SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING CONTRABAND ITEMS
First Claim
1. A method of detecting contraband about a person using a portable detector apparatus comprising an elongate housing that supports at least one magnetic sensor which is arranged to produce a signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field or gradient over a zone of sensitivity which extends away from the housing, the size of the zone being large enough to contain the whole body of the person, and a signal processing circuit which receives as an input the signal from the magnetic sensor and which, in response to a change in the signal, produces an alert signal;
- the method comprising;
setting up the portable detector apparatus in a chosen location; and
causing the person to pass alongside the housing from outside of the zone of sensitivity into the zone of sensitivity, monitoring for the issue of an alert by the device which is indicative of the possible presence of contraband.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of detecting contraband about a person using a portable detector apparatus having an elongate housing that supports at least one magnetic sensor, which is arranged to produce a signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field or gradient over a zone of sensitivity which extends away from the housing, the size of the zone large enough to contain the whole body of the person, and a signal processing circuit that receives as an input the signal from the magnetic sensor and which, in response to a change in the signal, produces an alert signal includes setting up the portable detector apparatus in a chosen location, causing the person to pass alongside the housing from outside of the zone of sensitivity into the zone of sensitivity, and monitoring for the issue of an alert by the device which is indicative of the possible presence of contraband.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of detecting contraband about a person using a portable detector apparatus comprising an elongate housing that supports at least one magnetic sensor which is arranged to produce a signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field or gradient over a zone of sensitivity which extends away from the housing, the size of the zone being large enough to contain the whole body of the person, and a signal processing circuit which receives as an input the signal from the magnetic sensor and which, in response to a change in the signal, produces an alert signal;
- the method comprising;
setting up the portable detector apparatus in a chosen location; and causing the person to pass alongside the housing from outside of the zone of sensitivity into the zone of sensitivity, monitoring for the issue of an alert by the device which is indicative of the possible presence of contraband. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- the method comprising;
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15. A security screening installation system comprising:
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a detector apparatus which includes at least one magnetic sensor arranged to produce a signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field or gradient over a zone of sensitivity around the sensor, the zone being large enough to contain the whole body of the person, and a signal processing circuit which receives as an input the signal from the magnetic sensor and which, in response to a change in the signal, produces an alert signal; and a wall or other object behind which the detector apparatus is hidden, the detector apparatus being positioned so that at least part of the zone of sensitivity extends in front of the wall or other object and is large enough for a person to fit wholly within the zone. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of making safe an object which may be concealing contraband comprising:
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setting up in a fixed location a portable detector apparatus comprising a single elongate pole housing at least one magnetic sensor arranged to produce a signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field or gradient over a zone of sensitivity around the sensor, the zone being large enough to contain the whole body of the person, and a signal processing circuit which receives as an input the signal from the magnetic sensor and which, in response to a change in the signal, produces an alert signal; causing the object to move from outside of the zone of sensitivity past the chosen location into the zone of sensitivity; and monitoring for the issue of an alert by the device which is indicative of the possible presence of contraband. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of increasing safety in a controlled environment, such as a prison, comprising carrying out a series of screenings at locations within the controlled environment, the method comprising using a portable detection apparatus which includes at least one magnetic sensor that is sensitive to the ambient magnetic field to detect contraband, and subsequently performing additional searching of any person or object which is suspected to have contraband.
Specification