GB2338620A

GB2338620A - Passenger identification form

Info

Publication number: GB2338620A
Application number: GB9820828A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kouji Seki; Toshikazu Aikawa
Original assignee: SEKI ELECTRONICS CO Ltd
Current assignee: SEKI ELECTRONICS CO Ltd
Priority date: 1998-06-20
Filing date: 1998-09-24
Publication date: 1999-12-22
Also published as: GB9820828D0; FR2780190A1; DE19858266A1

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for producing an identification document for a passenger. The document has printed on it a portrait photograph of the passenger as well as alphanumeric information which identify or relate to the passenger. A video camera 3 photographs the passenger and inputs the image data to an A/D converter (11 of fig.3) which outputs the digitized data, via an image processor (13) and dither memory (14), to a CPU 4. The alphanumeric data are inputted, via device 6, to the CPU 4 which in turn outputs these data to a thermal transfer printer 5. The printer 5 prints both the passenger photograph image and the alphanumeric data together on the ID form (see fig.4) which may serve as a baggage tag, a flight ticket or a boarding pass.

Description

2338620 PASSENGER IDENTIFICATION FORM The present invention relates to a

passenger identification form which enables the identification of an owner of belongings according to forms such as a ticket or a baggage tag on which the owner's portrait is printed, and a passenger identification form output apparatus.

At the entrance and exit in an airport, etc., it is impossible to identify who are boarding passengers or are visitors meeting or seeing off relatives or friends and no strict identification is carried out. Furthermore, a person who buys an airline ticket or passenger ticket is not always a boarding passenger. In that respect, at an air accident, sufficient identification has not been made occasionally. In addition, as is seen at a baggage claim area, there are a number of similar bags and in a baggage claim area at an air port or hotel, mistakes in picking up bags have been occasionally caused.

Unlike such a ticket, regarding identification cards such as general identification cards, driver's license, etc., those in which a portrait is printed are employed. For example, such a card is described in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection No. 3 - 70094. In this card manufacturing method, a memory device which stores personal information and a system which retrieves each of data stored in the memory device, etc. are required to manufacture the card. On account of that, an extremely large memory device is required and each of data has been subjected to centralized management at one location. These output data are outputted to a print - output device, while photographed portrait images subjected to dither process are outputted. The composite image prepared by employing both output signals is displayed and the resulting image is printed. A program and the like are required which match the personal information with the portrait image.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection No. 2 - 8095, those are known in that a card, on which necessary filling items are printed, is subjected to adhesion of a portrait portion formed on a adhesive sheet or a peel - off sheet employing a photographing device.

In the conventional production of an identification card comprising a portrait picture, large peripherals are required to prepare a composite image of necessary filling items with portrait picture. Furthermore, work is required for adhering peeled print onto a card substrate.

An object of the present invention is to provide a passenger identification form, that is, a ticket such as a boarding pass and a form such as a baggage tag, on which by employing a simple photographing device instead of a complicated device, without letting a passenger wait for a long period, the passenger's portrait picture is printed.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a passenger identification form which enables the identification of a passenger without mistake and error.

Furthermore, a further object is to provide a passenger identification form output apparatus which comprises a simple photographing device which can be arranged on a check -in counter stand, etc. and can photograph a subject in a short time, and a printer which prints, on a forTn such as a ticket, necessary filled items together with the photographed portrait picture.

The objects of the present invention can be accomplished by printing, on a baggage tag, a bag owner's portrait picture together with necessary filled items.

The above - mentioned objects are accomplished by employing a passenger identification form, which is characterized in that necessary filled items such as a flight, a - destination, a number, a name, etc. or a hotel name, a room number, a name, etc. are printed in a blank and on the same form, a portrait picture or a scenery picture in addition to the blank is printe& Furthermore, the above - mentioned objects are accomplished by employing a passenger identification form such as a ticket or a baggage tag, on which the above mentioned necessary filled items inputted at a check - in counter by a person on duty employing an input machine are printed together with the passenger's portrait picture which is photographed immediately employing a photographing device operated by the person on duty or the passenger.

Furthermore, the above - mentioned objects can be accomplished employing a passenger identification form output apparatus, which is provided with a input means which inputs necessary filled items such as a boarding date, a flight, a destination, a passenger name, a room number, a hotel name, etc.; an image input means which photographs a subject image; an image output means which outputs the subject image photographed by the image input means; a print -output means which prints not only necessary filled items inputted by the input means but also, onto forms, the image information outputted by the image output means, and a central processing means which operates and controls each of these means in good order, and a person on duty inputs necessary items employing the input device, while the portrait of a passenger is photographed employing the portrait photographing means during purchasing procedures or receiving an order, and the image information based on input signals and image signals from the portrait photographing means is printed on the forms such as a ticket or a baggage tag, and the necessary filled items together with the portrait image are printed onto the -forms --,and ---areoutputted.--------- The above-mentioned objects are accomplished in such a manner that the above-mentioned input means may be adjacent to a monitor display means for input operation. Each of the above - mentioned print output means, the above - mentioned portrait picture photographing means, and the above - mentioned input means which inputs necessary filled items is constituted so that each of them can be separately disposed, and the above - mentioned portrait photographing means is only disposed in front of a passenger; the other means are disposed in the inside of a check - in counter and these means are connected employing electric cables to input and output signals.

When the passenger identification form of the present invention, including tickets such as a boarding pass, a passenger ticket, etc. and baggage tags attached to a bag or suitcase, is outputted, necessary filled items such as a flight, a flight number, a name or a hotel name, a room number, a name are inputted employing an input device 0Derated by a person on duty; while image infon ation prepared employing a Portrait photographing device is inputted, and the inputted information is processed and the necessary filled items and the portrait picture are printed on the form.

In this case, the portrait of a passenger is instantly photographed by a simple photographing device arranged on a check - in counter stand, etc. Therefore, the portrait picture can be printed on forms such as baggage tags without additional work required for ordinary tag attaching work- In the case of a boarding pass, as an example of the form of the present invention, because the pass is printed with a portrait picture together with a flight, a destination, an assigned- -seat - number, a - passenger is easily--- identified-and furthermore, mistakes can be minimized when an accident occurs.

In addition, because a portrait picture is printed on a baggage tag which is attached to belongings such as a bag, etc., at the baggage claim in an airport, a passenger can identify own bag and pick up own bag without mistake.

Furthermore, when a hotel name, etc. where a passenger is going to stay is printed on a baggage tag, during trip, the delivery and pick - up of the bag can be carried out without mistake and the theft of the bag can be prevented.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system to prepare the passenger identification form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically explaining of one embodiment of the passenger identification form output apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram which is employed in the passenger identification form output apparatus in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a baggage tag in an embodiment of the passenger identification form of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the baggage tag employed in the present invention.

A boarding pass is collected by an air flight company and a baggage tag is generally torn and thrown away. However, a baggage tag with a portrait picture may be collected as a memory and in the case of a group trip, each member may exchange a baggage tag as a memory.

Furthermore, the passenger identification form enables --effectiveidentification of a bag, - and -a porter - at a - - - - - - - hotel can deliver a bag to its owner without making any mistake.

Because on the passenger identification form of the present invention, a unique picture or the portrait picture of an owner is printed in addition to or instead of numeral figures and bar codes, a bag can be picked up without any mistake. Furthermore, the bag can be delivered to its owner without any mistake. By observing a baggage tag with a portrait picture, other person may point out wrong pick - k of a bag.

As a printing material to print an image photographed by the photographing device for the passenger identification form of the present invention, a color printing material may be employed. However, when a black - and white material is employed, a simple device can be used and printing can be completed in a short time.

For example, a dye sublimation transfer image is formed by transferring an image to a thermally transferable image receiving sheet employing a thermal transfer recording method and the sublimable dye in a colorant layer of a thermal transfer sheet may be transferred to an image receiving sheet employing heat generated by a thermal head corresponding to image information electrical signals.

Furthermore, when a heat - sensitive sheet is employed printing can be carried out employing only a thermal head. In addition, image recording can be performed employing a ink-jet recording device.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system to prepare the passenger identification form of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically explaining one embodiment of the passenger identification form output apparatus-of -the-present- invent-ion.,--Fig. - 3 - is a--block-diagram which is employed in the passenger identification form output apparatus in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a baggage tag in an embodiment of the passenger identification form of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the baggage tag employed in the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, a portrait picture is taken by a photographing device 1 comprising a video camera 3 in the interior. This photographing device is provided with a translucent plate in the front and on the surface, a indication line 2 is drawn which enables the adjustment of the eye position of a subject so that the subject can adjust the position for photographing. The video camera 3 as a image inputting means to photograph a subject is provided and this video camera 3 exhibits an auto - iris function which works in accordance with illumination conditions of the surrounding. The numeral reference 4 is a central processing unit which operates and controls the video camera 3, etc.

The numeral reference 5 is a print - output device comprising a printer which prints a portrait image employing a thermal printing method such as thermal transfer method, etc. and the central processing unit 4, etc. The numeral reference 6 is an input device into which an operator inputs necessary filled items such as a flight, a room number, a name, etc. at the check - in counter. Signal data inputted by the input device 6 and signals data of an portrait image taken by the video camera 3 are subjected to A/D conversion and a form 10 such as a baggage tag, etc. is printed by the print - output device 5 according to the resulting data and the printed forTn is ejected to a tray 7. An indication lamp which lights while the printing device is in operation is -arranged- adjacent to this-The -numeral- reference- 9 ismonitor display device employed for operating the input device 6 and enables operation indication employing a dialogue system.

As shown in Fig. 3, portrait image signals prepared employing the video camera 3 arranged on a check-in counter stand, etc. are converted to digital signals employing an image processing section 11, and are inputted to the central processing unit 4 via a frame memory 12, an image processing section 13, and a dither memory 14. On the other hand, a window control section 15 is arranged which determines a printing range of the form 10 such as a baggage tag according to the digital signals from the image processing section 13. Filling items inputted from the input device 6 are inputted to the central processing unit 4 and according to the output signals from the central processing unit 4 together with the above-mentioned portrait image signals, a print is prepared by the print-output device 5. Operation of both of the video camera 3 and the printing device 5 is controlled by the central processing unit 4.

Operation of a photographing device employed to prepare the passenger identification form of the present invention is explained.

At a check - in counter provided with a output device which outputs a boarding pass, a passenger ticket or a baggage tag, etc., for example, a person on duty operates the input device 6 and inputs necessary filled items such as a flight, etc. according to massages displayed on the monitor display 9 and instructs a passenger or a bag owner, procedures to take a portrait picture. An instructed person adjusts the eye position to the indication line 2 and operates a button for photographing own portrait. The print - output device 5 _prints inputted necessary -items and - portrait- -picture. During printing, the indication lamp 8 blinks. After printing is completed, the form 10 is ejected to the tray 7 and is cut along a perforated line.

A tag size is set so that the suitable size can be chosen. For example, a heat - sensitive paper with 150 mm thickness and 40 mm paper width is employed.

According to items filled by a passenger, a person on duty inputs necessary items such as a flight, a destination, etc. to the input device 6, while watching the monitor display device 9, and the passenger stands up in front of a video camera 1 and adjusts the eyes position to the indication line 2 and pushes the operation button. By this simple operation, the form 10 with the portrait picture is outputted.

When employing the present invention,.on forms necessary for air flight such as a baggage tag, a portrait picture can be printed in a short time employing a simple photographing device. Therefore, the device can be arranged at a check - in counter. Because the baggage tag is temporarily employed and requires no durability, printing can be readily carried out employing a printer such as a heat sensitive printer.

Furthermore, a passenger can be identified employing a passenger ticket with a portrait picture and a bag can be identified employing the baggage tag with a portrait picture. In addition, these passenger identification forms can be exchanged among friends as a travel memory.

11

Claims

1. A passenger identification form output apparatus, the apparatus comprising an input means which inputs necessary filled items such as a boarding date, a flight, a destination, a passenger name, a room number, a hotel name, etc.; an image input means which photographs a subject image;_. an--- image --oxi-tput--m-eans. - which outputs the subject image photographed by said image input means; a print - output means which prints not only necessary filled items inputted by said input means but also, onto forms, the image information outputted by said image output means, and a central processing means which operates and controls each of these means wherein, in use, a person duty inputs necessary items employing the said input device, while the portrait of a passenger is photographed employing said portrait photographing means during purchasing procedure or receiving an order, and the image information based on input signals and image signals from the portrait photographing means is printed on the f orms such as a ticket or a baggage tag, and the necessary f illed items together with the portrait image are printed onto said f orm and are outputted.

2. A passenger identification form output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means is adjacent to a monitor display means for input operation.

3. A passenger identification form output apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of said print - output means, said portrait photographing means, and said input means which inputs necessary filled items is constituted so that each of them can be separately disposed, and said portrait photographing means is only disposed in front of a passenger; the other means are disposed in the inside of a check - in counter; these means are disposed in the inside of a check - in counter; these 12 means are connected with electric cables to input and output signals.

4. A passenger identification form on which necessary filleditems such as a flight, a destination, a number, a name, etc. or a hotel name, a room number, a name, etc. are printed in a blank, and in addition to the blank, a portrait picture or a scenery picture is printed.

5. A passenger identification form according to claim 1, wherein said necessary filled items are input by a person on duty at a check-in counter into forms such as a ticket or a baggage tag employing an input device; and the blank contains a portrait picture obtained by the person on duty or a passenger operating a photograp ing de-vice ann instantly photographing the portrait; the form being printed by the person on duty employing a print-output device, such that on the form, both said necessary filled items and identification portrait photograph are printed.

6. A passenger identification form as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A passenger identification form output apparatus as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.