SE535039C2 - Electronic luggage tagging device, system and use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Electronic luggage tagging device (300) for use in transport, which comprises at least a communication interface unit (305) arranged to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation; a processing unit (310) for processing or transmitting information present in the electromagnetic radiation, a storage means (320) as a providing means for storing the processed or unprocessed information; and comprising at least one display unit (350) arranged to display the information in at least two fields, wherein at least one said field comprises information readable by humans and at least one of said at least two fields comprises information readable by machines; and wherein the storage means (320) comprises a first and a second set of computer executable instructions (321, 329) arranged to control the communication and basic functions of the electronic luggage tagging device (300). Fig. 3

Description

25 30 35 535 039 oh service disk at fl ygbolaget. This so-called online check-in is the procedure where passengers confirm their presence on a via ight via the internet / mobile phone or with an automatic sight self-service machine. Passengers either print their luggage labels and boarding passes at home, ie on the printer connected to their PC, or print them from an automatic self-service machine at the airport. This makes it easier for both fl yg companies and passengers as it minimizes activity at fl ygplatsen and thereby avoids queues at the check-in counters; which reduces waiting times for passengers and saves companies money. Many airline companies thus provide check-in at a self-service counter until a few minutes before departure. Passengers then attach the luggage label and leave the luggage themselves when handing in luggage. Although there are luggage tagging solutions with different types of paper or plastic based substrates, even with small RFID chips included, a common problem with these prior art solutions is that the process of issuing printed paper labels with static route information and attaching them to the luggage is cumbersome and take time. This regardless of whether the passenger prints and attaches the label to the luggage himself, or has the staff at the airline do it for him. The same problem occurs if the paper labels have RFID chips printed, or stick to the paper substrate. The paper labels will still need to be issued, printed and affixed to the luggage, either by the passenger or by the staff.

Another problem is that the information printed on the paper labels is static and inexplicable in the event of something happening at a destination or before departure. For example, if a baggage interruption occurs during a stopover and another route for baggage needs to be determined, an update of the static route information on each paper label is personnel and time consuming. Another thing that can happen is that a passenger misses a connection vid at a stopover destination and for some reason needs to change his plans. As the luggage normally but not necessarily takes the same route as the passenger, it can arrive at the final destination, or be taken aside at customs to be picked up by the passenger. This obvious lack of flexibility emphasizes the need for a more adaptable concept.

Brief description of the invention An object of the invention is to provide a device, a system and the use of an electronic luggage tag to achieve a more time efficient, secure and dynamic concept. There is also a long known need for an electronic luggage tag for the reasons stated above and for commercial success. According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved by an electronic luggage tagging device for use in transport, which comprises at least one communication interface unit arranged to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation; a processor unit for processing or transmitting information contained in the electromagnetic radiation, a storage means providing means for storing the processed or unprocessed information; and comprising at least one display unit arranged to display the information in at least two fields, wherein at least one of said at least two fields comprises information readable by humans, and at least one of said at least two fields comprises information readable by machines; and wherein the storage means comprises a first and a second set of computer executable instructions arranged to control the communication and basic operations of the electronic luggage tagging device.

This provides a way to issue electronic luggage tags instead of issuing printed paper tags. Electronic luggage labels have the advantage that the labels are issued elsewhere than and downloaded electronically to the electronic luggage label device. The use of electronic luggage labels also has the advantage in addition to printed paper labels that there is no need to print and attach new printed paper labels every time a passenger has to travel, thus saving time and money.

The electronic luggage tagging device is further characterized in that it comprises at least one presentation unit, which could also comprise a first and a second presentation unit, and in that the presentation unit is arranged to present the information dynamically for some time periods.

This provides a way to present information on two sides of the device, if one side is hidden, and that, for example, the route information could be updated dynamically instead of always being static.

According to a second aspect of the invention, this is provided by a system for use in transport, which comprises a departure control system, at least one electronic luggage tag device, at least one communication device and an intermediate data communication network; wherein the departure control system and the electronic tagging device are arranged to control and approve the communication to and from the electronic luggage tagging device; and wherein said at least one electronic luggage tag device is arranged to control the communication and basic functions of the electronic luggage tag device. The communication to and from the electronic luggage tagging device is arranged to present the information in at least two fields, where at least one of said at least two fields comprises information readable by humans, and at least one of said at least two fields comprises information readable by machines.

This provides a way to communicate to and from the electronic luggage tagging device securely remotely regardless of where the electronic luggage tagging device and the passenger are located.

The system is further characterized in that the communication to and from the electronic luggage tagging device is arranged to pass through at least one intermediate device.

This provides a way to communicate to and from the electronic luggage tagging devices by using an intermediate device such as a mobile phone or the Internet as a link.

According to a third aspect of the invention, this is achieved by the use of an electronic luggage tagging device and a transport system according to claim 1 for directing luggage.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures To further explain the invention, embodiments selected by way of example will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing figures, of which: Fig. 1 is a view of a first. second and a third system for transport systems and in particular for baggage handling systems at airports located at different destinations in relation to each other.

Fig. 2 is a more detailed view of the first system shown in Fig. 1 for transporting luggage and issuing luggage labels according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic overview view of an electronic label device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a more detailed view of the information presented on the at least one presentation unit to which reference is made in Fig. 3. Detailed description In Fig. 1 a first system 1000, a second system 2000 and a third system 3000, which typically corresponds to transport systems and in particular baggage handling systems at fl yards located at different destinations. Systems 1000, 2000 and 3000 are in two-way communication with each other, as indicated by the bidirectional arrows 1'-2 ', 2'-3', and 1'-3 ', and they can communicate either directly or indirectly with each other. as well as via a first intermediate data communication network 1 (eg the Internet) and at least one satellite 2 (indicated by bidirectional arrows 1'-1, 2'-1, 321, respectively 1-2).

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 where the first system 1000 for transporting luggage is shown in more detail. The first system 1000 comprises at least one electronic luggage tag device 300 typically attached to a luggage 105 by means of fasteners 103 (for example a string), a departure control system (DCS) 110, which comprises a database 115 and an issuing unit 117. The first system 1000 comprises also at least one communication device 120 and an intermediate data communication network 130; for example the Internet, or the first intermediate data communication network 1 referred to in Fig. 1, the first system 1000 further comprises a conveyor belt 140, for luggage handling, which comprises at least one scanning unit 143 comprising an optical scanner 145 and a communication unit 147. The first system 1000 also includes a baggage loading area 150, a baggage retrieval area 170 and a transport vehicle 160, typically an eye plane.

The database 115 of the departure control system (DCS) 110 includes a readable and writable register 113, which includes information relating to registered and, in some cases, unregistered records. The items may include information provided by passengers during registration such as first and last name, credit card number, such as a bonus card number belonging to a particular carrier, mobile phone number, home address, etc.

The registration can be carried out in advance when the train journey is ordered, for example via the internet, but can also be carried out by means of self-service units or by the train station staff at the train station, or by telephone. The issuing unit 117 is arranged to assign information to the electronic luggage tag device 300 and to communicate this information to the electronic luggage tag device 300, typically wirelessly, either directly or indirectly via the intermediate data communication network 130 or the communication device 120, or the second and third systems (2000, 3000). to which reference is made in Fig. 1.

The issuing unit 117 comprises a storage unit 118 which contains computer executable instructions 119, wherein the computer executable instructions 19 are arranged to control and verify the communication to and from the electronic luggage tag device 300, or the communication device 120 and the intermediate data communication network 130.

The computer executable instructions 119 are also arranged to compress, decompress, encode and decode the communication. The departure control system 110 will always have information about the number of the issued luggage tag, its status as well as its history, so the register will therefore almost always be updated.

When the luggage, after the transport vehicle 150 has arrived at a destination (eg to the airport in the third system 3000 by a direct take-off, or via a stopover at the take-off place in the second system 2000) and is transported to the luggage collection area 170, this information can be distributed electronically by the departure control system 110 to the communication device 120 and the electronic luggage tagging device 300, for example by means of a text message (SMS, e-mail). If the fastener 103 which attaches the electronic luggage tagging device 300 to a luggage 105 is a string, this must have a minimum breaking strength of at least 7 kilograms.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 which is a schematic overview view of an electronic luggage tagging device 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The electronic tag device 300 includes a communication interface unit 305 for allowing bidirectional data exchange communication within the first system 1000 referred to in Fig. 2. The communication interface unit 305 may be of any conventional type which includes transmission and reception of information. Typically, the communication interface unit 305 comprises at least one transmitter-receiver 307 with at least one built-in antenna, if there is only one antenna it can either transmit simultaneously on both receiving and transmitting channel, or use a switching device to switch between transmission and reception mode to save energy. The transceiver 307 can be set to an on, off or standby mode on request or for certain periods of time. The wireless two-way communication options of the communication interface unit 305 may be mobile data, but may also be a combination of mobile data and Bluetooth, or Bluetooth only, to reduce communication costs, other examples are GSM, 3G, text messaging, NFC, RFID, IR or optical, or wired communication such as USB cables.

The electronic tag device 300 also includes a processor unit 310 arranged to receive, transmit or process information. The processor unit 310 is typically directly or indirectly connected to all other units contained in the electronic labeling device 300, i.e. the units 305, 320, 330, 340, 350 and directs the transmitted or processed information, i.e. directs data as well as distributes power if necessary, to itself and the other units from a power source 330 contained in the electronic label device 300. The power source 330 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a battery with a long life.

The electronic tagging device 300 also includes storage means 320 for storing information, such as a data memory unit, which allows both reading of data and writing of new data from and to the storage means 320. The storage means 320 has a first set of computer executable instructions 321 contained in a first storage segment 325, wherein the first set of computer readable instructions 321 is arranged to direct the communication to be compressed, coded and signed, and a second storage segment 327 having a second set of computer executable instructions 329 arranged to control the processor 310 basic operations. The second storage segment 327 is typically a non-usable memory, and the second set of program code 329 may be, for example, the machine code of the brand specific code of the electronic label device 300 and a unique identification code configured to provide secure communication, arranged so that the electronic device 300 only responds to approved communication, for example with the departure control system (DCS) 110, but it can also be approved communication with the communication device 120, or the intermediate communication network 130 referred to in Fig. 2.

The electronic label device 300 may also include an external connection unit 340, with one or more external connections for communication with external devices (not shown). Additional interfaces, communication protocols, etc. that are needed will not be described in more detail as this is conventional technology and therefore obvious to a person skilled in the art of electronics and computer technology to design.

The electronic luggage tag device 300 also includes at least one display unit 350, which typically includes at least a first display unit 353 and a second display unit 355 arranged to present information. Both the first display unit 353 and the second display unit 355 are typically electrical units, such as electronic ink displays. Such electronic ink displays can hold images almost indefinitely with minimal use of electric current. Electronic ink displays are made of a plastic substrate and electronics so that the display is flexible; and they usually have a low voltage applied over two areas, where a mixture of colored particles is present in microcapsules. These react electrostatically differently to the applied voltages and the particles migrate to either the display front or the back. Due to the static image that does not need to be recreated all the time, electronic ink displays can be read almost in the same way as normal text on paper, without the image appearing to fade.

The contrast ratio of the information presented on the electronic ink display can be described as similar to that of a paper label, ticket or boarding pass. Electronic ink can be applied to both visible and solid materials. In the case of visible displays, the base requires a thin, visible material that is sufficiently resistant to withstand significant wear, such as extremely thin plastic. The length and width dimensions of said first and second display units (353, 355) are typically in a range from (76 x 90 mm) to (192 x 156 mm). The contrast ratio of the text is higher than 8/10.

Since an electronic ink display can maintain images almost indefinitely with a minimum of electricity, the operating time is very long. Furthermore, if the display is in the idle position during the .ing and when it is placed in the rum of the planplane, the operating time can also be extended. All information can be updated electronically via authorized communication with the electronic luggage tagging device 300.

An advantage of the electronic luggage tag device 300 is that it is reusable because it is possible to update the electronic luggage tag device 300 remotely through, for example, the departure control system (DCS) 110, the intermediate data communication network 130 or the communication device 120. Therefore, no large amounts of paper bag labels will be needed. The passenger is no longer forced to print luggage tags and does not have to waste time printing the luggage tags at home or waiting for an automatic self-service machine on the fl eye area, or for staff to do so for him.

Four communication examples will be given here for description only. Other communication options are conceivable to achieve the same result and a comprehensive detailed description is therefore not necessary, or even desirable. i) Normally, the communication with the electronic luggage tag device 300 is initiated by a passenger when checking in remotely (either through the intermediate data communication network 130 (eg the Internet) or through the communication device 120, such as a mobile phone, PDA (personal digital assistant), PC (personal computer), laptop, or wirelessly based communication such as USB cables, or a standard wired telephone line with automatic voice control.The passenger indicates how many luggage he intends to check in and the departure control system 110 then assigns a corresponding label serial number and stores the information communicated by 10 15 20 When this has been done, the information (eg label number, stopover destination, final destination, etc.) is transmitted to the electronic baggage tag device 300. ii) another possibility is that the electronic baggage tag device 300 initiates the communications and calls the departure control system 110, either directly or indirectly through the intermediate data communication network 130. iii) Another possibility is that the communication initiated by the communication device 120, such as a mobile telephone, which communicates with both the departure control system 110 and the electronic luggage tag device 300, i.e. used as a via link .

The label information is then collected by the communication device 120 and downloaded to the electronic luggage tag device 300. In this case, computer executable instructions are also incorporated in the communication device 120. iv) Another possibility is that the communication is initiated from the intermediate data communication network 130 (eg Internet). for example, an Internet application, is connected to both the electronic luggage tag device 300 (eg USB cable) and the departure control system 110. The instructions executable in the computer are in this case thus in the Internet application. It is also possible that there is a special plats eyepiece device on the fl eyepiece from which the communication is initiated; in this case, the computer-executable instructions are in this location device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, said at least one presentation unit 350 is arranged so that the first presentation unit 353 is on one side, for example on the front of the electronic luggage tag device 300 and the second presentation unit is on the other side, i.e. on the back of the electronic luggage tag device 300 .

By this arrangement, the information is always visible even if the fastener 103, typically a string, attached to the electronic luggage tag device 300 rotates so that the front is rotated towards the luggage 105. Of course, other designs are conceivable, for example the at least one display unit 350 may be automatically rotatable. that if the page to be facing a human reader or a machine reader (but is not), by means of a sensor and drive means in the electronic luggage tag device 300, or in the string 103, automatically rotates towards such a reader. Both the first presentation unit 353 and the second presentation unit 355 are arranged so that the information is presented in at least two fields. The first display unit 353 includes a first field 351 that includes human readable information and a second field 352 that includes machine readable information. The second display unit 355 also includes a first field 354 that includes human readable information and a second field 356 that includes machine readable information. Although the following need not be the case, the human readable information in the field 351 is typically the same as the human lockable information in the field 354 and the machine readable information 352 is typically the same as the machine readable information in the field 356 (ie the information presented is the same on both sides of the electronic label device 300).

In the event that the electronic luggage tag device 300 is to be replaced by a standard paper luggage tag, the electronic luggage tag device 300 has a function for hiding the information displayed. It will not be possible to hide information unintentionally. If the information is hidden, a way to show the information again will appear.

Now refer to fi g. 4, which is a more detailed view of the information displayed on the at least one presentation unit 350 to which reference is made in fi g. The human lockable information in the fields 351 and 354 comprises an information matrix 405 comprising at least one smaller field 407 and two longitudinal information fields 401, 403 with at least 5 mm width on both longitudinal edges of the information matrix 405. The two longitudinal information fields 401, 403 can be of any color, typically green or white to show, for example, country of departure. Other color codes, which indicate other special things, such as luggage priority, can also be displayed. The at least one smaller field 407 displays routing and identification information (e.g., via routes, destinations and locations, location numbers, the issued serial number and date of the label) on the electronic luggage tag device 300. The machine readable information in fields 352 and 356 includes vertical 421 and horizon information. 423 to be read by the optical scanner 145 found in the scanner unit 143 when the electronic luggage tag device 300 is transported on a conveyor belt 140 to the cargo area 150 or the luggage collection area 170. The scanned information is communicated by the communication unit 147 to, for example, the departure control system (DCS) 110.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. An electronic luggage tag device (300) for use in transportation, comprising at least onecommunication interface unit (305) arranged to transmit and receive electromagneticradiation; a processing unit (310) for processing or transmitting information comprised inthe electromagnetic radiation, a storage (320) providing means for storing the processedor unprocessed information; and which comprisesat least one presentation unit (350) arranged to present the information in atleast two fields, whereinat least one of the at least two fields comprises information readable forhumans, and at least one of the at least two fields comprises information readable formachines; andwherein the storage (320) comprises a first and a second set of computer-executable instructions (321, 329) arranged to control the communication and basicoperations of the electronic luggage tag device (300).wherein the at least one presentation unit (350) comprises a first presentation unit(353) and a second presentation unit (355),wherein the presentation unit (350) during some time periods is arranged to presentthe information, such as route information, dynamical such that information could beupdated electronically via authorized communication to the luggage tag device (300).

2. The electronic luggage tag device (300) according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the information presented and readable for humans and machines is arranged to contain the same information.

3. A system for use in transportation, comprising a departure control system (1 10), at least one electronic luggage tag device (300) according to claim 1 or 2, at least one communication device (120) and an intervening data communication network (130),wherein the departure control system (110) and the electronic luggage tag device(300) is arranged to control and authenticate the communication to and from theelectronic luggage tag device (300); wherein the at least one electronic luggage tag device (300) is arranged to control thecommunication and basic operations of the electronic luggage tag device (300); andwherein the communication to and from the electronic luggage tag device (300) isarranged to present information in at least two fields, wherein at least one of the at least two fields comprises information readable forhumans, and at least one of the at least two fields comprises information readable for machines.

4. The system for use in transportation according to claim 5, wherein the communicationto and from the electronic luggage tag device (300) is arranged to go through at least one intervening device.

5. The system for use in transportation according to claim 4, wherein the at least one intervening device is a communication device (120).

6. The system for use in transportation according to claim 4, wherein the at least one intervening device is the intervening data communication network (130).

7. Use of an electronic luggage tag device (300) for transportation according to claim 1 to route luggage.

8. Use of a system for use in transportation according to claim 3 to route luggage.