Passenger identification and baggage control system

• US 5,920,053 A
• Filed: 01/06/1997
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cynthia R. Debrouse
• Original Assignee: Cynthia R. Debrouse
• Inventors: DeBrouse, Cynthia R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gross, Anita Pellman
• Assistant Examiner(s): St. Cyr, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US08/779,214
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/376, 235/384, 364/401, 364/463
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/366 Check-in counters
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00

Abstract

This invention relates to a Baggage Control System and in particular to a Passenger Photograph Identification System for improving security and control of passenger baggage. This invention reveals both a system and a method which improve the security of passenger bags checked by the airline for transportation on the flight or flights on which the passenger is traveling. This system also insures that unattended baggage does not get on the plane without a review by the airline officials, and reduces lost or misdirected passenger luggage by the airline. The system allows rapid identification of any misdirected luggage to the proper owner by the airline, and a computer printout of the photographs of all boarded passengers.

Claims

1. A traveler management and control system for matching the identity of a passenger boarding a public transportation system with that passenger'"'"'s baggage comprising:

A video camera for use in combination with a video image printer for producing a passenger boarding pass, boarding tag, and baggage claim ticket with a photographic image of the passenger on each document, together with a means of generating unique machine readable bar codes for passenger identification and for each individual bag identification, a means of passenger seat assignment which is stored as a component of the system and incorporated into the printed images on the boarding pass, baggage tag, and baggage claim tickets;

a means of scanning and matching the passenger identification and baggage identification bar codes to the said passenger and baggage unique identification bar codes on the boarding pass, baggage tag, and baggage claim ticket, and a means for indicating the presence or absence of a match for each record, wherein said baggage tag is attached to each check-in bag with a coated clear adhesive backed tape containing a tamper proof dye strip which will be visibly show if the baggage tag or its attachment to the checked-in bag has been tampered with, altered, or removed from the bag.

2. A traveler management and control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the system includes a video recorder and video monitor to enhance security.

3. A traveler management and control system in accordance with claim 1 which includes a station in the baggage claim area at the arrival public transportation terminal wherein the unique passenger and baggage identification bar code on the baggage tag attached to each checked-in bag picked up by a passenger is scanned and compared to the unique identification bar codes on the baggage claim ticket of that passenger prior to physical release of the bag from the arrival station, with the failure to match as the criteria for retention of the baggage by the carrier.

4. A traveler management and control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the unique identification code of each piece of baggage loaded is compared to the baggage identification codes on file for the flight for each enplaned passenger with approval of any exception required before departure of the flight.

5. A traveler management and control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein a computer printout of all passenger names and photographs is generated.

6. A method of passenger identification and control of baggage for public transportation comprising a passenger photograph which is printed with passenger name and flight information;

a unique machine readable bar code generated to identify each passenger;

a unique machine readable bar code generated to identify each piece of passenger checked-in baggage;

whereby each passenger is photographed at check-in by a video camera, and a means of individual seat assignment is integrated into the system having distinct codes for passenger identification printed on boarding passes, baggage tags, and baggage claim tickets; and

said method includes the process whereby the boarding pass of each explaning passenger is scanned for passenger'"'"'s unique identification bar code and is compared to the passenger unique identification bar code on the baggage tag attached to each checked-in bag loaded with an exception report being generated for any bag which is not matched to an explaning passenger unique identification bar code, and a complete inventory of all boarded passengers is available prior to departure wherein said baggage tag is attached to each check-in bag with a coated clear adhesive backed tape containing a tamper proof dye strip which will be visibly show if the baggage tag or its attachment to the checked-in bag has been tampered with, altered, or removed from the bag.

7. The method specified in accordance with claim 6 wherein the method includes use of a video recorder and video monitor to enhance security.

8. The method specified in accordance with claim 6 wherein an additional step in the process includes a station in the baggage claim area at the arrival public transportation terminal wherein the unique passenger and baggage identification bar code on the baggage tag attached to each checked-in bag picked up by a passenger is scanned and compared to the unique identification bar code on the baggage claim ticket of that passenger prior to physical release of the bag from the arrival station, with the failure to match as the criteria for retention of the baggage by the carrier.

9. The method specified in accordance with claim 6 wherein a computer printout of all passenger names and photographs is generated.