Granted Patent B2

US 7,253,727 · App. 10/886,952 · Granted Aug 7, 2007

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. A security checkpoint comprising:

a parcel inspection apparatus for inspecting parcels for objects and materials of interest;

a personal inspection apparatus in proximity to the parcel inspection apparatus for checking people individually for objects and materials of interest, the personal inspection apparatus including an identification terminal for inputting personal identification data prior to entry of each said people into the personal inspection apparatus; and

a controller for controlling the inspections of the parcel and personal inspection apparatus and controlling the progress of parcels through the parcel inspection apparatus and progress of people through the personal inspection apparatus so that said progress of said parcels and said people occur substantially synchronously with one another, the controller communicating with the identification terminal of the personal inspection apparatus for controlling the personal inspection apparatus and the parcel inspection apparatus based on personal identification information inputted at said identification terminal.

2. The checkpoint of claim 1 , wherein the parcel inspection apparatus includes an X-ray apparatus for identifying threat objects in the parcels.

3. The checkpoint of claim 2 , wherein the parcel inspection apparatus includes apparatus for detecting substances of interest.

4. The checkpoint of claim 3 , wherein the apparatus for detecting substances of interest includes an ion mobility spectrometer.

5. The checkpoint of claim 4 , wherein the ion mobility spectrometer is an ion trap mobility spectrometer.

6. The checkpoint of claim 3 , wherein the substance detector is a quadrapole resonance detection system.

7. The checkpoint of claim 1 , wherein the personal inspection apparatus includes a metal detector for detection of weapons.

8. The checkpoint of claim 1 , wherein the personal inspection apparatus includes a back scatter X-ray device for detection of weapons.

9. The checkpoint of claim 1 , wherein the personal inspection apparatus includes an apparatus for detecting substances of interest.

10. The checkpoint of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus for detecting substances of interest include an ion mobility spectrometer.

11. The checkpoint of claim 10 , wherein the ion mobility spectrometer is an ion trap mobility spectrometer.

12. The checkpoint of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus for detecting substance of interest is a quadrapole resonance detection system.

13. The checkpoint of claim 1 , wherein the parcel inspection apparatus includes a conveyor for feeding parcels through the parcel inspection apparatus, the conveyor having separators applied thereto for separating parcels of one person from another, the parcel inspection apparatus being operative for identifying the parcel separators and for generating signals to the controller for coordinating egress of each person with parcels associated with the respective person.

14. The checkpoint of claim 1 , wherein the controller further communicates with at least one external source of data for comparing search parameters from external sources of data to personal identification data inputted at said identification terminal.

15. The checkpoint of claim 14 , wherein the controller sets alarm levels and test processes in response to the determined threat profile of the passenger.

16. The checkpoint of claim 1 , wherein the controller is operative for receiving signals from the parcel inspection and the personal inspection apparatus indicative of materials of interest, the controller further being operative for generating signals for increasing scrutiny at least one of the parcel inspection apparatus and the personal inspection apparatus based on a sensed presence of an item of interest or a substance of interest at either of the luggage inspection apparatus and the passenger inspection apparatus.

17. A method for checking security at a security checkpoint, said method comprising:

determining an identity of a person at the security checkpoint;

comparing the identity of the person to previously inputted data identifying persons requiring increased scrutiny at the checkpoint;

computing a personal threat profile;

setting the levels of inspection of the check point apparatus to meet the level of scrutiny consistent with the computed threat profile;

advancing the person through a personal scanning portal while simultaneously advancing any parcel carried by the person through a parcel scanning portal;

substantially simultaneously scanning the person and any parcel transported by the person with a level of scrutiny determined at least partly by previously inputted data pertaining to the identity of the person.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising increasing the level of scrutiny carried out at the personal scanning portal based on results of scanning carried out at the parcel scanning portal.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising adjusting the level of scrutiny carried out at the parcel scanning portal based on results of scanning carried out at the personal scanning portal.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of inspecting parcels includes vibrating the parcels to aspirate the parcel and dislodge substances of interest.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the step of inspecting parcels further comprises inducing a flow of air in proximity to the parcel for dislodging and transporting substances of interest.

22. The method of claim 17 , further comprising applying an RFID tag to the parcel and wherein the step of advancing the person through the personal scanning portal and simultaneously advancing the parcel through the parcel scanning portal comprises comparing the identity of the person to data on the RFID tag.

Assignments (8)