Acoustic portal detection system

Abstract

Airports and other public places require security measures for the screening of human subjects for illicit objects and materials concealed from view beneath clothing. However, at present most of such screening processes involve only metal detectors, which are inherently incapable of detecting non-metallic illicit objects and materials. For this reason, there remains a strong need for novel systems and methods that can detect all types of materials. The present invention provides for a portal detection system that is configured for safe, rapid, and non-invasive scanning of human subjects. For this purpose, the portal detection system utilizes acoustic technology to achieve this end. The portal detection systems of the present invention may optionally be used in conjunction with conventional metal detection means. The invention encompasses portal detection systems, their use in scanning human subjects, and corresponding methods of scanning human subjects for illicit objects and substances.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of human subject scanning. In particular, the invention pertains to methods and systems for the detection of objects concealed by human clothing and / or human skin without physical contact with the human subject. The invention is intended for use in many applications, including airport security. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION There is an increasing need to improve the level of security of public buildings, as well as specified areas within such buildings. One example includes the security of airport terminal buildings, which manage high volumes of passenger traffic on a daily basis. Typically, a specific region of an airport building may be designated as a ‘secure area’, wherein all personnel and their belongings are screened prior to entry into the secure area. Secure areas may include the departure lounge, and the gates used to assemble passengers prior to boarding the aircraft. Baggage and other personal i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides systems and methods for rapidly, efficiently, and non-invasively scanning human subjects for non-clothing objects, including both metallic and non-metallic objects, which are concealed from view. For this purpose, the invention provides a portal detection system that scans each human subject using acoustic technology. Specifically, acoustic energy is directed towards the human subject, and portions of the energy are reflected and / or refracted by the human subject (and the non-clothing object if present). These reflected / refracted portions of energy are detected to generate a scan profile, indicative of whether (or not) any objects are concealed beneath the clothing of the subject. Human subjects are directed to move towards, through and beyond the portal, during which time the acoustic scanning takes place. The portal may be configured to scan the human subject from multiple angles, thereby ensuring proper scanning coverage of the various surfaces of the subject. The portal detection systems described herein can detect the presence or absence of many non-metallic illicit objects including plastic explosives, drugs, and weapons. Moreover, the portal detection system may be combined with any convention metal detection means to provide significant improvements to airport and other building security.

Problems solved by technology

In contrast, passenger screening is not conducive to X-ray analysis, due to the potentially harmful effects of X-ray irradiation upon the human subject.

Therefore, it is unacceptable to expose airline passengers to X-rays on a routine basis for security purposes, particularly considering that whole-body irradiation would be required.

Images