IP Library Granted Patent US 12,101,581
Granted Patent B2
US 12,101,581 · App. 17/712,814 · Granted Sep 24, 2024

Method and system for recording a mail screening process

Inventors: Gopal Paripally (North Andover, MA); Jason M. Ouellette (Sterling, MA); Richard Focke (Andover, MA); Brian Richard (Lunenburg, MA)
Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
H04N7/183G05B19/042G06V20/52G07C9/20G08B21/02G05B2219/2614
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,101,581
App. No.
17/712,814
Granted
Sep 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for recording mail screening process includes receiving, by a processor of a recording device, a first image of a mail item placed into an inspection zone of a mail screening device from a first image sensor of the mail screening device. A video stream capturing screening of the mail item is received by the processor of the recording device from a second image sensor of the mail screening device. The first image of the mail item and the video stream of the mail item are analyzed by the recording device to determine if the mail item contains a security threat. A notification is generated, by the processor of the recording device, in response to determining that the mail item contains the security threat.

Claims (37)

1. A method for recording a mail screening process comprising:

receiving, by a processor of a recording device, a first image of a mail item placed into an inspection zone of a mail screening device from a first image sensor of the mail screening device, wherein the first image is configured to provide a first view of a content inside of the mail item;

receiving, by the processor of the recording device, a video stream capturing screening of the mail item from a second image sensor of the mail screening device, wherein the video stream is configured to provide a second view of what is seen on the mail item;

analyzing, using the processor of the recording device, the first image and the video stream of the mail item to determine if the mail item contains a security threat;

generating, by the processor of the recording device, a notification in response to determining that the mail item contains the security threat; and

providing a side-by-side display of the first view in real time of the content inside of the mail item and the second view in real time of what is seen on the mail item.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically initiating, by the processor of the recording device, a security response action in response to determining that the mail item contains the security threat.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the security response action comprises at least one of: modifying room access control rules for a room where the mail screening device is situated, modifying first settings of a Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, modifying second settings of one or more security cameras mounted in the room where the mail screening device is situated, and generating an audible alert.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the security threat comprises one of: liquids, powder, weapons, explosives, radiation and suspect material detection.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein modifying the room access control rules comprises selectively granting access to the room based on security credentials or selectively altering the security credentials required to enter the room.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein modifying the first settings of the HVAC system comprises selectively triggering exhaust vents of the HVAC system.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first image sensor has sensitivity ranging between 700 μm and 1075 μm.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the notification comprises generating at least one of: a text message, social media notification, phone call, voice mail, email, electronic notification to a security system, and emergency alert notification to a warning system.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending, by the processor of the recording device, the video stream capturing the inspection zone to a security gateway.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the warning system comprises at least one of: warning lights, warning speakers, and warning displays.

11. A system for recording a mail screening process comprising:

a hardware processor of a recording device configured to:

receive a first image of a mail item placed into an inspection zone of a mail screening device from a first image sensor of the mail screening device, wherein the first image is configured to provide a first view of a content inside of the mail item;

receive a video stream capturing screening of the mail item from a second image sensor of the mail screening device, wherein the video stream is configured to provide a second view of what is seen on the mail item;

analyze the first image and the video stream of the mail item to determine if the mail item contains a security threat;

generate a notification in response to determining that the mail item contains the security threat; and

provide a side-by-side display of the first view in real time of the content inside of the mail item and the second view in real time of what is seen on the mail item.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the hardware processor of the recording device is further configured to automatically initiate a security response action in response to determining that the mail item contains the security threat.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the security response action comprises at least one of: modifying room access control rules for a room where the mail screening device is situated, modifying first settings of a Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, modifying second settings of one or more security cameras mounted in the room where the mail screening device is situated, and generating an audible alert.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the security threat comprises one of: liquids, powder, weapons, explosives, radiation and suspect material detection.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the hardware processor of the recording device configured to modify the room access control rules is further configured to selectively grant access to the room based on security credentials or selectively alter the security credentials required to enter the room.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the hardware processor of the recording device configured to modify the first settings of the HVAC system is further configured to selectively trigger exhaust vents of the HVAC system.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first image sensor has sensitivity ranging between 700 μm and 1075 μm.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the hardware processor of the recording device configured to generate the notification is further configured to generate at least one of: a text message, social media notification, phone call, voice mail, email, electronic notification to a security system, and emergency alert notification to a warning system.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the hardware processor of the recording device is further configured to send the video stream capturing the inspection zone to a security gateway.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the warning system comprises at least one of: warning lights, warning speakers, and warning displays.

21. A method for recording a mail screening process comprising:

receiving, by a processor of a recording device, a first image of a mail item placed into an inspection zone of a mail screening device from a first image sensor of the mail screening device, wherein the first image is configured to provide a first view of a content inside of the mail item;

receiving, by the processor of the recording device, a live video feed capturing screening of the mail item from a second image sensor, wherein the live video feed is configured to provide a second view of what is seen on the mail item;

analyzing, using the processor of the recording device, the first image and the live video feed of the mail item to determine if the mail item contains a security threat;

generating, by the processor of the recording device, a notification in response to determining that the mail item contains the security threat; and

providing a side-by-side display of the first view in real time of the content inside of the mail item and the live video feed that provides the second view in real time of what is seen on the mail item.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2024
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
To: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
Reel/Frame 068494/0384 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2022
From: PARIPALLY, GOPAL; OUELLETTE, JASON M.; FOCKE, RICHARD; RICHARD, BRIAN
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
Reel/Frame 060397/0305 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230319238A1 · Oct 5, 2023