WO2022069065A1

WO2022069065A1 - Method and system for securely transporting pieces of luggage

Info

Publication number: WO2022069065A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/079857
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Antonio LUMARE; Farid ZAZAI
Original assignee: Smartporters Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-10-02
Filing date: 2020-10-23
Publication date: 2022-04-07

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for securely transporting pieces of luggage (2), for example suitcases and travel bags, wherein a piece of luggage (2) is transported over a first transport section (10) by a first transport means (11), in particular a road vehicle, from a pick-up location (12), for example a place where a traveller (7) is staying and/or resides and/or from a pick-up station, in particular a mobile pick-up station, to at least one transport hub (13) at a physical distance from the pick-up location, in particular an airport, train station or port, and, preferably, via the transport hub (13) over a further transport section (14) to a destination (15), for example a hotel, or another transport hub. According to the invention, the piece of luggage (2) is transported in a secure transport means (3) securing the piece of luggage (2) against unauthorised access and in particular designed as a transport container preferably completely surrounding the piece of luggage (2), wherein the secure transport means (3) has an electromechanical locking system, in particular a smart lock locking system, to prevent the secure transport means (3) being transferred out of a locked state into an open state in an unauthorised manner when the locking system is in a locked state, and wherein an opening code (4) is generated and transferred to the locking system wirelessly in order to unlock the locking system at least temporarily.

Description

Method and system for the secure transport of luggage

The invention relates to a method for the secure transport of items of luggage, for example suitcases and travel bags, in which an item of luggage is transported by an employee of a transport service provider via a first transport section using a first means of transport, in particular a road vehicle, from a pick-up location, for example a place of residence and/or place of residence of a traveller, an owner and/or possessor of the piece of luggage and/or a pick-up station, to at least one transport hub spatially distant from the pick-up location, in particular an airport or train station or port, and, preferably, via the transport hub via a further transport section to a destination, for example a Hotel, or another transport hub is transported.

In addition, the present invention relates to a system for the secure transport of luggage, for example suitcases and travel bags, designed to carry out an aforementioned transport method.

Baggage service offers from transport service companies are already known from the prior art, which offer simple and convenient travel by transporting luggage from a pick-up location, for example a traveler's place of residence, to the airport or to a cruise ship or even to a train station. Luggage can be transported from home to a hotel or holiday apartment. Any type of luggage can be transported here, especially suitcases and travel bags. In principle, however, bulky luggage such as snowboards or skis, bicycles and other bulky types of luggage such as prams, walkers or wheelchairs can also be picked up by the luggage service from the front door or another pick-up point and transported to a transport hub, in particular an airport or train station or port .

A luggage service to airports usually provides that luggage is picked up at the traveller's place of residence and then deposited in a luggage storage facility at the airport. For the baggage check-in at the airport, the traveler then collects the baggage at the left-luggage office. After the traveler has handed in his or her boarding card, either online or at a check-in machine received, the baggage can be checked in or checked in at a baggage drop counter or at a baggage machine. As proof, the traveler receives a section of the luggage tag (baggage tag), which is used to identify luggage in the event of luggage loss. The baggage tag determines where and on which aircraft the baggage is going and provides automatic sorting machines at airports with the necessary data. The legs of the flight are listed with a letter code on the baggage tag. The piece of luggage can be clearly identified with a tag number. Each passenger receives a unique number for their baggage, which is stored in the airline's reservation system along with their flight details. The name of the passenger, their gender and the total number of the passenger's pieces of luggage are also stored on the baggage tag.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for transporting items of luggage and a corresponding transport system which, with high security of transport against unauthorized access to a transported item of luggage and without the risk of luggage loss, ensures secure transport of items of luggage from a pick-up location at least one transport hub spatially distant from the pick-up location and/or via a transport hub to a destination or another transport hub. In addition, the method and transport system should enable a high level of user comfort and convenience for the traveler, since when using the method and transport system, the traveler no longer has to carry out the luggage transport himself to a traffic junction or a destination. After all, the luggage transport should be able to contribute to saving travel time for the traveler. In particular, a convenient and less time-consuming baggage check-in at the traffic junction should be ensured.

The above objects are achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a transport system having the features of claim 17. Advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The invention provides that the transport of the item of luggage is preferably carried out without interruption, ie over the entire first transport section, in a transport lock that secures the item of luggage against unauthorized access, in particular specially designed as a transport container that preferably completely surrounds the piece of luggage. In order to be able to prevent unauthorized access to the item of luggage, the transport lock has an electromechanical locking system, in particular a Smartlock locking system, in order to block the transport lock against unauthorized transfer from a locked state to an open state when the locking system is in a locked state. In order to unlock the locking system for authorized access to the item of luggage secured with the transport lock, a digital opening code is generated, which is then wirelessly transmitted to the locking system. As explained below, the transmission of the opening code can lead to a complete or only partial unlocking of the locking system, whereby in the case of a partial unlocking further measures are required to completely unlock the locking system and thus to convert the transport lock into an unlocked state or to unlock it. open so that the luggage can be accessed.

The transport system according to the invention accordingly has at least one transport lock equipped with an electromechanical locking system, in particular a Smartlock locking system, in particular designed as a transport container that completely surrounds or envelops the item of luggage in the locked state, with the transport lock in a locked state of the locking system preventing unauthorized transfer a locked state to an open state that allows access to the secured item of luggage. The locking system can be unlocked at least partially by wireless transmission of an opening code and the transport lock can be opened as intended, i.e. without destruction or damage.

The piece of luggage and the transport lock receive a matching identification number, so that it is possible at a later point in time to locate a specific piece of luggage using the identification number of the transport lock. This is particularly advantageous when the piece of luggage is completely integrated into a transport container and is not visibly surrounded by it during luggage transport and luggage storage.

In addition, the transport system according to the invention has a data exchange with the locking system and at least one communication unit direction or an end device of a user and, preferably, communication infrastructure designed for data storage, in particular comprising a server device of the transport service provider. The communication infrastructure is set up to transmit and/or receive the opening code and has appropriate hardware and software equipment for this purpose. The communication device can be a user's mobile terminal device, such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, on which application software from the transport service provider can be installed, or it can also be a stationary computer device. With the communication device it is in particular possible to retrieve or receive an opening code from a server device of the transport service provider.

A communication infrastructure of a transport service provider can exchange data with a communication infrastructure of a travel service provider, such as an airline, in particular a server device of the travel service provider with a reservation system.

Further system features result from the following description of the method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention provides that a piece of luggage is handed over by a traveler to an employee of a transport service provider at the pick-up point and is connected to the transport lock before transport to the first transport hub, for example placed in an open transport container, which then represents the "transport lock". According to the invention, the term "transport lock" is to be understood broadly and includes any structural design that excludes or impedes unauthorized access to a piece of luggage. In particular, the transport lock is a container that is suitable in terms of shape and size the piece of luggage is completely received and, when closed, preferably completely encased on the outside.The transport lock is preferably a stable outer packaging for the piece of luggage, the geometry and size of which can be adapted to the piece of luggage to be transported.The T Transportsicherung can be designed as a case-like container with high component rigidity, or as a transport bag. For differently sized luggage and/or luggage with different shapes, different dimensions and shape adapted transport containers are provided, which are available from the transport service provider.

According to the invention, the locking system is designed in such a way that it enables the transport lock to be locked or blocked against unauthorized opening and thus unauthorized access to the item of luggage secured with the transport lock. When the locking system is in a locked state, the transport lock cannot be opened and the item of luggage cannot be easily detached from the transport lock, in particular cannot be removed from the transport lock.

To monitor the locked state, the locking system can have appropriate monitoring means that can monitor compliance with the locked state, in particular electronically and/or mechanically. It can also be provided that the integrity of the transport lock is monitored, preferably electronically, for example by using electrically conductive structures, such as electrically conductive wires or fibers, in outer component walls that the transport lock can have. An interruption of the conductive structures due to unauthorized access can be detected with a suitable electronic circuit.

The transport lock is closed by the employee of the transport service provider after it has been connected to the piece of luggage, in particular after the item of luggage has been placed in the opened transport container, at the pick-up location, in particular in the presence of the traveler. The transport lock can be closed manually by the transport service provider's employee present at the pick-up location. In the closed state of the transport lock, the item of luggage is then preferably completely surrounded by the transport lock, so that the item of luggage cannot be secured from the outside and/or there is no way of damaging and/or destroying the transport lock, in particular the locking system, from outside of the transport container to access the piece of luggage.

At the traffic junction, the transport lock can then preferably be opened manually by another employee of the transport service provider or by the employee responsible for the transport to the traffic junction, after the locking system has been unlocked by transmitting the opening code. That The item of luggage can then be separated from the transport safety device by the employee, for example taken from a transport container, and the item of luggage is then preferably handed over to a baggage drop-off station, for example a baggage drop-off counter and/or a baggage machine, for onward transport, in particular with another means of transport, such as a Aircraft, watercraft or rail vehicle.

The transport service provider and his employees are responsible for the transport of the luggage from the pick-up point to the transport hub or, if necessary, also to the destination, whereby the transport can also take place via several transport hubs.

In principle, however, the piece of luggage can also be transported on from the transport hub to the destination or to another transport hub, secured via the transport lock; it is then not intended to unlock the transport lock at the (first) traffic junction and to remove the piece of luggage from the transport lock. The transport lock can then preferably only be opened at the destination or destination, for example by the traveler himself or possibly by hotel staff, or when another transport hub is reached.

In order to at least partially unlock the locking system, wireless transmission of an opening code to the locking system is provided. It may be sufficient to simply transmit the opening code in order to completely unlock the locking system and to open the transport lock in an authorized manner, i.e. to convert it from a locked state back to an open state for authorized access to the item of luggage. The opening code can be unambiguously assigned to a specific transport lock by means of an electronic/digital identifier. For example, WLAN, radio, Bluetooth or near-field communication (NFC) can be provided as transmission standards for the opening code.

The opening code is unique so that the locking system can uniquely identify the communication device used to enter the opening code. This makes it possible to track who used the locking system and when. On the other hand, it is possible to use certain communication devices only for one to grant access authorization to the opening code for a specified period of time.

In addition, if an attempt is made to open and/or manipulate the locking system without authorization and/or if the transport lock is damaged, warnings can be generated, in particular by the locking system and/or the transport lock, which are then sent to the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider and/or a Communication device of the traveler or an employee of the transport service provider and / or can be transferred to a communication device of a security authority.

In addition, tracking signals can be generated for tracking the position of the item of luggage, which allow the respective position of the transport lock or the item of luggage to be determined, in particular over the first transport section, broken down by location and time. Tracking signals can be generated using RFID technology, for example.

Position data for tracking the position of the item of luggage can be generated continuously or in the event of a disruption in the transport of luggage, for example in the event of unauthorized access to the transport lock and/or the item of luggage. Warnings can also be generated if luggage transport is disrupted and/or in the event of unauthorized access. Position data and warnings can then be transmitted from the transport security system, in particular from the locking system, to a central communication infrastructure, in particular a server device of a transport service provider, and from this, if necessary after evaluation and/or processing, can be forwarded to a communication device, in particular that of the traveler or the owner of the piece of luggage. This ensures that the traveler is informed immediately in the event of transport disruptions, which can lead to a delay in the delivery of the piece of luggage at the transport hub, for example.

The locking system is preferably switched or locked manually and/or automatically into the locked state simultaneously with the locking of the transport lock or immediately, ie within less than 2 minutes, more preferably within less than 1 minute, after the locking of the transport lock. The traveler can be in the immediate vicinity of his or her luggage when the transport lock is closed and the proper Check the closing process of the transport lock and the locking of the locking system. The locking system is particularly preferably automatically blocked when the transport lock is (manually) closed. This means that there is no possibility for employees of the transport service provider to open the transport lock again on their own initiative, i.e. without access authorization, in order to gain unauthorized access to the piece of luggage.

A Smartlock locking system can be designed to generate the opening code and to transmit it to a communication infrastructure of a transport service provider, for example a server device, or also directly to a communication device of the passenger. There is also the possibility that the locking system only transmits a confirmation signal to the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider when the locking system has been switched to a blocked state. A locking signal can then be transmitted from the communication infrastructure to the locking system, which leads to the locking system being locked, and/or an opening code is generated and forwarded by the communication infrastructure.

It is also expedient if the opening code is generated at the same time as the locking system is switched to the blocked state or immediately after the switch to the blocked state, i.e. preferably at a time interval of less than 5 minutes, more preferably less than 3 minutes, in particular preferably less than 1 minute after locking the locking system. This makes it possible to quickly unlock the locking system by transmitting the opening code if, for example, the traveler wants to have access to their luggage at the pick-up point.

In order to access the opening code with a user's communication device, such as a smartphone, on which the transport service provider's application software can be installed, or to be able to transmit the opening code to the locking system, the user's access authorization is checked, which requires authentication , ie the confirmation of the authenticity of a person, and the authorization includes, ie the examination of the degree of authorization of a previously authenticated person to use the (software) functions provided by the communication infrastructure and to access information provided by the communication infrastructure, in particular the public nugscode to be able to fall back. In order for a user to obtain access authorization reached, logging into a computer system of the communication infrastructure can be provided, whereby a user name and a password or a biometric feature can be queried. After successful authentication, the user can receive personalized access to the computer system, with the user profile specifying which data and applications he is authorized to access in detail, in particular authorized to receive the opening code for a specific locking system.

The opening code can be transmitted from the communication infrastructure directly to the locking system and/or to at least one user who has appropriate access authorization. Such access authorization is preferably given to the traveler and, more preferably, at least one employee of the transport service provider, whereby, as explained below, access authorizations can only be granted to certain employees and/or only when certain position data of the piece of luggage is reached and/or for specified periods of time.

Provision can also be made for an employee of the transport service provider to request electronic consent from the traveler before the locking system can be unlocked. Such electronic consent can then be transmitted by the traveler as an electronic message or signal via his communication device to the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider or directly to the locking system in order to be able to unlock the locking system by transferring the opening code.

In an emergency and/or when requested by the authorities, such electronic consent may also be omitted, so that it is sufficient to transmit the opening code to the locking system via the transport service provider's communication infrastructure or a communication device of an employee of the transport service provider.

The opening code can be transmitted by a user who has appropriate access authorization from a communication device to the locking system and/or to at least one communication device of another user with access authorization. The other user can then forward the code to the locking system via his communication device. The traveler is preferably given access authorization to the opening code, which is implemented via the rights management system controlled by the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider. For example, the opening code can be transmitted from a server device of the transport service provider to the traveler's terminal with appropriate access authorization or retrieved from the traveler's terminal, so that the traveler can gain access to his luggage by transmitting the opening code to the locking system. The passenger can also forward the opening code to the terminal device of an employee of the transport service provider, who can then unlock the locking system by transmitting the code to the locking system and opening the transport lock and handing over the luggage.

More preferably, at least one employee of the transport service provider also receives authorization to access the opening code, which is also implemented via the rights management controlled by the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider. In particular, an employee who is located at the transport hub receives access authorization so that, for example, the opening code can be transmitted to the locking system via a mobile device of an employee of the transport service provider at a baggage drop-off station and/or a stationary computer device of the transport service provider at the baggage drop-off station. In this way, the transport lock can be unlocked by an employee of the transport service provider for a desired transfer of the item of luggage to a luggage drop-off station and the item of luggage can then be handed over for further transport. Likewise, with the participation of the employee, official access to the piece of luggage in the baggage check-in area is possible.

Rights management is preferably provided, which monitors, controls and/or manages the access authorization of a user and/or a specific communication device to an opening code. The communication infrastructure of the transport service provider preferably monitors and controls access to the opening code or corresponding access rights. Access control represents a restriction of access by software and hardware. These can be components of the operating system, software application, network devices or protocols. This is done by means of authorization and assignment of access rights. Access control can be achieved via passwords. the Access control includes the possibility of retrieving an opening code from a data memory of a communication infrastructure, in particular via a server facility of the transport service provider. The term "access authorization" includes both the possibility of retrieving an opening code from a communication infrastructure of the transport service provider, ie also a transmission of an opening code from the communication infrastructure and/or from the locking system to a user's communication device. The term “access authorization” can also include the transmission of the opening code from a communication device with access authorization to a communication infrastructure for forwarding to the locking system in order to unlock the locking system, or also directly to the locking system. The term “access authorization” is therefore to be interpreted broadly and includes all options for transmitting an opening code to unlock the locking system between the locking system and a communication infrastructure and/or at least one communication device of a user with corresponding access rights. In particular, the term "access authorization" as used below can refer to the authorization of a specific person and/or a specific communication device to call up and/or transmit the opening code.

Access authorization for a user or a specific communication device can be granted or granted by the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider as part of rights management depending on the current position data of the piece of luggage and/or possibly also depending on the user's position data. It is thus possible that no access authorization is granted or granted to a specific user if the piece of luggage has already left the pick-up location and is on the way to the first transport hub. In particular, it is intended that an employee of the transport service provider will not be granted access authorization if the piece of luggage has already left the pick-up point and is on the way to the transport hub. Access authorization for employees of the transport service provider can then be granted again at the transport hub in order to be able to carry out the further transport of the piece of luggage, in particular the baggage check-in, at the transport hub.

However, in the event of an emergency and/or a transport disruption that leads to a delay in transport, access authorization to an opening code can also be granted independently of the current position data of the item of luggage. be cleared or issued, for example to an employee of the transport service provider responsible for transporting the item of luggage, if the item of luggage has left the pick-up location but has not yet reached the transport hub.

It is just as possible to grant access authorization depending on the duration of the transport, in particular starting with the blocking of the locking system. It is thus possible for access authorization to allow or enable transmission of the opening code to the locking system and/or opening of the locking system only when the item of luggage is expected to reach a specific location, for example a traffic junction such as an airport, after a specific period of time has elapsed. in particular the place where baggage is checked in.

For example, access authorization can only be granted if a user or a communication device, via which the opening code is retrieved and/or transmitted to the locking system, is outside the first means of transport or is staying or moving separately from the piece of luggage. As a result, an employee of the transport service provider who transports the piece of luggage from the collection point to the transport hub preferably does not receive any access authorization. Furthermore, for example, it can be provided that an access authorization presupposes that a certain minimum distance from the piece of luggage is maintained, the minimum distance being, for example, at least 50 m, 500 m, 1 km or more. As soon as certain position data of the piece of luggage is reached, for example at the pick-up point and/or at the transport hub, access authorization can be granted, even if the user and/or a communication device via which the opening code is retrieved and/or transmitted to the locking system is in the immediate vicinity of the luggage.

It can also be expedient if the granting of access authorization to the opening code is time-dependent, with access authorization only being able to be granted when a specific transport duration has been exceeded.

A traveler or a communication device used by him/her can preferably be authorized to access at all times and in particular independently of position data of the piece of luggage. An employee of the transport service provider On the other hand, access authorization can be granted with a time delay, so that it is ensured that the employee only has access to the opening code at the end of the transport time, when the piece of luggage has reached the first transport hub.

Preferably, at least two users with access authorization can be granted different access authorizations to the opening code for access to the opening code at different times and/or depending on different position data of the piece of luggage.

In particular, a first authorized user, for example the traveller, can be granted access authorization to open the transport lock regardless of the position of the piece of luggage and at least one other authorized user, for example an employee of the transport service provider, access authorization to open the transport lock only at the traffic junction, in particular at a baggage drop-off station.

As a result, different access authorizations to the opening code can be granted for access to the opening code at different times and/or depending on different position data of the user and/or the item of luggage.

In order to prevent unauthorized access to the piece of luggage during transport, another expedient embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that after the locking system has been blocked at the pick-up point until the transport hub, in particular a luggage drop-off station, or until the destination has been reached, an employee of the transport service provider, access authorization is denied. It is therefore not possible for this employee of the transport service provider to gain access to the piece of luggage when it is being transported from the pick-up point to the transport hub.

If a transport disruption occurs, access authorization can be granted independently of position data of the piece of luggage and/or independently of the time of transport. This ensures that in the event of an accident or in the event of urgent access to the piece of luggage, an employee of the transport service provider can in any case unlock the locking system and access the item of luggage.

In order to increase security against unwanted access to the locking system, access control by comparing biometric features can be additionally provided for unlocking the locking system. The comparison of recorded biometric data, in particular fingerprints, with stored reference data takes place in addition to the necessary transmission of the opening code to the locking system. In this context, it can be provided that a transmission of the opening code by a first user, in particular the traveler, via a first communication device, in particular the communication device of the traveler, to the locking system leads to a complete opening of the locking system, independently of additional detection and transmission biometric data. On the other hand, the transmission of the opening code by a second user, in particular the employee of the transport service provider via another communication device, can require a comparison of recorded biometric data with stored reference data of certain authorized persons, in particular certain employees, in addition to the transmission of the opening code for a complete opening of the locking system . Different access rights can be assigned to different users. A mobile camera device can be provided in order to enable image recognition of people who want to open the transport lock. Additional security against unauthorized access can be achieved by comparing image data. Recorded biometric data can be compared with stored personal data and unlocking may only be possible if biometric data is recorded by authorized persons.

In order to simplify the journey for a traveler beyond the luggage transport, a check-in or prior registration of the traveler in or at the transport hub can already be provided at the pick-up point and/or a boarding pass or a ticket and/or baggage can be provided tag or a luggage tag created, in particular printed out. The check-in includes in particular the verification of the identity of the traveler and his ticket. For checking in or for boarding, for example, a digital boarding card, for example a QR code, which can be scanned at the transport hub, can be provided on the traveler's mobile device. The check-in as well as the boarding card and baggage tag generation can take place on the basis of a traveler's booking data. The booking data can be transmitted by the traveler to a communication infrastructure of a travel service provider, in particular a server device of an airline, it being possible for the server device of the airline to include a booking system or to exchange data with it. The same can apply accordingly in the case of a train journey or a ship journey. Boarding cards and/or baggage tags can also be printed out. For this purpose, an employee of the transport service provider can provide a mobile printer at the pick-up location.

In addition, data from an official means of identification of the traveler, such as a passport and/or ID card, can preferably be recorded at the pick-up location, in particular in which case the means of identification can be optically digitized (scanned) at the pick-up location. This data is then transmitted to the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider, which can exchange data with the communication infrastructure of a travel service provider. The collected data is then transmitted to the communication infrastructure of the travel service provider and enables check-in to be carried out at the pick-up location.

Also, based on booking data, position data of the pick-up point can be automatically set and the first means of transport can be moved to the pick-up point. This simplifies the short-term provision of means of transport at different pick-up locations at different pick-up times.

In addition, when the piece of luggage has reached a traffic junction and/or a destination, at least one confirmation message can be generated by the locking system and/or by the communication infrastructure of the transport service provider when they receive corresponding information from the locking system, which is then sent to at least one communication device, in particular a communication device of the traveler, can be transmitted.

A further aspect of the present invention, which can be provided in particular, but not necessarily, in connection with the above-described method for the secure transport of luggage, provides for registering the arrival of a traveler or for checking in at a traffic junction, in particular in a airport, that the registration is removed from the traffic endpoint, in particular at a location and/or place of residence of the traveler and/or in a decentralized and preferably mobile check-in station, with biometric face recognition being carried out remotely from the traffic junction and facial image data wirelessly transmitted to a communication infrastructure, in particular of a travel service provider and/or a security authority, and the registration of the traveler is carried out independently of the physical presence of the traveler at the transport hub. In connection with the method described above for the secure transport of luggage, facial image recognition and/or the collection of other biometric data of the traveler can be carried out at the pick-up point by employees of the transport service provider. This enables a so-called "Easy Pass" to be issued directly by the transport service provider at the pick-up point, which further simplifies the travel effort. The transport service provider can use a camera to capture the biometric data and transmit this to a communication infrastructure of the transport service provider, for example a server device of the transport service provider, or directly to a communication infrastructure of a travel service provider, for example a server device of an airline.

Recorded biometric data and optically digitized (scanned) data of an official means of identification of the traveler can be transmitted to a communication infrastructure, in particular a travel service provider and/or a security authority, and compared there. The comparison is used to verify the identity of the passenger and simplifies access control at the transport hub where a traveler uses a means of transport for onward transport to the destination and/or to another transport hub.

It is also expedient if recorded biometric data and optically digitized (scanned) data of an official means of identification of the traveler are transmitted to the communication infrastructure in real time, with biometric data preferably being able to be deleted after the comparison has taken place.

The architecture of the method according to the invention is illustrated below using an exemplary embodiment.

For this purpose, the only figure shows an example and schematically a system 1 for the secure transport of luggage 2, shown as an example of a suitcase, with a ner having a Smartlock locking system transport lock 3. The transport lock 3 is shown only schematically. The locking system is designed to lock the transport lock 3 against unauthorized opening or to prevent unauthorized opening when the locking system is in a locked state. The locking system can be unlocked at least partially, preferably completely, by wireless transmission of an opening code 4 . The transport lock 3 is preferably designed in such a way that it is possible to integrate the item of luggage 2 essentially or completely into the transport lock 3, with the transport lock 3 being able to be designed, for example, as a suitcase-like transport container that is used to hold the item of luggage 2. After the item of luggage 2 has been picked up and the transport lock 3 has been closed, access to the item of luggage 2 from the outside is only possible if the locking system is unlocked. Access to the item of luggage 2 when the transport lock 3 is closed and the locking system is in the locked state is not possible if the transport lock 3 is used as intended without at least partially damaging the transport lock 3 and/or the locking system or manipulating it.

The system 1 has a communication infrastructure 5, shown schematically, or an IT infrastructure, to which a server device of a transport service provider can be assigned.

In addition, the system 1 includes at least one communication device 6 of a traveler 7, which can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC or a stationary computer device on which application software from the transport service provider is installed.

Furthermore, the system 1 at the location of the traffic junction 13 includes at least one further communication device 8 of an employee 9 of the transport service provider.

The method according to the invention is intended for the secure transport of items of luggage 2, with an item of luggage 2 via a first transport section 10 with a first means of transport 11, which is a transport vehicle of the transport service provider, from a pick-up point 12 to at least one that is spatially distant from the pick-up point 12 Transport hub 13 transportable. The pickup location can be the traveler's place of residence 7 or a mobile pick-up station in particular, which is close to the place of residence of the traveler 7. The traffic junction 13 can be an airport.

The method shown is also preferably provided for transporting the item of luggage 2 beyond the first traffic junction 13 via a further transport section 14 to a destination 15 . The destination 15 can be, for example, a hotel in which the traveler 7 has booked accommodation. The item of luggage 2 can also be delivered to a further transport hub (not shown) via the further transport section 14 .

The opening code 4 is transmitted to the transport lock 3 wirelessly, for example via Bluetooth, radio, WLAN or near-field communication.

At the pick-up point 12 , the item of luggage 2 is handed over by the traveler 7 to the employee 9 of the transport service provider, who places the item of luggage 2 in the opened transport lock 3 and then closes the transport lock 3 . Then the locking system of the transport lock is preferably activated or blocked manually by the employee 9 . The transporter 9 now brings the transport safety device 3 with the piece of luggage 2 it contains with the first means of transport 11 to the transport hub 13, in particular to a baggage drop-off station, for example a baggage drop-off counter and/or a baggage machine at the airport, for onward transport with another means of transport 16 to the destination 15 or another transport hub.

Provision can be made at the transport hub 13 for at least one or more employees 17 of the transport service provider to remove the item of luggage 2 from the transport lock 3, with the item of luggage 2 then being handed over to the luggage drop-off station for onward transport. The transport lock 3 can only be opened after unlocking the locking system, for which it is necessary to transmit the opening code 4 to the locking system.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is provided that the opening code 4 is generated directly by the locking system of the transport lock 3 and is then transmitted either to the communication device 6 of the traveler 7 or to the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider. The traveler 7 can receive access rights to the opening code 4, so that it is possible to call up the opening code 4 via the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider or to transmit the opening code 4 to the communication device 6 of the traveler 7. Equivalent to this is an embodiment in which only a confirmation signal is transmitted from the locking system to the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider and an opening code 4 is generated by a computer device in the communication infrastructure 5 on the basis of the confirmation signal.

The opening code 4 is preferably generated at the same time as the locking system is switched to the locked state and is transmitted to the communication device 6 of the traveler 7 . This means that the traveler 7 can transmit the opening code 4 to the locking system of the transport lock 3 at any point in time during the luggage transport, so that the locking system is unlocked and it is possible to open the transport lock and gain access to the piece of luggage 2 . For this purpose, the traveler 7 or the communication device 6 of the traveler 7 is given appropriate access rights which control and permit the transmission of the opening code 7 to the communication device 6 and/or the retrieval of the opening code 7 via the communication device 6 . These access rights are preferably assigned or managed by the communications infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown, it can be provided that the opening code 4 is transmitted from the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider to the communication device 8 of the transport service provider at the traffic junction 13 and from there to the locking system when the transport lock 3 with the piece of luggage 2 is at the traffic junction 13 , especially at the baggage drop-off station. The communication device 8 receives corresponding access rights to the opening code 4 depending on the position data of the transport lock 3 or the item of luggage 2. The opening code 4 could also be transmitted directly from the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider to the locking system as soon as the item of luggage 2 has reached the luggage drop-off station.

The opening code 4 can also, with the consent of the traveler 7 and/or in the event of a transport disruption, for example in the event of an accident, or by order of the authorities, from the communication infrastructure 5 and possibly via a Communication device 18 of the transport service provider during the transport of the piece of luggage 2 are transmitted to the traffic junction 13 to the locking system.

During the transport from the pick-up point 12 to the transport hub 13, if the transport is undisturbed or uninterrupted, the transmission of the opening code 4 to the locking system is only reserved for the traveler 7, which requires corresponding access rights, which also depend on the position of the luggage item 2 and/or the duration of the transport may be granted or assigned, reserved. It is therefore preferably not possible for employees of the transport service provider to gain access to the item of luggage 2 while the luggage is being transported to the transport hub 13 .

The passenger 7 can receive access authorization to the opening code 4 via his communication device 6 as soon as the transport lock 3 has been closed and the locking system has been locked, preferably independently of the position of the luggage item 2 and/or the duration of the transport.

These measures serve to ensure that - preferably with the exception of transport disruptions or in an emergency - only the traveler 7 at any time or employees 17 of the transport service provider only have the opportunity to open the locking system at the traffic junction 13 .

As can also be seen from FIG. 1, provision can be made at the pick-up location 12 for the passport or ID card of the traveler 7, ie an official means of identification, to be recorded digitally. The identification data 20 obtained in this way are then transmitted to a communication infrastructure 19 of a travel service provider. On the basis of booking data 24, which the traveler 7 has previously transmitted to the communication infrastructure 19 of the travel service provider, the communication infrastructure of the travel service provider 19 directly or via the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider transmits the data required for checking in the traveler 7 at the pick-up location 12 and the Creation data 21 required for issuing boarding cards and baggage tags are transmitted to the communication device 18 of the employee 9 of the transport service provider at the pick-up location 12, so that the employee 9 can check in and print out the boarding card and a baggage tag with an assigned printer device can. The employee 9 can also provide a digital boarding pass on the communication device 6 of the traveler 7 .

There is also the possibility, if necessary also independently of the previously described secured luggage transport, to record biometric facial image data 22 of the traveler 7 at the pick-up location 12 and to forward them either directly to the communication infrastructure 19 of the travel service provider or to the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider, so that for the check A presence of the traveler 7 at the traffic junction, namely at the check-in counter in the airport, is omitted. Mobile face recognition for travelers 7 at the pick-up location or at the destination 15, for example in a hotel, eliminates the need for the traveler 7 to be physically present at the transport hub 13 or at the destination in order to announce arrival or check-in. There is also the possibility that a so-called “Easy Pass” is created at the pick-up point 12 by the employee 9 of the transport service provider. In order to capture facial image data at the pick-up location 12, the communication device 18 of the employee 9 of the transport service provider can have hardware and software equipment that enables facial image data to be captured. The comparison of optically digitized data of an official means of identification of the traveler 7, such as a passport, with the captured facial image data can be carried out by the communication infrastructure 5 of the transport service provider or, preferably, by the communication infrastructure 19 of the travel service provider. The comparison serves to verify the identity of the traveler 7 and enables simplified access control at the traffic junction 13.

Recorded biometric data and optically digitized (scanned) data of an official means of identification of the traveler 7 can be transmitted in real time to a communication infrastructure 5, 19 and biometric data can be deleted after the comparison has taken place.

Furthermore, a procedural alternative can provide that, in order to unlock the locking system at the traffic junction 13, in addition to the transmission of the opening code 4 to the locking system, biometric data of the employee 17 of the transport service provider are recorded at the traffic junction 13 and are required for a (complete) unlocking of the locking system. For example, it is possible that the digital opening process of a Smartlock lock fingerprint opening by authorized personnel at the airport is also added. An employee of the transport service provider can transmit the opening code 4 to the locking system using the communication device 8 and a second employee of the transport service provider can then enable the locking system to be completely unlocked using a fingerprint. The additional opening function based on a comparison of biometric data with stored biometric data of certain employees of the transport service provider can be deactivated, which is particularly advantageous if the locking system is only unlocked by transmitting the opening code 4 from the communication device 6 of the passenger 7 to the locking system is to be accomplished. For this purpose, the communication device 6 of the traveler 7 can be granted appropriate access rights that allow the locking system to be unlocked simply by transmitting the opening code 4 . A communication device 8 of the transport service provider, on the other hand, can only be granted access rights such that the locking system can only be unlocked when the opening code 4 is transmitted and biometric data are compared.

The process sequence shown allows the transport lock 3 to be opened only at the destination 15 by the traveler 7 by transmitting the opening code 4 via his communication device 6 to the locking system and the item of luggage 2 being removed from the transport lock 3 by the traveler 7 himself. The transport lock 3 can then be received again by employees of the transport service provider and is available for further transport.

What is also not shown is that there is the option of storing the item of luggage 2 at the transport hub 13 after removal from the transport lock 3 by an employee 17 of the transport service provider and after passing the luggage check-in area or after arriving at another transport hub, for example a destination airport, for a transport of the piece of luggage 2 from another traffic junction to the destination 15, to be integrated again into a transport lock 3 and then to lock it with the locking system. A further process sequence during transport can then correspond to the process sequence described above starting at the pick-up location 12 . However, it is preferably provided that the transport lock 3 passes through the luggage check-in area in the unopened state with the locking system locked and then if necessary via another traffic junction to the destination 15, where the traveler 7 then unlocks the locking system by transmitting the opening code 4, transfers the transport lock 3 to the open state and removes the piece of luggage 2 from the transport lock 3.

In addition, tracking signals 23 can be generated for tracking the position of the item of luggage 2, which allow the respective position of the transport lock 3 or the item of luggage 2, in particular over the first transport section 10, to be determined in terms of location and time.

Reference list:

1 system 15 13 transport hub

2 Baggage 14 Transport section 3 Transport lock 15 Destination

4 opening code 16 means of transport

5 communication infrastructure 17 employees

6 communication device 20 18 communication device

7 passenger 19 communication infrastructure 8 communication facility 20 identification data

9 employees 21 creation dates

10 transport section 22 face image data

11 means of transport 25 23 tracking signal

12 pick-up location 24 booking dates

Claims

25 patent claims:

1. A method for the secure transport of luggage (2), for example suitcases and travel bags, wherein a luggage (2) via a first transport section (10) with a first means of transport (11), in particular a road vehicle, from a collection point (12), for example a location and/or place of residence of a traveler (7) and/or a pick-up station, in particular a mobile pick-up station, to at least one transport hub (13) spatially distant from the pick-up location, in particular an airport or train station or port, and preferably via the transport hub (13) is transported via a further transport section (14) to a destination (15), for example a hotel, or another transport hub, characterized in that the transport of the item of luggage (2) takes place in a transport lock (2) which secures the item of luggage (2) against unauthorized access 3), in particular designed as a T that preferably completely surrounds the item of luggage (2). transport container, wherein the transport lock (3) has an electromechanical locking system, in particular a Smartlock locking system, in order to block the transport lock (3) against unauthorized transfer from a locked state to an open state when the locking system is in a locked state, and with an opening code (4) is generated and wirelessly transmitted to the locking system for at least partially unlocking the locking system.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking system is manually and/or automatically transferred to the locked state at the same time as the transport lock (3) is transferred to the locked state or immediately after the transfer to the locked state.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening code (4) is generated by the locking system or by a communication infrastructure (5) designed for data transmission with the locking system.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening code (4) is generated at the same time as the transfer of the locking system into the locked state or immediately after the transfer.

5. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening code (4) is transmitted from the locking system to a communication infrastructure (5) and/or to at least one communication device (6, 8) of an authorized user.

6. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening code (4) is transmitted from a communication infrastructure (5) to the locking system and/or only to at least one communication device (6, 8) of an authorized user (7, 8). and/or that the opening code (4) is only transmitted from a communication device (6, 8) of an authorized user (7, 8) to the locking system and/or to at least one communication device of a further authorized user (7, 8).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one user (7, 8) with access authorization is granted access authorization to the opening code (4) and that the granting of access authorization is dependent on determined position data of the item of luggage (2), in particular during transport via the first transport section (10).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the granting of access authorization to the opening code (4) is time-dependent.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two users (7, 8) with access authorization are granted different access authorizations to the opening code (4) for access to the opening code (4) at different times and/or depending on different position data of the piece of luggage (2).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first user (7) with access authorization is granted access authorization to open the transport lock (3) independently of the position of the item of luggage (2) and that at least one other user (8) with access authorization access authorization to open the transport lock (3) only borrowed at the traffic junction (13), in particular at a baggage drop-off station.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a user (9) is granted access authorization independently of position data of the piece of luggage (2) and/or independently of the transport time when a transport disruption or transport interruption occurs.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an access control is provided by comparing biometric features for unlocking the locking system.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that access authorization for a first user (7) with access authorization to open the locking system only requires transmission of the opening code (4) and that access authorization for a further user (7) with access authorization for opening the locking system in addition to the transmission of the opening code (4), a comparison of recorded biometric data, in particular fingerprints, with stored reference data is required.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a check-in takes place at the pickup location (12) and/or a boarding pass and/or a baggage tag is created and/or that data (22) of an official means of identification is recorded at the pickup location are recorded.

15. A method for checking in a traveler (7), the check-in taking place away from the transport hub (13), in particular before reaching the airport, in particular at a place of stay and/or place of residence of the traveler and/or in a decentralized location Check-in station, biometric facial recognition being carried out remotely from the traffic junction (13) and facial image data being transmitted wirelessly to a communication infrastructure (5, 19) in order to carry out the registration independently of the physical presence of the traveler (7) at the traffic junction (13), in particular method according to one of the preceding claims.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that detected facial image data together with optically digitized data of an official identification 28 ed by the traveler (7) to the communication infrastructure (5, 19) and compared.

17. System for the secure transport of items of luggage (2), for example suitcases and travel bags, designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims, with a transport lock (3) having an electromechanical locking system, in particular a Smartlock locking system, the transport lock (3) when the locking system is in a locked state, it is locked against unauthorized transfer from a locked state to an open state, and the locking system can be at least partially unlocked by wireless transmission of an opening code (4), with a communication infrastructure (5) and with at least one communication device (6 , 8), such as a smartphone, a tablet PC or a stationary computer device, the communication infrastructure (5) and/or the communication device (6, 8) being set up for data exchange with the locking system for transmission of the opening code (4) .