Radar-Based Security Screening for Moving Subjects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security screening technologies, such as x-ray and millimeter-wavelength systems, raise privacy concerns, are difficult to deploy due to their size, introduce health risks, and slow down the screening process by requiring individuals to remain still, making them impractical for high-traffic facilities.
Innovation Solution
A radar-based security screening system that uses a radar transmitter to steer a beam across a screening volume, receiving return signals to create a three-dimensional temporal signature, which is classified using a deep neural network model to detect and classify objects of interest, allowing for motion and reducing the need for stillness and anatomical imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging technologies (x-ray or millimeter-wavelength) are used to detect concealed objects, then detection capability is improved, but privacy is compromised due to anatomic details being provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary detection information (presence of concealed objects) while eliminating unnecessary information (anatomic details). The radar system processes signals to identify objects of interest without capturing or displaying detailed anatomical information, thus maintaining privacy while achieving detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different aspects of the data. High-resolution processing is applied only to regions containing potential objects of interest, while anatomical regions are processed at lower resolution or excluded from detailed analysis, thereby maintaining privacy in sensitive areas while preserving detection capability where needed.
2Measurement precision
If conventional imaging technologies are deployed, then detection capability is improved, but the systems are difficult to deploy due to their large size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems with a more compact radar-based electronic system. By using electromagnetic wave reflection principles and signal processing algorithms, the system achieves comparable or superior detection capability with significantly reduced physical footprint, making deployment much easier.
3Measurement precision
If conventional imaging technologies are used, then detection capability is improved, but health risks are introduced due to x-ray exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the imaging modality from ionizing radiation (x-rays) to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (radar waves). This parameter change maintains detection capability while eliminating the health risks associated with x-ray exposure, as radar waves at the used frequencies do not pose the same ionizing health risks.
4Measurement precision
If conventional imaging technologies are used, then detection capability is improved, but screening speed decreases because passengers must remain still for several seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static imaging approach (requiring the subject to remain still) to a dynamic radar-based approach that can track and process objects in motion. The system uses signal processing techniques to handle motion-induced variations in the radar returns, enabling screening of moving individuals without requiring them to stop or remain still, thereby dramatically improving screening speed.
5Measurement precision
If conventional imaging technologies are deployed, then detection capability is improved, but the systems introduce unacceptably long waits at security checkpoints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous screening operation by eliminating the need for individuals to stop or remain still. The radar system can process individuals as they continuously move through the screening area, maintaining a steady flow of traffic and eliminating the queues and waiting times that result from batch processing of stationary individuals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The radar-based system effectively detects objects while individuals are in motion, enhancing privacy, reducing deployment challenges, and increasing throughput by eliminating the need for stillness and minimizing anatomical detail exposure, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.
Implementation Method 1
A radar beam is steered across a screening volume. A return signal from the object is received over time
Implementation Method 2
A return signal from the object is received over time as the object moves in the screening volume
Data Source
AI summary
A radar-based security screening system for detecting objects is described. The screening system includes a radar transmitter, a radar receiver, and a processing unit. In use, the radar transmitter steers a radar beam across a screening volume. The radar receiver, in turn, receives a return signal from an object over time as the object moves in the screening volume to create a three-dimensional temporal signature for the object. The processing unit classifies the three-dimensional temporal signature utilizing a classification process based on a deep neural network model, and provides an alert when the object is classified as an object of interest. During screening, a screened person is not required to remain still in a confined volume and is not exposed to harmful radiation.