Mobile security unit

• US 7,102,512 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Pendergraft, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk, Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/679,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20050074086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/551, 340/552, 340/561
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/30 for embarking or disembarking passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/36 Other airport installations ground installations for de-icing aircraft B64F5/20

Abstract

A Mobile Security Unit (MSU) has a security checkpoint and a transport. The security checkpoint has an item screening area and a personal screening area. The checkpoint is configured as needed to fit within the transport. The MSU may further separate certain individuals into a secure, enclosed wanding station for additional security screening. The wanding station may be constructed using glass (or other strong, visually transparent substance) and metallic (such as aluminum or steel) posts so that people may be securely enclosed in the wanding station but still have a direct line of sight to personal items being screened at another location. The MSU is configured so that most people pass straight through the checkpoint, and people leaving the wanding station can easily obtain their items without delaying others.

Claims

1. A security checkpoint comprising:

a transport device; and

at least one checkpoint module contained on said transport, the module comprising;

an item screening area including an input area that receives an item deposited by a person,

an item screening device that screens the item,

a output area that returns the item to the person after completion of a first and a second personal screenings,

a personal screening area positioned adjacent to the item screening area, wherein the person entering the personal screening area after depositing the item in the input area, the personal screening area performing the first personal screening to determine whether to perform the second personal screening, the person leaving the personal screening area and retrieving the item from the output area in a substantially straight path if the second personal screening is not performed

an enclosure, the enclosure being physically separated from the item screening area and the personal screening area, wherein the person leaves the personal screening area and enters the enclosure if the first personal screening indicates a need to perform the second personal screening, the second personal screening occurring in the enclosure, and

a small item screening device that assists in the second personal screening.

2. The security checkpoint of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes an exit, and the exit is positioned proximately to the output area in the item screening area.

3. The security checkpoint of claim 2, wherein the item screening area comprises an extension connecting the item screening device and the output area.

4. The security checkpoint of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a substantially transparent planer surface.

5. The security checkpoint of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises an entry area in which a queue may form if the enclosure is full.

6. The security checkpoint of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a wanding footpad that guides the person to a proper position for the second personal screening.

7. A mobile security checkpoint comprising:

an item screening device, said item screening device scanning one or more of a person'"'"'s items, said item screening device including an input end for inserting said items and an output end for receiving the items from the item screening device;

a personal screening device for screening the person, wherein the personal screening device produces an alarm if the personal screening device detects a need for further screening of the person;

an enclosure for holding the person for further screening if the personal screening device produces an alarm, wherein the enclosure is physically separated from the personal screening device and the item screening device;

a small item screening device, said small item screening device positioned to receive and screen personal items from the enclosure; and

a transport for containing and moving said item screening device and said personal screening device.

8. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 7, wherein the enclosure is surrounded by a wall comprising support beams and planer wall units fastened to the support beams.

9. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 8, wherein said planer wall units are substantially transparent and wherein the person, when in the enclosure, can view the item in the item screening device.

10. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 8, wherein the enclosure includes an entry area and wherein the entry area is adapted to allow for formation of a queue for entering the enclosure.

11. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 10, wherein the entry area is adapted to allow two people may join the queue before filling the entry area.

12. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 8, wherein an exit to the enclosure is positioned to allow the person to leave the enclosure and collect items from the item screening device without traveling upstream against other people.

13. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 12, wherein the item screening device includes an extender that positions the item leaving the item screening device next to the enclosure exit.

14. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 7, wherein the enclosure comprises an entrance, wherein the entrance is positioned proximately to the personal screening device.

15. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 7, wherein the item screening device, the personal screening device, and the enclosure are configured such that, if the personal screening device does not produce an alarm, the person may place the item into the item screening device, pass through the personal screening device, and retrieve the item from the item screening device in a substantially straight path.

16. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 7, wherein the enclosure is configured for simultaneously screening of two people.

17. The mobile security checkpoint of claim 7 further comprising an entrance in the transport, the entrance being configured to direct people to the personal screening device.