Abstract: A magnetic screening system uses directional gradiometers with high resolution and accuracy to measure magnetic field signatures of target objects (e.g., gun, knife, cell phone, keys) in a volume of interest. The measured signatures can be compared to signatures of known objects stored in a local database. Various mathematical processes may be used to identify or classify target object signatures. In a network of magnetic screening systems, the magnetic screening systems can transmit signatures to a central signature database, and a management computer can share the central signature database with all of the magnetic screening systems on the network. The magnetic screening system can operate in multiple modes, such as a tracking mode, measurement mode, and self-test mode. Through use of unique processes and designs, the magnetic screening system can achieve a high rate of processing persons for target objects.

Abstract: A magnetic screening system including an arrangement of gradiometers each including at least three magnetometers, a gradiometer processor in communication with the magnetometers that scales outputs from the magnetometers with unequal weights and combines the scaled outputs to orient a direction of sensitivity of the respective gradiometer toward a volume of interest and at least one arrangement processor in communication with the arrangement of gradiometers that uses the gradiometers in a collective manner to detect a target object.

Abstract: A data gathering panel is disclosed for converting analog values into digital values having input terminals for connection to analog sensors, a memory for storing a base value and a range value associated with the sensor, a base circuit connected to the memory for applying the base value to the analog value, and an analog-to-digital converter using the analog value, the base value and the range value for converting the analog value into a digital value. The data gathering panel may also permit connection to a plurality of input sensors having different characteristics by providing a memory for storing the different characteristics of the input sensors to be used by a processor in processing the information derived from the sensors. This memory may be a programmable read-only memory and the data gathering panel may have a facility thereon for allowing the altering of information stored in the programmable read-only memory.

Abstract: A data gathering panel is disclosed for converting analog values into digital values having input terminals for connection to analog sensors, a memory for storing a base value and a range value associated with the sensor, a base circuit connected to the memory for applying the base value to the analog value, and an analog-to-digital converter using the analog value, the base value and the range value for converting the analog value into a digital value. The data gathering panel may also permit connection to a plurality of input sensors having different characteristics by providing a memory for storing the different characteristics of the input sensors to be used by a processor in processing the information derived from the sensors. This memory may be a programmable read-only memory and the data gathering panel may have a facility thereon for allowing the altering of information stored in the programmable read-only memory.