Cross-Border Baggage Screening Image Sharing for Faster Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing baggage handling systems in travel carriers face inefficiencies and high costs due to manual processes, data entry errors, and resource constraints, particularly in high-volume travel scenarios like cruise ships, leading to delays and increased operational expenses.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes networked scanning devices to extract baggage data, convert it into structured security screening image (SSI) file sharing data, and transmit it across borders for real-time security screening, allowing for automated processing and reduced manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual baggage handling processes are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is reduced and loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebaggage processing speedVSAvoidmanual operation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service baggage processing where scanning devices automatically capture baggage data, the system retrieves security screening images, performs format conversion, and transmits data without requiring manual intervention at each step, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical processes are replaced with an automated electronic system that uses scanning devices to capture data, computer systems to retrieve and process images, and automated transmission protocols to share data across borders, eliminating manual labor while preserving operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If automated data processing is implemented, then productivity increases and loss of time decreases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing timeVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs universal, standardized protocols for data exchange and image format conversion that can handle multiple baggage types and security requirements through a single unified platform, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems and thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining fast processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces standardized data formats and protocols as intermediaries between different security authorities and baggage handling systems, enabling seamless automated data exchange without requiring complex custom integrations, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining high processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If security screening image data is shared across borders, then reliability of security screening is improved, but loss of information and data transmission errors may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity screening accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates accurate digital copies of security screening images and converts them to standardized formats that preserve all essential information while enabling efficient transmission across borders, ensuring that the copied data maintains the same reliability as the original for security screening purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the format parameters of security screening images to standardized structures that are optimized for transmission and processing, converting images into formats that maintain all critical security information while being more suitable for cross-border data exchange, thereby preserving reliability during transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12525065B2System and method for security data file sharing with screening contents image file

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 MATEER CRAIG

AI summary

Provided is a system and method for security data file sharing, the method including: obtaining passenger data including a passenger name record (PNR) locator linked to a passenger, a passenger name of the passenger, and a unique baggage identifier for a checked-in luggage item of the passenger; retrieving a security screening image (SSI) representative of contents of the checked-in luggage item; converting the SSI and at least a portion of the passenger data into SSI file sharing data for a security screening tool; transmitting the SSI file sharing data to a secure system associated with a border crossing airport to be used by a second security authority to perform a security screening process on the checked-in luggage item; receiving a first screening message associated with a result; and causing the result to be displayed, wherein the result is one of: a first result representative of cleared security screening; or a second result representative of failed security screening, wherein one or more of the passenger or the checked-in luggage item that failed the security screening are flagged for further security inspection.