Detection device for detecting at least one threat object in a baggage item

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detection device (10) for detecting at least one threat object (GO) in a baggage item (G), said detection device having a conveying device (20) for conveying the baggage items (G) along a conveying direction (FR) with a receiving portion (22) for receiving the baggage item (G) and a transfer portion (24) for transferring the baggage item (G), further having a detection unit (30) between the receiving portion (22) and the transfer portion (24) for carrying out a detection process for detecting at least one threat object (GO) in the baggage item (G), wherein the conveying device (20) has, between the receiving portion (22) and the transfer portion (24), a positioning portion (26) with positioning means (21) for adjusting the position of the baggage item (G) relative to the detection unit (30).

Description

[0001] Detection device for detecting at least one dangerous object in a piece of luggage

[0002] The present invention relates to a detection device for detecting at least one dangerous object in a piece of luggage and to a method for detecting at least one dangerous object using such a detection device.

[0003] It is well known that in security-relevant areas, such as airports, baggage must be checked for dangerous goods. So-called baggage scanners are already in use for this purpose. These scanners, for example, check passengers' hand luggage at the airport upon entering the security-relevant area. Common baggage scanners typically use X-ray devices capable of generating two-dimensional X-ray transmission images. Modern baggage scanners can also capture three-dimensional X-ray transmission images or even utilize other physical principles that, in particular, provide improved detection accuracy. These include, for example, X-ray diffraction technology.

[0004] A disadvantage of existing solutions is that, particularly with the use of new technologies such as X-ray diffraction, a significantly longer scanning time is required per piece of baggage. If such X-ray diffraction scanners are used in conjunction with CT scanners or conventional X-ray scanners, the overall throughput of such a combined baggage scanner is determined by the slowest scanning device—in this case, the highly accurate X-ray diffraction unit. The throughput of baggage correlates with the number of passengers potentially to be screened per hour. Since airports strive to achieve the highest possible throughput at their security checkpoints, there is a trade-off between high throughput and high accuracy.Until now, this conflicting objectives could only be resolved by using, for example, a large number of X-ray diffraction units that universally scan an entire suitcase for hazardous objects, which is very costly. This leads to a high level of complexity, usually very high costs, and therefore cannot be used economically, or only to a very limited extent.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide scanning devices for luggage in a cost-effective and simple manner that operate quickly and as accurately as possible.

[0006] The above object is achieved by a detection device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 12. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the detection device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0007] According to the invention, a detection device serves to detect at least one dangerous object in a piece of luggage. For this purpose, the detection device has a conveyor device for conveying the pieces of luggage along a conveyor device. This conveyor device is equipped with a receiving section for receiving the piece of luggage and a transfer section for transferring the piece of luggage. Furthermore, such a detection device has a detection unit between the receiving section and the transfer section, which can carry out a detection method for detecting at least one dangerous object in the piece of luggage. The conveyor device is equipped with a positioning section between the receiving section and the transfer section, which has positioning means for adjusting the position of the piece of luggage relative to the detection unit.

[0008] The core idea of ​​the invention is based on further developing a known baggage scanner into a detection device. Dangerous objects that are to be detected can be defined as dangerous, for example, by a corresponding material, shape, or usability. For example, all forms of weapons, in particular firearms, but also explosives or the like, are dangerous objects within the meaning of the present invention. Since such a detection device can also be used in other sensitive areas, other definitions for dangerous objects are also possible, depending on the application situation. For example, the search for certain drugs, the search for liquids, or the like can also be understood as the detection of at least one dangerous object within the meaning of the present invention. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "piece of baggage" is to be understood broadly.Depending on the application situation, this could be understood as hand luggage, checked luggage, a parcel, an envelope, or any other object in which an object is at least temporarily contained that is not visible from the outside. A "dangerous object" within the meaning of the present invention can be defined as an "object of interest," whereby the type of interest depends on the intended use of the detection device. This can be due to the dangerousness (explosives, weapons, etc.) of the object itself, but also due to its value (jewelry, ivory, etc.), its legality (narcotics, cash, etc.), or similar attributes.

[0009] As with known baggage scanners, the present invention also uses a conveyor device to pick up the pieces of baggage and guide them through the recognition unit of the recognition device. A recognition unit can be designed as desired in a first step, but is particularly used to scan the pieces of baggage. In particular, technologies such as an X-ray scanner, an X-ray diffraction unit, a computer tomography scanner, or the like can be used here. As explained later, multiple recognition units can also be combined, particularly through the use of the pre-recognition unit defined and described in more detail later.

[0010] The core concept of the invention is based on the use of a detection unit that can only examine part of the piece of luggage, and on the ability to adjust the position of the pieces of luggage relative to the detection unit so that the part of the piece of luggage containing an object of interest is examined. For this purpose, the conveyor device is equipped with positioning means in a positioning section. These positioning means are designed differently depending on requirements and positioning direction. In the simplest case, this can be a fast- or slow-running conveyor belt in this part of the conveyor device in order to reduce the time intervals between the individual pieces of luggage when adjusting the position of the piece of luggage relative to the detection unit.According to the invention, a position adjustment can be achieved simply by reducing the distances between the pieces of luggage. A better position adjustment can be achieved by shifting the position transversely, longitudinally, and / or rotationally relative to the detection unit, as will also be explained in more detail later.

[0011] Due to the possibility that a targeted and active positioning of the respective piece of luggage can now take place with a recognition device according to the invention, many disadvantages of previous solutions can be overcome. For example, a piece of luggage can be positioned in such a way that exactly the relevant region, which can also be referred to as the danger zone or ROI (“Region of Interest”), moves into the recognition section in which the recognition unit can carry out the recognition process. In other words, it is now possible for such a recognition unit to no longer cover the entire area of ​​the conveyor device, but rather the recognition section is designed to be smaller than the conveyor device and in particular the conveyor width. By positioning the piece of luggage in the desired relative position to this recognition unit and thus also to the

[0012] Detection section, it becomes possible to specifically examine the area of ​​the baggage that is to be examined with a high degree of precision. Other, less relevant areas of the baggage can be excluded from the scan in this way, which can result in a cost advantage in the design of the detection device and / or a time advantage. Because the focus is on a small portion of the conveyor width of the conveyor device, it is now possible to use more expensive and better technologies for the detection unit, as they can be restricted to a relatively limited detection section. Mechanical movement of such small detection units is also not necessary, as the baggage itself can be relatively changed in terms of position using the positioning means.In particular, the mechanical movement of the detection units represents a disadvantage, as this must be done very quickly and precisely and is therefore complex and expensive.

[0013] The mechanical mobility provided by the positioning means for the luggage pieces thus allows for a more cost-effective, smaller, and at the same time, better technological implementation of the detection unit in a detection device according to the invention. In the simplest case, the conveying speed of the luggage pieces is changed so that the distances between the individual pieces are minimized. The more complex relative positioning arrangements, which will be explained in more detail later, also serve to increase the overall throughput of the luggage pieces or at least maintain it at the same level despite the increased scanning accuracy with the detection unit.

[0014] It can be advantageous if, in a detection device according to the invention, the positioning means have at least one positioning direction that differs from the conveying direction. This can be, for example, a positioning direction transverse or substantially transverse to the conveying direction. Angular arrangements, in particular acute-angled alignments between the positioning direction and the conveying direction, are of course also possible. If multiple positioning means are provided, the positioning means preferably all have an identical positioning direction. In addition to a solution with individually mounted positioning means, for example rollers or balls that can be freely driven with respect to their positioning direction, freely drivable rollers or even individual, narrow conveyor belts can also be used for positioning.

[0015] It is also advantageous if, in a detection device according to the invention, the positioning means have at least one positioning direction which is aligned along or substantially along the conveying direction. As already explained at the beginning, positioning the piece of luggage also means that the piece of luggage is conveyed more slowly or more quickly relative to the detection unit. Positioning along the conveying direction allows precisely this change in relative speed, at least for a short period of time, so that, for example, by exploiting the existing distances between the pieces of luggage and reducing the speed, the individual pieces of luggage can move closer together and thus simultaneously be conveyed more slowly through the detection unit and in particular into the detection section.In addition to changing the speed, multiple positioning is also conceivable, allowing, for example, the luggage to be pushed back and forth or moved forwards and backwards. For example, if a pre-alarm has been triggered for a piece of luggage, multiple scanning or a line-by-line scan of the entire piece of luggage can be ensured in such an individual case by moving the positioning devices back and forth accordingly.

[0016] Further advantages are also achieved if, in a detection device according to the invention, the positioning section at least overlaps with a detection section in which the detection unit can carry out the detection method. Because the positioning functionality is integrated or at least partially integrated into the detection section, the overall geometric extension along the conveying direction can be reduced. In other words, the dimensions of a detection device along the conveying direction are reduced because the detection function in the detection section and the positioning function in the positioning section are now arranged so as to at least partially overlap spatially. The positioning section and detection section preferably overlap completely in order to further enhance this advantage of reduced installation space, in particular the reduced overall length.

[0017] It is further advantageous if, in a detection device according to the invention, the positioning section has a positioning width that is greater than the luggage width of a typical piece of luggage and / or the conveying width of the conveying device in the receiving section. In particular, this is greater than twice the luggage width of a typical piece of luggage and / or the conveying width of the conveying device in the receiving section. In other words, the widening in the positioning section can ensure a division and thus a switching function as well as a parallelization function. If a pre-detection unit is used, this can be used to detect indications of hazardous objects in a piece of luggage. This allows pieces of luggage to be classified as risky or non-risky.Baggage classified as non-risky can be conveyed directly through the detection unit in a type of fast lane, in particular bypassing the detection unit and thus skipping a detection process. Baggage classified as risky can be guided laterally into a type of scanning bay or detection bay, where it can be subjected to detection processes by the detection unit in parallel and at a conveyor speed independent of the non-risky baggage. This makes it possible, without affecting the overall throughput through the detection device, to feed only the baggage classified as risky to the detection unit for the detection process, while baggage classified as non-risky can be conveyed through the detection device in a type of overtaking lane.

[0018] It is further advantageous if, in a detection device according to the invention, the positioning means have at least two different positioning directions. Positioning directions are particularly designed along the conveying direction, transverse to the conveying direction, and / or rotating relative to the conveying direction. The more positioning directions the positioning means provide, the more flexible the positioning options and the positioning accuracy. Depending on the actual application situation desired—for example, whether the switch function described in the previous paragraph or the alignment to detection routes described later—different combinations of positioning directions can be advantageous.

[0019] It is further advantageous if, in a detection device according to the invention, a pre-detection unit is arranged between the receiving section and the detection unit for detecting hazardous areas within the piece of luggage, wherein the positioning means are preferably arranged at least partially downstream of the pre-detection unit. As already explained, such a hazardous area can also be referred to as a region of interest (ROI). A pre-detection unit, for example in the form of a computer tomography scanner or an X-ray line scanner, can be used to determine whether a piece of luggage has such a hazardous area and is therefore risky or not. This pre-detection unit can preferably even localize these hazardous areas within the pieces of luggage, so that pieces of luggage classified as risky are equipped with a partial area relating to a hazardous area.The pre-detection unit thus allows information to be obtained that localizes the danger zone and then provides the positioning devices with this position of the danger zone in the baggage. This makes it possible to fundamentally distinguish between risky and non-risky baggage, but also to enable the precise positioning of danger zones within a baggage within a detection unit that can thus be made even smaller.

[0020] It is further advantageous if, in a detection device according to the invention, at least one position detection unit is provided for detecting an actual position of the piece of luggage at least in the receiving section and / or in the positioning section. Such position detection units can, for example, be equipped with visual detection means, in particular camera detection means. Alternatively or additionally, weight detection, outline detection, or pressure detection on the conveyor device are also conceivable in principle. If camera devices are used as a position detection unit, they can, in particular, be provided multiple times at different locations in order to be able to check not only the detection from an actual position, but also the achievement of a target position of a predetermined positioning result.Furthermore, X-ray fluoroscopy units can also be used as position detection units.

[0021] Further advantages can be achieved if, in a detection device according to the invention, the detection unit has at least two detection modules, each with its own module detection section. The module detection sections are arranged at a distance from one another along the conveying direction. In particular, the module detection sections extend along a straight line, as will be explained later, and thus form a module detection line. If, for example, an X-ray diffraction unit is used as the detection unit, the quality of the X-ray diffraction depends heavily on how many photons reach the respective detector. To increase the number of photons, it has previously been possible to use a more powerful, and thus more expensive and energy-intensive, X-ray source.The only alternative so far has been to reduce the conveyor speed along the conveyor direction to such an extent that, even with weaker X-ray sources, a sufficient number of photons is available to irradiate the baggage due to the increased scanning time. In this design of a detection unit with multiple detection modules, several diffraction units can be connected in series. In particular, this unit is equipped with a common X-ray source. Because the module detection sections are now arranged one after the other in the conveyor direction, the baggage, and thus in particular the danger zone of the baggage, now passes through such module detection sections multiple times.The results from each module detection section can then be summed up, so that summing up and thus increasing the amount of photons without slowing down the conveyor speed leads to a more accurate analysis option when using X-ray diffraction for the detection unit.

[0022] It may be advantageous if, in the detection device according to the preceding paragraph, the module detection sections are arranged along a straight line or substantially along a straight line, in particular in or substantially in the conveying direction. In other words, this allows for very simple lateral displacement and, in particular, no additional lateral installation space is required.

[0023] It is also advantageous if, in a detection device according to the invention of the two preceding paragraphs, the detection unit has a common X-ray source with a distribution module for distributing the X-ray radiation to the individual detection modules. The use of a common X-ray source allows for further cost reduction as well as a reduction in the required installation space and complexity. Via the distribution module and the collimators arranged downstream, each detection module now has its own collimator as well as its own detector units opposite one another, in order to be able to perform X-ray diffraction as a scanning method and detection method in the manner according to the invention and thus summably. A further subject of the present invention is a method for detecting at least one dangerous object in a piece of luggage using a detection device according to the present invention, comprising the following steps:

[0024] - Picking up a piece of luggage in the receiving section of the conveyor,

[0025] - Changing the position of the piece of luggage using the positioning means relative to the detection unit,

[0026] - Carrying out a detection process of at least one dangerous object by means of the detection unit on the piece of luggage in a changed position,

[0027] - Outputting a recognition result of the recognition process.

[0028] A method according to the invention, through the use of a detection device according to the invention, brings with it the same advantages as have been explained in detail with reference to a detection device according to the invention. In the simplest case, the output of the detection method can be a detection result, for example an alarm signal when a dangerous object is detected. If no dangerous object is detected, i.e. the piece of luggage is free of a dangerous object after the detection method, a release signal can also be issued. Based on the respective signal, for example, a downstream switch can be controlled in order to be able to divert pieces of luggage containing the dangerous object from the belt to a separate area. The definition of a dangerous object is to be understood in such a way that it can mean any type of object that the user of the method defines as dangerous or otherwise of interest.

[0029] It can be advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, after the recognition process has been carried out, the position of the piece of luggage is changed again by means of the positioning means, in particular to the position of the piece of luggage in the receiving section. In other words, the position of the piece of luggage is reset, so that the individual pieces of luggage, relative to one another and relative to the recognition unit, leave the recognition device via the transfer section in the same position as they were received in the receiving section. This results in a repositioning of the individual pieces of luggage that is no longer detectable from the outside.

[0030] It is further advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the position of the piece of luggage is changed again by means of the positioning means before, after, and / or during a recognition section of the recognition unit. In other words, a position change can occur during the execution of the recognition process, but also in preparation for a subsequent pass of the recognition process. Thus, a lateral shift and even a forward and backward movement can lead to a linear scan of the piece of luggage.

[0031] It is also advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, a pre-detection of a danger section is carried out by means of a pre-detection unit and the position of the piece of luggage is adjusted on the basis of the result of the pre-detection unit, in particular in at least one of the following ways:

[0032] - if there is no danger zone, acceleration of the baggage,

[0033] - if a danger zone is detected, positioning the danger zone in a detection zone of the detection unit,

[0034] - if at least two danger sections are detected, positioning on a detection route for carrying out the detection procedure at the at least two danger sections detected.

[0035] The above list is not exhaustive. This variation is particularly useful when the previously discussed detection bay is used, i.e., a high-risk piece of baggage is positioned in the detection unit, while non-risky pieces of baggage without a hazardous section can be driven directly through the detection device in a passing lane.

[0036] Further advantages can also be achieved if, in a method according to the invention, the recognition process is carried out multiple times, particularly for different areas of the baggage. This is based in particular on the detection of danger zones, which can be scanned accordingly in a specific and targeted manner. A complete scan of the baggage is also possible in this way within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. They show schematically:

[0038] Fig. 1 an embodiment of a classic baggage scanner,

[0039] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an inventive

[0040] detection device,

[0041] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of an inventive

[0042] luggage device,

[0043] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of an inventive

[0044] luggage device,

[0045] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of an inventive

[0046] luggage device,

[0047] Fig. 6 an embodiment of an inventive

[0048] luggage device,

[0049] Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of an inventive

[0050] luggage device,

[0051] Fig. 8a to d a variant of multiple scanning of a piece of luggage,

[0052] Fig. 9 an embodiment of an inventive

[0053] detection device,

[0054] Fig. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 is a further embodiment of the detection device according to the invention.

[0055] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a conventional baggage scanner that conveys baggage items G along a conveying direction FR through the detection device 10. In the receiving section 22, the baggage items G are picked up on the conveyor device 20, guided through the detection section 32 of the detection unit 30, and finally conveyed out of the detection device 10 via the transfer section 24. The speed and thus the throughput of baggage items in this embodiment depends exclusively on the scanning quality of the detection unit.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a first further development according to the invention with regard to the recognition device 10 of Figure 1. Here, a positioning section 26 is shown downstream of the receiving section 22. This has four individually drivable rollers as positioning means 21, which are able to accelerate the speed of the piece of luggage G and thus reduce the schematically shown distances between the different pieces of luggage G. Without changing the overall conveyor speed and with a longitudinally extending positioning direction PR, an increase in throughput is thus ensured, since in the same unit of time a larger number of pieces of luggage with a smaller distance can be checked using a recognition method. Alternatively, the time saved can be used for a longer scanning time while maintaining the same throughput.

[0057] Figure 3 further develops the embodiment of Figure 2 in that a positioning section 26 is now provided in front of the transfer section 24. This allows the luggage items G to be repositioned and accelerated again, so that they are conveyed out of the detection device 10 at similar intervals as they enter it.

[0058] Figure 4 shows a further development of the detection device. The cost of the detection unit 30 was reduced here, allowing a more cost-effective module with a significantly smaller detection section 32 to be used. This now requires the pieces of luggage G to be shifted laterally, resulting not only in a reduction in the distance between the luggage as in Figures 2 and 3, but also in transverse positioning of the conveying direction FR with a second positioning direction PR. As shown in Figure 4, individual pieces of luggage G are now aligned so that the hazardous objects GO are located in the respective position of the detection section 32. This now allows the desired detection accuracy to be maintained despite the significantly smaller design of the detection section, based on the more cost-effective and smaller design of the detection unit.Here, too, repositioning takes place with a further positioning section 26 shortly before the transfer section 24.

[0059] Figure 4 also shows a position detection unit 50 as an input sensor. This can be designed, for example, as a camera and can precisely detect the position of the luggage items G in the receiving section 22. This information is then made available to the positioning sections 26 and serves as the initial value for performing the positioning.

[0060] Figure 5 shows a further development in which a rotation as the positioning direction PR around the axis perpendicular to the drawing plane is possible. This not only allows the distances between the pieces of luggage G to be reduced, but also, through the rotation into an improved orientation, their extension in the conveying direction FR to be reduced. Similar to the design in Figures 2 and 3, this allows for further acceleration and increased throughput, making it possible to increase throughput even more than is the case with the aforementioned variants.

[0061] Figure 6 shows a further embodiment, which is now equipped with a pre-detection unit 40. A piece of luggage G is picked up in the receiving section 22 and passes through the pre-detection unit 40. In this unit, it is possible to define a danger zone ROI, in which a dangerous object GO may be located. The subsequently arranged positioning means 21 in the positioning section 26 now displace the piece of luggage G such that the danger zone ROI coincides with the reduced detection section 32 as it is conveyed onward. As can be seen in the progression to the left, the danger zones ROI are now guided into the detection section 32 in such a way that detection of any dangerous objects GO possibly contained therein is provided and guaranteed.

[0062] Figure 7 shows a further development with a lateral detection area or detection bay. For this purpose, the positioning width PB is significantly wider, in particular more than twice as wide as the baggage width GB and / or the conveying width FB. Here, too, a pre-detection unit 40 is used, which can differentiate between the pieces of baggage as risky, i.e. with a danger zone ROI, and non-risky, i.e. without a danger zone ROI. Only pieces of baggage G classified as risky are positioned downwards via the positioning section 26, i.e. to the left in the conveying direction FR, in order to then pass through a second detection section 32 at the same speed or slower. This decoupling of the detection speed between risky and non-risky pieces of baggage G takes place. The second positioning section 26 again serves to reposition the pieces of baggage G and thus returns them to the normal flow in the conveying device 20.

[0063] Figures 8a to 8d show a multiple, line-by-line scanning of a piece of luggage G with two positioning directions PR, which are capable of moving the piece of luggage G back and forth. This makes it possible to completely scan even larger pieces of luggage G, even with a very small detection section 32.

[0064] Figures 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of a detection device 10 according to the invention. Here, a common X-ray source 38 is provided, which exposes various detection modules 34 to X-ray radiation via a distribution module 39. It is shown only as an example that the X-ray source 38 is located below the conveyor device 20; it could also be arranged above or at an angle. This makes it possible, as shown in Figure 9, to form several module detection sections 36, arranged one behind the other along the conveying direction FR. When passing through a detection device 10 according to Figure 9, the piece of luggage G is now checked again with a pre-detection unit 40 in a pre-detection section 42.If it is classified as risky, it is moved laterally along the transversely arranged positioning direction PR using the positioning means 21, so that the piece of luggage now passes through all module detection sections 36 along a detection route ER. Since the module detection sections 36 are now passed through multiple times, the respective detection results can be summed, and, particularly when using X-ray diffraction for this detection unit 30, an improved analysis result can be provided.

[0065] In Figure 11, the design of Figures 9 and 10 is further developed to allow for rotational positioning. With two or more hazard objects GO arranged in the baggage item G, this allows for complex relative alignments and thus positioning of the baggage item in order to position all hazard objects GO along a common detection route ER, in particular one extending along a straight line.

[0066] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples.

[0067] List of reference symbols

[0068] 10 Detection device

[0069] 20 Conveyor device

[0070] 21 Positioning devices

[0071] 22 Recording section

[0072] 24 Transfer section

[0073] 26 Positioning section

[0074] 30 detection unit

[0075] 32 Recognition section

[0076] 34 Detection module

[0077] 36 Module detection section

[0078] 38 X-ray source

[0079] 39 Distribution module

[0080] 40 Pre-detection unit

[0081] 42 Pre-detection section

[0082] 50 Position detection unit

[0083] FR conveying direction

[0084] PR positioning direction

[0085] PB positioning width

[0086] GB Luggage width

[0087] FB conveyor width

[0088] G piece of luggage

[0089] GO Dangerous object

[0090] ROI danger zone

[0091] ER detection route

Claims

Patent claims 1. Detection device (10) for detecting at least one dangerous object (GO) in a piece of luggage (G), comprising a conveyor device (20) for conveying the pieces of luggage (G) along a conveying direction (FR) with a receiving section (22) for receiving the piece of luggage (G) and a transfer section (24) for transferring the piece of luggage (G), further comprising a detection unit (30) between the receiving section (22) and the transfer section (24) for carrying out a detection method for detecting at least one dangerous object (GO) in the piece of luggage (G), wherein the conveyor device (20) has a positioning section (26) between the receiving section (22) and the transfer section (24) with positioning means (21) for adjusting the position of the piece of luggage (G) relative to the detection unit (30).

2. Detection device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning means (21) have at least one positioning direction (PR) which differs from the conveying direction (FR).

3. Detection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning means (21) have at least one positioning direction (PR) which is aligned along or substantially along the conveying direction (FR).

4. Recognition device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning section (26) at least overlaps with a recognition section (32) in which the recognition unit (30) can carry out the recognition method.

5. Detection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning section (26) has a positioning width (PB) which is greater than the luggage width (GB) of a typical piece of luggage (G) and / or the conveying width (FB) of the conveying device (20) in the receiving section (22), in particular greater than twice the luggage width (GB) of a typical piece of luggage (G). and / or the conveying width (FB) of the conveying device (20) in the receiving section (22).

6. Detection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning means (21) have at least two different positioning directions (PR).

7. Detection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pre-detection unit (40) is arranged between the receiving section (22) and the detection unit (30) for detecting danger areas (ROI) within the piece of luggage (G), wherein the positioning means (21) are preferably arranged at least partially after the pre-detection unit (40).

8. Detection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one position detection unit (50) is provided for detecting an actual position of the piece of luggage (G) at least in the receiving section (22) and / or in the positioning section (26).

9. Detection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection unit (30) has at least two detection modules (34), each with its own module detection section (36), wherein the module detection sections (36) are arranged spaced apart from one another along the conveying direction (FR).

10. Detection device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the module detection sections (36) are arranged along a straight line or substantially along a straight line, in particular in or substantially in the conveying direction (FR).

11. Detection device (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the detection unit (30) has a common X-ray source (38) with a distribution module (39) for distributing the X-ray radiation to the individual detection modules (34).

12. A method for detecting at least one dangerous object (GO) in a piece of luggage (G) by means of a detection device (10) having the features of one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: Picking up a piece of luggage (G) in the receiving section (22) of the conveyor device (20), Changing the position of the piece of luggage (G) by means of the positioning means (21) relative to the detection unit (30), Carrying out a detection process of at least one dangerous object (GO) by means of the detection unit (30) on the piece of luggage (G) in a changed position, Outputting a recognition result of the recognition process.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that after the recognition method has been carried out, the position of the piece of luggage (G) is changed again by means of the positioning means (21), in particular into the position of this piece of luggage (G) in the receiving section (22).

14. Method according to one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that the position of the piece of luggage (G) is changed again by means of the positioning means (21) before, after and / or in a recognition section (32) of the recognition unit (30).

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a pre-detection of a danger zone (ROI) is carried out by means of a pre-detection unit (40) and on the basis of the result of the pre-detection unit (40) the position of the piece of luggage (G) is adjusted, in particular in at least one of the following ways: If there is no danger zone (ROI), acceleration of the baggage (G), When a danger zone (ROI) is detected, positioning this danger zone (ROI) in a detection section (32) of the detection unit (30), If at least two danger sections (ROI) are detected, positioning on a detection route (ER) for carrying out the detection procedure at the at least two detected danger sections (ROI).

16. Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the recognition method is carried out several times, in particular for different areas of the piece of luggage (G).

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