Intelligent Luggage Tag

• US 20090040048A1
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockwinn Technology
• Original Assignee: Lockwinn Technology
• Inventors: Locker, Howard J., Nguyen, Timothy Q.
• Granted Patent: US 7,916,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An improved system for tracking luggage and other such objects. The system features a transmitter tag for attachment to an object to be tracked and a receiver. When the tag comes within range of the receiver, the receiver provides notification to the user both visually and audibly. Audible notification can occur through the receiver'"'"'s speaker, a wireless phone, a PDA, or an iPod or other portable music player. GPS capabilities allow the tag to store and transmit its exact coordinates to assist in locating the tag. Airport and airline security personnel can access the tag data with a dedicated interface device.

Claims

1. A system for tracking the location of an object, the system comprising:

a tag, wherein the tag comprises;

a microprocessor;

nonvolatile memory, the memory capable of storing tag configuration data and object identification data;

a first RF transceiver, the first transceiver capable of storing object identification data;

a visual notification means;

a docking means; and

an attachment means; and

a first receiver, wherein the receiver comprises;

a microprocessor;

nonvolatile memory;

a first RF transceiver, wherein the first receiver first RF transceiver communicates with the tag first RF transceiver;

a docking means;

a USB connector; and

a notification means,

wherein the tag memory is accessible using a PC.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second receiver, wherein the second receiver comprises;

an RF transceiver, wherein the second receiver RF transceiver communicates with the tag first transceiver to access the tag first RF transceiver object identification data.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

the tag further comprising;

a second RF transceiver; and

the first receiver further comprising;

a second RF transceiver, wherein the first receiver second RF transceiver communicates with the tag second RF transceiver.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a second receiver, wherein the second receiver comprises;

an RF transceiver, wherein the second receiver RF transceiver communicates with the tag second RF transceiver.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the tag memory is accessible via the tag second RF transceiver by a computing means with a matching RF transceiver.

6. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

the tag further comprising;

a GPS module, wherein the GPS coordinates of the tag are accessible via the tag second RF transceiver.

7. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

the tag further comprising;

a GPS module, wherein the GPS coordinates of the tag are accessible via the tag second RF transceiver,

wherein the tag provides the GPS coordinates of the tag to the second receiver during communications with the second receiver, and

wherein the second receiver provides an approximation of the object'"'"'s location.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first receiver docking means mates with a portable music player, and wherein the first receiver can access the player to cause it to play an audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag.

9. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a first notification device, wherein the tag can access the first notification device to cause the first notification device to generate a visual or audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag, the first notification device selected from the group consisting of a wireless phone, a PDA, a PC, and a portable music player.

10. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

a first notification device, the first notification device selected from the group consisting of a wireless phone, a PDA, and a PC, wherein the tag can access the first notification device to cause the first notification device to generate a visual or audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag with the first receiver, and

wherein the tag communicates its GPS coordinates to the first notification device, and

wherein the first notification device provides an approximation of the object'"'"'s location.

11. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a first notification device, the first notification device selected from the group consisting of a wireless phone, a PDA, a PC, and a portable music player,

wherein the first receiver can access the first notification device to cause the first notification device to generate a visual or audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag.

12. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

a first notification device, the first notification device selected from the group consisting of a wireless phone, a PDA, and a PC,

wherein the first receiver can access the first notification device to cause the first notification device to generate a visual or audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag with the first receiver, and

wherein the tag communicates its GPS coordinates, either directly or indirectly through the first receiver, to the first notification device, and

wherein the first notification device provides an approximation of the object'"'"'s location.

13. A system for tracking the location of an object, the system comprising:

a tag, wherein the tag comprises;

a microprocessor;

nonvolatile memory, the memory capable of storing tag configuration data and object identification data;

a first RF transceiver, the first transceiver capable of storing object identification data;

a visual notification means;

a docking means; and

an attachment means; and

a first receiver, wherein the receiver comprises;

a microprocessor;

nonvolatile memory;

a first RF transceiver, wherein the first receiver first RF transceiver communicates with the tag first RF transceiver;

a docking means;

a USB connector; and

a notification means,

wherein the tag memory is accessible using a PC.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the first receiver docking means mates with a portable music player, and wherein the first receiver can access the player to cause it to play an audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a first notification device, wherein the tag can access the first notification device to cause the first notification device to generate a visual or audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag, the first notification device selected from the group consisting of a wireless phone, a PDA, a PC, and a portable music player.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a first notification device, wherein the first notification device is a wireless phone, and wherein the tag can access the first notification device to cause the first notification device to generate a visual or audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag, and wherein the tag can cause the first notification device to generate a text message for relay to another wireless phone.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

the tag further comprising;

a GPS module, wherein the GPS coordinates of the tag are accessible via the tag RF transceiver.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising:

a first notification device, the first notification device selected from the group consisting of a wireless phone, a PDA, and a PC, wherein the tag RF transceiver can, either directly or indirectly access the first notification device to cause the first notification device to generate a visual or audible notification in response to the proximity of the tag with the first receiver.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the tag communicates its GPS coordinates to the first notification device, and wherein the first notification device provides an approximation of the object'"'"'s location.

20. A system for tracking the location of an object, the system comprising:

a tag, wherein the tag comprises;

a first RF transceiver, the first transceiver capable of storing object identification data; and

a first receiver, wherein the receiver comprises;

a microprocessor;

nonvolatile memory;

a first RF transceiver, wherein the first receiver first RF transceiver communicates with the tag first RF transceiver;

a USB connector; and

a notification means,

wherein the tag is approximately the size of a credit card, and

wherein the tag communicates with the receiver to initiate the notification means when the tag to receiver distance exceeds about 3 to 5 feet, and

wherein the tag is used to track the proximity of a wallet, purse, handbag, briefcase, satchel, or backpack.