Method and system fo transferring connecting baggage
First Claim
1. A method for supporting the efficient transfer of baggage from an inbound flight to connecting flights, comprising the steps of:
- identifying an inbound flight to a software module operating on a server computer in a distributed computing system;
retrieving data concerning the baggage from databases logically connected to the distributed computing system and providing the data to the software module at the server;
operating the software program at the server to calculate potential assignments for baggage transfer from the data and to select an efficient solution of assignments;
operating the software program at the server to calculate potential routes for completing the assignments from the data and to select an efficient route;
distributing the selected assignments and routes from the server to clients connected to the distributed computer network; and
delivering baggage to one or more outbound flights according to the selected assignments and routes.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Using a distributed computer network to support efficient transfer of baggage from inbound aircraft to connecting aircraft. The network comprises a server computer logically connected to databases maintained by the carrier and containing passengers'"'"' itineraries and their baggage information. Also connected to the network are dispatch clients, responsible for managing the transfer of baggage, and tug clients, responsible for managing delivery of baggage from the inbound flight to the connecting flights. When an inbound flight is approaching a typical hub airport, a software module operating on the server computer retrieves data for passengers with connecting flights and their baggage. The software module uses this data to evaluate various combinations of assignments and routes for transferring the baggage and determines which is the most efficient solution. The dispatch client then obtains and distributes the assignments and routes to the tug clients. The tug clients manage the transfer of baggage from inbound flights to connecting flights according to the assignments and routes formulated by the software module running in the distributed computer network.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for supporting the efficient transfer of baggage from an inbound flight to connecting flights, comprising the steps of:
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identifying an inbound flight to a software module operating on a server computer in a distributed computing system;
retrieving data concerning the baggage from databases logically connected to the distributed computing system and providing the data to the software module at the server;
operating the software program at the server to calculate potential assignments for baggage transfer from the data and to select an efficient solution of assignments;
operating the software program at the server to calculate potential routes for completing the assignments from the data and to select an efficient route;
distributing the selected assignments and routes from the server to clients connected to the distributed computer network; and
delivering baggage to one or more outbound flights according to the selected assignments and routes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for supporting the efficient transfer of items from an inbound conveyance to at least one outbound conveyance, comprising the steps of:
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identifying the inbound conveyance;
retrieving item data describing the destination of the items on the inbound conveyance;
formulating various combinations of potential assignments for transferring the items from the item data in order to select an efficient solution of assignments;
formulating various combinations of potential routes for completing the assignments from the item data in order to select an efficient route; and
transferring the items from the inbound conveyance to the outbound conveyance according to the selected assignments and routes. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28)
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26. A distributed computer network for supporting the transfer of baggage from inbound conveyances to connecting conveyances comprising:
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a central computer system operable for managing traveler processes and transmitting passenger data, baggage data, and flight data to a server computer;
the server computer connected to the central computer system operating an electronic dispatch software module for calculating baggage assignments and routes based on the passenger data, baggage data, and flight data;
at least one tug client coupled to the server computer and operable for receiving baggage assignments and routes from the server computer and presenting baggage assignments and routes to a baggage handler; and
at least one dispatch client coupled to the server computer and operable for receiving assignments and routes from the server computer and distributing them to the tug clients via the server computer.
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Specification