Abstract: An inspection system and methods for inspecting items using terahertz radiation that may be used to detect contraband (e.g., explosives, weapons and drugs) within items under inspection. Terahertz radiation may be transmitted through and/or reflected from an item. The density and/or a physical property of one or more regions within an item may be determined. Terahertz radiation may be used to inspect surface regions of an item and/or other regions of an item. Terahertz radiation may used in combination with and/or in addition to another inspection modality.

Abstract: A contraband detection system using a cone beam computed tomography scanner. The cone beam scanner allows for rapid acquisition of data for computing three dimensional density maps of objects within items under inspection. Where greater resolution is desired, the image information obtained with the cone beam computed tomography scanner may be combined with higher resolution images formed with a single view scanner. A multi-energy single view scanner may be used to additionally provide information on the effective atomic number of objects contained within items under inspection. Additionally, information obtained with the cone beam computed tomography scanner may be used to increase the accuracy of the computation of the effective atomic number of objects within the item under inspection.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection system and methodology is disclosed. The system comprises a conveyor, an X-ray source that exposes an item under inspection to X-ray radiation and at least one X-ray detector that detects X-ray radiation modified by the item. The X-ray source and X-ray detector may be movable in any of first and second dimensions. The X-ray source may also be moved in a third dimension to zoom in and out on regions of interest in the item order inspection. The system further comprises a controller that controls movement of the X-ray source and X-ray detector, independently of each other, in any of collinear and different directions, to provide a plurality of X-ray views of the item at varying examination angles of the X-ray radiation. A processor coupled to the controller may be configured to receive and process detection information from the X-ray detector and to provide processed information to an operator interface.

Abstract: A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.

Abstract: A reduced size CT scanner for baggage inspection has a wide angle x-ray source and multiple sets of detectors at different distances from the x-ray source. The detectors in each set are sized and positioned to maintain consistent pitch and flux levels among all detectors. Conventional reconstruction processes can be used to process the data from the CT scanner. The scanner may also be incorporated into a check-in desk in a network of scanners.

Abstract: An inspection system that can detect contraband items concealed on, in or beneath an individual's clothing. The system employs mm wave radiation to detect contraband items. The system is described in connection with a check point security system that includes temperature controlled walls to enhance imaging of contraband items. Also, a mm wave camera is used in conjunction with a camera that forms visible images. To address privacy concerns of displaying images of people made with mm wave cameras that effectively “see through” clothes, the mm wave images are not displayed directly. Rather, computer processing produces indications of suspicious items from the underlying raw mm wave images. The indications of suspicious items are overlaid on the visible image.

Abstract: A glass break detector is disclosed that uses a neural network to determine if an audio signal is breaking glass. A characteristic extraction unit is used to extract a set of signal characteristics from a time domain signal based on the audio signal. The set of signal characteristics is the set of the magnitudes of the discrete Fourier transform coefficients of an acquired time domain signal, or the Fourier transform coefficients themselves. A classifier is connected to the characteristic extraction unit. It is a two-layer neural network that uses the set of signal characteristics to accurately determine whether the acquired time domain signal represents breaking glass.

Abstract: An interface for connecting an alarm system control panel and one or more telephone sets to a special telephone line is disclosed, wherein the interface includes a filter connected in series between the special telephone line and an alarm system control panel for removing special signals from the special telephone line, a controllable switch connected to the filter and the special telephone line for selectively enabling and disabling the filter, and a control circuit connected to the controllable switch for enabling the filter when the alarm system control panels goes off hook.

Abstract: A sampling and gas chromatographic separation detection system and method which is capable of sampling and analyzing particulate and vapors containing drug and explosive residues in real time. The system and method provide high speed and low power consumption from the combination of a cold ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) with a “heat-on-demand” gas chromatographic (GC) system which eliminates the need to continuously heat the device, thus making the detection system battery operable and portable.

Abstract: A personal security system locates emergency transmissions and tracks changes in location between successive transmissions. The transmissions are repeated automatically over a predetermined time interval exceeding five minutes. A plurality of fixed receivers are provided in predetermined positions in a protected region for detecting the emergency transmissions and a central monitoring station locates the transmissions from information provided by the detecting receivers. The monitoring station tracks successive transmissions and displays multiple locations as icons on a monitor. The icons vary in size based on relative transmission time and are stacked so any overlapping icons representing more recent transmissions are on top.

Abstract: A rotary switch includes a plurality of first electrical contacts disposed at a common radius and a plurality of second electrical contacts mounted for rotation against said first electrical contacts at said common radius. The first electrical contacts include at least one contact representing a selectable logic level and other first contacts electrically isolated from the at least one contact. The second electrical contacts electrically couple the logic level contact(s) with a unique combination of the isolated contacts in each of the respective switch positions.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting sheets of material includes a device for moving along a path a container which can harbor a sheet of material sought to be detected; an X-ray scanner having a beam for scanning across the path of the container through a predetermined angle and a device for moving the scanner to shift the origin of the scanning beam to align during at least a portion of the scan the scanning beam with the sheet for producing a high projected density contrasted with its surroundings.

Abstract: A dual beam modulator (10) includes a rotatable cylinder (12) having annular walls (14, 15) and a set of a plurality of discrete chordal passages (18) extending through the walls between opposing holes in the outer surface of cylinder walls (14, 15). Each of the passages (18) is spaced radially about each of the walls (14, 15) and longitudinally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder (12) for producing, in response to an incident fan beam of radiation (30), a series of discrete pencil beams (28) as the cylinder (12) rotates. The cylinder (12) further has reduced radius sections (16, 17) on the outer surface of the walls (14, 15) for periodically passing the incident fan beam (30) alternately with the series of pencil beams (28) as the cylinder (12) rotates.

Abstract: A hand held unit is disclosed, the unit including a tracking signal generator and an access authorization signal generator, each signal generator being separately and independently actuatable by a user.

Abstract: A security system includes cameras disposed for activation by components of the system to record images of activity detected by the components. The system responds to a keypad and/or communications from a public switched telephone network to present the images for viewing. A system according to the invention supports visual verification of false alarms, tracking of arrivals and departures and recording those who arm and disarm the system. Visual verification also can be used in connection with remote notifications or authorizations of entry to the secured area.

Abstract: A security system is configured to enable and disable telephone functions in response to changes in the operational state of the system, such as fully armed, partially armed and disarmed. When the system changes its operational state, it automatically sends a command to change the implementation of a telephone function, such as call forwarding. The system includes an input device for setting the system to a selected state, an interface for communicating with the telephone service provider and a controller for initiating communications through the interface and sending a command to change the telephone function.

Abstract: A dialer intercept module is provided in an event detection system for automatically selecting between alternative communication channels and formats based on detected characteristics of control panel signals. More specific features detect predetermined signals, such as the telephone number dialed by the panel, or the type of alarm, and determine from the predetermined signals whether to: a) send the signal as is, over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN); or, b) translate the signal into a different format suitable for an alternative channel, such as a wide area computer network.

Abstract: A personal security system uses conversion factors that exaggerate the influence of signal strength to locate transmitting communicators. The system includes an alarm center, portable communicators for transmitting wireless signals and a plurality of fixed receivers in known positions for monitoring the transmissions and detecting the signals. Transmitted information, including signal strength, is forwarded from the receivers to the alarm center. A transmitting communicator is located by the system using the known positions and received signal strength at the detecting receivers. Conversion factors that increase with signal strength magnify its influence, so strong signals dominate the locating calculations. In addition to a calculated location of the transmitting communicator, the alarm center displays the location of a plurality of the detecting receivers, selecting between alternative displayed information depending on a comparison of the received signal strengths.

Abstract: A security system including a hand-portable wireless communicator having two keys for selecting and executing signal transmissions that control the system. The function of each key is determined by the order in which the keys are actuated, so the first actuated key selects the mode of operation and the other key executes the transmission. Sequential actuation of the keys, first one and then the other, initiates a test. Simultaneous actuation of the keys initiates an alarm. Multiple actuation of the same key cycles through alternative modes of operation, like armed, partially armed or disarmed. Transmission of a signal representing the selected mode is then initiated by actuation of the other key. A reset mechanism reinitiates the key functions after a predetermined time interval, so the key function is determined based on an order of actuation after said reinitiation.

Abstract: A laser is used in the detection of explosives residue by creating micro-detonations of explosive particles adhered to objects. An object is scanned with a beam of coherent laser light to induce micro-detonations of micro-particles of explosive residue adhered to the object. Temporal and spectral information representative of light emitted by the micro-particles is used to characterize the explosives.