Pre-Screened Object Routing for Security Checkpoint Bottlenecks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional object screening and handling systems in transportation infrastructure face inefficiencies and bottlenecks, leading to unsatisfactory passenger experiences due to the need for unscreened objects to pass through security checkpoints, which results in queues and reduced processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An automated security inspection and routing system that equips vehicles with hermetically sealed environments and on-board screening units, using various sensors and scanners to measure and communicate screening parameters to a departure terminal system, allowing for pre-screening of objects en route, thereby bypassing traditional security checkpoints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional security checkpoints are used to screen all objects, then security standards are maintained, but processing efficiency deteriorates due to bottlenecks and queues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs security screening of objects in advance during transport to the departure terminal, rather than screening all objects at the checkpoint. Objects are pre-screened using sensors and imaging devices in the vehicle, allowing cleared objects to bypass the main security queue and be loaded directly, thus eliminating waiting time while maintaining security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If all objects are screened at security checkpoints, then security reliability is ensured, but device complexity increases due to checkpoint infrastructure requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoidcheckpoint infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screening function is extracted from the fixed checkpoint infrastructure and relocated to the mobile vehicle environment. Screening devices are mounted in the vehicle to screen objects during transport, eliminating the need for complex checkpoint infrastructure while maintaining security reliability through the same screening capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle acts as an intermediary between object collection and the departure terminal checkpoint. Objects are screened within the vehicle environment using onboard devices, and only cleared objects are transported to the terminal for loading, reducing the burden on checkpoint infrastructure while maintaining security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional checkpoint screening is used, then security coverage is comprehensive, but passenger experience deteriorates due to queues and bottlenecks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger experienceVSAvoidscreening throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Objects are screened in advance during vehicle transport to the terminal, allowing passengers to proceed directly to loading without queuing at security checkpoints. This preliminary screening maintains comprehensive security coverage while dramatically improving passenger experience by eliminating waiting lines and bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3673302B1System and method for object screening and handling
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 INTERNATIONAL CONSOLIDATED AIRLINES GROUP SA
  • EP3673302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3673302B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3673302B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

Systems and methods for automated security inspection and routing of in-transit objects are described. In one embodiment,a plurality of security screening devices are provided, each operable to output screening data of an in-transit object, including a first screening device located in a sealed environment of a vehicle for transporting the object towards a conveying system,including one or more measuring devices operable to measure screening parameters of the object when located in the sealed environment,and a second screening device in combination with conveying and routing components of the conveying system used to transport said objects from an ingress point through a conveyor junction to reach the second screening device. A control unit is assigned to the conveyor junction, wherein the control unit is configured to receive security data assigned on the basis of the screening data from the first screening device to the object upstream of the conveyor junction, and in response, to determine and set a routing direction on the basis of the assigned security data, whereby the object is directed downstream to a screening route for further screening by the second screening device, or to a loading route for objects cleared for loading.Other embodiments are also described and claimed.