Wide area metal detection (WAMD) system and method for security screening crowds
First Claim
1. A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) system for security screening a crowd of people, the system comprising:
- at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG) located below a walking surface for generating a magnetic field;
a plurality of magnetic field sensors located within the sensing area of the MFG for sensing a metallic object;
a location indicator for indicating a location of an individual with the metallic object at a position corresponding to that of one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors that sensed the metallic object;
at least one video camera for identifying the individual at the location indicated by the location indicator and tracking further movements of the individual; and
a video display for displaying images captured by the at least one video camera to security personnel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) system and method for security screening a crowd of people is provided. The system comprises at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG), e.g., a Horizontal Magnetic Field Generator (HMFG) buried below a walking surface for generating a magnetic field, a plurality of magnetic field sensors located within the sensing area of the MFG for sensing a metallic object, based on eddy currents in the magnetic field, and a location indicator for indicating a location of an individual with the metallic object at a position corresponding to that of one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors that sensed the metallic object. At least one video camera is included for identifying the individual at the location indicated by the location indicator and tracking further movements of the individual.
42 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) system for security screening a crowd of people, the system comprising:
-
at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG) located below a walking surface for generating a magnetic field; a plurality of magnetic field sensors located within the sensing area of the MFG for sensing a metallic object; a location indicator for indicating a location of an individual with the metallic object at a position corresponding to that of one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors that sensed the metallic object; at least one video camera for identifying the individual at the location indicated by the location indicator and tracking further movements of the individual; and a video display for displaying images captured by the at least one video camera to security personnel. - View Dependent Claims (5)
-
-
2. A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) system for security screening a crowd of people, the system comprising:
-
at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG) located below a walking surface for generating a magnetic field; a plurality of magnetic field sensors located within the sensing area of the MFG for sensing a metallic object; and a location indicator for indicating a location of an individual with the metallic object at a position corresponding to that of one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors that sensed the metallic object; wherein the plurality of magnetic field sensors sense the metallic object by sensing an eddy current generated by the metallic object. - View Dependent Claims (3)
-
-
4. A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) system for security screening a crowd of people, the system comprising:
-
at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG) located below a walking surface for generating a magnetic field; a plurality of magnetic field sensors located within the sensing area of the MFG for sensing a metallic object; a location indicator for indicating a location of an individual with the metallic object at a position corresponding to that of one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors that sensed the metallic object; and a non-magnetic surface marked with a grid pattern covering the plurality of magnetic field sensors to assist in locating and apprehending the individual; wherein the plurality of magnetic field sensors are located below the walking surface.
-
-
6. A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) method for security screening a crowd of people, the method comprising:
-
directing a traffic pattern of the crowd over at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG) and by a plurality of magnetic field sensors; detecting a presence of a metal object in the crowd utilizing the at least one MFG and one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors; locating an individual in the crowd with the metal object utilizing a location indicator; and apprehending the individual to perform a more thorough body search and examine the metal object. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) method for security screening a crowd of people, the method comprising:
-
directing a traffic pattern of the crowd over at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG) and by a plurality of magnetic field sensors; monitoring the crowd for target individuals, utilizing at least one video camera; upon identification of a target individual, activating the at least one MFG below the target individual; determining if a metal object is on the target individual, utilizing the at least one MFG and one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors; and apprehending the individual to perform a more thorough body search and examine the metal object, if the object is on the target individual. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification