U.S. patent application number 10/151353 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-20 for multiple search booths at airports and transportation terminals.
Invention is credited to Gill, John Wilson, Hunt, Harry Summer.
Application Number | 20030213184 10/151353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29419404 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030213184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunt, Harry Summer ; et
al. |
November 20, 2003 |
Multiple search booths at airports and transportation terminals
Abstract
Multiple enclosed booths for the pre-boarding search of all
carry-on items and passengers at airports and other transportation
terminals. Each booth comprises; a passenger carry-on item check-in
area, luggage inspecting area, enclosed passenger screening area,
passenger walkway area and a luggage pickup area, a means to
isolate passengers during the pre-boarding security search while
simultaneously hand searching all carry-on items in privacy.
Inventors: |
Hunt, Harry Summer;
(Madison, TN) ; Gill, John Wilson; (Mt Juliet,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRY S. HUNT
P.O. BOX 148153
NASHVILLE
TN
37214-8153
US
|
Family ID: |
29419404 |
Appl. No.: |
10/151353 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/36.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 1/1266 20130101;
A47F 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/36.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 001/00; A47F
010/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. enclosed multiple booths aligned side by side for a pre boarding
search of carry on items and passengers at airports and other
transportation terminals comprising; a carry on item check in area,
which is the first area when entering the booth comprising, an
unloading table, electrically controlled entry doors with situation
lights, and luggage inspecting area, which is behind the carry on
item check in area comprising, a x-ray scanner with viewing
monitor, conveyor system, operator's console, and enclosed
passenger screening area, in the middle of said booth comprising, a
metal, weapons and explosives detector, exit doors with situation
lights, and passenger walkway area, opening into and out of said
booth comprising; a hold line, situation lights, cameras, camera
console, and luggage pickup area, located at the far end of said
booth comprising a pickup carousel and repacking tables, whereby a
means to privately hand search all carry-on luggage and to isolate
passengers during the pre-boarding search.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to the pre-boarding screening
procedures at transportation terminals specifically, isolating
passengers during the screening process. Multiple booths provide a
means to comply with the presidential and congressional mandate to
have a plan in operation for increased security so our nation will
not endure another terrorist attack like that of Sep. 11, 2001.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Airports commonly x-ray but do not hand search all carry-on
item(s). This current method is inadequate to meet the demands of
the new presidential and congressional mandate to physically hand
search all carry-on item(s) which can be best accomplished by
having multiple search booths. It becomes practical not only to
hand search all carry-on item(s) without delays but also to isolate
and identify criminals during the screening process with multiple
booths.
[0005] Many patents address security but fail to deal with the fact
that security searches take time. Delays have already caused
airlines to go into bankruptcy. This present invention of multiple
booths is the only system which allows for a large number of
passengers to arrive a short time before a flight and still hand
search all carry-on item(s).
[0006] A search of prior art shows many patents consisting of new
high tech equipment for airport security but no patent or prior art
uses or claims multiple booths to install the equipment in.
SUMMARY
[0007] Our nation, at the present time, is prepared to purchase new
high tech airport security equipment. It is imperative that the new
equipment be installed into an efficient, well planned security
system such as multiple booths, to prevent wasting billions of
dollars. The main objective of this invention is to be the
framework for pre-boarding security.
[0008] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a
means to physically hand search all carry-on item(s) in privacy,
which can be best accomplished by having multiple search booths
since personal search and item(s) search must be done at the same
time disallowing the possibility of transferring a weapon from
their item(s) to their person. Another objective of the present
invention is to provide a system for isolating passengers during
the screening process. Experts in the fields of security and
psychology have determined that a terrorist or a criminal is not
likely to enter a detention area where he is isolated and can be
easily apprehended.
[0009] In order to achieve the above objective, this invention
comprises the steps of the passenger:
[0010] being photographed by cameras taking a profile and head shot
to check against criminal data banks;
[0011] unloading contents of their carry-on item(s) onto a table
followed by the item(s) container, shoes, jacket and all metal
objects, having passengers unload their own item(s) helps the
search process move quicker;
[0012] entering through the booth door which locks automatically
behind them and walking through the metal, weapons and explosives
detector while being viewed by guard and recorded by a camera;
[0013] simultaneously the passenger's carry-on item(s) is hand
searched. If the security examiners are satisfied with all tests
the exit door will unlock and the situation lights will indicate to
the passenger to exit and retrieve their belongings from the pickup
carousel. If the security examiners are not satisfied with all
tests, the situation lights will indicate to the passenger to exit
through another door to the maximum search cubical or the holding
cell cubical.
OBJECTIVES AND ADVANTAGES
[0014] Accordingly, besides the objectives and advantages of the
multiple booths described in the above patent, several objectives
and advantages of this invention are:
[0015] a. to provide a means to comply with congressional mandate
to hand search all carry-on item(s) without causing delays to
passengers;
[0016] b. to prevent criticisms, if our nation were to endure
another aviation terrorist attack the installation of enclosed
booths would silence criticism that our government agencies have
not acted since the previous terrorist attack of Sep. 11, 2001;
[0017] c. to provide a psychological deterrent;
[0018] d. to entrap dangerous criminals preventing the shut down of
airports and stress to unknowing passengers;
[0019] e. to provide mug shots and profile photos before boarding
an aircraft which will vindicate passengers of foreign ethnic
backgrounds who might be singled out by fellow passengers or the
airport security personnel as being possible terrorists;
[0020] f. to provide passengers with reassurance while flying,
knowing that the passenger next to them went through the same
rigorous pre-boarding search;
[0021] g. to provide a holding cell cubicle and a maximum security
cubicle which will isolate criminals from the sight of other
passengers during a weapons discovery or a photo match from
criminal data banks;
[0022] h. to have passengers unload their own item(s) and to use
tubs with lids and trays which will speed up the searching process
of carry-on item;
[0023] i. to stop complaints that "nothing has changed" since Sep.
11, 2001 except for more delays. Multiple booths would be a visible
sign that the FAA and DOT have done all that is possible; and
[0024] j. to provide a well thought out security plan that will
keep the billions of dollars allocated to airport security from
being wasted. Many high tech devices can be added to the multiple
booths. This patent will be the framework for future security.
[0025] Further objectives and advantages will become apparent from
a consideration of the ensuing descriptions and drawings.
DRAWING FIGURES
[0026] FIG. 1 shows aerial view of a single booth with preferred
embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows aerial view of multiple booths with preferred
embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows front view of multiple booths with preferred
embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows front view of conveyor system and pickup
carousel.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows aerial and side view of operator's console.
[0031] FIG. 6 shows aerial view of multiple booths with alternative
embodiments.
1 REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 1 hold line 23 bullet proof glass
window 2 photo backdrop 24 operators' console 3 privacy partition
25 lift up counter top 4 mug shot camera 26 wheelchair search isle
5 profile camera 27 wheelchair screening isle 6 situation lights 28
enclosed passenger screening 7 unloading table area 8 conveyor
system 29 carry-on pickup area 9 passenger entry door 30 metal
slide 10 pass through window 31 passenger walkway area 11 two way
intercom 32 repacking table 12 metal, weapon, 33 pickup carousel
explosive detector 34 trays with lids and tubs 13 passenger exit
door 35 x-ray monitor 14 carry-on item(s) inspecting area 36 x-ray
scanner 15 maximum search cubicle door 37 carousel slide 16 maximum
search cubicle 38 carry on check in area 17 police entry, exit door
39 doors and situation lights 18 surveilance camera console 19
holding cell door 40 conveyor system emergency 20 holding cell
cubicle stop 21 holding cell camera 41 mug shot and profile camera
22 camera monitor console 42 two way intercom console 43 tamper
proof on/off key lock
[0032] This present invention provides two similar designs;
multiple booths with preferred embodiments and multiple booths with
alternative embodiments.
DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] A preferred embodiment of the multiple search booths of the
present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
[0034] Hold line 1 a red line on the floor, is outside of multiple
booths. Profile camera 5, photo backdrop 2 and mug shot and profile
camera controller 41 are fastened to the entry part of the privacy
partition 3. Mug shot camera 4 is mounted on the front outside wall
of the multiple booth facing photo backdrop 2. Privacy partition 3
which can be portable extends past the booth in an "L" shape to
provide privacy for passenger entry door 9 preferably constructed
of steel and unloading table 7 constructed of stainless steel.
Unloading table 7 is perpendicular to entry door 9. Bulletproof
glass window 23 separates screening room 28 from operators' console
24 with a small pass through window 10 embedded into the
bulletproof glass window 23. Metal, weapons, explosives detector 12
divides screening room 28 in half. Situation lights 6 which are red
and green, are mounted adjacent to hold line 1, and doors 9, 13 and
15. The rear area of the screening room 28 has two exit doors.
Passenger exit door 13 constructed of steel, opens up to the pickup
area 29 and pickup carousel 33. Maximum security search area door
15 constructed of steel, opens up to maximum security search
cubical 16 which is monitored by surveillance camera 18 fastened to
the back wall. Holding cell camera 21 is mounted facing the holding
cell door 19 which opens up to holding cell cubical 20. Police
entry/exit door 17 is enclosed in the back wall of the maximum
security search cubical 16. The back portion of the privacy
partition 3 encloses pickup carousel 33, camera monitor 22,
conveyor belt 8, x-ray scanner 36, and X-ray monitor 35. Lift up
counter top 25 is connected to the end of tables 7.
DESCRIPTION FIG. 6 ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] A preferred embodiment of the multiple search booths of the
present invention with alternative embodiments is illustrated in
FIG. 5.
[0036] Privacy partition 3 has an entrance way opening into
passenger walkway 31. Multiple inspecting booth area 14 runs
perpendicular to passenger walkway 31. Each inspecting booth area
14 has an enclosed carry-on check-in area 38, situation lights 6
are fastened outside of each passenger entry door 9 opening into
enclosed passenger carry-on check-in area 38. Conveyor system 8
runs behind multiple carry-on inspection areas 14 feeding into the
x-ray scanner 36 then unloads into carousel slide 37 then onto
pickup carousel 33. At the end of passenger walkway 31 is the
metal, weapons, explosives detector 12 which opens up into pickup
area 29, repacking tables 32 and pickup carousel 33 near exit door
13. Maximum security search area 16 is positioned at the end of
enclosed passenger screening area 28 and after metal, weapons,
explosives detector 12. Holding cell cubical 20 is located at the
far end of maximum search cubical 16.
ADVANTAGES
[0037] From the description above, a number of advantages of
multiple booths become evident. Multiple booths:
[0038] a. provide efficiency,
[0039] b. prevent delays,
[0040] c. create physiological deterrents,
[0041] d. provide a disciplined arrangement to house the latest
high-tech equipment,
[0042] e. isolate criminals,
[0043] f. stop the criticism that "nothing has changed since Sep.
11, 2001 except for longer delays",
[0044] g. provide passenger privacy during pre-boarding
screening,
[0045] h. fits extremely well into an airport's existing corridor
because of its rectangular portions.
OPERATIONS FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
[0046] The steps of operating multiple screening booths are:
[0047] Passenger waits at hold line 1, then is instructed to stand
in front of backdrop 2 for a mug shot and profile picture which is
instantly compared with data bank files compiled from worldwide
criminals and terrorists' rap sheets or data banks. The passenger
then walks behind privacy partition 3 and unloads all contents of
their luggage onto unloading table 7. The employee assigned to
luggage inspecting area 14 hand searches each item and places them
into plastic tubs with lids and/or trays and moves them onto the
conveyor system 8 which runs through x-ray machine 36 then onto
carousel slide 37 and then onto pickup carousel 33. When all items
have been thoroughly searched and x-rayed, employee asks passenger
for metal objects to be placed in a container for hand search which
also goes through the x-ray scanner. The passenger is instructed to
remove their shoes, hat and jacket for hand search which also
passes through the x-ray scanner. Once all items have been hand
searched, the passenger is instructed to walk through door 9 and
through metal, weapons, explosives detector 12. If no alarms are
set off, situation light 6 instructs passenger to exit through door
13 and retrieve all personal belongings on pickup carousel 33.
[0048] If the metal, weapons, explosives detector alarms are
sounded the passenger is instructed by means of two way intercom 11
to re-enter metal, weapons, explosives detector and pass any
additional metal objects through small window 10. If the alarm is
re-sounded situation light 6 directs passenger to exit through door
15 to be hand searched by employee.
[0049] If a weapon is found or criminal identification is made
through data banks, then passenger is detained in holding cubical
20. If no metal items or weapons are found, then passenger is
instructed to pass back through door 15 and to exit through
retrieval area 29 to retrieve personal items at pickup carousel 33.
The operating console 24 controls all doors, mug and profile
photos, situation lights, the conveyor system and the two way
intercom system. The mug shot and profile camera console 41 works
independently of the operating console 24.
OPERATIONS FIG. 6
[0050] The steps of operating multiple screening booths with
alternative embodiments are:
[0051] Passenger waits at hold line 1, then is instructed to stand
in front of backdrop 2 for a mug shot and profile picture which is
instantly compared with data bank files compiled from worldwide
criminals and terrorists' rap sheets or data banks. The passenger
then walks through door 9 into private carry-on check-in area 38
and unloads all contents of their luggage onto unloading table 7.
The employee assigned to luggage inspecting area 14 hand searches
each item and places them on the metal slide 30 and then onto the
conveyor system 8 which runs through x-ray machine 36 then onto
carousel slide 37 and then onto pickup carousel 33. When all items
have been thoroughly searched and x-rayed, employee asks passenger
for metal objects to be placed in a container for hand search which
also goes through the x-ray scanner. The passenger is instructed to
remove shoes, hat and jacket for hand search which also passes
through the x-ray scanner. Once all items have been completely hand
searched, passenger is instructed to walk through door 9 and
through metal, weapons, explosives detector 12 located inside
enclosed passenger screening area 28. If no alarms are set off,
situation light 6 instructs passenger to exit through door 13 and
retrieve all personal belongings on pickup carousel 33.
[0052] If metal, weapons, explosives detector alarms are sounded,
passenger is instructed to re-enter metal, weapons, explosives
detector 12 and empty pockets of any additional metal objects. If
alarm is re-sounded situation light 6 directs passenger to exit
through door 15 to be hand searched by employee. If a weapon is
found or criminal identification is made through data banks, then
passenger is detained in holding cubical 20. If no metal items or
weapons are found, then passenger is instructed to pass back
through door 15 and to exit through retrieval area 29 to retrieve
personal items at pickup carousel 33. The operating console 24
controls all doors, mug and profile photos, situation lights, the
conveyor system and the two way intercom system. The mug shot and
profile camera console 41 works independently of the operating
console 24.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE
[0053] This present invention was designed to help our government
keep travelers safe and to meet the needs of the airlines to move
passengers quickly through security.
[0054] This patent provides:
[0055] a deterrent to terrorism
[0056] reassurance to passengers that the passenger seated next to
them went through the same rigorous pre-boarding security
search
[0057] a means for passengers to speed up the pre-boarding
screening process by unloading and loading the contents of their
own carry-on luggage before and after the hand search
[0058] a means to comply with the presidential and congressional
mandate to have an efficient pre-boarding hand search system in
place
[0059] multiple booths will change people's minds that "nothing has
changed since Sep. 11, 2001."
[0060] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *