Passenger screening system and method

#This invention relates generally to personnel screening systems utilized at passenger terminals, and more particularly, to an integrated passenger screening system.

#The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently mandated more stringent inspection procedures be implemented by the travel industry to reduce the possibility of passengers boarding a carrier such as a plane, for example, carrying concealed weapons, explosives, or other contraband. To facilitate preventing passengers boarding a plane carrying concealed weapons, explosives, etc., the TSA requires that all passengers be screened prior to boarding the aircraft.

#For example, passengers arriving at the airport terminal first submit to a manual verification process that generally includes presenting their boarding pass and a form of identification such as a driver's license or passport, for example, to security personnel. The security personnel then manually verify that the passenger has a valid boarding pass, the name on the identification corresponds to the name on the boarding pass, and that the picture on the license or passport corresponds to the passenger presenting the license and boarding pass to the security personnel.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary kiosk system;

#FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the kiosk system shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a side section view of the kiosk system shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary passenger screening system 10, FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the passenger screening system shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side section view of the passenger screening system 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic illustration of the passenger screening system 10. In the exemplary embodiment, system 10 includes at least a first modality 12 referred to herein as an explosive and/or narcotics detection system 12 and a second modality 14 referred to herein as a metal detection system 14. System 10 also includes at least one computer 18, and a communications bus 20 that is coupled between modality 12, modality 14, and computer 18 to enable operator commands to be sent to at least one of modality 12 and/or modality 14 and to allow outputs generated by modality 12 and/or modality 14 to be delivered to computer 18 and thus utilized by computer 18 for data analysis or utilized by an operator of computer 18. In one embodiment, modality 12 and modality 14 are hardwired to computer 18. In another embodiment, communications bus 20 is a local area network. Optionally, communications bus 20 includes an internet connection.

#As shown in FIG. 4, modality 12 and modality 14 are integrated into a single screening system 10. In the exemplary embodiment, modality 12, modality 14, and computer 18 are each housed within a single kiosk or housing 22. Optionally, computer 18 is housed separate from kiosk 22 and electrically coupled to modality 12 and modality 14 utilizing bus 20. As used herein, a kiosk is defined as a relatively small area that is at least partially enclosed by at least one wall. In the exemplary embodiment, the kiosk is enclosed by two walls spaced apart in parallel to create a passenger screening area between the two walls. Optionally, the kiosk includes a third, or forward wall, that is coupled between the pair of walls to at least partially enclose the passenger screening area.

#In the exemplary embodiment, kiosk 22 includes a first wall 24, a second wall 26 that is positioned substantially parallel to first wall 24, and a third wall 28 that is positioned substantially perpendicular to and coupled between first and second walls 24 and 26, respectively. Kiosk 22 also includes a floor 30 extending between first, second, and third walls 24, 26, and 28, that, in one exemplary embodiment, includes an inductive sensor unit 32 that is described in further detail below. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the three walls, 24, 26, and 28 define a single opening such that a passenger may enter and exit kiosk 22 through the same opening. Optionally, kiosk 22 may include two walls 24 and 26 such that the passenger may enter kiosk 22 through a first opening, traverse through kiosk 22, and exit kiosk 22 through a second opening. In one embodiment, the kiosk walls each have a height 34 of between approximately 28-42 inches. The embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show the left and right walls 24 and 26 formed with an approximate arcuate shape having a radius which approximates the height of the walls. Note that walls 24 and 26 have been optionally truncated at the entrance. Truncating walls 24 and 26 facilitates the movement of people into and out of system 10, and further extends the notion of openness of the screening system. Optionally, kiosk walls 24 and 26 have a height 34 that is greater than a height of a typical passenger, i.e. like a phone booth for example, such that the entire passenger's body may be screened.