IP Library Granted Patent US 8,305,442
Granted Patent B2
US 8,305,442 · App. 11/981,027 · Granted Nov 6, 2012

Entry control point device, system and method

Assignee: Gatekeeper, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,305,442
App. No.
11/981,027
Granted
Nov 6, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides an entry control device, system and method which can recognize a vehicle by its undercarriage image only. The present invention compares a new vehicle undercarriage image with those stored in a reference database to facilitate the automatic search of a vehicle's undercarriage. The present invention can compare the new undercarriage image to the same or similar undercarriage image previously entered in the reference database, highlighting any anomalies such as, for example, foreign objects, explosives, drugs, paraphernalia and other illegal and/or harmful substances and devices.

Claims (13)

1. A method for establishing records for use in analyzing the underside of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

recording one or more images of the underside of one or more vehicles using a scanner camera configuration comprising a camera adapted to record simultaneous or near-simultaneous images of a vehicle underside from different angles, wherein the scanner camera configuration further comprises a scanner framework having a front end, a back end and a top surface, a first mirror arrangement secured to the framework so as to provide a first reflecting surface angled upwardly toward the to surface and toward the framework front end, and a second mirror arrangement secured to the framework so as to provide a second reflecting surface angled upwardly in a direction facing the framework top surface and the framework back end;

categorizing the one or more images according to the vehicle year, make, model and transmission type; and

storing the one or more images in a computer database.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the camera has a lens and is secured to the framework such that a portion of the lens faces the first mirror arrangement and a portion of the lens faces the second mirror arrangement.

3. A method for establishing records for use in analyzing the underside of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

recording one or more images of the underside of one or more vehicles using a scanner camera configuration comprising a camera adapted to record simultaneous or near-simultaneous images of a vehicle underside from different angles, wherein the scanner camera configuration further comprises a scanner framework having a front end, a back end and a top surface, and further wherein the camera is secured such that the camera lens is angled downwardly away from the framework top surface;

categorizing the one or more images according to the vehicle year, make, model and transmission type; and

storing the one or more images in a computer database.

4. A method for establishing records for use in analyzing the underside of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

recording one or more images of the underside of one or more vehicles using a scanner camera configuration comprising a camera adapted to record simultaneous or near-simultaneous images of a vehicle underside from different angles, wherein the scanner camera configuration further comprises a scanner framework having a front end, a back end and a top surface, and further wherein the camera is secured to the framework such that the lens faces the framework back end;

categorizing the one or more images according to the vehicle year, make, model and transmission type; and

storing the one or more images in a computer database.

Assignments (3)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 1, 2025
From: RAPISCAN HOLDINGS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 071823/0713 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2024
From: GATEKEEPER INC.
To: RAPISCAN HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 068901/0519 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 29, 2021
From: MILLAR, CHRISTOPHER A.
To: GATEKEEPER, INC.
Reel/Frame 058222/0460 →
Continuity (3)
Division 11360758 · Feb 23, 2006
Provisional Application 60655321 · Feb 23, 2005
Related Publication 20080239079A1 · Oct 2, 2008