METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GPS-ENABLED BAGGAGE TAGS

• US 20150186699A1
• Filed: 01/26/2015
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pinger Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Connxys Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: MOTLEY, Cleveland A. III, SALGADO, Enrique A., BRYAN, Roland F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,507,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. 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;

detect vibrations consistent with being on a conveyor belt;

detect vibrations consistent with being on a baggage cart; and

detect vibrations consistent with being on a baggage carousel.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) transmitter.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the GPS module further comprises an antenna.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein the power source is a battery.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

23. The device of claim 18, wherein the communications component is a cellular communications component.

24. The device of claim 18, wherein the communications component is a network interface.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the network interface is a wireless network interface.

26. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a compass.

27. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is an altimeter.

28. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a movement sensor.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the movement sensor is an accelerometer.

30. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a thermometer.

31. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a light sensor.

32. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is an electromagnetic energy sensor.

33. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a magnetometer.

34. The device of claim 18, further configured to transmit a discrepancy message if the tag determines that the tag is not in an expected location.

35. The device of claim 18, further configured to download a plurality of vibration profiles from a remote server.

36. The device of claim 35, further configured to return to the first mode from the second mode when vibrations are detected that match a specific vibration profile.