Fully-automated self-divesting screening system and method

1. A screening system comprising:

a plurality of chamber scanners oriented to scan different heights corresponding to different respective portions of a user to identify whether the user is carrying an item that is to be divested, the plurality of chamber scanners being integrated into surfaces of the screening system and including

a lower chamber scanner positioned at a first height and angled to scan substantially outward toward feet, shins, and lower legs of the user,

a middle chamber scanner positioned at a second height above the first height and angled to scan substantially outward and upward toward a midsection of the user, and

an upper chamber scanner positioned at a third height above the second height and angled to scan substantially outward and downward toward an upper portion of the user; and

a divestment scanner configured to obtain a detailed item characterization of the item divested from the user.

2. The screening system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chamber scanners are oriented at a plurality of respective angles to collectively image the user when grasping both divestment handles of a divestment door of the divestment scanner.

3. The screening system of claim 2 , further comprising handle sensors to detect when the user is grasping both divestment handles.

4. The screening system of claim 3 , further comprising a divestment handle interlock to prevent the divestment door from opening until the user interacts with both divestment handles of the divestment door.

5. The screening system of claim 1 , wherein the screening system is configured to aggregate outputs from the plurality of chamber scanners to image the user collectively.

6. The screening system of claim 1 , further comprising an optical trace detection system incorporated into at least one of a wall of the screening system, a floor of the screening system, the divestment scanner, and a divestment handle, the optical trace detection system configured to obtain an optical scan to check for traces of explosives.

7. The screening system of claim 1 , wherein the divestment scanner further comprises a divestment door configured to swing open, and a divestment tray system operatively coupled to the divestment door and configured to extend when the divestment door is opened.

8. The screening system of claim 1 , further comprising a metal detector incorporated into a surface of the screening system.

9. The screening system of claim 8 , wherein the metal detector is based on passive detection, to detect metal within the screening system while the metal is motionless.

10. The screening system of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of metal detectors incorporated into a respective plurality of surfaces protruding from walls of the screening system.

11. A method for screening a user, comprising:

scanning, by a plurality of chamber scanners of a screening system, different respective portions of the user, the plurality of chamber scanners being integrated into surfaces of the screening system and including

a lower chamber scanner positioned at a first height and angled to scan substantially outward toward feet, shins, and lower legs of the user,

a middle chamber scanner positioned at a second height above the first height and angled to scan substantially outward and upward toward a midsection of the user, and

an upper chamber scanner positioned at a third height above the second height and angled to scan substantially outward and downward toward an upper portion of the user;

aggregating outputs from the plurality of chamber scanners to image the user collectively as the user moves about;

identifying whether the user is carrying an item that is to be divested; and

obtaining, by a divestment scanner of the screening system, a detailed item characterization of the item divested from the user.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

extending a divestment tray system from the divestment scanner responsive to actuation of divestment handles to open a divestment door of the divestment scanner;

receiving the item in the divestment tray system;

retracting the divestment tray system responsive to closing the divestment door;

scanning the item with the divestment scanner;

identifying that the item is not prohibited;

allowing the user to collect the item from the divestment scanner; and

allowing the user to proceed carrying the item to a secure area.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising preventing, via a divestment handle interlock, the divestment door from opening or closing until both divestment handles of the divestment door are actuated.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising obtaining, via an optical trace detection system incorporated into the screening system, an optical scan to check for traces of explosives.

15. A screening system comprising:

a plurality of chamber scanners configured to scan corresponding users, the plurality of chamber scanners being integrated into surfaces of the screening system and including

a respective plurality of lower chamber scanners positioned at a first height and angled to scan substantially outward toward feet, shins, and lower legs of the users,

a respective plurality of middle chamber scanners positioned at a second height above the first height and angled to scan substantially outward and upward toward a midsection of the users, and

a respective plurality of upper chamber scanners positioned at a third height above the second height and angled to scan substantially outward and downward toward an upper portion of the users; and

a plurality of divestment scanners configured to scan corresponding items divested from the corresponding users;

the screening system being configured to:

coordinate availability of the plurality of chamber scanners based on maintenance information known about the plurality of chamber scanners rendering a given chamber scanner unavailable;

selectively direct a user, based on the maintenance information, to a chamber scanner that is available;

scan the user at the chamber scanner; and

obtain a detailed item characterization of an item divested from the user at a divestment scanner.

16. The screening system of claim 15 , further comprising the screening system being configured to:

selectively direct the user based on the user indicating a preference to access a divestment scanner that includes a divestment tray system that extends to a height that is accessible by disabled persons.