TRACKING APPARATUS FOR BAGGAGE

• US 20130050019A1
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Umm Al-Qura University
• Original Assignee: Umm Al-Qura University
• Inventors: Mahmoud, Mohamed F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,902,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.25
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for tracking an item transported with the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining a location of the item based on GPS signals received from one or more GPS satellites. The apparatus further comprises a mobile communications controller for generating a message including the determined location of the item, wherein the mobile communications controller sends the generated message to at least one mobile device. The mobile communications controller may also send the generated message to a remote server maintaining location tracking information for one or more items.

Claims

1. An apparatus for tracking an item transported with the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining a location of the item based on GPS signals received from one or more GPS satellites; and

a mobile communications controller for generating a message including the determined location of the item, wherein the mobile communications controller sends the generated message to at least one mobile device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications controller sends the generated message to a remote server maintaining location tracking information for one or more items.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a clock for generating time stamps;

wherein the generated message further includes an identifier corresponding to the item and a time stamp corresponding to the determined location of the item.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a battery unit for supplying power to operate the apparatus;

an electronic switch, wherein the electronic switch is movable between an on position and an off position; and

a power timer controller including a memory unit for maintaining a preset time interval, wherein the power timer controller turns the electronic switch to the on position at the preset time interval maintained.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the battery unit supplies power to the GPS module and the mobile communications controller only when the electronic switch is turned to the on position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the mobile communications controller includes a memory unit for maintaining contact information for said at least one mobile device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the GPS module includes a memory unit for maintaining all determined locations of the item.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory unit of the GPS module further includes a lookup table maintaining location coordinates of different cities worldwide.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the GPS module:

determines location coordinates of the item based on the GPS signals received; and

determines a city having location coordinates nearest to the location coordinates of the item based on the lookup table;

wherein the generated message further includes the determined city having location coordinates nearest to the location coordinates of the item.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mobile communications controller further includes an audio visual interface for receiving one or more of the following user inputs:

contact information for said at least one mobile device, a preset time interval, and a clock setting that sets the clock to a local time of a location.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the generated message is an e-mail message; and

the contact information for said at least one mobile device includes one or more e-mail addresses corresponding to said at least one mobile device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the generated message is a short message service; and

the contact information for said at least one mobile device includes one or more mobile numbers corresponding to said at least one mobile device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the mobile communications controller sends an acknowledgement packet to the power timer controller when the generated message is successfully sent to, and received by, said at least one mobile device; and

upon receiving the acknowledgement packet, the power timer controller turns the electronic switch to the off position;

wherein the battery unit is disconnected from the GPS module and the mobile communications controller when the electronic switch is turned to the off position.

14. A system for tracking an item, the system comprising:

a tracking apparatus that is transported with the item, wherein the tracking apparatus comprises;

a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining a location of the item based on GPS signals received from one or more GPS satellites; and

a mobile communications controller for generating a message including the determined location of the item, wherein the mobile communications controller sends the generated message to at least one mobile device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the mobile communications controller sends the generated message to a remote server maintaining location tracking information for one or more items.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a clock for generating time stamps, wherein the generated message further includes a time stamp corresponding to the determined location of the item;

a battery unit for supplying power to operate the tracking apparatus;

an electronic switch, wherein the electronic switch is movable between an on position and an off position; and

a power timer controller including a memory unit for maintaining a preset time interval, wherein the power timer controller turns the electronic switch to the on position at the preset time interval maintained;

wherein the battery unit supplies power to the GPS module and the mobile communications controller only when the electronic switch is turned to the on position.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the mobile communications controller sends an acknowledgement packet to the power timer controller when the generated message is successfully sent to, and received by, said at least one mobile device; and

upon receiving the acknowledgement packet, the power timer controller turns the electronic switch to the off position;

wherein the battery unit is disconnected from the GPS module and the mobile communications controller when the electronic switch is turned to the off position.

18. A method for tracking an item, the method comprising:

receiving global positioning system (GPS) signals received from one or more GPS satellites;

determining a location of the item based on GPS signals received;

generating a message including the determined location of the item; and

sending the generated message to at least one mobile device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending the generated message to a remote server that maintains location tracking information for one or more items;

wherein the generated message further includes an identifier corresponding to the item and a time stamp corresponding to the determined location of the item.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

determining location coordinates of the item based on the GPS signals received; and

determines a city having location coordinates nearest to the location coordinates of the item;

wherein the generated message further includes the determined city having location coordinates nearest to the location coordinates of the item.