Luggage Tracking Device, Systems and Methods

• US 20170074002A1
• Filed: 07/21/2015
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lantrn Limited
• Original Assignee: Lantrn Limited
• Inventors: Cooper, Aaron
• Granted Patent: US 9,784,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0069 bolt position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/105 Locks allowing opening by official authorities, e.g. master key opening of luggage locks by customs officials
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 37/0034 actuated by either
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/005 Locks with means for tracking the location of locked items, e.g. freight containers
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/04 with counting or registering devices time recording locks G07C1/32
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/52 Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/523 parallel to the surface on which the lock is mounted

Abstract

A luggage tracking device (100), method and system. The luggage tracking device (100) includes a tracking device for capturing information, including location information received from a network and state information from at least one or more locks of an item of luggage. The luggage tracking device (100) may be configured for integration within the item of luggage. There is also provided a locking apparatus (300) for securing an item of luggage. The locking apparatus (300) has a locking element (304) which is movable between a first locked state and a second unlocked state. The apparatus includes a first locking means operable to control movement of the locking element. The apparatus also includes a first sensor (111) associated with the first locking means for detecting operation of the first locking means.

Claims

1. A locking apparatus for securing an item of luggage comprising:

a locking element which is movable between a first position in which the locking apparatus is in a locking state and a second position in which the locking apparatus is in an unlocked state,

a first locking means operable to control movement of the locking element between the first position and the second position, and

a first sensor arranged to detect operation of the first locking means and/or movement of the locking element.

2. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is associated with the first locking means for detecting operation of the first locking means.

3. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a second sensor associated with the locking element for detecting movement of the locking element.

4. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sensor is associated with the locking element for detecting movement of the locking element.

5. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first locking means comprises a mechanically actuated locking mechanism.

6. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mechanically actuated locking mechanism is a key operable locking mechanism.

7. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second locking means operable to control movement of the locking element between the first position and the second position.

8. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an additional sensor associated with the second locking means for detecting operation of the second locking means.

9. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second locking means comprises a mechanically actuated locking mechanism.

11. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a bar which is linearly movable between the first and second positions.

12. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the sensors are electronic sensors.

13. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more sensors comprises a tactile sensor configured to detect the application of a physical force.

14. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more sensors comprises a position sensor operable to detect movement.

18. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data.

19. The locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a receiver for receiving wireless data transmissions.

10. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. A locking apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a locking element movable relative to the housing between a first position in which the locking apparatus is in a locking configuration and a second position in which the locking apparatus is in an unlocking configuration;

a key cylinder extending at least partially into the housing and operated by a key, the key cylinder configured to restrict movement of the locking element from the first position to the second position when the key cylinder is set to a locking state, the key cylinder configured to permit movement of the locking element from the first position to the second position when actuated by a key;

a first sensor actuable by a key inserted into the key cylinder;

a second sensor actuable by movement of the locking element between the first position and the second position;

a central processing unit to process data received from the first sensor and the second sensor;

a memory to store data processed by the central processing unit; and

a transceiver to transmit and receive wireless signals comprising data received from the first and second sensors.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. A method of monitoring the locking status of a locking apparatus associated with an item of luggage comprising the steps of:

monitoring a locking mechanism to detect actuation of the locking mechanism; and

storing as data one or more detected actuations in a memory.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step of monitoring movement of a locking element to detect movement of a locking element.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising the step of monitoring a second locking mechanism to detect actuation of the second locking mechanism.

28. The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising the step of transmitting data related to one or more detected actuations or movements to an electronic device remote from the locking apparatus.

29-42. -42. (canceled)