Luggage lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a luggage lock, which can be nondestructively opened by a security institution, for securing a piece of travel luggage, having a combination lock mechanism, on which a numerical code can be manually entered in order to selectively lock a securing section of the piece of travel luggage relative to the luggage lock or release same and allow the piece of travel luggage to be opened. The securing section can be released by entering a numerical code which corresponds to a release code, and the securing section can be locked by entering a numerical code which does not correspond to the release code. The release code can be changed by the owner of the piece of travel luggage. The luggage lock additionally comprises an identification device which stores a lock identification code individually assigned to the luggage lock.

Description

[0001] Luggage lock

[0002] The invention relates to a luggage lock for securing a piece of luggage, which can be opened non-destructively by a security institution and which has a combination locking mechanism on which a numerical code can be manually set. By means of the combination locking mechanism, a securing section of the piece of luggage can be selectively locked relative to the luggage lock in order to secure a closed state of the piece of luggage, or released to allow the piece of luggage to be opened. The securing section of the piece of luggage can be released by setting a numerical code on the combination locking mechanism that corresponds to a release code, whereas the securing section of the piece of luggage can be locked by setting a numerical code on the combination locking mechanism that does not correspond to the release code.

[0003] Such luggage locks can generally be designed to secure a piece of luggage, in particular to prevent unauthorized access to items carried in the luggage. In addition to preventing theft, however, luggage locks can also be used to secure the luggage against the subsequent addition of prohibited substances and / or items, such as contraband or drugs, which can be added to the luggage by unauthorized third parties in an unattended moment and / or after check-in at an airport counter with the aim of transporting the items in the luggage to a destination airport or an intermediate stop and then removing them there. However, if such an item is detected in a piece of luggage, its owner can generally only with difficulty clear themselves of the suspicion that they did not originally carry the items.

[0004] While luggage locks can, on the one hand, serve to ensure the security of items carried in luggage, it is particularly necessary in air travel to prevent the carrying of prohibited and / or dangerous substances or objects, in particular explosives or drugs, in checked luggage. Therefore, it may be necessary for a piece of checked luggage that has already been checked in to be opened and inspected by a security institution without the presence of the owner of the luggage in order to detect such objects or substances. In this context, a security institution can be understood to mean, in particular, an authority or a security service provider, in particular a state-authorized security service provider.

[0005] However, in order to enable checks on luggage secured with a luggage lock without requiring security personnel to break the lock, it is necessary to provide security personnel with a means of non-destructively opening such luggage locks. This has previously been solved by providing luggage locks with a combination locking mechanism with an additional locking mechanism that can be opened using a special key from a predetermined selection. These keys were provided to the security personnel.Such luggage locks, for which the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guarantees non-destructive opening and which can therefore be marked and designated as TSA locks, are known, for example, from US 8 875 552 B2, WO 2021 / 129042 A1, US 2019 / 0055753 A1 and US 2017 / 0073999 A1.

[0006] However, to enable security agencies to quickly open the luggage locks, it is necessary to clearly mark the specific special key to be used on the luggage lock. Furthermore, only a limited number of currently eight different special keys are provided, meaning that each TSA lock can be opened using one of these eight special keys. However, this limits the tamper-proof nature of such luggage locks, as unauthorized persons can also gain access to a large number of luggage locks by forging one or more of the special keys used by security agencies or by stealing such special keys.In addition, any attempts at theft or tampering can be carried out quickly and discreetly due to the information on the luggage lock indicating the special key to be used, so that bystanders are forced to believe that the authorized owner is opening the luggage lock with the designated key.

[0007] The security of a piece of luggage locked with such a lock cannot therefore be guaranteed to the desired extent. Furthermore, owners of luggage can hardly dispel the unjustified suspicion that any prohibited items found in a piece of luggage, which were subsequently added without the owner's knowledge, were originally carried, since subsequent access to the luggage must appear unlikely given its security with an intact luggage lock. However, this also ultimately entails considerable expense for security agencies to prosecute innocent individuals.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a luggage lock with a combination locking mechanism that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution, which offers a convenient possibility for non-destructive opening by an employee of the security institution during a check while at the same time providing a high level of security against unauthorized opening attempts.

[0009] This problem is solved by a luggage lock having the features of claim 1.

[0010] With this luggage lock, the release code can be changed by the owner of the luggage. Furthermore, the luggage lock features an identification device that provides a lock identification code that is individually assigned to the luggage lock and can be read contactlessly.

[0011] The luggage lock can thus be locked or unlocked in a simple and convenient manner by setting a release code or adjusting the release code, thereby locking or unlocking a security section of the luggage relative to the luggage lock. For example, the security section of the luggage can be a movable zipper pull, which can be selectively locked relative to the luggage lock to prevent the zipper from opening. For this purpose, the luggage lock can, for example, be attached to a luggage body of the luggage and have a lock body into which the zipper pull(s) can be inserted to be locked.As an alternative to attaching the luggage lock to the piece of luggage, the luggage lock can also be detachable from the luggage lock and, for example, have a rigid, U-shaped bracket by means of which two handles of a zipper can be connected to one another in order to prevent the zipper from opening by locking the U-bracket to a lock body of the luggage lock.

[0012] Furthermore, the securing section of the piece of luggage can, for example, be an engagement strip of a buckle closure, which is arranged on a container part of a piece of luggage and can be engaged behind by a buckle arranged on another container part of the piece of luggage in order to connect the container parts to one another and close the piece of luggage. In order to lock the engagement strip relative to the luggage lock, in particular, a movement of a pawl provided on the buckle, by which the engagement of the buckle on the engagement strip can be released, can be blocked so that the engagement strip can no longer be moved relative to the buckle. In such embodiments, the luggage lock can, in particular, be integrated into the buckle of the piece of luggage.

[0013] In addition, the securing section can be formed, for example, by a stationary bracket on a lock area of ​​the luggage item and, for example, by a clamp, which can be arranged on a container part of a luggage body of the luggage item and can be inserted into an insertion opening on the other container part by closing the luggage item, in order to be locked there by means of the luggage lock. Again, the luggage lock can be arranged, in particular, on the other container part and / or integrated into the other container part.

[0014] In general, the luggage lock or part of the luggage lock on the one hand and the security section of the piece of luggage on the other hand are movable relative to each other when the security section is released.

[0015] The luggage lock thus makes it possible to conveniently secure or release the locked state of the luggage by simply manually setting or adjusting a release code, without, for example, requiring a key to operate the lock. Unlike conventional TSA locks, however, there is no provision for an additional locking mechanism operated by a special key, in particular an additional mechanical locking mechanism, which security agency employees can use to open the luggage lock. Rather, the luggage lock can have a combination locking mechanism, which can be used to selectively lock or release the security section of the luggage relative to the luggage lock.

[0016] To enable security agencies to open the luggage lock non-destructively, the luggage lock features an identification device that provides a lock identification code by which the luggage lock can be uniquely identified. This allows the owner of the luggage lock to store a data pair, comprising the lock identification code and the release code, in a database readable by the security agency before embarking on a journey. After reading the identification device, an employee of the security agency can retrieve the release code associated with the lock identification code from the database and open the luggage lock by setting the release code on the combination locking mechanism.In this respect, employees of the security institution can be offered the opportunity to open the luggage lock non-destructively by operating the same combination locking mechanism that is also available to the owner, without having to provide a separate locking mechanism for the security institutions, which can fundamentally represent a point of attack for manipulation.

[0017] By making the lock identification code contactless, it is also possible to read it mechanically, for example by scanning an optical code, such as a QR (Quick Response) code, using a transmission device, particularly the smartphone camera of a security agency employee, and retrieving the release code from the database via a corresponding app. The release code can then be transmitted to the transmission device and displayed there, allowing the employee to open the luggage lock.Alternatively, however, it is also possible, for example, for the lock identification code, for example in the form of a sequence of numbers and / or letters, to be visibly displayed on the outside of the luggage lock, so that an employee of the security institution can, for example, read the lock identification code and enter it into a transmission device, in particular a smartphone, in order to then request the release code.

[0018] While this provides security agencies with a convenient way to open the luggage lock without causing any damage, the owner of the luggage lock can, by making the release code changeable, ensure that security agencies are only permitted access to the luggage for the duration of a trip. For example, the owner can change the release code after receiving the luggage, so that the luggage cannot be opened even after the owner has received it, even by persons who have gained unauthorized access to the database.Such unauthorized access to the database is ultimately comparable to copying a TSA key in previous solutions. Unlike previous solutions, the owner can protect themselves against unauthorized access to the non-destructive opening of the luggage lock provided to security authorities by changing the release code. Before embarking on another trip, the owner can, for example, re-transmit a modified release code to the database and assign it to the lock identification code, or reset the original release code to allow security personnel access to the luggage for the duration of the trip.In principle, however, it is also possible for the owner of the luggage lock to leave the release code unchanged and accept that the luggage lock can be permanently opened by employees of the security institution who can read the database.

[0019] The basic functioning of a combination locking mechanism is known to the person skilled in the art, for example from US 8 596 103 B2, EP 1 256 673 A1 and DE

[0020] 10 2020 114 042 A1 , the content of which is incorporated into the present disclosure with regard to this mode of operation of a combination locking mechanism. The previously mentioned documents on TSA locks US 8 875 552 B2, WO 2021 / 129942 A1, US 2019 / 0055753 A1, and US 2017 / 0073999 A1 also disclose the mode of operation of combination locking mechanisms, so reference is also made to them, and the mode of operation of a combination locking mechanism is not explained in detail.

[0021] A lock identification code individually assigned to a luggage lock can, in particular, be originally assigned to the luggage lock within the scope of the present disclosure and / or, for example, be generated by a manufacturer of the luggage lock and stored or attached to the identification device. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the lock identification code can, in particular, be unchangeable. The lock identification code can therefore be permanently and unchanged assigned to the luggage lock, whereas the opening code and / or the release code can be changeable, as explained in more detail below.Furthermore, the lock identification code can be assigned to the luggage lock, in particular already at the time of delivery by the lock manufacturer, so that the lock identification code cannot be generated subsequently (after delivery) and / or selectively, in particular neither by an owner of the luggage lock nor by a security institution which is supposed to be able to open the luggage lock without causing damage.

[0022] When reference is made in this disclosure to a lock identification code, the lock identification code is generally understood to be individually assigned to a luggage lock in order to enable identification of the luggage lock. Further embodiments are explained in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0023] In some embodiments, the lock identification code can be machine-readable using a mobile transmission device, in particular a smartphone.

[0024] For example, it may be provided to provide the lock identification code in optically readable form on the outside of the luggage lock, so that the lock identification code can be scanned using a smartphone camera or other transmission device without requiring manual entry of the lock identification code. An employee of a security institution therefore only needs to bring a transmission device, in particular a smartphone, near the luggage lock to be able to mechanically read the lock identification code without contact and transmit it to a database of the security institution. The associated release code can then be transmitted to the transmission device and displayed there.The employee can then set the release code on the combination locking mechanism and open the luggage lock directly using the same combination locking mechanism available to the owner and the release code stored by the owner in the database. Similarly, the owner can also conveniently read the lock identification code mechanically, for example, using a transmission device and / or smartphone, in order to then transmit the lock identification code together with the release code to the database. As an alternative to optical reading, a contactless, machine-readable lock identification code can also be read via a radio connection in some embodiments, as explained in more detail below.

[0025] Alternatively or in addition to a machine-readable lock identification code, in some embodiments the luggage lock may also have a visually readable lock identification code, which may, for example, comprise a sequence of numbers. In such embodiments, it may be provided, in particular, that an employee of a security institution enters the read lock identification code into the transmission device, for example via a touchscreen, and then transmits it to the database in order to be able to request the associated release code. The owner of the luggage lock may also read the lock identification code in this way and enter it into a transmission device. In some embodiments, the lock identification code may have an optically readable one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical code.

[0026] For example, a barcode or QR (Quick Response) code can be attached to the outside of the luggage lock, which can be scanned, in particular, using a smartphone camera and thus read mechanically without contact. An employee of a security agency therefore only needs to access a mobile transmission device, in particular a smartphone, for example via an app to read the lock identification code visible on the outside, in order to be able to directly request the release code from a database of the security agency.

[0027] In some embodiments, the lock identification code can be formed by laser engraving on the luggage lock. In particular, applying the lock identification code by laser engraving can provide improved protection against damage and / or alterations compared to, for example, gluing or printing, which may be provided alternatively. For example, such a lock identification code can be formed on the exterior of a housing of the luggage lock.

[0028] In some embodiments, the optically readable code can be covered by a protective window. Such a protective window can protect the lock identification code, in particular, from damage and / or alterations. This makes it possible to reliably read the lock identification code of the luggage lock over long periods of time, in order to be able to fulfill the functions of the luggage lock for securing the piece of luggage, on the one hand, and for enabling non-destructive opening by reading the lock identification code and requesting the associated release code, on the other hand, over long periods of time. Such a protective window can, in particular, cover a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical code formed by laser engraving on an outer side of the luggage lock and / or a printed or adhesive one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical code.

[0029] In some embodiments, the lock identification code can be read via a radio connection. In particular, in such embodiments, the lock identification code can be provided as a wirelessly detectable electronic code that can be read by establishing a radio connection between a mobile transmission device, in particular a smartphone, and the luggage lock. For example, in some embodiments, the lock identification code can be read via an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) connection, in particular an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection, or a Bluetooth connection.In particular, the lock identification code can be read via a relatively short-range radio connection, such as an NFC or Bluetooth connection, so that the lock identification code can only be read by a transmission device located in the immediate vicinity of the luggage lock. This ensures that persons located far away from the luggage lock or the piece of luggage cannot read the lock identification code and, if necessary, read the release code from the database in order to open the luggage without authorization at a later time.

[0030] In some embodiments, the identification device may comprise an active or passive transponder for storing and transmitting the lock identification code.

[0031] For example, the luggage lock can have an NFC tag as a passive transponder, in which the lock identification code is stored. A passive transponder can be activated, in particular, by electrical energy provided wirelessly via the transmission device, in particular a smartphone, and controlled to transmit the lock identification code, without the need to integrate a separate electrical energy source into the luggage lock to power the transponder. In particular, such a passive transponder can be designed to transmit the lock identification code over short ranges, for example, using an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection.

[0032] In contrast, an active transponder, such as another RFID tag, can have its own power source to transmit the lock identification code over greater ranges than a passive transponder. However, even with such an active transponder, the power source can be activated only when an electrical signal is received via a radio connection, in order to avoid unnecessary energy consumption at times when the lock identification code is not being requested. Therefore, an active transponder can also be implemented by providing only a relatively small electrical power source.

[0033] In particular, a passive transponder, such as an NFC tag, and an active transponder, such as an RFID tag, can have a memory in which the lock identification code can be stored. This can be done, in particular, by the lock manufacturer. Furthermore, it is generally possible to provide such transponders with writable memories, for example, to enable documentation of attempts to open the luggage lock, as explained below.

[0034] In some embodiments, the transponder can be embedded in a housing of the luggage lock. In particular, the transponder can be embedded in a plastic housing of the luggage lock, which can, for example, form an outer casing or outer shell of the luggage lock and surround an inner metal casing of the luggage lock. This can, in particular, protect the transponder from external influences while simultaneously ensuring a reliable radio connection.

[0035] In some embodiments, the luggage lock may have a memory in which the lock identification code is stored. In particular, this memory may be the aforementioned transponder memory, so that no separate power source and / or interface is required for the memory. Alternatively, however, a separate memory, such as a non-volatile semiconductor memory and / or an EEPROM, may be provided, which is connected to a radio module and a control device to enable reading of the lock identification code.

[0036] In some embodiments, the memory can be configured to store information about a query, in particular a most recent query, of the lock identification code. In particular, the memory can further be configured to document in the memory information transmitted by the mobile transmission device about a time at which the lock identification code is queried and / or information about the mobile transmission device, for example a device identification. In this respect, it can be provided, for example, in an app for reading the lock identification code that, in the course of a request for the lock identification code, information about the time of the query and / or a device identification are always also transmitted.Depending on the storage capacity of the memory, in particular a respective last query of the lock identification code or several last queries can be documented.

[0037] By storing such information, and in particular the query of the lock identification code, in the luggage lock's memory, a user can determine, after receiving the luggage, whether the lock identification code was read during the trip, thus creating the prerequisite for reading the associated release code from the database. In this respect, the owner of the luggage lock can be provided with information or at least an indication as to whether the luggage lock or the luggage was opened by a security officer during the trip.Furthermore, such documentation enables the owner to prove, for example, that the lock identification code was read after the luggage was handed over at a check-in counter, and that the luggage was therefore at least likely opened, thus relieving the owner of any suspicion of having already carried any prohibited items and / or substances. Documenting additional information, such as the time of the readout, the identification of the transmitting device, and / or information about the location where the lock identification code was read, can also help clarify in such cases which individuals were involved in adding the items or substances.

[0038] In addition, documentation of possible opening processes, for example, as documentation of requests for the release code from the database, can generally also be recorded in the security institution's database, in particular to enable the security institution to retrace the checks carried out. However, additional documentation of queries for the lock identification code in a memory of the luggage lock can ensure that opening processes can be retraceable even in the event of any manipulation of the database, thus enabling the owner of the luggage lock, in particular, to provide evidence of subsequent opening processes independent of corresponding documentation by the security institution.

[0039] In some embodiments, the luggage lock can be designed purely mechanically, particularly with regard to the ability to lock and release the security section. A purely mechanical luggage lock may, in particular, not have a power source to supply components of a locking mechanism; instead, the locking or releasing of the security section may be purely mechanical. Therefore, the luggage lock may, in particular, not have an electromechanical locking mechanism.

[0040] Furthermore, the luggage lock may exclusively comprise the combination locking mechanism for locking and releasing the security section, so that, in particular, the locked security section can only be released by setting the release code. Furthermore, the luggage lock may not comprise a locking mechanism that can be operated by a key. Rather, only the combination locking mechanism may be provided for selectively locking or releasing the security section of the piece of luggage and may be operated by both the owner and employees of the security institution to selectively open or lock the luggage lock. Thus, in particular, no separate locking mechanism may be provided for the security institutions.

[0041] However, in some embodiments, the luggage lock may have, in addition to the combination locking mechanism, a further mechanical locking mechanism operated by a TSA key. Such luggage locks can, for example, be opened non-destructively by security institutions that do not participate in the TSA system by reading the release code from a database after identifying the luggage lock. Security institutions that wish to use the existing TSA system can open the luggage lock using an assigned TSA key.

[0042] Furthermore, the luggage lock can be designed without any electrical energy source (passive embodiment) or can only have a radio-rechargeable electrical energy source, for example, a radio-rechargeable electrical energy source of a passive transponder (quasi-passive embodiment). In such a quasi-passive embodiment, the transponder, which can be excited by electromagnetic radiation, can in particular have a small energy source, for example, a capacitor, which can be charged by the received radiation, for example to enable transmission of the lock identification code over short ranges.Furthermore, it is fundamentally possible for the luggage lock to have an active transponder, such as an RFID tag, with its own small energy source to transmit the lock identification code. However, even in such embodiments, the use of electrical energy can be limited to providing the lock identification code and / or documenting requests for the lock identification code, whereas locking and releasing the security section can be done purely mechanically. However, the memory of a passive transponder can also, in principle, be writable.

[0043] The luggage lock may further comprise a lock body into which the securing portion of the piece of luggage can be inserted to be locked. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the luggage lock may comprise a shackle lockable to a lock body, so that a securing portion of the piece of luggage, for example, movable handles of a zipper, can be locked relative to the luggage lock by means of the shackle or released from the luggage lock. The combination locking mechanism may comprise a latch to lock or release the securing portion directly or indirectly, for example, by locking a latch.Such a bolt can, for example, be pre-tensioned in the direction of a locking position in order to be able to automatically hold the securing section after insertion into a lock environment and / or a lock body of the luggage lock, without the bolt first having to be manually moved into the locking position.

[0044] In addition, in some embodiments, the combination locking mechanism can comprise a plurality of rotatable code rings for setting a numeric code, for example, three or four code rings. The code rings can be arranged coaxially to one another or have parallel, offset axes of rotation. Furthermore, the release code can, in particular, comprise a sequence of numbers.

[0045] Possibilities for the design of such combination locking mechanisms, in particular with rotatable code rings arranged coaxially or with parallel axes of rotation, are generally known to the person skilled in the art, so that there is no need to go into them in detail here.

[0046] The invention further relates to a piece of luggage comprising a luggage body with a securing portion, a first container part, and a second container part movable relative to the first container part between an open position and a closed position, as well as a luggage lock of the type described above. The second container part allows access to an interior of the luggage body in the open position and blocks access in the closed position. Furthermore, the second container part can be secured in the closed position by locking the securing portion.

[0047] In particular, the securing section can be arranged on the first container part or on the second container part, whereby the luggage lock can be arranged, in particular, on the respective other container part. By locking the securing section relative to the luggage lock, the second container part can also be locked relative to the first container part and thus secured in the closed position. In addition, however, it can be provided that the two container parts can be secured to one another by a luggage lock that can be removed from the piece of luggage.For example, the two container parts can be connected to one another by a zipper, wherein, in particular, movable handles of such a zipper can be connected to one another by a shackle of a luggage lock that can be detachably attached to the piece of luggage and secured to one another by locking the shackle to a lock body in order to prevent the zipper from opening and thereby secure the second container part to the first container part. Since the luggage lock of such a piece of luggage can be identified by reading the lock identification code from the identification device, an employee can, after reading the lock identification code, request a release code assigned to the luggage lock and stored in a database in order to be able to open the luggage lock non-destructively during an inspection by setting the release code and to move the second container part into the open position.After such a check, the second container part can be moved back into the closed position and secured by adjusting the release code, so that the original security of the piece of luggage can be easily restored after the check.

[0048] Furthermore, equipping the piece of luggage with such a luggage lock ultimately makes it possible to individually identify the piece of luggage by reading the lock identification code. This can be used, for example, independently of any possible transmission of the release code to a security institution's database, for example in baggage tracking. A lock identification code that can be read via a radio connection, such as an RFID connection, can be registered at various points during baggage handling, allowing the luggage to be tracked. Furthermore, the lock identification code can be read, for example, when leaving an airport or a baggage reclaim hall in order to determine whether the luggage has left such a location and thus to investigate cases of theft or accidental removal of the luggage.In addition, an owner of a stolen piece of luggage can report the luggage as missing, for example to a security institution, whereby the luggage can be found, for example, as a result of an unauthorized person reading the lock identification code during a subsequent check-in of the luggage.

[0049] In this respect, the invention also relates, independently of the provision of a luggage lock that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution, to a piece of luggage with a luggage lock that has a locking mechanism by means of which a security section of the luggage can be selectively locked or released relative to the luggage lock, and that has an identification device that provides a contactless, machine-readable lock identification code. In particular, the lock identification code can be read via a radio link, as already explained above, whereby optical reading can also be provided.In addition, such a luggage lock can in particular have a combination locking mechanism, although in principle other locking mechanisms can also be provided, for example a locking mechanism designed with a locking cylinder to be actuated by a mechanical key or an electromechanical locking mechanism, since the aforementioned possibilities for luggage tracking can in principle be implemented independently of the locking mechanism used.

[0050] In some embodiments, the travel luggage may have a luggage closure configured to hold the second container part in the closed position, wherein the combination locking mechanism may be arranged on the luggage body and the securing portion may be arranged on the luggage closure, or vice versa.

[0051] For example, the luggage closure may be a buckle or a zipper, whereby the two container parts may already be held together by closing such a buckle or zipper. However, the buckle or zipper may remain open for manual opening simply by closing it, so that the second container part can only be secured by locking the securing section in the closed position.

[0052] In embodiments of the piece of luggage with a buckle, it can be provided, for example, that the buckle engages behind an engagement strip arranged on the luggage body in order to hold the two container parts together. The combination locking mechanism can, in particular, be integrated into the buckle in order to be able to selectively lock a latch, by means of which the engagement with the engagement strip can be released when the latch is not locked. In the case of a zipper, however, the securing section can be formed, for example, by one or two handles of the zipper, wherein the handles can, for example, be inserted into the lock body of a luggage lock attached to the luggage body and locked there.Alternatively, the luggage lock can also be designed, for example, as a detachable padlock, in particular with a U-shackle, in order to be able to connect two handles of a zipper to one another by means of the shackle and to secure them to one another by locking the shackle to a lock body of the luggage lock.

[0053] Furthermore, if the luggage lock is integrated into or attached to the luggage, the lock identification code can also be attached to the luggage body, for example, as a QR code, so that the luggage lock can ultimately be identified via the luggage. Regardless of whether the lock identification code is attached to the luggage lock or the luggage body, the lock identification code can be used to identify both the luggage lock and the luggage, allowing the luggage to be assigned to a specific owner.

[0054] The invention further relates to a method for providing a release code for a security institution for opening a luggage lock having a combination locking mechanism on which a numerical code can be manually set, in particular a luggage lock of the type described herein and / or a luggage lock of a piece of luggage of the type described herein. The method comprises the steps:

[0055] Transmitting a lock identification code that is individually assigned to the luggage lock to a database, and

[0056] Transmitting a release code assigned to the combination locking mechanism to the database.

[0057] In particular, these steps, as well as the additional procedural steps described below, can be performed by the owner of the luggage lock. By transmitting a data pair consisting of a lock identification code and an associated release code to a database, the release code can, in principle, be read from the database by an employee of a security institution after the luggage lock has been identified, allowing the employee to open the luggage lock non-destructively by setting the release code. However, no separate locking mechanism is required to enable the security institutions to open the luggage lock non-destructively.The owner can transmit the data pair and in particular the release code, in particular before the start of a journey, whereby the release code can be changed again after the piece of luggage has been subsequently received, for example by the owner of the luggage lock, in order to ensure that security institutions or other persons who may gain unauthorized access to the database are only permitted to open the piece of luggage for the duration of the journey.

[0058] In some embodiments, the lock identification code and the release code can be transmitted to a database readable by the security institution, in particular readable by a security institution tasked with conducting baggage checks at airports. Thus, by transmitting the data pair consisting of the lock identification code and the release code, the security institutions can optionally be provided with the option of opening the baggage lock non-destructively in the event of a necessary inspection and gaining access to the baggage.

[0059] In some embodiments, the lock identification code and the release code may be transmitted to the database by a mobile transmission device, in particular a smartphone, via a wireless connection.

[0060] For example, it may be provided that an owner scans an optically readable lock identification code using a smartphone or its camera, or reads a lock identification code readable via a wireless connection, for example, from an NFC tag or other RFID tag of the luggage lock. This can be done, for example, by calling up an app installed on the transmission device or smartphone and selecting the corresponding function. The owner can then manually enter the selected release code of the combination locking mechanism, in particular also in the aforementioned app, for example as a sequence of numbers, and transmit the data pair consisting of the lock identification code and the release code to the database via a wireless connection using a corresponding command. In particular, a WI-FI connection or a mobile network connection can be provided for this purpose.Alternatively, it may be provided that the owner manually enters the lock identification code as a sequence of numbers and / or letters on the transmission device.

[0061] In some embodiments, the lock identification code can be read out mechanically and contactlessly from an identification device of the luggage lock and / or from a memory of the transmission device by means of the transmission device before being transmitted to the database.

[0062] In particular, an owner of the luggage lock can read the lock identification code, for example, using the transmission device as an optically readable optical code or as a wirelessly detectable electronic code from the identification device of the luggage lock, without requiring manual entry of the lock identification code into the transmission device. Furthermore, it can be provided that the lock identification code is stored in a memory of the transmission device, for example, when an app is activated to transmit the data pair consisting of the lock identification code and the release code, so that the owner of the luggage lock only needs to enter a release code and set a command to transmit the data pair in order to provide the security institutions with the lock identification code and the associated release code.In some embodiments, the lock identification code can be selected on the transmission device. For example, an app can store various luggage locks and / or pieces of luggage belonging to an owner, allowing an owner to select the respective luggage lock or piece of luggage from a dropdown menu, for example, allowing the associated lock identification code to be loaded from a memory of the transmission device. The owner can then, for example, enter the selected release code on the transmission device and transmit the corresponding data pair to the database.

[0063] In some embodiments, the release code can be entered into an input device of the transmission device and then transmitted. For example, the transmission device or smartphone can have a touchscreen, via which a sequence of numbers corresponding to the release code can be entered and transmitted to the database along with the lock identification code by selecting a corresponding command.

[0064] In some embodiments, the lock identification code and the release code can be transmitted to the database via an internet website. In particular, this can provide a solution for transmitting the lock identification code and the release code without requiring a mobile transmission device and / or a smartphone. For example, on such an internet website, a serial number of the luggage lock can be entered as the lock identification code or another identifier assigned to the luggage lock, as well as the release code selected by the owner, and transmitted to the database of security institutions by selecting a corresponding button.

[0065] In some embodiments, information about a release period for which the release code is accessible in the database may be transmitted to the database.

[0066] In particular, by transmitting a release period, the owner of the luggage lock can determine the period for which the release code should be retrievable from the database and accessible to employees of the security institution. After the release period has expired, the release code can be deleted, particularly from the database. Such deletion can ensure that unauthorized third parties cannot read the release code and open the luggage lock after the release period has expired, even by manipulating the database. Alternatively, the release code can remain stored in the database, but the release of the release code from the database to a requesting device can be denied after the release period has expired.Alternatively or additionally, the owner can change the release code after receiving the luggage in order to protect the luggage lock against any manipulation of the database.

[0067] However, by specifying a release period in this way, it can generally be ensured, even with an unchanged release code, that security authorities are only granted access to the baggage for the duration of a single trip, for example. The owner therefore does not necessarily have to change the release code after receiving the baggage and remember to transmit the changed release code to the database before embarking on another trip or reset the original release code to enable the security authority to open the baggage non-destructively. Rather, only a release period assigned to a specific trip needs to be transmitted to the database. This can also be done, for example, by communicating a flight number, whereby the security authority can block the release code from being issued from the database after the baggage has been processed at the destination airport.

[0068] In some embodiments, authorization to retrieve the release code from the database can be granted and / or revoked. For example, it can be provided that the release code is generally stored after its initial transmission to the database, whereby the owner of the luggage lock can, however, optionally grant retrieval authorization, for example via an app on a mobile transmission device, or revoke it, for example, after the conclusion of a trip. This also allows the owner to ensure that the luggage lock can only be opened by employees of the security institution during the travel period.

[0069] In principle, however, retrieval of the release code can also be selectively authorized or blocked by the security institution, for example if the owner transmits a flight number or other information about a travel route to the database after check-in, so that retrieval of the release code can be blocked after the piece of luggage has been processed at the destination airport. Furthermore, it is also possible for such information about a travel route to be transmitted to the database by airline employees, for example if the lock identification code is read during check-in and transmitted to the database along with corresponding information about the travel route. In some embodiments, information about a travel route, in particular a departure airport, a destination airport, a stopover, an airline, and / or a flight number, can be transmitted to the database.For example, the owner of the luggage lock can provide such information before the start of a trip to inform security authorities where the luggage is expected. This can, for example, enable security authorities to only allow those employees stationed along the travel route to retrieve the release code, in order to limit access to the release code as much as possible. Furthermore, the previously explained authorization and blocking of access to the release code can be based on such information. Furthermore, it can be provided that information regarding the travel route, for example, is transmitted from an airline to the database, whose employees register the luggage and / or the luggage lock, for example, during check-in.

[0070] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for opening a luggage lock having a combination locking mechanism and a contactless identification device by a security institution, in particular a luggage lock of the type described herein and / or a luggage lock of a piece of luggage of the type described herein, wherein the opening can be carried out in particular by means of a release code provided according to a method of the type explained above. The method comprises the steps:

[0071] Reading a lock identification code of the luggage lock from the identification device,

[0072] Transmitting the lock identification code to the database using a mobile transmission device of the security institution and requesting an associated release code to unlock the combination locking mechanism, receiving a release code from the database using the mobile transmission device, and

[0073] Open the luggage lock by setting the received release code to the combination locking mechanism.

[0074] In particular, the above-mentioned procedural steps can be carried out by an employee of the security institution if the baggage is to be inspected.

[0075] The lock identification code of the luggage lock can also be read out, in particular, using the security institution's mobile transmission device, for example, a smartphone, by mechanically reading, for example, an optically readable optical code or an electronic code readable via a radio connection, from the luggage lock's identification device using the transmission device without contact. After reading the lock identification code, the security institution's employee can transmit the lock identification code to the database using the transmission device and request the associated release code, whereupon the release code can be transmitted to the transmission device. The release code can be received and displayed on the transmission device, allowing the security institution's employee to set the release code on the luggage lock's combination locking mechanism.In this respect, the security institution's employee can open the luggage lock quickly and easily without causing damage, without having to provide a separate locking mechanism for the security institution that bypasses the combination locking mechanism. The aforementioned steps for contactless, machine-based reading of the lock identification code, transmitting the lock identification code, requesting the release code, and receiving and displaying the release code can be performed, in particular, in an app installed on the transmission device or smartphone. Furthermore, as an alternative to machine-based reading of the lock identification code, a visible lock identification code can be manually entered into the transmission device and subsequently transmitted to the database; this can also be done in a corresponding app.

[0076] In particular, the security institution's transmission device may be a smartphone on which a corresponding app for communication with the database is installed. However, accessing the app and / or accessing certain functions of the app may, in particular, be dependent on legitimacy and / or identity verification, for example, requiring a password to start the app, or requiring identity verification through fingerprint comparison or facial recognition. Furthermore, the security institution may provide special transmission devices for communication with the database.

[0077] In some embodiments, the database can be readable by the security institution, in particular by a security institution tasked with conducting baggage checks at airports. In this respect, the method mentioned can enable employees of the security institution at airports to conduct baggage checks without having to break a baggage lock securing the baggage. In some embodiments, the lock identification code of the baggage lock can be read mechanically and contactlessly using a mobile transmission device. As already explained, the lock identification code can, in particular, comprise an optically readable one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical code and / or a wirelessly detectable electronic code, which can be read via a radio connection.

[0078] In some embodiments, the request for the release code can be documented in the database. In particular, such documentation can be used to determine whether, at what time, and / or by whom the release code was requested, and thus presumably whether the luggage lock and / or piece of luggage was opened. Such documentation can, in particular, enable internal or external controlling departments of the security institution to understand whether and to what extent checks of luggage were carried out. Furthermore, documenting requests for the release code also generally makes it possible to determine whether a specific piece of luggage was opened again after being handed over at a check-in counter.This allows the owner of a piece of luggage, for example, to be exonerated from the unjustified suspicion of having originally carried a prohibited item if it can be proven that the luggage was opened in the meantime and, in particular, that the request for the release code cannot be attributed to an actual inspection. In such a case, security authorities are also relieved of the burden of not having to expend resources pursuing the ultimately innocent owner.

[0079] In some embodiments, the time of the release code request, the location of the release code request, the device identification of the security institution's mobile transmission device, and / or the personal identification of a requesting user can be documented in the database. In particular, it is thus possible to document which employee of the security institution is requesting the release code and, accordingly, is likely to carry out a check of the luggage. Furthermore, this documentation can be used, for example, to investigate possible smuggling, for example, if the device information of a stolen mobile transmission device or an unknown transmission device is recorded.

[0080] In some embodiments, a request authorization can be assigned to a plurality of mobile transmission devices and / or persons, and the release code can only be transmitted if the release code is requested by an authorized person and / or an authorized transmission device. For example, in addition to the request for the release code, a user and / or device identification can be transmitted so that it is possible to trace which transmission device is making the request in order to verify the request authorization. Such a request authorization can, for example, be assigned to employees of the security institution who are stationed along a previously stored travel route for the piece of luggage.Furthermore, it can generally be stipulated that an employee wishing to conduct a baggage inspection must first request authorization and / or verify authorization through legitimacy and / or identity verification, to ensure that, for example, stolen transmission devices belonging to the security institution cannot simply be used to open baggage locks. Furthermore, authorization to inspect luggage can also generally be assigned to all employees of a security institution.

[0081] In some embodiments, the authorization to request can be verified on the transmission device through an authentication and / or identity check, such as querying a password, comparing a fingerprint, and / or performing facial recognition. Such a check can be performed, for example, each time the release code is requested. It is also possible to perform the check only when an app on the transmission device is launched, particularly at the beginning of a shift, thereby verifying that the transmission device is still in the possession of an employee of the security agency, so that the authorization to request does not have to be verified each time a piece of luggage is checked.

[0082] In some embodiments, the request authorization can be assigned depending on information about a travel route stored in the database and associated with the lock identification code of the luggage lock. In particular, employees of a security institution stationed along a travel route stored in the database and associated with the lock identification code, and / or their transmission devices, can be assigned a request authorization. This can make it possible to limit the number of individuals and / or transmission devices generally authorized to request the release code in order to prevent the risk of manipulation, for example, by stealing any transmission device of the security institution.Alternatively, however, all employees of a security institution and / or all transmission devices of the security institution can be assigned a request authorization. In some embodiments, the assignment of the request authorization can be requested via the transmission device. For example, an employee who wants to conduct a check and open the luggage lock, but does not have request authorization, can request the request authorization in order to still be able to conduct the check without having to break the luggage lock. As already explained, it can also generally be provided that the release code is only transmitted after requesting a request authorization and / or proof of such a request authorization.

[0083] In some embodiments, after reading the lock identification code, information about the time of a previous request for the release code can be displayed on the transmission device. In particular, information about the location of the last request for the release code can also be displayed. This can, for example, inform an employee of the security institution that the luggage lock has already been opened at the same location, for example, at the same airport, and the luggage has been checked accordingly, in order to avoid unnecessary repeated checks of a piece of luggage at the same airport.

[0084] In some embodiments, the release code can be deleted from the database after expiration of a release period stored in the database. As already explained, this can, in particular, allow an owner of the luggage lock to specify a period during which the release code is stored in the database and is therefore generally retrievable. Outside of this release period, however, in such embodiments, no release code associated with the lock identification code is stored in the database due to the deletion of the release code after expiration of the release period, thus preventing persons who gain unauthorized access to the database from opening the luggage lock.

[0085] In some embodiments, information about the expiration of the release period can be transmitted to a transmission device before the release period expires, by means of which the lock identification code and the release code were received by the database. In particular, an owner of the luggage lock can thus be notified that the stored release period is about to expire, so that the owner can subsequently extend the release period, for example, if a trip is delayed, in order to allow security authorities to open the luggage lock non-destructively over an extended release period. The invention is explained below purely by way of example using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0086] Fig. 1 A and 1 B show a respective representation of a piece of luggage with a luggage lock, which can be opened non-destructively by a security institution, in an open and in a closed state, respectively,

[0087] Fig. 2A and 2B show a respective representation of another piece of luggage with a luggage lock that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution, in an open and in a closed state, respectively,

[0088] Fig. 3A and 3B show a respective representation of a luggage lock which can be released from a piece of luggage for securing a zipper of the piece of luggage in a locked and in a released state of the zipper,

[0089] Fig. 4A to 40 are respective schematic representations for illustrating a method for providing a release code for a security institution for opening a luggage lock and

[0090] Figs. 5A to 50 are respective schematic diagrams for illustrating a method for opening a luggage lock by a security institution.

[0091] Fig. 1A shows a piece of luggage 13 having a luggage body 43 with a first container part 45 and a second container part 47 movable relative to the first container part 45, wherein the second container part 47, in an open position O shown in Fig. 1A, provides access to an interior 49 of the luggage body 43. A securing portion 21 designed as a clamp is arranged on the second container part 47, which forms a luggage closure 51 of the luggage 13.

[0092] A luggage lock 11 is attached to the second container part 45 by means of a fastening device 63. The luggage lock 11 has a combination locking mechanism 15 on which a numerical code 17, which, for example, comprises a sequence of three digits, can be set. The luggage lock 11 is provided to selectively lock or release the security section 21 of the piece of luggage 13 relative to the luggage lock 11. The released security section 21, as shown in Fig. 1A, is movable relative to the luggage lock 11 so that the second container part 47 can be moved into the open position O. The security section 21 can be released in particular by setting a release code 19 on the combination locking mechanism 15. For setting the release code 19, code rings 41 can be provided, in particular, which have parallel, offset axes of rotation or can be arranged coaxially to one another (see also Figs. 3A and 3B).

[0093] On the other hand, after the second container part 47 has been transferred into a closed position G, in which access to the interior 49 of the luggage body 43 is blocked, the securing section 21 can be locked relative to the luggage lock 11 by setting a numerical code 17 that does not correspond to the release code 19 using the combination locking mechanism (see Fig. 1B). For this purpose, the securing section 21 can be inserted into a lock body 65 of the luggage lock 11 and held there, for example, by means of a bolt, wherein movement of the bolt can be blocked by adjusting the release code 19 and the securing section 21 can thereby be locked relative to the luggage lock 11. Furthermore, the release code 19 can be changed by the owner of the luggage lock 11.The functioning of a combination locking mechanism is generally known to the person skilled in the art, for example from US 8 596 103 B2, EP 1 256673 A1 and DE 10 2020 114 042 A1, so that it need not be discussed in more detail below.

[0094] The luggage lock 11 can in particular serve to secure the piece of luggage 13 against unauthorized access and in particular theft of objects carried in the piece of luggage 13, wherein locking the piece of luggage 13 can also ensure that, for example, after the piece of luggage 13 has been handed in at a check-in counter, no objects, for example contraband or drugs, are subsequently brought into the piece of luggage 13 by an unauthorized person.

[0095] However, the luggage lock 11 is designed to be opened non-destructively by a security institution if an employee of such a security institution wishes to check, for example, during an airport inspection, whether prohibited substances and / or objects are being carried in the luggage 13. To enable such a non-destructive inspection, the luggage lock 11 has an identification device 23, which provides a lock identification code 25 individually assigned to the luggage lock 11. For example, in the embodiment illustrated with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B, this lock identification code 25 is designed as a contactless, optically readable optical code 29, in particular as a one-dimensional optical code or barcode.However, as an alternative to such a one-dimensional optical code 29, a two-dimensional optical code, in particular a QR code, can also be provided as the lock identification code 25.

[0096] Such an optical code 29 can be formed, in particular, by laser engraving on the luggage lock 11. Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B, the code 29 is covered by a protective window 31 and thus protected against changes and / or damage in order to ensure reliable identification of the luggage lock 11 over a long period of time.

[0097] Because the luggage lock 11 has the identification device 23 with the lock identification code 25, the lock 11 can be uniquely identified, for example, during an inspection by an employee of a security institution. This, in turn, enables the owner of the luggage lock 11 to transmit the lock identification code 25 and the associated release code 19 to a database 57 readable by the security institution before embarking on a journey, so that an employee of the security institution can read the lock identification code 25 and request the associated release code 19 from the database 57 (see also Figs. 4A and 5A).After receiving the release code 19 from the database 57, the employee can thus open the luggage lock 11 non-destructively by setting the release code 19 and perform an inspection of the piece of luggage 13 without the need to provide the security institution with a separate locking mechanism that bypasses the combination locking mechanism 15. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0098] 2A and 2B illustrate a further embodiment of a piece of luggage 13, in which a zipper 53 is provided as the luggage closure 51, via which the first container part 45 and the second container part 47 are connected to one another. As Fig. 2B illustrates, the zipper 53 can be closed by means of two movable handles 55 in order to hold the second container part 47 in the closed position G. In addition, the handles 55 form securing sections 21 of the piece of luggage 13 and can be inserted into a lock body 65 of the luggage lock 11 and locked relative to the luggage lock 11 by means of the combination locking mechanism 15 in order to secure the piece of luggage 13 against unauthorized opening.Again, the luggage lock 11 has an identification device 23 which provides a lock identification code 25 in the form of an optically readable optical code 29 to enable identification of the luggage lock 11 by an employee of a security institution.

[0099] While the luggage locks 11 of the pieces of luggage 13, which are shown in Figs. 1A to 2B, are integrated into the piece of luggage 13 or are fastened to the first container part 45 by the respective fastening device 63 and, in particular, cannot be removed from the piece of luggage 13 by releasing the securing section 21, Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate a luggage lock 11 that can be removed from the piece of luggage 13 and opened non-destructively by a security institution. The luggage lock 11 comprises a lock body 65 and a U-shaped bracket 67, which can be inserted into the lock body 65 and locked there by means of the combination locking mechanism 15 by setting a numerical code 17 that does not correspond to the release code 19. As shown in Fig.3A illustrates, the luggage lock 11 can be used, for example, to connect two handles 55 of a zipper 53, which can form securing sections 21 of a piece of luggage 13, and to lock them by locking the bracket 67 relative to the luggage lock 11. By unlocking the bracket 67, the bracket 67 can be detached from the handles 55 of the zipper 53, so that the securing sections 21 or the handles 55 are released relative to the luggage lock 11 and the zipper 53 can be opened to access the interior 49 of the piece of luggage 13.

[0100] In addition, in the embodiment of the luggage lock 11 illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B, an identification device 23 is again provided, which provides a lock identification code 25, which can be read out via a radio connection V. For this purpose, the identification device 23 comprises an active or passive transponder 35, which can be designed, for example, to transmit an electronically detectable code 33 stored in a memory 37 as a lock identification code 25 via the radio connection V, for example an RFID connection, in particular an NFC connection, or a Bluetooth connection, to a mobile transmission device 27 (see also Figs. 4A and 5A).The memory 37 can also be provided to document a reading of the lock identification code 25, so that an owner of the luggage lock 11 can, for example, verify whether a check of the piece of luggage 13 was carried out or at least the prerequisite for this was created by querying the lock identification code 25. Furthermore, it can be provided, for example, to store in the memory 37 a device identification relating to the reading transmission device 27, a time of the query, and / or information about a location of the query. Furthermore, the transponder 35 can be embedded, in particular, in a housing 66, in particular an outer plastic housing, of the luggage lock 11.

[0101] Figs. 4A to 4B illustrate methods for providing the release code 19 for opening the luggage locks 11 illustrated in Figs. 1A to 3B to a security institution.

[0102] First, in a step 109, the lock identification code 25 can be transmitted to a database 57, which can be read by the security institution. Furthermore, the associated release code 19 can be transmitted to the database 57 in a step 111, so that a data pair consisting of the lock identification code 25 and the associated release code 19 can ultimately be stored in the database 57.

[0103] As Fig. 4A shows, before transmitting the lock identification code 25, it can be provided, for example, that an owner of the luggage lock 11 reads the lock identification code 25 using a mobile transmission device 27, in particular a smartphone and / or its camera. To do so, the owner can, for example, point the transmission device 27 at the optical code 29 and read the lock identification code 25 by pressing a button 61 on an input device 59 of the transmission device 27, in particular a touchscreen. In a subsequent step, the owner can enter the release code 19 assigned to the luggage lock 11 and thus its lock identification code 25 as a sequence of numbers via the input device 59 and then transmit the data pair consisting of the lock identification code 25 and the release code 19 to the database 57 by pressing a button 61.This provision of the data pair to the database 57 then enables an employee of the security institution to request the associated release code 19 from the database 57 by reading the lock identification code 25 and to open the luggage lock 11 non-destructively by setting the received release code 57 on the combination locking mechanism 15.

[0104] As Fig. 4C further illustrates, in addition to transmitting the lock identification code 25 and the release code 19 in a step 113, it can be provided that the owner of the luggage lock 11 transmits a release period Z to the database 57 and / or an authorization to retrieve the release code 19. In particular, the owner of the luggage lock 11 can thereby specify that the release code 19 can only be read from the database 57 and / or stored in the database 57 for a specific release period Z, wherein after the release period Z has expired, only the owner can open the luggage lock 11. This can also be achieved by the owner initially transmitting an authorization to retrieve the release code 19 to the database 57, but then revoking this authorization, for example, after the end of a trip.Furthermore, the owner can change the release code 19 after receiving the piece of luggage 13, for example, to ensure that even persons who gain unauthorized access to the database 57 cannot open the luggage lock 11.

[0105] In a step 115, information I about a travel route can also be transmitted to the database 57, which may include, for example, a departure airport, a destination airport, an airline, a flight number, and / or information about various stopovers. This allows the security agency to be informed of the route the baggage item 13 will take, so that the security agency can, for example, only allow a selection of employees stationed along the route to access the release code 19.

[0106] In addition, in a step 117, information about the expiration of the release period Z can be received at the owner's transmission device 27, so that the owner can optionally extend the release period Z in a step 119. In particular, the owner can therefore allow the security authorities access to the piece of luggage 13 even in the event of a possible delay to the journey until the end of the journey by extending the release period Z accordingly.

[0107] In a step 121, it can be provided that the owner deletes the release code 19 from the database 57 by issuing a corresponding command via the transmission device 27 after the expiration of the release period Z and / or after the completion of a trip, so that the release code 19 is no longer available in the database 57. Alternatively or additionally, the authorization to retrieve the release code 19 can also be revoked. Furthermore, the owner of the luggage lock 11 can also change the release code 19 after the completion of a trip, for example, to ensure that even persons who gain authorized or unauthorized access to the database 57 cannot open the luggage lock 11.

[0108] Figs. 5A to 50 illustrate a method for opening a luggage lock 11 by a security institution. In a step 69, an employee of the security institution who wishes to inspect the piece of luggage 13 can, in particular, read the lock identification code 25 from the identification device 23 of the luggage lock 11 using a mobile transmission device 27 of the security institution, in particular a smartphone. This is again illustrated in Fig. 5A by way of example for reading an optical code 29; alternatively, an electronic code 33 provided via a radio connection V can also be read using such a transmission device 27 (see also Figs. 3A and 3B).The security institution employee can then transmit the read lock identification code 25 to the database 57 and request the associated release code 19 by pressing a button 61 on an input device 69 of the transmission device 27. The release code 19 can be transmitted from the database 57 to the transmission device 27 and received and displayed on the transmission device 27 (step 73), whereupon the security institution employee can open the luggage lock 11 non-destructively in a step 75 by setting the received release code 19.

[0109] Fig. 5C illustrates further steps that can be performed in particular by the security institution after receiving a data pair consisting of a lock identification code 25 and an associated release code 19 in a step 77.

[0110] For example, in a step 79, information I about a travel route can be received, wherein this information I can be provided, in particular, by an owner of the luggage lock 11. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for airline employees to transmit the information I about the travel route to the database 57, for example, after checking in a piece of luggage 13.

[0111] Depending on the information I about the travel route, the security institution can assign a request authorization to various employees in a step 81. For example, a request authorization can be assigned to those employees stationed along the travel route or to their transmission devices 27. Alternatively, it is also generally possible to assign a request authorization to all employees of the security institution.

[0112] In a step 83, a request for the release code 19 can be received at the database 57. Such a request can be transmitted, in particular, by an employee of the security institution in the aforementioned step 71 if the employee wishes to perform a check of the piece of luggage 13.

[0113] The request can be documented in a step 85 in the database 57, wherein, in particular, a time of the request, information about the requesting transmission device 27, in particular a device identification, and / or information about the location from which the request was sent can be documented. This can, in particular, enable the security institution to understand whether and to what extent checks are being carried out, and, if necessary, the owner can also be provided with information about whether the piece of luggage 13 has been opened.

[0114] Furthermore, upon receipt of the request for the release code 19, a check can be made in a step 87 to determine whether the request was received within a release period Z. If it is determined in a step 89 that the request was received outside of the release period Z, the request can be rejected in a step 91, and the release code 19 cannot be transmitted. Alternatively, a request to extend the release period Z can be sent to the owner of the luggage lock 11, so that the owner can subsequently extend the release period Z, for example, as a result of a delay in a trip, and ensure that the luggage lock 11 can be opened non-destructively for the entire duration of the trip.

[0115] If, however, it is determined in step 93 that the request was transmitted within the release period Z, a check can be carried out in step 95 to determine whether the requesting transmission device 27 and / or the requesting person has authorization to make the request. For example, the verification of authorization to make the request can be carried out by a legitimation and / or identity check on the transmission device 27. If such authorization to make the request exists, the release code 19 can be transmitted to the requesting transmission device 27 in step 97, thus enabling the employee to open the luggage lock 11. If, however, there is no authorization to make the request, the transmission can be rejected in step 99, after which, if necessary, a request for authorization to make the request can be received in step 101.This may enable an employee of the security institution who originally did not have authorization to request authorization to still request authorization in order to carry out an inspection of the piece of luggage 13.

[0116] As a result of the request for authorization to query, such authorization can be granted if necessary, and the release code 19 can be transmitted in a step 103, so that the piece of luggage 13 can be inspected. In particular, the authorization to query can be granted indirectly by transmitting the release code 19. Alternatively, however, the request can also be rejected in a step 105, so that the release code 19 is ultimately not transmitted. Furthermore, in a step 107, it can be provided that the release code 19 is deleted from the database 57 after the expiration of the release period Z.By such a procedure, the owner of the luggage lock 11 can be guaranteed that access to the release code 19 is only possible during a release period Z determined by the owner, whereas the luggage lock 11 can no longer be opened by unauthorized persons after the expiration of the release period Z, even if the database 57 is manipulated.

[0117]

[0118] 11 Luggage lock

[0119] 13 pieces of luggage

[0120] 15 Combination locking mechanism

[0121] 17 Number code

[0122] 19 Release code

[0123] 21 Security section

[0124] 23 Identification device

[0125] 25 Lock identification code

[0126] 27 mobile transmission device

[0127] 29 optical code

[0128] 31 protective windows

[0129] 33 electronic code

[0130] 35 transponders

[0131] 37 storage

[0132] 41 Coding

[0133] 43 Baggage body

[0134] 45 first container part

[0135] 47 second container part

[0136] 49 Interior

[0137] 51 Luggage lock

[0138] 53 zipper

[0139] 55 handle

[0140] 57 Database

[0141] 59 Input device

[0142] 61 buttons

[0143] 63 Fastening device

[0144] 65 lock body

[0145] 66 housings

[0146] 67 brackets

[0147] 69 steps

[0148] 71 steps

[0149] 73 steps

[0150] 75 steps

[0151] 77 steps

[0152] 79 Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Step 7 Step 9 Step 1 Step 3 Step 5 Step 7 Step 9 Step

[0153] 101 steps

[0154] 103 steps

[0155] 105 steps

[0156] 107 steps

[0157] 109 steps

[0158] 111 steps

[0159] 113 steps

[0160] 115 steps

[0161] 117 steps

[0162] 119 steps

[0163] 121 steps

[0164] G Closed position

[0165] I Information

[0166] O Disclosure

[0167] V Radio connection

[0168] Z Release period

Claims

Claims Luggage lock (11) for securing a piece of luggage (13) that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution, with a combination locking mechanism (15) on which a numerical code (17) can be manually set, wherein by means of the combination locking mechanism (15) a securing section (21) of the piece of luggage (13) can be selectively locked relative to the luggage lock (11) in order to secure a closed state of the piece of luggage (13) or can be released in order to allow opening of the piece of luggage (13), wherein the securing section (21) of the piece of luggage (13) can be released by setting a numerical code (17) on the combination locking mechanism (15) that corresponds to a release code (19), and wherein the securing section (21) of the piece of luggage (13) can be locked by setting a numerical code (17) on the combination locking mechanism (15), which does not correspond to the release code (19),The release code (19) can be changed by an owner of the piece of luggage (13), and the luggage lock (11) further comprises an identification device (23) that provides a lock identification code (25) that is individually assigned to the luggage lock (11) and that can be read without contact. The luggage lock (11) according to claim 1, wherein the lock identification code (25) is machine-readable by means of a mobile transmission device (27), in particular a smartphone. The luggage lock (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lock identification code (25) comprises an optically readable one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical code (29). The luggage lock (11) according to claim 3, wherein the optically readable code (29) is covered by a protective window (31). Luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock identification code (25) is formed by laser engraving on the luggage lock (11). Luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock identification code (25) is readable via a radio connection (V). Luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification device (23) has an active or passive transponder (35) for storing and transmitting the lock identification code (25). Luggage lock (11) according to claim 7, wherein the transponder (35) is embedded in a housing (66) of the luggage lock (11).A piece of travel luggage (13) comprising a luggage body (43) with a securing portion (21), a first container part (45) and a second container part (47) movable relative to the first container part (45) between an open position (O) and a closed position (G), further comprising a luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second container part (47) in the open position (O) allows access to an interior space (49) of the luggage body (43) and blocks access in the closed position (G), and wherein the second container part (47) can be secured by locking the securing portion (21) in the closed position (G).The piece of luggage (13) according to claim 9, wherein the piece of luggage (13) has a luggage closure (51) designed to hold the second container part (47) in the closed position (G), wherein the combination locking mechanism (15) is arranged on the luggage body (43) and the securing portion (21) is arranged on the luggage closure (51), or vice versa. A method for providing a release code (19) for a security institution for opening a luggage lock (11) having a combination locking mechanism. mechanism (15) on which a numerical code (17) can be manually set, in particular a luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a luggage lock (11) of a piece of luggage (13) according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the steps Transmitting a lock identification code (25) individually assigned to the luggage lock (11) to a database (57), and Transmitting a release code (19) assigned to the combination locking mechanism (15) to the database (57). Method according to claim 11, wherein the lock identification code (25) and the release code (19) are transmitted to a database (57) readable by the security institution, in particular readable by a security institution tasked with conducting baggage checks at airports. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the lock identification code (25) and the release code (19) are transmitted to the database (57) by a mobile transmission device (27), in particular a smartphone, via a wireless connection. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the lock identification code (25) is read out mechanically in a contactless manner from an identification device (23) of the baggage lock (11) and / or from a memory of the transmission device (27) by means of the transmission device (27) before being transmitted to the database (57).Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the lock identification code (25) is selected on the transmission device (27). Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the release code (19) is entered into an input device (59) of the transmission device (27) and then transmitted.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the lock identification code (25) and the release code (19) are transmitted to the database (57) via an Internet website.

18. Method according to one of claims 11 to 17, wherein information (I) is transmitted to the database (57) about a release period (Z) for which the release code (19) is accessible in the database (57).

19. Method according to one of claims 11 to 18, wherein an authorization for retrieving the release code (19) from the database (57) is granted and / or revoked to the database (57).

20. Method according to one of claims 11 to 19, wherein information (I) about a travel route, in particular a departure airport, a destination airport, a stopover, an airline and / or a flight number, is transmitted to the database (57).

21. A method for opening a luggage lock (11) having a combination locking mechanism (15) and a contactless readable identification device (23) by a security institution, in particular a luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a luggage lock (11) of a piece of luggage (13) according to claim 9 or 10, in particular by means of a release code (19) provided according to a method according to one of claims 11 to 20, comprising the steps: Reading a lock identification code (25) of the luggage lock (11) from the identification device (23), Transmitting the lock identification code (25) by means of a mobile transmission device (27) of the security institution to the database (57) and requesting an associated release code (19) for unlocking the combination locking mechanism (15), Receiving the release code (19) from the database (57) by means of the mobile transmission device (27), and Opening the luggage lock (11) by setting the received release code (19) on the combination locking mechanism (15).

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the database (57) is readable by the security institution, in particular readable by a security institution with the task of carrying out baggage checks at airports.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the lock identification code (25) of the luggage lock (11) is read out mechanically in a contactless manner by means of the mobile transmission device (27).

24. Method according to one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the request for the release code (19) is documented in the database (57).

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein a time of the request for the release code (19), a location of the request for the release code (19), a device identification of the mobile transmission device (27) of the security institution and / or a personal identification of a requesting user is documented in the database (57).

26. Method according to one of claims 21 to 25, wherein a plurality of mobile transmission devices (27) and / or persons are assigned a request authorization and wherein the release code (19) is only transmitted when the release code (19) is requested by an authorized person and / or an authorized transmission device (27).

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the request authorization is checked by a legitimation and / or identity check on the transmission device (27).

28. Method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the request authorization is assigned depending on information (I) about a travel route stored in the database (57) and associated with the lock identification code (25) of the luggage lock (11).

29. Method according to one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the assignment of the request authorization can be requested by means of the transmission device (27). Method according to one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the release code (19) is deleted from the database (57) after expiry of a release period (Z) stored in the database (57).

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