Covert surveillance using multi-modality sensing
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12656522-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present specification discloses a covet mobile inspection vehicle with a backscatter X-ray scanning system that has an X-ray source and detectors for obtaining a radiographic image of an object outside the vehicle. The systems preferably include at least one sensor for determining a distance front at least one of the detectors to points on the surface of the object being scanned, a processor for processing the obtained radiographic image by using the determined distance of the object to obtain an atomic number of each material contained in the object, and one or more sensors to obtain surveillance data from a predefined area surrounding the vehicle.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an inspection system that uses at least a first sensor and a different second sensor to generate first data and second data. A processor receives the first data and the second data and processes them to determine a degree of correlation between the sensor outputs, and based on the degree of correlation determines a presence of one or more risks associated with the first data and the second data.
When the processor determines the presence of one or more risks, the system generates a threat alarm. The sensor set includes combinations such as laser, GPS device, video camera, X-ray scanner, infrared imaging system, radio frequency antenna, wide band antenna, chemical sensor, license plate recognition system, or audio microphone, where the first sensor differs from the second sensor and each generates corresponding data.
The disclosed system further supports risk identification using multi-modality sensing, including a backscatter X-ray scanning system that uses distance measurement to correct radiographic intensity and geometry so that effective atomic number (Z) can be estimated. The invention also describes spectral or energy-based analysis using statistical measures such as mean energy, standard deviation, and skewness to distinguish low-Z versus high-Z materials, with optional pixel color-coding.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim. It covers an inspection system that correlates data from two different sensors to determine risk presence and generate a threat alarm.
Two different sensors generating correlated first and second data
An inspection system comprising a first sensor generating first data and a second sensor different from the first sensor and configured to generate second data, where both sensor outputs are available to the processor.
Processor determines degree of correlation and presence of one or more risks
A processor receives the first data and the second data and processes them to determine a degree of correlation and a presence of one or more risks associated with the first data and the second data.
Threat alarm generation based on detected risks
Based on determining the presence of one or more risks, the processor generates a threat alarm.
Across the provided independent claim, the inventive coverage centers on correlating outputs from two different sensors, determining risk presence using that correlation, and generating a threat alarm when risks are detected.
Stated Advantages
Generates a threat alarm based on determining the presence of one or more risks associated with sensor data.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?