Remote data access

• US 20060274916A1
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Abraham, Richard J., Lee, Bruce S., Chan, Chin F., Park, Junghyun, Hurd, Paul J., McClelland, Keith M.
• Application Number:
  US11/448,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20060274916A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083

Abstract

The application discloses a system and methods for remote access and analysis of data collected about items under inspection. The system includes a data collection station, that may include an X-ray scanner, that scans the items under inspection to obtain data about the items. The data is transmitted to one or more remote expert stations, where a remote expert analyzes the data to determine whether the item contains a potential threat, such as, for example, explosives or other contraband.

Claims

1. A baggage processing system comprising:

a plurality of CT scanners for scanning a bag, each of the CT scanners including a computer for processing data from the CT scanner and for reconstructing an image of least a portion of the bag;

at least one operator review station for displaying a reconstructed image; and

a network for transferring a reconstructed image from at least one CT scanner to the at least one operator review station for display.

2. The baggage processing system of claim 1,

wherein the computer in each of the CT scanners includes means for detecting a potential threat in a bag based upon reconstructed image, and

wherein a reconstructed image is transferred to the at least one operator review station upon detection of a potential threat.

3. The baggage processing system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of CT scanners is located at an airline check-in desk.

4. The baggage processing system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of CT scanners is located at an airport security check-point.

5. The baggage processing system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of CT scanners is located at an airport curb-side check-in area.

6. The baggage processing system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of CT scanners is located at a location other than an airport to which bags are to be transported.

7. A method for processing checked bags at an airport comprising the steps of:

at a plurality of locations in the airport performing the step of;

scanning bags and reconstructing at least one image of a portion of each bag;

detecting a potential threat based upon reconstructed images;

distributing bags to airplanes if a potential threat is not detected; and

transferring the at least one image to a review location if a potential threat is detected; and

at the review location, performing the steps of;

displaying the transferred at least one image for review by an operator.

8. The method for processing checked bags of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

at the review location performing the steps of;

receiving an indication from the operator of a threat or not a threat based upon the displayed image; and

transmitting the indication to the location which provided the image; and

at the plurality of locations performing the steps of;

receiving the indication from the review location;

distributing a bag to an airplane based upon an indication of not a threat; and

preventing distribution of the bag to an airplane upon indication of a threat.