JP2003207464A - Baggage inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in conventional baggage inspection systems that the accuracy of a suspicious-object detection depends on an ability of an inspector as an individual, that the accuracy of an inspection is irregular, that the know-how of the inspection is not taken over precisely, that an inspection level is hard to maintain, that baggage whose passage has been permitted cannot be reinspected and that a boarded person cannot be accessed. <P>SOLUTION: The baggage which is moved by four X-ray inspection pairs installed along a flow around a belt conveyor is irradiated sequentially with X-rays, respective X-ray inspection images on four upper and lower and left and right faces are detected, the respective X-ray inspection images on two front and rear faces of the baggage turned by 90° by a turntable installed at the belt conveyor are detected sequentially by two next X-ray inspection pairs, the X-ray detection images on the six faces are synthesized, and a three- dimensional image whose eye point direction is changed over by a monitor is generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a baggage inspection system for inspecting suspicious objects in baggage used in passenger baggage inspection areas such as airports.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the number of passengers in an aircraft increases, the carry-on baggage carried by passengers is becoming more diverse. Meanwhile, the crackdown on suspicious items brought into the cabin
There is a demand for more accurate and smooth implementation, and the technology to support them is needed.

Conventionally used baggage inspection systems detect suspicious objects such as blades based on a two-dimensional planar image of the inside of baggage by X-ray scanning. If there is an item that is unknown from the image alone, the baggage is turned and rescanned. The detection of a suspicious object based on a plane image is performed by so-called know-how by the inspector's eyes and intuition, and therefore, the difference in the ability of each inspector is directly connected to the detection result. Since the detection technology largely depends on the inspector's know-how, maintaining or improving the detection accuracy depends on the know-how management of the inspector, and depends on human activities such as deployment to other places or successor training.

[0004]

Since the conventional baggage inspection system is constructed and operated as described above,
There were the following problems. In the related art, since the article is identified from the two-dimensional plane image, it is necessary to identify the article only by the shape information of one surface of the article, and there is a problem that there is a high possibility of misidentification. In order to make up for this problem, the X-ray scanning is performed again by changing the direction of the baggage in order to obtain shape information from another side regarding the article that the inspector considers to be problematic. Since it intervenes, work time is required. If this is done frequently, it may cause congestion at the baggage inspection area, which may lead to psychological pressure on the inspector, and may lead to failure in accurate detection. Further, in the case where a plurality of articles are complicatedly overlapped in the baggage, it is technically difficult to separate and identify them.

Further, since the detection is performed by so-called know-how which depends on the inspector's eyes and intuition, the accuracy of suspicious object detection largely depends on the ability of the inspector, and there is a problem that the accuracy decreases depending on the inspector. It was Since the inspector's know-how belongs to each individual, when the inspector who has the know-how quits, the know-how cannot be accurately transferred to the successor, and there is a problem in the stability of the inspection level. Furthermore, if there is a possibility of suspicion regarding baggage that has passed the inspection and is allowed to pass, there is a problem that reinspection and reaccess to passengers cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and reduces the inspector's dependence on know-how,
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a baggage inspection system that stabilizes the accuracy of item identification and allows re-inspection after the passage of passengers and re-access to passengers.

[0007]

A baggage inspection system according to the present invention is a baggage inspection system that uses X-rays or the like in passenger baggage inspection areas such as airports, and comprises an X-ray irradiation source and an X-ray detector. A plurality of X-ray inspection pairs are installed around the belt conveyor along the flow of the X-ray inspection pairs, and X-rays are sequentially irradiated to the baggage carried on the belt conveyor by the four X-ray inspection pairs, and the top, bottom, left, and right sides The X-ray detection images of the baggage are detected, and after the X-ray detection images of the left and right sides of the baggage are detected, the X-rays of the front and back sides of the baggage rotated 90 degrees by the turntable installed on the belt conveyor are detected.
X-ray detection images are sequentially detected by the next two X-ray inspection pairs,
An image processor combines X-ray detection images of the six sides of the baggage obtained from a plurality of X-ray inspection pairs to generate a three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage, and the generated three-dimensional stereoscopic image is displayed on a monitor. The viewpoint orientation of the three-dimensional stereoscopic image displayed on the surveillance monitor is switched.

In the baggage inspection system according to the present invention, a trackball is attached to the monitor, and the viewpoint direction of the three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage can be changed steplessly by operating the trackball. .

The baggage inspection system according to the present invention is characterized in that X-ray imaging shape feature data of 6 surfaces of various articles, the shape of the article,
The X-ray transparency characteristic data including the material, its transparency, etc. are stored in a database device and made into a database that can be updated in advance, and an X-ray detection image of baggage and X-ray imaging shape feature data and X-rays from the database device are collated by a collating device. The line transparency characteristic data is collated by a collating device to obtain discrimination data of articles in baggage.

In the baggage inspection system according to the present invention, the image processor extracts the individual external shapes of a plurality of articles in the baggage from the three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage to extract a three-dimensional stereoscopic image of each of the plurality of articles. Is generated, and the monitoring monitor displays a three-dimensional stereoscopic image of each article on the monitoring monitor.

The baggage inspection system according to the present invention stores the generated three-dimensional stereoscopic image data of baggage or internal articles in a medium recording device such as a light or a magnet with a registration number and a date and time attached, and if necessary. The three-dimensional stereoscopic image data is read out and reproduced on the monitor.

In the baggage inspection system according to the present invention, the X-ray imaging shape feature data and the transparency feature data of an article whose identification is unknown or erroneously identified from the stored three-dimensional stereoscopic image data are stored as the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data. The registration number and the date and time are shared and registered in the database device, and the X-ray imaging shape characteristic data and the transparency characteristic data are read out together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data and reproduced on the monitor when necessary. .

In the baggage inspection system according to the present invention, the boarding pass reading means determines the flight number from the boarding pass of the owner of the baggage,
The boarding information such as the passenger name and the seat designation number is read, and the read boarding information is recorded as a set with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data of the baggage in the medium recording device. It is read out and reproduced on the monitor.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a configuration of a baggage inspection system according to Embodiments 1 to 5 of the present invention. In the figure, B is a belt conveyor, D is baggage, and X is
s1 to Xs5 are X-ray irradiation sources, Xk1 to Xk5 are X-ray detectors, Tt is a turntable, Gs is an image processor, Km is a monitoring monitor, Db is a database processing device, Ss is a collation processing device, and Bk is a medium recording device. The device, Tb, is a trackball.

Next, the operation will be described. In this baggage inspection system, baggage D flows on the belt conveyor B from right to left as indicated by arrow Y1. Belt conveyor B
Along the flow, four X-ray inspection pairs Xs1, Xk1, Xs2, which are a pair of an X-ray irradiation source and an X-ray detector.
Xk2, Xs3, Xk3, Xs4, Xk4 are baggage D
The four surfaces Zp, Zm, Xm, and Xp on the upper, lower, left, and right are sequentially irradiated, and the X-ray detection image is arranged to be detected.
Furthermore, after passing through the pair Xs4 and Xk4 of the X-ray irradiation source and the X-ray detector, the turntable T installed on the belt conveyor B rotates by 90 degrees, and the front and rear surfaces Yp of the baggage D, Yp,
Ym is irradiated with the X-ray inspection pair Xs5.Xk5, Xs6.Xk6, and the X-ray detection image is detected.

Through these steps, the X-ray detector Xk1
Each X-ray detection image of the six faces of the baggage D obtained by Xk5 to Xk5 is input to the image processor Gs1 and combined into a three-dimensional stereoscopic image. The generated 3D stereoscopic image is the monitor Km
Is output to and displayed. At this time, the viewpoint of the displayed three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage D is switched using the keyboard of the monitor. Further, the trackball Tb attached to the monitor Km is operated to change the viewpoint of the three-dimensional stereoscopic image steplessly, and the article inside the baggage D is discriminated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the X-ray detection images are detected on the six surfaces of the baggage D, and these images are combined to obtain the three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage D. Therefore, the inspector can visually recognize the three-dimensional shape of the baggage D, and the accuracy of distinguishing the suspicious object and the non-suspicious object inside is improved. In particular, since the viewpoint orientation of the three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage D is changed steplessly by operating the trackball, the effect of further increasing the accuracy of determining the shape of the article inside the baggage and the product name can be obtained. .

Embodiment 2. In FIG. 1, the image processor Gs extracts, from the generated three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage D, the outer shape of each item in the baggage by image processing, and the three-dimensional stereoscopic image of each item is extracted from the extracted outer shape. To generate. Then, the three-dimensional stereoscopic image is output and displayed on the monitor Km. As a result, the identification of the individual articles by the monitoring monitor Km is improved, and the baggage D
Can reduce the need to open.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the image processor extracts the outer shape of each of the plurality of articles in the baggage from the three-dimensional image of the baggage to extract the three-dimensional image of each article. Since images are generated and displayed on the monitor, individual items can be visualized even if there are multiple items in the baggage and the items overlap in a complicated manner. The effect of facilitating the identification by the member is obtained.

Embodiment 3. In FIG. 1, the database processing device Db previously collects X-ray imaging shape characteristic data of the top, bottom, left, and right 6 surfaces of various articles, creates a database, and stores it in an updatable manner. In addition to the X-ray imaging shape feature data, the database processing device Db in this case also includes X
The line transparency characteristic data is also stored, and particularly for articles that may be carried as baggage, the shape, material,
The feature information including the transparency and the like is given a width to be constructed.
The verification processing device Ss uses the X-ray detection image of the baggage D as X-ray imaging shape feature data and X-ray image data from the database processing device Db.
It collates with the line transparency characteristic data and outputs the discrimination data of the target article to the monitor Km. Further, when the database processing device Db stores the X-ray transmittance characteristic data, the material of the target article is automatically determined using the X-ray transmittance characteristic data at the time of matching.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the X-ray detection image of the baggage D is collated with the X-ray imaging shape characteristic data and the X-ray transmittance characteristic data from the database processing device Db to check the inside of the baggage. Since each item is discriminated, it is possible to reduce an oversight of a suspicious object caused by a difference in inspector ability. Further, by updating the database, it is possible to obtain an effect of facilitating the identification of a new article.

Fourth Embodiment In FIG. 1, if the inspection is passed, the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data regarding the baggage D and the internal article processed and generated by the image processor Gs is recorded in the medium recording device Bk capable of optical recording or magnetic recording. In this case, record the registration number and date and time attached. These data are
It is used when re-examination occurs and is referred to later as analytical data. In addition, when there is unknown automatic identification or erroneous identification at the time of inspection, the X-ray imaging shape characteristic data and the transparency characteristic data of the article are stored in the database processing device Db and in the medium recording device Bk. Record and register with the same registration number and date and time as the image data. As a result, each data is read from the medium recording device Bk and the database processing device Db and used at the time of matching.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the data of the generated three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage or the internal article is stored in the medium recording device Bk, and the identification or misidentification of the article is detected. Since the X-ray imaging shape feature data and the transparency feature data are registered in the database processing device Db, it becomes possible to deal with reinspection, and the effect of improving the accuracy of automatic identification by collation can be obtained.

Embodiment 5. Boarding pass J for baggage owner
x is read by the boarding pass reader Jy, and the read boarding information such as the flight number, the passenger name, and the seat designation number that has been read is recorded in the medium recording device Bk together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data of the baggage D. Also, if necessary, the recorded 3
The boarding information is read together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data so that the boarding information can be reproduced by the monitoring monitor Km, and the suspicious object is re-inspected and the passenger is confirmed.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the boarding information is recorded in the medium recording device Bk as a set with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data of the baggage D so that it can be read out. For passengers who have been allowed to pass through, if suspiciousness is discovered in their own baggage D, it is possible to access the passenger based on the boarding information recorded in the set and perform post-examination again. The effect of increasing the accuracy of carry-in prevention can be obtained.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, an X-ray inspection including an X-ray irradiation source and an X-ray detector in a baggage inspection system that uses X-rays or the like in passenger baggage inspection areas such as airports. A plurality of pairs are installed around the belt conveyor along the flow thereof, and X-rays are sequentially irradiated to the baggage which is carried on the belt conveyor by the four X-ray inspection pairs and is sequentially irradiated with X-rays. Detect each X-ray detection image,
After detecting the X-ray detection images on the two left and right sides of the baggage, the X-ray detection images of the front and rear two sides of the baggage rotated 90 degrees by the turntable installed on the belt conveyor are used for the next two X-ray inspections. A pair of X-ray detection images obtained from a plurality of X-ray inspection pairs are sequentially detected by the image processor to synthesize a three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage, and the generated three-dimensional stereoscopic image is generated. Since the three-dimensional stereoscopic image displayed on the monitor is displayed on the monitor and the viewpoint direction of the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor is changed, the three-dimensional shape of the baggage D makes it possible to visually recognize suspicious objects and non-suspicious objects inside the baggage. With respect to the identification of a suspicious object in the inspection, there is an effect of largely eliminating the variation that exists for each inspector or inspection table and improving the accuracy of discrimination.

According to the present invention, a trackball is attached to the surveillance monitor, and the viewpoint direction of the three-dimensional stereoscopic image of baggage can be changed steplessly by operating the trackball. This has the effect of further increasing the accuracy of distinguishing the shape of an article and its name and reducing the burden on the inspector.

According to the present invention, it is possible to store and update X-ray imaging shape characteristic data of 6 surfaces of various articles and X-ray transmittance characteristic data including the shape, material and transmittance of the articles in the database device. Since the database is prepared in advance, the X-ray detection image of the baggage and the X-ray imaging shape feature data and the X-ray transmittance feature data from the database device are collated by the collating device to obtain the discrimination data of the article in the baggage.
This has the effect of reducing the oversight of suspicious objects caused by differences in the inspector's ability and facilitating the handling of new item identification by updating the database.

According to the present invention, the image processor extracts the respective outer shapes of the plurality of articles in the baggage from the three-dimensional image of the baggage to generate the three-dimensional images of the plurality of articles. Since the monitoring monitor is configured to display the respective three-dimensional stereoscopic images, even if there are a plurality of articles in the baggage and the articles are complicatedly overlapped, the individual articles Can be visualized, which has the effect of facilitating the identification by the inspector.

According to the present invention, the generated three-dimensional stereoscopic image data relating to baggage or an internal article is stored in a medium recording device such as an optical or magnetic recording device with a registration number and date and time attached, and the three-dimensional image data is stored as necessary. Since the three-dimensional image data is read and reproduced on the monitor, there is an effect of being able to deal with reinspection.

According to the present invention, the X-ray imaging shape feature data and the transparency feature data of an article whose identification is unknown or erroneously identified from the stored three-dimensional stereoscopic image data are the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data and the registration number. Since the X-ray imaging shape feature data and the transparency feature data together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data are read out and reproduced on the monitoring monitor when necessary, the data are registered in the database device with common data and date and time. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of automatic identification by collation.

According to the present invention, the boarding pass reading means reads the boarding information such as the flight number, the passenger name, and the seat designation number from the boarding pass of the owner of the baggage, and the read boarding information is a three-dimensional image of the baggage. The data is recorded as a set in the medium recording device, and the boarding information is read out together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data as necessary and reproduced on the monitor. Therefore, for passengers who have once been permitted to pass the baggage inspection area, When suspiciousness is discovered in the baggage owned by the passenger, it is possible to access the passenger based on the boarding information recorded in the set and perform post-examination again, which has the effect of increasing the accuracy of carrying in suspicious objects. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a configuration of a baggage inspection system according to first to fifth embodiments of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

B belt conveyor, Bk medium recording device, D baggage, Db database processing device, Gs image processing device,
Jx boarding pass, Jy boarding pass reader, Km monitoring monitor, Ss collation processing device, Tb trackball, Tt
Turntable, Xk X-ray detector, Xm Left side of baggage, Xp Right side of baggage, Xs X-ray irradiation source, Ym
Rear of baggage, front of Yp baggage, bottom of Zm baggage, top of Zp baggage.

Claims (7)

[Claims] [Claim 1] X at a passenger baggage inspection place such as an airport
In a baggage inspection system using X-rays, etc., a plurality of X-ray inspection pairs consisting of an X-ray irradiation source and an X-ray detector are installed around a belt conveyor along the flow thereof, and four X-ray inspection pairs are provided. X-rays are sequentially irradiated to the baggage that is placed on the belt conveyor and is moved by the X-ray detection images, and the X-ray detection images on the four sides of the baggage are detected. The X-ray inspection images of the front and rear two surfaces of the baggage rotated by 90 degrees by a turntable installed on the belt conveyor are sequentially detected by the next two X-ray inspection pairs, and the plurality of X-ray inspections are performed. An X-ray detection image of the six sides of the baggage obtained from the pair is combined by an image processor to generate a three-dimensional stereoscopic image of the baggage, and the generated three-dimensional stereoscopic image is displayed on a monitoring monitor. Displayed on Baggage inspection system being characterized in that to switch the view point direction of the three-dimensional stereoscopic images. 2. A baggage inspection system characterized in that a trackball is attached to a surveillance monitor, and the viewpoint direction of a three-dimensional stereoscopic image of baggage can be changed steplessly by operating the trackball. 3. X-ray imaging shape characteristic data of 6 surfaces of various articles and X-ray transmittance characteristic data including shape, material, and transmittance of the articles are stored in a database device and made into a database that can be updated in advance, An X-ray detection image of the baggage is collated by the collating device with the X-ray imaging shape feature data and the X-ray transmittance feature data from the database device to obtain the discrimination data of the article in the baggage by the collating device. The baggage inspection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. 4. The image processor extracts the outer shape of each of a plurality of articles in the baggage from the three-dimensional image of the baggage to generate a three-dimensional image of each of the plurality of articles, and a monitor monitor. Is configured to display the respective three-dimensional stereoscopic images, and the baggage inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The three-dimensional stereoscopic image data on the generated baggage or articles inside is stored in a medium recording device such as a light or magnetic recording device with a registration number and date and time attached, and the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data is stored as necessary. The baggage inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein is read out and reproduced on a monitor. 6. The X-ray imaging shape feature data and the transparency feature data of an article whose identification is unknown or erroneously identified from the stored three-dimensional stereoscopic image data are stored in the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data together with the registration number and date and time. It is commonized and registered in a database device, and the X-ray imaging shape characteristic data and the transparency characteristic data are read out together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data and reproduced on a monitor when necessary. Item 5. The baggage inspection system according to item 5. 7. The boarding information such as flight number, passenger name, seat designation number, etc. is read from the boarding pass of the owner of the baggage by the boarding pass reading means, and the read boarding information is set together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data of the baggage. 7. The baggage inspection system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the boarding information is read together with the three-dimensional stereoscopic image data as necessary and reproduced on a monitoring monitor. .