Method and System for Certifying Operators of X-Ray Systems

Abstract

A method and system for using Threat Imaging Projection (TIP) technology, and the operator testing data that it generates, in order to certify x-ray inspection system operators and thereby assure an acceptable and uniform level of operator performance. In a preferred configuration, the operator views x-ray images of objects on a screening system equipped with TIP technology. When the operator believes that a threat item image appears on the screening system, the operator indicates such via an indicating means. The system is capable of recording, storing and transmitting individual operator performance data relating to proper detections, missed detections, and false alarms, i.e., when an operator indicates that a threat item image appears when no such image actually appears on the screening system. The system preferably contains a library of various threat item images, e.g., guns, bombs, knives, etc., which are classified according to type of threat and difficulty of detection.

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         51 . A method for evaluating a performance of a security inspection system operator at a checkpoint, comprising:
 determining first values indicative of a number of people passing through said checkpoint and storing said first values in a non-transitory computer readable medium;   determining second values indicative of a number of detections made by a metal detector at said checkpoint and storing said second values in a non-transitory computer readable medium;   determining third values indicative of certification information specific to said operator and storing said third values in a non-transitory computer readable medium; and,   evaluating the performance of said operator based on said first, second, and third values using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising the step of determining fourth values indicative of a number of detections made by a plurality of detection devices at said checkpoint and storing said fourth values in a non-transitory computer readable medium. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein said performance of said operator is evaluated based on said first, second, third, and fourth values. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising the step of assessing a plurality of threat item images stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to display an X-ray image of at least one threat item image in combination with a baggage item, wherein said display provides the appearance that said threat item is located inside of said baggage item. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  further comprising the step of receiving an input from said operator using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein said input indicates whether the operator has identified said at least one threat image on the display. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  further comprising the step of using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to determine whether said operator has detected a predetermined percentage of said threat item images and, depending on said calculation, producing a certification score. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said third values indicative of certification information are determined by associating an orientation angle of each threat item image with a detection difficulty level. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said threat item images include images of at least one of bombs, knives, guns, or improvised explosive devices. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising the step of using an X-ray machine located at the checkpoint to scan baggage possessed by an individual passing through the checkpoint and to generate an X-ray image. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59  further comprising the steps of combining the X-ray image with at least one threat item image and displaying the combined image to said operator as said baggage passes through said X-ray machine. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 51  wherein evaluation of said operator performance is based on a certification criteria database containing a plurality of requirements for operator certification. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising the step of using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to report the evaluation of the performance of the operator to an operator certification authority. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said certification information includes any one or more of date and time of each evaluation, the type of image and image difficulty presented to said operator, said operator's test results, identifying information of said operator, and location of testing. 
     
     
         64 . A method for evaluating performance of a security inspection system operator at a checkpoint, comprising:
 scanning baggage possessed by an individual passing through said checkpoint using a scanning system;   generating an X-ray image;   determining first values indicative of a number of people passing through said checkpoint and storing said first values in a non-transitory computer readable medium;   determining second values indicative of a number of detections made by a metal detector at said checkpoint and storing said second values in a non-transitory computer readable medium;   determining third values indicative of certification information specific to said operator and storing said third values in a non-transitory computer readable medium; and,   evaluating the performance of said operator based on said first, second, and third values using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising the step of determining fourth values indicative of a number of detections made by a plurality of detection devices at said checkpoint and storing said fourth values in a non-transitory computer readable medium. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein said performance of said operator is evaluated based on said first, second, third, and fourth values. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising the step of assessing a plurality of threat item images stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to display an X-ray image of at least one threat item image in combination with a baggage item, wherein said display provides the appearance that said threat item is located inside of said baggage item. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64  wherein evaluation of said operator performance is based on a certification criteria database containing a plurality of requirements for operator certification. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 64  further comprising the step of using a plurality of programmatic instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to report the evaluation of the performance of the operator to an operator certification authority. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said certification information includes any one or more of date and time of each evaluation, the type of image and image difficulty presented to said operator, said operator's test results, identifying information of said operator, and location of testing.