Patent Abstract:
The present invention provides improved methods and systems of the X-ray scanning of personal items. The present invention subjects personal items to a securable container that is controlled and amenable to X-ray screening. A portable container transparent to X-ray radiation is used for scanning personal items such as wallets, cameras, and keys which are normally not a part of a passenger&#39;s baggage. Personal items are placed in the container, which is then locked. The locked container is allowed to go through the X-ray device that generates images of the enclosed items. After being scanned the container is unlocked and the items can be removed. Preferably, the container lock has a cam, which is engaged with the groove when it is in the closed state. The key of the lock cannot be withdrawn when the lock is in the open state, thereby preventing passengers from accidentally leaving with the key in hand. The key can be removed from the lock only when it is in the closed state. It is further preferred for each lock to have a uniquely shaped key to lower the risk that a single key can be used to unlock multiple containers. For production purposes, the keys can be formed into a variety of geometric shapes, each of said shapes uniquely defining a lock structure.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of security and, more specifically, to a portable container capable of securing personal items when submitted for inspection by devices or personnel. The present invention is also directed to methods of using such containers to improve airport security and preventing the theft of personal items during an airport check-in process.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The dangers posed by explosives, weapons, contraband, or other illegal substances require numerous locations to impose screening procedures on all visitors, passengers, luggage, and parcels entering the location. In high-profile locations, such as government buildings or high-rises, such security procedures require visitors to be scanned with metal detectors, in order to detect dangerous, concealed objects such as weapons, while baggage, such as briefcases and purses, are placed on a conveyor belt leading to and through an X-ray screening device. Once screened, the visitor may re-acquire his or her baggage on the other side of the X-ray device, as it passes through the device on the conveyor belt. A similar procedure is used in transportation facilities, such as airports. Conventionally, passengers are required to submit to metal detectors in order to insure they are not carrying items that could be used as weapons and are required to submit their baggage, such as briefcases, purses, bags, and the like, to an X-ray screening procedure.  
           [0003]    Common to all security procedures is the need to have individuals, namely the visitors or passengers, enter the metal detector without certain personal belongings that, although typically carried on the person and not part of the individual&#39;s hand-carried luggage, purse or briefcase, need to be subjected to an X-ray screening. Personal belongings such as cameras, keys, wallets, watches, cellular phones, and lipsticks often contain too much metal and can trigger the metal detector if an individual carries them through the device. Because security personnel are required to perform supplementary searches whenever such a trigger occurs, either by having the individual pass through the detector again, conducting a physical search or passing another hand-held detector about and around the individual&#39;s body, triggers can unnecessarily slow down throughput and create bottlenecks at security checkpoints. Additionally, once the item causing the metal detector to trigger is identified, the item needs to be inspected by a security official and the individual needs to be subjected, again, to a search, thereby creating even greater delays.  
           [0004]    More importantly, because conventional items, such as phones and cameras, may conceal dangerous or illegal items in a manner that is not detectable by visual inspection, it is important for those items to be subjected to X-ray screening, even though they may not be part of the individual&#39;s baggage. X-ray screening can detect the presence of unusual structures, such as gun barrels or out of place metal shards that indicate the presence of a dangerous weapon in a conventional item. Typically, the need to subject personal items to X-ray screening has been addressed by having individuals place those items in an open tray. This tray is placed on the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt transports the tray through the X-ray scanning system where an X-ray beam scans the article causing an X-ray image, indicative of the material constituency of the item, to be generated. Using a computer processing and display system, the X-ray image is presented to a security official and stored for later inspection, if necessary.  
           [0005]    Referring to FIG. 1, a typical X-ray system is shown having personal items positioned on its conveyor belt. The system  100  includes entrance opening  101 , longitudinal slot  102 , exit opening  103 , conveyor belt  104 , open tray  105 , personal items  106 , and cabinet  107 . The personal items  106  are placed on the open tray  105  by the user. The conveyor belt  104  runs across the longitudinal slot  102  carrying the open tray  105  from the entrance opening  101  to the exit opening  103 . In the course of moving the open tray  105  from the opening  101  to the exit  103 , the personal items  106  are subjected to an X-ray radiation source [not shown] from which X-rays, either scattered or attenuated depending upon the system used, are then detected by a detector array [not shown].  
           [0006]    Shown in FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned topside view of the system  100 . The system  200  includes a cabinet  201 , open tray  202 , conveyor belt  203 , personal items  204 , X-ray source  205 , detection system  206 , and X-ray chamber  208 . The conveyor belt  203  transports the open tray  202  through the X-ray chamber  208 . The X-ray tube  205  produces pulsed, low scattered X-rays which penetrate the article in the mid-position of the X-ray chamber  208  and are then scattered and/or attenuated. The attenuated X-rays are detected by the detection system  206  which may be any detection system known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The detection system  206  may also be placed in other positions to effectuate other types of detection processes, including scatter detection. The internal walls of this structure may be shielded for prevention of X-ray exposure outside the cabinet  201 .  
           [0007]    The abovementioned arrangement has substantial disadvantages, however. Because valuable personal items, including wallets, phones and laptops, are being placed in an open, unsecured tray, there is a substantial risk of items being stolen from the open tray out of the other side of X-ray scanning device before an individual passes through the metal detector and is authorized to pick up the items. More specifically, in airport security applications, passengers may often place personal belongings on the conveyor belt, leading into and through an X-ray device, prior to being allowed to walk through a metal detector. As such, the individual may have submitted his or her belongings for X-ray screening before being able to clear the metal detector, thereby forcing the individual to leave his or her belongings unattended once they pass through the X-ray screening device. This provides ample opportunity for thieves to steal personal belongings, such as wallets, phones, and laptops, from an open tray. Additionally, because they are loose, uncontained, and small, the personal belongings may spill over or fall out of the tray in the course of being scanned. In light of the above described disadvantages, there is a need for a system that can provide effective scanning of personal items while delivering increased security over the individual&#39;s personal belongings. Additionally, there is a need for a system that does not increase the delays at security checkpoints. Further, there is a need for a system that does not compromise the quality of the X-ray screening or otherwise weaken the security process by, for example, inserting loopholes into the process.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention provides improved methods and systems of the X-ray scanning of personal items. The present invention subjects personal items to a securable container that is controlled and amenable to X-ray screening.  
           [0009]    In an embodiment, a portable container transparent to X-ray radiation is used for scanning personal items such as wallets, cameras, and keys which are normally not a part of the baggage. Personal items are placed in the container, which is then locked. The locked container is allowed to go through the X-ray device that generates images of the enclosed items. After being scanned the container is unlocked and the items can be removed.  
           [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention is a locking device integrated with the container for the security of the contained items. The lock has a cam, which is engaged with the groove when it is in the closed state. The key of the lock cannot be withdrawn when the lock is in the open state, thereby preventing passengers from accidentally leaving with the key in hand. The key can be removed from the lock only when it is in the closed state.  
           [0011]    The present invention is designed to be used in concert with the aforementioned security process. Operationally, when an individual arrives at the security checkpoint, he picks up the securable container from the container storage area, preferably located close to the security checkpoint. The containers are stacked one above another in the storage location. A container is issued to an individual upon production of the boarding pass. The passenger removes his personal belongings and inserts them into the container, where the lid is in the open position, by inserting such items into the interior compartment defined by the base. The key is present in the keyway of the lock in the open state. To close the container, the passenger brings the lid into contact with the base of the container and moves the key in the keyway, thereby engaging the cam into the groove and shifting the lock from the open state to the closed state. The passenger places the container on a conveyor belt, leading into and through an X-ray screening system, and retrieves the container after having passed through a metal detector. The passenger then opens the container, removes his items, and leaves the container in a stack for future use.  
           [0012]    It is further preferred for each lock to have a uniquely shaped key to lower the risk that a single key can be used to unlock multiple containers. For production purposes, the keys can be formed into a variety of geometric shapes, each of said shapes uniquely defining a lock structure. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    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:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is diagram showing an X-ray system scanning personal items placed in an open tray;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned topside view of the abovementioned X-ray system;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of securable container of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 shows the plan view of another embodiment of the securable container with three internal compartments;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a locking device;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the locking device mounted on the container of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the locking device of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a container in the closed position with the lockable device in the locked state;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 shows the side view of the X-ray scanning system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 shows an inside perspective view of the scanner apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 shows the lockable container placed on the X-ray scanning system; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 shows the cross sectional view of the X-ray scanning system with the securable container being scanned. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    The present invention improves the X-ray scanning of personal items by subjecting those personal items to a securable container that is controlled and amenable to X-ray screening. The present invention will be described with reference to the aforementioned drawings. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the applications described herein are examples of how the broader concept can be applied.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of securable container of the present invention. The container  300  comprises base  301 , lid  302 , storage compartment  303 , and handle  304 . One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the container  300 , while depicted as rectangular with a base  301 , lid  302 , internal compartment  303 , and handle  304 , can be of any shape or configuration, provided that the shape permits the container to be stable when positioned on a conveyor belt and to be able to move through the heavy shielding material present at the entrance and exit of the X-ray device.  
         [0028]    Base  301  has a rectangular configuration and forms an integral storage compartment  303 . The compartment  303  is defined by parallel spaced first and second end walls  305  and  306 , a pair of spaced parallel side walls  307  and  308 , and a bottom wall indicated at  309 . The bottom wall  309  has generally a U-shaped configuration formed by spaced parallel ledges  310  and  311 , which extend along and are formed integrally with the bottom edges of sidewalls  307  and  308 , respectively. A third ledge (not visible) is formed integrally with first end wall  305  and extends along the bottom edge thereof. Thus, the third ledge in combination with ledges  310  and  311 , form a U-shaped bottom wall. A locking device  320  is fixed on the end wall  306  of the base  301  with a keyway at one end and a cam at the other end. In an alternate embodiment the spaced ledges  310  and  311  may not be parallel but may be slanted towards each other. By providing an inwardly slanted base, a plurality of these containers could be stacked atop each other, assuming the lids are not attached to the base, thereby enabling compact storage and distribution. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are multiple designs that would yield a container that could effectively hold items, have an attached lid, and be stackable. The present invention is not limited to the design choices expressed herein but extend to cover various containers that could be used for security purposes in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]    The wall  315  of the lid  302  is such that it is positioned over the wall  305  of the base  301  when the container is closed. The depth of the container  300  is the addition of the inner depth of the base  301  and lid  302 . The total height of the container  300  is designed in such a way that it does not exceed the allowable height of the items that can enter the X-ray device.  
         [0030]    The lid  302  has a U-shaped configuration formed by wall  313  and spaced parallel sidewalls  314  and  315 . A top wall  316  extends the entire length of wall  313  and between the sidewalls  314  and  315 . Optionally, pairs of reinforcing ribs [not shown] may be formed on the inside surface of lid wall  313  to increase the rigidity. A pair of slots  318  is formed in the outer ends of sidewalls  314  and  315  of the lid  302 . A pair of pivot posts  319  is snap fitted into the slots  318 , which are formed integrally with and extend perpendicularly outwardly from base sidewalls  307  and  308 . Pivot posts  319  have outer disc shaped ends, which attach into slots  318 , thereby firmly connecting lid sidewalls  314  and  315  to the base  301 . This pivot-slot structure permits the base  301  and lid  302  to be separately molded and then to attach the lid  302  to the base  301 , by engaging pivot posts  319  within slots  318 . This enables the base and lid components to be molded in less complicated dies, and therefore less expensively, than single piece containers having irregular shapes. A handle  304  may be formed integrally on wall  313  of the lid  302  and may be used by individuals for carrying the container  300  to the X-ray conveyor belt. Alternatively, there may be two handles [not shown] positioned on sidewalls  314  and  315 , permitting individuals to carry the container  300  with two hands. A block  321  containing a groove is fixed to the inner wall of the front part  313  of the lid. The block  321  is positioned corresponding to the locking device  320  secured to the base  301 , so that its groove can engage the cam of the locking device.  
         [0031]    The securable container can be designed to have multiple compartments with different shapes and sizes as per the requirements, so that articles of both smaller as well as bigger dimensions can fit into them. For example, separate compartments in a container can be structured to hold keys, personal data assistants, wallets, laptops, etc.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 shows the plan view of another embodiment of the securable container  400  with three internal compartments. The internal compartments  401 ,  402 , and  403  are separated by internal partitions  404 . The internal partitions  404  are attached perpendicularly to the inside surface of the base of the container. The internal partitions  404  are composed of the same material as the container. The dimensions of the compartment  401  are preferably such that electronic devices, such as laptops or personal data assistants, can appropriately fit into it without much relocation while the movement of the container on the conveyor belt. Similarly, the dimensions of the compartment  402  are such that beverage containers can fit appropriately into it and do not tilt during the movement of the container. The compartment  403  can be used for storing items such as keys, lipsticks, and wallets etc., which do not have a fixed size. An additional inner lid  406  is used to cover the compartment  403  to prevent spilling over of these items. The compartment  403  has channels on its sides and it is closed by pressing the lid  406  over it.  
         [0033]    The advantage of having multiple compartments is that various articles having different shapes and constituents can be separated into independent zones. Also, the articles are prevented from dislocation while the container moves over the conveyor belt in the X-ray device. The present invention is not limited to the abovementioned arrangement of compartments but includes any other design pattern, which can suitably store personal items of various dimensions. The number, shape, and size of the compartments may vary depending of the kind of articles to be inspected and the requirements of the location.  
         [0034]    The dimensions of the securable container should be suitably fixed such that it can conveniently pass through the X-ray device without making contact with the sidewalls or the top wall. Also, the material used for constructing the container should be such that it is adequately heavy to move past the heavy shielding material located at the entrance and exit openings of the inspection chamber of the X-ray device.  
         [0035]    It is preferred that the material used for manufacturing the container is an organic material, such as plastic, which is transparent to X-ray radiation and not indicative of, or similar to, from an X-ray imaging standpoint, any harmful substances, contraband, or explosives. Exemplary plastic materials include ABS or PET. Also, it would be further preferred that the material suffer no effect, physical or chemical, from the exposure to X-ray radiation.  
         [0036]    The container needs to be securable in order to prevent the theft of personal items. As such, it is preferred that all containers, irrespective of their structures, include a locking device. Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a locking device is shown. The locking device  500  includes a lock  501 , keyway  502 , cam  503 , and housing enclosure  505 . Key  506  is compatible with the keyway  502  of locking device  500 . The key has a body  507  and a holding head  508 . The keyway  502  is at one end of the lock  501  and the cam  503  is at the other end, formed as an extension of the lock. The cam  503  is curved at the end. The lock  501  and housing enclosure  505  is positioned on one portion of the container, i.e. the base, while the block with a groove is positioned on a second portion of the container, i.e. the lid. When the key  506  is inserted into the keyway  502  and rotated, the cam  503  moves along with the rotation of the key  506 . The curved portion  504  of the cam  503  gets engaged in the groove, thereby closing the lock and securing the lid to the base.  
         [0037]    It is preferred that the lock of each securable container has a unique key so that a person acquiring a key and opening one container can be prevented from opening any further containers. The cross-section of the body of the key can be any geometric shape such as circular, rectangular, triangular, oval, among other shapes, with a correspondingly complementary keyway shape to accept and permit the key to rotate the cam. By using varying geometric shapes, keys can be easily formed and paired with containers. The possibility of keys being confused with each other, or with which container it may be open, is reduced when the key bodies have different shapes. Beyond having the key plug of the lock suitably designed to accommodate the particular structure of the body of the key, the teeth of each key are preferably shaped in a manner that is unique and is distinct from the other keys. Thus, a key does not fit properly into the key plug if its teeth do not match with the grooves in the key plug. This prevents the movement of key inside the lock thereby preventing illegal access.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 6, the locking device mounted on the container of the present invention is shown. As shown, the lock  601  is in the open state. The housing enclosure  602  comprising the lock  601  is fixed on the inner wall  609  of the front part of the base  603  of the container. The lock  601  is mounted to the dual walled common support structure of the housing enclosure  602 . The block  611  containing the groove  604 , which engages the cam  605 , is fixed to the inner wall  610  of the front part of the lid  606 . The groove  604  extends till the point  612  inside the block  611 . The cam  605  is positioned in the interior of the housing enclosure  602 . When the key  607  is inserted into the keyway  608  and turned counterclockwise, the lock  601  comes to the closed state, by action of the cam  605  engaging the groove  604 , and the base  603  is secured to the lid  606 . The present invention can be effectively practiced by a key-lock design in which the key operates to lock the container through clockwise, as opposed to counterclockwise, motion.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7 depicts the cross sectional view of the lock. In the preferred embodiment, when the lock  701  is in the open state, the key  702  cannot be withdrawn from the keyway  703 . A key plug  704  encasing the keyway  703  is formed inside the lock  701 . When the key  702  is moved inside the keyway  703 , the key plug  704  moves with it. There are grooves  705  on the surface of the key plug  704 , which extend up to the tooth of the key  702 . The grooves  705  are in conformity with the tooth of the key. The inner surface of the lock housing  706  has protrusions  707  that fit into the grooves  705  in the key plug  704 . When the key is moved clockwise, the grooves  705  in the key plug  704  fit into the protrusions  707  in the lock housing  706 . As a result, the key  702  and key plug  704  are engaged with the lock housing  706  and the key cannot be withdrawn from the lock. This security mechanism prevents passengers from walking off with the key after retrieving his or her items. It also insures the integrity of each box by avoiding having to create duplicate keys for boxes with lost keys. Other mechanisms for securing a key to a container are also covered by the present invention, including physically fastening the key to the container using a cable and other key-locking configurations, such as having only one or two grooves, or more than three grooves, and/or having a key cross-sectional structure that is of a different geometric shape, such as round, rectangular, square, oval, among other shapes.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 depicts the container in the closed position with the lockable device in the locked state. In the locked state the curved portion  806  of the cam  803  is hooked onto the groove  805  in the block  804 , which is fixed to the lid  801 . Thus, the cam  803  locks the lid  801  with the base  802  and the container comes to the closed position.  
         [0041]    At the security checkpoint the luggage, other than personal items, is placed on the conveyor belt by an individual for scanning. When the luggage passes through the X-ray device, images of the objects inside the bags are captured and transmitted to an image processing system. These images can be viewed by the inspectors. Individuals are usually examined with metal detectors which is independent of the X-ray examination of luggage. An alarm is raised when a metal object is detected on an individual, such as by way of something in his pocket. The metal detection structure typically utilizes electromagnetic radiation.  
         [0042]    The present invention is designed to be used in concert with the above described security process. The securable containers are stacked one above another in the storage location. Also, the containers may be colored or labeled to indicate that they belong to a particular security checkpoint. For example, in an airport with five security checkpoints, there can be five container sets, each set labeled with a sticker of different color. A specific color is associated with each security checkpoint to distinguish the containers belonging to each checkpoint. Additionally, the logo of an airline can be tagged to the containers of a particular security checkpoint if it scans the containers of that specific airline.  
         [0043]    Operationally, a container is issued to an individual upon production of the boarding pass at the security checkpoint. Having received a container, the passenger removes his personal belongings and inserts them into the container, where the lid is in the open position, by inserting such items into the interior compartment defined by the base. The key is present in the keyway of the lock in the open state. To close the container, the passenger brings the lid into contact with the base of the container and moves the key in the keyway in a counterclockwise direction from the open state to the closed state, thereby engaging the cam into the groove. When in the locked state, the key is removable from the keyway.  
         [0044]    In such an operation, the security checkpoint may have a plurality of containers, such as  200 , available for distribution where each container has a common color, logo, label, or other marking, and the plurality of containers have at least 25 unique key-lock combinations where the lock is not removable from the keyway when in the open state. By having 25 unique combinations, each key-lock combination may be repeated as few as 8 times, providing an additional level of security by insuring that it is less likely for a thief to successfully steal a key by locking it and then using that key to open other containers.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 9, a side view of another embodiment of an X-ray scanning system in accordance with the present invention is shown. It includes detector assembly  901 , X-ray tube section  903 , and tunnel housing  904 . The X-ray tube section  903  comprises an X-ray tube  905  mounted in such a way that its radiation collimation orifice  906  is centered with respect to the central opening  907  in the shielded focal member  908 . Member  908 , which may be comprised of lead shielded plywood, prevents any X-rays from leaving section  903  except through the port of opening  907 . The automatic conveyor belt  909  is provided at the bottom of the tunnel housing  904 , which moves the container to be inspected into and out of the tunnel housing at controllable speeds. A photoelectric eye switch  910  is provided at the entrance end of the tunnel housing  904  to activate an X-ray emission tube  905  to emit continuous low intensity X-rays for a period of time, which extends beyond the time when the article being inspected passes the photoelectric eye switch  910 . The X-ray tube section comprises an X-ray control box  911 , which is associated with the photoelectric eye switch  910  for activating the X-ray tube for a predetermined period of time after the photoelectric eye beam is restored by passage of article being inspected.  
         [0046]    The detector assembly  901  is preferably one leaded piece of thinner bent steel. A variety of detector systems could be employed in the present invention. The detector assembly  901  could comprise a shielded scintillator screen  912  as its ceiling. It may also comprise a linear sensor array  913  of photodiodes coupled to the scintillator screen  912  by the light coupling means  914 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 10 shows an inside perspective view of the scanner apparatus. It includes rollers  1001  and  1002 , conveyor belt  1003 , isolating device portions  1004  and  1005 , entrance curtain  1006 , exit curtain  1007 , and tunnel housing  1008 . The conveyor belt  1003  is controllable by through operator controls [not shown] and moves products to be inspected into and out of the tunnel housing  1008  at controllable speeds. Rollers  1001  and  1002  enable the movement of the conveyor belt  1003 . The isolating device portions  1004  and  1005  are located at entrance and exit openings, respectively of the scanner apparatus. The entrance curtain  1006  is mounted on top at the beginning of tunnel housing  1008  by mounting pieces  1009  and  1010 . The mounting pieces may be clamp like instruments. Similarly, the exit curtain  1007  is mounted on top portion at the end of tunnel housing by mounting pieces  1011  and  1012 . The entrance curtain  1006  and exit curtain  1007  are provided to permit articles to be conveyed to and from tunnel housing  1008  while not permitting any of the low intensity X-rays to escape. The low intensity of the radiation and the distance between the exposure region and outermost curtains  1006  and  1007  precludes any danger of harmful exposure of the inspector to radiation. The curtains are typically made of lead filled vinyl/fabric laminate. The tunnel housing  1008  and the isolating device portions  1004  and  1005  generally provide completely enclosed area inside the scanner apparatus. However, it is not necessary, and in fact may be desirable that portions of the conveyor belt  1003  lie outside the enclosed area. In addition, the rollers  1001  and  1002  may also be outside the enclosed area.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 11, a lockable container is placed on the X-ray scanning system. It includes lockable container  1101 , articles  1102 , conveyor belt  1103 , lead shielded housing  1104 , support housings  1105  and  1106 , and table  1107 . Articles  1102  are carried by a person and introduced into the base of the container  1101 . To close the container  1101 , the lid is brought in contact with the base of the container. The container  1101  is then locked and allowed to go through the lead shielded housing  1104  on the conveyor belt  1103 . The continuous conveyor belt  1103  moves over the table  1107  as it carries articles  1102  into tunnel housing  1104  through the entrance opening and comes out of the exit opening of the inspection station. The articles  1102  can now be removed from the container  1101 .  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 12, cross sectional view of the X-ray scanning system is shown on which the lockable container is being scanned. It includes lockable container  1201 , objects  1202 , X-ray source  1203 , conveyor belt  1204 , scintillator screen  1205 , and table  1206 . X-ray beams from a radiation source  1203  are passed through the lockable container  1201  as it moves on the conveyor belt  1204 .  
         [0050]    In a preferred embodiment, the speed of the conveyor belt  1204  can be varied, its motion can be stopped, or the direction of motion of the conveyor belt can be changed. The objects  1202  to be scanned are exposed to this X-ray radiation source  1203 . A light emitting scintillator screen  1205  receives the beam after it has passed through the objects  1202 . When the beam interacts with the scintillator, electrons are raised to an excited energy level. These electrons fall back to a lower energy state, with the emission of visible or ultraviolet light. The emitted light forms a pattern proportional to the amount of radiation impinging on it and attenuated by the material structures of the objects  1202 . A linear sensor array of photodiodes  1207  is in communication with the scintillator screen  1205  by a light coupling means  1208 , such as optical fibers. The light output of the screen  1205  is received by the linear sensor array of photodiodes  1207  which convert the light into electrical signals. The individual electric signals output by the photodiodes  1207  are appropriately integrated and fed to a sampling circuit [not shown].  
         [0051]    The sampling circuit time multiplexes the integrated photo detector outputs into a single output having successive pulses representing each of the photodiode outputs in sequence. These sequential outputs are converted to digital form and stored in memory from where they are fed to video output circuits for display on the video monitor [not shown]. In effect, the inspector obtains a view of the internal structure of the contents of the container  1201  as he views the monitor which images the scintillator screen  1205  as the container passes from entry position to centered position to exit position. Each detectable item  1202  in the container  1201  produces a captured image on the scintillator screen  1205  so that its shape and relative position within the piece of container  1201  are observable on the monitor as the article  1202  is conveyed through the X-ray beam  1203 . Spaced superimposed items can be distinguished in a continuous motion exposure. Once the personal belongings have been screened and the passenger subjected to a metal detection screen, the passenger opens the container by inserting the key into the keyway and moving the key in clockwise direction from the locked state to the open state, thereby disengaging the cam from the groove. The lid is lifted upwards and the container is opened. The item, which was stored in the container, can now be removed.  
         [0052]    As discussed previously, the key cannot be removed once the lock is in the open state, thereby preventing passengers from accidentally leaving with the key in hand. Further, although the lock has been described as being locked by a 90 degrees counterclockwise movement and opened by a 90 degrees clockwise movement, it should be appreciated that the opening and closing mechanism of the lock can work in a reverse manner or any other suitable means.  
         [0053]    As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all the matter contained in the above description should be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense. For example, other locking mechanisms, container configurations, and screening processes could be used while still staying within the scope and intent of the present invention. Further, the present invention may be used in other contexts, including the screening of visitors to secure locations, government buildings, or high-rises.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6