EP0935790A1 - Passenger/luggage movement control security systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A security system for use at a transport terminal. An electronic passenger tag has a memory and a wireless communication device which transfers passenger data to and from the memory which permanently stores a unique passenger identification code in a tamper proof manner. An electronic luggage tag has a memory and a wireless communication device which transfers luggage data to and from the memory. A control system comprises a passenger monitoring station and a data processing device. The passenger monitoring station remotely reads a unique identification code and the control system writes the unique passenger identification code into the memory of an electronic luggage tag. The data processing device correlates unique passenger identification codes with luggage data read from the memory of electronic luggage tags to determine whether passengers or luggage are authorised to progress through the transport terminal.

Description

PASSENGER / LUGGAGE MOVEMENT CONTROL SECURITY SYSTEMS

This invention relates to a security control system for use in controlling passenger / luggage movement.

Whether travelling by land, sea or air between separate nations, appropriate documentation has to be in order. Although this submission applies equally to all methods of travel, for descriptive purpose, only airport movements and procedures are described.

The existing system for passenger travel relies on a book-type passport with data visibly stored (printed) on paper together with a photograph. On leaving a country it is necessary to present both travel tickets and passport at the reservation desk prior to obtaining a boarding card and a seat reservation. The passport is then checked between landside / airside at immigration / passport control and depending upon the procedures applicable at the time, again by the relevant airline personnel at the exits from the departure lounge.

Similarly, when arriving at an auport passports are checked at immigration control, prior to the passenger going landside. Those travelling with luggage then proceed to the baggage collection area to claim their items.

When leaving a country via an airport terminal, it is necessary for each passenger to present a passport for inspection on numerous occasions between the initial issuing of the boarding card and the actual boarding of the aircraft. Also, the passenger has to be present at various checks for ticket verification.

Unaccompanied passenger baggage loaded in the hold of the aircraft, is normally "checked in" at the reservation desk, where currently a bar code type (or similar ID type) label is attached to each piece of luggage in ord r to facilitate its routing via the handling and conveyor systems.

The Dar code does not bear any unique identification code relating it to a particular passenger, oth i than corresponding to a receipt attached to the passengei airline ticket. Currently, the only way of checking that all loaded pieces of luggage on an aircraft corresponds to the passengers on the aircraft, and normally is undertaken by hand swiping each piece of luggage and matching / comparing it with the passenger manifest .

For security reasons, an aircraft is not allowed to takeoff with its loaded baggage if there is a discrepancy between the two checks. If this check fails, then it is necessary for identified unmatched baggage to be removed from the aircraft.

This invention relates generally to passenger movement control and that of an unaccompanied baggage control system by use of short range read / write radio based tags. Eventually the two systems can be linked to have common control of passengers and baggage .

For the passenger movement control, the tag will be incorporated / laminated within a passport e.g. within a paper- type passport of known type, where all required details will be stored. In effect it becomes an "electronic passport". Eventually the tag could be embodied in any suitable form, even in the format of a standard ISO card where data such as name, address, date of birth can be stored together either w th a visual identification photograph, or in digital or other format. The passport chip is tamper proof, containing a unique ID which cannot be overwritten and which will correspond solely with the data stored on the host nation's organisation's data base. To increase the security of the system, such code shall be encrypted.

The electronic passport can be autom ^r ically interrogated at any passenger monitoring station as part of a passenger movement immigration control system.

A similar type tag, ideally paper based, similar to the current bar coded tags, but containing an antennae and a chip would supersede the bar code type label, currently used for luggage identification. The unique passenger ID number will be written into the chip, together with flight details This information will be used to monitor automatically, and continuously if necessary, the baggage mov<^~> nent on the conveyor / handling system.

In general terms, the invention includes application of an "electronic passport" foi immigration control and baggage handling, monitoring and identification purpose. The system can be employed to speed the flow of legitimate visitors travelling from one country to another, and automatically, as opposed to manually, ensure that the luggage / baggage associated with each traveller accompanies the legitimate owner, particularly when travelling by air. If, for some reason, baggage and its owner become separated (no accompanying one another on the same aircraft, ship etc), the authorities / operators and owners can be immediately alerted to the situation. The general inventive concept has also been developed for security reasons.

An electronic passport, which in appearance may be identical in every respect to an existing passport, will contain an integrated circuit (chip) laminated within the cover. Because the chip contains unique identification applicable to the owner, the document itself is incapable of being forged. Furthermore, if during immigration proceedings, a positive verification of an individual's identification should be required, a visual image of the passport application photograph (recorded in, say, digital fo- mat at the passport application stage) will be able to be down-loaded to the monitor a the immigration control point. The image can be checked both with the photograph in the passport, and the individual concerned. For covert purposes, the photograph can also be automatically checked and verified with stored images of known criminals, drug traffickers, terrorists and the like.

The passport IC is passive and can be capable of being written to, or read from, and can contain data and information normally held legitimately for immigration control purposes. The unique identification is incapable of being tampered with, or over-written. The system can be programmed to alert immigration authorities, anywhere in the world, to monitor the travel movements / habits of any individual. If required, any passport could be blocked for travelling pu^rposes, even without having to be surrendered.

Stolen / lost passports will not be capable of being used by another individual . Once an electronic passport has been reported lost or stolen, the unique ID can be caused to "crash" immediately Any person attempting to • be such a document would be detected at immigration control. Even within the European Union, individual movement wouJd be capable of being controlled and monitored. Eventually the passport tag could be embodied m any suitable format including that of a standard ISO card or ID card.

Individuals travelling between countries must hold a valid passport. Some nations also require visas or other screening documentation and data. All such requirements can be stored electronically, and would be capable of being read and checked automatically at immigration control points.

When booking in, whether via a travel agent, or at the point of departure I embarkation, the only physical information which a passenger requires will be a pi- :e of documentation (boarding card) indicating the departure point (gate etc), date and time, sailing, flight number etc and cabin / seat number etc. The manifest will be checked automa ically as passengers board the particular means of transport e.g. an aircraft, as will the loading of accompanying baggage.

Examples of security control systems according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

Referring now to Figure 1 of the αrawings, this is a block diagram of a radio based booking and baggage control system. Preferably, the so-called "electronic passport" would be produced at the reservations desk (wrnch may be either remote, as at a travel agent, or in the terminal), where it would be automatically read by a suitable reading device at the first monitoring station, namely the antennae module and reader Ideally, each piece of luggage will have a tag securely fastened to it by means of a self-locking device (tie wraps) Also a cheap disposable tag could be used for one off situations, (holiday etc) but for frequent travellers the tags will preferably be reusable. If required each tag will be capable of being attached to (or incorporated within) a piece of baggage for an indefinite period of time, to enable its re- use whenever necessary. It will be passive and be capable of being written to, and read from. Appropriately data will be downloaded automatically to the tag. Such data will include a unique read only ID number, for identification purposes, the ID of the owner (from passport), flight number and destination, etc .

The conveyor information and control system readers will be capable of sorting baggage to ensure that only designated luggage is loaded onto the correct means of transport (e.g. plane or ship) and each piece will be automatically logged on board.

For streamlining the movement of passengers, the information necessary for immigration purposes could have been down-loaded in advance to the immigration control points, and unless required to be interviewed, and providing their documentation is in order, passengers could be able to pass unhindered from the landside into the departure areas.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electronic immigration control system for people entering a country. Passport holders' details would be detected by the antennae unit / reader and automatically displayed on the control desk monitor.

Information relating to passengers arriving in the country can also be pre-checked and analysed, prior to the landing of aircraft, the docking of ships or the arrival of trains etc. Any physical / manual interface with individuals which might be considered appropriate could be pre-determined in advance of arrival of the passengers at the point of entry. Luggage can be automatically matched to passport holders and can be further checked at Customs.

The back office system, namely systems integration, networking, a development, of databases . ,n both national / international basis, together with specific customised software, can cater foi all require data processing.

Figures 3 and 4 are graphic illustr itions of practical application of the systems shown schematically in figures 1 and 2.

The significant aspects of the new security control system according to the invention are set out below: an automatic control of passengers within an airport or port for security and immigration by the use of an electronic passport consisting of: an IC chip and an antenna forming part of an electronic passport which is capable of establishing encrypted communication with a reader using radio technology; the IC chip will have a memory where it contains a unique identification number and which is tamper proof; an electronic reader can write and store in the IC chip passenger personal and travel details and read this information on the accompanying baggage and the unique identification number at any time during its passage through the airport; based on the electronic passport as means of remotely determining the passenger details, an automatic control system can be used for the control of passengers at the reservation desk and at the immigration desk, from th- landside to airside and vice-versa.

The automatic monitoring and control of unaccompanied passenger luggage by the use of an electronic tag and a reader consisting of: a paper type of disposable electronic tag (or a permanent tag) consisting of an IC chip and an antenna attached to the luggage; the IC chip consists of a memory which contains a unique identification number and which is ta pei proof; an electronic reader which can write and store information in the IC chip and read such stored information and the unique number at any subsequent time; monitor the position of the luggage on the conveyor belt by suitably placed system readers; provide an automatic monitoring and control system of luggage from the reservation desk to the delivery of the luggage on the plane. Further provide automatic monitoring and control of the luggage from the plane to the pick-up point.

Claims

1. A security system for use at a transport terminal, comprising : an electronic passenger tag having a memory and a wireless communication device in which the wireless communication device is operative to transfer passenger data to and from the memory and the memory permanc ntly stores a unique passenger identification code in a tamper proof manner; an electronic luggage tag having a memory and a wireless communication device in which the wireless r jmmunication device is operative to transfer luggage data to and from the memory; and , a control system including a passenger monitoring device and a data processing device, in which: the passenger monitoring device is operative remotely to read a unique passenger identification code; the control system to write the unique passenger identification code into the memory of an electronic luggage tag; and the data processing device to correlate unique passenger identification codes with luggage data read from the memory of electronic luggage tags to determine whether passengers or luggage are authorised to progress through the transport terminal.

2 A system as claimed m claim 1, m which a passenger and luggage manifest of a vehicle is used to determine whether passengers or luggage are authorised to progress through the transport terminal.

3. A security system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which passenger data is written in the memory of an electronic passenger tag by a passenger monitoring device.

4 A security system as claim w in any preceding claim, in which luggage data is written in the memory of an electronic luggage tag by the control system.

5. A security system as claimed in ^ⁿaιm 4, in which the luggage data includes a luggage identification code.

6. A security system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the luggage data includes vehicle data.

7. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a unique luggage identification code is permanently stored in a tamper proof read only manner in the memory of an electronic luggage tag.

8. A security system for use at a transport terminal comprising : an electronic passport tag having a memory and a wireless communication device in which the wireless communication device can transfer encoded passenger data from the memory where a unique passenger identification code is permanently stored in the memory in a tamper proof manner; and, a control system including a passenger monitoring device and a data processing device, in which: the passenger monitoring device is operative remotely to read a unique passenger identification code so that the data processing device can determine whether a passenger is authorised to progress through the transport terminal.

9. A security system for use at a transport terminal, comprising : an electronic luggage tag having a memory and a wireless communication device in which the wireless communication device can transfer luggage data to and from the memory; and a control system including a monitoring station and a data processing device, in which: the monitoring station is operative remotely to read and write luggage data in the memory of an electronic luggage tag attached to luggage and the data processing device to determine whether the luggage is authorised to progress through the transport terminal.

10. A security method for use at a transport terminal, comprising the steps of: remotely reading unique passenger identification codes permanently stored on electronic passenger tags carried by a passengers; writing the unique identification codes into the memory of electronic luggage tags attached to luggage; remotely monitoring the progress of the passengers and luggage; and, automatically checking the passenger and luggage manifest of a vehicle to ensure that all the luggage relates to the passengers .