Abstract:
A method for allowing security personnel in screening stations to more quickly identify prohibited articles and to identify and interrogate the screened individual responsible for the prohibited article, thereby improving throughput and reducing human error. If an operator observes articles which raise a security concern, the operator isolates the location of such articles by referencing the compartment in the tray where it is located and optionally whether the article is in a high or low position in the compartment and by referencing a tray&#39;s unique identifier. A security tray design is provided to carry out the method which includes discrete delineated compartments, and optionally a unique identifier and an area for displaying the screened individual&#39;s identification to connect the individual to a unique tray, to assist in preventing individuals from gaining access to restricted areas with prohibited articles.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefits, under 35 U.S.C.§119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/453,027 filed Mar. 15, 2011 entitled “Method of Security Screening and Security Tray for Use Therewith” which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the field of security screening and methods and apparatus for use therewith. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Increased security concerns arising from increasing numbers of violent attacks on civilians in public places, whether by organized terrorist groups or individuals, has necessitated the increasing use of security screening facilities at points of access to public places, particularly in airports but also in other public buildings such as courthouses or legislative buildings or at public events. Generally such facilities include a metal detector through which the individual passes, possibly a full-body scanner and an X-ray machine provided with a conveyor for scanning closed baggage, jackets etc. and possibly explosives trace detection machines, or “puffer” machines. At present the articles to be scanned are placed in simple plastic trays placed on the conveyor. A problem with current security clearance trays is that items are placed and arranged in the trays in disorganized and overlapping fashion, and since multiple trays will be moving on a conveyor at any given time, there may be confusion with the operator as to which of the trays being scanned contains potentially problematic material and where on the tray the material is located when the tray is removed from the scanner. 
         [0004]    The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. 
         [0006]    The invention provides a method for allowing security personnel in screening stations to more quickly identify prohibited articles and to identify and interrogate the screened individual responsible for the prohibited article, thereby improving throughput and reducing human error. If an operator observes articles which raise a security concern, the operator isolates the location of such articles by referencing the compartment in the tray where it is located and optionally by referencing whether the article is in a high or low position in the compartment and by referencing the tray&#39;s unique identifier. A security tray design is provided to carry out the method which includes discrete delineated compartments, and optionally a unique identifier and an area for displaying the screened individual&#39;s identification to connect the individual to a unique tray, to assist in preventing individuals from gaining access to restricted areas with prohibited articles. 
         [0007]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram, in plan view, of a security screening station for implementing the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top right front perspective view of a security tray according to the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top right front perspective view of two security trays as shown in  FIG. 1  in stacked configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top left perspective view of a security tray as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top front perspective view of a security tray according to the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the security tray shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the security tray shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the security tray shown in  FIG. 1 , the rear elevation view being identical; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a right side elevation view of the security tray shown in  FIG. 1 , the left side elevation view being identical thereto; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a top right front perspective view of a security tray illustrating its appearance made of transparent material. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a security screening station  100  includes a scanning station  102  and a metal detector  104 . Scanning station  102  includes a conveyor  106 , housing  108  with entry  110  and exit  112 , lead curtain  114  covering the entry and exit to prevent egress of x-rays from the scanner, and an x-ray scanner  116 . An operator  118  observes the scanned image on display screen  120 . A plurality of security trays  122  are provided to receive articles from the individuals being screened for transport through the scanning station  102 . While the individual proceeds through the metal detector  104 , the tray or trays  122  carrying the individual&#39;s personal articles are placed on conveyor  106  and proceed through housing  108  where the articles are scanned and scanner operator  118  observes the scanned images to determine if any of the articles are prohibited items or otherwise are a concern, such as liquids, weapons, sharp objects, explosives etc. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , tray  122 , shown in shading for better illustration, is preferably formed or molded of a transparent plastic (as illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) to assist the visual identification of scanned items, and to reduce the possibility that items may be accidentally left in the tray by the screened person. The base  124  of tray  122  is compartmentalized to aid the distribution and separation of articles such as electronics, composite metals and liquids. Compartmentalized base  124  reduces the overlapping of objects to allow faster and more accurate identification of objects by the operator. The provision of compartments also allows the operator to identify targets to the security personnel using the unique tray identification described below, and the location of the compartment thus improving throughput. 
         [0022]    The compartmentalized base design of tray  122  is preferably mirrored so it can be stacked in either direction (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0023]    The upstanding lateral ridges  130  and  132  and longitudinal ridge  133  which form the compartments  135  ( FIG. 6 ) also improve the strength and stability of the tray when carrying heavy objects. Two axis scanning slots  126 ,  127  are provided on each of lateral ridges  130 ,  132 , located and sized to allow a laptop, notebook or tablet PCs to rest vertically against the side of the tray rather than lying below or on top of other articles to aid two axis scanning and prevent overlapping. A laptop can also be opened with edges resting in each of the two slots  126 ,  127  to ensure it remains vertically oriented. 
         [0024]    The outer vertical surface of the ends of ridges  130 ,  132  is shaped to form a vertical depression  128 , C-shaped in horizontal cross-section, so it can receive the spine of a passport standing in slot  134 . Slot  134  can also receive a boarding pass. This facilitates reading of the identification by the security personnel and/or automatic reading equipment which may be combined with the scanned (x-ray) image and/or stored for future retrieval. 
         [0025]    In order to better define compartments  135  for the operator, it is preferred that markers  131  which are at least partially radio-opaque, such as metal strips can be provided on the top or upper surface of each of the ridges  130 ,  132  and  133 , whether above, underneath or embedded within the surface. Other forms of fully or partially radio-opaque delineators can be applied to or embedded in the tray&#39;s inner surface, or the tray material itself may be sufficiently radio-opaque to permit the operator to view the compartment dividers. This will assist the operator in defining the compartments to communicate to the security personnel. Depending on the material from which the trays are manufactured, for example the operator of the scanning station may be able to delineate the compartments simply by the location of the ridges  130 ,  132  and  133 , or by other fully or partially radio-opaque features of the tray&#39;s inner surfaces. 
         [0026]    One or more additional partially or fully radio-opaque markers  137  can also be provided to allow the personnel to identify the depth of the article in the compartment  135  by reference to the level of the marker. Such markers  137  may be as metal strips can be provided on the top or upper surface of each of the ridges  130 ,  132  and  133 , whether above, underneath or embedded within the surface. Again depending on the material from which the trays are manufactured, the operator of the scanning station may be able to delineate the depth of the article in the compartment  135  simply by the location of ridges or other fully or partially radio-opaque features of the tray&#39;s inner surfaces. 
         [0027]    A plurality of  45  degree display panels  136  are provided to which are affixed a unique identifier  139  to uniquely identify the tray, such as alphanumeric characters which are at least partially radio-opaque and so which can be read by x-ray, for example YVR 1234, LAX 9012, LHR 5678 etc. or a barcode or other visible or electronic code such as an RFID chip. The identifier  139  may be on the surface of the panel  136  or embedded. By making the panel sloped to the vertical or horizontal, such as preferably approximately 45 degrees to vertical but as much as 60 degrees, it can be scanned from either the vertical or horizontal plane. By placing it below the level of the rim of the tray  122 , wear on the identifying label on panel  136  reduced. The location of the display panel permits the security personnel to associate the tray number with the screened person&#39;s identification papers located in slot  134 . As an additional or alternate means of uniquely identifying tray  122 , it may be provided with an RFID chip in another location which can be affixed by adhesive, for example in a depression at a location  138 . 
         [0028]    Ergonomically designed coin scoops are provided at  140  so that coins and other small objects and/or watches and jewellery can be quickly and easily retrieved from the tray. The design shown allows either left or right handed individuals equal access to the scoops  140 . By isolating the coins in such scoops the movement of the coins during the process is reduced and throughput is increased since individuals are able to retrieve the items more quickly. Handles  142  are ergonomically formed in tray  122  with beaded edges  145  to reduce wear on gloves. The vertical face  143  of the tray formed by the handles  142  can provide an additional message area, as can the area below the handles. 
         [0029]    Preferably the body of tray  122  is formed of a soft plastic to reduce noise, reduce scratches and be comfortable for the hands of users. A translucent and/or textured band may be provided around the base of the tray at  144  to improve the appearance in that area which is prone to scratches or scuffing. Bands of grip or textured material, or pinpoint grip features may be provided along the base at  146  to allow greater grip on the tray by the conveyor, to assist it in passing through the curtain  114 . The lip of the tray  148  has rounded ends and beaded edges  149  to prevent catching on curtain  114  and improve comfort of handling. An overmolding process can be used to provide a softer or more easily gripped surface on grips  142 , or to provide a second material layer for other tabs or attachments. Where a clear plastic piece is used to overmold the grip, a label, logo, country identifier such as a flag or the like can be applied to the surface of the grips before the overmolding layer is applied. 
         [0030]    Tray  122  may be provided with thinner areas such as tabs or punch-out holes  150  which can be readily punched out to form apertures through which air blown chemical or particle trace detection (“sniffing”) can be conducted. These apertures may be supplied to the user already punched out, as a hole or slot. Embossed message areas  152  can also be provided on the lip  148  of the tray to provide security messages or company branding. One possible security image which can be embossed or molded in the tray at  152  is an image of a pair of eyes, which has been found to reduce dishonest behavior. 
         [0031]    In operation the screened individual enters the security screening station  100  and obtains tray  122  at the scanning station  102 . The individual places coins, laptop, metal articles, cell phone etc. in the appropriate or any section or compartment of tray  122  and proceeds through metal detector  104 . Security personnel place tray  122  on conveyor  106  which carries it into housing  108  where the operator observes the X-ray scan of the contents of tray  122 . If operator  118  observes articles which raise a security concern, such as liquids, weapons, sharp objects, explosives etc. the operator isolates the location of such articles by referencing the tray&#39;s unique identifier on display panel  136 , and the compartment where it is located (e.g. right center, left corner, or by any other pre-arranged means of identifying a compartment and/or level, e.g. a-f/ high, 1-6/ low etc.). In this way the security personnel can more quickly inspect the offending article, identify the screened individual&#39;s identification by passport or boarding pass and interrogate the screened individual thereby improving throughput and reducing human error. 
         [0032]    To increase its product life, the security tray is preferably made of a transparent material which is resistant to repeated X-ray exposure, such as clarified polypropylene. It may also be desirable to provide for sterilization of the trays periodically. This may be doe as part of the in-line procedure during the scanning process or by a separate batch process. 
         [0033]    Sterilization may be done by ultra-violet light, heat or chemicals. The use of a clear polypropylene material for the security tray is appropriate for sterilization by heat and/or chemicals. For sterilization by ultra-violet light, since UVC light (wavelength from about 100 to 280 nm) is most effective for sterilization the preferred material for the security tray in that embodiment is a polymer which is substantially transparent to UVC light. 
         [0034]    While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the invention be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.