Luggage Tracking Device

• US 20130249673A1
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tori Ferrari
• Original Assignee: Tori Ferrari
• Inventors: Ferrari, Tori
• Granted Patent: US 8,742,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/8.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A luggage tracking device, and a method of tracking luggage using the device, the device including a housing configured to be attached to a piece of luggage, a location unit provided in the housing to determine a current location of the device, a transmitter provided in the housing to transmit current location information, and a controller provided in the housing to control operations of the location unit and transmitter.

Claims

1. A luggage tracking device comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a piece of luggage;

a location unit provided in the housing to determine a current location of the device;

a transmitter provided in the housing to transmit current location information; and

a controller provided in the housing to control operations of the location unit and transmitter.

2. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, wherein the location unit includes a receiver configured to obtain Global Positioning System (GPS) information.

3. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, wherein the location unit includes a receiver configured to obtain location information through a wireless communication with an external transmitter local to the device.

4. The luggage tracking device of claim 3, wherein the receiver communicates with the external transmitter through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

5. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the transmitter to transmit the current local information through a local and/or wide area network connection.

6. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, further comprising a battery to provide power to the controller, transmitter, and location unit.

7. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to open to provide access to components located inside the housing.

8. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, further comprising a coupling member to couple the device to the piece of luggage.

9. The luggage tracking device of claim 8, wherein the coupling member is configured to be locked and unlocked by a user.

10. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a transparent portion provided at least one side through which to display identification information.

11. The luggage tracking device of claim 1, further comprising a storage to store user selected communication instructions.

12. A method of tracking luggage using a wireless luggage tracking device, the method comprising:

storing contact information in the luggage tracking device regarding a user selected mode of communication;

determining current location information of the luggage tracking device; and

transmitting the current location information to the user according to the selected mode of communication.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining of the current location information occurs at periodic intervals selected by the user.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining of the current location information occurs continuously.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting of the current location information occurs at periodic intervals selected by the user.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmitting of the current location information occurs in response to the luggage tracking device determining a change in the current location.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting the current location information to one or more airline systems.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the current location information is transmitted by email, SMS text, automated telephone call, or any combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining of the current location information comprises receiving and processing GPS signals to determine longitude/latitude coordinates, a street address, an airport code, or any combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining of the current location information comprises receiving and processing location information from a local airport network to determine longitude/latitude coordinates, a street address, an airport code, or any combination thereof.