Proximity and sensing system for baggage

• US 6,342,836 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harry I. Zimmerman
• Original Assignee: Harry I. Zimmerman
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Harry I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/871,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20010052850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/309.15, 340/573.1, 340/825.04, 455/38.3, 235/375, 235/384
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations

Abstract

A communication system is provided which can be realized in a number of ways to facilitate baggage tracking and recovery. In the most rudimentary realization, the traveler receives a signal from transmitters placed in the baggage which can identify the presence of each item of baggage by a code number which may show either as the code number or as a user supplied personal designator for a particular item of luggage. The transmitter is inexpensive and low power but works well in the aircraft environment and causes no interference with aircraft control, communication or navigation equipment. Advanced versions of the invention include programmability and transponder control as well as enhanced audio signaling also include structure which can sense an aircraft environment based upon pressure, vibration and acceleration to provide control to portable electronic devices in response to sensing the take-off, cruise and landing conditions. Especially useful are aircraft takeoff and landing footprints as predetermined pressure profiles over time. The footprints insure that the proper conditions are met for shutting down equipment, reducing the activity level of the equipment, or turning the equipment back on.

Claims

1. A luggage tracking system comprising:

a luggage location unit having a transmitter for transmitting an identifying code and having a housing for carriage inside a unit of luggage within a fuselage of an aircraft;

a flight profile detector in communication with said transmitter for inhibiting operation of said transmitter during at least part of a flight sequence; and

an indicator unit having a receiver for receiving said identifying code from within said fuselage and for indicating receipt of said identifying code to indicate a presence of said luggage location unit and thus the unit of luggage within which it is carried.

2. The luggage tracking system of claim 1 wherein said flight profile detector is programmed to sense at least one of vibration, acceleration and pressure.

3. The luggage tracking system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said luggage location unit and said indicator unit includes a receiver and a transmitter respectively such that said at least one of said luggage location unit and said indicator unit is capable of transceiving.

4. The luggage tracking system of claim 3 wherein said luggage location unit includes a receiver capable of receiving commands to control said transmitter of said luggage location unit.

5. The luggage tracking system of claim 3 wherein said indicator unit includes a transmitter capable of communicating with and transmitting commands to said receiver of said luggage location unit.

6. The luggage tracking system of claim 5 wherein said indicator unit is capable of commanding said luggage location unit to alter at least one of its transmitter timing, transmitter mode, antenna phasing and transmitter frequencies.

7. The luggage tracking system of claim 1 and wherein said luggage location unit is a first luggage location unit, and further comprising at least a second luggage location unit, each of said at least a second location unit having an associated transmitter for transmitting an identifying code particular to each of said respective first and said at least a second location unit.

8. A method of luggage tracking comprising the steps of:

turning on a luggage location unit having at least a transmitter which is disabled based upon detection of flight profile so that said transmitter will not operate over the majority of a flight cycle; and

inserting said luggage location unit inside a unit of luggage;

presenting said unit of luggage to be carried by an airline on an aircraft;

taking an indicator unit having at least a receiver on board said aircraft; and

receiving a signal from said luggage location unit to verify a presence of said unit of luggage on board said aircraft.

9. The method of luggage tracking as recited in claim 8 wherein said flight profile is detected based upon at least one of vibration, acceleration and pressure.

10. A method of luggage tracking comprising the steps of:

turning on a luggage location unit having at least a transmitter which is disabled based upon detection of flight profile so that said transmitter will not operate over the majority of a flight cycle; and

inserting said luggage location unit inside a unit of luggage;

presenting said unit of luggage to be carried by an airline on at least one aircraft;

taking an indicator unit having at least a receiver to the vicinity of a luggage retrieval point once said unit of luggage is taken off of said at least one aircraft; and

receiving a signal from said luggage location unit to verify a presence of said unit of luggage in the vicinity of said luggage retrieval point.

11. The method of luggage tracking as recited in claim 10 wherein said unit of luggage is at least a first unit of luggage and at least a second unit of luggage and wherein said luggage location unit is at least a first luggage location unit and at least a second luggage location unit wherein said at least a first luggage location unit is inserted into said at least a first unit of luggage and wherein said at least a second luggage location unit is inserted into said at least a second unit of luggage wherein said receiving a signal from said luggage location unit step is for verifying a presence of said at least a first unit of luggage and at least a second unit of luggage in the vicinity of said luggage retrieval point.