Abstract:
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.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    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. 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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 
       [0005]    A security kiosk is provided. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example security kiosk. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a first perspective view of the example security kiosk showing an entrance side. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the example security kiosk showing an exit side. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the example security kiosk. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , example security kiosk  10  includes processor  12 , memory  14 , storage  16 , touch screen  18 , and security scanner  22 . Example security kiosk  10  is in an airport environment, but may be applied to other environments. Security kiosk  10  may be located at a security checkpoint separating travelers from arrival and departure points, e.g., airport arrival and departure gates. 
         [0014]    Processor  12  executes software  30  for displaying instructions, issuing prompts, and receiving inputs from travelers through touch screen  18 . Processor  12  loads software  30  from storage  16  into memory  14  during execution. 
         [0015]    Software  30  completes an airport check-in process which includes identifying a traveler and scanning the traveler and the traveler&#39;s baggage and/or other belongings. If the traveler&#39;s travel requires reading a passport, the check-in process includes reading the traveler&#39;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. Software  30  may additionally read an airline-provided near field communications (NFC) tag using radio frequency (RF) reader  32  to validate the traveler. 
         [0016]    During the check-in process, software  30  communicates with individual airline servers  62  through network  50 . Software  30  is 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 us check-in functionality, the CUSS standard requires a network infrastructure that uses private Internet protocol {IP) networks to each airline&#39;s internal network  60 . 
         [0017]    Software  30  also communicates with airport security terminal  52  operated by security personnel. Software  30  sends alert messages to airport security terminal  52  and airport security terminal  52  monitors events at security kiosk  10  and responds to the alerts. For example, software  30  may communicate images from security scanner  22  in real-time to security terminal  52 . Software  30  may respond to commands from security terminal  52 , such as commands to door control circuitry  46  to open and/or close kiosk entrance and exit doors  48 . 
         [0018]    Security kiosk  10  may further include an external display  42  for use by security personnel, for example, on an exit side. Software  30  may display information including the results from scanner  22 . Display  42  may include a touch screen. Software  30  may accept inputs from the security personnel. 
         [0019]    Security scanner  22  scans 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, software  30  may open an entrance door to allow a traveler to enter security scanner  22 , scan the traveler and any carry-on belongings of the traveler, and then open an exit door to allow the traveler to exit security scanner  22 . Security scanner  22  may 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 scanner  22  may additionally include an explosives sniffing device. 
         [0020]    Security kiosk  10  may additionally include sound circuitry  20  for providing aural feedback to a traveler during use of security kiosk  10  and its peripherals. Software  30  may play pre-recorded messages to instruct a traveler, for example, when software  30  detects a security violation. Software  30  may further generate alarm tones. Sound circuitry  20  may include a tone generator and speakers. 
         [0021]    Alternatively, sound circuitry  20  may include an intercom system for facilitating communication between security personnel and a traveler. 
         [0022]    Security kiosk  10  may additionally include indicator light  44  for providing visual feedback to a traveler during use of security kiosk  10 . Indicator light  44  may include one or more lights. Software  30  may activate indicator light  44  with sound from sound circuitry  20 . 
         [0023]    Software  30  also controls a number of peripheral modules through one or more peripheral controllers  19 . Peripheral controller  24  may include a serial controller, such as an RS232 or Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller. 
         [0024]    Security kiosk  10  includes peripherals related to its purpose. For example, in an airport environment, security kiosk  10  may include card reader  26 , imager  28 , RF reader  32 , camera  36 , biometric reader  38 , and printer  40 . 
         [0025]    Card reader  26  reads cards such as payment cards, loyalty cards, and other identity cards under the control of software  30 . Card reader  26  may 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. Software  30  may perform tests on to determine the authenticity and status of payment cards, loyalty cards, and other identity cards. 
         [0026]    Imager  28  captures images from passports, including full page images and/or images machine readable zones on passports under the control of software  30 . Software  30  obtains information from the image via optical character recognition. Software  30  may perform tests to determine the authenticity and status of passports. 
         [0027]    Imager  28  may 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, imager  28  may read barcode labels on receipts, driver&#39;s licenses, and boarding passes under the control of software  30 . 
         [0028]    RF reader  32  interrogates and reads data from RF chips in passports through antenna  34  and under the control of software  30 . RF reader  32  may also be used to read contactless payment or identity cards. 
         [0029]    Camera  36  captures images of travelers. These images may be used by software  30  for security, video logging, and facial recognition. 
         [0030]    Biometric reader  38  may include a fingerprint reader, iris scanner, or palm reader. 
         [0031]    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 information  82  may be stored by server computer  80 . 
         [0032]    Software  30  may not allow a traveler to enter security scanner  22  by not opening the entrance door if software  30  determines that one or more pieces of traveler provided information result in alerts to security terminal  52 . 
         [0033]    Printer  40  prints documents such as receipts, boarding passes, and travel agendas under the control of software  30 . 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an example security kiosk  10  is illustrated in further detail. 
         [0035]    Security kiosk includes an entrance side  70  and an exit side  80 . Departing travelers awaiting security clearance are located on the entrance side  70 . Travelers who have not checked in may check-in at security kiosk  10 . Travelers who have checked in, successfully passed by security scanner  22  are located on the exit side  80  and, if no further security checks are required, such travelers may move on to their departure points. 
         [0036]    Entrance side  70  includes an entrance aperture  72 . To one side of entrance aperture  72  is housing  76  containing security kiosk components from  FIG. 1 . Travelers may check-in and initiate security clearance using these components. 
         [0037]    Exit side  80  includes an exit aperture  82 . Entrance and exit apertures  72  and  82  are defined by enclosure  90 , which forms a security tunnel for limiting traveler access from one area to another. 
         [0038]    Entrance and exit apertures  72  and  82  are defined by enclosure  90 , which forms a security tunnel for limiting traveler access from one area to another. Security kiosk  10  also includes floor  78  and ceiling  88 . Floor  78  may be stationary or may include a motorized platform or belt that moves a traveler from entrance  70  to exit  80 . 
         [0039]    For example, a traveler may operate security kiosk  10  to print a boarding pass using printer  40  following successful identification. Identification may include operating security kiosk  10  to read any of an identity card using card reader  26 , a passport using imager  28  and RF reader  32 , and a biometric using any of camera  36  and biometric reader  38 . 
         [0040]    As another example, a traveler may operate security kiosk  10  to read a barcode on a boarding pass using imager  28 . 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 kiosk  10  to read any of an identity card using card reader  26 , a passport using imager  28  and RF reader  32 , and a biometric using any of camera  36  and biometric reader  38 . 
         [0041]    In either case, software  30  may operate security scanner  22  following successful identification and check-in or successful identification and reading of a boarding pass. A traveler walks through security scanner  22 . 
         [0042]    Software  30  may operate security scanner  22  for a predetermined period of time the substantially corresponds to the traveler walking through. Alternatively, security scanner  22  may also include a sensor  86 , for example a weight sensor in floor  78 . Software  30  operates security scanner  22  in response to receiving a signal from the sensor  86  indicative of a person being within security tunnel  90  and adjacent security scanner  22 . 
         [0043]    Security kiosk  10  may include an entrance door covering entrance aperture  72  and an exit door covering exit aperture  82 . The traveler may open and close the entrance and exit doors  48 . Alternatively, software  30  may open and close the entrance door to allow the traveler to enter security scanner  22  following successful identification and check-in or successful identification and reading of a boarding pass. Software  30  may 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 scanner  22  if harmful. 
         [0044]    A security guard may be located at the exit  80  to control traveler passage out of security kiosk  10 . The security guard may use optional display  42 . 
         [0045]    With respect to  FIG. 4 , a method of operating security kiosk  10  is illustrated. 
         [0046]    In step  100 , software  30  displays 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. 
         [0047]    In step  102 , software  30  waits for a traveler to begin a security check-in process. If a traveler begins a security check-in process, operation proceeds to step  104 . 
         [0048]    In step  104 , software  30  displays a screen instructing the traveler to provide identification information. 
         [0049]    In step  106 , software  30  obtains the identification information. Software  30  may capture identification information from one or more of card reader  26 , imager  28 , radio frequency (RF) reader  32 , camera  36 , and biometric reader  38 . 
         [0050]    For example, a traveler may insert an identification card, such as a credit card, into card reader  26 . As another example, a traveler may place a driver&#39;s license or passport in the field of view of imager  28  to 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 reader  38 . 
         [0051]    In step  108 , software  30  displays a screen with security options, including selections for travelers with and without boarding passes. 
         [0052]    In step  110 , software  30  receives 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 step  118 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  112 . 
         [0053]    In step  112 , software  30  displays 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 kiosk  10  to only travelers with carry-on baggage or make other arrangements to process checked baggage. 
         [0054]    In step  114 , software  30  connects to airline server  62  to check-in the traveler. 
         [0055]    In step  116 , software  30  provides a boarding pass. For example, software  30  may print a boarding pass using printer  40 . Software  30  may also print schedules and/or receipts as requested by the traveler. Operation proceeds to step  94 . 
         [0056]    From step  110 , software  30  displays a screen instructing the traveler to present a boarding pass for reading in step  118 . Software  30  may additionally include an option instructing the traveler to provide an airline-provided NFC tag. 
         [0057]    In step  120 , software  30  reads the boarding pass using imager  28 . Software  30  reads an NFC tag, if presented by the traveler, using RF reader  32 . 
         [0058]    In step  122 , software  30  connects to airline server  62  to check-in the traveler. 
         [0059]    From step  116  and step  122 , software  30  displays a screen instructing the traveler to walk through security scanner  22  in step  124 . If security kiosk  10  includes an entrance door, software  30  may operate the entrance door to open to allow the traveler to enter. Following receipt of a kiosk full signal from sensor  86  and/or a predetermined delay period, software  30  may operate the entrance door to close. 
         [0060]    Software  30  may provide aural instructions, warnings, and other messages through sound circuitry  22 , and additionally provide visual indications through indicator light  44 . 
         [0061]    In step  126 , software  30  operates security scanner  22 . 
         [0062]    In step  128 , software  30  determines whether security scanner  22  has detected a security threat. If so, operation continues to step  130 . Otherwise operation skips to the next step. 
         [0063]    In step  130 , software  30  sends an alert to security terminal  52 . Security personnel investigate and control further use of security kiosk  10  until the traveler is cleared or detained. 
         [0064]    If security kiosk  10  includes an exit door, software  30  may retain the exit door in a closed position until opened by a security guard at security terminal  52 . 
         [0065]    If security scanner  22  fails to detect a security threat, operation returns to step  100  to wait for another traveler. If security kiosk  10  includes an exit door, software  30  may operate the exit door to open to allow the traveler to exit. Following receipt of a kiosk empty signal from sensor  86  and/or a predetermined delay period, software  30  may operate the exit door to close. 
         [0066]    Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.