Enhanced multi-layer cargo screening system, computer program product, and method of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016307152-A1
Application number	US-201615099869-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 15, 2016
Priority date	Apr 16, 2015
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities for enhanced cargo screening capabilities are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises: automatically and electronically executing a first screening procedure for capturing and storing first screening data comprising (a) an x-ray image and (b) first screening decontrol data; automatically and electronically determining whether at least a second screening procedure is required, the determination involving identifying at least one discrepancy between at least a portion of the first screening data and at least one predefined parameter; responsive to determining that the second screening is required, generating and transmitting one or more notifications configured to initiate the second screening procedure within a predetermined period of time; and responsive to determining that the at least second screening is not required, generating and transmitting a decontrol message configured to release the packages from further automated screening procedures.

First claim

1 . A computer-implemented method for screening a plurality of packages containing therein one or more items for transit via a common carrier, said method comprising:
for at least one of the plurality of packages, automatically and electronically executing a first screening procedure for capturing and storing in at least one memory storage device first screening data associated with the at least one of the plurality of packages, the first screening data comprising (a) an x-ray image and (b) first screening decontrol data; automatically and electronically determining, via at least one computer processor, whether at least a second screening procedure of the at least one of the plurality of packages is required, the determination being based upon identification of at least one discrepancy between at least a portion of the first screening data and at least one predefined parameter; responsive to determining that the at least second screening is required, generating and transmitting, via the at least one computer processor, one or more notifications configured to initiate the second screening procedure within a predetermined period of time; and responsive to determining that the at least second screening is not required, generating and transmitting, via the at least one computer processor, a first decontrol message containing at least the first screening decontrol data, said first decontrol message being configured to release the at least one of the plurality of packages from further screening procedures.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
responsive to generating and transmitting the one or more notifications configured to initiate the second screening procedure, for the at least one of the plurality of packages, executing the second screening procedure for capturing and storing in the at least one memory storage device second screening data associated with the at least one of the plurality of packages, the second screening data comprising (a) one or more manually entered indicators and (b) second screening decontrol data;
automatically and electronically determining, via the at least one computer processor, whether a third screening procedure of the at least one of the plurality of packages is required, the determination being based upon identification of at least one discrepancy between at least a portion of the second screening data and the at least one predefined parameter;
responsive to determining that the third screening is required, generating and transmitting, via the at least one computer processor, one or more notifications configured to initiate the third screening procedure at a remote location; and
responsive to determining that the third screening is not required, generating and transmitting, via the at least one computer processor, a second screening decontrol message containing at least the second screening decontrol data, said second screening decontrol message being configured to release the at least one of the plurality of packages from further screening procedures.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the second screening procedure is performed under a time constraint in a range of 12 to 20 seconds.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein execution of the second screening procedure comprises:
provision of at least a portion of the first screening data to at least one second screening operator; manual assessment of the received portion of the first screening data by the at least one second screening operator; and the creation by the at least one second screening operator of the one or more manually entered indicators.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the portion of the first screening data is provided to the at least one second screening operator within one minute of capture of the x-ray image.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the execution of the second screening procedure further comprises storing the x-ray image, the one or more manually entered indicators, and at least the second screening data for at least thirty days following the capture thereof.

7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said second screening decontrol message contains both the first screening decontrol data and the second screening decontrol data, such that the second screening decontrol message operates as a consolidated final decontrol message for the package.

8 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
responsive to generating and transmitting the one or more notifications configured to initiate the third screening procedure, for the at least one of the plurality of packages, executing the third screening procedure for capturing and storing in the at least one memory storage device third screening data associated with the at least one of the plurality of packages, the third screening data comprising (a) one or more manually entered assessments and (b) third screening decontrol data; automatically and electronically determining, via the at least one computer processor, whether a fourth screening procedure of the at least one of the plurality of packages is required, the determination being based upon identification of at least one discrepancy between at least a portion of the third screening data and the at least one predefined parameter; responsive to determining that the fourth screening is required, generating and transmitting, via the at least one computer processor, one or more notifications configured to initiate the fourth screening procedure; and responsive to determining that the fourth screening is not required, generating and transmitting, via the at least one computer processor, a third screening decontrol message containing at least the third screening decontrol data, said third screening decontrol message being configured to release the at least one of the plurality of packages from further screening procedures.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the one or more notifications configured to initiate the third screening procedure include identification of at least a primary remote assessor who will conduct the third screening procedure; execution of the third screening procedure comprises:
provision of at least a portion of the second screening data to at least the primary remote assessor, the portion comprising at least the x-ray image flagged for remote assessment via the manually entered indicator;
manual evaluation by the primary remote assessor of the received portion of the second screening data; and
creation by the primary remote assessor of the one or more manually entered third screening indicators.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the one or more notifications configured to initiate the third screening procedure further include identification of at least one secondary remote assessor who will also conduct the third screening procedure.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the one or more manually entered third screening indicators are further created by the one or more secondary remote assessors and generation of the third screening decontrol message requires receipt of clearance from all of the primary remote assessor and the one or more secondary remote assessors.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the primary remote assessor is a government-associated assessor.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the x-ray image flagged for remote assessment is electronically provided, via a network, to the primary remote assessor.

14 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
responsive to generating and transmitting the one or more notifications configured to initiate the fourth screening procedure, for the at least one of the plurality of packa

Assignees

• United parcel service america inc

Inventors

• Baldassari Tony
• Stone Howard

Classifications

• G06Q10/08

  Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management · CPC title

• G06Q10/0832 Primary

  Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods · CPC title