Integrated Carry-On Baggage Cart and Passenger Screening Station

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards apparatuses and methods for securing a location. Particularly, the present invention is directed towards methods, apparatuses, and integrated systems for the screening of individual passengers and their corresponding carry-on baggage carts with improved throughput, efficiency, and quality. In addition, the current invention is directed towards a carry-on baggage cart specifically designed for the disclosed integrated carry-on baggage cart and passenger screening system of the present invention.

1 . A system for conducting security comprising;
 a CT scanning system further comprising an entrance designed to physically complement a screening cart frame assembly;   a guide mechanism to direct a screening cart passing through the CT scanning system; and   a mechanism for delivering the screening cart to the passenger after both passenger and cart have been screened.   
     
     
         2 . The security system of  claim 2  wherein said X-ray scanning system comprises a radiation source and a detector array. 
     
     
         3 . The security system of  claim 2  wherein said radiation source is a dual energy source. 
     
     
         4 . The security system of  claim 2  wherein a passenger screening device is provided. 
     
     
         5 . The security system of  claim 2  wherein the passenger screening device is a metal detector. 
     
     
         6 . The security system of  claim 2  wherein the cart is comprised of an X-ray transmissive material. 
     
     
         7 . A system for conducting security comprising:
 a CT scanning system further comprising an entrance designed to physically complement a screening cart frame assembly;   a guide mechanism to direct a screening cart passing through the CT scanning system;   a passenger screening device;   a mechanism for delivering the screening cart to the passenger after both passenger and cart have been screened; and   an integrated screening station for integrating data collected from both CT scanning system and passenger screening device to generate overall threat assessment.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said integrated screening station comprises a central server, further comprising a processor and a memory in data communication with the CT scanning system and the passenger screening device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the passenger screening device is a metal detector. 
     
     
         10 . A method for conducting security comprising the steps of:
 providing a person to be screened with a screening cart wherein the screening cart is a frame assembly designed to physically complement a computed tomography (CT) scanning system;   associating a person to be screened with the provided screening cart;   providing a conveyer mechanism that directs the screening cart through a computed tomography (CT) scanning system;   inspecting the contents of the screening cart by means of CT scanning; and   delivering the screening cart to the passenger.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said step of associating a person to be screened with the provided screening cart further comprises identifying a passenger. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said step of identifying a passenger is achieved via a boarding pass. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said step of identifying a passenger is achieved via a personal identification means. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a bar code reader is employed to scan in passenger information via a boarding pass.