Robotic Tote Routing for Parallel Security Checkpoint Screening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current security checkpoint processes at locations like airports suffer from inefficiencies due to poor utilization rates of scanning machines and security personnel, leading to congestion and increased travel times for individuals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a checkpoint security system that includes computer-controlled vehicles for transporting personal items between intake locations, security scanners, and retrieval locations, along with a control system that directs these vehicles to optimize scanning and retrieval processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear security screening process is used with dedicated lanes, then each traveler can be screened systematically, but the utilization rates of scanning machines and security personnel are poor and lanes become congested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the security screening process into separate functional segments: personal screening and baggage scanning. Travelers are screened personally while their baggage is independently scanned by robots, allowing parallel processing and eliminating the bottleneck where travelers must wait for both personal and baggage screening to complete sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces autonomous robots as intermediaries to handle baggage transportation and scanning. These robots act as mediators between travelers and scanning machines, freeing travelers from waiting and allowing continuous operation of scanning equipment without human intervention delays.
2Reliability
If a linear security screening process is used with dedicated lanes, then each traveler can be screened systematically, but travel time for individuals increases due to congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the security screening process into separate functional segments: personal screening and baggage scanning. Travelers are screened personally while their baggage is independently scanned by robots, allowing parallel processing and eliminating the bottleneck where travelers must wait for both personal and baggage screening to complete sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation of scanning machines through robotic automation. Robots can continuously load, scan, and transport baggage without the interruptions that occur in manual systems, keeping scanning equipment constantly productive and reducing overall system processing time.
3Ease of operation
If manual baggage handling is used, then security personnel can directly operate scanners, but the utilization rates of scanning machines and security personnel are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through autonomous robots that independently perform baggage handling, transportation, and scanning operations without requiring security personnel intervention. The system serves itself by automating the entire baggage screening workflow, from collection to scanning to return, maximizing equipment utilization while minimizing human labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual baggage handling with an automated robotic system. This substitution eliminates the inefficiencies of human-operated manual processes and enables continuous, high-speed automated baggage processing that significantly increases scanning machine utilization rates.
4Productivity
If more security personnel are deployed to improve utilization rates, then scanning machines can be used more efficiently, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual baggage handling with an automated robotic system. This substitution eliminates the inefficiencies of human-operated manual processes and enables continuous, high-speed automated baggage processing that significantly increases scanning machine utilization rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through autonomous robots that independently perform baggage handling, transportation, and scanning operations without requiring security personnel intervention. The system serves itself by automating the entire baggage screening workflow, from collection to scanning to return, maximizing equipment utilization while minimizing human labor requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved security checkpoint includes a security scanning system having multiple personal item intake locations, a security scanner, multiple personal item retrieval locations, and a plurality of computer-controlled vehicles for transporting personal items between the personal item intake locations, the security scanner, and the personal item retrieval locations. Personal items are placed into a tote by an individual, and the computer-controlled vehicles collect the totes containing the personal items, transport the tote to an available security scanner, deposit the tote at the security scanner, and then transport the tote either to a retrieval location or secondary screening location after the personal item has been screened.