Security check arrangement

Abstract

Security check arrangement (1), comprising at least one or a plurality of security check lanes (2); the security check lane (2) comprises: - a plurality of drop-off locations (10), where passengers (8) drop off personal items, in particular baggage items, into trays (9); - a pick-up location (20), where said passengers (8) pick up said personal items from said trays (9); - a conveyor arrangement (7) adapted to convey said tray (9) from the plurality of drop-off locations (10) to the pick-up location (20) and forming a conveying path (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up location (20); - item scanner (3) located in the conveying path (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up location (20); characterized in that the security check lane (2) comprises - a plurality of item scanners (3), - a plurality of pick-up-locations (20); wherein the conveyor arrangement (7) forms a plurality of conveying paths (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up locations (20).

Description

[0001] security check arrangement description

[0002] The invention refers to a security check arrangement.

[0003] Conventional security checks at airports form in general a linear arrangement, each having a drop-off location and one pick-up location. A linear conveyor connects the drop-off location and the pick-up location wherein an item scanner based on X-Ray technology is located between the drop-off location and the pick-up location. In previous years each object passing the scanner was supervised by a dedicated operator, leading to a slow operation of the scanner. The scanners were fully utilized where the passengers had enough time to drop-off their items. Scanning one item could take up to a minute in particular if an item has to be scanned twice in another posture (see also figure 1). The bottleneck here is the capacity of the scanning process.

[0004] Newer security check arrangements use faster scanners, the technology of which is based on computer tomography supported with Al. Here the scanner requires only a few seconds for scanning an item. Evaluation is performed automatically. Only random samples are checked by an operator (see also figure 2). The bottleneck here are the passengers which sometimes cannot prepare their items and themselves fast enough. Such a system is disclosed in EP3630613 B1 , also published as US 2020 / 0148483 A1. To optimize the utilization, each lane has more than one drop-off location, so that a plurality of passengers can drop-off their items at the same time.

[0005] WO 2022 / 064047 A2 discloses 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 the 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. The control device is configured to operate the sensor to sense the person residing in the inner space; drive the projector to project instructions to the person, associated with the operating of he sensor. A plurality of such scanning devices can be combined with a plurality of hand luggage scanning apparatuses.

[0006] EP 1 091 895 B1 discloses a system for conveying items comprising, at least one loading station for loading items onto trays, at least one discharge station for discharging items from the trays, a first conveyor and a second conveyor for conveying articles, each article comprising a tray carrying at least one item. The first conveyor being arranged for conveying articles from the at least one loading station and to an article storage arrangement and said second conveyor being arranged for conveying articles from the article storage arrangement and to the at least one discharge station. An article storage arrangement comprising a plurality of storage units in each of which a plurality of articles may be stored, means for moving articles from the first conveyor and to each of the plurality of storage units, and means for moving articles from each of the plurality of storage units and to the second conveyor.

[0007] US 2012 / 0228377 A1 discloses an automated screening system, comprising: a plurality of induction kiosks, each configured induct scanning units loaded with at least one item to be scanned from an individual, to scan a personal identifier of the individual, and to associate the personal identifier with the respective scanning units; an imager configured to image the loaded scanning units to produce a scanned image corresponding to each loaded scanning unit; a plurality of return kiosks, each configured to return the loaded scanning units to the individual and to scan the personal identifier of the individual; and a conveyor system configured to convey the loaded scanning units from the induction kiosks, through the imager, and to return the scanning unit to the individual at the return kiosk that scanned the personal identifier associated with the respective scanning units.

[0008] It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved item security check arrangement. The object is solved by a security check arrangement and a method according to the main claims. Embodiments are subject of the subclaims and the description.

[0009] Accordingly the security check lane comprises a plurality of item scanners and a plurality of pick-up-locations, wherein the conveyor arrangement is forming a plurality of conveying paths between the drop-off locations and the pick-up locations.

[0010] The plurality of drop-off locations and the plurality of pick-up locations enable, that the different devices are operated at the best possible utilization rate, thereby enabling to selectively shut off several devices for reducing energy consumption and personal effort.

[0011] A security check lane is to be understood as an arrangement of devices having at least a dropoff location, a pick-up location and a conveyor arrangement connecting said drop-off location with said pick-up location so that an item is conveyed from said drop-off location to said pickup location thereby passing the item scanner. A security check arrangement comprises at least one of those security check lanes.

[0012] The invention comprises also an airport having a security check arrangement according to any of the claims, wherein the security check arrangement is located where passengers enter a safety area from a non-safety area of the airport.

[0013] A non-limiting example of the invention is described with respect to the figures; herein show fig. 1 a conventional security check arrangement in top view; fig. 2 another conventional security check arrangement in top view; fig. 3 a security check arrangement according to the invention in top view; fig. 4 a table showing the allocation between the drop-off location and the pick-up location in the arrangement of figure 3; fig. 5 a display of a drop-off terminal in the arrangement of figure 3; fig. 6 an information display in the drop-off area in the arrangement of figure 3; fig. 7 a display of a pick-up terminal in the arrangement of figure 3.

[0014] Figures 1 and 2 each show conventional security check arrangements 1 , which are described together. Such a security check arrangement 1 is typically located within an airport where passengers 8 enter a safety area B from a non-safety area A.

[0015] A security check arrangement 1 has a plurality, at least two, security check lanes 2 (in the following merely referred to as “lane”). Each lane 2 has a drop-off location 10 and a pick-up location 20. A passenger 8a located at the drop-off location 10 drops off his hand baggage or other items, in particular mobile phones, glasses, etc. in one of more trays 9. A passenger 8c located at the pick-up location 20 picks up his items out of the trays 9. Between the drop-off location 10 and the pick-up location 20 an item scanner 3 is provided, which scans the items for dangerous items, like weapons or explosive material. Any suspicious items will be sorted out to an item inspection location 30 for manual review by an officer.

[0016] The lane 2 has a conveyor arrangement 7 including a drop-off line 71 located between the drop-off location 10 and the item scanner 3 and a pick-up line 72 located between the item scanner 3 and the pick-up location 20. The inspection line 73 may be located downstream of the item scanner 3. Items can be transferred from the item scanner 3 in direction of the item inspection location 30 by means of an inspection transfer 32 branching off from the pick-up line 72. The items are transported in trays 9, which ensure proper conveying and orientation with in the item scanner 3.

[0017] Figure 1 shows a conventional embodiment where the item scanners 3 operate on X-Ray technology and provide a 2D image of the items. This technology requires detailed review by an officer in real time. In some cases, an additional item scan is required, resulting in a reverse movement of the conveyor. The size of the item scanner 3 and consequently also the tray 9 is small, so in average about 2,5 trays 9 are required for each passenger 8. This leads to a conventional architecture of the lane 2 as shown in figure 1 , where the bottleneck of capacity is scanning and evaluating the items. As a consequence, each lane 2 having exactly one dropoff location 10 and exactly one pick-up location 20. The passengers 8b already passed the person scanner 4 are usually queuing at the pick-up location 20, since the passengers 8 passing the person scanner 4 are usually faster than their dropped-off items passing the item scanner 3. As an example, each item scanner can has an average item scan rate C3 of 6 trays per minute.

[0018] Figure 2 shows a conventional embodiment in main similar to EP 3 630 613 B1 , where the item scanners 3 operate on computer tomography (CT) technology and provide a 3D image of the items. This technology uses an Al supported evaluation, where a detailed review by an officer is required only in very few cases. Usually no additional scans of items are required, leading to a smooth continuous conveying along the conveying lines 71 , 72. The item scanner 3 can scan larger objects, so that the trays 9 used in this embodiment are significantly larger than in the previous embodiment. In average about 1 ,5 trays 9 are required for each passenger 8. This leads to an conventional architecture of the lane 2 as shown in figure 2, where the passengers 8 form the limiting capacity. As a consequence, each lane 2 having more than one drop-off locations 10a, 10b, 10c and drop-off lines 71a, 7b, 71c - arranged in a tree structure -, so that more passengers 8a can drop-off their items at once. The pick-up location 20 is dimensioned larger, so that also more passengers 8c can pick-up their items at the same time. Exemplary, about 250 passengers 8 per hour can be handled in each lane 2. As an example, each item scanner can has an average item scan rate C3 of 15 trays per minute.

[0019] Figure 3 shows a security check arrangement 1 according to the invention which has at least one security check lane 2 (in the following merely referred to as “lane”). Each lane 2 has a plurality of drop-off locations 10 and a plurality of pick-up locations 20. Passengers 8a located at one of the drop-off location 10 drops off their items into trays 9 at the same time. Passengers 8c located at one of the item pick-up locations 20 pick-up their items from the trays 9 at the same time. Between the drop-off locations 10 and the pick-up locations 20 a plurality of item scanners 3 are provided, which scan the content of the trays 9 for dangerous items, like weapons or explosive material. In an unlikely event suspicious items will be sorted out to an item inspection location 30 for manual review by an officer.

[0020] The lane 2 has a conveyor arrangement 7 including a plurality of drop-off lines 71 located between the plurality of drop-off locations 10 and the item scanner 3 and a plurality of pick-up lines 72 located between the item scanner 3 and the pick-up locations 20. The inspection line 30 may be located downstream of the item scanner 3 An incoming distribution line 74 connects the drop-off lines 71 with the item scanners 3. An outgoing distribution line 75 connects the item scanners 3 with the pick-up lines 72 and the at least one inspection line 73. Accordingly, the conveyor forms conveying paths P between the drop-off locations 10 and the pick-up locations 20.

[0021] The incoming distribution line 74 comprises a selection of conveyors C, merges M, and transfers T, to selectively convey a tray 9 from one of the plurality of drop-off locations 10 to one the plurality of the item scanners 3. The outgoing distribution line 75 comprises a selection of conveyors C, merges M, and transfers T, to selectively convey a tray 9 from any of the plurality of item scanners 3 to any of the plurality of pick-up locations 20 and / or the item inspection locations 30. A merge M is to be understood as a conveyor device, in which two or more incoming upstream conveyor lines meet each other. A transfer T is a conveyor device, where a tray 9 can be selectively conveyed in one direction selected out of two possible downstream conveyor lines. The operation of the components of the conveyors arrangement 7, in particular the conveyor lines 71..75, the conveyors C, the merges M and the transfers T, is controlled by a plurality of zone controllers 86.

[0022] During a typical usage of the arrangement of figure 3, the current utilization of trays 9 is about 70 % of the maximum capacity. Therefore it is not required, that all item scanners 3 are operated. Accordingly, a third item scanner 3c is held in standby mode, whereas the remaining first, second and fourth item scanners 3a,b,d are operated at a utilization rate of nearly 100%. As soon as the utilization rate is increasing (e.g. by realizing queues of trays 9 upstream of the item scanners 3), the fourth item scanner 3c is put into operation.

[0023] In the same manner as in the previous embodiments, there are provided person scanners 4 wherein the passengers 8 are scanned for dangerous items.

[0024] The inventive security check arrangement 1 has a plurality of advantages with respect to flexibility. So depending on the amount of passengers 8 several drop-off locations 10 can be opened or closed.

[0025] Fully independent therefrom is the number of item scanners 3, which are currently in operation, they can be determined based on the numbers of trays 9 to be handled. Also the number of person scanners 4 in operation can be determined based on an actual demand.

[0026] This is based on the assumption, that the number of trays 9 in relation to the number of passengers passing the security checks may be different at different times. As an example, passengers 8 on business trips usually carry more hand baggage on their flight than families on a vacation flight. This leads to a differentiation, that sometimes the relation between passengers 8 and trays 9 vary between 1,5 and 2,5. Accordingly. During a business flight season a higher scan capacity is required in relation to the persons passing the security checks (fewer people utilize more item scanner). Accordingly, in a holiday flight season, lower scan capacity is required in relation to the persons passing the security checks. In both cases however for each passenger a drop off location needs to be provided.

[0027] The utilization of the different areas (drop-off location 10, item scanner 3, person scanner 4, pick-up location 20) within the security check arrangement 1 varies accordingly and independently from the other area.

[0028] The inventive security check arrangement 1 is configured to adapt the utilization of the different areas according to the temporarily changing demands.

[0029] In contrast to the conventional security check arrangement 1 and in particular due to the plurality of pick-up locations 20a..g, there is no intuitive indication present to the passenger 8, where he can expect to find his items. According to the invention, there is now made an allocation between individual trays 9 and individual passengers 8 and / or individual pick-up locations 20a..g.

[0030] In an embodiment, there is made a fixed allocation between the drop-off locations 10 and the pick-up locations 20, as shown in the table according to figure 4. For example, if a passenger 8 drops off his items at a drop-off location 10a clearly visible marked with an “A”, the user can expect his item at a pick-up location 20a clearly visible marked with an “A.

[0031] In another embodiment, there is made a dynamic allocation, based on free capacities. The trays 9 can be directed to any of a non-occupied pick-up location 20. To guide the passenger 8 to the correct pick-up location 20 an allocation is made between the passenger 8 and the trays 9, which is illustrated based on figures 5 to 7.

[0032] In each of the drop-off locations 10, a drop-off terminal 12 is provided (figure 5). At the drop-off terminal 12 the passenger 8 scans his boarding pass at a boarding pass scanner 14. Now a data allocation is made between an ID related to the passenger 8 and all trays 9 dropped off by said passenger 8. The ID of the passenger boarding pass may form the ID related to the passenger 8.

[0033] Therefore a tray scanner 13 is located at each drop-off location 10, which is adapted to determine a tray identifier 91. The tray scanner 13 is in the present embodiment attached to the drop-off terminal 12 (figure 5) or may alternatively be provided separated to the drop-off terminal 12. The tray scanner 13 may be a barcode reader (as shown in figure 5) or a QR- code reader or a RFID reader or any other kind of scanner depending on the kind of the tray identifier 91 of the tray 9.

[0034] An example for the drop-off location 10b is shown in figure 5. The allocation to the pick-up location (here location 20f) is communicated so that the passenger 8 is now informed where to pick-up his items (as option a)). Alternatively or in addition an anonymous pick-up ID is allocated to the passenger 8, here the ID is 227 (as option b)).

[0035] When the passenger 8 has passed the person scanner 4, there are the following options:

[0036] For option a) the passenger 8 can proceed to the allocated pick-up terminal 22, here pick-up location 20f (see figure 7).

[0037] In figure 6 option b) is explained. After a passenger 8 has passed the person scanner 4 the passenger can query for the allocated pick-up location 20. Here a terminal 21 may be provided as a public display 21 showing a plurality of allocations between the pick-up ID and the pick-up location 20. The passenger 8 can find the allocated correct pick-up location (“20f”) aligned with his pick-up ID (“227”).

[0038] Now the passenger 8 wants to access his items in the allocated pick-up location 20f. To grant the passenger 8 access to his items, the passenger 8 is requested to scan the boarding pass at a drop-off terminal 22 (figure 7). In case that the passenger 8 is allocated to the accesses pick-up location, the passenger 8 is granted access to his items. In case that the passenger 8 has accessed the pick-up terminal of a wrong pick-up location, the user refused to access his items at this location. In an embodiment the passenger 8 my is informed again about his pickup ID and / or the correct pick-up location at this pick-up terminal.

[0039] In case that the user has forgotten his pick-up ID, the user can approach any pick of the pickup terminals 21b. In countries with minor requirements in relation to data protection, the name of the passenger 8 may be displayed in alignment with the pick-up location in the display 12 of figure 6.

[0040] Access to the items and trays may be granted and denied in different ways. In a first embodiment the passenger 8 may be allowed I not allowed to enter the pick-up location, where the pick-up location is protected by a fence or barrier. In case the access is denied, the passenger 8 may be hindered to enter the pick-up location by a barrier. In an alternative embodiment, only case that the access is granted the tray will enter the respective pick-up location. Otherwise, the trays may be retained in a buffer area (not shown) until an authorized passenger 8 has identified himself at the pick-up terminal 20. The inventive security check arrangement 1 can have one or a plurality one of such lanes 2.

[0041] An airport is e.g. shown in figure 1 of WO 2021078689 A1 , the figure 1 and the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference. Such an airport has a safety area A and a nonsafety area B (see figure 3 according to the present invention). An inventive security check arrangement of the above described manner is located where passengers 8 enter said safety area from said non-safety area.

[0042] List of reference signs

[0043] 1 security check arrangement

[0044] 2 security check lane

[0045] 3 item scanner

[0046] C3 item scan rate

[0047] 4 person scanner

[0048] 7 conveyor arrangement

[0049] 8a passenger at drop-off location

[0050] 8b passenger at person inspection

[0051] 8c passenger at pick up location

[0052] 9 (item) tray

[0053] 91 tray identifier

[0054] 10 drop-off location

[0055] 12 drop-off terminal

[0056] 13 tray scanner at drop-off location

[0057] 14 boarding pass sensor

[0058] 20 pick-up location

[0059] 21a, b terminal as public display

[0060] 22 pick-up terminal

[0061] 30 item inspection location

[0062] 32 inspection transfer

[0063] 71 drop-off line

[0064] 72 pick-up line

[0065] 73 inspection line

[0066] 74 incoming distribution line

[0067] 75 outgoing distribution line

[0068] 76 zone controller

[0069] P conveying path

[0070] A non- safety area

[0071] B safety area

[0072] C conveyor

[0073] M merge

[0074] T transfer

Claims

Claims1. Security check arrangement (1), comprising at least one or a plurality of security check lanes (2); the security check lane (2) comprises:- a plurality of drop-off locations (10), where passengers (8) drop off personal items, in particular baggage items, into trays (9);- a pick-up location (20), where said passengers (8) pick up said personal items from said trays (9);- a conveyor arrangement (7) adapted to convey said tray (9) from the plurality of drop-off locations (10) to the pick-up location (20) and forming a conveying path (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up location (20);- item scanner (3) located in the conveying path (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up location (20); characterized in that the security check lane (2) comprises a plurality of item scanners (3), a plurality of pick-up-locations (20); wherein the conveyor arrangement (7) forms a plurality of conveying paths (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up locations (20).

2. Security check arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conveyor arrangement (7) is adapted to convey said trays (9) from the plurality of drop-off locations (10) to selectively one of the plurality of pick-up locations (20); that each item scanner (3) is located in one of the conveying paths (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up locations (20).

3. Security check arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each conveying path (P) is leading from the one of the drop-off locations (10) to selectively one of the plurality of pick-up locations (20) leading through one of the plurality of item scanners (3).

4. Security check arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security check arrangement (1) comprising at least one zone controller (76)adapted to control the operation of the conveyor arrangement (7) in a manner, that each of the trays (9) is selectively conveyed to one selected pick-up locations (20) selected out of the plurality of pick-up locations (20); and / or that the security check arrangement (1) comprising a plurality of zone controllers (76) adapted to control the operation of the conveyor arrangement (7) jointly in a manner, that each of the trays (9) is selectively conveyed to one of the selected pick-up locations (20) selected out of the plurality of pick-up locations (20).

5. Security check arrangement (1) according to 4, characterized in that the at least one zone controller (76) is adapted to control the operation of the conveyor arrangement (7) in a manner, that each of the trays (9) are provided with a unique identifier (91) and directing the trays (9) along the conveyor arrangement (7) is performing under consideration of said identifier (91).

6. Security check arrangement (1) according to any of the claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the at least one zone controller (76) is adapted to control the operation of the conveyor arrangement (7) in a manner, that each of the trays (9) is allocated to an identification of an individual passenger (8), in particular to a boarding pass of said passenger (8).

7. Security check arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one zone controller (76) is adapted to control the operation of the conveyor arrangement (7) in a manner, that each of the trays (9), which are allocated to an identification of the same individual passenger (8), are conveyed to the same pick-up location (20).

8. Security check arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of sensors (13) are adapted to detect an identification information (91) associated with an individual tray (9).

9. Security check arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bya plurality of sensors (14) adapted to detect an identification information associated to an individual passenger (8), in particular a barcode on a boarding pass.

10. Security check arrangement (1) according any of the preceding claims, characterized by a pick-up terminal (22) associated to at least one of the pick-up locations (20) and adapted to selectively grant and deny access of a passenger (8) to a tray (9) at a pick-up location (20), in particular the grant or deny access is performed by a barrier which can be selectively opened and closed.

11. Method of operating a security check arrangement (1) having at least one or a plurality of security check lanes (2); the security check lane (2) comprise: a plurality of drop-off locations (10), where passengers (8) drop off personal items, in particular baggage items, into trays (9); a plurality of pick-up locations (20), where said passengers (8) pick up said personal items from said trays (9); a conveyor arrangement (7) adapted to convey said tray (9) from the plurality of drop-off locations (10) to the pick-up locations (20) and forming conveying paths (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up locations (20); a plurality of item scanners (3) each located in one of the conveying paths (P) between the drop-off locations (10) and the pick-up locations (20); the method comprising the following steps: providing in said drop-of locations (10) a plurality of trays (9) to passengers (8), so that each passenger (8) can fill items into the trays (9); conveying said trays (9) filled with items from said drop off locations (10) selectively to one of said plurality of pick-up locations (20), thereby passing one of said plurality of item scanners (3).

12. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by the step of performing an allocation, so that said trays (9) are conveyed from an individual drop-off location (10a, 10b, ...) selectively to an individual pick-up location (20a, 20b, ...).

13. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said allocation is a statical allocation, wherein all trays (9) from an individual drop-off location (10a, 10b, ..) are conveyed to a predetermined individual pick-up location (14. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that said allocation is a dynamic allocation, wherein trays (9) from an individual drop-off location (10a, 10b, ..) are conveyed to various individual pick-up locations (20a, 20b, ..).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that trays (9) are allocated to an individual passenger (8), wherein all trays (9) allocated to a same individual passenger (8) are conveyed to the same pick-up- location (20).

16. Method according to any of the preceding method claims, characterized in that in a first mode of operation all item scanners (3) within one security check lane (2) are in an active mode of operation; and that in a second mode of operation at least one item scanner (3) within one security check lane (2) is held in an inactive mode of operation and at least one item scanner (3) within the same security check lane (2) is operated in the active mode of operation.

17. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in, that depending on a utilization rate of operation, an item scanner (3) within the security check lane (2) is selectively transferred between the active mode of operation and the inactive mode of operation.

18. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in, that at the same time another item scanner (3) within the same security check lane(2) is not transferred between the active mode of operation and the inactive mode of operation.

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