Screening checkpoint for passengers and baggage

• US 7,317,390 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John H. Huey
• Original Assignee: Quantum Magnetics, Inc. (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: Wolff, Stephen, Huey, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US10/460,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,672 Days
• Field of Search: 340/521, 340/568.1, 340/551, 340/552, 340/5.81, 378/57, 378/63, 378/86, 705/1, 705/13, 235/375, 235/384, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/552
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

An advanced technology screening checkpoint system includes a baggage screening zone, a passenger screening zone, and a secondary screening zone. The baggage screening zone may include an explosives scanning system and an imaging system, while the passenger screening zone may include an explosives detection portal and a self-divestment portal to show passengers what to divest prior to screening by a high sensitivity metal detection portal. In some implementations, a secondary screening zone includes a sealed-bottle scanning system, an enhanced explosives detection system, a weapons search routine, and a body scanning system. Centralized monitoring of screening results for individual detection and screening systems of the baggage, passenger, and secondary screening zones may be provided by a combined user interface (CUI).

Claims

1. A screening checkpoint system comprising:

a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal; and

a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system, wherein said body scanning system is relatively positioned after said passenger screening zone, and said enhanced explosives detection system is relatively positioned after said baggage screening zone;

wherein a passenger enters the body scanning system, the body scanning system detecting and displaying the location any threat objects concealed by the passenger.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said explosives screening system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said baggage imaging system.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said explosives screening system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned after said baggage imaging system.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said metal detection portal.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned after said metal detection portal.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self-divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self-divestment portal integrated with said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said secondary screening zone further comprises a sealed-bottle scanning system.

9. The system according to claim 1, said system further comprising:

a combined user interface (CUI) adapted to provide centralized monitoring of screening results for individual screening systems of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones; and

a passenger ID station in communication with said CUI, wherein said passenger ID station is configured to identify passengers screened by said screening checkpoint system.

10. The system according to claim 1, said system further comprising;

a passenger ID station configured to identify passengers screened by said screening checkpoint system;

a passenger threat level identification system providing data used to assign a threat level to said identified passengers; and

a control computer adapted to modify screening sensitivity levels of at least one screening system of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones based upon said threat levels of said identified passengers.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said screening sensitivity levels are manually modified by a human operator.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said screening sensitivity levels are automatically modified by said control computer.

13. The system according to claim 1, said system further comprising:

an entry gate positioned prior to said passenger screening zone, wherein said entry gate is adapted to moderate passenger flow into said screening checkpoint system.

14. The system according to claim 1, said system further comprising:

an exit gate permitting access to a secured area wherein said exit gate is adapted to permit passenger flow into said secured area only if no alarms have been triggered by screening systems of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said baggage screening zone further comprises a nuclear detection system adapted to detect threshold levels of radioactive materials present in screened baggage.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said passenger screening zone further comprises a nuclear detection system adapted to detect threshold levels of radioactive materials present on a passenger.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein said secondary screening zone further comprises a weapons search routine providing additional searching of screened baggage, wherein said weapons search routine is performed in response to an alert generated by said explosives screening system or said baggage imaging system.

18. A method for providing an advanced technology screening checkpoint, said method comprising:

divesting any baggage from a passenger upon entry into said checkpoint;

screening said passenger baggage for explosives and weapons by passing said passenger baggage through a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

screening said passenger for explosives and weapons by directing said passenger thorough a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal;

providing a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system, wherein said body scanning system is relatively positioned after said passenger screening zone, and said enhanced explosives detection system is relatively positioned after said baggage screening zone and wherein, if an alert is triggered by at least one screening system of said passenger screening zone, said method further comprises;

screening said passenger for contraband with said body scanning system and wherein, if an alert is triggered by at least one screening system of said baggage screening zone, said method further comprises;

screening said baggage with said enhanced explosives screening system or with a weapons search routine;

wherein a passenger enters the body scanning system, the body scanning system detecting and displaying the location any threat objects concealed by the passenger.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said explosives screening system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said baggage imaging system.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said explosives screening system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned after said baggage imaging system.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said metal detection portal.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned after said metal detection portal.

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self-divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

24. The method according to claim 18, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self-divestment portal integrated with said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

25. The method according to claim 18, wherein said secondary screening zone further comprises a sealed-bottle scanning system.

26. The method according to claim 18, said method further comprising:

providing centralized monitoring of screening results for individual scanning systems of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones; and

identifying passengers screened by said screening checkpoint system using a passenger ID station in communication with said CUI.

27. The method according to claim 18, said method further comprising:

identifying passengers screened by said screening checkpoint system using a passenger ID station;

assigning a threat level to said identified passengers using data provided by a passenger threat level identification system; and

modifying screening sensitivity levels of at least one screening system of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones based upon said threat levels of said identified passengers.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said modifying of said screening sensitivity levels is initiated by a human operator.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said modifying of said screening sensitivity levels is automatically initiated by a control computer.

30. The method according to claim 18, said method further comprising:

moderating passenger flow into said screening checkpoint system using an entry gate positioned prior to said passenger screening zone.

31. The method according to claim 18, said method further comprising:

permitting passenger entry into a secured area protected by said screening checkpoint system only if no alarms have bear triggered by screening systems of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones.

32. The method according to claim 18, wherein said baggage screening zone further comprises a nuclear detection system adapted to detect threshold levels of radioactive materials present in screened baggage.

33. The system according to claim 18, wherein said passenger screening zone further comprises a nuclear detection system adapted to detect threshold levels of radioactive materials present on a passenger.

34. A screening checkpoint system comprising:

a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal, a self-divestment portal, and a metal detection portal; and

a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system, an enhanced explosives screening system, and a sealed-bottle scanning system, said body scanning system being relatively positioned after metal detection portal, and said enhanced explosives detection system and said sealed-bottle scanning system being relatively positioned after said baggage imaging system;

wherein a passenger enters the body scanning system, the body scanning system detecting and displaying the location any threat objects concealed by the passenger.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self-divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

36. The system according to claim 34, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self divestment portal integrated with said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

37. The system according to claim 34, said system further comprising:

a passenger ID station configured to identify passengers screened by said screening checkpoint system;

a passenger threat level identification system providing data used to assign a threat level to said identified passengers; and

a control computer adapted to modify screening sensitivity levels of at least one screening system of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones based upon said threat levels of said identified passengers.

38. The system according to claim 37, wherein said screening sensitivity levels are manually modified by a human operator.

39. The system according to claim 37, wherein said screening sensitivity levels are automatically modified by said control computer.

40. The system according to claim 34, wherein said secondary screening zone further comprises a weapons search routine providing additional searching of screened baggage, wherein said weapons search routine is performed in response to an alert generated by said explosives screening system or said baggage imaging system.

41. A method for providing an advanced technology screening checkpoint, said method comprising:

divesting any baggage from a passenger upon entry into said checkpoint;

screening said passenger baggage for explosives and weapons by passing said passenger baggage through a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

screening said passenger for explosives and weapons by directing said passenger through a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal, a self-divestment portal, and a metal detection portal; and

providing a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system, an enhanced explosives screening system, and a sealed-bottle scanning system, said body scanning system being relatively positioned after said metal detection portal and said enhanced explosives detection system and said sealed-bottle scanning system being relatively positioned after said baggage imaging system and wherein, if an alert is triggered by at least one screening system of said passenger screening zone, said method further comprises;

screening said passenger for contraband with said body scanning system and wherein, if an alert is triggered by at least one screening system of said baggage screening zone, said method further comprises;

screening said baggage with said enhanced, explosives screening system or with a weapons search routine;

wherein a passenger enters the body scanning system, the body scanning system detecting and displaying the location any threat objects concealed by the passenger.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self-divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

43. The method according to claim 41, wherein said passenger screening zone further includes a self-divestment portal integrated with said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

44. The method according to claim 41, said system further comprising:

a passenger ID station configured to identify passengers screened by said screening checkpoint system;

a passenger threat level identification system providing data used to assign a threat level to said identified passengers; and

a control computer adapted to modify screening sensitivity levels of at least one screening system of said baggage, passenger and secondary screening zones based upon said threat levels of said identified passengers.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein said screening sensitivity levels are manually modified by a human operator.

46. The method according to claim 44, wherein said screening sensitivity levels are automatically modified by said control computer.

47. An integrated screening checkpoint system comprising:

a standard screening checkpoint comprising passenger and baggage weapons detection systems;

an advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC) operating in conjunction with said standard screening checkpoint, wherein said ATSC comprises;

a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal;

a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system, wherein said body scanning system is relatively positioned after said passenger screening zone, and said enhanced explosives detection system is relatively positioned after said baggage screening zone; and

a passenger check-in station for selectively directing passengers to either said standard screening checkpoint or to said ATSC;

wherein a passenger enters the body scanning system, the body scanning system detecting and displaying the location any thread objects concealed by the passenger.

48. The system according to claim 47, said system further comprising a combined user interface (CUT) adapted to provide centralized monitoring of screening results for individual screening systems of said advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC).

49. The system according to claim 47, wherein a passenger is selectively directed to either said standard screening checkpoint or said advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC) based upon passenger threat level data provided by a passenger threat level identification system.

50. A method for providing an integrated screening checkpoint, said method comprising:

operating a standard screening checkpoint comprising passenger and baggage weapons detection systems in conjunction with an advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC), wherein said ATSC comprises;

a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal;

a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system, wherein said body scanning system is relatively positioned after said passenger screening zone, and said enhanced explosives detection system is relatively positioned after said baggage screening zone; and

selectively directing passengers to either said standard screening checkpoint or said ATSC;

wherein a passenger enters the body scanning system, the body scanning system detecting and displaying the location of any threat objects concealed by the passenger.

51. The method according to claim 50, said method further comprising:

providing centralized monitoring of screening results of individual detection systems of said advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC) to a combined user interface (CUT).

52. The method according to claim 50, said method further comprising:

selectively directing said passenger to either said standard screening checkpoint or said advanced technology screening checkpoint (ATSC) based upon passenger threat level data provided by a passenger threat level identification system.

53. A screening checkpoint system comprising:

a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal;

a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system; and

a passenger threat assessment region providing a decisive number for accepting or rejecting a particular passenger based on said systems and detection portals.

54. The system according to claim 53, wherein said explosives screening system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said baggage imaging system.

55. The system according to claim 53, wherein said explosives screening system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned after said baggage imaging system.

56. The system according to claim 53, wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said metal detection portal.

57. The system according to claim 53, wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned after said metal detection portal.

58. The system according to claim 53, wherein said passenger screening zone further comprises a self-divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

59. A method for providing an advanced technology screening checkpoint, said method comprising:

divesting any baggage from a passenger upon entry into said checkpoint;

screening said passenger baggage for explosives and weapons by passing said passenger baggage through a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives screening system and a baggage imaging system;

screening said passenger for explosives and weapons by directing said passenger through a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal, providing a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system; and

providing a decisive number by a user interface for accepting or rejecting a particular passenger based on said systems and detection portals.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein said explosives scanning system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said baggage imaging system.

61. The method according to claim 59, wherein said explosives scanning system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned after said baggage imaging system.

62. The method according to claim 59, wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said metal detection portal.

63. The method according to claim 59 wherein said explosives detection portal of said passenger screening zone is relatively positioned after said metal detection portal.

64. The method according to claim 59, wherein said passenger screening zone further comprises a self divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

65. A screening checkpoint system comprising:

a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives detection system and a baggage imaging system;

a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal;

a secondary screening zone comprising a body scanning system and an enhanced explosives screening system; and

a combined user interface (CUI) configured to provide centralized monitoring of screening results for individual screening systems of said baggage, passenger, and secondary screening zones to provide a decisive number for accepting or rejecting a particular passenger based on said systems and detection portals.

66. The system according to claim 65, wherein said passenger screening zone further comprises a self-divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.

67. A method for providing an advanced technology screening checkpoint, said method comprising:

divesting any baggage from a passenger upon entry into said checkpoint;

screening said passenger baggage for explosives and weapons by passing said passenger baggage through a baggage screening zone comprising an explosives scanning system and a baggage imaging system;

screening said passenger for explosives and weapons by directing said passenger through a passenger screening zone comprising an explosives detection portal and a metal detection portal; and

providing centralized monitoring of screening results for individual screening systems of said baggage and passenger screening zones to a combined user interface (CUI), said CUI configured to provide a decisive number for accepting or rejecting a particular passenger.

68. The method according to claim 67, wherein said explosives screening system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned prior to said baggage imaging system.

69. The method according to claim 67, wherein said explosives detection system of said baggage screening zone is relatively positioned after said baggage imaging system.

70. The method according to claim 67, wherein said passenger screening zone further comprises a self-divestment portal positioned prior to said metal detection portal, wherein said self-divestment portal is configured with a display device adapted to provide a location of metallic items detected on a passenger.