GB2441009A

GB2441009A - Passenger screening device, pulse rate security and terror alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2441009A
Application number: GB0616364A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Watmough; Ronald James Moffat
Original assignee: HIGHLAND INNOVATION CT Ltd
Current assignee: HIGHLAND INNOVATION CT Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-17
Filing date: 2006-08-17
Publication date: 2008-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-17
Also published as: GB0616364D0; GB2441009B

Abstract

The device is able to screen large numbers of people by an automatic system which does not need substantial manpower and which does not slow down the flow of the bone tide travelling public. Each passenger puts his or her hand into a slot in a box in which heart rate and skin temperature are measured in a very few seconds. Logic circuitry within the box activates an alarm or bars entry via the locking mechanism of a gate or door. The concept is to set off an alarm or bar from entry to an airport or railway station those individuals identified as being of high risk of being terrorists, i.e. the passenger's 'test parameters ' exceed preset thresholds. An additional benefit of employing the device is the identification of drug couriers and smugglers many of whom will be agitated at the fear of being caught and whose parameters such as heart rate and levels of perspiration will be elevated. The devices situated prominently in airports and entrances to stations may deter the criminals.

Description

Passenger Screening Device Pulse Rate Security/Tenor Alarm The device

aims to rapidly identify passengers who have terrorist intent or are carrying illegal substances in airports, seaports or railway stations. The device must not significantly slow down the transit of passengers.

Basic Principles The preferred embodiment is described below: The unit is a security device for detecting elevated levels of heartbeat and skin temperature. The principle is that any person trying to: 1. Enter the country illegally 2. Bring in contraband goods 3. Attempting to sabotage a plane/ship or train 4. Any other illegal activities Should show above average readings because of their agitation.

Hygiene considerations make it necessary to have a roll of thin transparent plastic film which advances over the detector measuring area inside the device. The opening or closing of the slot through which the hand is placed moves the plastic film forward and a take up spool stores the used film.

The detector consists of an enclosure with a letterbox opening where each passenger inserts his or her hand. The opening has means to prevent ingress of light from external sources.

The unit will then register their heartbeat and skin temperature on a display in the control area.

The unit is fitted with multiple light emitters and detectors for heartbeat detection.

Temperature sensing may preferably use Infrared sensors suitably calibrated. The reason for having multiple sensors of each type is that with different sizes of hands maximum sensitivity and averaging techniques can be used.

The system would be made automatic in that if either of the readings are considered abnormally high, via preset conditions, an alarm could be shown either in the form of a pass/no pass indicator i.e. green and red lights or an audio alarm or both. Start/Stop buttons are also included on the control area.

The device is fitted with a hinged lid assembly to allow the replacement of the roll of plastic film and the removal of the used roll. Detectors are to be incorporated to indicate when a replacement roll is needed.

The use of two separate means of measurement parameters should provide a more accurate assessment of the person's pre-disposition/likelihood to be partaking in illegal activities.

An ability to select out these individuals and subject them to additional search or detailed screening may reduce the threat of successful terrorist attacks or identiI' persons intent on other illegal activities.

If the unit is placed prior to metal detectors there should be virtually no delay at all because there is usually a queue which only moves slowly.

Heart beat frequency determination The method of determining the pulse rate is to illuminate the tissue of the band with high power LEDs. The light will pass through the skin and will be modulated by the heartbeat. Detectors will receive the modulated light and feed this signal to a demodulation circuit where the heartbeat period/frequency can be determined. Due to the different sizes of hands several independent detectors systems are to be included in an array with automatic correlation / sensitivity circuitry to determine the best signal to use.

The best-received heartbeat frequency will then be compared with a standard heartbeat frequency and if there is a substantial difference this will trigger the alarm unit.

The circuit diagrams are only indicative of the proposed method of determining pulse rate within a few seconds to allow rapid transit of passengers through airport, seaport or railway stations. This does not preclude using other methods to determining pulse rate and other methods may be incorporated.

Skin temperature determination The method of determining the skin temperature is to use several Infrared sensors and take the average(or maximum value) of the outputs. Again this is due to the different sizes of hands and several independent detectors systems will be incorporated. This does not preclude using other methods to determining skin temperature arid other methods may be incorporated.

General High power electronic devices, i.e. Power LEDs, regulators, etc. will be fitted with local heatsinks.

A fan has been included to remove any excess heat generated by the electronics also to normalise the detection area between tests.

it is anticipated that the order of the tests is to carry out the skin temperature test first as the pulse determination circuitry will generate heat which may influence the skin temperature tests should the pulse rate be determined first.

Heartbeat frequency and skin temperature would be displayed on digital type meters in the control area. A microprocessor / micro-controller would be used to carry out the maxImum sensitivity and averaging techniques along with the storage of look-tables for the sensors. It would also generate the visual / audio warnings and alert security personnel.

Method of use A manual reset is to be included which will set the unit to a purge and start-up routine.

The unit will then indicate it is ready to be used by the use of an indicator lamp / audio tone or both.

The passenger would then place their hand through the letterbox slot and rest on the detection area. A visual indication would be provided to show that the hand was in the right area ready for tests. This would be achieved using an Infrared proximity detectors. Testing would then commence. It is anticipated that the testing itself would take no more than about 10 seconds. The outcome would be displayed on the indicators, the electronics determining whether to indicate a pass or an alarm status.

On completion of the tests the hand would be withdrawn this would indicate to the unit, via an Infrared proximity detector, to advance the plastic film ready for the next test.

From initial start-up to completion of tests should take no more than about 15 to 20 seconds.

Claims

Claims. a

A device capable of measuring heart rate, skin temperature and degree of sweating by placing a hand in an enclosure for a few seconds.

[2] The device as in claim 1 but with logic to set off a sound or visual alarm to bring a passenger to the notice of security staff [3] A device as in claims [1] and [2] but which fails to open the entry gate to the airside area of an airport or platform of a railway station / bus station.

[4] The device as in claims [1, 2 and 3] where the parameters are determined using red or red / orange light from light emitting diodes. Typical wavelengths of 618 and 624 nm are envisaged but longer wavengths in the infra -. red may be employed.

[5] The device as in claims [1,2, 3 and 4} but including a plastic film which moves forward at each use and included for hygiene purposes.

[6] A device according to claims [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5] but with a light tight entry port to eliminate extraneous environmental light from entering the device when a hand is inserted..

[7] A device according to claims [1,2,3, 4, 5 and 6] with an ultraviolet light for sterilising purposes.

[8] A device according to claims [1 to 7] but where ultrasound is used to ensure correct positioning of the hand within the device.

[9] A device according to claims [1 to 8 J but where ultrasound in the Doppler mode is used to determine pulse rate.

[10] A device according to claims [1 to 9] where a passive infra-red thermometer is used to measure skin temperature.

[11] A device according to claims [Ito 10] where metallic strips are included to measure skin conductivity as a measure of perspiration / sweating.

[12] A device according to claims [1 to 11] where logic circuitry triggers alarms according to look-up tables the thresholds being capable of being Set according to the perceived threat of terrorism and to national interest.

[13] A device according to claims [ I to 12 1 aimed at catching drug couriers by including means to detect traces of chemicals / drugs.