Automatic luggage tracking system
First Claim
1. A method for recording and verifying the presence of an item of value in a piece of luggage by a traveler in the course of a trip, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an interrogator unit on or within the piece of luggage;
affixing an electronic signaling device to each item of value being packed by the traveler within the piece of luggage, each electronic signaling device having a signal transmitter capable of transmitting identifying information back to the interrogator; and
wherein the interrogator is provided with a receiver that receives the transmitted signal and processes the information it contains, the processed information serving to verify the presence of each tagged item of value within the piece of luggage.
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Abstract
A monitoring and location system for mobile objects is shown for monitoring the presence or absence of items of personal value packed by a traveler within a suitcase or other item of luggage which away from home on a trip. Each item of personal value is provided with an electronic signally device or chip, such as a separate RFID tag, which has a unique electronic indicia stored thereon for transmission by a radio frequency signal upon request from an RFID interrogation unit. The interrogation unit is mounted on the interior of the item of luggage and monitors the presence of each RFID tag as the item of personal value is placed within the item of luggage.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for recording and verifying the presence of an item of value in a piece of luggage by a traveler in the course of a trip, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning an interrogator unit on or within the piece of luggage;
affixing an electronic signaling device to each item of value being packed by the traveler within the piece of luggage, each electronic signaling device having a signal transmitter capable of transmitting identifying information back to the interrogator; and
wherein the interrogator is provided with a receiver that receives the transmitted signal and processes the information it contains, the processed information serving to verify the presence of each tagged item of value within the piece of luggage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for recording and verifying the presence of an item of value in a piece of luggage by a traveler in the course of a trip, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning an interrogator unit on or within the piece of luggage, the interrogator unit having an exciter that transmits a radio frequency excitation signal;
affixing an RFID tag to each item of value being packed by the traveler within the piece of luggage, each RFID tag containing a transponder which is energized by the excitation signal to transmit a response signal which contains identifying information back to the interrogator; and
wherein the interrogator is provided with a receiver that receives the response signal and processes the information it contains, the processed information serving to verify the presence of each tagged item of value within the piece of luggage. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A luggage monitoring system for holding and monitoring items of value by a traveler in the course of a trip away from home, the monitoring system comprising:
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a bag having an exterior and having an interior space, the interior space having an interrogator unit positioned therein, the interrogator unit having an exciter that transmits a radio frequency excitation signal;
a plurality of RFID tags, at least selected ones of the items of value place within the interior space of the bag having an RFID tag attached thereto, each RFID tag containing a transponder which is energized by the excitation signal to transmit a response signal which contains identifying information back to the interrogator; and
wherein the interrogator is provided with a receiver that receives the response signal and processes the information it contains. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification