Integrated carry-on baggage cart and passenger screening station

• US 7,660,388 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Security Products USA Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gray, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Glick; Edward J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Midkiff; Anastasia
• Application Number:
  US12/171,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20090041186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 378/57, 378/210
• US Class Current: 378/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards apparatuses and methods for securing a location. Particularly, the present invention is directed towards methods, apparatuses, and integrated systems for the screening of individual passengers and their corresponding carry-on baggage carts with improved throughput, efficiency, and quality. In addition, the current invention is directed towards a carry-on baggage cart specifically designed for the disclosed integrated carry-on baggage cart and passenger screening system of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for conducting security comprising;

an X-ray scanning system having an entrance;

a screening cart having a frame assembly, computer, and display for receiving and displaying passenger information;

a conveyor to direct a screening cart passing through the X-ray scanning system; and

a reader to associate a person to be screened with said screening cart.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the frame assembly has collapsible legs.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the legs of the frame assembly are collapsed prior to being transported by said conveyor.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the legs of the frame assembly are expanded after being transported by said conveyor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the frame assembly physically complements the entrance and an internal configuration of said X-ray scanning system.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a module to integrate data collected from both the X-ray scanning system and passenger screening device to generate overall threat assessment.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said X-ray scanning system comprises a radiation source and a detector array.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said radiation source is a dual energy source.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the screening cart is comprised of an X-ray transmissive material.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising an integrated screening station comprising a central server, a processor and a memory in data communication with the X-ray scanning system and the passenger screening device.

11. A system for conducting security comprising;

a CT scanning system having an entrance;

a screening cart having a frame assembly, computer, and display for receiving and displaying passenger information;

a conveyor to direct a screening cart passing through the CT scanning system; and

a reader to associate a person to be screened with said screening cart.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the frame assembly has collapsible legs.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the legs of the frame assembly are collapsed prior to being transported by said conveyor.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the legs of the frame assembly are expanded after being transported by said conveyor.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the frame assembly physically complements the entrance and an internal configuration of said CT scanning system.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the screening cart is comprised of an X-ray transmissive material.

17. The system of claim 11 further comprising an integrated screening station comprising a central server, a processor and a memory in data communication with the CT scanning system and the passenger screening device.