Synchronized robotic baggage portal for secure access

• US 9,268,054 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2012
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Osann Jr
• Original Assignee: Robert Osann Jr
• Inventors: Osann, Robert Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Zhen Y
• Application Number:
  US13/541,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20130009747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.3, 340/5.7
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

Systems and methods describe automated/robotic baggage portals as well as their use when synchronized with automated/robotic human security portals. When companion human and baggage portals are synchronized, baggage items belonging to a subject are not passed through to a secure area unless the subject is cleared by a companion human portal for passage. Likewise, unless the subject is cleared for passage by the human portal, baggage items belonging to the subject are not passed through to a secure area unless the subject is cleared by the companion human portal. Variations on synchronization, tracking, and coordination mechanisms and methods are described as well as variations on baggage portal mechanisms including conveyer arrangements and baggage chamber configurations.

Claims

1. An automated system for secure area access including synchronized baggage and human security portals, comprising:

an automated human security portal including at least one threat sensor, and is configured to automatically stopping or retaining a subject in response to an automatically detected threat;

an automated baggage security portal including at least one threat sensor, and is configured to automatically stopping or retaining one or more baggage items related to the subject in response to an automatically detected threat among the baggage items;

an electronic control system for automatically controlling and coordinating operation of the human security portal and the baggage security portal;

wherein the baggage items related to the subject are not passed through to a secure area unless the subject is automatically cleared by the human security portal for passage;

wherein the subject is not allowed to pass through the human security portal unless the baggage items related to the subject are automatically cleared by the baggage security portal;

wherein the human and baggage security portals are synchronized to establish and maintain an ownership link or connection between the subject and the baggage items related to the subject;

wherein the automated system operates unattended;

wherein the automated system prevents an unauthorized person from tampering with or taking possession of the baggage items related to the subject;

wherein synchronizing the human and baggage security portals to establish and maintain the ownership link or connection between the subject and baggage items related to the subject is accomplished using a keypad and keycode tracking and coordination mechanism in combination with the electronic control system, wherein;

the subject places at least an item of baggage into the baggage portal and enters a first code into a first keypad to signify ownership, followed by the baggage portal becoming sealed to capture the at least an item of baggage;

the subject moves to the human portal and enters the first code into a second keypad;

after successful screening of both the subject and the at least an item of baggage, the subject moves to the exit of the baggage portal; and

the subject enters the first code into a third keypad at the baggage portal exit, the baggage portal opens for access, and the subject retrieves the at least an item of baggage.

2. A computerized method wherein one or more processors automatically control access to a secure area including automatic operation of synchronized baggage and human security portals, comprising:

automatically screening a human subject in an automated human security portal that includes at least one threat sensor and is configured to stopping or retaining the subject when a weapon is automatically detected by the least one threat sensor included in the human security portal;

automatically screening one or more baggage items related to the human subject in an automated baggage security portal that includes at least one threat sensor, said baggage security portal is configured to automatically stopping or retaining the baggage items when a weapon is automatically detected among the baggage items by the least one threat sensor included in the baggage security portal;

passing the baggage items related to the human subject through to a secure area only after the human subject is automatically cleared by the human security portal for passage;

allowing the human subject to pass into the secure area only after the baggage items related to the human subject are automatically cleared by the baggage security portal for passage;

wherein the human and baggage security portals are synchronized to establish and maintain an ownership link or connection between the human subject and the baggage items related to the human subject;

wherein the human and baggage security portals operates unattended wherein the baggage security portal prevents an unauthorized person from tampering with or taking possession of the baggage items related to the human subject;

wherein synchronizing the human and baggage security portals to establish and maintain the ownership link or connection between the human subject and baggage items related to the human subject is accomplished using a keypad and keycode tracking and coordination mechanism in combination with the electronic control system, wherein;

the subject places at least an item of baggage into the baggage portal and enters a first code into a first keypad to signify ownership, followed by the baggage portal becoming sealed to capture the at least an item of baggage;

the subject moves to the human portal and enters the first code into a second keypad;

after successful screening of both the subject and the at least an item of baggage, the subject moves to the exit of the baggage portal; and

the subject enters the first code into a third keypad at the baggage portal exit, the baggage portal opens for access by the subject, and the subject retrieves the at least an item of baggage.