An interactive rapid response Internet accessed air travel management system. The system includes a web-based planning and reservation interface system and an interactive access device. The system responds to details of a member's desired travel, to thereafter act in real time to contact the domains of associated travel service providers to arrange for every aspect of the member's trip, from airline and hotel reservations, ticket issuance, and ground transportation, to restaurant and theater reservations, and any other travel related needs of the member. The system stores identification information to verify access device possession to prohibit unauthorized use of the system and to provide security pre-clearance to system members.

Automated internet based interactive travel planning and management system

A device for inspecting a cargo container such as a motor vehicle or freight pallet, with penetrating radiation. A source of penetrating radiation is mounted on a moveable bed, thereby allowing a beam of penetrating radiation to sweep the large container. At least one detector is also mounted on the bed, either on the side of the source or on a boom, so that, as the beam is scanned across the container, the container and any contents of the container are characterized by transmitted or scattered radiation, or both.

Mobile x-ray inspection system for large objects

A multiview X-ray based inspection system detects contraband such as explosives, weapons, drugs and money in packages such as baggage. Each bag moves through at least three stationary, fan-shaped beams of x-rays that are in parallel planes spaced from each other in the direction of bag travel, to produce three projection views of the bag taken from different angles. These projection views are processed to extract two-dimensional outlines of likely individual objects in the bag, and the two-dimensional outlines are matched between different projection views to extract three-dimensional outlines of likely objects in the bag. The system uses these three-dimensional outlines to estimate effective atomic numbers and mass densities of material in these objects, and then to determine the presence of likely contraband in the baggage by testing these estimates against windows in a multi-dimensional space in which one dimension is effective atomic number and another is mass density. The typical windows correspond to known contraband materials. The system can derive measurements from additional modalities such as nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) for use in conjunction with the x-ray measurements in finding likely contraband.

Multiview x-ray based system for detecting contraband such as in baggage

The present invention provides for an improved scanning process having microwave arrays comprised of microwave transmitters in radiographic alignment with microwave receivers. The microwave array emits controllably directed microwave radiation toward an object under inspection. The object under inspection absorbs radiation in a manner dependent upon its metal content. The microwave radiation absorption can be used to generate a measurement of metal content. The measurement, in turn, can be used to calculate at least a portion of the volume and shape of the object under inspection. The measurement can be compared to a plurality of predefined threats. The microwave screening system is used in combination with other screening technologies, such as NQR-based screening, X-ray transmission based screening, X-ray scattered based screening, or Computed Tomography based screening.

Methods and systems for the rapid detection of concealed objects

A scanning unit (10) for identifying contraband, such as guns, explosives and illegal drugs, within objects, such as cargo containers and luggage, moving through the unit along a first path comprises at least one source (16) of a beam of radiation movable across a second path that is transverse to the first path and extends partially around the first path. A stationary detector (20) transverse to the first path also extends partially around the first path, positioned to detect radiation transmitted through the object during scanning. In one example, a plurality of movable X-ray sources (16a-16t), each transmitting a cone beam of radiation, are supported by a semi-circular rail (18) perpendicular to the first path. In this example, the detector, which may be a detector array comprising a plurality of two dimensional detectors, is also semi-circular and perpendicular to the path. A fan beam may also be used. Radiographic images may be obtained and/or computed tomography ('CT') images may be reconstructed. The images may be analyzed for contraband. Energy sensitive detectors (60) may also be provided. The radiation sources may emit radiation of different energy distributions or each source may selectively emit radiation of different energy distributions. Data derived from a voxel of the object at the different energy distributions may be processed to determine the material content of the voxel. Images based on that data can be fused with the radiographic or CT images to facilitate identification of contraband based on size, shape and material content of regions within the object. Methods of scanning objects are also disclosed.

Radiation scanning of objects for contraband

The invention is a detector for detection of concealed explosives, drugs and contraband using x-rays imaging and powder pattern techniques and ultrasonics. In case of inspection of carry-on baggage a combination of computer-aided x-ray transmission imaging and x-ray diffraction analysis is used to screen; confirm and localize threats. The x-ray transmission is used to segregate dense baggage and cargo which are inspected by x-ray backscatter imaging to identify suspicious objects. All suspicious objects are carefully analyzed by x-ray diffraction. In another embodiment a slow processing system uses diffraction for identification of threats and x-ray radiography for localization of the objects. In case of drugs concealed in compartments aboard marine vessels or air crafts a hand-held x-ray system is disclosed which can be used in three modes of operation: x-ray transmission, x-ray backscatter, or x-ray diffraction dependent on the architecture of the compartment. In case of buried mines an oscillating dual-energy x-ray backscatter imaging is used for antipersonnel mines and a combination of x-ray backscatter imaging and prompt gamma detectors is used for antivehicle and antiaircraft mines. Ultrasonic detectors are disclosed for detection of explosives on persons. Also, a tracking system based on bar-code identification system and a central computer is disclosed for baggage.

Detection of concealed explosives and contraband

An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.

Active non-lethal avian denial infrasound systems and methods of avian denial

Analysis of gross error rates in operation of commercial nuclear power stations

Operating procedure automation to enhance safety of nuclear power plants

A system and process for neutralizing unexploded ordinances and clearing explosive infested areas such that maneuvers can be both readily and confidently continued without significant delay is disclosed. The system clears such unexploded ordnances infested areas by initially spraying the explosive infested area with a cryogenic liquid to neutralize the unexploded ordinances and reduce an output voltage of a detonator of the unexploded ordinances thereby rendering the unexploded ordinances inert, gathering the now unexploded ordinances and submerging the inert unexploded ordinances in a tank containing the same or similar cryogenic liquid so that the unexploded ordinances are maintained in a neutralized and inert state to allow for disposal. Alternatively, the neutralization of unexploded ordinance and clearing of explosive infested areas may be carried out by spraying the explosive infested area with liquefied methane to neutralize the unexploded ordinance and reduce an output voltage of a detonator of the unexploded ordinances to render such ordinance inert, igniting the liquefied methane, deflagrating the unexploded ordinances at a temperature less than that required for detonation and subsequently removing the neutralized ordinances from the explosive infested area.

Zeinab A. Sabri

Papers

Detection of concealed explosives and contraband

Active non-lethal avian denial infrasound systems and methods of avian denial

Analysis of gross error rates in operation of commercial nuclear power stations

Operating procedure automation to enhance safety of nuclear power plants

Explosive ordnance disposal and mine neutralization system