User interface for use in screening luggage, containers, parcels or people and apparatus for implementing same

Abstract

An apparatus and method for implementing a user interface module for use in screening a receptacle to detect therein the presence of one or more prohibited objects is provided. An image signal associated with the receptacle conveying information related to the receptacle's contents and a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle are received. A user interface module is adapted for displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of the image signal. The user interface module is also adapted for displaying, simultaneously with the first information, second information conveying the presence of the prohibited object in the receptacle. The second information is derived at least in part on the basis of the detection signal. As a variant, the user interface module is adapted for providing a control allowing a user to cause third information to be displayed. The third information conveys at least one characteristic associated to the prohibited object. Alternative implementations of the user interface module may be made for use in screening a person to detect thereon the presence of one or more prohibited objects.

1 . A computer readable storage medium storing a program element suitable for execution by a CPU, said program element implementing a graphical user interface module for use in detecting the presence of one or more prohibited objects in a receptacle, said graphical user interface module being adapted for: 
 a) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle, said image conveying information related to the contents of the receptacle;    b) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information;    c) providing a control allowing a user to cause third information to be displayed, said third information conveying at least one characteristic associated to the at least one prohibited object.    
   
   
       2 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said third information conveys an image of the at least one prohibited object, the image being extracted from a database of prohibited objects.  
   
   
       3 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said third information conveys a risk level associated to the at least one prohibited object.  
   
   
       4 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said third information conveys a level of confidence associated to the presence of the at least one prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       5 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first information and second information are displayed in a first viewing window and said third information is displayed in a second viewing window.  
   
   
       6 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said graphical user interface module being adapted for: 
 a) displaying a prohibited object list, the prohibited object list including a plurality of entries, each entry being associated to a corresponding prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected;    b) enabling a user to select an entry from said plurality of entries in said prohibited object list;    c) displaying information associated with the entry selected in b).    
   
   
       7 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 6 , wherein at least one entry in said prohibited object list conveys a level of confidence associated to detection of the corresponding prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       8 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said information associated to the selected entry includes an information item selected from the set consisting of an image of a prohibited object and a risk level associated to the prohibited object.  
   
   
       9 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said control is a first control, said graphical user interface module being adapted for providing a second control allowing a user to cause said second information to be removed from the user interface module.  
   
   
       10 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the image associated with the receptacle conveyed by said first information is selected from the set consisting of x-ray, gamma-ray, computed tomography (CT scans), TeraHertz and millimeter wave images.  
   
   
       11 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the image associated with the receptacle conveyed by said first information includes an image generated on the basis of emitted radiation.  
   
   
       12 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said control allows the user to cause said third information to be displayed by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.  
   
   
       13 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said control includes a selection box.  
   
   
       14 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second information conveys the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle in textual format.  
   
   
       15 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second information conveys the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle in graphical format.  
   
   
       16 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the second information conveys position information related to the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       17 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said graphical user interface module is adapted for: 
 a) receiving a detection signal conveying presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle;    b) processing the detection signal to derive said second information.    
   
   
       18 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said detection signal includes a data element conveying a level of confidence associated to the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       19 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said graphical user interface module is operative for: 
 a) processing the data element indicative of the level of confidence in combination with a detection sensitivity level;    b) when the level of confidence associated to the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle conveyed by the data element in the detection signal is below the detection sensitivity level, causing said second information to be omitted from the user interface module.    
   
   
       20 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said control is a first control, said user interface is adapted for displaying a second control allowing a user to modify the detection sensitivity level.  
   
   
       21 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the detection signal conveys position information related to the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       22 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the detection signal enables identification of the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       23 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a luggage item.  
   
   
       24 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a cargo container.  
   
   
       25 . A computer readable storage medium as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a mail parcel.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus for implementing a user interface module for use in screening receptacles to detect the presence of one or more prohibited objects, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) a first input for receiving an image signal associated with a receptacle, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the receptacle;    b) a second input for receiving a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle;    c) a processing unit in communication with said first input and second input, said processing unit being operative for implementing the user interface module, said user interface module being adapted for: 
 i) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of said image signal;  
 ii) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information, said second information being derived at least in part on the basis of said detection signal;  
 iii) providing a control allowing a user to cause third information to be displayed, said third information conveying at least one characteristic associated to the at least one prohibited object;  
   d) an output for releasing a signal adapted to cause a display module to display said user interface module.    
   
   
       27 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said third information conveys an image of the at least one prohibited object, the image being extracted from a database of prohibited objects.  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said third information conveys a risk level associated to the at least one prohibited object.  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said third information conveys a level of confidence associated to the presence of the at least one prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said first information and second information are displayed in a first viewing window and said third information is displayed in a second viewing window.  
   
   
       31 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 30 , wherein said graphical user interface module being adapted for: 
 a) displaying a prohibited object list, the prohibited object list including a plurality of entries, each entry being associated to a corresponding prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected;    b) enabling a user to select an entry from said plurality of entries in said prohibited object list;    c) displaying information associated with the entry selected in b).    
   
   
       32 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein at least one entry in said prohibited object list conveys a level of confidence associated to detection of the corresponding prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       33 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said information associated to the selected entry includes an information item selected from the set consisting of an image of a prohibited object and a risk level associated to the prohibited object.  
   
   
       34 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said control is a first control, said graphical user interface module being adapted for displaying a second control allowing a user to cause said second information to be removed from the user interface module.  
   
   
       35 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the image associated with the receptacle conveyed by said first information is selected from the set consisting of x-ray, gamma-ray, computed tomography (CT scans), TeraHertz and millimeter wave images.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the image associated with the receptacle conveyed by said first information includes an image generated on the basis of emitted radiation.  
   
   
       37 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said control allows the user to cause said third information to be displayed by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.  
   
   
       38 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 37 , wherein said control includes a selection box.  
   
   
       39 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the second information conveys the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle in textual format.  
   
   
       40 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the second information conveys the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle in graphical format.  
   
   
       41 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 40 , wherein the second information conveys position information related to the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       42 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein said detection signal includes a data element conveying a level of confidence associated to the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       43 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said graphical user interface module is operative for: 
 a) processing the data element indicative of the level of confidence in combination with a detection sensitivity level;    b) when the level of confidence associated to the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle conveyed by the data element in the detection signal is below the detection sensitivity level, causing said second information to be omitted from the user interface module.    
   
   
       44 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 43 , wherein said control is a first control, said user interface is adapted for displaying a second control allowing a user to modify the detection sensitivity level.  
   
   
       45 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41 , wherein the detection signal conveys position information related to the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       46 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 41 , wherein the detection signal enables identification of the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       47 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the receptacle is a luggage item.  
   
   
       48 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the receptacle is a cargo container.  
   
   
       49 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 26 , wherein the receptacle is a mail parcel.  
   
   
       50 . A method for displaying information associated to a receptacle for use in detecting the presence of one or more prohibited objects in the receptacle during security screening, said method comprising: 
 a) receiving an image signal associated with a receptacle, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the receptacle;    b) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of said image signal;    c) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information;    d) providing a control allowing a user to cause third information to be displayed, said third information conveying at least one characteristic associated to the at least one prohibited object.    
   
   
       51 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said third information conveys an image of the at least one prohibited object, the image being extracted from a database of prohibited objects.  
   
   
       52 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said third information conveys a risk level associated to the at least one prohibited object.  
   
   
       53 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said third information conveys a level of confidence associated to the presence of the at least one prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       54 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said first information and second information are displayed in a first viewing window and said third information is displayed in a second viewing window.  
   
   
       55 . A method as defined in  claim 54 , wherein said graphical user interface module being adapted for: 
 a) displaying a prohibited object list, the prohibited object list including a plurality of entries, each entry being associated to a corresponding prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected;    b) enabling a user to select an entry from said plurality of entries in said prohibited object list;    c) displaying information associated with the entry selected in b).    
   
   
       56 . A method as defined in  claim 55 , wherein at least one entry in said prohibited object list conveys a level of confidence associated to detection of the corresponding prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       57 . A method as defined in  claim 55 , wherein said information associated to the selected entry includes an information item selected from the set consisting of an image of a prohibited object and a risk level associated to the prohibited object.  
   
   
       58 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said control is a first control, said graphical user interface module being adapted for displaying a second control allowing a user to cause said second information to be removed from the user interface module.  
   
   
       59 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the image associated with the receptacle conveyed by said first information is selected from the set consisting of x-ray, gamma-ray, computed tomography (CT scans), TeraHertz and millimeter wave images.  
   
   
       60 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the image associated with the receptacle conveyed by said first information includes an image generated on the basis of emitted radiation.  
   
   
       61 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said control allows the user to cause said third information to be displayed by using an input device selected from the set consisting of a mouse, keyboard, pointing device, speech recognition unit and touch sensitive screen.  
   
   
       62 . A method as defined in  claim 61 , wherein said control includes a selection box.  
   
   
       63 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the second information conveys the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle in textual format.  
   
   
       64 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the second information conveys the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle in graphical format.  
   
   
       65 . A method as defined in  claim 64 , wherein the second information conveys position information related to the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       66 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said method comprises: 
 a) receiving a detection signal conveying presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle;    b) processing the detection signal to derive said second information.    
   
   
       67 . A method as defined in  claim 66 , wherein said detection signal includes a data element conveying a level of confidence associated to the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle.  
   
   
       68 . A method as defined in  claim 67 , wherein said graphical user interface module is operative for: 
 a) processing the data element indicative of the level of confidence in combination with a detection sensitivity level;    b) when the level of confidence associated to the presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle conveyed by the data element in the detection signal is below the detection sensitivity level, causing said second information to be omitted from the user interface module.    
   
   
       69 . A method as defined in  claim 68 , wherein said control is a first control, said user interface is adapted for displaying a second control allowing a user to modify the detection sensitivity level.  
   
   
       70 . A method as defined in  claim 66 , wherein the detection signal conveys position information related to the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       71 . A method as defined in  claim 66 , wherein the detection signal enables identification of the at least one prohibited object whose presence in the receptacle was detected.  
   
   
       72 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the receptacle is a luggage item.  
   
   
       73 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the receptacle is a cargo container.  
   
   
       74 . A method as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the receptacle is a mail parcel.  
   
   
       75 . An apparatus for implementing a user interface module for use in detecting the presence of one or more prohibited objects in a receptacle, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) means for receiving an image signal associated with a receptacle, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the receptacle;    b) means for receiving a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle;    c) means for implementing the user interface module, said user interface module being adapted for: 
 i) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of said image signal;  
 ii) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information, said second information being derived at least in part on the basis of said detection signal;  
 iii) providing a control allowing a user to cause third information to be displayed, said third information conveying at least one characteristic associated to the at least one prohibited object;  
   d) means for releasing a signal adapted to cause a display module to display said user interface module.    
   
   
       76 . A system for detecting the presence of one or more prohibited objects in a receptacle, comprising: 
 a) an input for receiving data conveying graphic information regarding the contents of the receptacle;    b) an optical correlator in communication with said input, said optical correlator being operative for processing the graphic information to detect a depiction of the one or more prohibited objects in the receptacle;    c) an apparatus for implementing a user interface module, said apparatus being in communication with said input and with said optical correlator, said apparatus being operative for implementing a user interface module adapted for: 
 i) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of the data conveying graphic information regarding the contents of the receptacle;  
 ii) displaying second information conveying a presence of one or more prohibited objects in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information;  
 iii) releasing a signal adapted to cause a display module to display said user interface module.  
   
   
   
       77 . A computer readable storage medium storing a program element suitable for execution by a CPU, said program element implementing a graphical user interface module for use in detecting the presence of one or more prohibited objects in a receptacle, said graphical user interface module being adapted for: 
 a) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle, said image conveying information related to the contents of the receptacle;    b) receiving a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle;    c) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information, said second information being derived at least in part on the basis of said detection signal.    
   
   
       78 . A method for displaying information associated to a receptacle for use in detecting the presence of one or more prohibited objects in the receptacle during security screening, said method comprising: 
 a) receiving an image signal associated with a receptacle, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the receptacle;    b) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of said image signal;    c) receiving a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle;    d) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information, said second information being derived at least in part on the basis of said detection signal.    
   
   
       79 . An apparatus for implementing a user interface module for use in screening receptacles to detect a presence of one or more prohibited objects, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) a first input for receiving an image signal associated with a receptacle, the image signal conveying information related to the contents of the receptacle;    b) a second input for receiving a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle;    c) a processing unit in communication with said first input and second input, said processing unit being operative for implementing the user interface module, said user interface module being adapted for: 
 i) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of said image signal;  
 ii) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information, said second information being derived at least in part on the basis of said detection signal;  
   d) an output for releasing a signal adapted to cause a display module to display said user interface module.    
   
   
       80 . An apparatus for implementing a user interface module for use in screening a person to detect the presence of one or more prohibited objects, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) a first input for receiving an image signal associated with the person;    b) a second input for receiving a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object on the person;    c) a processing unit in communication with said first input and second input, said processing unit being operative for implementing the user interface module, said user interface module being adapted for: 
 i) displaying first information conveying an image associated with the person on the basis of said image signal;  
 ii) displaying second information conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object on the person, said second information being displayed simultaneously with said first information, said second information being derived at least in part on the basis of said detection signal;  
   d) an output for releasing a signal adapted to cause a display module to display said user interface module.