SIMFOX - Programme

How the Programme Works

SIMFOX comprises three core modules:

1. The Image processor and Instructor Administration Utilities, which allow the Instructor to build bags containing items selected form a database of both normal and threat items; and to save these bags as either Training or Testing sessions for the student to run.

2. The X-ray Training Simulator, which simulates a particular X-ray machine, and presents the student with the sessions the instructor has created.

3. The Training & Operational Research module for data acquisition and analysis, which provides valuable data on X-ray operators’ capabilities, including x-ray interpretation skills, bag processing time, group categorisation and group performances. In addition, it assists in establishing performance standards and norms for groups, individuals, bags, and the overall operation.

After the trainer has created testing sessions using the Image Processor, the sessions can be transferred to the student either by an Intranet network or via the Internet.

The student then runs the training or testing session on the Simulator, following which the results are transferred back to the trainer for evaluation.

The Image Processor & Trainer Administration Utilities

This module has three main functions, as follows:

1. Bag creation.

2. Session and Course creation.

3. Student Record creation.

Bag Creation

Using SIMFOX, trainers can build two separate bag libraries: Training Bags and Testing Bags. Training bags are used to teach students how to recognise both threats and non-threats within baggage and Testing bags are used to test the level of recognition the student has achieved.

Trainers build their own customised bag libraries by selecting an empty bag from the bag library and filling it with items selected from the preinstalled item library. Items can be placed in any position within the empty bag, following which the item can be resized and rotated if desired, to create an infinite number of bags. Items are categorised as Clothing, Electrical Items, Miscellaneous Items, Explosives, Firearms, Knives or Miscellaneous Threat Items. Trainers can move items between categories, and if necessary change the threat status of an item (for example, a prison authority may classify food as a prohibited item whereas an airport may not).

After placing all items into a bag, the trainer can specify the action the student must take  in order to gain full marks for the bag. For example, if the bag contains a visible firearm then the student should 'hold' the bag. In addition, trainers can specify the time allowed by SIMFOX for a student to assess the bag contents before incurring penalty points.

Session and Course Creation

After creating bags, this section allows trainers to create sessions containing one or more bags. Sessions, like bags, are divided into those for 'training' and those for 'testing', for teaching and assessment.

Each session has a variety of settings to allow trainers to customise the expected performance of the session. Here trainers can dictate the penalties incurred for varying factors, for example, exceeding the time allowed for assessment of a bag, selecting the wrong action to be taken for a bag, the incorrect naming of a threat item or the penalty for missing additional threat items also present in the same bag.

Each session can also be prefixed by a text description offering advice to students; this text will appear prior to the student running the session.

Sessions are then further organised into courses to create the top tier of the coursework hierarchy.

Student Record Creation

In this section, the trainer can create a record for each individual student. Student records consist of a nine-digit ID number, the name of the student, an individual password, an email address (Internet version) and the group the student belongs to.

Students are separated into groups to allow easy management of both novice and expert users. SIMFOX allows the renaming of groups and the creation of new groups.

The X-ray Training Simulator

The X-ray Training Simulator accurately simulates X-ray machines by using signatures taken from the host machine. Images are displayed in their original scale and retain their original colour balance.

SIMFOX is the only X-ray training system available that allows the use of the actual keyboard from the host X-ray machine. If required, SIMFOX can be installed to use the actual keyboard from the machine.

Without the need for the trainer to be present, students can run lessons on the simulator. After logging onto the system using the relevant ID number and password, and selecting the relevant session, the student is presented with the simulator for the respective machine and an introduction (if supplied by the trainer) to the session to be taken. Students then run the simulator using the same keys they would find on the X-ray machine, including image enhancements, zoom and conveyor control.

All bags included in the session will scroll onto the screen for examination by the students. Each time a session is run by any student, the bags will appear in random order. This feature ensures accurate scoring for each student in situations where several students are running the same session on screens in the same room, and to reduce the chance of familiarisation if a session is run by a student more than once.

During each bag evaluation, student response time and the action taken for the bag are recorded. The score for the bag is derived from the following factors:

- Did the student make the correct action for the bag within the time allowed?

If the correct response was to search the bag, did the student:

1. Select 'search'?

2. Identify the correct area(s) of suspicion?

If the correct response was to hold the bag did the student:

1. Select 'hold'?

2. Identify the location(s) of the threat(s)?

3. Identify the nature of the threat(s)?

After all bags in a session have been presented to the student a Result Screen is displayed, which contains a score for each bag, the action taken by the student, what the correct action should have been, and an average score for the session.

In addition, a detailed Review Screen for each bag is available, displaying the following:

• a photo of the bag

• a photo of each item present in the bag

• an overall description of the bag and the assessment given

• a description of each item

• a list of the image enhancement buttons used on the bag

• the ability to view the X-ray trace signature of each item isolated within the main bag image.

The Training & Operational Research Module

This section collects and stores performance data from every aspect of the system, from student threat recognition ability to individual bag statistics.  The following reports are available from the SIMFOX system:

Course Database Analysis

The highest level of report summarising the performance of all courses in the current database, including average time and score per bag.

Session Database Analysis

Analysis of all sessions in the current database including bags per session, threats per session, average time and average score.

Single Session Analysis

Detailed breakdown of a selected session, reports of all students who have taken the session and their performance results.

Bag Database Analysis

Analysis of all bags in the current database including usage, correct action versus action taken, time taken and score average.

Single Bag Analysis

Detailed breakdown of a selected bag, reports of all students that have been tested with the selected bag and their performance.

Student Database Analysis

Analysis of all students in the current database including sessions taken, bags viewed, time taken and score average.

Group Database Analysis

Analysis of student groups including number of members, bags tested and the average score.

Single Group Analysis

Analyses the performance of a single group including average time and score.

Threat Recognition Analysis

Reports the success or failure rate of all threat items in the database.

Student Threat Recognition Analysis

Details each student’s performance regarding individual threat recognition.

Session Results Pending

This report details all students who have been issued with a test but have yet to take it.

Student Achievement

This report can be configured to list all students who have achieved a score less than the percentage selected by the trainer or to list all students who have achieved an average score less than the percentage selected by the trainer.

All reports are presented on screen and may be exported to Microsoft Excel for printing and graph generation.