Security kiosk

A security kiosk which allows travelers to process themselves through a security checkpoint. An example security kiosk includes an identification device, communications circuitry, a security scanner for examining a traveler and items accompanying the traveler, and a processor for obtaining identification information from the traveler using the identification device, for connecting to a host computer system using the communications circuitry, for determining whether the traveler has previously checked in from the host computer system, for checking in the traveler when the traveler has not previously checked in, for reading a check-in document when the traveler has previously checked in, and for operating the security scanner.

BACKGROUND

Current traveler flow through airports includes security, including scanning of baggage at a baggage scanning station, scanning of carry-on baggage at another baggage scanning station, and scanning of travelers themselves through yet another scanning station.

A traveler must also acquire a boarding pass prior to reaching any of the security stations. Travelers must present a boarding pass to a security agent who examines the boarding passes and some form of identification provided by the travelers during an initial security check.

Travelers may print boarding passes during a remote check-in process, for example, using home computers connected via the Internet to airline web sites, perform an airport check-in process resulting in printing of a boarding pass from a self-check-in terminal or assisted check-in terminal, or download an electronic boarding pass to a smart phone or other portable electronic device.

Current airport check-in and security processes are inefficient. They are fragmented and could benefit from streamlining. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a security kiosk that integrates check-in with security scanning.

SUMMARY

A security kiosk is provided.

An example security kiosk includes an identification device, communications circuitry, a security scanner for examining a traveler and items accompanying the traveler, and a processor for obtaining identification information from the traveler using the identification device, for connecting to a host computer system using the communications circuitry, for determining whether the traveler has previously checked in from the host computer system, for checking in the traveler when the traveler has not previously checked in, for reading a check-in document when the traveler has previously checked in, and for operating the security scanner.

The example security kiosk may further include an enclosure through which the traveler must pass during a security check. The scanner operates while the traveler is within the enclosure. The enclosure may include entrance and exit doors controlled by the processor to control traveler movement in and out of the enclosure.

The example kiosk may further be monitored by security personnel. The example kiosk may include an auxiliary display for use by the security personnel. The example kiosk may be coupled to a security terminal operated by the security personnel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIG. 1, example security kiosk10includes processor12, memory14, storage16, touch screen18, and security scanner22. Example security kiosk10is in an airport environment, but may be applied to other environments. Security kiosk10may be located at a security checkpoint separating travelers from arrival and departure points, e.g., airport arrival and departure gates.

Software30completes an airport check-in process which includes identifying a traveler and scanning the traveler and the traveler's baggage and/or other belongings. If the traveler's travel requires reading a passport, the check-in process includes reading the traveler's passport. If the traveler requires a boarding pass, the check-in process prints a boarding pass. Otherwise, the check-in process reads a customer provided boarding pass, either a printed copy of a boarding pass or a displayed copy of a boarding pass on a smart phone or other portable electronic device. Software30may additionally read an airline-provided near field communications (NFC) tag using radio frequency (RF) reader32to validate the traveler.

During the check-in process, software30communicates with individual airline servers62through network50. Software30is compliant with the Common Use Self-Service (CUSS) standard, which specifies how multiple airlines may provide traveler services at a shared self-service kiosk. In order to provide traveler services, such as check-in functionality, the CUSS standard requires a network infrastructure that uses private Internet protocol [IP) networks to each airline's internal network60.

Software30also communicates with airport security terminal52operated by security personnel. Software30sends alert messages to airport security terminal52and airport security terminal52monitors events at security kiosk10and responds to the alerts. For example, software30may communicate images from security scanner22in real-time to security terminal52. Software30may respond to commands from security terminal52, such as commands to door control circuitry46to open and/or close kiosk entrance and exit doors48.

Security kiosk10may further include an external display42for use by security personnel, for example, on an exit side. Software30may display information including the results from scanner22. Display42may include a touch screen. Software30may accept inputs from the security personnel.

Security scanner22scans a traveler, including items on the traveler, items carried by the traveler, or items pushed or pulled by the traveler. For example, in an airport environment, software30may open an entrance door to allow a traveler to enter security scanner22, scan the traveler and any carry-on belongings of the traveler, and then open an exit door to allow the traveler to exit security scanner22. Security scanner22may include an X-ray or other suitable scanner that identifies contraband items, such as weapons, which are not permitted to be carried by travelers beyond the security checkpoint. Security scanner22may additionally include an explosives sniffing device.

Security kiosk10may additionally include sound circuitry20for providing aural feedback to a traveler during use of security kiosk10and its peripherals. Software30may play pre-recorded messages to instruct a traveler, for example, when software30detects a security violation. Software30may further generate alarm tones. Sound circuitry20may include a tone generator and speakers.

Alternatively, sound circuitry20may include an intercom system for facilitating communication between security personnel and a traveler.

Security kiosk10may additionally include indicator light44for providing visual feedback to a traveler during use of security kiosk10. Indicator light44may include one or more lights. Software30may activate indicator light44with sound from sound circuitry20.

Software30also controls a number of peripheral modules through one or more peripheral controllers19. Peripheral controller24may include a serial controller, such as an RS232 or Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller.

Security kiosk10includes peripherals related to its purpose. For example, in an airport environment, security kiosk10may include card reader26, imager28, RF reader32, camera36, biometric reader38, and printer40.

Card reader26reads cards such as payment cards, loyalty cards, and other identity cards under the control of software30. Card reader26may include any of the known types of magnetic card readers, including a manual drag-through slot card reader, a motorized card reader, or an insertion type push-pull card reader. Software30may perform tests on to determine the authenticity and status of payment cards, loyalty cards, and other identity cards.

Imager28captures images from passports, including full page images and/or images machine readable zones on passports under the control of software30. Software30obtains information from the image via optical character recognition. Software30may perform tests to determine the authenticity and status of passports.

Imager28may also read barcodes on traveler provided documents or displayed by traveler provided portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, personal digital assistants, and hand-held computers. For example, imager28may read barcode labels on receipts, driver's licenses, and boarding passes under the control of software30.

RF reader32interrogates and reads data from RF chips in passports through antenna34and under the control of software30. RF reader32may also be used to read contactless payment or identity cards.

Camera36captures images of travelers. These images may be used by software30for security, video logging, and facial recognition.

Biometric reader38may include a fingerprint reader, iris scanner, or palm reader.

In order to perform security checks, travelers may be required to provide authenticating information in advance. For example, travelers may be required to provide biometric samples, such as fingerprint, iris, palm, and/or facial images prior to traveling. Such reference traveler identification information56may be stored by server computer54.

Software30may not allow a traveler to enter security scanner22by not opening the entrance door if software30determines that one or more pieces of traveler provided information result in alerts to security terminal52.

Printer40prints documents such as receipts, boarding passes, and travel agendas under the control of software30.

Turning now toFIGS. 2 and 3, an example security kiosk10is illustrated in further detail.

Security kiosk includes an entrance side70and an exit side80. Departing travelers awaiting security clearance are located on the entrance side70. Travelers who have not checked in may check-in at security kiosk10. Travelers who have checked in, successfully passed by security scanner22are located on the exit side80and, if no further security checks are required, such travelers may move on to their departure points.

Entrance side70includes an entrance aperture72. To one side of entrance aperture72is housing76containing security kiosk components fromFIG. 1. Travelers may check-in and initiate security clearance using these components.

Exit side80includes an exit aperture82. Entrance and exit apertures72and82are defined by enclosure90, which forms a security tunnel for limiting traveler access from one area to another.

Entrance and exit apertures72and82are defined by enclosure90, which forms a security tunnel for limiting traveler access from one area to another. Security kiosk10also includes floor78and ceiling88. Floor78may be stationary or may include a motorized platform or belt that moves a traveler from entrance70to exit80.

For example, a traveler may operate security kiosk10to print a boarding pass using printer40following successful identification. Identification may include operating security kiosk10to read any of an identity card using card reader26, a passport using imager28and RF reader32, and a biometric using any of camera36and biometric reader38.

As another example, a traveler may operate security kiosk10to read a barcode on a boarding pass using imager28. The boarding pass may have been printed by the traveler in advance from another computer, such as a home computer, or may have been downloaded to a mobile communication device and displayed during imaging. The traveler may be required to provide additional identification by operating security kiosk10to read any of an identity card using card reader26, a passport using imager28and RF reader32, and a biometric using any of camera36and biometric reader38.

In either case, software30may operate security scanner22following successful identification and check-in or successful identification and reading of a boarding pass. A traveler walks through security scanner22.

Software30may operate security scanner22for a predetermined period of time the substantially corresponds to the traveler walking through. Alternatively, security scanner22may also include a sensor86, for example a weight sensor in floor78. Software30operates security scanner22in response to receiving a signal from the sensor86indicative of a person being within security tunnel90and adjacent security scanner22.

Security kiosk10may include an entrance door covering entrance aperture72and an exit door covering exit aperture82. The traveler may open and close the entrance and exit doors48. Alternatively, software30may open and close the entrance door to allow the traveler to enter security scanner22following successful identification and check-in or successful identification and reading of a boarding pass. Software30may open and close the exit door following successful scanning or keep the exit door closed if scanning is not successful. Entrance and exit doors may also serve to contain emissions from security scanner22if harmful.

A security guard may be located at the exit80to control traveler passage out of security kiosk10. The security guard may use optional display42.

With respect toFIG. 4, a method of operating security kiosk10is illustrated.

In step100, software30displays a start security check-in screen. The start security screen may include a “touch here” button that when touched begins a security check-in process.

In step102, software30waits for a traveler to begin a security check-in process. If a traveler begins a security check-in process, operation proceeds to step104.

In step104, software30displays a screen instructing the traveler to provide identification information.

In step106, software30obtains the identification information. Software30may capture identification information from one or more of card reader26, imager28, radio frequency (RF) reader32, camera36, and biometric reader38.

For example, a traveler may insert an identification card, such as a credit card, into card reader26. As another example, a traveler may place a driver's license or passport in the field of view of imager28to read a barcode or other information. As another example, a traveler may provide biometric information, such as a fingerprint, palm information, or iris information using biometric reader38.

In step108, software30displays a screen with security options, including selections for travelers with and without boarding passes.

In step110, software30receives an indication from the traveler as to whether the traveler has previously checked-in and obtained a boarding pass. If the traveler has previously checked in, operation proceeds to step118. Otherwise, operation proceeds to step112.

In step112, software30displays one or more check-in screens, such as seat selection, carry-on baggage, other baggage, upgrade, and special service selections. Individual airports may restrict use of security kiosk10to only travelers with carry-on baggage or make other arrangements to process checked baggage.

In step116, software30provides a boarding pass. For example, software30may print a boarding pass using printer40. Software30may also print schedules and/or receipts as requested by the traveler. Operation proceeds to step124.

From step110, software30displays a screen instructing the traveler to present a boarding pass for reading in step118. Software30may additionally include an option instructing the traveler to provide an airline-provided NFC tag.

In step120, software30reads the boarding pass using imager28. Software30reads an NFC tag, if presented by the traveler, using RF reader32.

From step116and step122, software30displays a screen instructing the traveler to walk through security scanner22in step124. If security kiosk10includes an entrance door, software30may operate the entrance door to open to allow the traveler to enter. Following receipt of a kiosk full signal from sensor86and/or a predetermined delay period, software30may operate the entrance door to close.

Software30may provide aural instructions, warnings, and other messages through sound circuitry22, and additionally provide visual indications through indicator light44.

In step128, software30determines whether security scanner22has detected a security threat. If so, operation continues to step130. Otherwise operation skips to the next step.

In step130, software30sends an alert to security terminal52. Security personnel investigate and control further use of security kiosk10until the traveler is cleared or detained.

If security kiosk10includes an exit door, software30may retain the exit door in a closed position until opened by a security guard at security terminal52.

If security scanner22fails to detect a security threat, operation returns to step100to wait for another traveler. If security kiosk10includes an exit door, software30may operate the exit door to open to allow the traveler to exit. Following receipt of a kiosk empty signal from sensor86and/or a predetermined delay period, software30may operate the exit door to close.

Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.