NL2013474B1 - Mobile airline kiosk for use at an airport, system for use with such a mobile airline kiosk and method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using such a mobile airline kiosk. - Google Patents

Mobile airline kiosk for use at an airport, system for use with such a mobile airline kiosk and method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using such a mobile airline kiosk. Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2013474B1
NL2013474B1 NL2013474A NL2013474A NL2013474B1 NL 2013474 B1 NL2013474 B1 NL 2013474B1 NL 2013474 A NL2013474 A NL 2013474A NL 2013474 A NL2013474 A NL 2013474A NL 2013474 B1 NL2013474 B1 NL 2013474B1
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Netherlands
Prior art keywords
kiosk
mobile
mobile airline
airline kiosk
airline
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Application number
NL2013474A
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Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Maarten Van Helden Johannes
Lambert Vincent Roland
Ditewig Jeroen
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Luchtvaart Mij N V
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Application filed by Koninklijke Luchtvaart Mij N V filed Critical Koninklijke Luchtvaart Mij N V
Priority to NL2013474A priority Critical patent/NL2013474B1/en
Priority to PCT/NL2015/050634 priority patent/WO2016043581A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2013474B1 publication Critical patent/NL2013474B1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64F—GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B64F1/00—Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
    • B64F1/36—Other airport installations
    • B64F1/366—Check-in counters

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile airline kiosk (1) for use at an airport, comprising a man-transportable structure (2) having, in an operational state: communication means (3) for providing a wireless data connection (4) to an airline network (5), an input device (6) for receiving input data from a user of the mobile airline kiosk, a display device (7) for displaying information to the user, a processing unit (8) for processing data from the communication means, the input device and/or the display device, The invention also concerns a system for use with such a mobile airline kiosk and a method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using such a mobile airline kiosk.

Description

Mobile airline kiosk for use at an airport, system for use with such a mobile airline kiosk and method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using such a mobile airline kiosk
Field of the invention
The invention relates to an airline kiosk for use at an airport, comprising in an operational state: - communication means for providing a data connection to an airline network, - an input device for receiving input data from a user of the airline kiosk, - a display device for displaying information to the user, - a processing unit for processing data from the communication means, the input device and/or the display device.
Background of the invention
Such airline kiosks are well-known in the art. For instance, many airlines use such airline kiosks to allow passengers to carry out a ‘self check-in’ at an airport, i.e. without the passenger having to queue at a check-in desk. The airline kiosk usually comprises a vertical column or structure having some form of data connection to an airline network, an input device for receiving input data from a user of the airline kiosk, a display device for displaying information to the user and a processing unit for processing data from the communication means, the input device and/or the display device. Usually, scanning means for scanning a passport or the like and printing means such as for printing boarding passes are also provided. A disadvantage of such airline kiosks is that these kiosks can often not be used at a gate at the airport: airlines usually have to remove any airline-specific equipment stationed at such a gate after the respective aircraft has departed therefrom.
Furthermore, airside space at an airport is often limited and expensive as a consequence.
Furthermore, when looking at the situation at the gate, in particular when an aircraft is boarded, the boarding process itself is highly inefficient. This is rather strange, as aviation is usually regarded as high-tech, cost-aware, and process-driven.
The present-day boarding process foresees that basically everybody tries to get inside the aircraft at the same time, with people stumbling over each other, bumping into each other and in particular people blocking the aisle in the aircraft or the bridge, causing notable delays during boarding.
Also elite passengers, who are usually allowed to board the aircraft before passengers having ‘regular’ tickets, suffer from the relatively inefficient boarding process, due to queuing inside the aircraft or inside the bridge.
Attempt have been made in the art to provide a more efficient boarding process, for instance with faster scanning of boarding passes, or through the use of so-called ‘row boarding’.
However, such attempts have been proven to be unsatisfactory in practice. In particular it is to be noted that apart from having a more efficient boarding process, existing equipment has to be optimized or new equipment has to be installed at the gate for facilitating more efficient boarding. The lack of availability of such equipment also prevents more efficient boarding processes to be actually used in practice.
Summary of the invention
Hereto, according to the invention, a mobile airline kiosk for use at an airport is provided, comprising a man-transportable structure having, in an operational state: - communication means for providing a wireless data connection to an airline network, - an input device for receiving input data from a user of the mobile airline kiosk, - a display device for displaying information to the user, - a processing unit for processing data from the communication means, the input device and/or the display device.
Such a mobile airline kiosk having a man-transportable structure allows for a removable, independently operating airline kiosk to be used during the time slot issued to the airline for boarding an aircraft at the gate. The mobile airline kiosk is fully self-sufficient in the sense that no cables and the like are needed to allow the mobile airline kiosk to function independently, i.e. permanent, physical connections to airport facilities such as electricity networks or data networks are not required. Instead, the above mobile airline kiosk uses a wireless data connection to an airline network, preferably at the 5 Ghz frequency, to retrieve information. Furthermore, preferably a (rechargeable) battery is provided for supplying power to the communication means, the processing unit and/or the display device. After use, the mobile airline kiosk can be carried away by a person to be stored, for instance, in a storage space at the airport, away from the gate area. The kiosk can then be recharged, for instance during the night, in the storage space.
The inventors have found that the above-described mobile airline kiosk can be used very handily with more efficient boarding processes, allowing such boarding processes to be effectively used in practice.
To ensure man-transportability, the mobile airline kiosk and in particular the man-transportable structure is preferably dimensioned in such a way, and its construction materials are selected in such a way, that the mobile airline kiosk as a whole weighs less than 35 kg, more preferably less than 25 kg. It should furthermore be noted that ‘man-transportability’ is to be interpreted as the airline kiosk having such a weight and dimensions that the kiosk can be carried or moved around, such as by rolling, by the muscular force of a single person. ‘Man-transportable’ can thus be interpreted to comprise man-portability or man-moveability by a single person.
An embodiment concerns an aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, wherein the man-transportable structure, in the operational state, comprises a printing device for printing information and/or a scanning device for scanning information, with the battery (when applicable) also supplying power to the printing and/or scanning device. Such a scanning device may for instance comprise a barcode scanner or similar scanning devices to scan information from the boarding pass of the passenger. The printing device can be used to print boarding information at the gate, for example to print information relating to the sequence of boarding.
Preferably, the man-transportable structure comprises a first structural member and a second structural member, wherein the second structural member is foldably connected to the first structural member, wherein in an unfolded, operational state the first and second structural members are arranged to provide the kiosk with stable support on an underground, such as an airport floor, and in a folded, inoperational state the first structural member is folded towards the second structural member to form a man-transportable kiosk, which takes up relatively less space than the kiosk in the unfolded, operational state.
Thus, the mobile airline kiosk can be easily carried around by a person in the folded state. Advantageously, the mobile airline kiosk can be stowed away conveniently while taking up less space, which is of particular importance in an airport environment, where space is scarce and thus expensive.
Therein, in the operational state lower portions of the first structural member and the second structural member are preferably spaced-apart and extend at a relative support angle of approximately 30-120°. In practice, this provides stable support for the mobile airline kiosk along with any further equipment installed thereon, or therein. A particularly advantageous embodiment relates to an aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, wherein the first structural member has a U-shape, with the legs of the U-shape in the unfolded, operational state forming a first and second support for supporting the kiosk on the underground, wherein the second structural member is arranged in a concave portion of the U-shape, in the operational state having a lower portion forming a third support to form at least a three-point support with the first and second supports for stably supporting the kiosk on the underground. Thus, an easily foldable, but stable mobile airline kiosk is provided.
Another advantageous embodiment relates to an aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, wherein, in the operational state, the second structural member has a lower part and an upper part, wherein the lower part is hingeably connected to the legs of the U-shape with a lower portion thereof, allowing rotation around a first substantially horizontal rotational axis (SI), wherein an upper end of the lower part is hingeably connected to a lower end of the upper part, allowing relative rotation of the lower and upper parts around a second substantially horizontal rotational axis (S2), wherein the upper part is slideably and hingeably connected to the inner sides of the legs of the U-shape in a third substantially horizontal axis (S3), spaced-apart from, but parallel to the second horizontal axis (S2), allowing the upper part to slide along the legs of the U-shape and to rotate relative to the first structural member, wherein in the folded state the lower and upper parts are in line and extend in a plane intersecting the legs of the U-shape.
Thus, a very space-efficient package is provided in the folded state, ensuring portability or transportability by a single person, while allowing unfolding of the mobile airline kiosk in a single action.
The upper part, in the operational state, preferably extends in a substantially horizontal plane and comprises a top surface for supporting the printing and/or scanning device. Of course, other equipment can also be supported by the top surface. The upper part can also have a hollow storage space inside for comprising such a printing device and/or scanning device. During the unfolding action, the upper part will then automatically assume its intended position.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, wherein the first and second structural members have a panel-like shape, such that in the folded state the man-transportable structure as a whole has a panel-like shape. This further improves portability and stowability.
The lower ends of the first and second structural members can be provided with wheels, wherein wheel planes intersecting the tread of the wheels, forming a plane of symmetry, extend at a relative wheel plane angle substantially equal to the relative support angle. Thus, the mobile airline kiosk can be rolled in one direction, both in the unfolded as well as the folded state, while rolling in the direction perpendicular thereto is counteracted.
Preferably, the treads of the wheels are each provided with a ring of friction material, wherein the ring is offset with respect to the wheel plane (i.e. the wheel plane perpendicular to the rolling axis of the wheel), in such a way, that in the folded state, when the mobile airline kiosk is supported by the rings of the wheels, the rings prevent skidding of the wheels on an underground in a direction perpendicular to the wheel planes, while in the unfolded, operational state, when the mobile airline kiosk is supported by the treads of the wheels, the rings are not in contact with the underground to allow skidding of the wheels on the underground in a direction perpendicular to the wheel planes.
Especially with a panel-like mobile airline kiosk, in the folded state, when the mobile airline kiosk may be standing upright or at an angle during storage, the rings of friction material prevent the mobile kiosk from undesirably sliding away. In the unfolded, operational state the offset rings allow the wheels to directly contact the underground with their tread, which usually has a lower coefficient of friction than the rings. Thus, the mobile airline kiosk can be moved around on for instance a tiled floor, in particular to be repositioned thereon.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, comprising a tablet PC with the communication means for providing the wireless data connection to the airline network, the input device for receiving input data from the user of the mobile airline kiosk, the display device for displaying information to the user and the processing unit for processing data from the communication means, the input device and/or the display device. Preferably, the tablet PC is exchangeably arranged on or in the man-transportable structure, for instance in a corresponding recess in the first or second structural member, more preferably in an upper area thereof.
Another aspect of the invention concerns a system for use with a mobile airline kiosk, in particular at a gate, comprising: an aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, an airport monitor for displaying information from the airline network, a switch, having a first data connection to the airport monitor, such as via an HDMI port, the airport monitor having a second data connection to the airline network, the switch having a third, wireless data connection to the communication means of the mobile airline kiosk, wherein the communication means are configured to operate the switch for activating the first data connection, such that data from the mobile airline kiosk can be displayed at the airport monitor, wherein, preferably, the switch is powered by a power connection to the airport monitor, such as via a USB connection.
The above system allows the mobile airline kiosk to be used with existing IT infrastructure at airports in a convenient way. The switch’s power can be supplied by the airport monitor via for instance a USB port. Thus, a true plug-and-play system is realized, without requiring a connection to a regular airport power outlet. The mobile airline kiosk can then be operated to temporarily ‘take over’ the airport monitor through the switch to display information thereon, for instance regarding passenger boarding at the gate. Then the airport monitor can be switched back to display the ‘usual’ data from the airline network, such as general flight information, including delays, cancellations et cetera.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using an aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, comprising the steps of: retrieving the passenger’s seat number aboard an aircraft to be boarded by the passenger, and issuing an aircraft boarding sequence number to the passenger based on an aircraft boarding algorithm.
With the above method, the mobile airline kiosk can be put to good use as a mobile platform to issue aircraft boarding sequence numbers. It should be noted that in principle the above method can also be implemented using a fixed, non-mobile airline kiosk. However, using a mobile airline kiosk offers many advantages in practice.
Preferably, the method comprises scanning a passenger’s boarding pass with the scanning device to retrieve the passenger’s seat number.
More preferably, the method comprises issuing an aircraft boarding sequence number to the passenger by printing the aircraft boarding sequence number on a paper ticket with the printing device.
The aircraft boarding algorithm can for example be based on the steps of the Steffen algorithm (but not necessarily so), at least comprising the steps of: issuing a relatively low aircraft boarding sequence number, compared to the total length of the sequence, to elite passengers, and issuing consecutive sequence numbers to passengers part of a group of multiple, related passengers.
If desired, the per se known Steffen algorithm can be advantageously adapted to deal with practical aspects of aircraft boarding. Other boarding algorithms can, however, also be used. Therein, ‘elite’ passengers are to be understood as passengers having a high degree of priority regarding early boarding, such as passengers subscribed to an airline’s ‘frequent flyer’ program, passengers requiring special help when boarding, et cetera.
Another embodiment concerns an abovementioned method, comprising the steps of: operating the communication means of the mobile airline kiosk to cause the switch to activate the first data connection, such that data from the mobile airline kiosk is displayed at the airport monitor, and operating the mobile airline kiosk to consecutively display the aircraft boarding sequence numbers on the airport monitor to line up the passengers in a desired sequence for boarding the aircraft.
Thus, the passengers can easily see on the airport monitor when it is their turn to line up in the boarding queue. After boarding, the mobile airline kiosk can be easily disconnected from the airport monitor, can be brought into the folded state and can then be carried to a stowing location to be stored. The above-described method, for instance using an adapted Steffen algorithm, along with the aforementioned mobile airline kiosk, in practice reduces boarding time with about 20%.
Brief description of the drawings
Embodiments of a mobile airline kiosk according to the invention, as well as a system comprising such a mobile airline kiosk, will by way of non-limiting example be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mobile airline kiosk according to the invention in an unfolded, operational state;
Figure 2 shows the embodiment of the mobile airline kiosk of figure 1 in side view;
Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment of the mobile airline kiosk of figures 1 and 2 in a folded, inoperational state;
Figure 4 shows a side view of the folded mobile airline kiosk of figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of an airport system using a mobile airline kiosk;
Figure 6 shows a side view along the main wheel plane of an embodiment of a wheel usable with the mobile airline kiosk of figures 1-4; and
Figure 7 shows cross-sectional side view of a scanning device arranged in the U-shape.
Detailed description of the invention
Figures 1-4 will be discussed in conjunction, wherein figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mobile airline kiosk 1 according to the invention in an unfolded, operational state I, figure 2 shows the embodiment of the mobile airline kiosk of figure 1 in side view, figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment of the mobile airline kiosk 1 of figures 1 and 2 in a folded, inoperational state II and figure 4 shows a side view of the folded mobile airline kiosk 1 of figure 3. A mobile airline kiosk 1 is shown for use at an airport, comprising a man-transportable structure 2. The man-transportable structure 2 comprises communication means 3 for providing a wireless (WiFi) data connection 4 to an airline network. The communication means 3 may be integrated in a tablet PC 30, as shown in figure 1, or be provided as separate means. An input device 6 is provided for receiving input data from a user of the mobile airline kiosk 1. The input device 6 may also be realized with the tablet PC, such as through the touch-screen functionality thereof. Also, a display device 7 is provided for displaying information to the user. Analogously, the display device 7 can be formed by the screen of the tablet PC 30, or be provided as a separate screen or monitor. A processing unit 8 is present for processing data from the communication means 3, the input device 6 and/or the display device 7. The man-transportable structure 2 also comprises one or more rechargeable batteries 9 for supplying power to the communication means 3, the processing unit 8 and/or the display device 7.
The man-transportable structure 2, in the operational state, in the embodiment as shown, comprises a printing device 10 for printing information and a scanning device 11 for scanning information, with the batteries 9 also supplying power to the printing 10 and/or scanning device 11. The scanning device 11 may for instance comprise a barcode scanner or the like.
The man-transportable structure 2 comprises a first structural member 12 and a second structural member 13. The second structural member 13 is foldably connected to the first structural member 12. In an unfolded, operational state I (as shown in figures 1 and 2) the first 12 and second 13 structural members are arranged to provide the kiosk 1 with stable support on an underground 14, such as an airport floor. In a folded, inoperational state II (as shown in figures 3 and 4) the first structural member 12 is folded towards the second structural member 13 to form a man-transportable kiosk 1, which takes up relatively less space than the kiosk in the unfolded, operational state I.
In the operational state I, lower portions of the first structural member 12 and the second structural member 13 are spaced-apart and extend at a relative support angle a of approximately 30-120°, which can be observed in figure 2.
In the embodiment as shown in figures 1-4, the first structural member 12 has a(n) (inverted) U-shape 15 in the operational position. The legs 16 of the U-shape 15 in the unfolded, operational state I form a first 17 and second support 18 for supporting the kiosk 1 on the underground 14. The second structural member 13 is arranged in a concave portion of the U-shape 15. The second structural member 13 in the operational state I has a lower portion 19 forming a third, intermediate support 20 to form at least a three-point support with the first 17 and second 18 supports for stably supporting the kiosk 1 on the underground 14. The battery or batteries 9 can advantageously be arranged in a lower portion of the supports, to lower the centre of gravity of the kiosk 1. In addition thereto, the lower portions of the supports can be provided with releasable attachment means (not shown), such as magnetic attachment means, to facilitate attachment of the first structural member 12 to the second structural member 13 in the inoperational, folded state, such that undesired unfolding is prevented.
In the operational state I as shown in figures 1 and 2, the second structural member 13 has a lower part 21 and an upper part 22. The lower part 21 is hingeably connected to the legs 16 of the U-shape 15 with a lower portion 19 thereof, allowing rotation around a first substantially horizontal rotational axis SI. An upper end 23 of the lower part 21 is hingeably connected to a lower end 24 of the upper part 22, allowing relative rotation of the lower 21 and upper parts 22 around a second substantially horizontal rotational axis S2. The upper part 22 is slideably and hingeably connected to the inner sides of the legs 16 of the U-shape 15 in a third substantially horizontal axis S3, spaced-apart from, but parallel to the second horizontal axis S2.
This allows the upper part 22 to slide along the legs 16 of the U-shape 15 and to rotate relative to the first structural member 12. In the folded state II, the lower 21 and upper parts 22 are in line and extend in a plane intersecting the legs 16 of the U-shape 15, which can be seen in the side view of figure 4. Of course, also the axes SI, S2 and S3 are then situated in the plane intersecting the legs 16 of the U-shape 15.
The first 12 and second 13 structural members may both have a panel-like shape, such that in the folded state II the man-transportable structure 2 as a whole has a panel-like shape 26. This can be clearly observed in figures 3 and 4. Figure 4 shows the man-transportable structure 2 to have a relatively small thickness in the folded state II, facilitating portability and stowability. This thickness can for instance amount to 2-8 cm, preferably around 5 cm, to ensure the volume of the folded kiosk 1 remains low (as well as the weight of the folded kiosk 1). The panel-like structural members 12, 13 can be constructed from a plated material and may comprise foamed PVC to reduce weight. The thickness of the panel-like second structural member 12, especially of the upper part 22, may also depend on the dimensions of equipment stored therein, in particular inside the upper part 22, such as the printing device 10 as shown in figures 1 and 2.
The upper part 22, in the operational state I, extends in a substantially horizontal plane and comprises a top surface 25 for supporting a printing device 10 and/or scanning device 11. In a preferred embodiment the printing device 10 is stored in a space inside the upper part 22, however, for example issuing paper tickets through a recess in the top surface 25. Also, the scanning device 11 can advantageously be arranged in the U-shape 15 to point at the top surface 25, as shown in figure 7. The scanning device 11 can be provided with a prism or similar light scattering means to increase the visibility of the beam of the scanning device to a user.
The lower ends of the first 12 and second 13 structural members are provided with wheels 27. Wheel planes 28 intersecting the tread of the wheels 27, forming a plane of symmetry, extend at a relative wheel plane 28 angle substantially equal to the relative support angle a.
As can be seen in figure 6, the treads of the wheels 27 are each provided with a ring of friction material 29, wherein the ring 29 is offset with respect to the wheel plane 28. Therein, in the folded state II, when the mobile airline kiosk 1 is supported by the rings 29 of the wheels 27, the rings 29 prevent skidding of the wheels 27 on an underground 14 in a direction perpendicular to the wheel planes 28. In the unfolded, operational state I, when the mobile airline kiosk 1 is supported by the treads of the wheels 27, the rings 29 are not in contact with the underground 14 to allow skidding of the wheels 27 on the underground 14 in a direction perpendicular to the wheel planes 28.
Figure 5 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of an airport system using a mobile airline kiosk 1. The system comprises a mobile airline kiosk 1 such as the one shown in figures 1-4. An airport monitor 31 for displaying information from the airline network 5 is provided, via a second data connection 34, as well as a switch 32 having a first data connection 33 to the airport monitor 31, such as via an HDMI port, and a third, wireless data connection 35 to the communication means 3 of the mobile airline kiosk 1. The communication means 3 are configured to operate the switch 32 for activating the first data connection 33, such that data from the mobile airline kiosk 1 can be displayed at the airport monitor 31. This data relates in particular to data concerning the boarding sequence to be adhered to by the passengers at the gate. The boarding sequence number can for example be displayed on the airport monitor 31. Preferably, power is supplied to the switch 32 via a separate power connection 37 to the airport monitor, in particular via a USB cable.
Figure 6 shows a side view along the main wheel plane 28 of an embodiment of a wheel 27 usable with the mobile airline kiosk of figures 1-4. The wheel 27 can be seen to be provided with an ring of friction material, such as rubber, offset with respect to the main wheel plane 28, i.e. the wheel plane perpendicular to the wheel’s rolling axis.
Thus, the invention has been described by reference to the embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.
Reference numerals 1. Mobile airline kiosk 2. Man-transportable structure 3. Communication means 4. Wireless data connection 5. Airline network 6. Input device 7. Display device 8. Processing unit 9. Battery 10. Printing device 11. Scanning device 12. First structural member 13. Second structural member 14. Underground 15. U-shaped first structural member 16. LegofU-shape 17. First support 18. Second support 19. Lower portion of second structural member 20. Third support 21. Lower part of second structural member 22. Upper part of second structural member 23. Upper end of lower part 24. Lower end of upper part 25. Top surface of upper part 26. Panel-like shape of kiosk in folded state 27. Wheel 28. Wheel plane 29. Ring of friction material
30. Tablet PC 31. Airport monitor 32. Switch 33. First data connection of switch to airport monitor 34. Second data connection of airport monitor to airline network 35. Third data connection of switch to kiosk communication means 36. Handgrip 37. Power connection of switch to airport monitor I = unfolded, operational state II = folded, inoperational state

Claims (18)

1. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk (1) voor gebruik op een luchthaven, omvattend een door een mens draagbare constructie (2) met, in een operationele toestand: - communicatiemiddelen (3) voor het verschaffen van een draadloze dataverbinding (4) met een luchtvaartmaatschappij netwerk (5), - een invoerinrichting (6) voor het ontvangen van invoerdata van een gebruiker van de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk, - een weergave-inrichting (7) voor het weergeven van informatie aan de gebruiker, - een verwerkingseenheid (8) voor het verwerken van data van de communicatiemiddelen, de invoerinrichting en/of de weergave-inrichting.A mobile airline kiosk (1) for use at an airport, comprising a human-portable structure (2) with, in an operational state: - communication means (3) for providing a wireless data connection (4) with an airline network (5), - an input device (6) for receiving input data from a user of the mobile airline kiosk, - a display device (7) for displaying information to the user, - a processing unit (8) for processing data from the communication means, the input device and / or the display device. 2. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk (1) volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de door een mens draagbare constructie een accu (9) omvat voor het toevoeren van stroom aan de communicatiemiddelen, de verwerkingseenheid en/of de weergave-inrichting.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 1, wherein the human-portable structure comprises a battery (9) for supplying power to the communication means, the processing unit and / or the display device. 3. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk (1) volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij de door een mens draagbare constructie in de operationele toestand een printinrichting (10) omvat voor het printen van informatie en/of een scaninrichting (11) voor het scannen van informatie, waarbij, wanneer afhankelijk van conclusie 2, de accu ook stroom toevoert aan de printinrichting en/of de scaninrichting.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the human-portable structure in the operational state comprises a printing device (10) for printing information and / or a scanning device (11) for scanning information, wherein when dependent on claim 2, the battery also supplies power to the printing device and / or the scanning device. 4. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk (1) volgens conclusie 1, 2 of 3, waarbij de door een mens draagbare constructie een eerste constructieorgaan (12) omvat en een tweede constructieorgaan (13), waarbij het tweede constructieorgaan opklapbaar is verbonden met het eerste constructieorgaan, waarbij in een uitgeklapte, operationele toestand (I) de eerste en tweede constructieorganen zodanig zijn aangebracht dat de kiosk stabiele ondersteuning op een ondergrond (14), zoals een luchthavenvloer, wordt verschaft en in een opgeklapte, niet-operationele toestand (II) het eerste constructieorgaan is opgeklapt in de richting van het tweede constructieorgaan om een door een mens draagbare kiosk te vormen, die relatief minder ruimte inneemt dan de kiosk in de uitgeklapte, operationele toestand.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the human-portable structure comprises a first structural member (12) and a second structural member (13), wherein the second structural member is foldably connected to the first structural member, in a folded out, operational state (I) the first and second structural members are arranged such that the kiosk provides stable support on a surface (14), such as an airport floor, and in a folded, non-operational state (II), the first structural member is folded in the direction of the second structural member to form a human-portable kiosk which occupies relatively less space than the kiosk in the deployed, operational state. 5. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk (1) volgens conclusie 4, waarbij in de operationele toestand lagere gedeeltes van het eerste constructieorgaan en het tweede constructieorgaan op afstand van elkaar zijn geplaatst en zich onder een relatieve steunhoek (a) van ongeveer 30-120° ten opzichte van elkaar uitstrekken.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 4, wherein in the operational state lower portions of the first structural member and the second structural member are spaced apart and positioned at a relative support angle (a) of about 30-120 ° to from each other. 6. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk (1) volgens conclusie 4 of 5, waarbij het eerste constructieorgaan een U-vorm (15) heeft, waarbij de benen (16) van de U-vorm in de uitgeklapte, operationele toestand een eerste (17) en tweede (18) steun vormen voor het ondersteunen van de kiosk op de ondergrond, waarbij het tweede constructieorgaan is aangebracht in een concaaf gedeelte van de U-vorm met in de operationele toestand een lager gedeelte (19) dat een derde steun (20) vormt om ten minste een driepuntsondersteuning te vormen met de eerste en tweede steunen voor het stabiel ondersteunen van de kiosk op de ondergrond.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first structural member has a U-shape (15), the legs (16) of the U-shape in the deployed, operational state having a first (17) and second (18) forming a support for supporting the kiosk on the substrate, the second structural member being arranged in a concave portion of the U-shape with, in the operational state, a lower portion (19) forming a third support (20) to forming at least one three-point support with the first and second supports for stably supporting the kiosk on the substrate. 7. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk (1) volgens conclusie 6, waarbij, in de operationele toestand het tweede constructieorgaan een lager deel (21) heeft en een hoger deel (22), waarbij het lagere deel scharnierbaar is verbonden met de benen van de U-vorm met een lager gedeelte (19) daarvan, zodat rotatie rond een eerste hoofdzakelijk horizontale rotatieas (SI) wordt toegestaan, waarbij een bovenuiteinde (23) van het lagere deel scharnierbaar is verbonden met een lager uiteinde (24) van het hogere deel, zodat relatieve rotatie van de lagere en hogere delen rond een tweede hoofdzakelijk horizontale rotatieas (S2) wordt toegestaan, waarbij het hogere deel schuifbaar en scharnierbaar is verbonden met de binnenzijden van de benen van de U-vorm in een derde hoofdzakelijk horizontale as (S3), die op afstand is geplaatst van, maar parallel is aan, de tweede horizontale as (S2), zodat schuiven van het hogere deel langs de benen van de U-vorm en rotatie ten opzichte van het eerste constructieorgaan wordt toegestaan, waarbij in de opgeklapte toestand de lagere en hogere delen uitgelijnd zijn en zich uitstrekken in een vlak dat de benen van de U-vorm snijdt.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 6, wherein, in the operational state, the second structural member has a lower part (21) and a higher part (22), the lower part being hingedly connected to the legs of the U-shape with a lower portion (19) thereof, allowing rotation about a first substantially horizontal axis of rotation (S1), wherein an upper end (23) of the lower portion is pivotally connected to a lower end (24) of the higher portion, so that relative rotation of the lower and higher parts around a second substantially horizontal axis of rotation (S2) is allowed, the upper part being slidably and pivotally connected to the inner sides of the legs of the U-shape in a third substantially horizontal axis (S3), which is spaced from, but parallel to, the second horizontal axis (S2) so that sliding of the upper part along the legs of the U-shape and rotation relative to the first structure device is allowed, with the lower and higher parts aligned and extending in a plane intersecting the legs of the U-shape in the collapsed state. 8. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk (1) volgens conclusie 7, waarbij het hogere deel, in de operationele toestand, zich uitstrekt in een hoofdzakelijk horizontaal vlak en een bovenoppervlak (25) omvat voor het ondersteunen, of het omvatten, wanneer afhankelijk van conclusie 3, van de printinrichting en/of de scaninrichting.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 7, wherein the upper part, in the operational state, extends in a substantially horizontal plane and comprises an upper surface (25) for supporting, or including, when dependent on claim 3, of the printing device and / or the scanning device. 9. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk (1) volgens een van de conclusies 4-8, waarbij de eerste en tweede constructieorganen een paneelachtige vorm hebben, zodat in de opgeklapte toestand de door een mens draagbare constructie als geheel een paneelachtige vorm (26) heeft.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to any of claims 4-8, wherein the first and second structural members have a panel-like shape, so that in the folded-up state, the human-portable structure as a whole has a panel-like shape (26). 10. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk (1) volgens een van de conclusies 4-9, waarbij, wanneer afhankelijk van conclusie 5, de lagere uiteinden van de eerste en tweede constructieorganen zijn voorzien van wielen (27), waarbij wielvlakken (28) die het loopvlak van de wielen snijden en daarbij een symmetrievlak vormen, zich uitstrekken onder een relatieve wielvlakhoek die hoofdzakelijk gelijk is aan de relatieve steunhoek.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to any of claims 4-9, wherein, when dependent on claim 5, the lower ends of the first and second structural members are provided with wheels (27), wherein wheel surfaces (28) covering the tread cutting from the wheels and thereby forming a plane of symmetry, extending at a relative wheel surface angle that is substantially equal to the relative support angle. 11. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk (1) volgens conclusie 10, waarbij de loopvlakken van de wielen elk zijn voorzien van een ring met wrijvingsmateriaal (29), waarbij de ring op afstand is geplaatst van het wielvlak, zodanig dat in de opgeklapte toestand, wanneer de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk wordt ondersteund door de ringen van de wielen, de ringen slippen van de wielen op een ondergrond in een richting loodrecht op de wielvlakken voorkomen, terwijl in de uitgeklapte, operationele toestand, wanneer de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk wordt ondersteund door de loopvlakken van de wielen, de ringen niet in contact staan met de ondergrond om slippen van de wielen op de ondergrond in een richting loodrecht op de wielvlakken toe te staan.The mobile airline kiosk (1) according to claim 10, wherein the treads of the wheels are each provided with a ring with friction material (29), the ring being spaced from the wheel surface such that, in the folded-up state, when the mobile the airline kiosk is supported by the wheel rings, the rings slip from the wheels on a surface in a direction perpendicular to the wheel surfaces, while in the deployed, operational state, when the mobile airline kiosk is supported by the wheel treads, the rings are not in contact with the ground to allow skidding of the wheels on the ground in a direction perpendicular to the wheel surfaces. 12. Mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattend een tablet PC (30) voorzien van de communicatiemiddelen voor het verschaffen van de draadloze dataverbinding met het luchtvaartmaatschappij netwerk, de invoerinrichting voor het ontvangen van invoerdata van de gebruiker van de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk, de weergave-inrichting voor het weergeven van informatie aan de gebruiker en de verwerkingseenheid voor het verwerken van data van de communicatiemiddelen, de invoerinrichting en/of de weergave-inrichting.A mobile airline kiosk (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a tablet PC (30) provided with the communication means for providing the wireless data connection with the airline network, the input device for receiving input data from the user of the mobile airline kiosk, the display device for displaying information to the user and the processing unit for processing data from the communication means, the input device and / or the display device. 13. Systeem voor gebruik met een mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk, in het bijzonder bij een gate, omvattend: - een mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, - een luchthavenmonitor (31) voor het weergeven van informatie van het luchtvaartmaatschappijnetwerk, - een switch (32), met een eerste dataverbinding (33) met de luchthavenmonitor, zoals via een HDMI-poort, waarbij de luchthavenmonitor een tweede dataverbinding (34) met het luchtvaartmaatschappijnetwerk heeft, waarbij de switch een derde, draadloze dataverbinding (35) heeft met de draadloze communicatiemiddelen van de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk, waarbij de communicatiemiddelen zijn geconfigureerd om de switch te bedrijven voor het activeren van de eerste dataverbinding, zodat data van de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk op de luchthavenmonitor weergegeven kan worden, waarbij, bij voorkeur, de switch van stroom wordt voorzien door een stroomverbinding (37) met de luchthavenmonitor, zoals via een USB-verbinding.A system for use with a mobile airline kiosk, in particular at a gate, comprising: - a mobile airline kiosk (1) according to any of the preceding claims, - an airport monitor (31) for displaying information from the airline network, - a switch (32) having a first data connection (33) with the airport monitor, such as via an HDMI port, the airport monitor having a second data connection (34) with the airline network, the switch having a third, wireless data connection (35) has with the wireless communication means of the mobile airline kiosk, the communication means being configured to operate the switch for activating the first data connection, so that data from the mobile airline kiosk can be displayed on the airport monitor, wherein, preferably, the switch is powered by a power connection (37) to the airport monitor, such as via a USB connection. 14. Werkwijze voor het uitgeven van vliegtuigboardingvolgordenummers onder gebruikmaking van een mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappij kiosk (1) volgens een van de conclusies 1-12, omvattende de stappen van: - het achterhalen van het stoelnummer van de passagier aan boord van een door de passagier te boarden vliegtuig, en - het uitgeven van een vliegtuigboardingvolgordenummer aan de passagier op basis van een vliegtuigboardingalgoritme.A method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using a mobile airline kiosk (1) according to any of claims 1-12, comprising the steps of: - retrieving the passenger's seat number on board a passenger's board aircraft, and - issuing an aircraft boarding sequence number to the passenger based on an aircraft boarding algorithm. 15. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 14, wanneer afhankelijk van conclusie 3, omvattend het scannen van de boardingpas van de passagier met de scaninrichting (11) om het stoelnummer van de passagier te achterhalen.The method of claim 14, when dependent on claim 3, comprising scanning the passenger's boarding pass with the scanning device (11) to find out the passenger's seat number. 16. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 14 of 15, omvattend het uitgeven van een vliegtuigboardingvolgordenummer aan de passagier door het printen van het vliegtuigboardingvolgordenummer op een papieren ticket met de printinrichting (10).A method according to claim 14 or 15, comprising issuing an aircraft boarding sequence number to the passenger by printing the aircraft boarding sequence number on a paper ticket with the printing device (10). 17. Werkwijze volgens een van de conclusies 13-15, waarbij het vliegtuigboardingalgoritme de stappen omvat van: - het uitgeven van een relatief laag vliegtuigboardingvolgordenummer, vergeleken met de totale lengte van de rij, aan elitepassagiers, en - het uitgeven van opeenvolgende volgordenummers aan passagiers die deel uitmaken van een groep van meerdere, gerelateerde passagiers.A method according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the aircraft boarding algorithm comprises the steps of: - issuing a relatively low aircraft boarding sequence number, compared to the total length of the row, to passenger passengers, and - issuing consecutive sequence numbers to passengers that are part of a group of several related passengers. 18. Werkwijze volgens een van de conclusies 14-17, wanneer afhankelijk van conclusie 13, omvattend de stappen van: - het bedrijven van de communicatiemiddelen van de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk om ervoor te zorgen dat de switch de eerste dataverbinding activeert, zodat data van de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk op de luchthavenmonitor wordt getoond, en - het bedrijven van de mobiele luchtvaartmaatschappijkiosk om opeenvolgend de vliegtuigboardingvolgordenummers op de luchthavenmonitor te tonen om de passagiers in een rij te plaatsen op een gewenste volgorde voor het boarden van het vliegtuig.A method according to any of claims 14-17, when dependent on claim 13, comprising the steps of: - operating the communication means of the mobile airline kiosk to cause the switch to activate the first data connection, so that data from the mobile airline kiosk is displayed on the airport monitor, and - operating the mobile airline kiosk to sequentially display the aircraft boarding sequence numbers on the airport monitor to arrange the passengers in a row in a desired order for boarding the aircraft.
NL2013474A 2014-09-15 2014-09-15 Mobile airline kiosk for use at an airport, system for use with such a mobile airline kiosk and method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using such a mobile airline kiosk. NL2013474B1 (en)

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PCT/NL2015/050634 WO2016043581A1 (en) 2014-09-15 2015-09-15 Mobile airline kiosk for use at an airport, system for use with such a mobile airline kiosk and method for issuing aircraft boarding sequence numbers using such a mobile airline kiosk

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US7044371B2 (en) 2003-11-20 2006-05-16 Southwest Airlines Co. Passenger monitoring system and method
US7546957B2 (en) * 2007-05-29 2009-06-16 Ncr Corporation Travel kiosk
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