Patent Application
20200264203
The present invention relates in general to the field of particle detection, and more specifically to particle detection using swabs having integral, machine-readable identification data.
Law enforcement and screening personnel are often tasked with detecting security threats and other illegal activity. Facilities often employ particle detection systems that can detect suspicious chemical compounds, such as compounds from explosives, chemical warfare agents, illegal drugs, toxic industrial chemicals and explosives.
To detect the chemical compounds, an operator often wipes a swab across a surface of an item to collect a sample of any chemicals present on the surface. For example, a security agent at an airport can wipe a swab across a surface of a suit case to collect a sample of any chemicals present on the surface. The security agent then inserts the swab into a desorber of the particle detection system. The particle detection system then utilizes a technique, such as mass spectrometry, to detect chemical compounds collected on the swab.
The swabs used to collect the chemical compounds are specialized to effectively collect chemical compounds are often manufactured with a specific coating and a specific fabric weave to create a suitable collection surface. Consequently, the cost of the swabs is not trivial. To reduce costs, swabs are often reused. However, the compound collection efficiency of the swab diminishes as reuse continues. Eventually the swab can become ineffective in sufficiently collecting the chemical compounds to allow the particle detection system to detect chemical compounds of interest. The swabs become compromised through, for example, pores filling with particles that block collection of new particles, worn off coatings, and damaged fabric weave. Additionally, reuse of the swabs can create background noise for the particle detection system, which can increase false alarms. Thus, the number of reuses is limited.
Furthermore, the possibility exists to intentionally or unintentionally thwart the particle detection system by, for example, overusing a swab or utilizing a swab that is not certified with the particle detection system.
In at least one embodiment, an apparatus includes a swab configured to collect particles for detection by a particle detection system. The swab includes integral, machine-readable identification data that identifies the swab and is used by the particle detection system to at least activate one or more functions of the particle detection system associated with an efficacy of the swab for use by the particle detection system.
In at least one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a swab for use by a particle detection system includes affixing machine-readable identification data to the swab that identifies the swab for use by the particle detection system to at least activate one or more functions of the particle detection system associated with an efficacy of the swab for use by the particle detection system.
In at least one embodiment, a method of operating a particle detection system with a swab includes reading machine-readable identification data included in a swab, wherein the swab includes integral, machine-readable identification data that identifies the swab and is used by the particle detection system to at least activate one or more functions of the particle detection system associated with an efficacy of the swab for use by the particle detection system. The method further includes determining if the read machine-readable identification data indicates that the efficacy of the swab is suitable to be used by the particle detection system to detect any particles captured by the swab. The method also includes operating the particle detection system in accordance with the determination of the efficacy of the swab.
The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.
A system and method include a swab, configured to collect particles for detection by a particle detection system, that includes integral, machine-readable identification data that identifies the swab and is used by the particle detection system to at least activate one or more functions of the particle detection system associated with an efficacy of the swab for use by the particle detection system. The particular type of identification data is a matter of design choice and is, for example, an optical, machine-readable representation of data using any type of pattern, punch card patterns, and electronically stored data, such as in a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that is integrated into the swab. The particle detection system includes one or more sensors, such as a barcode or quick response (QR) code scanner or an RFID sensor, that reads the identification data.
A swab data processor in the particle detection system processes the read identification data and activates a function of the particle detection system associated with an efficacy of the swab for use by the particle detection system. In at least one embodiment, the efficacy of the swab refers to an ability of the swab to collect samples of particles sufficient for the particle detection system to detect particles of interest. The particular particles of interest are a matter of design choice and include, for example, explosives, chemical and biological warfare agents, illegal drugs, and toxic chemicals.
The particular function is a matter of design choice. In at least one embodiment, the function exerts some amount of control over the particle detection system. For example, in at least one embodiment, the function is an authorization function that determines whether the swab can be used by particle detection system. The particular rules for preventing authorization of use of the swab is a matter of design choice. For example, in at least one embodiment, the identification data can be used to determine the total usage of the swab, cross-check the swab with an identification of an operator of the particle detection system, cross-check the swab and authorization to use the swab with the particle detection system, and/or generate an alert to replace the swab without deauthorizing any functionality of the particle detection system.
the operator manually links the swab 108 through data entry via I/O interface 112, such as a physical or virtual keyboard displayed on display 113 or via an external device such as a universal serial bus (USB) drive containing an efficacy database. The swab 108 can be registered and linked to an operator before or after first use of the swab 108. In at least one embodiment, the reader 110 can also be used to login and authorize an operator to use the particle detection machine 102. For example, in at least one embodiment, as part of an operator login process, the swab data processor 104 links a unique identifier of the swab 108 in the machine readable data 106 with a unique identifier of the operator that is logging into the particle detection machine 102.
By linking the swab 108 with a specific operator, the particle detection machine 102 can perform any number of functions, such as tracking swab 108 use and particle sensing outcome data to a particular operator. For example, if swab 108 has been used beyond a recommended number of uses, any operator excessively reusing the swab 108 can be identified. The overuse may not be intentional but may present an educational opportunity. In at least one embodiment, the particle sensing outcome data can be correlated to the operator and compared with statistical expected outcomes, e.g. an expected average positive result for every X number of uses. However, operations 202 and 204 are optional, and, in at least one embodiment, the particle detection machine 102 operates without linking the swab 108 to the operator.
The swab 108 is designed to collect particle samples by, for example, wiping the swab 108 across a surface. The particular design and fabrication of the swab 108, such as a specific particle adherence and wear-resistant surface coating, specific collecting material, specific configuration of the collecting material (such as a specific weave pattern) to create a suitable particle collector is a matter of design choice.
The particular method of detecting particles by the particle detection machine 102 is a matter of design choice. Exemplary particle detection methods utilize electron-transfer disassociation (ETD) and infrared based technologies. In at least one embodiment, the Tracer series ETD devices manufactured by 1st Detect of Texas, USA represent embodiments of the particle detection machine 102. A particle detection process used by the particle detection machine 102 to analyze the swab 108 and detect particles of interest is a matter of design choice. ETD is a method of fragmenting multiple-charged gaseous particles, such as macromolecules in a mass spectrometer. In at least one embodiment, the particle detection machine 102 is an ETD device and the particle detection process utilized by the particle detection machine 102 is an analytical technique called mass spectrometry to detect particles, such as chemical compounds, collected on swab 108. In at least one embodiment, an operator wipes swab 108 across a surface of an item and inserts the swab into a heated desorber 114. The heat from the desorber 114 helps release the particles trapped on the swab 108 into the chamber 116. After releasing the particles, the particles are drawn into an ion source of the chamber 116 where the particles are ionized, meaning a positive or negative charge is added to the particles. Sometimes, the ionization process breaks the particles apart into smaller fragments that can also be charged. Mass to charge (m/z) ratios of the charged particles and fragments are then measured by a mass analyzer of the chamber 116, which is a linear ion trap. The particle detection processor 118 uses the m/z measurements to create a plot called a mass spectrum, which shows how much of each ion m/z is present. Each particle produces a unique mass spectrum which can be identified by a library in the swab efficacy response data 122 portion of memory 120. When the particle detection machine 102 detects a particle of interest, the particle detection machine 102 issues an alert, such as, an alerting image and/or sound on the display.
The machine-readable data 106 allows the swab 108 to at least be particularly identified by the particle detection machine 102. The specificity of the identification is a matter of design choice. In at least one embodiment, the machine-readable data 106 is unique to the swab 108 and allows the swab 108 to be uniquely identified. In at least one embodiment, the machine-readable data 106 is more specific and contains additional information about the swab, such as an identifier (such as a serial number), an identification of the particular side of the swab 108 that includes the machine readable data 106 (for example, an “A” side and a “B” side), an identifier of the particle detection machine 102 (such as a serial number), one or more anti-cloning features, a manufacturer identifier, construction materials, expected life, age, restrictions, an expiration date, maximum number of uses, and/or any other useful information. The machine-readable data 106 can also be less specified and, for example, only identify parameters that may not be unique to the swab 108. The method of affixing the machine-readable data 106 to the swab 108 is a matter of design choice, such as through labels, direct printing, or embedding, and is discussed in more detail below. For purposes of this disclosure, regardless of how the machine-readable data 106 is affixed, the machine-readable data 106 becomes an integral part of the swab 108.
The particular medium of the machine-readable data 106 is also a design choice. In at least one embodiment, the machine-readable data 106 is an optical, machine-readable representation of data of any design. Examples of optical, machine-readable representation of data are barcodes, quick response (QR) codes, weave patterns in the material of the swab 108, and patterns of material, such as colored thread, woven into the material of the swab 108. In at least one embodiment, the machine-readable data 106 is contained in an electronic medium, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) device. In at least one embodiment, the machine-readable data 106 includes anti-cloning technology. The particular type of anti-cloning technology is a matter of design choice and includes, for example, applying any anti-cloning algorithm or encryption. The method of encryption is a matter of design choice, such as public key infrastructure (PKI) encryption. Encrypting the machine-readable data 106 can assist in preventing use of unauthorized swabs. For example, in at least one embodiment, using PKI encryption, the machine-readable data 106 is encrypted with a public key associated with the particle detection machine 102, and the particle detection machine 102 decrypts the machine-readable data 106 with a corresponding private key.
In at least one embodiment, the particle detection machine 102 includes the reader 110, which, in at least one embodiment, is integral to the particle detection machine 102, i.e. the reader 110 is located in the particle detection machine 102. Locating the reader 110 in the particle detection machine 102 can provide some advantages. For example, if a swab 108 is inserted into desorber 114 the particle detection machine 102 recognizes any attempt to withdraw the swab 108, such as by sensing motion of the machine-readable data 106 after insertion of the swab 108 into the desorber 114. Thus, an integrated reader 110 can present at least an obstacle or even prevent the machine-readable data 106 of swab 108 from being read and another swab substituted for the read swab 108. The particular positioning of reader 110 to allow the reader 110 to read the machine-readable data 106 of swab 108 is a matter of design choice and may be constrained by the type of machine-readable data 106. For example, for an optical, machine-readable representation of data, the reader 110 is a sensor such as a barcode or QR code reader positioned to capture light reflected from the machine-readable data 106. In at least one embodiment, the reader 110 is integrated into a position proximate to an entry slot of the desorber 114 (as shown and discussed in conjunction with
Referring to
The process of determining the efficacy of the swab 108 from the read machine-readable data 106 is a matter of design choice. In at least one embodiment, the swab data processor 104 includes a memory 124 that includes logic rules 126 that are executable by the swab processor 104 and can access the stored efficacy data 128, and/or are hard-coded into the swab data processor 104, to process the machine-readable data 106 to determine the efficacy. In at least one embodiment, logic rules 126 are incorporated into a program that is executable by the swab data processor 104 and stored in the non-transitory, computer readable medium of memory 124. In at least one embodiment, the swab data processor 104 determines efficacy based on one or a plurality of the parameters.
In at least one embodiment, the swab data processor 104 tracks a number of uses of the swab 108 by, for example, incrementing a counter in the swab data processor 104 each time the machine-readable data 106 is read by reader 110. The logic rules 126 compare the then-current usage count with the maximum number of uses to determine whether the useful life of the swab 108 is approaching or reached and can display the remaining uses. In at least one embodiment, the logic rules 126 determine efficacy based on an age of the swab 108. For example, a maximum age from time of manufacture of the swab 106 may be “X” years, where “X” is a real number. Then, the logic rules 126 can include a comparison function to compare a read date of the swab 108 with a time of manufacture stored in memory 102 and determine whether the swab 108 is too old to use. If the machine-readable data 106 includes an expiration date, then the logic rules 126 executed by the swab data processor 104 an include a comparison function to compare a current date with the expiration date to determine if continued use of the swab 108 is advisable or allowable. In at least one embodiment, utilizing a comparison function, the logic rules 126 can determine if the manufacturer indicated by the machine-readable data 106 is registered in memory 124. In at least one embodiment, the fabrication construction can affect the expected life of the swab 108. Accordingly, the logic rules 126 can match the fabrication construction parameter with a table in efficacy data of expected life for a variety of fabrication construction. Upon matching the fabrication construction parameter with an expected life, the logic rules 126 compare, for example, the age or maximum expected use parameters with the matched expected life. The foregoing examples, identified parameters, and capabilities of the logic rules 126 and swab data processor 104 are not comprehensive and can be expanded or contracted as a matter of design choice.
The particle detection machine 102 uses the read machine-readable data to at least activate one or more functions of the particle detection system 100 associated with the determined efficacy of the swab 108. In operation 210, the swab data processor 104 generates function data signal 130 and provides the function data signal 130 to the particle detection processor 118. In at least one embodiment, the function data signal 130 represents an outcome of operation 208. In at least one embodiment, in operation 210 the particle detection processor 118 accesses memory 120 and the swab efficacy response data 122 to determine a response to the function data signal 130. In at least one embodiment (not shown), the particle detection processor 118 includes circuitry that is hard-wired to respond to the function data signal 130. In at least one embodiment, memory 120 is a non-transitory, computer readable medium that stores a program that is executable by the particle detection processor 118 to perform programmable functions of the particle detection processor 118. In at least one embodiment, when the swab data processor 104 determines that the efficacy of the swab 108 is sufficient to be processed by, for example, the previously described particle detection process, the function data signal 130 enables the particle detection machine 102 to process the swab 108 in accordance with the particle detection process.
In at least one embodiment, the particle detection machine 102 includes communication circuitry, such as a wireless transmitter/receiver (not shown), to communicate with a centralized management system 132 through a communication network, such as the Internet. In at least one embodiment, the centralized management system 132 provides particle detection machine (PDM) data 134 to particle detection machine 102, and/or particle detection machine 102 provides swab efficacy results to the centralized management system 132. Exemplary PDM data 134 can revise the logic rules 126 and the swab efficacy response data 122. In at least one embodiment, the centralized management system 132 can also process the swab efficacy results and issue responsive commands to the particle detection machine 102.
The particle detection processor 118 particular response to the efficacy determination of swab 108 based on the machine-readable data 106 is a matter of design choice. In at least one embodiment, the response to the read machine-readable data 106 by the particle detection processor 118 is to either authorize or not authorize use of the swab 108 by particle detection machine 102.
If the particle detection processor 118 determines that the swab 108 is authorized for use, the particle detection processor 118 in operation 314 allows use of the swab 108 by particle detection machine 102 to perform the particle detection process and also increments a swab use counter in operation 310. Operation 316 displays the authorization and particle detection results on display 113. The swab efficacy authorization response 300 then returns to operations 202 or 206 as previously described.
Operation 210 can respond to the function data signal 130 representing the determined efficacy of the swab 108 in any number of additional or alternative ways. For example, in at least one embodiment of operation 210 when the efficacy of the swab 108 is compromised or questionable, particle detection processor 118 issues an alert only but allows continued use of particle detection machine 102, deauthorizes continued use of particle detection machine 102, issues an alert or message indicating potential inaccuracies of the particle detection results, a pre-alert if the efficacy of the swab 108 is approaching in a next or near subsequent use, and/or compromise of the particle detection machine 102 due to unauthorized use, and so on.
Thus, a system and method include a swab, configured to collect particles for detection by a particle detection system, that includes integral, machine-readable identification data that identifies the swab and is used by the particle detection system to at least activate one or more functions of the particle detection system associated with an efficacy of the swab for use by the particle detection system.
Although embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
