Mobile radiation surveillance network

Abstract

A detection system and method having at least one detection unit, and a control centre unit. The detection unit includes at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions, a locator for actively determining location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit, and a communicator configured to communicate the sensor data and location data. The control centre includes a receiver for receiving the sensor data and the location data, together with a control processor which is configured to determine a threat level correlated to the sensor data.

1 . A detection system comprising: 
 a) at least one detection unit, wherein the detection unit comprises: 
 i) at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions;  
 ii) locator for actively determining location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit; and  
 iii) a communicator configured to communicate the sensor data and the location data,  
   b) a control centre, wherein the control centre comprises: 
 i) a receiver for receiving the sensor data and the location data;  
 ii) a control processor configured to determine a threat level correlated to the sensor data, and  
   c) a data storage unit operatively coupled to the control centre and configured to store threshold data, wherein the threshold data is correlated to previously stored sensor data and correlated location data.    
   
   
       2 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communications network configured to provide a communications link between the communicator and the receiver.  
   
   
       3 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection unit further comprises a timer for generating timing data correlated to the time at which the sensor data is generated.  
   
   
       4 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold data comprises at least one data point corresponding to a predetermined threshold level.  
   
   
       5 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a monitor operatively coupled to the control processor, wherein the monitor is configured to generate a graphical display correlated to the sensor data and corresponding location data.  
   
   
       6 . The detection system of  claim 5 , wherein the graphical display comprises a map.  
   
   
       7 . A detection unit comprising: 
 a) at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions;    b) a locator configured to actively determine location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit;    c) a communicator operatively coupled to the sensor and to the locator, and configured to communicate the sensor data and location data; and    d) a data storage unit operatively coupled to the sensor and configured to store threshold data, wherein the threshold data is correlated to previously stored sensor data and correlated location data.    
   
   
       8 . The detection unit of  claim 7 , further comprising a timer for generating timing data correlated to the time at which the sensor data is generated.  
   
   
       9 . The detection unit of  claim 7 , wherein the threshold data comprises at least one data point corresponding to a predetermined threshold level.  
   
   
       10 . The detection unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the location determining means comprises a global positioning system.  
   
   
       11 . The detection unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense at least one from the following set of types of agents: chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear.  
   
   
       12 . A method of detecting threatening conditions, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a control centre;    b) providing at least one mobile detection unit, wherein the detection unit comprises at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data correlated to sensed conditions;    c) actively determining location data corresponding to the location of the detection unit;    d) communicating the sensor data and the location data to the control centre;    e) providing threshold data correlated to previously stored sensor data and correlated location data; and    f) determining a threat level correlated to the sensor data, wherein said threat level determination comprises comparing the sensor data generated in step b) to the threshold data corresponding to the location data determined in step c).    
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of generating a graphical display correlated to both the sensor data and the location data.