A patent was awarded to inventors Jon D. Macklin (El Cajon, CA); Walter C. Bonneau, Jr., (Escondido, CA); and Bruce D. Roberts, (San Diego, CA), and was assigned patent number 8720775 to Cubic Corporation (San Diego, CA).

This disclosure relates in general to securing controlled areas and, but not by way of limitation, to automatic security systems used for controlled areas.

There are terrorism concerns in many contexts. Situations where people congregate have become attractive targets for those who plant bombs.

Terrorists often rely upon forged authentication documents such that knowing true identities is not possible. Additionally, terrorists seek out situations where they can anonymously gain access to large amounts of people to increase the impact of their bombs.

Airports have a long history of controlling access by persons with certain items that could aid hijacking an airplane. For example, airports have security checkpoints where metal detectors are used on people and carry-on bags are searched. Some airports use X-ray machines on bags and chemical detectors on bags and people.

These systems interrogate a bag or person without knowing the identity of the person being interrogated. Security systems are used to secure areas.

Things such as security codes, biometric information and/or identity cards are used to authenticate people [Read more by the link below]