DE102005012933B3 - Computerized luggage locating, tracking and search method, e.g. for use in airports, involves using computer to process data from electronic tag attached to luggage and to indicate if luggage deviates from its predetermined destination - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves determining the actual coordinates of a luggage (3) based on the data transmitted and received between a computer (7) and the electronic tag (2) attached to the luggage, and the destination of the luggage based on a stored transport and travel route (4) profile. The computer indicates the destination and movement of the luggage based on the data obtained by the computer. A warning is produced when the luggage deviates from its predetermined destination. The transport and travel route profile for the luggage is generated by the computer according to its final destination and profile file obtained from the origin of the luggage. The processed profile from the computer is transferred and stored after determining the characteristics of the luggage. The electronic tag, which can be in the form of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, communicates with transceivers (6) that produce individual signals and sends the produced signals to the computer for processing. The computer communicates with other computers and servers within the airport and with other airports via the Internet or other public networks. An independent claim is included for the luggage locating, tracking and searching device.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for locating, tracking and retrieving of luggage and / or between airports and / or railway and / or bus stoves and / or ports, in which the belonging to flight and / or ticket tickets with electronic carriers with Transmitters / receivers provided for generating individual identification signals be at the starting point along one in several control sections Divided, in a collection point ending transport route by electronic receiver be located and detected, wherein the received signals digitized a computer for processing and a server to hold and information output are fed the computer with computers from other airports and / or rail and / or Bushholes and / or Ports via Internet or other public networks communicated.

The invention further relates to a device for locating, tracking and retrieving pieces of luggage along their transport path on and / or between airports and / or railway and / or bus stoves and / or ports, with the pieces of luggage ( 3 ) individualizing electronic media ( 2 ) for generating individual identification signals, with transceivers ( 6 ) for locating the pieces of luggage along a transport path ( 4 ), at the place of departure, in several control sections (A, B, C, ..., n) and a collection point ( 11 ) for the pieces of baggage, to each of which separate transceivers ( 6 ) are assigned to receive the individual signals, the transceivers ( 6 ) with a computer ( 7 ) for processing the data and assigning the pieces of luggage ( 3 ) are connected to the data, the computer ( 7 ) is connected to computers of other airports, railway and bus stations or ports via the Internet or other public networks.

It gives a variety of solutions, which aim to reduce the number of misguided and lost gone luggage in travel, especially air traffic, lower.

So is from US 2002/0040928 A1 an electronic test device known, by reading bar code information on the luggage and the Tickets through a Pocket PC to match checked can be.

From the US 5 051 565 A *** "" A system and method is known for adjusting the weight of baggage to passengers during boarding of the passengers, whereby each passenger receives the same machine readable code on his boarding ticket and luggage tag. With a scanner, this code is read and stored in a storage device at the boarding point. The stored codes are transmitted before departure to the gate at which the passengers board. A computer compares the stored codes of the passengers with the stored codes of the loaded baggage. Errors in the stored codes with the adjusted loaded baggage indicate that a check on the baggage is required prior to the departure of the aircraft.

These known solution only the occurrence of errors, i. a nonexistence a piece of luggage in the plane determine, but not the whereabouts of the luggage in the available Clear time.

After US Pat. No. 6,027,027 A For example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Code) tag is known which is attached to the item of luggage for identification. Each of the tags includes an integrated circuit and corresponding antenna for radio communication that responds to incoming radio radiation from a receiver and accordingly outputs programmed identification signals to the receiver. The circuit stores data of the owner of the item of luggage, such as the name and address, the weight of the item of luggage, the destination and the identification number of the owner at check-in. Once the tag's integrated circuit is hit by a modulated radio signal from a transceiver, the circuit transmits amplitude modulated signals via the antenna which contain the programmed data. The transceiver demodulates the incoming modulated signals and decrypts the information.

These known solution may indeed provide a useful identification of a piece of luggage. A promptly tracking the path of the item of baggage from its task at the baggage until loading in the means of transport but it is not described.

Out WO 03/096282 A1 is further a method and a system for tracking aircraft handling, in which the transport route of the Luggage as usual on Departure airport is controlled.

The US 2004/0199403 A1 describes a method and a device for transport of passenger luggage, in which the transport of luggage separated from the transport of the passenger.

In this prior art, the inventions The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device with which the number of misdirected pieces of luggage and the loss can be considerably reduced, whereby the traveler can track the transport path of his luggage in a timely and cost-effective manner up to the final destination of the journey with high security.

These Task is by a method of the type mentioned with the characterizing features of claim 1 and by a Device solved with the characterizing features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of Invention are in the subclaims described.

The inventive method is characterized mainly by the fact that the customer, traveler or Service providers, for example "Lost and found " Transport of a piece of luggage from the Task at the baggage acceptance promptly both to the loading in the means of transport as well track to destination, including stopovers can. By monitoring along the luggage the transport route through a permanent Sending / receiving the amplitude-modulated signals of the luggage piece attached Labels or tags can be used to ensure consistency the individual transport path of the item of luggage with the predetermined transport route be determined. Any deviation from the given transport route at the airport, station or port can be determined. Mishaps of luggage can thus to an utmost Minimum limited become. By networking the information systems or servers different airports, stations or ports can the transport of the piece of luggage up to the destination without gaps be followed. Any misdirected baggage can be tracked promptly at low cost. considerable Transport costs for misguided Become pieces of luggage avoided.

Luggage, that does not belong to the flight number stored in the RFID tag or tag, as soon as it's up to a receiver moved past, trigger an alarm message. The receiver / transmitter for the RFID tags are designed to read RFID tags and themselves is programmable. So it is possible the receiver / transmitter to equip it with a software that is capable of Flight valid To save flight numbers, to count the number of pieces of luggage passed by and the total of the counted To identify pieces of luggage so that a Verzählung of luggage through the ground crew is excluded during loading. This saves valuable Time and costs.

In addition, can such a transmitter / receiver be mobile and be placed at boarding, allowing passengers through her at the luggage fixed electronic tag / tags identified and a wrong one Passenger with a wrong flight number, which is in the RFID tags is stored immediately, quickly and easily identified by the triggered alarm can be. It goes without saying that also the mobile transmitter / receiver is capable of counting functions exercise. As a mobile device and a hand-held scanner can be used.

the Customers, travelers or service providers, it is possible to constantly use the information system of the Transport server of an airport, train station or port via information terminals to communicate. He needs only one identification code issued at the ticket purchase, with whom he can log in to the terminals.

The inventive device Despite its simplicity, it is easy to install, requires little maintenance and is safe and has the advantage of being easily integrated into existing check-in counters, Conveyor belts, luggage trolleys to the collection point of the luggage implies.

The Invention will be described below to an embodiment of the hand attached Drawings closer explained become.

1a to 1c shows a schematic flow chart of the method according to the invention, which should be used in the present example on an airport application and 2 a scheme of the device according to the invention.

Of the Customer goes to an airport office of an airline and earns one. Air ticket according to his destination. It will Name, address and destination of the host recorded and the ticket output.

With the issue of the ticket the customer according to the specified destination per piece of luggage an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Code) label in which the name, the address, the destination, the airport, flight number and an identification number were read in.

The customer can log into the system based on the tag number of the RFID tag assigned to him at check-in. For this purpose, he enters his name and his tag number in a corresponding input mask of the information terminal. The system then checks if the tag number was issued at check-in and compares the name of the customer. Voices agree with both the data stored in the system, the customer is allowed to log in. After a corresponding predetermined period of time, the customer is logged out of the system again.

at the same time can optionally provide the customer with an electronically readable code card which contains its identification number. This code card allows the customer in the course in accordance with specially established Log in information terminals and transport information his luggage up to be loaded into the cargo hold of the respective aircraft for loading.

With the registration of destination, name, address and identification number the host generates a itinerary and a transport route of the luggage that is stored as a comparison route in the memory of the computer.

The RFID tag will be affixed to baggage at check-in, after all needed Data has been entered into the system and accepted the thus marked luggage. The Weight of the bag will be determined by weighing, name, address and identification number Communication with the main computer checked and, if necessary, by corrected a new input. The RFID tag now has all for identification along the luggage the one available at the airport Transport route required information.

Along are the conveyor belts arranged at regular intervals transmitter / receiver, which radiate modulated radio signals which interact with the RFID circuits over in the label located antennas, the amplitude modulated signals the recipient send.

There the location of the transmitter / receiver on the conveyor belt is fixed, the coordinates are also fixed. Receives the receiver for example, at the first checkpoint (step A) the signals of according to amplitude modulated signal of the baggage is the received signal after its digitization the main computer supplied the coordinates of the first control point with the coordinates of fact received signal compares. Is there agreement, is the bag is properly on the assigned transport route.

The Luggage moves on the conveyor belt the next Control point (step B), is also detected there and accordingly on agreement checked with the transport route.

The Control continues in n-steps until the piece of luggage provided for Collection point reached.

Got to between the conveyor belt and the collection point the baggage on one mobile feeder can be spent to reach the collection point, the feeder is also equipped with a transmitter / receiver device which in interaction with the corresponding RFID chip of the label of the Baggage steps and the received signals are wirelessly forwarded to the host computer.

Of the Collection point is also assigned a transmitter / receiver, the again queries the presence of all luggage and the corresponding signals to the host for further processing forwards.

As soon as the host a deviation of the actual detected Path coordinates determined from the coordinates of the transport route, he gives warning information to the server and triggers one Search action within the transport route.

All determined data and information about the transport path of the baggage managed by a server. The server forwards the obtained information at information terminals located at the airport, in which the owner of the luggage, for example can log in with his code card. The owner can thus timely the transport of the luggage until to track for loading into the aircraft.

Of the Information terminal is appropriate as a communication point for connection to the Internet or servers of other airports (WLAN, Bluetooth, HotSpot enabled, Telephone, etc.). Naturally it is also possible to form the information terminal at the same time as an Internet server.

The 2 shows the device according to the invention, which essentially consists of a baggage claim 1 in which that with an RFID tag 2 (Carrier) marked piece of luggage 3 on the way 4 to the plane 5 is abandoned by the customer, along the transport route 4 positioned transmitter / receiver 6 that interact with each RFID tag 2 the luggage 3 is performed, a local host 7 who with the senders / receivers 6 , for example, wireless, communicating with a server 8th which stores and manages the processed data and to the server 8th connected information terminals 9a ... 9n ,

The transport route 4 gets regularly out of a stationary conveyor belt 10 , a collection point 11 on which the luggage is collected for the respective flight and a mobile transport cart 12 formed the luggage 3 from För the band 10 to the collection point 11 brings. The conveyor belt 10 is divided into several control sections A, B, C, ..., n, each of the control sections each having a separate transmitter / receiver 6 assigned.

Likewise has the means of transport 12 and the collection point 11 a corresponding transmitter / receiver 6 to interact with the baggage / RFID tag 2 ,

The transmitter / receiver 6 transmit the received signals to the main computer after their digitization 7 who processes the data and sends the results to the server 8th for filing and communication passes. To the server 8th is a corresponding number of information terminals 9a ... 9n connected, through which the customer with the previously described identification number in the server 8th log in and with his assigned identification number the transport process of his luggage on the way 4 can display and track in a timely manner. The login can of course also be a corresponding code card.

The information terminal 9a ... 9n In addition to a keyboard for input, it has a monitor for display, a code card reader and corresponding interfaces for connecting other devices such as laptops, handhelds for communication via the Internet. Optionally, a telephone is also available in the information terminal.

For purposes of communication between departure airport and destination airport, the server may 8th also have a leased line, not shown, to a server of the destination airport.

The Invention can be carried out in this way Be that whole baggage logistics independently carried out by the check-in suburb of an independent operator company. It is also possible the luggage logistics of the invention in the responsibility of the airline, railway or shipping company to leave.

Through the precise location of the item of luggage 3 in the course of his transport route 4 The number of misdirected baggage is significantly reduced and considerable follow-up costs for forwarding the baggage in orders of magnitude avoided. The whereabouts of misdirected baggage can be clarified within a short period of time before departure and regularly before boarding.

list the reference numerals used

1

baggage acceptance

2

RFID tag / electronic carrier

3

piece of baggage

4

transport

5

plane

6

Transmitter-receiver

7

host

 8th

server

9a ... 9n

information terminals

10

conveyor belt

11

collection

12

mobile Mode of Transport

A, B, C, ... n

stubs

Claims (14)

Method for locating, tracking and retrieving of luggage and / or between airports and / or railway and / or Bush stoves and / or ports in which the to flight and / or Fahrickets belonging Luggage with electronic carriers with transmitters / receivers provided for generating individual identification signals be at the starting point along one in several control sections divided, in a collection point ending transport path electronic receiver be located and detected, wherein the received signals digitized a computer for processing and a server to hold and information output supplied the computer with computers from other airports and / or railways and / or bus stoves and / or ports via internet or other public Networks communicates, characterized by the following steps: a) Create a temporary Transport and itinerary profiles for the baggage according to its final destination and filing this profile as a comparative profile in the computer of the starting point, b) Transfer and storing the individual comparative profile of the item of luggage Feature a) in the computers of one or more intermediate places and the Destination, b) determining the actual coordinates of the item of luggage a comparison between the computers in the start, intermediate and Destination of the stored comparison profile and the received path data, c) permanently providing the acquired route data and displaying it Data connected to the computers of the start, intermediate and destination Information terminals for tracking the transport path of the item of luggage, d) Generate a warning message when a discrepancy between the detected Route data of the baggage and the comparison profile is determined. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier for generating an ID tification signal is an RFID chip or a transponder. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the receiver yourself freely programmable and able to carry misdirected baggage and / or Identify passengers as well as alert independently Trigger computer. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the transport path is divided into at least two control sections becomes. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the carrier for generating the identification signal with one on the ticket linked coding attached is. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that with ticket sales to the buyer a name-linked identification number / tag number or code card for logging into information terminals becomes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that each control section and each collection point a separate transmitter / receiver for the Interaction with the RFID chip of the piece of luggage is assigned. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the individual identification signals from the transmitter / receiver to Their digitization will be led to a computer, which the Cached data and processing for step b) and d) transmits to a host computer, the the collected data and results to a server for output the processed information to information terminals. Device for locating, tracking and retrieving pieces of luggage along their transport path on and / or between airports and / or railway and / or bus stoves and / or ports, with the pieces of luggage ( 3 ). individualizing electronic media ( 2 ) for generating individual identification signals, with transceivers ( 6 ) for locating. of luggage along a transport route ( 4 ), at the place of departure, in several control sections (A, B, C, ..., n) and a collection point ( 11 ) for the pieces of baggage, to each of which separate transceivers ( 6 ) are assigned to receive the individual signals, the transceivers ( 6 ) with a computer ( 7 ) for processing the data and assigning the pieces of luggage ( 3 ) are connected to the data, the computer ( 7 ) is connected to computers of other airports, railway and bus stations or ports via Internet or other public networks, characterized in that the transceivers ( 6 ) are freely programmable and capable of identifying misdirected baggage and / or passengers and alarms independent of the computer ( 7 ) itself, and that the computer ( 7 ) with a server ( 8th ), which in turn is equipped with information terminals ( 9a ... 9n ) is communicatively connected at the start, intermediate and destination for displaying the ascertained path coordinates of the item of luggage along the transport and travel route, the transport path ( 4 ) is subdivided into further control sections (s) to the final destination, to which separate transceivers ( 6 ) assigned. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the carrier ( 2 ) is an RFID chip or a transponder. Device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the transmitter / receiver ( 6 ) comprises a self-contained programmable unit capable of counting pieces of luggage, of determining the total number of pieces of luggage passed and of independently making a comparison between the identification number stored in the carrier and the name of the customer. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the information terminal ( 9a ... 9n ) contains a code card reader for logging into the provided information profile of the server. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the information terminal ( 9a ... 9n ) is provided with an Internet-capable telephone connection, an access point, or other connections for connecting to the Internet for e-mail delivery. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the server ( 8th ) is networked with servers of other airports, railway and bus stations and / or ports for data exchange.