Methods and systems for GPS-enabled baggage tags

• US 9,317,728 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pinger Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pinger Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Motley, Cleveland A. III, Salgado, Enrique A., Bryan, Roland F.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US14/605,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20150205989A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.51, 340/10.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/368 Arrangements or installations for routing, distributing or loading baggage
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/0254 Luggage tag

Abstract

An electronic baggage tag is self-reliant and self-regulating and provides the underlying foundation for a baggage tracking and management system, the center of which operates one or more tag service provider servers. The tag is attached to a baggage and is loaded with various data, including passenger itinerary, GPS data, and journey profile data. The tag has sensors, such for detecting different vibrations, electro-magnetic sensor, GPS, and others. As the baggage to which the tag is attached goes on its journey, the sensors detect stimuli and ascertain where in the journey the baggage is and use itinerary and other data to determine where the baggage should be. The tag service provider server communicates with the tag at various stages in the journey, providing up-to-date itinerary data to the tag. The tag automatically shuts off to be compliant with government regulations for devices in flight.

Claims

1. An electronic baggage tag, the tag comprising:

a microcontroller, a memory, a GPS module, a power source, a communications component, and a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a vibration sensor;

wherein the tag is configured to;

receive an initial itinerary via the communications component while the tag is in a first mode, the initial itinerary stored in the memory;

detect stimuli using the plurality of sensors;

enter a second mode when a first type of sequence of stimuli is detected using the plurality of sensors, wherein the tag does not receive or transmit GPS data or communications while in the second mode except for receiving updated itinerary data;

exit the second mode when a second type of sequence of stimuli is detected using the plurality of sensors;

return to the first mode from the second mode when vibrations are detected that match a specific vibration profile;

download a plurality of vibration profiles from a remote server; and

store the plurality of vibration profiles in the memory.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) transmitter.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the GPS module further comprises an antenna.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the communications component is a cellular communications component.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the communications component is a network interface.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the network interface is a wireless network interface.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a compass.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is an altimeter.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a movement sensor.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the movement sensor is an accelerometer.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a thermometer.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a light sensor.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a magnetometer.

16. The device of claim 1, further configured to transmit a discrepancy message if the tag determines that the tag is not in an expected location.

17. The device of claim 1, further configured to concatenate the plurality of vibration profiles to form a vibration statement.

18. The device of claim 1, further configured to store the itinerary in the memory.

19. The device of claim 18, further configured to correlate the initial itinerary with a serial number of the tag when the tag is powered on.

20. The device of claim 1, further configured to associate the tag with a passenger record on the server.

21. The device of claim 20, further configured to store the passenger record on the server.

22. The device of claim 1, further configured to store GPS locations of airports, gates, holding areas, carousels, check-in counters, and a starting point of the tag.

23. The device of claim 1, further configured to publish intelligence relating to what the tag expects in the itinerary, wherein the tag becomes self-monitoring.

24. The device of claim 1, further configured to indicate a discrepancy on the tag if the tag determines that the tag is not at an expected location.