WO2017093525A1

WO2017093525A1 - Device and method for checking a transport good for a performed examination by means of an ionizing radiation

Info

Publication number: WO2017093525A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/079656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan HOHENDORF; Norma Wrobel; Uwe Ewert
Original assignee: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Vertreten Durch Den Bundesminister Für Wirtschaft Und Energie, Dieser Vertreten Durch Den Präsidenten Der Bundesanstalt Für Materialforschung Und -Pfürung (Bam)
Priority date: 2015-12-04
Filing date: 2016-12-02
Publication date: 2017-06-08
Also published as: EP3384325A1; DE102015121174B4; DE102015121174A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for checking a transport good for a performed radiographic examination, which device has a first radiation sensor (10), which is designed to convert an ionizing first radiation (X1) into a first electrical signal (1), a second radiation sensor (20), which is designed to convert a second radiation (X2) having a greater wavelength than the first radiation (X1) into a second electrical signal (2), and a processing unit (50), which is coupled to the first radiation sensor (10) and to the second radiation sensor (20) and has a transponder unit (52) and is designed to store first information (1') about the first electrical signal (1) and second information (2') about the second electrical signal (2) and to output said first and second information by means of the transponder unit (52). (Fig. 1A)

Description

Apparatus and method for inspecting a cargo to be submitted to a study with an ionizing radiation

The present invention relates to a device and a method for checking whether transported goods, in particular packages, freight and containers were examined during transport with an ionizing radiation.

X-ray inspection systems for goods in transit, such as containers, freight and baggage, are widely used to search for blind passengers and illegal or undeclared articles such as weapons, explosives and contraband. In the aviation sector and in the inspection of vehicles such as trucks at checkpoints, e.g. at state borders, and from ships in ports. For example, there are mobile X-ray inspection systems (scanners) with which even entire containers or trucks can be examined without having to open the containers and trucks.

During the x-ray examination, the examination objects are typically exposed to x-ray radiation and the x-ray radiation transmitted and / or scattered by the examination objects is detected. The intensity distribution and / or energy distribution of the detected X-ray radiation can be visualized (radiograph ie), whereby a review is facilitated or even made possible.

Whether a cargo has already been checked with an X-ray examination system or a gamma radiation examination system, however, is not to be seen. For this reason, for security reasons, freight is often examined several times radiographically, especially in transport chains.

This is associated with an increased effort and can also lead to delays in transportation.

In view of the above, the present invention proposes a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10. According to one embodiment, a device for checking a transport item for an examination with an ionizing radiation, for example a radiographic examination, has a first radiation sensor which is set up to convert an ionizing first radiation into a first electrical signal, a second radiation sensor which is set up to convert a second radiation having a greater wavelength than the first radiation into a second electrical signal, and a processing unit coupled to the first radiation sensor and the second radiation sensor. The processing unit has a transponder unit and is set up to store a first information about the first electrical signal and a second information about the second electrical signal and to output them via the transponder unit.

The term "transponder" as used herein is intended to describe a radio communication device which is adapted to receive incoming radio signals and automatically answer by means of outgoing radio signals. The radio signals may in particular be signals from the LF (30-300 kHz), MF (0.3-3 MHz), HF (3-30 MHz), VHF (30-300 MHz), UHF (0, 3-3 GHz), or SHF (3-30 GHz) range.

Typically, the transponder unit is an RFID (RFID) unit, more typically an HF / UHF RFID unit.

Typically, the first radiation is radiation suitable for testing the cargo, more typically X-radiation or gamma radiation.

Characterized in that the device for checking the cargo, hereinafter also referred to as a control device, a first information about the first electrical signal and thus via the first radiation by means of their transponder unit on request can transmit without contact, can quickly by means of a matched to the transponder reader and reliably checking that the control device was exposed to the first radiation. In this way it is easy and much faster from the outside than would be possible with dosimeters to determine whether a cargo has already been subjected to a check by means of X-rays or gamma radiation when the control device is on, more typically in the transported. In addition, the control device can be easily reused. For this purpose, typically only the memory (s) for the first information and the second information are to be reset.

Typically, the second radiation has a wavelength in the visible range, the ultraviolet range (UV range) and / or the infrared range (IR range).

The fact that the control device can transmit a second information on the second electrical signal and thus on the second radiation by means of their transponder unit on request contactless, can also quickly by means of the transponder tuned to the reading unit (or such a reading unit comprehensive write / read unit) and reliably checking that the control device was exposed to the second radiation. This makes it easy and quick to determine from the outside, whether a cargo was opened (manipulated) during transport or is intact, when the control device is in the cargo.

Thus, cargo such as cargo can be quickly, easily and inexpensively tested for whether you have undergone a safety check (e.g., an X-ray test) and whether it has been manipulated during transportation.

In particular, security in the air freight chain and in container freight traffic can thereby be increased and / or the security checks can be automated and / or the speed of the security checks can be increased and / or the cost of security checks can be reduced, e.g. in that, if the first information matches information of the accompanying documents (freight documents) or an electronic data record for transporting the cargo, security checks that have taken place and a determination of the integrity of the goods to be transported can be waived for a renewed security check.

In addition, the risk of misdirection of the cargo can be reduced, for example. At airports, as the control device via the transponder typically also a the control device characterizing code (identifier) can output, for example the identifying code of the RFID transponder, which is also outside the security check can be retrieved. Typically, the control device is relatively compact. Therefore, it can be easily placed in the cargo so that it is not visible from the outside.

For example, the control device may comprise a housing having an internal volume of at most one L (liter), more typically of at most 0.5 L, more typically of at most 0.25 L, in which the first radiation sensor, the second radiation sensor and the processing unit are arranged.

Typically, the processing unit is set up, an energy required by the processing unit for communicating and / or processing internal processes from an external electromagnetic field that can be emitted by a reading unit matched to the transponder unit, from the first radiation and / or from the second radiation to acquire. This allows particularly cheap and compact control devices whose data can be retrieved even after a long time.

For example, provision may be made for removing the energy required for internal processes exclusively from the electromagnetic field of the (read / write) unit, as is known for passive transponders, and / or to temporarily store a part of the extracted energy, e.g. for later measurements with the first radiation sensor and / or second radiation sensor and / or evaluations of the measurements.

But it is also possible that only the transponder is designed as a passive unit and the remaining part of the processing unit of an internal energy storage, eg. A capacitor, in particular a supercapacitor (eg a PowerCap or a GoldCap), a battery or a battery is powered ,

The first and second information can each be binary (yes / no information). Accordingly, the energy expenditure for the determination, storage and transmission of the first and second information is correspondingly low, since only two bits are to be transmitted and a maximum of two bits are to be changed.

But it is also possible that the first information and / or the second information is more complex. For example, it can be provided that the processing unit, for example a corresponding circuit, data on the wavelength or the wavelength range, the duration and / or intensity of the first radiation and / or the second radiation can determine and they can be transmitted via the transponder on request.

Accordingly, the processing unit is typically configured to modify a data set having an information content of at least 2 bits upon receipt of the first electrical signal and to modify the data set upon receipt of the second electrical signal such that reception of the first radiation and reception of the second Radiation is encoded with the respective radiation sensors, and output the record on request via the transponder unit.

The processing unit may also be connected to a plurality of first radiation sensors (e.g., an X-ray sensor and a gamma radiation) and / or a plurality of second radiation sensors (e.g., an IR sensor and a visible light sensor and / or a UV light sensor). This allows a very secure, detailed monitoring of goods in transit.

Alternatively, the first radiation sensor and / or the second radiation sensor can also be each very broadband. This also allows a very safe monitoring of goods in a very simple and inexpensive construction of the control device.

The first radiation sensor and the second radiation sensor typically each have or are formed by a photodetector adapted to the respective wavelength range.

For example, the first radiation sensor can be formed by a photodetector for radiation in an energy range of 30 keV - 1000 keV or a portion thereof.

However, the first radiation sensor can also be formed by a combination of a scintillator with a photodetector tuned to the scintillator. Depending on the design, this design also allows radiation with energies up to about 10 MeV to be detected. The first and second information can each be stored or stored in a respective capacitor. This allows a simple and low energy consuming evaluation and storage in the processing unit.

However, the first and second information may also be stored in respective memory cells, e.g. Flash memory cells or EEPROM cells to be stored.

According to one embodiment, a method for checking a transport item for an examination with an ionizing radiation, in particular a radiographic examination, which typically comprises a light-tight arrangement of a control device in the transported item and / or a container, in particular a container, wherein the control apparatus comprises a first radiation sensor, adapted to convert a typically ionizing first radiation into a first electrical signal, a second radiation sensor arranged to convert a second radiation having a greater wavelength than the first radiation into a second electrical signal, and one connected to the first radiation sensor and the first radiation sensor second radiation sensor coupled processing unit, which has a transponder unit and is arranged, a first information about the first electrical signal and a second information about the second electrical Sig nal store and output via the transponder unit. In addition, the method comprises reading out the first information and the second information by means of a reading unit (or a read / write unit comprising such a reading unit) tuned to the transponder.

In subsequent steps, which can typically be performed by an electronic evaluation unit coupled to the reading unit, it can be determined using the first information whether an examination of the transported goods with ionizing radiation has taken place, and the second information is used to determine whether the transported goods, a packaging of the goods to be transported and / or the container has been opened (check for integrity of the goods to be transported).

If it is determined both the integrity of the cargo as the completed investigation of the cargo with ionizing radiation, it can be decided in a further step by the evaluation that a (re) investigation of the cargo with ionizing radiation is not required. In a decision as to whether a (re) investigation of the cargo with ionizing radiation is to take place, a comparison of an identifier read by the reading unit of the control device with associated information in a database or the accompanying documents of the cargo can be received.

After placing the control device in the cargo and / or container, the memory or stores for the first information and the second information are typically appropriately initialized and reset, respectively.

For this purpose, a read-write unit adapted to the transponder may be used, the reading unit of which may be constructed like the reading unit which is later used for checking the integrity of the transported goods and the examination (s) of the transported goods with ionizing radiation.

The above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Further advantageous embodiments, details, aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings. It shows:

1A is a schematic representation of a device for checking a cargo in accordance with an embodiment;

1B is a schematic representation of a device for checking a transported material according to an embodiment;

2A is a schematic representation of a device for checking a cargo in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2B shows a schematic illustration of a device for checking a transport item according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of a first radiation sensor for devices as shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 3B is another schematic illustration of a first radiation sensor for devices as shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B according to one embodiment; FIG. and

3C shows steps of a method for checking a transport item for an examination with an ionizing radiation according to an exemplary embodiment.

In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts accordingly.

FIG. 1A shows a schematic illustration of a device 100 for checking a transport item. The device 100 has a first radiation sensor 10 and a second radiation sensor 20 which are each coupled to an exemplary processing unit 50.

If an ionizing first radiation X.sub.i of sufficient intensity strikes the first radiation sensor 10 for a sensitivity range of the first radiation sensor 10 (for example X-radiation as used in transport goods X-ray examination systems), the radiation sensor 10 transmits a corresponding typically analogous first electrical signal 1 to an evaluation unit (Evaluation circuit) 51 of the processing unit 50.

The first radiation sensor 10 may also be sensitive to gamma radiation. In the following, however, for the sake of simplicity in the description of the figures, it is mainly assumed that X-ray radiation is ionizing radiation.

The evaluation circuit 51 then processes the first electrical signal 1 into a first piece of information Γ in which at least one of the ionizing radiation Xi of sufficient intensity is detected in a wavelength range or energy range of the ionizing radiation which is to be checked. Analogously, the second radiation sensor 20 transmits a typically analog second electrical signal 2 to the evaluation circuit 51 of the processing unit 50 when a longer wavelength second radiation X _{2 of} sufficient intensity for a sensitivity range of the second radiation sensor 20 (eg infrared light, visible light and / or UV Light) strikes the second radiation sensor 20.

The evaluation circuit 51 then processes the second electrical signal 2 into a second information 2 'in which at least one of the second radiation X _{2 of} sufficient intensity in at least one wavelength range or energy range of the radiation (UV to IR) has been detected a manipulation of the cargo is characteristic, which is associated with a temporary opening of the cargo.

Thus, the evaluation circuit 51 and thus the processing unit 50 is adapted to determine and store a first information Γ about the first electrical signal 1 and a second information 2 'on the second electrical signal 2.

In the first and second information Γ, 2 'additionally or alternatively, however, respective detected intensity values, time durations, integrated intensity values or even intensity profiles can be coded.

Typically, the first radiation sensor 10 is protected from the impact of the second radiation, e.g. appropriately encapsulated. As a result, erroneous measurements of the ionizing radiation Xi can be at least largely avoided.

In addition, the processing unit 50 has a transponder unit 52, typically an RFID unit 52, which is coupled to the evaluation circuit 51 and which is set up, the first information 1 'provided by the evaluation circuit 51 about the first electrical signal 1 and the second information 2 'on the second electrical signal 2 on request without contact to a matched to the transponder unit 52 reading unit 60 or write-read unit 60 to transmit.

For this purpose, the reading unit 60 or read-write unit 60 typically emits an electromagnetic field 61 which activates the transponder unit 52. It can be provided that the transponder unit 52 draws energy for internal processes and the subsequent transmission of the first information Γ and the second information 2 'and typically an individual identifier of the device 100 from the electromagnetic field 61.

The first information Γ and the second information 2 'may be temporarily stored in the evaluation circuit 51 or the transponder unit 52.

Typically, the first information Γ and the second information 2 'remain stored in the processing unit 50 even after being transferred to the reading unit 60 or read-write unit 60. Thus, the first information Γ and the second information 2 'remain retrievable at later times of transport.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic representation of a device 200 for checking a transport item. The control device 200 is similar to the control device 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1A and also has a first radiation sensor 10 'for an ionizing first radiation Xi, a second radiation sensor 20 for a second radiation X ₂ , which is longer wavelength than the first radiation Xi and a processing unit 50 'connected to the sensors 10', 20 with an evaluation unit 51 and a transponder 52.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1B, the first radiation sensor 10 'is composed of a scintillator 11 and a photoelement 12.

The scintillator 11 can shift the wavelength spectrum of the incident X-radiation (or gamma radiation) Xi into the region of the visible light Xi '. The matched photoelement 12 receives this light Xi 'and converts it into a first electrical signal 1.

The first electrical signal 1 can optionally be amplified by the evaluation unit 51 and, after an evaluation, e.g. Filtering be provided as first information Γ.

In the exemplary embodiment, the evaluation unit 51 draws its energy from a battery (or a battery) 53. The power supply via an internal battery or an internal battery offers extended possibilities, in particular the signal processing. For example, the processing of the signals can be carried out by a microcontroller 51, which also and a quantitative measurement of the X-ray Xi and / or the radiation X _{2 is} made possible.

In addition, by means of an additional real-time clock of the processing unit 50, a time and date stamp can be generated which can be stored in the microcontroller and also transmitted by means of the transponder unit 52.

Furthermore, due to the battery supply, the control device 200 can also be used to record further data during transport by means of one or more further sensors, if necessary to process, store and later output this data and / or correlated information via its transponder unit 52 ,

For example, the control device 200 may include a temperature sensor. The temperature data, which are typically determined at regular time intervals by means of the temperature sensor, can be used to check a temperature range to be maintained during transport.

Depending on the used battery and configuration, runtimes of several weeks can be achieved. The transponder unit 52 typically operates without an internal energy source and draws its energy during the contactless read-out process.

In an exemplary embodiment which is not shown in FIG. 1B, a photoelement which is directly sensitive to X-radiation (or gamma radiation) is used as the first radiation sensor.

FIG. 2A shows a schematic illustration of a device 300 for checking a transport item. The control device 300 is similar to the control device 200 described above with reference to FIG. 1B. Between the evaluation circuit 51a and the passive transponder unit 52 of the processing unit 50a that of the control device 300 are two capacitors 31, 32 as memory for the first information 1 'and second information 2 'switched. In this exemplary embodiment, incident ionizing first radiation Xi is converted by the scintillator 11 into visible light Xi '. The photoelement 12 receives the light Xi 'and converts it into a first electrical signal 1. The energy of the first electrical signal 1 is utilized by the evaluation circuit 51a to provide a charge which is typically proportional to the amount of incident X-ray Xi (in the sensitivity range of the scintillator 11) or corresponds to shifting from a (after initialization) charged capacitor 53a into the (after initialization) uncharged first capacitor 31.

Analogously, incident visible, UV and / or IR light (second radiation) X _{2 is converted} by the photoelement 20 into a second electrical signal 2, whose electrical energy is used by the evaluation circuit 51 a, another charge, which is typically proportional to the amount of incident second radiation X ₂ (in the range of sensitivity of the photoelement 20) or corresponds to shift from the charged capacitor 53a into the (after initialization) uncharged second capacitor 32.

The processing unit 50a (and thus the controller 300) is simple in construction and requires very little energy for measurement / processing. Therefore, it can be manufactured very inexpensively and still function as a control device 300 for longer periods of time.

In particular, the control device 300 may be semi-active, that is, it can do without a battery as an energy source, but in alternative embodiments may be used instead of the capacitor 53a.

The energy is provided in the control device 300 in the form of the charged capacitor 53a with a sufficiently high capacitance, typically more than one μΡ (microfarad). The capacitance of capacitor 53a may be in the mF range, or even greater than 1F.

The downstream passive transponder unit 52 connected to the capacitors 31, 32, which is typically a passive RFID unit, accesses the capacitors 31, 32 during the read-out process and can thus transmit whether the first radiation Xi and the second radiation X ₂ were detected. The control device 300 is reusable but must be initialized prior to each use (charging the capacitor 53a and discharging the capacitors 31, 32). The initialization can be realized by means of an unillustrated external electronic additional circuit.

Alternatively, the initialization during the read operation of the transponder unit 52 may be realized via an unillustrated internal electronic add-on circuit that uses energy from the electromagnetic field 61 generated by a reader.

The charge storage devices should be sufficiently well insulated against outflowing currents.

Depending on the photoelement 12 used and the field of application, the scintillator 11 can also be dispensed with.

FIG. 2B shows a schematic illustration of a device 300 for checking a transport item. The control device 400 is similar to the control device 300 described above with reference to FIG. 2A, but due to its construction, its processing unit 50b may even be operated as a passive control device 400.

For this purpose, a respective portion 1 ", 2" of the energy of the first signal 1 and of the second signal 2, typically a respective main part, is stored in the capacitor 53b. The energy E respectively stored in the capacitor 53b is used to operate the evaluation unit 51b, while a remaining part Γ "or 2 '" is used as the respective input signal for the evaluation unit 51b in order to determine whether a first radiation 1 or a second radiation second radiation 2 was received. The respective corresponding information Γ, 2 'is then stored in memory cells of the transponder unit 52, e.g. Capacitor cells, flash memory or EPROM cells, filed. The energy required for this purpose can likewise be taken from the capacitor 53b.

To initialize before reusing the control device 400, only the memory cells of the transponder unit 52 are to be cleared. This can be done by means of a matched to the transponder unit 52 writing unit or read-write unit. FIG. 3A shows a schematic representation of a first radiation sensor 10A for control devices as explained above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2B.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first radiation sensor 10A comprises a typically cube-shaped scintillator crystal I IA and a plurality of typically square-shaped photodetectors 12A arranged around the scintillator crystal I IA.

Typically, the radiation sensor 10A has at least three photodetectors 12A arranged perpendicular to one another, more typically six photodetectors 12A, which are perpendicular to respective adjacent photodetectors 12A. Thus, a high sensitivity of the radiation sensor 10A can be ensured in all directions.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic illustration of a further first radiation sensor 10A for control devices, as explained above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2B.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 3B, a stack of typically flat (substantially planar), alternating scintillators I IB and photodetectors 12B, typically corresponding films, is used as the first radiation sensor 10B.

The number of photodetectors 12B may be higher than that of the radiation sensor 10A shown in FIG. 3A. Therefore, the sensitivity to ionizing radiation incident from directions to which scintillators I IB and photodetectors 12B are substantially perpendicular (double-headed arrow) may be particularly high.

FIG. 3C shows steps of a method 500 for checking a transport item for an examination with an ionizing radiation.

In a step 501, a control device as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3B is arranged in the transport item and / or a container for the item to be transported, eg a container. In a later step 502, the first information (Γ) and the second information (2 ') are read out by means of a reading unit (60) or read-write unit (60) tuned to the transponder (52) of the control device.

By placing the control device typically invisible to the transporter and other persons in step 501, manipulation is made virtually impossible. In this way, high security can be ensured even in longer transport chains with little effort.

The present invention has been explained with reference to exemplary embodiments. These embodiments should by no means be construed as limiting the present invention. The following claims are a first, non-binding attempt to broadly define the invention.

Claims

A device (100-400) for inspecting a cargo for inspection with ionizing radiation, comprising:

a first radiation sensor (10) arranged to convert an ionizing first radiation (Xi) into a first electrical signal (1);

- a second radiation sensor (20) arranged to convert a second radiation (X ₂ ) having a greater wavelength than the first radiation into a second electrical signal (2); and

a processing unit (50) which is coupled to the first radiation sensor (10) and the second radiation sensor (20) and has a transponder unit (52), is provided with first information (Γ) about the first electrical signal (1) and a second information (2 ') via the second electrical signal (2) to store and output via the transponder unit (52).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is set up to use an energy required by the processing unit for communication and / or execution of internal processes from an external electromagnetic field (61) which is read by a reading unit (60) tuned to the transponder unit (52) ) or write-read unit (60) is radiatable from the first radiation (Xi) and / or from the second radiation (X ₂ ).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transponder unit (52) is an RFID unit.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first radiation (Xi) is an X-ray or a gamma radiation.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second radiation (X ₂ ) has a wavelength in the visible range, the UV range and / or the infrared range.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first radiation sensor (10) comprises a scintillator (11) and / or at least one first photodetector (12).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second radiation sensor (20) comprises a second photodetector.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (50) is adapted to store the first information (Γ) in a first capacitor (31) and / or a first memory cell, and the second information (2 ') in one second capacitor (32) and / or a second memory cell to store.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing having an inner volume of at most one liter, in which the first radiation sensor (10), the second radiation sensor (20) and the processing unit (50) are arranged.

10. A method of inspecting a cargo for inspection with ionizing radiation, comprising:

- Arranging a device according to one of the preceding claims in the transported goods and / or a container for the transported goods, in particular a container; and

- Reading the first information (1 ') and the second information (2') by means of a transponder (52) tuned reading unit (60) or write-read unit (60).

The method of claim 10, further comprising:

- determining whether the investigation was made using the first information (Γ); and or

- Determine whether the cargo and / or the container has been opened using the second information (2 ').

The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the apparatus is arranged to store the first information (Γ) in a first memory (31) and the second information (2 ') in a second memory (32), further comprising:

- Initializing the first memory (31) and / or the second memory (32) before reading the first information (Γ) and the second information (2 ').