Abstract:
The present specification discloses a system for controlling a movement of at least one person into a controlled location. The system includes an X-ray screening system having an entrance area defined by walls and a gate, and an exit area defined by walls and a gate. The gates are automatically controlled based upon the output of the X-ray screening system. Additional gates, defining an additional holding area, are used for subsequent analysis and inspection.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of X-ray screening and more specifically to systems and methods of managing the flow of people through personnel screening systems, which include X-ray based personnel screening systems, in order to optimize overall throughput and staffing needs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    People screening systems, which can be X-ray, active millimeter wave, or passive millimeter wave based and metal detector systems, are deployed at transit points to detect contraband and threat items, such as weapons, explosives, and other dangerous objects concealed under clothing and within clothing. There exist a wide range of threat items, which are difficult to be automatically and conclusively detected by an automated algorithmic-based X-ray scanned image analysis system, leading to high false alarm rates. 
         [0003]    In conventional systems, an operator is required to identify very low contrast objects. The difficulty of this task results in poor detection capability for a wide range of contraband and threats composed of low atomic number elements, such as plastics or ceramics, because they are often masked by the low atomic number elements that comprise the human body. Algorithmic-based image analyses such as edge detection or contour effects may be used for automatically and uniformly enhancing the image edges of low atomic number concealed objects to facilitate their detection. However, such edge enhancement is often accompanied with a simultaneous suppression of the edges of internal human anatomy that produce confusion in image interpretation. 
         [0004]    However, a full body pat-down search is often time-consuming, resource-intensive, and uncomfortable for both the security personnel and the subject under inspection. The time consumed in performing full-body pat-downs further decreases throughput, thus making the process slow and inconvenient for other subjects who are in queue for security screening. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is need for an integrated process for effectively managing the flow of people through various screening procedures, including a people screening system, such as, but not limited to, an automated people screening system, manual screening system, or an X-ray-based people screening system, operator intervention through scan image review, and pat-down search by security personnel in a way that optimizes overall throughput and staff requirements. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present specification discloses a system for controlling a movement of at least one person into a controlled location, where the at least one person, in various embodiments is one of a single adult, a child capable of walking alone, an adult with a child that needs assistance walking, or a disabled adult with another adult assistant/caregiver that assists the disabled adult in walking or by pushing on the disabled adult&#39;s wheelchair comprising:
       A personnel screening system, such as an X-ray based screening system, having an entrance area defined by a plurality of walls and an exit area defined by a plurality of walls;   A first gate having a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the first gate is open permitting entry of the at least one person into said entrance area and wherein, in the second state, the first gate is closed preventing entry of the at least one person into said entrance area;   A second gate having a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the second gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the exit area and, in the second state, the second gate is open permitting the person to leave the exit area;   A third gate having a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the third gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the exit area and, in the second state, the third gate is open permitting the person to leave the exit area and enter a holding area; and   The X-ray screening system generates data, either automatically or manually, indicative of whether said person is carrying a prohibited object; and   The data is used to automatically open at least one of said second gate or third gate.       
 
         [0013]    Optionally, if said data is indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the third gate to open the third gate and permit the person to leave the exit area and enter the holding area. The X-ray screening system does not transmit a signal to the second gate to open the second gate if said third gate is being opened. 
         [0014]    Optionally, if said data is not indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the second gate to open the second gate and permit the person to leave the exit area. The X-ray screening system does not transmit a signal to the third gate to open the third gate if said second gate is being opened. 
         [0015]    The holding area is defined by a first wall, a second wall, the third gate, a fourth gate, and a fifth gate. In one embodiment, the fifth gate is a door. The fourth gate has a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the fourth gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the holding area and, in the second state, the fourth gate is open permitting the person to leave the holding area. The fifth gate has a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, the fifth gate is closed preventing the person from leaving the holding area and, in the second state, the fifth gate is open permitting the person to leave the holding area and enter an inspection area. The data is communicated to a station for analysis by a remote screener. The remote screener indicates, using the station, where to look on the subject&#39;s body for the potential threat item. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the data (indicative of the potential threat) is superimposed on an avatar (instead of over an X-ray image of the subject&#39;s body) to maintain privacy. United States Patent Publication Number 20100034451 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,796,733, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. The station is configured to transmit a signal to said fourth gate or said fifth gate based upon receiving an input from said remote screener. The station transmits a signal, based upon an input from said person, to open said fourth gate, if said person determines that said data is not indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object. The station does not transmit a signal to the fifth gate to open said fifth gate if said fourth gate is being opened. The station transmits a signal, based upon an input from said person, to open said fifth gate, if said person determines that said data is indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object. The station does not transmit a signal to the fourth gate to open said fourth gate if said fifth gate is being opened. The inspection area is defined by a third wall, a fourth wall, and the fifth gate. At least one of said first gate, second gate, third gate, fourth gate, or fifth gate is partly controlled by a motion sensor. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the system for controlling a movement of at least one person into a controlled location comprises an X-ray screening system having an entrance area defined by a first wall, a second wall, and a first gate and an exit area defined by a third wall, a fourth wall, a second gate and a third gate, wherein said X-ray screening system generates data indicative of objects being carried by said person; and a controller in data communication with said X-ray screening system wherein said controller automatically opens at least one of said second gate or said third gate based upon said data. If said data is indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the third gate to open the third gate and permit the person to leave the exit area and enter a holding area. If said data is not indicative of said person carrying a prohibited object, said X-ray screening system automatically transmits a signal to the second gate to open the second gate and permit the person to leave the exit area. The holding area is defined by a first wall, a second wall, the third gate, a fourth gate, and a fifth gate. 
         [0018]    These, and other embodiments, will be further understood when considered in light of the detailed description read in combination with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1   a  shows an automated single-flow personnel screening system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1   b  shows the personnel screening system of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , in operation, wherein a person being screened is auto-cleared out of the system; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1   c  shows the personnel screening system of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , in operation, wherein a person being screened is cleared out of the system by an operator, after having failed the auto-clear step; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1   d  shows the personnel screening system of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , in operation, further showing the route of a person being screened after having failed both the auto-clear step and operator clearance; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart describing a method of managing screening of people in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows an automated dual-flow personnel screening system, during operation, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The present invention is directed towards multiple embodiments. The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Language used in this specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1   a  shows an automated single-flow personnel screening system  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. System  100  comprises a X-ray scanner  110  for scanning people along with a plurality of automated gates/doors positioned before and after the scanner  110  to guide and direct a flow of people through the system  100 . In one embodiment, scanner  110  is a dual-sided backscatter X-ray people screening system such as the Rapiscan Secure 1000 Single Pose system commercially manufactured by the assignee of the present application. The people screening system can be any screening system capable of conducting an interrogation of a person and his or her belongings. Such screening systems can include any of the systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,181,234; 6,094,472; 7,418,077; and 7,660,388; U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/032,314; 12/262,631; 12/344,162; 12/024,320; 12/142,978; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/313,773; 61/313,772; 61/261,818; and 61/262,176, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, system  100  is capable of managing a single stream of people and comprises at least three automated gates/doors to direct the flow of personnel. In one embodiment, the automated gates/doors comprise a first gate  105  situated prior to the scanner  110  that acts to create, in combination with side walls  111  an entry area  109  to the system  100  ensuring, for example, that only one person at a time enters the scanner  110 . Gate  105  opens when a person approaches and then closes when the person passes the open gate  105 , remaining closed at least while the person is being scanned. Second and third gates  115 ,  120 , respectively, are located immediately after the scanner  110  to direct the person, who is held in hold area  112  post scan, in one of two different areas  135  or  122  based on the outcome of automatic scan. Optional fourth and fifth gates  125 ,  130 , located further downstream from the scanner  110 , direct the scanned person, who is held in hold area  122 , in one of two different directions  135  or  145 , respectively. An operator  102  can view scanned image, from scanner  110 , to ascertain if the image scan is benign or comprises anomaly—in case the system  100  is unable to automatically provide clearance to the person. In one embodiment, the operator  102  is presented with an avatar (instead of an actual X-ray image of the scanned person comprising anatomical details) with anomaly, if present, superimposed on the avatar. The use of the avatar allows for maintaining of the scanned person&#39;s privacy. 
         [0029]    It should be appreciated that the gates  105 ,  115 ,  120 ,  125 ,  130  can be structured or configured using any form of door or gate. In one embodiment, gate  105  comprises two panels  108 , which are a left panel and a right panel, that open and close in a coordinated fashion. The panels  108  are hinged to side walls  111  that extend from each of the gate panels  108  to X-ray scanner  110  to create an enclosed area  109 . In one embodiment, the gate  105  opens automatically a) based upon a signal received from an infrared sensor, or other type of motion sensor, that determines when a person is sufficiently physically proximate to the gate panels  108  and b) if the system  100  indicates that another person is not in the personnel X-ray scanner  110  and, optionally, not in the exit hold area  112 . The gate  105  can then automatically close once a motion sensor detects the person has passed into entry area  109 . In another embodiment, the gate  105  can be a unitary structure (made of a large single panel), can be a rotating or revolving door, can be solid, can be transparent, or can be made of any material known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, gate  120  and gate  115  each comprise a single panel that opens and closes in a coordinated manner. Gate  115  meets left side wall  113   a , which extends from the X-ray scanner  110  to create a first portion of the enclosed area  111 . Similarly, gate  120  meets right side wall  113   b  that extends from the personnel X-ray scanner  110  to create a second portion of the enclosed area  111 . Gates  120  and  115  are preferably both hinged to a common location which is physically part of, or attached to, left side wall  116 . The common hinge point enables gate  120  and gate  115  to both open out and away from exit area  112 , specifically in pathway  135  and into hold area  122 , thereby avoiding opening inward and potentially hitting a person standing in exit area  112  and avoiding opening and hitting each other. To ensure traffic flow is properly directed, only one of gates  115 ,  120  is open at any given time. Either of gate  115  or gate  120  opens preferably in response to an automatically generated or manually generated signal, as further described below. 
         [0031]    The left wall  113   a , gate  115 , wall  116   a , gate  125 , and wall  117   a  form a contiguous enclosure, when the gates are closed. Similarly, the right wall  113   b , gate  120 , wall  116   b , gate  130 , and wall  117   b  form a contiguous enclosure, when the gates are closed. Gate  125  is hinged to wall  116   a  and preferably opens away from hold area  122  into traffic flow area  135 . Gate  130  is hinged to either wall  116   b  or  117   b  and preferably opens away from hold area  122  into traffic flow area  145 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 1   b , during operation, as a person enters system  100 , he approaches the first gate  105  that automatically opens when the person is in proximity to the gate  105  (provided no other person is in the X-ray screening system  110  or, optionally, exit hold area  112 ), allowing the person to enter and then automatically closes behind him while the person is being scanned by the scanner  110 . Post scan, the person steps into hold area  112  while the scanner  110  processes the image scan. In one embodiment, at this stage, the processing of the image scan of the person is solely algorithm-based, without requiring any operator intervention, thereby resulting in an automated clear or no-clear outcome from the scanner  110 . In case of the scanner  110  generating an automated clear result, a signal is transmitted, in a wired or wireless fashion, to the second gate  115  to thereby cause a motor to automatically open gate  115 , keeping the third gate  120  closed. This permits a person in exit area  112  to exit to clearance area  135  from where he is free to exit the entire system  100 . 
         [0033]    However, if the scanning system does not automatically generate a clear signal and, instead, generates a no clear signal, (because, for example, the scanner  110  has identified an anomaly), then a signal is transmitted, in a wired or wireless fashion, to the gate  120  to thereby cause a motor to automatically open gate  120 , keeping the gate  115  closed, and the person is directed into hold area  122 , as shown in  FIG. 1   c . This permits a person in exit area  112  to exit into hold area  122 . It should be appreciated that, after a user passes any gate, a motion sensor senses the user has past the gate and causes the gate to return to a closed position, which is a default position or first position in the system  100 . It is expected that the system will process individuals in a pipeline fashion, permitting more than one adult person to enter the system at a time but only permitting one adult person to be in one defined holding area at one time. In one embodiment, one adult person and one child that must be accompanied by an adult when walking through the screening system can be in one defined holding area at one time, but not more than one adult. In another embodiment, a disabled adult person and a caregiver or another adult assistant that must accompany the disabled adult when walking (or, say, being pushed on a wheelchair) can be in one defined holding area at one time, but not more than two adults. It should also be appreciated that the system ensures that people are singulated when passing through the system of the present invention. In one embodiment, the holding areas are bomb proof thereby effectively enabling singulation of persons carrying threats. 
         [0034]    Once the gate  120  opens and the user moves to hold area  122 , an X-ray screening operator  102  reviews the scan image(s) of the person. In one embodiment, the scanned image provided to the operator for review is marked or annotated for areas of anomaly. In another embodiment, an avatar, marked or annotated for areas of anomaly, is presented to the operator for review. If the operator  102  finds that the anomaly, due to which the scanner system  100  had not given an auto-clear, is benign then the operator causes a signal to be transmitted, in a wired or wireless fashion, to gate  125  to thereby cause a motor to open gate  125 , keeping gate  130  closed. This directs the person from area  122  into the clearance area  135  where he is free to exit the system  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1   c.    
         [0035]    However, if during the review of the scan image(s) the operator  102  detects a threat, then instead of causing a signal to be transmitted, in a wired or wireless fashion, to gate  125  to thereby cause a motor to open gate  125 , the operator causes a signal to be transmitted, in a wired or wireless fashion, to gate  130  to thereby cause a motor to open gate  130 , keeping gate  125  closed. This directs the person towards area  140  where security personnel  145  conduct a further physical search of the person, as shown in  FIG. 1   d . In one embodiment, the further physical search of the person includes a thorough search of the area in question. First, the person under inspection will be asked to remove the suspicious item and show it to the operator. Then, the place on the subject&#39;s body where the item was located is then subject to a limited area pat-down. In another embodiment, the further physical search includes a full hand/pat-down search of the entire person. 
         [0036]    Persons of ordinary skill in the art should note that the operator  102  in one embodiment is stationed within or in proximity to the system  100 . In alternate embodiments, the operator  102  is stationed remotely from the system  100  and is able to communicate with system  100  through wired and/or wireless network, as would be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, to further improve the overall throughput of the system  100 , people to be screened are appropriately pipelined, in one embodiment. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart describing a method of managing screening of people in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As a person approaches  205  the system  100  of  FIG. 1   a , a first gate automatically opens  210  thereby letting him into an entry area and the X-ray scanner. The first gate closes behind the person while the scanning system is on. After the scan, the person is made to wait  215  at a first hold area to allow for the scanner to algorithmically process and analyze the scanned images for potential threats. If the person is found to have no suspicious threats, a second gate opens  220  automatically leading the person to a clearance area. However, in case of anomaly a third gate opens  225  instead, keeping the second gate closed, directing the person to wait  230  at a second hold area while an operator reviews the scanned images or an avatar marked/annotated for areas of potential anomaly. If the operator finds the anomaly to be benign a fourth gate opens  235  leading the person to the clearance/exit area. However, if the operator is unable to take a clear decision by reviewing the scan images and suspects an anomaly then a fifth gate opens  240 , keeping the fourth gate closed, leading the person to another area where a pat-down hand search is conducted by security personnel. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows an automated dual-flow personnel screening system  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. System  300  comprises a people X-ray scanner  310  along with a plurality of automated gates/doors before and after the scanner to guide and direct people who approach the system  300  in two streams or pipelines  303 ,  304 . In one embodiment, the scanner  110  is a dual-sided backscatter X-ray people screening system such as the Rapiscan Secure 1000 Single Pose system commercially manufactured by the assignee of the present application. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, system  300  comprises seven automated gates/doors to direct the flow of two streams or pipelines  303 ,  304  of people. These automated gates/doors comprise a first gate  305  situated prior to the scanner  310  and acts as an entry point to the system  300 . As described above, the first gate  305  ensures that only one person, from one of the two streams or pipelines  303 ,  304 , at a time enters the scanner  310  such that the gate  305  opens when a person approaches and closes behind while the person is being scanned. Post scan, the scanned person is held in area  312  while the system  300  automatically processes the image scan for threat detection. If the scan image processing indicates that there is no threat or anomaly then an auto-clear signal is generated. This causes second and third gates  315 ,  320  located immediately after the scanner  310  to open thereby directing the person, who was waiting in hold area  312  post scan, in any one of two directions  355 ,  360  leading to a clearance or exit. 
         [0040]    However, if the automatic image scan process does not result in an auto-clear signal, fourth gate  325  opens (keeping second and third gates  315 ,  320  closed) directing the scanned person to move to area  322 . While the person is held in area  322 , one of the two operators  302  views and analyses the person&#39;s scanned image to ascertain anomaly. In one embodiment, the scanned image provided to the operator for review is marked or annotated for areas of anomaly. In another embodiment, an avatar, marked or annotated for areas of anomaly, is presented to the operator for review. Persons of ordinary skill in the art should note that the scanned image of the person can be directed to any one of the two operators  302  depending, in one embodiment, on a predetermined alternating sequence or, in another embodiment, simply depending on which operator has fewer number of image scans queued for analysis. If the operator determines that the anomaly is benign then the operator signals fifth and sixth gates  330 ,  335  to open thereby directing the person to move in any one of two directions  355 ,  360  leading to a clearance or exit. However, if the operator determines that the anomaly is likely to be a threat then the operator signals seventh gate  340  to open (keeping the fifth and sixth gates  330 ,  335  closed) thereby directing the person to area  345  where security personnel  350  conduct a hand/pat-down search of the person. 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the system  300  is structured as a series of walls and gates that create a plurality of staged enclosures. A left side of the plurality of staged enclosures is created by a left panel of gate  305 , which is hinged to wall  306  that extends to X-ray screening system  310 , thereby creating the left portion of an entry area. Wall  308  extends out from X-ray screening system  310  to gate  315 , which is hinged thereto and opens outward into traffic flow area  355 . When closed, gate  315  meets the point at which gate  325  meets wall  350   a  when closed and forms the left portion of exit area  312 . Gate  330  is connected to, or hinged to, wall  350   a , thereby forming the left portion of hold area  322 . Gate  330  opens outward into traffic flow area  355 . When closed, gate  330  meets wall  351   a , which forms the left portion of pathway  345 . 
         [0042]    Similarly, a right side of the plurality of staged enclosures is created by a right panel of gate  305 , which is hinged to wall  307  that extends to X-ray screening system  310 , thereby creating the right portion of an entry area. Wall  309  extends out from X-ray screening system  310  to gate  320 , which is hinged thereto and opens outward into traffic flow area  360 . When closed, gate  320  meets the hinge point connecting door  325  to wall  350   b  and forms the right portion of exit area  312 . Gate  335  is connected to, or hinged to, wall  350   b , thereby forming the right portion of hold area  322 . Gate  335  opens outward into traffic flow area  360 . When closed, gate  335  meets the hinge point connecting gate  340  to wall  351   b , which forms the right portion of pathway  345 . Gate  340  opens outward, away from hold area  322  into traffic area  345 . 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the system  300  also comprises a plurality of CCTV cameras that provide video feeds, of the streams  303 ,  304  of people, to operators  302  to monitor and effectuate opening of appropriate exit gates all the way along the system  300 . 
         [0044]    Various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, therefore, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description should be interpreted as illustrative and not as limiting. In particular, it should be appreciated that various forms of gates, doors, walls, enclosure structures, motorized gates, and data signals can be used to achieve the controlled traffic flow described herein.