Fluxgate Sensor Array for Covert Weapons Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal detection systems fail to meet industry-specific needs for low-cost, high-throughput, and covert contraband and weapons detection, particularly in detecting small magnetic fields from electronic devices, which pose a significant threat to businesses relying on copyright licensing.
Innovation Solution
A metal detection system utilizing an array of magnetic field fluxgate sensors with electronic drive circuitry, data acquisition, and video imaging, combined with artificial intelligence for threat identification, and capable of covert installation, allowing for sensitive detection of ferromagnetic objects and electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional metal detection systems are used, then weapons detection capability is provided, but the systems are expensive and have low throughput rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection function into multiple independent fluxgate sensor elements arranged in an array, allowing parallel processing of multiple detection zones simultaneously. This segmentation enables high throughput by screening multiple persons at once while maintaining reliable detection capability through distributed sensing coverage.
2Reliability
If conventional metal detection systems are used, then weapons detection capability is provided, but the systems are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple inexpensive fluxgate sensor elements that can be mass-produced and replaced if needed, rather than relying on a single expensive detection system. This approach reduces overall system cost while maintaining detection reliability through the redundancy of multiple sensor elements working together.
3Reliability
If traditional screening systems are used, then security detection is achieved, but customer experience is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and separates the detection function from the physical screening structure, using invisible fluxgate sensors that detect magnetic fields without requiring physical contact or visible screening mechanisms. This extraction allows security detection to occur without the customer experiencing the intrusive nature of traditional metal detectors, thereby maintaining customer experience while ensuring security.
4Measurement precision
If detection sensitivity is increased to detect small magnetic fields from electronic devices, then contraband detection capability is improved, but false positives increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different evaluation criteria and threshold settings to different sensor elements and detection zones within the array. By analyzing the spatial distribution and pattern of magnetic field disturbances across multiple local detection points, the system can distinguish between genuine threats and benign objects, improving contraband detection sensitivity while reducing false positives through localized quality assessment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high throughput rates, low costs, and covert operation, effectively detecting contraband and weapons while minimizing false positives, with the ability to differentiate between threat and non-threat items, enhancing security without compromising customer experience.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor array comprising a plurality of magnetic field fluxgate sensors mounted on a support structure, the sensors being arranged to define a sensing region within the sensor array
Implementation Method 2
The system further comprises electronic drive circuitry in communication with each magnetic field fluxgate sensor, the electronic drive circuitry comprising one or more filtering digital mixers and a frequency-to-voltage converter
Data Source
AI summary
This application describes a system for contraband and weapons detection. The system comprises a coplanar sensor array, electronic drive circuitry, a data acquisition circuit, a video frame grabber, a video camera, and a computer control unit with a control module installed. Properly constructed and aligned, the system allows for the detection of very small magnetic moments, which surround ferromagnetic materials. This ferromagnetic detection allows users to screen personnel for contraband electronic devices and concealed weapons.