Apparatus and methods for baggage reconciliation and location
First Claim
1. Apparatus for checking travellers'"'"' baggage comprisingcheck-in means for entering and storing, for each traveller, identification data for the traveller, for at least one item of baggage in the traveller'"'"'s charge and to travel to the same destination as the traveller (but not under the traveller'"'"'s control) and for a vehicle on which the traveller and the said item are to travel,loading-check means for entering, for each item of baggage, identification data of the item and of a vehicle on which it is intended to load that item, the loading-check means being positioned, in operation, at a location where baggage is loaded for travel in vehicles,collation means, coupled for communication with the check-in means and the loading-check means, for automatically collating data received from the check-in means and the loading-check means, andloading-control means, coupled to the collation means, for carrying out a load-restraint procedure at the said location of the loading-check means for each item of baggage when the identification data for that item is entered at the load check means if the automatic collation determines, from the identification data, that the item should not be loaded at least until authorization is obtained.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A baggage checking system is described, primarily for use at airports and distinct from airline seat reservation systems. The baggage checking system takes flight numbers, travellers'"'"' identification data and baggage tag numbers from check-in and transfer desks and collates it with baggage tag numbers read at baggage loading points. If an attempt is made to load a bag on an incorrect flight an alarm is given at the loading point and the system is inhibited at that loading point until supervisory action is taken. In addition an alarm is given if an attempt is made to load a bag with the same tag number as another bag. Rules concerning when an alarm should be given in relation to tag numbers checked-in, and tag numbers of passengers boarded can be changed at will, even during loading.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Apparatus for checking travellers'"'"' baggage comprising
check-in means for entering and storing, for each traveller, identification data for the traveller, for at least one item of baggage in the traveller'"'"'s charge and to travel to the same destination as the traveller (but not under the traveller'"'"'s control) and for a vehicle on which the traveller and the said item are to travel, loading-check means for entering, for each item of baggage, identification data of the item and of a vehicle on which it is intended to load that item, the loading-check means being positioned, in operation, at a location where baggage is loaded for travel in vehicles, collation means, coupled for communication with the check-in means and the loading-check means, for automatically collating data received from the check-in means and the loading-check means, and loading-control means, coupled to the collation means, for carrying out a load-restraint procedure at the said location of the loading-check means for each item of baggage when the identification data for that item is entered at the load check means if the automatic collation determines, from the identification data, that the item should not be loaded at least until authorization is obtained.
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14. A method for checking travellers'"'"' baggage, comprising
a check-in procedure for entering and storing for each traveller identification data for the traveller, for at least one item of baggage in the traveller'"'"'s charge and to travel to the same destination as the traveller (but not under the traveller'"'"'s control), and for a vehicle on which the traveller and the said item are to travel, a loading-check procedure at a location where baggage is loaded for travel in vehicles and in which identification data of baggage is entered, automatically collating data from the check-in procedure and the loading-check procedure, and carrying out a load-restraint procedure at the said location for each item of baggage when the identification data for that item is entered during the load check procedure if the automatic collation determines, from the identification data, that the item should not be loaded at least until authorization is obtained.
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20. Apparatus for checking travellers'"'"' baggage comprising
check-in means for entering and storing for each traveller identification data for the traveller, for at least one item of baggage in the traveller'"'"'s charge and to travel to the same destination as the traveller (but not under the traveller'"'"'s control) and for a vehicle on which the traveller and the said item are to travel, loading-check means for entering for each item of baggage identification data of the item and of a vehicle on which it is intended to load that item, the loading-check means being positioned, in operation, at a location where baggage is loaded for travel in vehicles, collation means, coupled for communication with the check-in means and the loading-check means, for automatically collating data received from the check-in means and the loading-check means, loading-control means for carrying out a load restraint procedure, at the said location of the loading-check means for each item of baggage when the identification data for that item is entered at the loading check means said load-restraint procedure being related to the said identification data, and strategy-control means, available in normal operation of the apparatus to an authorized person, for changing the relationship between the said load restraint procedure and the identification data for an item of baggage entered at that time.
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25. A method for checking travellers'"'"' baggage, comprising
a check-in procedure for entering and storing for each traveller identification data for the traveller, for at least one item of baggage in the traveller'"'"'s charge and to travel to the same destination as the traveller (but not under the traveller'"'"'s control), and for a vehicle on which the traveller and the said item are to travel, a loading-check procedure at a location where baggage is loaded for travel in vehicles and in which identification data of baggage is entered, and automatically collating data from the check-in procedure and the loading-check procedure, giving an indication, visible or audible, at the said location related to identification data for an item of baggage in the loading-check procedure, each time such data is entered, and making available in normal operation of the method of an authorised person, the facility of changing the relationship between the indication given and the identification data for an item of baggage entered at that time.
Specification