Automated security scanning process

Abstract

This invention automates a portion of the existing process by applying computerized comparative assessment program to the image presented on the operator's viewing screen. This is accomplished by creating a computerized image database of all known weapons, dangerous articles, and other prohibited items. At the same time the scanned container's contents data is converted to the image presented on the operator's viewing screen, the same data is computer compared to the weapons database. Just as the human mentally compares learned weapons database against what he or she sees on the monitor, the computer accomplishes the same process, except much more timely and accurately. When the computer identifies data from the scanned image that correlates to it's prohibited items database, it alerts the security operator by any number of common means and highlights the image on the security operator's monitor.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An automated security scanning process comprising the steps of: 
       creating a database of computerized image characteristics of known weapons and contraband;  
       scanning baggage to obtain image characteristics of elements in baggage;  
       identifying known weapons and contraband when characteristics of contents in the baggage match image characteristics of known weapons and contraband; and  
       activating an alarm when known weapons and contraband.  
     
     
       2. An automated security scanning process, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said scanning step is accomplished using an x-ray luggage scanning system.