Baggage Inspection System

Abstract

To provide a baggage inspection system with a low risk of irradiating a human body with an inspection ray.SOLUTION: A baggage inspection system 1 sets, as a monitoring period, a period until a predetermined time passes after baggage T passes through an object detection sensor 110 disposed within an inspection space A0, after the baggage T conveyed by a conveying device 103 and a conveying device 102 passes through an object detection sensor 109 disposed near an entrance of the inspection space A0. When detecting an object moving in a prohibited area A1 during the monitoring period from an image taken with a photographing device 112, the baggage inspection system prohibits irradiation of an inspection ray by an inspection ray irradiation device 106, and when detecting an object moving in a warning area A2 or the prohibited area A1 during the monitoring period, the baggage inspection system displays or pronounces a warning message.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a baggage inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Baggage inspection systems that irradiate the baggage of people entering a designated area of ​​an airport or the like with an inspection beam such as an X-ray to check for the presence of dangerous objects in the baggage are becoming widespread.

[0003] Some inspection lines used in baggage inspection systems are harmful to the human body, such as X-rays. In baggage inspection systems that use inspection lines that are harmful to the human body, the space where the inspection line is irradiated onto the baggage (hereinafter referred to as the "inspection space") is separated from the outside space by a wall or curtain that is opaque to the inspection line.

[0004] However, there are cases where a passerby or an officer who is the owner of baggage inserts a part of the human body, such as a hand, into the inspection space when, for example, trying to pick up baggage being carried into or out of the inspection space. In that case, if an inspection line is being irradiated in the inspection space, the passerby or officer may be irradiated with the inspection line, which may cause harm.

[0005] Patent Document 1, for example, is a patent document proposing a technique for avoiding the above-mentioned inconvenience. Patent Document 1 proposes a radiation inspection device in which two flexible radiation protection walls are provided at each of the entrance and exit of an inspection space, and an infrared sensor for detecting a human body is provided between the two flexible radiation protection walls, and when the infrared sensor detects a human body, the device stops X-ray irradiation in the inspection space and issues an alarm. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-130817 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the case of the radiation inspection device described in Patent Document 1, the irradiation of the inspection beam is stopped only when a part of a human body such as a passerby is inserted inside the outer flexible radiation protection wall of the two flexible radiation protection walls separating the inspection space from the outside. Therefore, if a part of a human body is quickly inserted into the inspection space, there is a risk that the part of the human body will go beyond the inner flexible radiation protection wall and enter the inspection space before the irradiation of the inspection beam is stopped. In addition, if the sensor installed between the two flexible radiation protection walls fails to detect the human body, there is a risk that the part of the human body will enter the inspection space where the irradiation of the inspection beam continues.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a baggage inspection system that reduces the risk of an inspection line being irradiated onto a human body as compared to the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention proposes as a first aspect a baggage inspection system which, while shining an inspection line on baggage within an inspection space, stops shining the inspection line if an object is detected in a prohibited area that borders the baggage entrance / exit to the inspection space from outside the inspection space, and issues a warning without stopping the irradiation of the inspection line if an object is detected in a warning area that borders the prohibited area from the outside as seen from the entrance / exit.

[0010] According to the baggage inspection system of the first aspect, a warning is issued when a human body enters a prohibited area that is further outward than the prohibited area that is outwardly adjacent to the outside of the inspection space, thereby reducing the risk of a human body accidentally entering the inspection space and being exposed to the inspection line.

[0011] In the baggage inspection system according to the first aspect described above, a second aspect may be adopted in which, after detecting that baggage has entered the inspection space, if an object is detected in the prohibited area until the irradiation of the inspection line is completed, the irradiation of the inspection line is prohibited, and if an object is detected in the warning area, a warning is issued without prohibiting the irradiation of the inspection line.

[0012] According to the baggage inspection system of the second aspect, if a human body enters the prohibited area when baggage has entered the inspection space and irradiation of the inspection line has not yet started, irradiation of the inspection line is not started, and if a human body enters the warning area when baggage has entered the inspection space and irradiation of the inspection line has not yet started, a warning is issued. Therefore, compared with the case where a warning or the like is issued only while irradiation of the inspection line is being performed, the risk of a human body accidentally entering the inspection space and being irradiated with the inspection line is further reduced.

[0013] In the baggage inspection system according to the first or second aspect described above, a configuration may be adopted as a third aspect in which a warning is issued if an object other than baggage is detected in the prohibited area or the warning area during the transport of baggage toward the inspection space.

[0014] According to the baggage inspection system of the third aspect, a warning is issued if a human body enters the prohibited area or warning area when the transport of baggage toward the inspection space has started but the baggage has not yet entered the inspection space. Therefore, compared to a case where a warning is issued only after the baggage has entered the inspection space, the risk of a human body erroneously entering the inspection space and being irradiated with the inspection line is further reduced.

[0015] In the baggage inspection system according to the third aspect described above, a fourth aspect may be adopted in which an image is generated representing the shape of objects in an area including the prohibited area and the warning area, and objects other than baggage are detected from the image.

[0016] According to the baggage inspection system of the fourth aspect, an image capturing device such as an optical camera is used to detect objects other than baggage as objects to be monitored.

[0017] In the baggage inspection system according to the fourth aspect, a configuration in which people are detected by image recognition may be adopted as a fifth aspect.

[0018] The baggage inspection system according to the fifth aspect avoids the inconvenience of an object other than a human being being detected as a monitored object, resulting in unnecessary stopping of irradiation of the inspection line or issuing of a warning.

[0019] In the baggage inspection system according to the fourth aspect described above, a configuration may be adopted as a sixth aspect in which it is determined whether or not an object shown in an image is baggage based on the movement path of the object.

[0020] According to the baggage inspection system of the sixth aspect, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of baggage entering or leaving the inspection space being detected as an object to be monitored, resulting in the inspection line irradiation being stopped or a warning being issued unnecessarily.

[0021] In the baggage inspection system according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, a seventh aspect may be adopted in which the image is a thermal image.

[0022] According to the baggage inspection system of the seventh aspect, the inconvenience of an object that does not emit heat being detected as an object to be monitored, resulting in the inspection line irradiation being stopped or a warning being issued unnecessarily, is avoided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic external view of a baggage inspection system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic external view of a baggage inspection system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a method in which a baggage inspection system according to an embodiment detects a monitored object based on a monitoring image. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a monitoring period of the baggage inspection system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a monitoring period of a baggage inspection system according to a modified example. [Figure 6]13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a method for detecting a monitored object by a baggage inspection system according to one modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a monitoring period of a baggage inspection system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] [Embodiment] A baggage inspection system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic external view of the baggage inspection system 1 as viewed from the left side in the conveying direction of baggage T. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic external view of the baggage inspection system 1 as viewed from above. Hereinafter, the upstream side in the conveying direction of baggage T (the right side in Figs. 1 and 2) will be simply referred to as the upstream side, and the downstream side in the conveying direction of baggage T (the left side in Figs. 1 and 2) will be simply referred to as the downstream side.

[0025] The baggage inspection system 1 comprises an inspection line shielding box 101 which forms an inspection space A0 inside for irradiating the inspection line onto the baggage T to be inspected, a conveying device 102 arranged to penetrate horizontally through the inspection line shielding box 101, a conveying device 103 arranged adjacent to the upstream side of the conveying device 102, a flexible inspection line blocking curtain 104 hung down to block an opening (entrance) provided above the conveying device 102 on the upstream side of the inspection line shielding box 101, and a flexible inspection line blocking curtain 105 hung down to block an opening (exit) provided above the conveying device 102 on the downstream side of the inspection line shielding box 101.

[0026] Inspection line shielding box 101 is a box-shaped member made of a material that blocks the inspection line (for example, a metal such as lead when the inspection line is an X-ray). Inspection line shielding curtain 104 and inspection line shielding curtain 105 are strip-shaped members made of a flexible material such as rubber that contains powder of a material that blocks the inspection line.

[0027] The baggage inspection system 1 further includes an inspection line emitting device 106 and an inspection line receiving device 107, both of which are disposed within the inspection space A0. The inspection line emitting device 106 and the inspection line receiving device 107 are disposed in positions facing each other across the conveying device 102, and the inspection line emitting device 106 emits an inspection line, which is received by the inspection line receiving device 107.

[0028] The inspection line emitting device 106 emits an inspection line, for example, from a plurality of inspection line emitting elements arranged in a line in the left-right direction with respect to the conveying direction of the baggage T, and the inspection line receiving device 107 receives the inspection line, for example, from a plurality of inspection line receiving elements arranged in a line in the left-right direction with respect to the conveying direction of the baggage T. The inspection line emitted by the inspection line emitting device 106 is, for example, an X-ray, but the type of inspection line is not limited to X-ray as long as it can be irradiated to the baggage to image the shape of the object inside.

[0029] The baggage inspection system 1 further includes an object detection sensor 108 that detects an object at a predetermined position upstream of the conveying device 103, an object detection sensor 109 that detects an object near the entrance of the inspection line shielding box 101, an object detection sensor 110 that detects an object at a predetermined position within the inspection space A0, and an object detection sensor 111 that detects an object at a predetermined position downstream of the conveying device 102.

[0030] The object detection sensor 108 is a sensor for detecting baggage T placed on the conveying device 103. The object detection sensor 109 is a sensor for detecting baggage T at the entrance of the inspection space A0. The object detection sensor 110 is a sensor for detecting baggage T on a line where the inspection line is irradiated. The object detection sensor 111 is a sensor for detecting baggage T that has reached the downstream end of the conveying path.

[0031] 2, object detection sensor 108 includes, for example, light-emitting unit 108T arranged on the right side in the conveying direction and light-receiving unit 108R arranged on the left side in the conveying direction, and if light emitted by light-emitting unit 108T is not received by light-receiving unit 108R, it determines that there is an object blocking the light between light-emitting unit 108T and light-receiving unit 108R. Object detection sensors 109, 110, and 111 also have the same configuration as object detection sensor 108.

[0032] The baggage inspection system 1 further includes a photographing device 112. The photographing device 112 is, for example, an optical camera that photographs the inspection line shielding box 101 from directly above downward, and is disposed so that the prohibited areas A11 and A12 and the warning areas A21 and A22 are included in its angle of view. That is, the photographing device 112 generates an image showing the shapes of objects in the area including the prohibited areas A11 and A12 and the warning areas A21 and A22.

[0033] The prohibited area A11 is an area of ​​a predetermined shape that borders the entrance (an example of an entrance / exit) for the baggage T from the outside of the inspection space A0. The prohibited area A12 is an area of ​​a predetermined shape that borders the exit (an example of an entrance / exit) for the baggage T from the inspection space A0 from the outside of the inspection space A0. Hereinafter, when the prohibited area A11 and the prohibited area A12 are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as the prohibited area A1.

[0034] The warning area A21 is an area of ​​a predetermined shape that borders the forbidden area A11 from the outside when viewed from the entrance. The warning area A22 is an area of ​​a predetermined shape that borders the forbidden area A12 from the outside when viewed from the exit. Hereinafter, when the warning area A21 and the warning area A22 are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as the warning area A2.

[0035] The baggage inspection system 1 further includes a control device 100 that performs various controls in the baggage inspection system 1. The control device 100 may be configured, for example, by a computer that performs various data processing according to a program for the baggage inspection system 1, or may be configured as a dedicated device. The baggage inspection system 1 includes the following functional components.

[0036] (Transport control unit) The transfer control unit controls the operation of the transfer device 102 and the transfer device 103. The transfer control unit performs the following controls on the transfer device 102 and the transfer device 103, for example. When baggage T is placed at the position of the object detection sensor 108 and the object detection sensor 108 detects the baggage T, the object detection sensor 108 instructs the conveying device 103 to start operating. However, if the preceding baggage T has not yet passed the position of the object detection sensor 110, the instruction to the conveying device 103 to start operating is withheld until the object detection sensor 110 completes detection of the preceding baggage T, and after the object detection sensor 110 completes detection of the preceding baggage T, the conveying device 103 is instructed to start operating. As the conveying device 103 is operating, the baggage T reaches the position of the object detection sensor 109. When the object detection sensor 109 detects the baggage T, it instructs the conveying device 102 to start operating. As the conveying device 103 and the conveying device 102 are operating, the baggage T passes the position of the object detection sensor 109, and when the object detection sensor 109 completes detection of the baggage T, the conveying device 103 is instructed to stop operating. When baggage T passes the position of the object detection sensor 110 as the conveying device 102 is operating and the object detection sensor 110 completes detection of the baggage T, a predetermined time has elapsed, or when baggage T reaches the position of the object detection sensor 111 as the conveying device 102 is operating and the object detection sensor 111 detects the baggage T, the conveying device 102 is instructed to stop operating. During the prohibition of irradiation of the inspection line, which will be described later, the operation of the conveying device 102 and the conveying device 103 is prohibited. Note that prohibiting operation means that if the device is operating, it is stopped, and if the device is not operating, it is maintained in that state.

[0037] (Inspection Processing Unit) The inspection processing unit controls the operations of the inspection line irradiating device 106 and the inspection line receiving device 107, and generates an inspection image based on the received signal output from the inspection line receiving device 107. The inspection processing unit performs the following controls on the inspection line irradiating device 106 and the inspection line receiving device 107, for example. As the conveying device 102 operates, the baggage T reaches the position of the object detection sensor 110, and when the object detection sensor 110 detects the baggage T, it instructs the inspection line irradiation device 106 to start irradiating inspection light and instructs the inspection line receiving device 107 to start receiving the inspection light. As the conveying device 102 operates, the baggage T passes the position of the object detection sensor 110, and when the object detection sensor 110 completes detection of the baggage T, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the inspection line irradiation device 106 is instructed to stop emitting the inspection light, and the inspection line receiving device 107 is instructed to stop receiving the inspection light.

[0038] In accordance with the above control, while the baggage T passes through the line where the inspection line is irradiated, the inspection line irradiating device 106 irradiates inspection light, and the inspection line receiving device 107 receives the inspection light irradiated from the inspection line irradiating device 106 and transmitted through the baggage T. The inspection line receiving device 107 outputs a received wave intensity signal indicating the intensity of the received inspection light to the control device 100. The inspection processing unit of the control device 100 generates a two-dimensional inspection image indicating the shape of an object inside the baggage T by arranging one-dimensional images indicated by the received wave intensity signals sequentially received from the inspection line receiving device 107 in a two-dimensional direction. The inspection image generated by the inspection processing unit is displayed, for example, on a display device built into or externally connected to the control device 100 and confirmed by an inspector.

[0039] (Object detection section) The object detection unit detects an object (hereinafter referred to as a monitored object) that should not be irradiated with an inspection line based on an image (hereinafter referred to as a monitoring image) captured by the image capture device 112. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method in which the object detection unit detects a monitored object based on a monitoring image. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show examples of two consecutive images captured by the image capture device 112 in sequence at a predetermined time interval. The object detection unit compares these two consecutive monitoring images, and if a change has occurred in a predetermined number or more of consecutive pixel groups, it detects the monitored object by determining that the pixel groups are pixel groups that represent the monitored object.

[0040] (Warning section) The warning unit issues a warning when the object detection unit detects an object to be monitored in the warning area A2 or the prohibited area A1 after the object detection sensor 109 detects that baggage T has entered the inspection space A0 and before the inspection line irradiation device 106 finishes irradiating the inspection line.

[0041] The warning issued by the warning unit may be, for example, display of a warning message by a display device built into or externally connected to the control device 100, or sounding of a warning sound or warning message by a sound generating device built into or externally connected to the control device 100, etc.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a period (hereinafter, referred to as a monitoring period) that is set as a necessary condition for the warning unit to issue a warning. Fig. 4(a) shows the state at the start of the monitoring period, and Fig. 4(b) shows the state at the end of the monitoring period.

[0043] Figure 4(a) shows the state of the baggage inspection system 1 and baggage T at the point when baggage T passes the position of the object detection sensor 109 due to the operation of the conveying device 103 and the conveying device 102 and detection of baggage T by the object detection sensor 109 is completed.

[0044] Figure 4(b) shows the state of the baggage inspection system 1 and baggage T at the point when baggage T passes the position of the object detection sensor 110 as the conveying device 102 is operating, a predetermined time has passed since the object detection sensor 110 completed detection of baggage T, and the inspection line irradiation device 106 stops irradiating inspection light in accordance with instructions from the inspection processing unit.

[0045] The warning unit issues a warning when the object detection unit detects a monitored object in the warning area A2 or the prohibited area A1 during the period from when the state of Figure 4(a) is reached to when the state of Figure 4(b) is reached.

[0046] When the monitoring period ends, or when the object detection unit no longer detects a monitored object in either the warning area A2 or the prohibited area A1, the warning unit stops issuing the warning.

[0047] (Prohibited part) The prohibition unit prohibits irradiation of the inspection line when the object detection unit detects a monitored object in the prohibited area A1 during the above-mentioned monitoring period.

[0048] Specifically, the prohibition of the irradiation of an inspection line by the prohibition unit means instructing the inspection processing unit to instruct the inspection processing unit to stop irradiating an inspection line if the inspection line irradiation device 106 is currently irradiating the inspection line, and prohibiting the inspection processing unit from instructing the inspection processing unit to start irradiating an inspection line if the inspection line irradiation device 106 is not currently irradiating the inspection line.

[0049] When the monitoring period ends, or when the object to be monitored is no longer detected in the prohibited area A1 by the object detection unit, the prohibition unit cancels the prohibition of irradiation of the inspection line that has been performed up until that point.

[0050] When the object detection unit detects a monitored object in the prohibited area A1 during the monitoring period, the inspection processing unit, in accordance with the command of the prohibition unit, instructs the inspection line emitting device 106 and the inspection line receiving device 107 to stop operating if the inspection line emitting device 106 is emitting an inspection line, and does not instruct the inspection line emitting device 106 and the inspection line receiving device 107 to start operating again if the inspection line emitting device 106 is not emitting an inspection line.

[0051] In addition, when the monitoring period ends or when the object to be monitored is no longer detected in the prohibited area A1 by the object detection unit, the inspection processing unit receives a lift of the prohibition from the prohibition unit and, if it has instructed the inspection line irradiation device 106 and the inspection line receiving device 107 to stop operating while emitting the inspection line, instructs the inspection line irradiation device 106 and the inspection line receiving device 107 to resume operation.

[0052] According to the baggage inspection system 1 described above, if a monitored object is detected in the warning area A2 or the prohibited area A1 during the monitoring period from when the baggage T enters the inspection space A0 until irradiation of the inspection line is completed, a warning is issued. Therefore, even if a part of the human body of a passerby or the like approaches the inspection space A0 during irradiation of the inspection line or immediately before the start of irradiation of the inspection line, the passerby or the like can recognize the danger and stop approaching the inspection space A0 at a timing sufficiently earlier than the human body reaches the inspection space A0. In this case, if the passerby or the like does not approach the prohibited area A1 and an object to be monitored is not detected in the prohibited area A1, irradiation of the inspection line is not prohibited and no delay occurs in the process for generating the inspection image.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the above-described baggage inspection system 1, if a monitored object is detected in the prohibited area A1 during the monitoring period from when the baggage T enters the inspection space A0 until irradiation of the inspection line ends, irradiation of the inspection line is prohibited. Therefore, even if a part of a human body such as a passerby enters the inspection space A0, the human body will not be irradiated with the inspection line.

[0054] [Variations] The above-described embodiment may be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The modifications are shown below. Note that two or more of the modifications shown below may be combined as appropriate.

[0055] (Variation 1) In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring period is from when the object detection sensor 109 detects that baggage T has entered the inspection space A0 until the inspection line irradiation device 106 finishes irradiating the inspection line, but other periods may be adopted as the monitoring period as long as they include the period during which the inspection line irradiation device 106 is irradiating the inspection line.

[0056] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a monitoring period in this modified example, in which Fig. 5(a) shows the state at the start of the monitoring period, and Fig. 5(b) shows the state at the end of the monitoring period.

[0057] FIG. 5(a) shows the state of the baggage inspection system 1 and the baggage T at the time when the baggage T reaches the position of the object detection sensor 110 as the conveying device 102 is operating and the object detection sensor 110 detects the baggage T.

[0058] Figure 5(b), like Figure 4(b), shows the state of the baggage inspection system 1 and baggage T at the point when baggage T passes the position of the object detection sensor 110 as the conveying device 102 is operating, a predetermined time has passed since the object detection sensor 110 completed detection of baggage T, and the inspection line irradiation device 106 stops irradiating inspection light in accordance with instructions from the inspection processing unit.

[0059] (Variation 2) In the above-described embodiment, the object detection unit of the control device 100 detects a monitored object by determining that a pixel group that has changed between two monitoring images captured at different times is a pixel group that represents the monitored object when a predetermined number of pixel groups are consecutively present. The method by which the object detection unit detects a monitored object is not limited to this.

[0060] 6 is a diagram for explaining a method in which the object detection unit detects a monitored object in one example of this modified example. In this modified example, the object detection unit, like the embodiment described above, identifies a predetermined number or more of consecutive pixel groups that have changed in two consecutive surveillance images captured in sequence by the imaging device 112. However, in this modified example, the object detection unit does not immediately determine that the identified pixel groups are pixel groups that represent the monitored object, but identifies such pixel groups in the subsequent surveillance images in sequence to identify the movement path S of the pixel groups.

[0061] Then, as illustrated in Fig. 6(a), when the moving path S is a path that moves in the conveying direction of the baggage T through area B, which is an area through which the baggage T may pass, the object detection unit determines that the object moving on the moving path S is baggage T. On the other hand, when the moving path S is a path that moves within an area other than area B, or when the moving path S is a path that moves in a direction different from the conveying direction of the baggage T, as illustrated in Fig. 6(b), the object detection unit detects the monitored object by determining that the object moving on the moving path S is the monitored object.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, all moving objects are detected as objects to be monitored. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, if the monitoring period is extended to the period before the baggage T enters the inspection space A0 or after it leaves the inspection space A0, the baggage T will be mistaken for an object to be monitored, and unnecessary warnings and the prohibition of irradiation of the inspection line will be performed, which is an inconvenience. On the other hand, in this modified example, among moving objects, objects other than the baggage T are detected as objects to be monitored. Therefore, in this modified example, even if the monitoring period is extended to the period before the baggage T enters the inspection space A0 or after it leaves the inspection space A0, unnecessary warnings and the prohibition of irradiation of the inspection line will not be performed.

[0063] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a monitoring period in this modified example, in which Fig. 7(a) shows the state at the start of the monitoring period, and Fig. 7(b) shows the state at the end of the monitoring period.

[0064] FIG. 7(a) shows the state of the baggage inspection system 1 and the baggage T at the time when a passerby or the like places the baggage T on the upstream side of the conveying device 103 and the object detection sensor 108 detects the baggage T.

[0065] Figure 7(b), like Figure 4(b), shows the state of the baggage inspection system 1 and baggage T at the point when baggage T passes the position of the object detection sensor 110 as the conveying device 102 is operating, a predetermined time has passed since the object detection sensor 110 completed detection of baggage T, and the inspection line irradiation device 106 stops irradiating inspection light in accordance with instructions from the inspection processing unit.

[0066] In the above-described modified example, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the object detection unit detects a monitored object by comparing two images taken at different times. The object detection unit may detect a monitored object without comparing two images taken at different times.

[0067] For example, the object detection unit may use a known image recognition method (e.g., an image recognition method using a learning-type artificial intelligence (AI) that employs deep learning) to recognize the type of object appearing in each surveillance image, and if the recognized object is a human (including parts of the human body such as a hand), detect the object as a monitored object.

[0068] (Variation 3) In the above-described embodiment, the image capturing device 112 is an optical camera. However, an image capturing device other than an optical camera may be adopted as the image capturing device 112.

[0069] For example, an infrared camera that generates a thermal image may be adopted as the photographing device 112. In this case, the object detection unit detects an object having a temperature higher than the environmental temperature in the prohibited area A1 or the warning area A2 as a monitored object by using the thermal image generated by the photographing device 112, and can detect the person when he or she enters the prohibited area A1 or the warning area A2. In this case, even if an object that does not emit heat, such as a passerby's belongings, enters the prohibited area A1 or the warning area A2, the object detection unit does not detect the belongings as a monitored object. Therefore, when an object that is harmless even if irradiated with the inspection line enters the prohibited area A1 or the warning area A2, it is desirable that a warning or prohibition on irradiation of the inspection line is not issued unnecessarily.

[0070] Furthermore, a distance image sensor that generates a distance image may be employed as the image capture device 112 .

[0071] (Variation 4) In the above-described embodiment, the object detection unit detects a monitored object from the image captured by the image capture device 112. The object detection unit may detect a monitored object without relying on the image.

[0072] For example, the baggage inspection system 1 may be equipped with a three-dimensional object detection device that scans a three-dimensional detection area with inspection light and detects objects within the detection area by receiving reflected light of the inspection light, and the object detection unit may detect objects to be monitored in each of the prohibited area A1 and warning area A2 based on the detection results by the three-dimensional object detection device.

[0073] In addition, the baggage inspection system 1 may be equipped with a heat detection device that detects objects that emit heat, and the object detection unit may detect objects to be monitored in each of the prohibited area A1 and the warning area A2 based on the detection results by the heat detection device.

[0074] (Variation 5) In the above-described embodiment, the baggage inspection system 1 includes one photographing device 112, but the baggage inspection system 1 may include two or more photographing devices 112. The positions of the photographing devices 112 are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiment. For example, the baggage inspection system 1 may include a first photographing device arranged so as to include the prohibited area A11 and the warning area A21 in its angle of view, and a second photographing device arranged so as to include the prohibited area A12 and the warning area A22 in its angle of view.

[0075] (Variation 6) In the above-described embodiment, the inspection line irradiation device 106 is provided with a plurality of inspection line irradiation elements arranged one-dimensionally on a line, but the inspection line irradiation device 106 may be provided with a plurality of inspection line irradiation elements arranged two-dimensionally, for example, on a rectangular plane. Also, the inspection line irradiation device 106 may be provided with one scanning line irradiation element and a conveying unit that conveys the scanning line irradiation element back and forth at high speed in the left and right directions in the conveying direction of the baggage T. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...baggage inspection system, 100...control device, 101...inspection line shielding box, 102...conveying device, 103...conveying device, 104...inspection line blocking curtain, 105...inspection line blocking curtain, 106...inspection line irradiating device, 107...inspection line receiving device, 108...object detection sensor, 109...object detection sensor, 110...object detection sensor, 111...object detection sensor, 112...photographing device.

Claims

1. When an object is detected in a prohibited area that borders the baggage entrance / exit for the inspection space from the outside of the inspection space while an inspection line is being projected onto the baggage within the inspection space, the projection of the inspection line is stopped, and when an object is detected in a warning area that borders the prohibited area from the outside as viewed from the entrance / exit, a warning is issued without stopping the projection of the inspection line. Baggage inspection system.

2. After detecting that baggage has entered the inspection space, if an object is detected in the prohibited area until irradiation of the inspection line is completed, irradiation of the inspection line is prohibited, and if an object is detected in the warning area, irradiation of the inspection line is not prohibited but a warning is issued.

2. The baggage inspection system according to claim 1.

3. During the transportation of baggage toward the inspection space, if an object other than baggage is detected in the prohibited area or the warning area, a warning is issued.

3. A baggage inspection system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An image showing the shape of an object in an area including the prohibited area and the warning area is generated, and an object other than baggage is detected from the image.

4. The baggage inspection system according to claim 3.

5. Detecting people using image recognition 5. The baggage inspection system according to claim 4.

6. Determine whether an object in an image is baggage or not based on the movement path of the object 5. The baggage inspection system according to claim 4.

7. The image is a thermal image.

7. A baggage inspection system according to claim 4.

Images