Multi-Threat Detection System

[0001] The object of the present invention is generally a system for detecting the presence of a hazardous object, more precisely a system for detecting the presence of a threat object by means of several parallel tests.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] At present, security systems used at checkpoints in some public places, including airports and government buildings, are usually a combination of imaging, metal detector and chemical analysis. Chemical analysis is usually carried out with the help of a table detector of trace amounts of explosives, in which swabs or air samples taken from the tested object (e.g. from a bag) are tested for the presence of such materials.

[0003] Unfortunately, the security control systems currently in use are not as reliable as they could be. X-ray scanning, for example, identifies dangerous objects based on optical density - but many harmless objects have a density similar to that of objects that threaten security, with the natural consequence being a high percentage of false negative results. For X-ray or computed tomography imaging, the accuracy of the inspection depends largely on the vigilance and ability to assess the characteristics of the human operator viewing the images during baggage scanning. Although many systems allow for the automatic visual classification of suspicious objects, human alertness and judgment still play an important role. Due to distraction, fatigue and the natural limitation of the human attention span, a control system in which so much depends on human judgment cannot reach the optimal level of accuracy. What's more, because imaging relies heavily on the visualization of the objects being checked, the passenger can mask or hide the harmful object that poses a threat, thus avoiding detection by imaging.

[0004] Attempts are being made to increase the accuracy of security systems operating at checkpoints by combining various techniques, usually imaging, metal detector and chemical analysis. Most often, such checks are carried out using three separate devices placed side by side. The objects are checked separately and sequentially using these devices: one test after another. For example, in the airport security system, you can use X-ray imaging and only chemically analyze the luggage indicated in it as suspicious. Similarly, passengers can first be asked to go through the gate for preliminary metal detection, and only when the control in such a gate triggers an alarm, subject them to a closer control by a metal detector, performed by an officer.

[0005] Such a multi-functional detection system is described in patent WO 99/21148.

[0006] The problem with this type of serial (sequential) combination of checks is that the overall accuracy depends highly on the accuracy of each individual check, and in some cases on the accuracy of the first check. For example, if no chemical analysis is performed when the baggage passes X-rays successfully, its use is only helpful if the baggage has been correctly identified as a suspect by x-raying. If an employee

- looking at x-rays will not notice a potentially dangerous object, the easy availability of chemical analysis will not change the fact that such an object has passed through the security system. [0007] However, although the use of several methods for checking each passenger and piece of baggage would be an obvious way to increase the accuracy of security checks, such a solution is impractical because it would result in passengers wasting too much time going through the check. The cost of such a system would also be prohibitively high. In practice, the accuracy of screening tests is balanced and is controlled by the necessity of passengers passing through the system at a reasonable speed. In particular, if a test that gives a high percentage of false positives is used first, for example x-rays, passenger flow is slowed down as many pieces of baggage containing no hazardous items are subjected to a second test unnecessarily.

[0008] A system and method is therefore desirable to allow passengers to pass the security checkpoint at a reasonable speed without compromising the accuracy of the check.

SUMMARY [0009] One aspect of the present invention is a system for inspecting objects for hazardous items. This system includes an object module designed to hold the object, and an apparatus module containing devices for subjecting the object to a combination of two or more types of tests. Sensors are located in the object module or apparatus module, or both of them, with each sensor reading the data obtained during the examination of the object and generating an output signal. The calculation module receives the output signal from each sensor, processes the output signals individually to generate parameter values, and compiles these values ​​to determine the risk factor, with the risk factor determining the probability of the presence of the object at risk in the facility.

[0010] In another version, the system consists of an apparatus module, comprising devices for subjecting the object to a combination of two or more types of tests, and object modules connected thereto. Each object module is designed to hold the object, and the apparatus module examines the objects in each object module. The calculation module receives output signals from one or both types of modules and determines the risk factor for each object in individual object modules.

[0011] In another aspect, the invention is a method of inspecting objects for items of concern. This method consists in identifying an object in an object module in which more than one sensor is placed, and subjecting the object to a combination of tests to determine its properties. Output signals from the sensors in the object module are read and individually processed to generate parameter values. These values ​​are compiled to determine the risk factor, which determines the likelihood of the presence of an object at risk in the facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a multi-threat detection system according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an example version of the multi-threat detection system.

-3Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the calculation module used to implement the method for identifying a dangerous item.

Fig. 4 shows an example version of a multi-threat detection system comprising a single apparatus module and more than one object module.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the apparatus module and object modules.

Fig. 6 shows another example version of the multi-threat detection system where the object is a human (or any animal).

Fig. 7 shows yet another example version of the multi-threat detection system for checking inanimate objects and people.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE VERSIONS [0013] Embodiments of the present invention are discussed herein in the context of the security system used at the checkpoint. It should be noted, however, that the embodiments described in this document are merely exemplary implementations, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the applications or practical embodiments described in the document. For example, the system of the invention may be useful, among other things, for the automated control of small parcels and postal parcels and packaged consumer goods (e.g. food, medicine).

[0014] The use of the multi-threat detection system of the invention is to detect the presence of various threat objects. "Hazardous Object" means any substance or combination of substances and objects that may be of interest to security services, including, but not limited to, explosives, explosive devices, improvised explosive devices, chemical warfare agents, industrial and other chemical substances considered hazardous, factors biological, drugs, weapons, radioactive materials and smuggled goods. The invention is an automated system for performing various types of inspections to quickly search for more than one dangerous object at a time, in such a way that many objects can be inspected in a relatively short time. In addition, the system of the invention reduces dependence on human operators by using a computational module to achieve this goal, which determines the risk factor based on the simultaneous collection and processing of the results of various studies. In this way, such a system provides a much needed method to increase the accuracy of security checks without compromising on bandwidth.

[0015] The term "ionizing radiation test" means herein any form of test in which ionizing radiation is emitted, for example nuclear, x-ray or gamma radiation. Examples of X-ray methods are standard X-ray, backscatter methods, dual or multi-energy methods, as well as computed tomography. Examples of methods using nuclear radiation sources include thermal neutron analysis, pulsed fast neutron analysis, backscatter and wave use terahertz. The term "test without the use of ionizing radiation" means methods in which sources of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation are used, for example those which are subjected to pulsed electromagnetic field and a feedback pulse is obtained. These methods include, but are not limited to, techniques using multi-millimeter wavelengths, magnetic resonance spectroscopy

- nuclear, electron spin resonance and quadrupole nuclear resonance.

Terahertz wave generators are an additional potential source of non-ionizing radiation.

In addition, "non-ionizing radiation testing" includes methods used to detect conductive materials in which an object is exposed to electromagnetic fields in the form of continuous or pulsed waves and detects the appropriate direction of field changes.

"Chemical analysis" here means methods for the detection of substances, which are, among others, ion mobility spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry using an ion trap, uptake detection, chemiluminescence, gas chromatography, measurement of surface acoustic wave parameters, thermal redoximetry, spectroscopic techniques, selective polymeric sensors and microelectromechanical sensors.

[0016] "Biological classification" means the classification of biological hazards (e.g. organisms, molecules) according to guidelines determining the level of potential hazard associated with toxins, bioregulators and organisms dangerous for epidemiological reasons (e.g. viruses, bacteria, fungi). "Biometric classification testing" includes standard, separate biometric methods, for example fingerprinting, as well as physiological and behavioral parameters that indicate the suspect's behavior.

[0017] The term "simultaneously" means in this document partial or total overlap in time of at least two events of the same or different duration. For example, if event A starts at time 0 and ends at time 10, and event B starts at time 2 and ends at time 10, then events A and B occur simultaneously. Similarly, event C and event D, which both start at time 0 and end at time 7, also occur simultaneously. On the other hand, "sequentially" means that there is no overlap of two or more events. If event E starts at time 0 and ends at time 6, and event F starts at time 7 and ends at time 10, events E and F occur sequentially.

[0018] The term "parameter" as used herein includes data and data sets and functions, static or dynamic.

[0019] The term "threat determining function" herein means a defining function or sets of functions defining a state indicating the existence of a threat. Such a function may, or such functions may be, a static value, sets of static values ​​or dynamic calculations. This function may, or these functions may be based on certain rules or on a non-heuristic method, for example a neural network.

[0020] The "risk factor" indicates the magnitude of the probability that an object has a security risk. A "set" of risk factors may contain one or more risk factors.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a multi-threat detection system 10 according to the invention. As shown, this system consists of apparatus module 20, calculation module 40 and object module 60, which are connected to each other. The object module 60 has a mechanism designed to hold the object (e.g. bag or baggage item) being tested. The apparatus module 20 includes various sources and / or devices for testing, for example, an x-ray radiation source, chemical analysis apparatus, radio frequency coils and / or other magnetic field inducing devices when tested without ionizing radiation.

[0022] The calculation module 40, equipped with a processor and memory, is configured to receive input signals from the apparatus module 20 and from the object module 60 and process these signals to calculate the risk factor. The risk factor shows the probability that the object in the object module 60 contains a hazardous object. Optionally, the system has a communication sub-module (not shown), which may be a device with a user interface connected to the calculation module 40, so that the risk factor and the corresponding warning can be communicated to the system operator according to the invention.

[0023] The procedures performed in the apparatus module 20 may be currently known tests used to search for dangerous objects, the scope of which is not limited to the examples given herein. More than one object module 60 can be connected to the apparatus module 20 and the calculation module 40, which will allow almost simultaneous control of at least two objects.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary version of the multi-threat detection system 10.

[0025] The object module 60 has one or more doors 61 through which the object 62 is inserted to undergo various tests. In some versions of the invention, the object 62 remains stationary on the platform located in the object module 60. In other versions, the object 62 is moved through this module by means of the transport mechanism 67. The transport mechanism 67 is optionally coupled to a gripping mechanism 64, which can be a robotic mechanism capable of holding the object 62 and rotating and positioning it in the appropriate position at the angle required for the test. In the version shown, the transport mechanism 67 is a kind of disk arrangement (wheels), positioning system Χ-Υ or a combination of both, and is connected to the gripping mechanism 64. In an alternative embodiment, the transport mechanism is a conveyor belt that moves the object 62 through various inspection stations.

[0026] The object module 60 is equipped with an automated receiver 69, which automatically provides additional information about the owner of the object 62. In some versions, this data may include information present on the ticket. In other versions, additional information about the owner, such as his name, citizenship, travel destination, can also be provided by an automated receiver 69. This receiver can be equipped with a device for digital or magnetic marking, radio frequency marking or other electronic card reader enabling identification of the owner or holder of the object 62. Such automatic linking of the object 62 and its owner or holder facilitates finding a responsible person in the event of finding a dangerous object. The object module 60 has one or more doors 61 through which the object is removed. In some implementations, doors 61 close automatically when a threat is detected, as part of applicable security procedures.

[0027] In this exemplary version, the ionizing radiation apparatus module 20 consists of a subassembly 22 with an x-ray source, a subassembly 30 for chemical analysis and a subassembly 36 with a non-ionizing radiation source. X-rays are made using an X-ray source 24, emitting a beam of radiation and directing it towards object 62. The X-ray source 24 is preferably located on a rotating mechanism 26 that allows the beam to be directed in different directions, since the beam direction is often required to be adjusted to the size and position of the object 62. The object module 60 has a series of 66 sensors positioned to receive the beams X-rays after passing through the object 62.

-6 Additional sensors 66 can also be installed to register diffuse radiation.

Based on the received beam, after it passes through object 62, sensors 66 generate output signals and transmit them to the calculation module 40. If X-ray is used in one of the tests, the walls of the subassembly 22 and the object module 60 are shielded so that radiation does not escape outside this module.

[0028] Chemical analysis is performed by taking a sample from object 62 and subjecting it to testing in the chemical analysis subassembly 30. The motion path, given by the displacement device, e.g. rotary displacement device 32, connects the gripping mechanism 64 to the chemical analysis subassembly 30 in such a way that the sample taken from the object 62 can be transported to this subassembly. In chemical analysis, for example, ion mobility spectroscopy or newer methods such as selective polymer sensors and microelectromechanical sensors are used. If ion mobility spectroscopy is used, the chemical analysis subassembly 30 is equipped with an ionization reaction chamber 28. The vacuum pump 33 evokes the air flow needed to obtain a gas sample from the object module 60. The gas sample passes through pipes 32 with an adjustable closure, which have sampling openings 63 near the object to suck in the gas samples. The rotary displacement device 32 and the sampling openings 63 provide the ability to mix gas in constant contact with it and to collect the particles for continuous analysis as the object moves through the object module 60 and other tests are performed. The sampling openings 63 may be located in a gripping mechanism 64 that moves the object 62 through the object module 60, for example in the robotic arm or belt conveyor mentioned above. The gas sample enters the subassembly 30 for chemical analysis. In the exemplary version with ion mobility spectrometry, the gas sample is introduced into the ionization reaction chamber 28 through a rotary displacement device 32 and is ionized by means of an ionizing radiation source. Ionized gas particles are fed to a collection plate (not shown) located in the ionization reaction chamber 28 by means of an electric field generated in this chamber. The number of ions entering the collecting plate is measured as a function of time and this data is sent to the computing module 40 in the form of an output signal or output signals. The microprocessor in the chemical analysis subassembly 30 can convert ion values ​​into modulations of the electric current, and then transfer that current to the computational module 40. Ion mobility spectrometry is a well-known and long-used method.

[0029] The chemical analysis subassembly 30 optionally includes a member coupling it to a biological detection device. If there is such a device in apparatus apparatus 20, the biological class of the object can be determined. Biological detection apparatus that identifies material particles can use one of the methods of chemical analysis. An apparatus whose task is to recognize a microorganism, for example anthrax, would work on the basis of automatic DNA analysis based on automated polymerase chain reaction, using currently available technology.

[0030] The subassembly 36 with the non-ionizing radiation source may include a radio frequency source and / or a magnetic field source, for example coils 38 operating in the radio frequency range and antennas for quadrupole nuclear resonance testing and / or eddy current analysis. Such studies provide information on the chemical composition of the object and / or the presence of metal and other conductive materials. The source of the magnetic field can be many sources differing in size and power to detect not only the presence of a dangerous object, but also its

-7umiejscowienie. Radio frequency waves and / or magnetic field are directed at object 62, and sensors 66 receive waves and / or field after or through the object. For example, if the subassembly 36 is a metal detector, it may emit a low intensity magnetic field that polls the object 62 as it moves through the field. The transmitter creates a magnetic field that interacts with metal objects in its range, and sensors 66 measure the signal generated by this interaction. Sensors 66 send measurement results to calculation module 40.

[0031] In addition to x-rays, ion mobility spectrometry and testing with a source of non-ionizing radiation in the version according to Figure 2, any other testing may be used in the multi-threat detection system 10 if it is considered useful in the given conditions. In addition, X-rays, ion mobility spectrometry and a test using a source of non-ionizing radiation can be replaced by other tests deemed appropriate by a specialist in the field. Preferably, each of the sub-assemblies 22, 30, 36 is designed to be independent of the others. Thanks to this, replacing one test with another will probably be a matter of replacing one subassembly with another.

[0032] Sensors 66 may be a matrix of integrated sensors capable of receiving a lot of information in a parallel or multiplex manner. Such sensors are well known. The information collected can be the results of any research, for example, by radio, terahertz, X-ray, gamma, nuclear and chemical analysis, as well as current data.

[0033] The calculation module 40 includes a processor 42, a memory 44 and a power supply 46. When using the multi-variable method, for example the method described below with reference to figure 3, the calculation module 40 determines the risk factor, indicating the probability of being in the object of the dangerous object. The calculation module 40 is equipped with a messaging interface 50 by which it sends optical and / or acoustic warnings by any means of communication, preferably wirelessly, if it deems it likely that there is an object of danger in the object. In addition, at least one open interface 95 is available that allows the computational module 40 to connect to another device, e.g., a gate control platform for controlling persons or a platform for processing incoming biometric data. The open interface 95 may allow wired or wireless connection to such other devices.

[0034] The results of the chemical analysis can be sent directly to the calculation module 40 from the collecting plate in the chemical analysis subassembly 30. If necessary, however, data from the collecting plate can be indirectly transmitted to sensor 66, or more of them, in object module 60 and then from sensor / sensors 66 to calculation module 40. If other methods, e.g. passive sensors are used, particles may be directed directly to sensors 66. Other data, for example x-ray data, is received by sensors 66 and sent to calculation module 40. The term "sensors" here means any type of device capable of performing physical or electrical measurements and generating an output signal for calculation module 40, for example sensors 66 in object module 20 and collecting plate in subassembly 30 for chemical analysis.

[0035] Although Fig. 2 shows the apparatus module 20, the calculation module 40 and the object module 60 as three separate elements, this division is illustrative, whereas the physical modules do not necessarily correspond to such a conceptual division. All three modules can be located on

-8 example in one housing or apparatus and object module in the same housing, and the calculation module in another place.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing sub-modules of the computing module 40 for implementing the method for identifying a dangerous object. As stated above, the calculation module 40 receives input signals from the apparatus module 20 and / or the object module 60. These signals are derived from the raw data received by the sensors 66 and / or the collecting plate in ion mobility spectrometry (or other chemical sensor). As shown in the diagram, the method according to the invention uses a set of functional submodules 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 206, 208 to process various input signals from sensors 66 and a sensor in apparatus module 20 (e.g. plates collecting). These sub-modules calculate the values ​​of a series of parameters for object 62, for example texture, density, electrical conductivity, molecular classification, location classification, radiation classification, visual biological classification, biometric classification. If the object 62 is, for example, a bag that contains many elements, then these elements can be automatically sorted depending on the texture, density, conductivity, etc. so that each element is classified separately.

[0037] In the specific version of Fig. 3, methods for identifying a hazardous object, the results of active (e.g. X-ray) detection are used to perform texture classification, density classification, shape context classification, location classification and visual classification. To classify radiation, the radioactivity level of an object can be determined. Current texture or response signals to the induced electromagnetic field are used for texture classification, conductivity classification, location classification and other parameters. The reaction to the magnetic field is used to perform molecular classification, density classification, location classification and other parameters. The molecular classification uses the result of any chemical analysis. The output signals from the sensors 66 and the output signals from the chemical analysis subassembly 30 are sent to different sub-modules in parallel so that the values ​​of all parameters in the classification areas (e.g. textures, densities) are calculated simultaneously or almost simultaneously. [0038] After determining the parameters based on the values ​​and functions for each of these classification areas, the values ​​are processed collectively in the sub-module 300 of multi-variable data matrix and a risk factor is calculated. The module 300 multivariate data matrix arranges the classification parameters from the function matrices 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 206, 208, 210 into an n-dimensional data matrix. For example, the matrix 124 of the visual classification function generates a series of visualization data [V] as a function of the number in the range (1 ... n) and the measured angle (Φ), depending on the number of revolutions of the gripping mechanism 64, so one of the forms of data processing is the function V = f (<t>) n. In addition, a series of visualization data [V] associated with the density parameters [D] at each angle Φ gives a set of parameters V = f (D, Φ, n). Another set of parameters introduced into the matrix of multi-variable data 300 are conductivity classifications derived from matrix 120 of conductivity classification functions; similarly, they provide a number of interrelated parameters, for example information about conductivity [Z], characterized by the value (i) changing as a function of location (I), giving one set Z = f (i, I). These three examples of functions, i.e. V = ί (Φ, η), V = f (D, Φ, n) and Z = f (i, I), would be ordered into a matrix of 300 multivariate data in such a way as to create multiple attributes for a given location in the spatial arrangement, as well as global attributes, for the entire controlled object. More generally, all blocks of the classification function matrix will give multiple sets of parameters to create an n-dimensional matrix of parameters for processing in decision block 310.

[0039] The n-dimensional matrix of parameters generated in block 310 makes it possible to perform many calculations in this block and to process dependent and mutually dependent parameters. Parameters from the sub-module 300 of multivariate data matrices are passed to threat determination functions for which hybrid calculation sets are performed. Hybrid calculations include combinations of rule-based and non-heuristic methods (e.g. neural networks or other algorithms using artificial intelligence) and comparing the result with criteria and conditions from practical knowledge (block 310). In some versions, an example of a rule-based decision is to compare some or all parameters together with threshold values. For example, the condition 'If texture classification Τ (Φ, L) n> 3, density classification D (<t>, L) n> 4, conductivity classification Z (i, l) n> 4, location classification> 3 and radiation classification > 1 "can be used as a condition for determining one type of risk factor and possibly generating a warning. The calculations may include any simple or complex combination of individual parameter values ​​calculated in decision block 310 to determine sets of risk factors. The sets of risk factors correspond to different categories of hazards that are likely to occur at the site. For example, there may be a category of hazard functions related to the likelihood of a biological event that generate a certain risk factor for such a category, there may be a category of hazard functions associated with the likelihood of a threat of explosives generating a certain risk factor for a category of explosives, as well as there may be a category of threat functions related to the overall probability resulting from a combination of attributes that are not necessarily specific to the type of material. Different calculations can give more than one risk factor in each category. Hazard functions include test conditions and include criteria based on previously gained practical knowledge of signals and combinations of signals that indicate hazards.

[0040] If the risk factor is so high that the predefined condition for the set of threat thresholds is met, the location, amount and type of the dangerous object, depending on the system version, can be estimated (block 320), and a warning ( block 330). Whether the risk factor is high enough to give a warning depends on the sensitivity settings in the system, with a default setting that the user can change. The "warning" can be an optical or acoustic signal notifying the operator of the detection of a potentially dangerous object, and also entails taking other actions, for example closing or blocking the door 61 of the object module 60. An optional signal (e.g. green light), which indicates that the object is free of objects that pose a security risk (block 325).

[0041] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary version of the multi threat detection system 10 consisting of a single apparatus module 20 and five object modules 60a-60e. As shown, the apparatus module 20 is centrally located relative to the object modules 60, whereby the object is inspected by the apparatus module 20 regardless of which object module it is in. A favorable solution is to place in the apparatus module a rotary mechanism enabling a change of direction, for example, of an analytical beam depending on which object is to be checked. When all object modules are full, the apparatus module performs object tests by rotating step by step between the individual object modules 60, as the arrows show. Some tests are carried out sequentially, for example, X-rays

The radiation beam is directed from the apparatus module 20 in turn to the object modules 60a-60e, and the order can be predetermined. Other tests, however, for many object modules 60a-60e are performed simultaneously, for example, for chemical analysis, a sample of each object can be taken at the same time from all object modules 60a-60e, because each object module has its own rotary displacement device 32, mechanism gripper 64 and apertures 63 for collecting particles. Thus, depending on the tests provided for in a given system version, the test (as a whole) with five object modules 60a-60e may be partly sequential and partly simultaneous. All test data is sent to calculation module 40, preferably immediately after it is obtained.

[0042] The output signals from the sensors 66 (and the collecting plate in the chemical analysis subassembly 30, if present) can be processed by a single calculation module 40 or by more than one such module. If there is only one calculation module 40, it separates objects to provide five different results, one for each object 62.

[0043] In the current security control system, passengers line up and objects (e.g. suitcases) are checked individually. To avoid the resulting inconvenience, the version of Fig. 4 allows for fast processing of data from many objects compared to the above situation, since all tests provided for in the apparatus module 20 are carried out in the object modules 60a-60e simultaneously for each object, thanks to which passenger flow is not hindered.

[0044] The multi-threat detection system 10 of Fig. 4 can be designed as a modular system so that the number of object modules 60 can be changed as desired. Thus, if in one area the movement of people is large and in the other area has decreased, several modules object from this second area can be moved to the first area by simply disconnecting them from one apparatus module 20 and connecting them to another apparatus module 20. Such flexibility gives additional cost savings for public entities that would use the multi-threat detection system 10. The object modules 60a-60e are substantially identical to each other.

[0045] In addition, the platform on which the object 62 is placed in the object module 60 may be equipped with a sensor, e.g. a weight sensor, which transmits to the apparatus module 20 a signal informing whether the given object module 60 is currently in use or no. So if for some reason only the 60a, 60b, 60d and 60e object modules are used, then the apparatus module 20 will not needlessly send analytical beams and take samples from the empty object module 60c, and the system will automatically optimize the testing procedures.

[0046] In this particular embodiment of the system, modules having a hexagonal shape are shown to create a honeycomb configuration — however, this is only an example and not a limitation of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating apparatus apparatus 20 and object modules 60a-60e. In this particular version, a single calculation module 40 cooperates with all 60a-60e object modules. Each of the 60a-60e object modules has a transport device, e.g. a mechanical mechanism, a robotic mechanism, a multi-axis manipulator or a conveyor belt, and a sensor matrix as described above with reference to Figure 2. The apparatus module 20 consists of four components: a component with an ionizing radiation source, a component for chemical analysis, a component with a non-ionizing radiation source, and a component for inducing a magnetic field. Each of the object modules 60a-60e is connected to the apparatus module 20 and calculation module 40.

-11Fig. 6 shows another example embodiment of the multi-threat detection system 10 where the object is a human (or any animal). In the specific embodiment shown, the object modules 60a, 60b are attached to the apparatus module 20. Obviously, tests using radiation should be carried out with caution, choosing appropriate radiation parameters, especially if the tested "objects" are people. If desired, in the apparatus module 20 or in the object module 60a and / or 60b, in a suitable place, a camera recording the images of objects can be installed to biometric classification and / or send the images to the operator.

Fig. 7 shows yet another example of a multi-threat detection system 10, in this version for checking inanimate objects and people. This particular version is characterized by an apparatus module 20 with five object modules 60a-60e intended for testing inanimate objects and a gate 60f through which people or animals pass. The apparatus module 20 examines objects and people in each of the object modules 60a-60f. In certain situations where the object module 60f is located too far from the apparatus module 20, a separate apparatus module may be provided for the object module 60f. However, all object modules and both apparatus modules will still send signals to one calculation module 40.

[0047] The invention allows the detection of threat objects with increased accuracy compared to the system currently available. The current systems use a sequence of separate devices, each of which performs only one test and generates a result based on this one test, while the system according to the invention takes into account a combination of many parameters. Thanks to this, when a bomb with a low explosive content and with a low mass of conductive material may not be detected by the current system, because both materials are present in amounts lower than the threshold values, such an object could be "caught" by the system according to the invention, because the presence of a certain combination Indicator material and proximity parameters included in the threat functions could trigger an alarm. The use of a combination of parameters provides greater flexibility and increased accuracy in detecting the presence of objects that threaten security.

[0048] The invention further allows the detection of a non-specific threat item, which is different from the current system, focused on specific items and materials, for example, explosives, drugs, weapons. By detecting the occurrence of a general combination of potentially hazardous materials, the system of the invention makes it difficult to pass through a security control system of new, deliberately constructed, dangerous objects.

Izabela People of the age

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