Method and system for implementing security in the travel industry

• US 20030225612A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delta Air Lines Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Delta Air Lines Incorporated
• Inventors: Murphy, Kevin, DeSimone, Russell Alan, Maruster, Robert A., Rary, Patrick Carl, Odom, Tommy D., Gosline, Scott Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/366,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20030225612A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Computer-implemented security for the travel industry. Travel industry systems can supply passenger, employee, and cargo data to a risk assessment engine that services the travel industry. The risk assessment engine collects data from throughout the travel industry and combines it with data from other government and commercial sources. The risk assessment engine uses the collected data to compute a score that quantifies the potential risk posed by a particular person or package. The score can be used by a variety of systems in the travel industry to adjust a level for screening people and packages that enter a secure travel system. A more comprehensive and accurate scoring system allows the travel industry to conduct more intelligent and efficient screening of people and packages that enter the secure travel system.

Claims

1. A method for implementing security in the travel industry comprising the steps of

transmitting carrier passenger data for a passenger from a carrier to a risk assessment engine managed by a party other than the carrier;

receiving a score reflecting risk for the passenger from the risk assessment engine, the score based on the carrier passenger data and data from at least one data source controlled by a party other than the carrier;

providing the score to the carrier before the passenger checks in for travel; and

using the score to control access to a secure travel area by the passenger.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the score to security personnel.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of converting the carrier passenger data to a uniform format.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of associating the score with the passenger'"'"'s baggage to adjust a level of screening for the baggage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data source is one of a credit reporting service, another carrier, a government data source, and a registered person program.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

transmitting the score to a security checkpoint system;

and

adjusting the screening for the passenger at the security checkpoint system based on the score.

7. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the steps required in claim 1.

8. A computer-implemented method for providing security in the travel industry comprising the steps of

transmitting travel data from a travel industry system to a risk assessment engine;

receiving an assessment of risk from the risk assessment engine based on the travel data and data from at least one of a credit reporting service, a government data source, and a registered person program; and

using the assessment of risk to control access to a secure travel area.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the travel data comprises passenger data.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the travel data comprises cargo data.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the travel data comprises employee data.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the assessment of risk is associated with the travel data for a passenger when the passenger checks in.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the format of the travel data is transformed to a standard format before being transmitted to the risk assessment engine.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of using the assessment of risk further comprises directing a passenger to a particular security checkpoint.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of using the assessment of risk further comprises directing a piece of cargo to a particular screening checkpoint.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of transmitting the assessment of risk to security personnel.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 8.

18. A computer-implemented method for providing security in the travel industry comprising the steps of

transmitting cargo data for a piece of cargo from a carrier to a risk assessment engine;

receiving a score reflecting risk for the piece of cargo from the risk assessment engine, the score based on the cargo data and data from at least one of a registered shipper program and a government data source;

providing the score to a cargo system; and

screening the piece of cargo with the cargo system based on the score.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of converting the cargo data to a standard format.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein screening the piece of cargo comprises scanning it with a scanning device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein screening the piece of cargo comprises manually searching the piece of cargo.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of transmitting the score to security personnel.

23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 18.

24. A computer-implemented method for providing security in the travel industry comprising the steps of

transmitting employee data for an employee to a risk assessment engine;

receiving a score reflecting risk for the employee from the risk assessment engine, the score based on the employee data and data from at least one of a credit reporting service, a government data source, and a registered person program;

providing the score to a human resources system; and

using the score to control the employee'"'"'s access to a secure travel area.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the employee data is transmitted from an airline.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the employee data is transmitted from an airport vendor.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of transmitting the score to an employee access system.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of using the score to choose an authentication process for the employee.

29. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 24.

30. A computer-implemented system for providing security in the travel industry comprising:

a travel system operable for generating travel data;

a risk assessment engine operable for receiving travel data from the travel system and calculating a score reflecting risk for the travel data; and

a security checkpoint system operable for receiving the score from the risk assessment engine and using the score to control access to a secure travel area.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the security checkpoint system comprises a physical authentication system operable for receiving the score and using the score to select an authentication method for a person associated with the travel data.

32. The system of claim 30, further comprising a monitoring interface operable for receiving the score and monitoring a person associated with the travel data.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the travel system is operable for receiving the score and associating the score with a passenger when the passenger checks in.

34. The system of claim 30, further comprising a cargo system operable for receiving the score and adjusting a level of screening, based on the score, for a piece of cargo associated with the travel data.

35. The system of claim 30, further comprising a baggage control system operable for receiving the score and adjusting the type of screening, based on the score, for a piece of baggage associated with the travel data.

36. The system of claim 30, further comprising a data interface operable for converting the travel data to a standard format compatible with the risk assessment engine.

37. A computer-implemented method for providing security in the travel industry comprising the steps of

receiving travel data from a travel industry system;

calculating a score reflecting risk, the score based on the travel data and data from at least one data source other than the travel industry system; and

providing the score to the travel industry system for use in controlling access to a secure travel area.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of transmitting the score to security personnel.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the data source is one of a credit reporting service, another travel industry system, a government data source, and a registered person program.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of

transmitting the score to a security checkpoint system;

and

adjusting the level of screening for a passenger at the security checkpoint system based on the score.

41. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 37.