that relies on stable and tenacious data sources.
[0010] It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a system for determining the geographic travel history of an individual or object that relies on data sources that are otherwise unnoticed.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a geographic location system comprising the collection of microscopic particulates deposited on or entrapped in an individual or object when moving through a geographic region and the analysis of the microscopic particulates to determine which geographic regions the individual or object has contacted. The microscopic particulates can comprise pollen, fungal spores, soil / clay minerals, or DNA-bearing organisms that vary based on geographic locale. These particulates are generally distributed in the atmosphere, stable, and readily adhere to individuals or objects. As different regions produce varying pollens, spores, and minerals, geographic information about an individual or object may be gleaned from the particular types of particulates. Additionally, as pollen and spore types can vary seasonally, temporal information may also be extracted from an analysis of embedded particulates to build a comprehensive travel history.
[0013] The geographical location system comprises the use of some or all of a series of operative modules: a particle collection module, a sample preparation module, an image analysis module, a DNA analysis module, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) module, a controller module, and a database module. One, two, or all three of the analytical modules can be used to achieve geolocation. The data extracted from these various modules is compared against a Physical Geolocation System database having pollen / spore images, DNA sequences, and XRD spacing for various particles, as well as information on geographic distribution necessary for developing a travel history.

Problems solved by technology

This process requires days to implement and results in the distribution of outdated information.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0023] Referring now to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 a physical geolocation system 10 according to the present invention for rapidly collecting and analyzing particulates collected from a person or object. System 10 comprises a particle collection module 12 for physically collecting particles from a target individual or object, such as a shipping container, piece of luggage, or agricultural product. Particle collection module 12 includes a high volume air sampler for generating an aqueous suspension of collected particles from a given air sample. The air sample taken can be ambient air, air in a confined space (such as a shipping container, tractor trailer, or piece of luggage), or air passed over a person or object. Acceptable samplers include the SpinCon of Sceptor Industries and the M-Vac of Rocky Mountain Labs. Particle collection module 12 may also comprise a sterile swab or implement for collecting the particulates ...

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Abstract

A real-time system for determining the geographic movements of an individual or object by sampling particulates contained thereon. The system includes particle collection, sample preparations, and sample analysis using three primary modes of detecting certain particulates. The first mode involves the imaging of pollen, spores, or other biological material which are visible through a light microscope when properly stained or prepared. The second mode involves the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction to amplify and detect target nucleic acid sequences. The third mode involves the use of X-ray diffraction to identify mineral particles. The results from any mode, or any combination of modes, are analyzed by comparison to a reference database containing geographic information and the results are compiled by a controller for visual display.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 518,109, filed on Nov. 7, 2003 and entitled “Physical Geolocation System.”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the verification of geographic location information and, more specifically, to a system for determining the geographic travel history of an object or individual based on an analysis of particulates contained thereon. [0004] 2. Description of Prior Art [0005] As worldwide commerce and travel continues to expand, there is an increased need to determine the geographic travel history of an individual or object that crosses geographic, political, or national borders. Determining the international transit of persons and / or objects can be important for the purposes of maintaining security, insuring the safety of food shipments and agricultural products, or merely verifying the authenticity of t...

Claims

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Application Information

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CPCG06F19/366G06F19/3493G16H10/40G16H50/80
InventorSHEPARD, DONALD F.KNAEBEL, DAVID B.GRAY, D. ANTHONY
OwnerSRC INC