Detailed description of passenger screening technology

A traditional security checkpoint module 100 is schematically depicted in Fig. 1.2.

Fig.1.2 Traditional security checkpoint module 100

In the known checkpoint module 100, people enter a checkpoint module entrance 110 where they generally prepare for search before entering a personal screen area 120. In the checkpoint module entrance 110, the people also place any baggage and items into an item screen area 130. After completion of the personal and item screens, the people recollect their items and leave the security checkpoint through a checkpoint exit 140.

First, a person enters the security checkpoint entrance 110. In some instances, only people having a ticket are allowed to enter the security checkpoint. Thus, one aspect of the checkpoint entrance 110 may be an examination of tickets. The checkpoint entrance 110 may further include gates, doors or other structures to prevent people from bypassing the checkpoint.

In the security checkpoint entrance 110, people prepare for personal and item screening, described below. For instance, people in the security checkpoint entrance 110 prepare for screening in the personal screen area 120 by removing keys, coins, jewelry, cell phones or other metallic objects that may interfere with security examinations. Similarly, people in the security entrance 110 prepare for item screening in item screening area 130 by placing items into the item screening area 130 and by identifying special items, such a laptop computer or camera equipment, that require separate searching.

In the personal screen area 120, a person is screened by some type of rapid scanning device, such as a walk through metal detector (WTMD). Certain people activate an alarm, thereby requiring resolution of the personal screen alarm. Increasing the sensitivity of the personal screening device increases the percentage of people that activate the alarm.

A personal screen alarm is resolved before the person can leave the checkpoint 100. The person causing the alarm may return to the checkpoint entrance 110, remove one or more items, and re-enter the personal screen area 120 to repeat the screening. Alternatively, security workers may close the personal screening area 120 and perform other screening tests as needed to resolve the alarm. For example, the security workers may use a hand-held metal detector (“HHMD”) or other screening techniques (such as a frisk) to identify objects causing the alarm. Unfortunately, these processes delay other people waiting to enter the personal screening area 120.

Returning to Fig. 1.2, a person initiates the item screening in item screening area 130 by placing an item into the item screening area 130. The item is then screened using known technology. Typically, the item screening uses some type of x-ray device that allows security officials to see into the item. If the x-ray device produces an alarm, then the alarm must be resolved through more detailed screening before that item is allowed through the security checkpoint. After the item screening alarm is resolved or if the item did not produce an item screening alarm, the item may be cleared and the item screening ends.

The resolving of the item screen alarm in the item screening area generally entails a more thorough examination of the item, as necessary for the security checkpoint of interest. For instance, in an airport, security officials may test the item for presence of prohibited chemicals. If needed, the security officials may also manually search the item to identify the cause for the alarm. It should be appreciated that other security tasks or combinations of tasks may be incorporated as well. Also, the extent of the manual search may vary according to the results of the x-ray. Specifically, the manual search may vary depending on whether a restricted item is seen during screening.

The screening of a person's items in area 130 and screening of the person in area 120 occur concurrently to expedite the security process. However, as suggested above, the item screening in area 130 and personal screening in area 120 may be interrelated so that tasks in one of the areas cannot begin until the completion of a task in the other area. In this way, delays in both areas 120 and 130 may occur with a person causing a security alarm in the personal screening area 120. For instance, more extensive screens (such as a manual search) of an item in area 130 generally cannot begin without the presence of the owner. As a result, delays may occur in the item screen area 130 if the owner is detained in the personal screen area 120.

Upon completion of both the item and personal screens, people collect their items and leave the security checkpoint through the security checkpoint exit 140. The checkpoint exit 140 may further include gate, doors, or other structures to prevent people from entering the checkpoint from the exit 140.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 775