Apparatus and method for asynchronously analyzing data to detect radioactive material

Abstract

A radioactive material detection system includes a cargo container monitoring system and a control center. The cargo container monitoring system has a radiation sensor configured to detect radiation over a predetermined or commanded period of time and a transceiver configured to send the information received from the radiation sensor. The control center is in communication with the transceiver of the cargo container monitoring system. The control center is configured to receive data from at least one additional source other than the cargo container monitoring system and to asynchronously analyze the data from the at least one additional source and the information from the radiation sensor, during transit, so as to detect radioactive material in a cargo container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 801,357 filed Mar. 16, 2004, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Asynchronously Analyzing Data to Detect Radioactive Material,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 458,923 filed Jun. 10, 2003, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detection of Radioactive Material,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. [0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 60 / 460,202 filed on Apr. 3, 2003; 60 / 456,754 filed on Mar. 21, 2003; 60 / 445,408 filed Feb. 6, 2003; 60 / 407,148 filed Aug. 28, 2002; and 60 / 388,512 filed Jun. 12, 2002, all entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detection of Radioactive Material,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for asynchron...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a radioactive material detection system that includes a cargo container monitoring system and a control center. The cargo container monitoring system includes a master unit / master module and a plurality of radioactive material detection apparatuses. Each apparatus has a transmitter, a detection controller, and a radiation sensor. The control center is in communication with the master unit / master module and is configured to receive data from at least one additional source other than the master unit / master module. The system can detect radiation in cargo containers and asynchronously analyze data from additional sources to identify an anomaly. The technical effect of the invention is to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of detecting radioactive material in cargo containers."

Problems solved by technology

Because of the large number of containers which are typically transported by a single large container ship, it is difficult, if not impossible, using the presently available inspection equipment and personnel to thoroughly check each and every container for the presence of any type of contraband, including radioactive or nuclear material.

Presently, active scanning inspection equipment do not operate and get analyzed quickly enough to provide real-time scanning for every container.

The analysis time of such scanned images slows that process because it requires expertise (similar to radiology and X-ray interpretation).

When the data has been analyzed, a particular container may then be flagged for a more thorough or detailed inspection which not only causes delays in the transport of the containers, as well as potential huge back ups in the loading and unloading of the container ships, but is too late in detecting the presence of nuclear material or suspected shielded containers.

A problem with detecting nuclear and fissile materials shielded in containers using only container manifest information or container source / destination data are potential transshipment diversionary tactics.

The likelihood of detecting such a container by spot check active scanning and limited manifest information or container source / destination data is very low.

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