Baggage transportation security system and method

• US 20030100973A1
• Filed: 11/21/2002
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bags of Nevada LLC
• Original Assignee: Baggage Direct.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Quackenbush, Steve, Twitty, Brett C., Montgomery, William H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,807,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/226
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

In a communications network, such as the Internet system and method for arranging the transportation of baggage for airline passengers. Flight information and baggage information from a user is received via the communications network. Typically this is accomplished via a combination of information capture from an online travel provider (e.g., airline) and user input at a Web page. The baggage to be transported is identified and transported from an origin airport to a destination airport. The baggage is delivered to the user specified destination location. The method may further comprise collecting the baggage from an origin location other than the origin airport (e.g., residence, office, hotel, etc.). Travelers may access updated information concerning the location of their baggage from a desktop or laptop computer, a hand-held communication device, a cellular telephone with Internet access, or other suitable communications device.

Claims

1. In a communications network, a method for arranging the transportation of baggage for airline passengers comprising:

receiving flight information and baggage information via the communications network;

identifying the baggage to be transported;

transporting the baggage from an origin airport to a destination airport; and

delivering the baggage to a destination location.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, between the steps of receiving flight information and identifying the baggage, collecting the baggage from an origin location.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing information concerning baggage location to a user via the communications network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an identifier to the user for tracking baggage.

6. In a communications network, a method for arranging the transportation of baggage for airline passengers comprising:

receiving flight information, including an origin location and travel destination, from a user via the communications network;

receiving baggage information;

providing an identifier to the user for tracking baggage;

collecting baggage from the origin location;

transporting the baggage from the origin location to an airport near the destination location; and

delivering the baggage to the destination location.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing information concerning baggage location to a user via the communications network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

9. A computer-based baggage transportation system comprising:

a server computer including

a processor for maintaining a Web site accessible via a communications network; and

a database for storing baggage delivery information; and

a communications link for receiving information from users and providing information to users.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the Web site is configured to receive a destination location for baggage delivery.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the database stores a baggage identifier in linked relation to a baggage destination location.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the communications link is configured to receive information from a third party and provide information to the third party.

14. A method for arranging for the secure transportation of baggage for an airline passenger from an origin location to a destination location via a flight taken from an origin airport and a destination airport, the origin location and destination location being distinct from the origin airport and destination airport, respectively, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining origin location, flight information, and baggage information;

(b) generating a baggage manifest for the baggage and transmitting the baggage manifest to a ground delivery operator;

(c) collecting the baggage at the origin location from the passenger, the step of collecting being performed by the ground delivery operator;

(d) verifying the identity of the passenger;

(e) tagging the baggage;

(f) transmitting baggage information via a communications network and associating said baggage information with flight information of the flight;

(g) the ground delivery operator transporting the baggage from the origin location to a screening facility;

(h) performing pre-flight screening security checks of the baggage;

(i) delivering the baggage to an airport'"'"'s baggage sortation system; and

(j) maintaining updated information concerning baggage location and delivery status in a database.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of obtaining flight information further comprises interfacing with airline reservation and departure control systems.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of collecting further comprises providing a baggage claim check to the passenger.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of verifying the passenger'"'"'s identity comprises biometric identification.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of tagging the baggage comprises applying a radio frequency identification tag to the baggage.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the screening facility is located at the airport.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the steps of transporting and maintaining includes tracking of the ground delivery operator'"'"'s vehicle through a positioning system.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing the screening results to the airline.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of obtaining origin location information for the baggage further comprises establishing a baggage-delivery Web site adapted to serve a first Web page to a browser, the first Web page displaying information concerning airline travel planned by the passenger and comprising a form, the form comprising a field for entering the origin location for the baggage.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of obtaining destination location information, and wherein the form further comprises a second field for entering the destination location for the baggage.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

(k) transporting the baggage from the origin airport to the destination airport;

(l) delivering the baggage to the destination location;

(m) receiving a request from a user via a second communications network for information concerning baggage location and delivery status; and

(n) transmitting information concerning baggage location and delivery status to the user.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing an identifier to the user for tracking baggage.

27. A method for improving the utilization of an explosive detection screening machine used to screen passenger baggage transported by a flight on an airline, comprising:

(a) collecting the baggage at an origin location other than an origin airport from the passenger, the step of collecting being performed by a ground delivery operator;

(b) the ground delivery operator transporting the baggage from the origin location to a screening facility;

(c) performing pre-flight screening security checks of the baggage; and

(d) interlining screened baggage to the airline.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of prioritizing the pre-flight screening security checks of the baggage based on flight information.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the flight information is obtained from airline reservation and departure control systems.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of transmitting baggage information via a communications network and associating said baggage information with flight information.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

32. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of performing additional security processing on baggage that fails the pre-flight screening security checks.

33. The method of claim 27 wherein the screening facility is at a different location from the origin airport.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of providing the screening results to the airline.

35. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of maintaining updated information concerning baggage location and delivery status in a database.