Automated personnel screening system and method

• US 8,766,764 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2010
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rapiscan Systems Incorporated (OSI Systems Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rayner, Timothy James
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAYLOR, MATTHEW R
• Application Number:
  US12/888,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20120075053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 340/522, 340/540, 340/552, 340/573.1, 378/5, 378/57, 378/62, 378/87, 702/77, 702/78, 70/58.3, 702/19, 702/27, 702/179, 702/23
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/76 responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors E05F15/77 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10116 X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30232 Surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/00 Image analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

The present specification discloses a system for controlling a movement of at least one person into a controlled location. The system includes an X-ray screening system having an entrance area defined by walls and a gate, and an exit area defined by walls and a gate. The gates are automatically controlled based upon the output of the X-ray screening system. Additional gates, defining an additional holding area, are used for subsequent analysis and inspection.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a movement of at least one person into a controlled location, comprising:

a. An X-ray screening system having an entrance area defined by a plurality of walls and an exit area defined by a plurality of walls;

b. A first gate having a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the first gate is open permitting entry of the at least one person into said entrance area and wherein, in the second state, the first gate is closed preventing entry of the at least one person into said entrance area;

c. A second gate having a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the second gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the exit area and, in the second state, the second gate is open permitting the person to leave the exit area; and

d. A third gate having a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the third gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the exit area and, in the second state, the third gate is open permitting the person to leave the exit area and enter a holding area, wherein the second gate and third gate are each attached to a common hinge point, wherein the second gate, the third gate, a right wall, and a left wall collectively define said exit area, wherein when said second gate is open, the third gate is closed and when said third gate is open, the second gate is closed, wherein said X-ray screening system generates data indicative of whether said person is carrying a prohibited object and wherein said data is used to automatically open either said second gate or third gate.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein, if said data is indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the third gate to open the third gate and permit the person to leave the exit area and enter the holding area.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said X-ray screening system does not transmit a signal to the second gate to open the second gate if said third gate is being opened.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein, if said data is not indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the second gate to open the second gate and permit the person to leave the exit area.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said X-ray screening system does not transmit a signal to the third gate to open the third gate if said second gate is being opened.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said holding area is defined by a first wall, a second wall, the third gate, a fourth gate, and a fifth gate.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the fourth gate has a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the fourth gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the holding area and, in the second state, the fourth gate is open permitting the person to leave the holding area.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the fifth gate has a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the fifth gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the holding area and, in the second state, the fifth gate is open permitting the person to leave the holding area and enter an inspection area.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said data is communicated to a station for analysis by a person.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said station is configured to transmit a signal to said fourth gate or said fifth gate based upon receiving an input from said person.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said station transmits a signal, based upon an input from said person, to open said fourth gate, if said person determines that said data is not indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said station does not transmit a signal to the fifth gate to open said fifth gate if said fourth gate is being opened.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said station transmits a signal, based upon an input from said person, to open said fifth gate, if said person determines that said data is indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said station does not transmit a signal to the fourth gate to open said fourth gate if said fifth gate is being opened.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein said inspection area is defined by a third wall, a fourth wall, and the fifth gate.

16. The system of claim 6 wherein at least one of said first gate, second gate, third gate, fourth gate, or fifth gate is partly controlled by a motion sensor.

17. A system for controlling a movement of at least one person into a controlled location, comprising:

a. An X-ray screening system having an entrance area defined by a first wall, a second wall, and a first gate and an exit area defined by a third wall, a fourth wall, a second gate and a third gate, wherein the second gate and third gate are each attached to a common hinge point, wherein the second gate, the third gate, the third wall, and the fourth wall collectively define said exit area, wherein when said second gate is open, the third gate is closed and when said third gate is open, the second gate is closed, and wherein said X-ray screening system generates data indicative of objects being carried by said person; and

b. A controller in data communication with said X-ray screening system wherein said controller automatically opens either said second gate or said third gate based upon said data.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein, if said data is indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the third gate to open the third gate and permit the person to leave the exit area and enter a holding area.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein, if said data is not indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the second gate to open the second gate and permit the person to leave the exit area.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein said holding area is defined by a first wall, a second wall, the third gate, a fourth gate, and a fifth gate.