SCREENING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SCREENING A PERSON

Abstract

A screening device for screening a person includes a cabin including a wall at least partly enclosing an inner space, and a sensor on at least part of the surface of the wall facing the inner space, the sensor being configured to sense the person present in the inner space. The screening device includes a projector projecting an image into the inner space to be viewed by the person, and a control device connected to the sensor and the projector and configured to operate the sensor to sense the person residing in the inner space, and drive the projector to project instructions to the person, associated with the operating of the sensor. The screening system may further include a hand luggage screening apparatus.

Claims

1. A screening device for screening a person, the screening device comprising: a cabin comprising a wall at least partly enclosing an inner space; a sensor on at least part of a surface of the wall facing the inner space, the sensor being configured to sense the person present in the inner space; a projector projecting an image into the inner space to be viewed by the person; and a control device connected to the sensor and the projector and configured to: operate the sensor to sense the person residing in the inner space; and drive the projector to project instructions to the person, associated with the operating of the sensor.

2. The screening device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is further configured to: derive a location of an object on the person from sensor data generated by the sensor; and control the projector to display the location of the object on the person.

3. The screening device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor further comprises a camera directed to a desired position of the person in the inner space, the camera being connected to the control device to transit image data to the control device, and wherein the control device is configured to generate a mirror image of the person from the image data, to create a fused image of the person by fusing the object at the derived location into the mirror image of the person and to control the projector to display the fused image of the person.

4. The screening device according to claim 1, wherein the screening device further comprises a camera configured to generate image data, a gesture sensor sensing a gesture of the person and configured to generate gesture data and a motion sensor recording a movement of the person and configured to generate motion data, wherein the control device is configured to perform a risk assessment from a combination of the sensor data, the camera image data, the gesture data and the motion data and to generate a warning message based on the risk assessment.

5. The screening device according to claim 4, wherein the control device is configured to perform the risk assessment using a self-learning system, the self-learning system having been trained using a training dataset additionally comprising operator assessment responsive to the sensor data, camera image data, gesture data and motion data.

6. The screening device according to claim 1, further comprising a footwear sensor on at least part of the surface of a floor of the cabin, the footwear sensor being configured to sense the person's footwear present in the inner space.

7. The screening device according to claim 6, wherein the control device is further configured to operate the footwear sensor to sense the footwear of the person, and to drive the projector to project instructions to the person, associated with the operating of the footwear sensor.

8. The screening device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to: establish a connection to an operator console; output an instruction to an operator at the operator console to communicate to the person; and control the projector to display an image of the operator at the operator console.

9. The screening device according to claim 8, wherein the control device is configured to: derive from the sensor data a location of an object on the person; transmit the location of the object on the person to the operator console; and transmit instructions to the operator console requesting the operator to explain to the person the location of the object.

10. The screening device according to claim 8, wherein the control device is configured to output the instruction to the operator in case a criterion is fulfilled, the criterion comprising at least one of: the person initiating an operator contact request; the control device establishing that a pre-set screening time has elapsed; and the control device establishing that a presence of an object has been established.

11. The screening device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a radio wave scanner comprising a radio wave antenna array, the radio wave antenna array covering at least part of the surface of the wall behind the projected image.

12. The screening device according to claim 1, wherein the projector is configured to project a two dimensional image on the wall of the cabin or a three dimensional image in the inner space.

13. The screening device according to claim 1, further comprising an object depositing tray and wherein the instructions comprise instructions to deposit an object in the object depositing tray.

14. The screening device according to claim 13, further comprising a hand luggage screening apparatus, and a conveyor to convey a hand luggage from the cabin to the hand luggage screening apparatus, the control device being configured to drive the conveyor to convey the hand luggage deposited in the object depositing tray to the hand luggage screening apparatus, to drive the hand luggage screening apparatus to screen the hand luggage, and drive the conveyor to convey the hand luggage back into the cabin.

15. The screening device according to claim 13, wherein the screening device further comprises an identification device, the control device being configured to identify the person using identification data from the identification device, and associate the depositing tray to the identified person.

16. The screening device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to drive a display device to provide instructions to the person to adhere to a predetermined screening sequence.

17. The screening device according to claim 16, wherein the sensor further comprises the camera, the control device is configured to process an image form the camera to derive a progress of the screening of the person therefrom, to compare the derived progress of the screening to the predetermined screening sequence, and to derive the instructions provided to the person from the comparison of the derived progress to the predetermined screening sequence.

18. The screening device according to claim 1, further comprising a hand luggage screening apparatus configured to scan the hand luggage deposited by the person, wherein the hand luggage screening apparatus comprises a primary scanner and an X-ray diffraction scanner, and wherein the control device is configured to operate the hand luggage screening apparatus to: scan the hand luggage by the primary scanner to generate primary scanner output data associated with the scan of the hand luggage; determine an area of interest of the hand luggage from the primary scanner output data; operate the X-ray diffraction scanner to scan the area of interest of the hand luggage to generate X-ray diffraction output data associated with the scan of the hand luggage by the X-ray diffraction scanner; process the primary scanner output data and the X-ray diffraction output data to determine if an alarm signal is to be generated; and output the alarm signal if generated.

19. The screening device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first identification station configured to request a person to present a token, token; a hand luggage depositing station configured to collect hand luggage deposited by the person, the first identification station being associated with the hand luggage depositing station, a hand luggage screening apparatus configured to screen the hand luggage, luggage; a hand luggage reclaiming station, downstream of the hand luggage screening apparatus, configured to reclaim the hand luggage deposited by the person; a second identification station being associated with the hand luggage reclaiming station, the screening device forming a passage for the person from the hand luggage depositing station to the hand luggage reclaiming station; and a hand luggage conveying system configured to convey the hand luggage from the hand luggage depositing station via the hand luggage screening apparatus to the hand luggage reclaiming station, the control device further being configured to: read the token presented by the person at the first identification station; associate the presented token to the hand luggage deposited by the person at the hand luggage depositing station; upon the person having been screened by the screening device, read the token presented by the person at the second identification station at the reclaiming station; and control the hand luggage conveying system to convey the hand luggage associated with the token to the hand luggage reclaiming station.

20. The screening device according to claim 19, further comprising plural hand luggage reclaiming stations, and wherein the control device is configured to designate one of the plural hand luggage reclaiming stations to the token, to control the hand luggage conveying system to convey the hand luggage associated with the token to the designated one of the plural hand luggage reclaiming stations and to output instructions to the person having passed the screening device and presenting the token to collect the hand luggage associated with the token at the designated one of the plural hand luggage reclaiming stations.

21. The screening device according to claim 19, wherein the screening device further comprises the object depositing tray and wherein the control device is configured to control the hand luggage conveying system to convey the object deposited in the object depositing tray to the designated one of the plural hand luggage reclaiming stations.

22. The screening device according to claim 19, comprising a hand luggage depositing station, a hand luggage reclaiming station, a first hand luggage screening apparatus, a second hand luggage screening apparatus and the hand luggage conveying system to convey the hand luggage from the hand luggage depositing station to either one of the first and the second hand luggage screening apparatuses and from to either one of the first and the second hand luggage screening apparatuses to the hand luggage reclaiming station, wherein the conveying system comprises a shielded hand luggage conveying path extending between the first and second hand luggage screening apparatuses, wherein the hand luggage depositing station loads into the shielded hand luggage conveying path via a loading port having a conveying direction perpendicular to a loading conveying direction between the first and second hand luggage screening apparatuses, wherein the shielded hand luggage conveying path discharges to the hand luggage reclaiming station via a discharging port having a discharging conveying direction perpendicular to a conveying direction between the first and second hand luggage screening apparatuses and wherein radiation shields configured to shield radiation generated by the first and second hand luggage screening apparatuses are arranged at the loading port and at the discharging port.

23. The screening device according to claim 22, wherein the radiation shields are lead curtains.

24. The screening device according to claim 22, wherein shielding flaps at the first and second hand luggage screening apparatuses are omitted.

25. The screening device according to claim 22, wherein the loading port comprises a loading port shield extending along the loading direction and wherein the discharging port comprise a discharging port shield extending along the discharging direction.

26. The screening device according to claim 22, wherein the first and second hand luggage screening apparatuses are bi-directional and wherein the shielded hand luggage conveying path is bi-directional.

27. A method of operating a screening system comprising the screening device according to claim 1, wherein the screening device is further configured to operate at at least two different detection rates, the method comprising: defining a screening system detection rate, the screening system detection rate defining a required detection rate of the screening system; selecting one of the detection rates of the screening device to comply with the screening system detection rate; and sending instructions to the control device of the screening device to operate at the selected detection rate so as to comply with the screening system detection rate.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the detection rates of the screening device define a detection rate of a security hazard to be detected at the person, the hand luggage and/or the footwear of the person.

Description

[0107] Further features, advantages and effects of the present disclosure may become clear from the appended drawing and corresponding description, showing a non-limiting embodiment,

wherein:

[0108] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a screening device;

[0109] FIG. 2 depicts another view of the screening device

[0110] FIG. 3 depicts a detailed view of a hand luggage tray of the screening device;

[0111] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict perspective views of an interior of the screening device;

[0112] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a perspective view of the interior of the screening device while screening a person;

[0113] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a highly schematic top view of a passenger and hand luggage screening system;

[0114] FIGS. 7A-7C depict top view of screening device;

[0115] FIGS. 8A and 8B depict perspective views of an arrangement of screening devices; and

[0116] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of a hand luggage screening system.

[0117] It is noted that throughout the figures, the same or similar reference numerals may be employed, referring to the same or similar features.

BACKGROUND

[0118] Self-service has become a normal feature of more and more activities in our daily lives and nowhere is the trend toward self-service more evident than in travel. Today, travellers research and plan their own vacations, book their own flights, hotels, transport, restaurants and activities. When they arrive to an airport, they can tag their own checked luggage and print out boarding passes.

[0119] Likewise, airport security screening can be made more passenger-centric to allow travellers to manage their journey through the checkpoint. There is also a strong business case driving the use of self-service solutions and extending self-service to security screening for governmental, airport and air carrier stakeholders to drive productivity. These efficiencies in capital investment and reduced staffing requirements achieved from passenger risk segmentation and risk based dynamic screening, increase flexibility for airports' checkpoint design options, automation of detection and alarm resolution capabilities and the integration of new and advanced technology.

[0120] Hence, the present development aims at an efficient design of a self-service passenger security environment satisfy the stringent screening requirements; ensuring security outcomes, while delivering a positive, passenger centred experience for large volumes of diverse, multi-lingual and multi-cultural travellers.

[0121] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the screening device SD (also denoted as Passenger Self Screening device). The screening device comprising a cabin CA enclosed by a wall WA forming an interior space INT in which a person PER has entered through a door, in the present case a sliding door SD.

[0122] Technical Concept

[0123] The proposed concept may combine intuitive man-machine interfaces, passenger data and advanced technology physical screening to create a concept that can be applicable to all passenger types and threat levels.

[0124] A process of screening will be described in the below:

[0125] 1. Passenger Arrival:

[0126] Passenger arrives at the checkpoint with carry-on baggage. Interactive signage directs passenger to an available passenger self screening device SD. The passenger presents identification credentials (e.g. a token, such as a passport, boarding pass, facial image or other biometric information) to a reader (identification). The reader verifies the passenger's identity and assigns passenger risk score from Secure Flight data and other relevant sources. Once identity and flight information are authenticated, the reader/user interface indicates to passenger that they are cleared for screening and the entry door of the cabin of the passenger self screening device opens.

[0127] Passenger self screening device design and access control [0128] Single point passenger self-service screening device, [0129] Modular design that can be incorporated into groups of passenger self screening devices [0130] Occupies minimal space [0131] Hardware screening systems in standard component bays [0132] High throughput

[0133] Passenger interface graphical user interface (GUI): [0134] Enables accessible property and on-person self-screening in a simple, clear passenger GUI and screening workflow “Wizard”. [0135] Screen(s) displaying passenger process “Wizard” instructions for self-divesting of threat objects identified by an X-ray or On Person Screening (OPS) Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) algorithm and rescanning, minimizing ATR false alarms. [0136] Multi-modality TSO touchscreen (or contact-less interface) workstation for process monitoring and alarm resolution.

[0137] Passenger data risk processing and future biometric interface [0138] Fully enabled and integrated multi-cloud architecture featuring a robust API Gateway with established services [0139] Real-time KTN validation service through digital identity and identity assurance apps that are integrated with facial matching software for biometric authentication

[0140] 2. Passenger Self-Screening Preparation:

[0141] The passenger moves into the cabin CAB of the passenger self-service screening device SD, which is designed to be comfortable, spacious and minimize anxiety or claustrophobia. The passenger self-screening device incorporates video (by means of a video camera) and associated analytics to monitor passenger, communicate that the passenger self-screening device is engaged and identify anomalous behaviour. An interactive screen in the self-screening device communicates screening and divestment process to passenger. Video with audio instruction and signage will provide instruction. Thereto, a projector is provided, e.g. in a ceiling of the cabin, which projects a video image PRO onto a wall of the cabin, as depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 further schematically depicts antennas ANT of a millimetre wave scanning system forming part of a sensor, to scan the person.

[0142] Video System [0143] IP camera-based system including multiple cameras for multiple viewpoints to cover all passenger activity within the passenger self-screening device.

[0144] 3. Person Screening:

[0145] Upon entering the passenger self-screening device, on-person screening commences. Passenger divest requirements are initially determined by the video analytics system (e.g. coats, outerwear) and the passenger interface screen communicates divest instructions. Additional divestment instructions are communicated to direct passenger to remove and place in the property screening system along with any other items normally divested from the person (phone, keys etc.). A drawer DRW may be opened by the control device to form a hand luggage tray into which the hand luggage (incl. phone, keys, etc.) may be deposited. The passenger is then cued to adopt the scan pose by the video system. Optimal passenger foot position on the floor FRL is also communicated to ensure that footwear screening system FWS can operate effectively. The passenger self-screening device communicates to passenger indicating when divestment and scanning is complete. Then the passenger self-screening device instructs passenger to load belongings into a hand luggage drawer.

[0146] Voxel Radar: In-Motion millimeter wave body imaging [0147] Screens passenger during the entire process within the passenger self screening device [0148] Aggregates scan data to utilize optimized illumination and avoid blind spots A concept of the interior of the passenger self screening device showing the possible location of the sensor antennas ANT is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0149] FIGS. 4A and 4B: The interior of the passenger self screening device showing the personnel screening system.

[0150] The control device may be configured to operate the footwear sensor to sense the footwear of the person, and to drive the projector to project instructions to the person, associated with the operating of the footwear sensor.

[0151] The control device may control the footwear sensor to start a scan of the footwear of the person once the person has entered the cabin (i.e. the inner space) of the passenger self screening device. For example, if a measurement by the footwear sensor, e.g. an NQR measurement, takes a longer time than a scanning of the person, e.g. by mm wave measurement, the control device may control the footwear sensor to start sensing while the passenger is still preparing for the scan, e.g. putting their belongings into the tray and/or reading instructions provided via the projector.

[0152] 4. On-Person Alarm Resolution:

[0153] To support passenger self-resolution of on-person alarms, the system's passenger interface indicates to passenger the location of an alarm and instructs passenger PER to remove alarm item or shoes and place them into the hand luggage (property) screener. The projector projects an artificial reality mirror on the wall of the cabin. The alarm item OBJ is indicated in the displayed artificial realty mirror PRO, as depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Once alarm items or shoes have been put in the property screener, another scan is initiated of both the person and belongings. If the scans are clear, on-person screening is completed. The video system monitors passenger actions to ensure compliance with divest requirements and to detect anomalous behaviour.

[0154] 5. Property Screening:

[0155] Property screening procedures are directed by the passenger self screening device interface. The passenger is directed to place all accessible property into the property screener with other divest items. The passenger self screening device property screener consists of a primary screening system sensor and an automated alarm resolution capability. Both are initiated when the door of the property screener has been closed and will lock during screening. The video system monitors that all items have been placed into the property screening system. The passenger interface informs the passenger of the property scan progress and status. If the accessible property systems and automatic threat recognition (ATR) do not detect threats, prohibited items or explosives the passenger can collect belongings. The passenger self screening device interface indicates to the passenger that they are cleared to proceed to gate and passenger self screening device door opens automatically.

[0156] Static CT primary accessible property screening system.

[0157] FIG. 7A-7C depicts 3 examples of possible configurations, whereby the cabin forms a passage between the entry side for to be screened passengers and exit side for screened passengers. The entry side of the cabin can be closed by sliding door SD1, the exit side by sliding door SD2. Once a passenger has identified himself and entered, the sliding door SD1 closes. The sliding door SD2 remains closed until the screening has been completed and no alarm generated. In FIG. 7A, a hand luggage depositing station HLDS is provided at the entry side, while the passenger may reclaim the hand luggage after having been screened and left the cabin at exit door SD2 to reclaim the hand luggage at hand luggage reclaiming station HLRS. A hand luggage scanning apparatus HLSA is provided between the depositing station and reclaiming station, e.g. adjacent to the cabin to scan the hand luggage while the passenger is screened in the cabin.

[0158] FIG. 7B depicts a similar arrangement, whereby the passenger takes the hand luggage into the cabin, to be deposited into the drawer DRW. The hand luggage screening apparatus HLSA is arranged adjacent to the cabin, and fed with the hand luggage from the drawer by a conveyor. Once screened the hand luggage is conveyed back to the drawer to be recollected by the passenger before exiting the cabin via the exit at sliding door SD2. FIG. 7C depicts a variant to the embodiment of FIG. 7B, whereby the passenger takes the hand luggage into the cabin, to be deposited into the drawer DRW. The hand luggage screening apparatus HLSA is arranged adjacent to the cabin, and fed with the hand luggage from the drawer by a conveyor. Once screened the hand luggage is conveyed to a reclaiming station (e.g. drawer) outside of the cabin, at the exit side, to be recollected by the passenger after exiting the cabin via the exit at sliding door SD2. Hence, once the screening has been completed, the passenger is requested to exit the cabin, thus enabling entry of a following person via the entry at SD1 to commence scanning a following passenger, while the passenger that has just left the cabin can recollect the hand luggage at ease.

[0159] 6. Property Alarm Resolution:

[0160] To resolve alarms in passengers' belongings, the passenger self screening device interface identifies the item to passenger and instructs them to remove the item(s). The item is placed next to the bag in the scanner and the scan is repeated. Once bag and the item are cleared, the passenger is instructed to retrieve all items from the property screening and to proceed to gate.

[0161] If the bag and/or the item(s) cannot be cleared, the system automatically alerts an operator who is immediately dispatched to the passenger self screening device to conduct further alarm resolution procedures.

[0162] The screening device may comprise: [0163] a hand luggage screening apparatus configured to scan the hand luggage deposited by the person, wherein the hand luggage screening apparatus comprises a primary scanner and an X-ray diffraction scanner, and
wherein the control device is configured to operate the hand luggage screening apparatus to [0164] scan the hand luggage by the primary scanner to generate primary scanner output data associated with the scan of the hand luggage, [0165] determine an area of interest of the hand luggage from the primary scanner output data, [0166] operate the X-ray diffraction scanner to scan the area of interest of the hand luggage to generate X-ray diffraction output data associated with the scan of the hand luggage by the X-ray diffraction scanner, [0167] process the primary scanner output data and the X-ray diffraction output data to determine if an alarm signal is to be generated, and [0168] output the alarm signal if generated.

[0169] 7. Passenger Departure:

[0170] Passenger departs for their journey; passenger self screening device is free to screen the next passenger.

[0171] Arrangements of plural screening devices, such as depicted and described with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, are depicted in a front view FIG. 8A and rear view FIG. 8B. The screening devices are connected against each other to form a chain whereby the exit doors of the cabins discharge into an exit side EXT while the entry doors of the cabins all connect to the entry side ENT. As depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the chain of screening devices meanders, so as to reduce a total required floorspace.

[0172] FIG. 6A depicts a cabin of a screening device SD and a hand luggage screening apparatus HLSA. The cabin and hand luggage screening apparatus are provided with plural hand luggage drop of stations HLDS at the entry side of the cabin and plural hand luggage reclaiming stations HLRS at the exit side of the cabin. A conveyor conveys the hand luggage from the depositing stations to the reclaiming stations. The hand luggage screening apparatus may be bi-directional, i.e. hand luggage may be fed from left to fight or vice versa (seen in the plane of the drawing). The conveyor connects both entries/exits of the hand luggage screening apparatus to the depositing stations and reclaiming stations to increase conveying capacity. Due to the bi-directional nature, in case a screening of a tray is to be repeated (e.g. on operator instructions), the bidirectional conveyor may convey the tray back into the hand luggage screening apparatus. As the hand luggage depositing and the hand luggage reclaiming may each take more time than the screening of the hand luggage respectively the screening of the person, a capacity of the hand luggage screening apparatus and a capacity of the screening cabin CA of the screening device SD may hence be used more efficiently, while enabling the persons to depositing the hand luggage and reclaim the and luggage at ease. Instead of the single screening device, i.e. cabin CA, a chain of screening devices may be employed, as depicted in and described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. The passenger may thereby proceed from the hand luggage drop of stations for drop of of the hand luggage, to the entry side of the chain of screening devices, and after having been screened by one of the screening devices, the passenger may proceed from the exit side of the chain of screening devices to the hand luggage reclaiming stations for reclaiming the hand luggage.

[0173] FIG. 6B depicts plural hand luggage screening apparatuses HLSA provided with plural hand luggage drop of stations HLDS and plural hand luggage reclaiming stations HLRS. Similarly to FIG. 6A, a conveyor connects the entries/exits of each one of the hand luggage screening apparatuses to the depositing stations and reclaiming stations. As the conveyor extends along each one of the hand luggage drop of stations and along each one of the hand luggage reclaiming stations, the hand luggage dropped off at the hand luggage drop off stations may be conveyed by the conveyor to any one of the hand luggage screening apparatuses, e.g. to a nearest one of the hand luggage screening apparatuses in case this hand luggage screening apparatus has sufficient screening capacity available. Thus, the hand luggage may be scanned by any one of the plural hand luggage screening apparatuses, enabling to increase an overall effective capacity, as excess hand luggage dropped off nearest to one of the hand luggage screening devices may be conveyed to another one of the hand luggage screening apparatuses. Similarly, the hand luggage, after having been scanned by one of the hand luggage screening apparatuses, may be conveyed to any one of the hand luggage reclaiming stations.

[0174] FIG. 9 depicts dual hand luggage screening apparatuses HLSA1, HLSA2 whereby a conveyor CON in between them is provided with a shielding SHD to shield X-ray radiation. The conventions lead flaps that may interfere with the hand luggage conveying may be omitted. loading ports LP and exit ports DP having conveying directions LPCON that are perpendicular to the direction between the hand luggage screening apparatuses connect to the depositing HLDS and reclaiming stations and may be provided with lead curtains and loading port screens.

[0175] A screening system comprising the screening device may be provided, wherein the screening device is further configured to operate at at least two different detection rates. [0176] a screening system detection rate may be defined, the screening system detection rate defining [0177] a required detection rate of the screening system; [0178] one of the detection rates of the screening device may be selected to comply with the screening system detection rate; and [0179] instructions may be sent to the control device of the screening device to operate at the selected detection rate so as to comply with the screening system detection rate.

[0180] The detection rates of the screening device may define a detection rate of a security hazard to be detected at the person, the hand luggage and/or the footwear of the person.