System and method for tracking luggage

• US 8,253,557 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fares Ani, Nasser Ani, Samar Shami
• Original Assignee: Fares Ani, Nasser Ani, Samar Shami
• Inventors: Ani, Nasser, Shami, Samar, Ani, Fares
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHERWIN, RYAN W
• Application Number:
  US12/036,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20090040101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,646 Days
• Field of Search: 3405721-5729, 340/539.13, 340/539.11, 340/539.1, 34053915-53917, 340/686.1
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A system for tracking an object including a tracking station in communication with a network. The system includes a first tag coupled to the object, the first tag comprising a first tag identifier and a first GPS transmitter. The first GPS transmitter is effective to communicate the location of the first tag to the tracking station over the network. The system also includes a second tag comprising a second tag identifier and a second GPS transmitter effective to communicate the location of the second tag to the tracking station over the network. The system also includes a database in communication with the tracking station, the database is effective to associate the first tag identifier with the second tag identifier. A user may access the database through the network and ascertain the location of his luggage.

Claims

1. A system for tracking an object, the system comprising:

a tracking station in communication with a network;

a first tag coupled to the object, the first tag comprising a first tag identifier and a first Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter, the first Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter effective to communicate a location of the first tag to the tracking station over the network;

a second tag, assigned to a passenger, comprising a second tag identifier and a second GPS transmitter effective to communicate a location of the second tag to the tracking station over the network; and

a database in communication with the tracking station, the database effective to associate the first tag identifier with the second tag identifier and to associate the location of the first tag with the location of the second tag.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication device in communication with the tracking station, the communication device being effective to display information relating to the location of the first tag and the second tag.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the communication device is effective to send a request to the tracking station requesting information regarding the location of the first tag.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the communication device is one of a personal digital assistant, a personal computer and a mobile phone.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second tag is coupled to a passenger'"'"'s ticket.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second tag is a GPS enabled cell phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or handheld computer.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first GPS transmitter and the second GPS transmitter comprise Assisted Global Positioning System (AGPS) transmitters.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is an item of luggage.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first tag is detachably mounted to the item of luggage.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first tag is manufactured into the item of luggage.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computer effective to receive the first and second tag identifiers, the computer further effective to forward the first and second tag identifiers to the database.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first tag includes an identifier effective to include information relating to the first tag readable by a scanner in communication with a computer.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the computer is effective to generate an access code relating to the second tag.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the database is effective to associate passenger information including an itinerary with data relating to the first tag and second tag.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tag and the second travel from a first location to a second location.

16. A method of tracking an object, the method comprising the steps of:

assigning the object a first tag comprising a first tag identifier and a first Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter, the first Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter effective to communicate a location of the first tag;

assigning a passenger a second tag comprising a second tag identifier and a second GPS transmitter, the second GPS transmitter effective to communicate a location of the second tag; and

associating the first tag identifier the second tag identifier and associating the location of the first tag with the location of the second tag in a database.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

assigning a user coupled to the second tag an access code for access to the database.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the database includes information regarding the location of the first tag and second tag.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

receiving a request by the database over a network, from a communication device, for information regarding the location of the first tag; and

sending the information regarding the location of the first tag from the database to the communication device.