Tagging and identification system for luggage

• US 8,657,186 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2011
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Louise Grimard
• Original Assignee: Louise Grimard
• Inventors: Grimard, Louise
• Primary Examiner(s): FRANKLIN, JAMARA ALZAIDA
• Application Number:
  US13/298,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20130130741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/18 Devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/42 Devices for identifying luggage; Means for attaching same

Abstract

An itinerary travel tag attached to a piece of luggage, the travel tag including a code; a mechanism for retrieving and sending the code electronically; an internet server connected electronically to the mechanism for receiving the code, and for providing a website including a webpage associated with the code and used to provide information pertaining to the piece of luggage, such that the piece of luggage can be tracked and the information used remotely to locate and retrieve the piece of luggage at any time and in any location.

Claims

1. A tagging and identification system comprising an itinerary travel tag attached to a piece of luggage, said travel tag including a code;

a mechanism for retrieving and sending said code electronically;

an internet server connected electronically to said mechanism for receiving said code, and for providing a website including a webpage associated with said code and used to provide information pertaining to said piece of luggage, such that said piece of luggage is tracked and said information used remotely to locate and retrieve said piece of luggage at any time and in any location; and

a website including said webpage adapted to retrieve and send said information pertaining to said piece of luggage.

2. The tagging and identification system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism is a scanning mechanism.

3. The tagging and identification system of claim 2, wherein said code is a QR code.

4. The tagging and identification system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism is a reading mechanism.

5. The tagging and identification system of claim 3, wherein said piece of luggage includes a plaque;

and wherein said QR code is permanently embedded on said plaque, such that said code is readable by said scanning mechanism.

6. The tagging and identification system of claim 3, wherein said piece of luggage includes a tag holder;

and wherein said QR code is inserted within said tag holder, such that said code is readable by said scanning mechanism.

7. The tagging and identification system of claim 3, wherein an alphanumeric code is automatically associated with said QR code, such that when said QR code is unreadable a person uses said alphanumeric code to access said web page.

8. The tagging and identification system of claim 6, wherein said information about said piece of luggage includes instructions as to steps to take to return said luggage to the owner of said luggage.

9. The tagging and identification system of claim 6, wherein said information about said piece of luggage includes said owner'"'"'s e-mail address and phone number.

10. The tagging and identification system of claim 6, wherein said information about said piece of luggage includes airline flight numbers, stop overs, airline companies, and additional information pertaining to checked, unchecked, and consigned luggage.

11. The tagging and identification system of claim 2, wherein said scanning mechanism is chosen from a list of scanning mechanisms including a cellular phone.

12. The tagging and identification system of claim 4, wherein said code is an alphanumeric code.

13. The tagging and identification system of claim 3, wherein said reading mechanism includes an electronic device chosen from a list of electronic devices including a smart phone, and a dedicated QR reader.

14. The tagging and identification system of claim 12, wherein said travel tag further includes said webpage'"'"'s URL, such that said alphanumeric code is entered manually onto said webpage.

15. The tagging and identification system of claim 14, wherein said website further incorporates a changeable password for each individual client.

16. The tagging and identification system of claim 1, wherein said webpage includes means for inputting information about said piece of luggage;

and includes means for displaying said information about said piece of luggage, such that if said piece of luggage is lost in transit, a person who locates said piece of luggage reads and send said code on said piece of luggage, access said webpage, retrieve said information, and then contact said owner about the location of the piece of luggage and available retrieval options.

17. The tagging and identification system of claim 1, wherein said website includes a database storing information about said baggage and information of a plurality of clients.

18. The tagging and identification system of claim 1, wherein said website has a link directing to a translating website for translating for any one language to any other language.

19. A method of tracking, locating, and retrieving lost luggage comprising the steps of:

a.) attaching an itinerary travel tag to a piece of luggage, said travel tag including a code;

b.) providing a mechanism for retrieving and sending said code electronically;

c.) providing an Internet server connected electronically to said mechanism for receiving said code;

d.) providing a webpage, associated with said code, upon said server for providing information pertaining to said piece of luggage, wherein said webpage includes means for inputting information about said piece of luggage; and

includes means for displaying said information about said piece of luggage, such that if said piece of luggage is lost in transit, a person who locates said piece of luggage can read and send said code, access said webpage, retrieve said information, and then contact said owner about the location of the piece of luggage and available retrieval options.

20. The method of tracking, locating, and retrieving lost luggage of claim 19, wherein the means for inputting information includes the steps of:

e.) filling out a registration page that asks for a client'"'"'s personal data which includes their name, address, contact information, e-mail address, and phone number;

f.) filling out an instructions page, that is used by a person who finds said piece of luggage, setting forth instructions on how to return said piece of luggage to said client whom owns said piece of luggage.