Luggage lock

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic luggage lock, which can be nondestructively opened by a security institution, for securing a piece of travel luggage, comprising an electromechanical locking mechanism, by means of which a securing section of the piece of travel luggage can be selectively locked or released relative to the luggage lock, a controller, and an identification device which stores a lock identification code that can be wirelessly read. The controller is connected to a code receiving device which is designed to receive an opening code via a wireless connection, wherein the controller is designed to compare the received opening code with a stored release code and actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism so as to release the securing section if the received opening code matches the stored release code.

Description

[0001] Luggage lock

[0002] The invention relates to a luggage lock for securing a piece of luggage that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a piece of luggage with such a luggage lock as well as to a method for providing an opening code for a security institution for opening a luggage lock and to a method for opening a luggage lock by a security institution.

[0004] A luggage lock can be designed, in particular, to secure a piece of luggage against unauthorized access and to protect items carried in the luggage against theft while the luggage is unattended. In addition to providing protection against theft, however, luggage can also be secured by its owners to prevent prohibited items, such as drugs, from being packed into the luggage by third parties for smuggling purposes at an unobserved moment, particularly after the luggage has been checked in. These items can then be removed from the luggage at a stopover or at the destination airport, before or after the luggage has been returned to its owner.Such a process entails, in particular, the risk for the owner of the piece of luggage that, if the removal fails, he or she will be confronted with the accusation that he or she had already carried the items in question with him or her in the first place.

[0005] While luggage locks can initially serve to secure a piece of luggage from unauthorized access, there is also a high demand, particularly when traveling by air, to guarantee security during the journey. In particular, it is important to prevent dangerous substances such as explosives from entering an aircraft with checked baggage. To do this, it may be necessary for checked-in baggage to be inspected and opened by a security institution without the presence of the baggage owner or passenger; such checks can also be carried out, for example, at any intermediate stops. In addition to such security checks, opening luggage may also be necessary to detect any smuggling of drugs or other items in a passenger's luggage.In the present context, a security institution may be understood to mean, in particular, an authority or a security service provider, in particular a state-authorised security service provider.

[0006] Therefore, in connection with the security of luggage, there is fundamentally the problem that, on the one hand, the luggage must be reliably secured against unauthorized access by means of appropriate luggage locks, but on the other hand, the security authorities must be given the opportunity to open the luggage for inspection without having to destroy the luggage lock.

[0007] In the USA, for example, this problem has so far been addressed by using a locking cylinder in luggage locks to secure luggage. This cylinder can be opened using a special key available to security staff. By purchasing a luggage lock or a piece of luggage with a lock that has been certified by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and can therefore be referred to as a TSA lock, the owner can not only secure the luggage but also ensure that the US security authorities have an assigned special key and will open the luggage non-destructively in the event of an inspection. Luggage locks that enable non-destructive opening by security authorities based on this concept or that enable non-destructive opening by the security authorities are also available.TSA locks are known, for example, from US 8 875 552 B2, WO 2021 / 129942 A1, US 2019 / 0055753 A1 and US 2017 / 0073999 A1.

[0008] However, to enable rapid baggage screening, the existing concept requires a relatively small number of currently eight different special keys, so that a security officer can quickly find the special key intended for opening a luggage lock and not have to search through a multitude of different keys. Therefore, each TSA lock can be opened using any of the eight different special keys. Furthermore, information about the assigned special key must be clearly visible on the luggage locks so that a security officer can immediately select the required special key and avoid having to try out various different special keys.

[0009] However, this small number of special keys compromises the tamper-proof nature of non-destructive luggage locks, as copying one or more of these special keys could also allow unauthorized persons to access the secured luggage. Requiring clearly visible information about the required special key can also facilitate access by unauthorized persons, as these persons do not have to try out various special keys but can immediately select the correct key and open the luggage.However, such a procedure must give uninvolved persons in the vicinity of the luggage the impression that the authorized owner is opening the luggage lock with an assigned key, so that the theft of items from the luggage or the addition of contraband items can be carried out discreetly using a copy of the respective special key. Furthermore, it is difficult for owners of luggage into which such contraband and / or drugs have been subsequently introduced to exonerate themselves from the suspicion of already having such items on board, especially given that the luggage is secured by a lock that has not been broken.In such a case, however, the security institutions also incur a great deal of expense in pursuing ultimately innocent persons, which also ties up resources for pursuing the persons who actually brought the items into the luggage.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to create a luggage lock which enables reliable protection of a piece of luggage against access by unauthorized persons, but at the same time can be opened non-destructively by authorized employees of a security institution.

[0011] This problem is solved by a luggage lock having the features of claim 1.

[0012] This luggage lock is an electronic luggage lock for securing a piece of luggage that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution. The electronic luggage lock comprises an electromechanical locking mechanism by which a security section of the luggage can be selectively locked or released relative to the luggage lock, a control device for controlling the electromechanical locking mechanism, and an identification device. The identification device provides a lock identification code that is individually assigned to the luggage lock and can be wirelessly read using a mobile opening device, in particular a smartphone. The control device is connected to a memory in which a release code assigned to the lock identification code is stored.In addition, the control device is connected to a code receiving device which is designed to receive an opening code from the mobile opening device, in particular a smartphone, via a wireless connection, wherein the control device is designed to compare the received opening code with the stored release code and to control the electromechanical locking mechanism to release the security section if the received opening code matches the stored release code.

[0013] Because the luggage lock features an identification device that provides a lock identification code, the luggage lock can be uniquely and individually identified. Furthermore, the electronic design of the luggage lock allows the luggage lock to be opened by transmitting the opening code, so that non-destructive opening of the luggage lock can generally be achieved by several people, provided they are provided with the opening code.

[0014] In order to enable a security institution or its employees to open the luggage lock without causing any damage, the owner of the luggage lock can, for example, store the opening code together with the lock identification code in a database that can be read by the security institution before starting a journey, whereby the opening code can be stored in the database in encrypted form.

[0015] In the event of an inspection, an employee of the security institution can then identify the lock by reading the identification device and transmitting the lock identification code to the database to request the associated opening code. In particular, this reading of the identification device and requesting the opening code can be done using the opening device, in particular a smartphone, which ultimately transmits the opening code to the code receiving device for opening the luggage lock. If the opening code is stored, the employee of the security institution can read the opening code from the database or transmit the opening code to the employee or their opening device, whereupon the employee can open the electronic luggage lock non-destructively by transmitting the opening code to the code receiving device.

[0016] In addition, it may be provided that a data pair consisting of the lock identification code and the opening code is already transmitted to the security institution's database by the manufacturer of the luggage lock or the manufacturer of a piece of luggage into which the luggage lock is integrated, so that a subsequent owner of the luggage lock does not have to ensure that the security institutions are able to open the luggage lock non-destructively. In principle, however, the owner can be allowed to provide an opening code to the security institution only for the duration of a trip or to activate it only for such a period, as explained below.

[0017] In particular, by providing an opening code in a database, it is possible to avoid the need to provide a separate locking mechanism for non-destructive opening of the luggage lock, which can be operated by security personnel and, in any case, essentially provides a point of attack for tampering. Instead, both the owner and security personnel can open the luggage lock by transmitting the opening code and activating the electromechanical locking mechanism, thus reducing the number of ways to open the luggage lock compared to conventional solutions and increasing the tamper resistance of the luggage lock.In this respect, in some embodiments, the luggage lock may comprise exclusively the electromechanical locking mechanism and no further locking mechanism, in particular no mechanical locking mechanism, by means of which the securing portion of the piece of luggage can be selectively locked or released relative to the luggage lock.

[0018] The electronic luggage lock thus makes it possible, on the one hand, to allow a select group of people, and in particular employees of a security institution, to open the luggage lock. However, tampering with the luggage lock or opening the luggage lock by unauthorized persons can be reliably prevented, in particular by appropriately securing a database in which the opening code is or will be stored. For example, requests for an opening code can only be made by opening devices that are authorized by the security institution and can be assigned to respective employees of the security institution at least temporarily, e.g., during a shift. For this purpose, for example, in addition to a request for the opening code, a device identification can be transmitted to the database so that it can be checked whether the request originates from an authorized opening device.

[0019] In addition, when an opening code is requested, an identity check may be performed, for example, during which an employee of the security institution must prove their legitimacy to request the opening code by entering a password on the opening device. Alternatively or additionally, an identity check of the requesting employee or other person may also be performed, for which purpose, for example, a biometric check, such as a fingerprint check or facial recognition on the opening device, may be provided, which is used to request the opening code. In principle, the opening code can also be requested via an app installed on a smartphone or other opening device, whereby access to the app itself may be dependent on an identity and / or legitimacy check.As an alternative to using a smartphone, the security institution may also provide its own opening devices that are specifically designed to communicate with the database and open luggage locks.

[0020] Furthermore, any requests for the opening code can be documented in the database, making it possible to trace whether, for example, an attempt was made to open the luggage, and in particular whether a check was carried out, after it was handed in at an airline counter. Therefore, even if the database is manipulated, allowing an unauthorized person to gain access to the opening code, it can generally be verified that the luggage lock was opened after the luggage was handed in, allowing the owner of the luggage to be reassured of any suspicion of having already carried prohibited substances and / or objects. This, in turn, can also relieve the burden on security authorities, as if a prohibited item is found in a piece of luggage, unnecessary resources do not have to be spent pursuing the innocent owner of the luggage.In addition, when documenting requests for the opening code, information about the requesting device and / or the location of the request can also be documented, for example, in order to be able to provide data that can contribute to solving a theft or smuggling even in the event of manipulation of the database.

[0021] Because the luggage lock has a memory in which the release code is stored, it is also possible to document transmissions of opening codes alternatively or additionally in the lock's memory. This can enable the owner to trace and provide evidence of opening attempts, particularly after the luggage has been handed in, even in the event of possible manipulation of a security institution's database. Thus, potentially double documentation of such opening attempts or processes within the lock on the one hand and within the database on the other hand can ensure reliable recording and tracing of opening attempts.

[0022] In principle, the code receiving device and / or the control device can comprise a radio device or be connected to a radio device in order to be able to receive the opening code from the opening device. For example, it can be provided that the code receiving device and / or a radio device connected to the code receiving device is designed to receive the opening code via a Bluetooth connection or an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection. Such connections can be provided in particular because these connections only enable communication over relatively short ranges, so that the luggage lock can only be opened when the owner or another person who has the opening code is in the immediate vicinity of the piece of luggage.However, people standing far away from the luggage cannot open the luggage lock, and it can be ensured, for example, that the owner of the luggage lock or another person standing far away cannot open the luggage lock after it has been handed in at a check-in counter, thus allowing third parties to subsequently add items. Alternatively, however, it is also possible, for example, for the code receiving device to be designed to receive the opening code via a Wi-Fi connection and / or a mobile phone connection.

[0023] In summary, such an electronic luggage lock offers its owner a convenient way to open the luggage lock by transmitting the opening code using an opening device, particularly a smartphone that may already be present, on which a corresponding app may be installed, for example. Furthermore, employees of a security agency can be offered an equally convenient way to open the luggage lock non-destructively by storing a data pair consisting of the opening code and the lock identification code, which allows the luggage lock to be individually identified, in a database readable by the security agency.An employee of the security institution can then use an opening device of the security institution, in particular a smartphone with a corresponding app, to read the lock identification code during a check and transmit it to the database in order to then request the opening code and, after receiving the opening code, open the luggage lock non-destructively.

[0024] Reading the identification device can also be done conveniently, particularly using the opening device and / or a smartphone, by making the lock identification code optically readable or available in a wirelessly readable electronic format. For example, the lock identification code can be provided as a laser-engraved QR code on the outside of the luggage lock, allowing a security officer to scan the lock identification code using the opening device, and then retrieve the opening code from the security institution's database.Such reading of the lock identification code by means of the opening device or smartphone can also be made possible if the lock identification code can be read via a radio connection and can be captured by the opening device, for example via a WLAN / WiFi connection, via a Bluetooth connection, via a mobile phone connection or via an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) connection, in particular via an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection.

[0025] Furthermore, such provision of opening codes in a database of the security institution enables enhanced control, as the opening code—unlike the conventional solution with special keys available to each employee—can be made available only to a select group of employees, such as those stationed along a travel route, thus limiting the circle of people potentially having access to the luggage as much as possible. Such information about the travel route can be transmitted, for example, by the owner of the luggage before the start of the journey or during or after check-in by the airline concerned to the security institution, and in particular, to a database in which the opening code is also stored.This can be done, for example, by the airline reading the lock identification code and transmitting it to the database, for example together with a flight number.

[0026] By making the securing section of the piece of luggage lockable by means of the locking mechanism, it is possible, in particular, to secure a closed state of the piece of luggage against opening by unauthorized third parties. In principle, it can therefore be provided that the luggage lock or a part of the luggage lock, on the one hand, and the securing section of the piece of luggage, on the other hand, are movable relative to one another when the securing section is released. This can, in particular, make it possible to selectively transfer the piece of luggage into an open state, for which purpose the luggage lock can, for example, be arranged on a first part of the piece of luggage and the securing section on a second part of the piece of luggage. By locking the securing section, however, such relative movement of the two parts of the piece of luggage can be prevented in order to prevent access to an interior of the piece of luggage.

[0027] For example, the securing section of the piece of luggage can be a movable handle of a zipper, by means of which the zipper can be selectively opened or closed, whereby opening the zipper can provide access to the interior of a luggage body of the piece of luggage. On the other hand, after the zipper has been closed, the movable handle of the zipper can be lockable relative to the luggage lock by the electromechanical locking mechanism in order to prevent non-destructive opening of the zipper and to secure the closed state of the piece of luggage. In this case, locking the securing section or the handle of the zipper prevents the zipper, by which two pieces of luggage can be connected to one another, from opening, so that the piece of luggage cannot be opened.For this purpose, the luggage lock can, for example, be connected to one of the pieces of luggage or arranged on one of the pieces of luggage, whereby it is alternatively also possible for the luggage lock to be detachable from the piece of luggage. Such a detachable luggage lock can, for example, be designed as a padlock with a U-shaped shackle, for example, which can be guided through two eyelets of handles of the zipper in order to connect the handles to one another. In order to lock the securing section of the piece of luggage or the handles of the zipper relative to the piece of luggage, the shackle can then be inserted into a lock body and locked therein, so that the handles cannot be separated and the zipper cannot be opened.

[0028] Alternatively, the securing section can be formed, for example, by an engagement strip of a buckle closure, which can be locked by the electromechanical locking mechanism. In particular, the locking can be effected indirectly in that the buckle closure can be locked by the electromechanical locking mechanism against detachment from the engagement strip. For example, a latch of a buckle, the actuation of which can release the engagement strip from behind, can be lockable by the electromechanical locking mechanism. In such luggage, the luggage lock can be integrated, in particular, into a buckle of the buckle closure.

[0029] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the securing section can be provided as a stationary bracket on the piece of luggage, whereby such a bracket can be designed, in particular, as a clamp on a movable part of the piece of luggage. For example, such a securing section can be inserted into an insertion opening on another part of the piece of luggage during the closing of the piece of luggage and locked there by means of the electromechanical locking mechanism in order to lock the securing section relative to the luggage lock and thereby secure the closed state of the piece of luggage.In addition, a piece of luggage can generally have a closure, for example a buckle closure with a buckle and an engagement strip, a zipper, a stationary clamp, a bracket or an engagement opening of a lock environment, wherein the closure can allow the piece of luggage to be opened in an open position and can keep the piece of luggage closed in a closed position. The securing section can in particular be part of the closure. In such pieces of luggage, the electromechanical locking mechanism can therefore either lock the closure in the closed position or release the closure for movement into the open position. However, the movement of the closure into the open position can then in principle be carried out manually, whereas the release for this orThe lock or securing section can be unlocked by the electromechanical locking mechanism. Such a lock can also be integrated into the luggage lock to provide a holding function in addition to the locking function, so that the luggage can be kept closed but can still be opened by any third party.

[0030] The electromechanical locking mechanism can, for example, comprise an actuator, in particular an electric motor, and a bolt driven by the actuator, wherein the bolt can interact directly or indirectly, for example via a pre-tensioned pawl, with the securing portion of the piece of luggage in order to be able to selectively lock the securing portion of the piece of luggage relative to the luggage lock.

[0031] The control device may comprise a single electronic unit or have a distributed structure, with different sections of the control device being responsible for different control tasks. For example, the control device may comprise one or more of the following devices: an integrated circuit (IC), a microprocessor, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0032] The memory can also be part of the control device or be configured separately. In particular, the memory can be a non-volatile memory, such as a semiconductor memory, and / or the memory can be configured, for example, as an EEPRON.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Where reference is made in the present disclosure to a lock identification code, the lock identification code is generally to be understood as being individually assigned to a luggage lock in order to enable identification of the luggage lock.

[0035] Further embodiments are explained in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0036] In some embodiments, the identification device may provide the lock identification code in an optically readable form and / or in a wirelessly detectable electronic form.

[0037] In particular, a lock identification code provided in an optically readable form can comprise a sequence of numbers and / or letters, a QR (Quick Response) code, or a barcode, which can be scanned by an employee of a security institution, in particular using the opening device also provided for transmitting the opening code to the code receiving device, and can thus be easily transmitted to a database for querying the opening code. In this respect, the lock identification code can, in some embodiments, comprise an optical one-dimensional or two-dimensional optically readable code.A lock identification code stored in a wirelessly detectable electronic form can be read, in particular, via a radio connection, for example, via a Wi-Fi connection, via a Bluetooth connection, via a mobile radio connection, or via an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) connection, in particular via an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection. This reading can also be carried out, in particular, directly by means of the opening device provided for transmitting the opening code to the code receiving device. In particular, however, the lock identification code can be read by the opening device via a channel other than the wireless connection to the code receiving device.

[0038] For example, an optically readable lock identification code can be formed by a laser engraving on an outer side of the luggage lock and / or a housing of the luggage lock. A wirelessly detectable electronic lock identification code can be stored, for example, in an NFC tag or RFID tag. An NFC tag can, in particular, comprise a passive transponder that can be controlled by electrical energy wirelessly provided by the opening device to output the stored lock identification code. The lock identification code can therefore be stored in a memory of such an NFC tag or a passive transponder.Another RFID tag can also have an active transponder powered by its own electrical power source to transmit the lock identification code stored in the RFID tag or transponder's memory over a greater range than an NFC connection. However, even with such an active transponder, the power source can only be activated by a signal received wirelessly from the opening device, in order to provide energy only when necessary to transmit the lock identification code, while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

[0039] In general, the luggage lock can be designed in such a way that it complies technically, and particularly with regard to the power supply, with any requirements imposed by airlines and legislators, according to which devices with rechargeable batteries and / or accumulators must be switched off during a flight and secured against accidental activation. This can be achieved, for example, by providing a power supply for the electromechanical locking mechanism, the control device, the code reception device, and / or the identification device that can be selectively activated or deactivated via a button and / or an activation or deactivation command, particularly one that can be received wirelessly on an active or passive transponder.During a check, an employee of the security institution can activate the power supply by pressing the button or sending an activation command in order to be able to open the luggage lock non-destructively by transmitting the opening code to the code receiving device after reading the lock identification code and requesting and receiving the assigned opening code.

[0040] In some embodiments, it can be provided in particular that the energy supply for the electromechanical locking mechanism, the control device, the code receiving device and / or the identification device can be activated via a button or an activation command and that the control device is designed to deactivate the energy supply again after a predetermined period of time after activation and / or as a result of an interruption of a connection to an opening device.In such embodiments, an energy-saving sleep mode can be provided as the basic mode for the luggage lock. In this mode, the luggage lock is switched off and energy consumption is avoided. Before the luggage lock is actuated to lock or release the security section, the power supply must first be activated in order to then open the luggage lock, for example, by transmitting the opening code. In particular, such an approach can avoid unnecessary energy consumption at times when the luggage lock is intended to remain in a previously set state and, on the other hand, ensure that the luggage lock is reliably switched off during transport or a flight, without the owner having to specifically ensure that it is switched off.This can be achieved, for example, by setting a time period in the luggage lock's control system, whereby the luggage lock can be automatically deactivated after this time period has elapsed following activation. Alternatively, the power supply can be deactivated, for example, as soon as a connection to an opening device from which an opening code or other control command was previously received is interrupted, thus removing the luggage lock or piece of luggage from the opening device.

[0041] Furthermore, it is possible for the opening code and / or another control command transmittable by the opening device to include an activation command for activating the power supply. For example, such an activation command can be transmitted as part of the opening code to an active or passive transponder of the luggage lock, wherein the power supply to one or more of the aforementioned components can be activated as a result of the received activation command, for example by closing a corresponding circuit when the transponder is energized. In this respect, it may be sufficient in some embodiments to transmit the opening code to the code receiving device, wherein the power supply of the lock can be activated by the activation command transmitted together with the opening code, so that no separately transmitted command or the actuation of a separate button is required.

[0042] In some embodiments, the code receiving device can be configured to receive the opening code via a Bluetooth connection and / or an NFD (Near Field Communication) connection. In particular, receiving via such a connection can allow the luggage lock to be opened only by persons and / or opening devices located in the vicinity of the luggage lock, thus preventing manipulation or remote opening of the luggage lock. For example, receiving opening codes with such a connection can be limited to a few meters, for example, 2 m, or distances of less than 1 m.

[0043] In some embodiments, the opening code can be transmitted to the code receiving device by a command on the opening device. Alternatively, it can be provided that the opening code can be transmitted by moving the opening device near the luggage lock. Furthermore, it can be provided, for example, that the opening code is only transmitted directly when the owner of the luggage lock moves an opening device near the code receiving device, whereas opening the luggage lock by an employee of a security institution may require at least the command to query the opening code from the database.To allow only the owner of the luggage lock to open directly, in addition to the release code, a device identification of the owner's opening device can be stored in the memory, so that the transmission of the corresponding device identification by the owner's opening device enables automatic coupling with the luggage lock and the electromechanical locking mechanism can be controlled to release the security section of the luggage. In this respect, in some embodiments, a device identification of the owner's opening device can act as an opening code.

[0044] In some embodiments, the control device may be configured to change the release code stored in the memory in a code change operation in response to a code change command received from the opening device.

[0045] For example, the control device can be configured to replace the release code in response to the code change command, add another release code, or delete the stored release code. The code change command can also be received, in particular, via the code receiving device and transmitted to the control device, although a dedicated radio module can also be provided for receiving the code change command.

[0046] Such a change to the release code can, for example, enable the owner of the luggage lock to make the release code available to security authorities for a specific release period, but after this release period has expired, ensure that the luggage lock can only be opened by the owner themselves and not by persons who gain access to a database of the security authority. For this purpose, the stored release code, which includes an opening code made available to security authorities for the duration of a trip, can be deleted from the luggage lock's memory or changed, for example, after the trip has ended, so that the luggage lock can no longer be opened using the opening code stored in the database after the trip has ended and / or the luggage has been received.This provides the owner of the luggage lock with the opportunity to protect themselves against unauthorized access to the luggage or theft of items carried, even if the security agency's database security measures are overcome and the opening code is read without authorization. Upon embarking on a subsequent journey, the owner can, for example, provide the security agency with a modified release code, optionally by transmitting a corresponding opening code to the database, to enable a non-destructive opening of the luggage lock by a security agency employee if necessary.

[0047] In addition, it can be provided that the owner adds a further release code to the memory when changing the release code, since in some embodiments a respective release code can be provided for the owner and for the security institution, so that, for example, before starting a journey, a further release code associated with the opening code of the security institution can be stored in the memory and, for example, deleted again after the conclusion of the journey.

[0048] Alternatively or in addition to directly changing the release code or a release coding included in the release code, it may also be provided that the stored release code includes information about a release period during which the lock can be opened by transmitting a matching opening code. In this respect, the release code can also be changed, for example, by the owner of the luggage lock specifying such a release period in order to allow security authorities access to the luggage for the expected duration of a trip, but not beyond that.Before embarking on another trip, the owner can then change the release code again, for example, by setting a new release period corresponding to the expected duration of the subsequent trip, in order to allow security authorities access to the luggage during this release period. Furthermore, the release code can be optionally activated or deactivated by the owner of the luggage lock and thus modified. This allows the owner, for example, to activate the release code before embarking on a trip and thus enable non-destructive opening by security authorities, but to prevent external access to the luggage after receiving the luggage by changing and deactivating the release code.Since the release code can be changed and, in particular, activated or deactivated directly on the luggage lock, the owner can, in turn, decide freely whether and at what times the security authorities are granted access to the luggage, regardless of whether the opening code has previously been transmitted to a database.

[0049] In some embodiments, the control device can be designed to distinguish between an owner authorization of the owner of the piece of luggage and an authority authorization of a security institution, wherein the control device can be designed to change the release code stored in the memory only when the control device determines the owner authorization.

[0050] Such a design of the control device can, in particular, ensure that the release code can only be changed by the owner, but not by an employee of the security institution, and especially not by persons who have gained unauthorized access to a database in which the opening code is stored. For example, such owner authorization can be verified by storing a device identification relating to the owner's opening device in the luggage lock's memory, and the code change command is only executed if the code change command was transmitted by an opening device associated with the device identification and thus by the opening device of the owner of the luggage lock.This device information, which can be used to identify the owner's opening device or smartphone as a "trusted device," can be stored in the memory, particularly during an initialization process during which the luggage lock is connected and / or paired with the owner's opening device for the first time. Furthermore, it can be provided that, in addition to transmitting the opening code, a device identification is always transmitted to the code receiving device in order to distinguish between owner authorization and authority authorization.As an alternative to verifying the respective authorization by storing a device identification, it can also be provided that an authentication or identity check is required on the opening device to transmit the code change command, for example, by entering a password or performing a fingerprint check or facial recognition. Such an authentication or identity check can be performed, in particular, on the opening device or within the luggage lock, for example, by storing a password in the luggage lock's memory, so that a password is transmitted along with the code change command and can be compared with the stored password by the luggage lock's control unit.However, if the verification of the owner's authorization is carried out on the opening device, for example by entering a password in an app or an identity check, the relevant part of the luggage lock's control device, which is intended to verify the owner's authorization, can ultimately be integrated into the opening device.

[0051] While checking and distinguishing between owner authorization and authority authorization can ensure that only the owner can change the release code, opening the lock by transmitting the opening code can be possible with both authorization levels. However, with regard to opening the luggage lock, different authorization levels can also be assigned different options, for example, if the owner authorization is established, the luggage lock can always be opened, whereas if the authority authorization is established, it can only be opened during a specified release period. This is explained in more detail below.

[0052] The communication between the owner's opening device and the luggage lock and / or the communication between the owner's opening device and the database can be encrypted.

[0053] In some embodiments, the release code can be activated and / or deactivated by the code change command. For example, it can be provided that an owner permanently activates an opening code, which, for example, was originally stored by the lock manufacturer in a database readable by security institutions, by activating a corresponding release code before embarking on a trip, thereby enabling security institutions to non-destructively open the luggage lock or piece of luggage. However, the release code can be deactivated again after the luggage has been received, ensuring that the luggage lock can only be opened by the authorized owner.With such a procedure, it can also be provided that, when the release code is deactivated, the luggage lock can only be opened by transmitting the opening code if, in addition to the opening code, the aforementioned owner authorization is recorded, for example via a stored device identification.

[0054] In some embodiments, the code change command may contain an instruction to change the release code. For example, the code change command may include an instruction to change and / or set a release period during which the luggage lock can be opened by transmitting an opening code matching the release code by an employee of the security institution, in order to enable the security institution to open the luggage lock for this release period. Alternatively or additionally, however, the code change command may also include an instruction to change a release coding, in particular a code number. For this purpose, for example, a corresponding code number may be transmitted directly to the luggage lock using the code change command, or an instruction to generate a changed code number may be transmitted.It can therefore be provided that the control device, in response to the code change command, generates a modified release code, stores it in the memory and / or transmits it to the owner's opening device via an interface, for example a radio module of the code receiving device. By changing the release code in this way, an owner can, for example, ensure that any release code stored in a database no longer matches the release code stored in the lock, so that the luggage lock cannot be opened even in the event of unauthorized access to the database. The modified release code and in particular the modified release code can then be transmitted again to the security institution's database, for example before embarking on a further journey.

[0055] In some embodiments, the release code may comprise a release coding and information about a release period, wherein the control device may be configured to control the electromechanical locking mechanism to release the locked security section if the received opening code comprises the release coding and the opening code was received within the release period.

[0056] The release code can in particular comprise a code number or a number or sequence of numbers and / or letters, which can be stored in a database of a security institution, so that the release code can be transmitted to the code receiving device as part of the opening code and compared with a stored release code, a corresponding code number, number or sequence of numbers and / or letters. Opening of the luggage lock by transmitting the release code can, however, only be granted to the security institution for a predetermined release period, so that reading the release code from a database after the release period has expired and transmitting the release code to the code receiving device no longer leads to the luggage lock being opened. In order to check whether the release code orIf the opening code was received within the release period, the lock can, in particular, have its own clock or time-measuring device, so that any tampering with the clock of the opening device that transmits the opening code can be prevented and the release period can be verified independently of any time information transmitted by the opening device. However, it is also possible to use time information transmitted by the opening device to verify the release period.

[0057] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the code receiving device can be configured to receive a device identification from the mobile opening device, and the control device can be configured to compare the received device identification with an owner identification stored in the memory and to control the electromechanical locking mechanism to release the locked security section, regardless of whether the opening code was received within the release period, if the received opening code includes the release coding and the received device identification matches the stored owner identification.

[0058] The owner identification can be stored in the memory, particularly during an initialization process and / or the initial pairing of the owner's opening device with the luggage lock, so that the owner's opening device can be designated as a "trusted device" with which the luggage lock can be opened at any time. If the owner subsequently transmits the opening code with the release code and the device identification matching the owner identification to the code receiving device, the control device can determine the owner's authorization, and the luggage lock can be opened at any time. Other opening devices, or opening devices that transmit a device identification other than the owner identification with the opening code, can only be allowed to open the luggage lock during a release period determined by the owner.Information about the release period can be stored, in particular, in the luggage lock's memory. Compared to conventional mechanical solutions, such a procedure offers increased security in that access to the luggage by persons other than the owner can only be permitted during the release period, for example, for the duration of a trip. However, after the trip has ended, even in the event of unauthorized reading of the opening code and release coding from the database—which is ultimately comparable to replicating a master key in conventional mechanical solutions—by storing the release period in the luggage lock's memory, unauthorized access to the luggage and, for example, theft can be prevented.Setting a release period can also be done indirectly by activating and deactivating the release code, for example, by an owner activating the release code when handing in a piece of luggage at a check-in counter and deactivating it again after receiving the piece of luggage.

[0059] In some embodiments, the control device can be configured to change the release code and / or the information about the release period during the code change operation. As already explained, for example, before starting a journey, a changed release code can be stored in the memory of the luggage lock and transmitted to a database readable by security institutions in order to enable non-destructive opening of the luggage lock. In addition or alternatively to a changed release code, information about the release period can be stored in the memory of the luggage lock and / or transmitted to the database, so that receiving an opening code that includes the release code only leads to the luggage lock being opened if the opening code was detected within the release period.Furthermore, only the release period, but not the release code, can be changed to allow security authorities to open the luggage lock during the release period. For this purpose, the release code can, for example, have already been stored in advance, particularly by a manufacturer of the luggage lock, in a database readable by the security authorities. In principle, the information regarding the release period can also be changed simply by the owner of the luggage lock activating or deactivating a release code stored in the luggage lock's memory.

[0060] In some embodiments, the control device can be designed to delete the release code from the memory of the luggage lock after the release period has expired. In particular, in such embodiments, it can be provided that an additional release code is stored in the memory, which, however, is only available to the owner, so that the owner can open the luggage lock at any time. However, by deleting the release code, whose assigned and / or corresponding opening code can be transmitted, for example, to a database of a security institution, after the release period has expired, it can be ensured that even unauthorized access to the database and / or manipulation of information about a time at which an opening code is transmitted does not allow the luggage lock to be opened without authorization.However, in order to enable the security authorities to open the luggage lock non-destructively during a further release period and / or before starting another journey, a new or the original release code with a release period adapted to the journey can be stored in the luggage lock's memory, for example using the code change command mentioned above, and - particularly in the case of a changed release code - transmitted to a database that can be read by the security authorities.

[0061] In some embodiments, a first release code and a second release code can be stored in the memory, wherein the control device can be designed to control the electromechanical locking mechanism to release the locked security section when the received opening code matches the first release code or the second release code.

[0062] Furthermore, in such embodiments, the control device can be designed to change only the first release code, but not the second release code, in response to the code change command in the code change operation.

[0063] In such embodiments, it can therefore be provided to keep a second release code in the memory, which is unchangeable and available only to the owner of the luggage lock, in order to enable them to open the luggage lock at any time. In addition, however, an optionally changeable and / or activatable second release code can be stored, which the owner can optionally make available to the security authorities. In this respect, for example, the changeable first release code can be transmitted as an opening code to a database readable by the security authorities, whereas the unchangeable second release code can be stored exclusively in the luggage lock's memory and / or transmitted exclusively to the owner's opening device during an initialization process for the initial pairing of the opening device with the luggage lock.Alternatively, the second release code can also include a device identification of the owner's opening device, for example, to enable immediate opening of the luggage lock when the owner's opening device is located near the luggage lock. In this respect, the first release code can also be written into the memory, for example, during an initialization process.

[0064] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first release code may comprise a first release code and the second release code may comprise a second release code, wherein the first release code may also comprise information about a release period. The control device may be configured to control the electromechanical locking mechanism to release the locked security section if the opening code comprises the first release code and the code receiving device receives the opening code within the release period, or if the opening code comprises the second release code.Transmitting the second release code can therefore always enable the owner of the luggage lock to open the luggage lock, whereas opening the luggage lock by transmitting the first release code is only possible if an opening code with the first release code is received during the release period.

[0065] In some embodiments, a master code may be permanently stored in the memory, wherein the control device may be configured to compare an initialization code contained in the initialization command with the stored master code in response to an initialization command received from the opening device and to store a device identification relating to the opening device contained in the initialization command as an owner identification in the memory if the received initialization code matches the stored master code.In particular, such an initialization code can be used to enable initial pairing between the owner's opening device and the luggage lock and / or to assign the aforementioned owner identification to the owner's opening device, for example, to allow the owner to change the release code and / or open the luggage lock independently of a release period. Furthermore, as a result of the initialization process, the aforementioned second release code can be transmitted to the owner's opening device, for example, to enable the luggage lock to be opened at any time using the owner's opening device. The initialization code can be readable, for example, on an initialization card supplied with the luggage lock.

[0066] In some embodiments, the luggage lock may comprise a mechanical locking mechanism configured to selectively lock or release the securing portion of the piece of luggage, bypassing the electromechanical locking mechanism.

[0067] Such luggage locks can, in particular, provide a mechanical override for the owner, allowing the owner to operate the luggage lock, for example, using an assigned mechanical key or by operating a combination locking mechanism and / or entering a sequence of numbers and / or letters. On the other hand, by providing the opening code, security personnel can be enabled to open the luggage lock non-destructively by transmitting the opening code to the code receiving device and operating the electromechanical locking mechanism. In particular, the mechanical locking mechanism can thus not be operated using a special or master key available to the security institutions, but, unlike conventional solutions, can allow the luggage lock to be opened exclusively by the owner.In such embodiments, it may also be provided that the owner can also open the electromechanical locking mechanism by transmitting the opening code, as explained above. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for only the mechanical locking mechanism to be available to the owner, and the actuation of the electromechanical locking mechanism is reserved for security institutions. In particular, such a luggage lock with a mechanical override allows the owner to open the luggage lock even if no opening device is carried and / or an electrical energy source for supplying the electromechanical locking mechanism and / or the control device is exhausted.

[0068] In other embodiments, however, it may be provided that the luggage lock has only a single locking mechanism, the electromechanical locking mechanism, with regard to options for locking and releasing the security section, so that the luggage lock can be opened by the owner and the security institution by actuating the same locking mechanism.

[0069] In some embodiments, the luggage lock can include a clock. In particular, by equipping the luggage lock with a clock, it can be achieved that the aforementioned release period can be checked directly by the control device of the luggage lock, without having to rely on time information transmitted by the opening device, which could fundamentally be manipulated. The clock of the luggage lock can, in particular, be designed to measure an absolute time consisting of the time and date in one or more time zones and / or to stop a time in order to be able to check a release period stored as an absolute time and / or a release period stored as a release duration starting from a specific start time.

[0070] In some embodiments, the control device can be configured to document the receipt of the opening code in the memory. For example, the memory can comprise a database in which the receipt of the opening code can be documented. The memory can further comprise one or more storage units, so that the receipt of the opening code can be documented, for example, in a storage unit in which the release code is also stored, or in a separate storage unit of the memory.

[0071] In particular, this documentation of the receipt of opening codes can be used to document whether the luggage lock was opened, for example, by a security officer after it was handed over at a check-in counter. This allows the owner of the luggage lock to verify whether the luggage lock was opened during a check-in, but also to prove, for example, that an opening code was received after the luggage was handed over at a check-in counter and before it was picked up again, thus clearing the owner of any suspicion of carrying prohibited substances and / or items.The control device can also be designed to transmit a message about a received opening code to the opening device of the owner of the luggage lock during a next coupling, provided that an opening code has been received in the meantime from an opening device other than that of the owner, in order to inform the owner about the opening of the luggage lock.

[0072] In some embodiments, the control device may be configured to document in the memory a time at which the opening code was received and / or information about the mobile opening device and / or information about a location at which the opening code was received.

[0073] For example, the luggage lock can have a location determination device, such as a GPS device, or location information can be received from the transmitting opening device along with the opening code in order to document information about the location at which the opening code was received in the memory. In particular, it can thus be provided to document as comprehensively as possible in the luggage lock's memory at what time an opening code was received from which device and / or from which person at what location, for example, in order to be able to determine or prove at which intermediate stop the piece of luggage was checked by which employee of a security institution and at what time.In principle, such data can also be documented in a database of the security institution, although documentation within the luggage lock can enable the owner to trace opening processes independently of correct documentation in the database.

[0074] In some embodiments, the luggage lock can be configured to detect mechanical opening attempts, for example, by detecting relative movements of two sections of the luggage (including the luggage lock). In particular, in such embodiments, the luggage lock can comprise a sensor configured to directly or indirectly detect a movement of the securing section of the luggage relative to the luggage lock and transmit a corresponding detection signal to the control device. In some embodiments, the control device can be configured to document the receipt of the detection signal in the memory.

[0075] For example, the sensor can be configured to indirectly detect a movement of the securing section of the piece of luggage when a change in position of a latch of the luggage lock that has been released and pushed back by the securing section is detected. Alternatively, however, a securing section that can be directly locked by a bolt of the locking mechanism can also contact the sensor when the securing section is locked, so that the sensor can be configured to detect both this contact of the securing section and a break in the contact.Such a sensor can in particular also be provided to transmit a detection signal to the control device when the securing section of the piece of luggage is detected by the sensor in a position in which locking can take place, so that the control device can control the locking mechanism in response to the detection signal directly to lock the securing section.

[0076] The said sensor may, for example, comprise a mechanical contact switch, a capacitive sensor or a magnetic sensor.

[0077] Because the control device can document the receipt of the detection signal in the memory, it is also possible, in particular, to document whether the luggage lock or the piece of luggage was actually opened. A distinction can therefore be made between cases in which an opening code was received but the luggage lock remained locked, and cases in which access to the interior of the luggage was obtained. In addition to the receipt of the detection signal, the time and / or location at which the detection signal was recorded and the luggage lock and / or the piece of luggage were opened can also be documented.

[0078] In some embodiments, the memory can be connected to an interface via which the memory can be wirelessly read. In particular, this interface can be formed by a radio module of the code receiving device, so that the owner can read the memory using a mobile opening device and trace any opening attempts. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the memory can only be read if the aforementioned owner identification is established, in particular based on device information stored in the memory, so that the memory of the luggage lock can only be read by the owner himself.The memory, in which, for example, personal information such as location and / or time information at which the owner opened the luggage lock himself may be stored, cannot therefore be read by the security institution, although the security institution may itself document requests for the opening code to a database that can be read by the security institution in order to be able to trace attempts to open the lock by its own employees.

[0079] In principle, data and / or information stored in the luggage lock's memory can also be stored in encrypted form to prevent reading by unauthorized persons.

[0080] In some embodiments, the luggage lock may include a power source for supplying power to the electromechanical locking mechanism and / or the control device. For example, the luggage lock may comprise an accumulator, a battery, and / or an induction receiver. The memory, the code receiving device, and / or the identification device may also be supplied with the required power via this and / or a separate power source.

[0081] Furthermore, in some embodiments, it can be provided that the luggage lock can be energized from the outside, in particular exclusively from the outside, and does not have an internal energy source storing electrical energy to supply the electromechanical locking mechanism. For example, if the luggage lock is designed with an induction receiver, the luggage lock can be energized exclusively by electromagnetic radiation wirelessly transmitted by the opening device, in that the radiation can induce a current flow to supply the electromechanical locking mechanism, the control device, and / or the code receiving device.

[0082] In some embodiments, the control device can be configured to transmit a power supply status signal to the opening device. In particular, the control device can be configured to transmit an alarm to an opening device of the owner of the luggage lock when the power source is nearly depleted, to remind the owner to recharge and / or replace the power source. This can be done, for example, via a cellular and / or Wi-Fi connection.

[0083] In some embodiments, the luggage lock may have a charging socket, in particular a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket, and / or an induction receiver, via which the electromechanical locking mechanism can be supplied with electrical energy from an external energy source, in particular the opening device.

[0084] In this respect, a possibility can be offered to supply and operate the electromechanical locking mechanism with energy even when the luggage lock's internal energy source is depleted. In particular, it can be provided that the electromechanical locking mechanism can be connected to the mobile opening device via a cable, for example, via a USB cable, in order to draw energy from the mobile opening device. As an alternative to a wired power supply, it can also be provided that an electric current is induced at an induction receiver by electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the opening device.This can enable both the owner and an employee of a security institution to supply and activate the electromechanical locking mechanism when the luggage lock's internal power source is depleted, without requiring a separate power source other than the opening device required to open the luggage lock. It can therefore also be provided that the control device is configured to transmit information to the opening device of an employee of a security institution when the luggage lock's internal power source is depleted and an external power source is required, provided the opening device is located near the luggage lock.Such information can be transmitted, for example, via a passive transponder, which can send the corresponding information to the opening device as a result of an attempt to transmit the opening code to the code receiving device.

[0085] In some embodiments, the luggage lock can have a button, the actuation of which activates the code receiving device to receive the opening code. In particular, such a button can make it possible to wake the code receiving device from an energy-saving sleep mode, so that the code receiving device does not need to be continuously supplied with power and, in particular, can also ensure that the power supply is reliably interrupted during transport or a flight, and the luggage lock is switched off. Furthermore, the luggage lock can be provided with an active and / or passive transponder and / or a radio sensor, which is designed to detect a coupling of the opening device and consequently activate a power supply to the code receiving device.

[0086] In some embodiments, the electromechanical locking mechanism may comprise an actuator and a securing element that engages with the securing portion of the luggage item in a locking position, wherein the securing element is biased toward the locking position and wherein the securing element is drivable by the actuator toward an unlocking position to release the securing portion relative to the luggage item.

[0087] In particular, in such embodiments, it can be provided that the pre-tensioned securing element automatically engages the securing section when the securing section is moved into an engagement region of the securing element due to the pre-tension in the direction of the locking position in order to automatically lock the securing section. Therefore, in such embodiments, the electromechanical locking mechanism can only be controlled to move the securing element in the direction of the unlocking position and release the securing section for movement relative to the luggage lock, whereas locking occurs automatically. In this respect, such a locking mechanism enables an automatic function for locking the securing section when, for example, a buckle of the piece of luggage is closed or a handle of a zipper of the piece of luggage is inserted into a lock environment.Such an automatic locking mechanism can ensure, in particular, that the luggage is reliably relocked after being inspected by the security authorities, without a security employee having to transmit a separate locking command. Alternatively, in some embodiments with an automatic function of the locking mechanism, the electromechanical locking mechanism can also be provided with an actuator, a bolt, and a securing element. In a locking position, the securing element engages with the securing section of the luggage and is biased toward the locking position.In such embodiments, the latch can further be driven by the actuator toward a blocking position, in which the latch blocks the securing element in the locking position in order to lock the securing section of the piece of luggage relative to the luggage lock. Furthermore, the latch can be driven by the actuator toward a release position in order to release the securing element for movement toward an unlocking position and thereby the securing section. In such embodiments, energy-saving control can thus be achieved in particular, in that the actuator does not have to move the securing element against a pretension, but only has to move the latch into a blocking position or a release position. In such embodiments, the securing element, on the other hand, can be moved directly or indirectly manually into the unlocking position.To ensure a correct control sequence, such luggage locks can also be provided with a sensor, in particular the aforementioned sensor for detecting the removal of the securing section relative to the luggage lock, to detect the movement of the securing section into an engagement section of the securing element and, as a result, to transmit a signal to the control device for moving the bolt into the blocking position. Alternatively, however, the bolt can also be driven into the blocking position as a result of a locking command, which can be transmitted in particular by means of the opening device.

[0088] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the electromechanical locking mechanism may comprise an actuator, a latch, and a securing element, wherein the securing element engages with the securing portion of the piece of luggage in a locking position, and wherein the securing element is manually moved (directly or indirectly) into both the locking position and the unlocking position. In such embodiments, the latch may be driven by the actuator toward a blocking position, in which the latch blocks the securing element in the locking position. In an unlocking position, the securing element may be held, for example, by frictional engagement (e.g., a snap-in connection).In addition, the latch can be driven by the actuator toward a release position in order to release the securing element for movement toward the unlocked position and thereby release the securing portion. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the electromechanical locking mechanism can comprise an actuator and a securing element, which engages with the securing portion of the piece of luggage in a locked position and releases the securing portion in an unlocked position, wherein the securing element can be driven into the locked position and into the unlocked position by means of the actuator.In such embodiments, the securing element is thus directly driven into both the locking position and the unlocking position, so that an automatic function is not necessarily provided; rather, locking can be achieved, for example, by a corresponding locking command. However, even in such embodiments, an automatic function can be achieved, for example, by a sensor that registers the movement of the securing section into an engagement section of the securing element and consequently transmits a signal to the control device for controlling the actuator to move the securing element into the locking position.

[0089] In some embodiments, the luggage lock may have a fastening device designed to permanently attach the luggage lock to the piece of luggage. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the luggage lock to be selectively detachable from the luggage and, for example, to have a U-shaped shackle that can be locked to a lock body, by means of which two handles of a zipper of the luggage can be connected to each other and secured to each other by locking the shackle.

[0090] 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 disclosed herein. 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.

[0091] For example, the second container part can be a pivoting suitcase lid, whereby access to the interior of the suitcase can be blocked by moving the lid into the closed position and thus closing the suitcase. Since the second container part can be secured by locking the securing section in the closed position, access to the interior of the luggage body can then be selectively blocked. However, the design of the travel luggage with a luggage lock of the type described herein makes it possible to identify the luggage lock by reading the identification device and requesting the associated opening code, so that, for example, an employee of a security institution can open the luggage lock and thus the travel luggage non-destructively during an inspection.

[0092] The luggage lock can, in particular, be integrated into the piece of luggage and / or firmly connected to the piece of luggage, so that the luggage lock cannot be detached from the luggage body by releasing the securing section. Alternatively, however, the luggage lock can also be designed, for example, as a luggage lock that can be detached from the piece of luggage, for example, as a padlock, in order to selectively secure the two container parts to each other.

[0093] In some embodiments, the piece of luggage may have a luggage closure configured to hold the second container part in the closed position, wherein the electromechanical locking mechanism may be arranged on the luggage body and the securing portion may be arranged on the luggage closure, or vice versa.

[0094] As already explained, the luggage closure can be, for example, a buckle or a zipper to connect and hold the two container parts together. However, as long as the securing section is not locked, such a luggage closure can generally be opened manually, so that the luggage closure can prevent, in particular, the container parts from accidentally detaching from one another, but not manual access to the interior of the luggage body. Therefore, only by locking the securing section can the luggage closure be locked and the luggage prevented from opening.

[0095] For example, the luggage closure can comprise a buckle connected to one of the container parts in order to engage behind an engagement strip arranged on the other container part after the luggage has been closed, thereby holding the two container parts together. In some embodiments, the electromechanical locking mechanism of the luggage lock can be arranged on such a buckle in order to lock the engaged engagement strip relative to the luggage lock by blocking an opening movement of the buckle. For this purpose, for example, a latch of the buckle, by whose actuation the engagement of the engagement strip can be released, can be locked by the locking mechanism.Alternatively, some items of luggage may be provided with a zipper as a luggage closure, for example, whereby its handle or handles may be lockable as securing sections by means of an electromechanical locking mechanism arranged on a container part in order to prevent the zipper from opening.

[0096] In addition to enabling security personnel to open the luggage lock non-destructively, the identification device of a luggage lock connected to a piece of luggage, which contains a lock identification code individually assigned to the lock, ultimately also allows the individual identification of the luggage. This can also be used, for example, for baggage tracking—independent of the option of storing an opening code in a security institution's database—to read the identification device when the luggage arrives at a destination airport, and generate information indicating that the piece of luggage identified by the lock identification code was recorded at the airport at a specific time.In addition, the lock identification code can also be recorded, for example, during baggage handling. In this respect, equipping the luggage lock with an identification device can also fundamentally enable the tracking of a piece of luggage, which can, for example, facilitate the retrieval of any luggage lost during a trip. In this regard, it can also be provided, for example, to read the lock identification code, which can be provided for this purpose by an RFID tag, at airport exits in order to determine that the luggage has left the airport and to use this information, for example, to investigate a theft or to locate a piece of luggage that was accidentally taken.

[0097] In this respect, the invention also independently relates to a piece of luggage with a luggage lock, which has a contactless, machine-readable identification device that provides a lock identification code individually assigned to the luggage lock and / or the piece of luggage. The lock identification code can, for example, be provided in an optically readable form or in a form readable via a radio connection to enable tracking of the luggage and contactless, machine-readable reading. Furthermore, such a luggage lock can generally be designed with a mechanical and / or electromechanical locking mechanism.

[0098] The invention further relates to a method for providing an opening code for a security institution for opening an electronic luggage lock, in particular an electronic luggage lock of the type described herein and / or an electronic luggage lock of a piece of luggage of the type described herein.

[0099] The procedure includes the following steps:

[0100] Transmitting a lock identification code of the luggage lock to a database and

[0101] Transmit the assigned opening code to the database.

[0102] As already explained, a data pair consisting of a lock identification code and an associated opening code can be transmitted to a database, which can be readable, in particular, by the security institution. This can enable employees of the security institution to query the associated opening code from the database by identifying the luggage lock using the lock identification code, in order to be able to open the luggage lock and / or a piece of luggage non-destructively if necessary.

[0103] For example, the transmission of the lock identification code and the associated opening code can already be handled by the manufacturer, in that the opening code can generally be made available to security institutions by manufacturers of such luggage locks. However, the owner of the luggage lock can, for example, selectively activate or deactivate such an opening code or specify a release period during which the luggage lock can be opened by transmitting the opening code, as already explained above. This allows the owner of the luggage lock to exercise control over the times at which the luggage lock can be opened by third parties, and in particular by employees of the security institution, even if opening codes are generally stored.Alternatively, however, it may also be provided that the owner of the luggage lock generates the opening code himself as a release code, which is stored in the luggage lock's memory, or reads it from the memory and transmits it to the database together with the lock identification code. With such an approach, security authorities cannot, in principle, be granted access to the luggage lock, but only if the owner knowingly transmits a corresponding opening code to the database.

[0104] In particular, however, the method described below relates to steps that can be performed by the owner of the luggage lock and / or the piece of luggage. In some embodiments, the lock identification code and the opening code can be transmitted to a database readable by the security institution. In particular, the lock identification code and the opening code can be transmitted to a database readable by a security institution tasked with conducting luggage checks at airports. In this respect, transmitting the opening code can enable employees of such security institutions, in particular, to open the luggage lock and / or piece of luggage non-destructively in order to conduct checks on the luggage.

[0105] In some embodiments, the lock identification code and the opening code can be transmitted to the database via a wireless connection using a mobile opening device, in particular a smartphone. In particular, an owner of the luggage lock can transmit the lock identification code and the opening code to the database using a mobile opening device, and in particular a smartphone, via a corresponding app in order to allow security authorities to open the luggage lock. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided in principle that the lock identification code and the opening code are already stored in the database by the lock manufacturer or that the owner of the luggage lock transmits the lock identification code and the opening code to the database via another channel, for example, by the owner entering the data pair via an internet website.

[0106] In some embodiments, the lock identification code can be read wirelessly from an identification device of the luggage lock and / or from a memory of the opening device by means of the opening device before being transmitted to the database.

[0107] For example, it can be provided that the owner of the luggage lock scans an optically readable lock identification code using an opening device, in particular a smartphone, and reads an authorization code stored in a memory of the luggage lock or the opening device as an opening code in order to transmit the determined data pair consisting of the lock identification code and the opening code to the database. Furthermore, various luggage locks or their lock identification codes can be stored in a memory of the opening device, for example, so that an owner of the luggage lock can select the corresponding lock, for example, in an app before transmitting it to the database. Therefore, in some embodiments, the lock identification code can be selected on the opening device.For example, various luggage locks and / or pieces of luggage belonging to the owner can be displayed in a drop-down menu and can be selected for transmission of the associated lock identification code to the database.

[0108] In some embodiments, the opening code can be transmitted to the luggage lock via a wireless connection and stored as a release code in a memory of the luggage lock. For example, it can be provided to generate an opening code to be transmitted to the database using the mobile opening device and then to store it in a memory of the luggage lock as a release code, thereby enabling the luggage lock to be opened by transmitting the opening code. In particular, this storage of the release code can be done using the code change command already explained in connection with the luggage lock, and / or such a release code can already be stored in the memory of the luggage lock by the manufacturer. Furthermore, as also already explained, alternatively or additionally, information about a release period can also be transmitted to the lock's memory and / or the database.

[0109] The opening code can be activated in some embodiments. In particular, information about the activation can be transmitted to the luggage lock to enable the luggage lock to be opened by transmitting the opening code. Information about the activation can also be transmitted to the database, so that the database can contain information about whether a stored opening code is currently activated and therefore allows the luggage lock to be opened or not. The owner can thus specify periods during which security authorities are permitted to open the luggage lock. The opening code can therefore also be deactivated in some embodiments, for example, after the end of a trip or after the item of luggage has been received.

[0110] In some embodiments, information about a release period during which the luggage lock can be opened by transmitting the opening code can be transmitted to the luggage lock and / or the database. In particular, it is thus possible to specify the period for which the luggage lock can be opened by transmitting the opening code. By transmitting the release period to the database, for example, it can be achieved that, in response to any requests for the opening code, the opening code is only transmitted during the release period. Furthermore, by transmitting the information about the release period to the luggage lock, it can be achieved that a control device of the luggage lock itself can check whether an opening code was detected within the release period in order to permit the luggage lock to be opened only during the release period.

[0111] In some embodiments, the opening code can be deleted after the expiration of the release period. In particular, the opening code can be deleted from the luggage lock's memory and / or the database after the expiration of the release period.

[0112] By deleting the opening code in this way, it can be ensured, in particular, that the luggage lock can no longer be opened by persons other than the owner of the luggage lock after the expiration of the release period, even in the event of unauthorized access to the database. However, the owner of the luggage lock can optionally transmit the lock identification code, an opening code, and information about a release period to the database before commencing a journey and / or store this information in the luggage lock's memory in order to allow security authorities to open the luggage lock again for this release period.

[0113] In some embodiments, the release period can be subsequently extended. In particular, this can allow the owner of the luggage lock to extend a previously stored release period if a trip is delayed and security authorities should therefore be allowed to open the luggage lock for a longer period—until the end of the trip. This can, in particular, prevent a stored opening code from expiring before the end of the trip due to a delayed trip, and prevent the luggage lock from having to be broken open by security authorities if the luggage needs to be inspected at the end of the trip.

[0114] In some embodiments, information about the expiration of the release period can be received before the expiration of the release period. In particular, such information can be received as an alarm message on an opening device of the owner, so that the owner can extend the release period if necessary if security institutions are to be granted access to the piece of luggage for an extended period. Such information can, for example, generally be transmitted before the expiration of the release period or merely at the instigation of a security institution or an airline if it is detected that a trip of the owner of the luggage lock is delayed. 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.In this respect, information about the route the luggage lock and / or the piece of luggage will be taken can be communicated before the start of a trip. This allows the security agency, for example, to provide employees stationed along that route with access to the opening code. This can, in particular, limit the circle of persons who can access the luggage lock, making it easier to trace attempts to open it and also limiting the chances of gaining access to luggage locks with stored opening codes by stealing an opening device belonging to the security agency, compared to releasing the opening code to all employees of the security agency.Information about the travel route can, for example, be transmitted by the owner before embarking on a journey via the opening device and / or an internet website. It may also be provided that the information is transmitted to the database by the airline after check-in. For this purpose, the lock identification code can also be readable by airline employees, so that during check-in, for example, a data pair consisting of the lock identification code and a flight number can be transmitted to the database readable by the security institution. However, airline employees may only be permitted to transmit data to the database, but not to read the database.

[0115] The invention further relates to a method for opening an electronic luggage lock with a readable identification device by a security institution, in particular a luggage lock of the type described herein and / or an electronic luggage lock of a piece of luggage of the type described herein, in particular by means of an opening code provided according to one of the methods explained above.

[0116] The procedure includes the following steps:

[0117] Reading a lock identification code of a luggage lock from the identification device,

[0118] Transmitting the lock identification code of the lock to a database using a mobile opening device of the security institution and requesting an associated opening code and receiving the opening code from the database and transmitting the received opening code to the luggage lock using the mobile opening device.

[0119] In particular, these procedural steps can be carried out by an employee of a security institution in order to be able to open an electronic luggage lock without causing any damage if an inspection of a piece of luggage secured by the electronic luggage lock is required.

[0120] The lock identification code of the luggage lock can also be read from the identification device, in particular, using the security institution's mobile opening device, and in particular a smartphone, through which the lock identification code is also transmitted to the database. For example, an employee of the security institution can read an optically and / or wirelessly electronically detectable lock identification code from the luggage lock's identification device using the opening device and transmit it to the security institution's database to request the assigned opening code for opening the electronic luggage lock.Alternatively, however, it may also be provided in principle that a lock identification code is entered manually on the opening device, for example by entering a sequence of numbers visible on the luggage lock, in order to then transmit the lock identification code to the database by means of the opening device.

[0121] Following the request for the assigned opening code, the transmitted lock identification code can be used to check whether the assigned opening code is stored in the database, and the opening code can be transmitted, if necessary, to the employee of the security institution or their opening device. The opening code can then be transmitted by the employee of the security institution using the opening device to the electronic luggage lock and, in particular, to a code receiving device of the electronic luggage lock, so that a control device of the electronic luggage lock can compare the received opening code with a release code stored in a memory of the electronic luggage lock and activate an electromechanical locking mechanism to release a security section of a piece of luggage orCan control the opening of the luggage lock, provided that the received opening code matches the stored release code.

[0122] The method steps explained below can be carried out, in particular, by employees of the security institution. 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 particular, employees tasked with checking baggage can thus read lock identification codes from baggage locks and request associated opening codes in order to be able to open the relevant electronic baggage locks non-destructively.

[0123] In some embodiments, the request for the opening code can be documented in the database. In particular, this allows security institutions to document whether a specific piece of luggage was inspected and / or the associated luggage lock was opened. Such documentation can, for example, provide evidence of the institution's own work to internal or external controlling departments. It can also be used to determine whether an unauthorized opening occurred after a piece of luggage was handed in, for example, if the opening code was requested but cannot be attributed to an actual inspection and / or to an employee of the security institution.

[0124] In some embodiments, the time of the opening code request, the location of the opening code request, the device identification of the mobile opening 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 requested an opening code to open a specific luggage lock or which opening device was used to attempt opening. If necessary, it is also possible to trace whether the opening code was requested using a stolen opening device belonging to the security institution and thus by an unauthorized person.

[0125] In some embodiments, a request authorization may be assigned to a plurality of mobile opening devices and / or persons, and the opening code may be transmitted only when the opening code is requested by an authorized person and / or device.

[0126] For example, with the request for the opening code, a user and / or device identification can be transmitted to the database so that it can be verified whether the requesting user or device has been assigned a request authorization. In particular, such an assignment of request authorizations can enable a security institution to make an opening code for opening a particular luggage lock available only to a select group of employees, for example, employees stationed along a travel route previously transmitted to the database by the owner of the luggage. Furthermore, it can be provided to assign request authorization only to individual employees.By assigning request authorizations to a limited group of employees, the risk that unauthorized persons could gain access to the opening codes of a large number of luggage locks by stealing an opening device belonging to the security institution can be reduced. However, in principle, request authorization can also be granted to all employees of a security institution.

[0127] In some embodiments, the request authorization can further be verified by a legitimacy and / or identity check, for example, in that the opening code can only be transmitted after a password has been entered on the mobile opening device or after proof of identity has been provided on the mobile opening device, for example by comparing a fingerprint or facial recognition.

[0128] In some embodiments, the request authorization is assigned depending on information about a travel route of the luggage stored in the database and associated with the lock identification code. In particular, employees of the security institution who are stationed along a travel route stored in the database and associated with the luggage lock's lock identification code and / or whose opening devices are used can be assigned a request authorization.

[0129] In some embodiments, the assignment of the request authorization can be requested using the opening device. This can, in particular, enable an employee of the security institution who wishes to open the luggage lock but does not yet have request authorization to request the request authorization in order to still be able to open the luggage lock non-destructively and carry out the inspection of the luggage. For example, the request authorization can be made using a smartphone app. Furthermore, it can also be provided that request authorization is generally only granted after it has been requested, so that the opening code is only made available to those employees of the security institution who actually wish to carry out an inspection of the luggage in question.In particular, the assignment of the request authorization upon a request for the request authorization can also be carried out by directly transmitting the opening code. In some embodiments, after the identification device has been read, information about the time of a previous request for the opening code can be displayed on the opening device.

[0130] In particular, information about the location from which the previous request was made can also be displayed on the opening device. This information can, for example, be transmitted to the opening device immediately after reading the identification device or after requesting the opening code, possibly together with the opening code, and displayed there. This allows, for example, a security officer to be informed whether a check has already been carried out at the airport where the baggage is currently located. This information can potentially prevent unnecessary repeated checks at one location or airport.

[0131] In some embodiments, transmitting the received opening code to the luggage lock may enable or cause the luggage lock to be opened, wherein the opening may be documented in a memory of the luggage lock.

[0132] In particular, by reading the memory, the owner of the luggage lock can determine whether the luggage lock was opened while the owner did not have access to the piece of luggage or the luggage lock. Furthermore, the location, time, and / or device identification of the opening device used to open the luggage lock can also be documented in the memory. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the personal identification of the user opening the lock can be documented in the luggage lock's memory.

[0133] In particular, this documentation can be stored in the luggage lock's memory in addition to the documentation in the database, so that both the owner of the luggage lock, by reading the luggage lock's memory, and the security institution, by reading the database, can independently trace attempts to open the lock by employees of the security institution. In particular, by additionally storing attempts to open the lock in the luggage lock's memory, the owner of the luggage lock can be assured that attempts to open the lock after a piece of luggage has been handed in can be verified even if the security institution's database is tampered with.This may, in particular, enable the owner of a piece of luggage to be exonerated from the unjustified suspicion of having originally carried a prohibited substance or article found in the luggage, even if no attempt to open it was registered in the security institution's database due to manipulation.

[0134] In some embodiments, the opening code can only be transmitted from the database to the mobile opening device if the request for the opening code is received during a release period stored in the database. As already explained, this allows the owner of the luggage lock to be given control over allowing the luggage lock to be opened by security institution employees only during a specified release period, whereas outside of the release period, the luggage lock can only be opened by the authorized owner.

[0135] In some embodiments, before the expiration of the release period, a request to extend the release period can be transmitted from the database to a mobile opening device of an owner of the piece of luggage, by means of which the lock identification code and / or the opening code was provided. In particular, the owner of the luggage lock and / or the piece of luggage can thus be notified before the expiration of the release period that the release period is expiring, so that the owner can subsequently extend the release period, for example, in the event of a trip delay. This allows the owner to ensure that employees of the security institution can open the luggage lock non-destructively despite the trip delay, and that a check after the expiration of the original release period does not require the luggage lock to be destroyed.In addition, it may generally be intended to inform the owner about a request for the opening code outside the release period, so that the owner can, if necessary, set a new release period and enable inspection by the requesting employee of the security institution.

[0136] The invention further relates to a method for opening an electronic luggage lock with a readable identification device by a security institution, in particular an electronic luggage lock of the type disclosed herein and / or an electronic luggage lock of a piece of luggage of the type disclosed herein, wherein the electronic luggage lock can be opened in particular by means of an opening code provided according to a method for providing an opening code of the type disclosed herein.

[0137] The method comprises the steps of: receiving a plurality of opening codes and associated lock identification codes of a respective luggage lock at a database,

[0138] Storing the plurality of opening codes and associated lock identification codes, or a selection thereof, on a mobile opening device of the security institution,

[0139] Reading a lock identification code of the luggage lock from the identification device,

[0140] Retrieving the opening code assigned to the read lock identification code from the stored opening codes,

[0141] Transmit the retrieved opening code to the luggage lock using the mobile opening device.

[0142] This method can thus provide for several data pairs consisting of opening codes and the respective associated lock identification codes received from owners of respective luggage locks in a central database of a security institution to be transferred to the security institution's opening devices and stored locally on the opening devices. For this purpose, the opening devices can, in particular, have a memory, for example a semiconductor memory and / or an EEPRON, in which the opening codes and the associated lock identification codes can be stored.

[0143] In particular, it may be provided to transmit the received data pairs to opening devices and store them on opening devices that are suitable for conducting a check. For example, received opening codes, for which information about a travel route has also been stored, can be stored together with the respective lock identification codes on opening devices of employees of the security institution stationed along the travel route, so that in some embodiments, a selection of the data pairs received by the database, consisting of opening codes and associated lock identification codes, can be stored on the opening device of the security institution depending on information about a travel route stored in the database.In addition, for example, opening codes for which information about a release period and / or a travel period was received in the database can be stored on mobile opening devices of the security institution for a period corresponding to the release period and / or the travel period. Furthermore, for example, opening codes notified for a specific period with assigned lock identification codes, for example opening codes notified for a specific day or week, can be transmitted to mobile opening devices of the security institution and stored locally there. Whether a specific opening code received in the database is notified for a specific period or whether a check is possible during the specific period can be checked, for example, based on information about a release period and / or a travel period that may also be received in the database.In principle, however, all data pairs of opening codes and associated lock identification codes received by the database can also be stored on all opening devices of the security institution, in particular all data pairs of opening codes and associated lock identification codes received by the database for which no further information, such as information on a travel route, has been stored.

[0144] For example, it can be provided that the data pairs consisting of opening codes and assigned lock identification codes are retrieved from the database when a program or app is started on the opening device and transferred to the opening device. In order to be able to transmit only a selection of opening codes and assigned lock identification codes tailored to the respective opening device to the opening device, device information and / or location information can be transmitted from the opening device to the database, for example when the opening device is linked to the database. For example, depending on information about a travel route, a travel period and / or an approval period, a selection of data pairs consisting of opening codes and assigned lock identification codes can then be selected for transfer to the opening device and stored on the opening device.Starting the program or app may also require legitimation and / or identity verification, so that, for example, entering a password and / or performing a biometric identity check can ensure that opening codes are only transferred to opening devices that are in the possession of an authorized employee of the security institution.

[0145] Furthermore, it can be provided, alternatively or additionally, that the opening codes and associated lock identification codes can be retrieved from the database and stored on the opening device using an update command that can be triggered on an opening device. In particular, this can ensure that the opening codes and lock identification codes stored on the opening device are always up-to-date, so that, for example, data pairs transmitted to the database only during the course of a day can be transferred to the opening device. Such an update command can, for example, be triggered on occasion - for example between successive checks - and / or before an upcoming check by an employee of the security institution in order to be able to retrieve a current selection of opening codes stored in the database on the opening device for the upcoming check.Such an update command may also require legitimacy and / or identity verification to ensure that only authorized employees of the security institution can retrieve data from the database. For example, the update command can be triggered by a swipe on the touchscreen of the opening device or by pressing a designated button.

[0146] In addition, the opening codes and the associated lock identification codes, or a selection thereof, can be transferred to the opening devices of the security institution at predetermined times, for example by always updating the opening codes and lock identification codes stored on the opening devices of the security institution before the start of a shift and / or at a predetermined time.

[0147] Since data pairs of opening codes and associated lock identification codes can thus be transmitted directly to the opening device, in particular the opening devices, of the security institution and stored on the opening device(s), an associated opening code can be immediately retrieved during a check of a piece of luggage after the lock identification code of a non-destructively opening luggage lock has been read out and, for example, read from a memory of the opening device in which the opening code associated with the read lock identification code can be stored. An employee of the security institution can then open the luggage lock by transmitting the retrieved opening code, for example, to a code receiving device of the luggage lock, and thus conduct the check without the need for communication with the security institution's central database.In particular, a radio connection to the database is therefore not necessarily required during the checks and the check can be carried out even if such a connection is disrupted, without the luggage lock having to be destroyed.

[0148] However, even with such direct storage of opening codes on the opening device, it is possible to query the central database for the associated opening code after reading a lock identification code for which no associated opening code is stored on the opening device. For this purpose, for example, the opening code associated with the read lock identification code can be specifically requested from the database and transmitted to the opening device, provided the opening code is stored in the database and / or the request authorization exists. Or the aforementioned update command can be triggered to transfer the opening codes currently stored in the database, or a selection thereof, to the opening device, potentially eliminating the need to destroy the luggage lock if no opening code has actually been stored in the database.In particular, the possibility of directly requesting an opening code assigned to a read lock identification code can, for example, compensate for errors in the selection of opening codes to be transmitted to the opening device and assigned lock identification codes or enable the inspection of a piece of luggage which is being carried on a route which deviates from a route stored in the database and for which no opening code has been assigned to an employee stationed on the deviating route.

[0149] In some embodiments, transmitting the retrieved opening code to the luggage lock can enable or cause the luggage lock to be opened, and the opening can be documented in the luggage lock's memory. This again provides an opportunity for the owner of a luggage lock that was opened during an inspection by an employee of a security institution to trace or prove such opening operations. In addition to information indicating that an opening operation has occurred, information about the time of opening, the location of opening, the device identification of the mobile opening device through which the opening code was transmitted, and / or the personal identification of the employee can also be documented in the memory.

[0150] In some embodiments, a respective release period can also be assigned to the plurality of opening codes and associated lock identification codes. As already explained, in addition to the data pair consisting of the lock identification code and the associated opening code, an owner of a luggage lock can, for example, also transmit to the database information about a release period during which the luggage lock can be opened by transmitting the stored opening code.This release period can be taken into account, for example, when storing data on the opening devices, by, for example, transferring to the opening devices and storing them during an update only those opening codes with associated lock identification codes that are assigned a future release period and / or a release period within a predetermined time period, such as a period between two scheduled updates. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the information about the release period can also be transmitted to the opening device in addition to the data pair comprising the lock identification code and the associated opening code, wherein the data pair can be deleted from the opening device, for example, after the release period has expired. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the data pair can be deleted from the database after the release period has expired.

[0151] In some embodiments, the reading of the lock identification code of the luggage lock from the identification device and / or the retrieval of the opening code associated with the read lock identification code can be documented in the mobile opening device of the security institution. For example, information about a time of the reading, a location of the reading, a device identification of the mobile opening device by which the lock identification code was read, and / or a personal identification of an employee can be documented in the mobile opening device of the security institution. The corresponding information can, for example, be written into a memory of the opening device immediately after a lock identification code has been read; alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the retrieval of the opening code is documented in the opening device.Such documentation makes it possible, in particular, to determine whether a lock identification code was read out and / or an assigned opening code was retrieved using the relevant opening device, thus creating the prerequisite for carrying out an inspection.

[0152] The documentation created in the mobile opening device can also be transmitted to the database in some embodiments. For example, documentation stored in a memory of the mobile opening device can be transferred to the database during a subsequent connection to the database, for example, to update opening codes and associated lock identification codes. In particular, in this context, a device identification of the mobile opening device and / or a personal identification of an employee assigned to the opening device can also be transferred to the database, so that the documentation can be assigned to a respective opening device and / or respective employee. As already explained above, such central documentation enables the security institution, in particular, to monitor or verify its own work.

[0153] The invention is explained below purely by way of example using embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0154] 1A and 1B show a respective representation of a piece of luggage in an open and in a closed state, wherein the piece of luggage has an electronic luggage lock that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution and by means of which the closed state can be secured,

[0155] Fig. 2A and 2B show a respective representation of another such piece of luggage with an electronic luggage lock,

[0156] Fig. 3A to 3C are respective schematic representations of a first embodiment of the electronic luggage lock to illustrate an electromechanical locking mechanism of the luggage lock, by means of which a securing section of the piece of luggage can be selectively locked or released relative to the luggage lock,

[0157] Fig. 4A to 4C are schematic representations of another embodiment of the electronic luggage lock and its electromechanical locking mechanism,

[0158] Fig. 5A to 5C are schematic representations of another embodiment of the electronic luggage lock and its electromechanical locking mechanism,

[0159] Fig. 6A to 6C are schematic representations of another embodiment of the electronic luggage lock and its electromechanical locking mechanism,

[0160] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a control device of the electromechanical luggage lock and devices connected to the control device for controlling the electromechanical locking mechanism,

[0161] Fig. 8A to 8C show a representation of the piece of luggage with the electronic luggage lock and a mobile opening device of the owner of the piece of luggage as well as respective schematic representations for

[0162] Illustration of methods for providing an opening code of the electronic luggage lock to a security institution,

[0163] Fig. 9A to 90 show a representation of the piece of luggage with the electronic luggage lock and a mobile opening device of the security institution as well as respective schematic representations to illustrate methods for opening the electronic luggage lock by a security institution and

[0164] Figs. 10A and 10B are respective schematic representations of a further embodiment of an electronic luggage lock for locking a securing portion of a piece of luggage relative to the luggage lock, wherein the luggage lock is detachable from the piece of luggage.

[0165] Fig. 1A shows a piece of luggage 13 having a luggage body 77 comprising a first container part 73 and a second container part 75. The second container part 75 is pivotable relative to the first container part 73 between an open position H shown in Fig. 1A, in which the second container part 75 provides access to an interior space 79 of the luggage body 77, and a closed position G shown in Fig. 1B, in which access to the interior space 79 is blocked.

[0166] Furthermore, a securing section 23 of the piece of luggage 13 is formed on the second container part 75, which can be selectively locked relative to the luggage lock 11 by means of an electronic luggage lock 11 arranged on the first container part 73 when the second container part 47 is in the closed position G. By locking the securing section 23 in this way, the second container part 47 can also be locked in the closed position G relative to the luggage lock 11 and thus relative to the first container part 73 in order to secure a closed state of the piece of luggage 13. In order to be able to connect the electronic lock 11 to the first container part 73, the electronic luggage lock 11 has a fastening device 71.

[0167] By way of example, in the piece of luggage 13 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the securing section 23 is formed as a clamp protruding from the second container part 75, which also forms a closure 25 of the piece of luggage 13 in order to be able to hold the second container part 77 independently of locking in the closed position G, as will be explained below. However, the unlocked securing section 23 is released for movement relative to the luggage lock 11, so that the closure 25 can be opened manually. Therefore, locking of the securing section 23 by means of the electronic luggage lock 11 or an electronic locking mechanism 15 of the electronic luggage lock 11 is required in order to lock the securing section 23 relative to the electronic luggage lock 11 and to secure the second container part 75 in the closed position to the first container part 73 (see also FIG.3A to 60).

[0168] Figures 3A to 30 schematically illustrate a first embodiment of the electromechanical lock 11 and its electromechanical locking mechanism 15, by means of which the securing portion 23 of the piece of luggage 13 can be selectively locked or released relative to the luggage lock 11.

[0169] As shown in Fig. 3A, the illustrated electromechanical locking mechanism 15 has a securing element 19, which is biased by a spring 83 toward a locking position V. Furthermore, the electromechanical locking mechanism 15 comprises an actuator 17, for example an electric motor, and a latch 21, which is movable by the actuator 17 between a release position R, in which the securing element 19 is released for movement against the bias of the spring 83, and a blocking position S, in which such movement of the securing element 19 is blocked. In order to actuate the actuator 17 and move the latch 21, a control device 29 is also provided.

[0170] In Fig. 3A, the securing element 19 is shown in the locked position V, while the bolt 21 is positioned in the release position R. In this position, the securing section 23 of the piece of luggage 13 can be inserted into a lock environment 81 of the luggage lock 11, wherein the securing element 19 can be pushed back against the force of the spring 83 by the interaction of a bevel 93 of the securing section 23 with a bevel 85 of the securing element 19 in order to enable the insertion of the securing section 83. As soon as the securing section 23 is fully inserted, the securing element 19, due to the pretension, engages with an engagement opening 91 formed on the securing section 23, whereby the securing section 23 acting as a luggage closure 25 is already held on the luggage lock 11, but is released for movement relative to the luggage lock 11. This is illustrated by Fig.30, wherein the securing element 19 can be pushed back again against the force of the spring 83 when the securing section 23 is manually removed from the lock area 81 by the interaction of bevels 85 and 89. However, in order to be able to lock the securing section 23 relative to the luggage lock 11, the bolt 21 can, as shown in Fig. 3B, be moved into the blocking position S, in which a movement of the securing element 19 against the force of the spring 83 is blocked, so that the securing section 23 cannot be released from the lock area 81. Since the securing section 23 can also be connected to the second container part 75 of the luggage body 77 of the travel luggage 23, this locking of the securing section 23 can also prevent a relative movement between the second container part 75 and the first container part 73.The movement of the bolt 21 into the blocking position S can occur, for example, as a result of a locking command received from the control device 29, in particular wirelessly.

[0171] Alternatively, an electromechanical locking mechanism 15 designed in this way can, however, in particular, provide an automatic function due to the pretensioning of the securing element 19, by which the securing section 23 can be automatically locked against insertion into the lock environment 81. For this purpose, the electronic luggage lock 11 has, in particular, a sensor 61 designed to detect the inserted securing section 23 and to determine a corresponding detection signal to the control device 29, whereupon the control device 29 can control the actuator 17 to move the bolt 21 into the blocking position S.

[0172] However, in order to selectively release the locked security section 23 and open the piece of luggage 13, the control device 29 is connected to a memory 37 in which a release code F is stored (see also Fig. 7). In addition, the control device 29 is connected to a code receiving device 43, which is designed to receive an opening code O from a mobile opening device 35, for example a smartphone of the owner of the luggage lock 11, via a wireless connection (see also Fig. 7 and Figs. 8A and 9A). The control device 29 is designed to compare the received opening code O with the release code F stored in the memory 37 and to control the electromechanical locking mechanism 15 to release the security section 23 if the received opening code O matches the stored release code F.

[0173] As can be seen from Fig. 7, the code receiving device 43 can be connected in particular to a radio module 45 in order to receive the opening code O via a wireless connection. In particular, it can be provided that the code receiving device 43 is designed to receive the opening code O via a Bluetooth or an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection, so that the actuation of the locking mechanism 15 to release the securing section 23 is only possible by a person in the immediate vicinity of the luggage lock 11 and their opening device 35, whereas opening the luggage lock 11 from a distance is not possible. In addition, a button 69 is provided on the luggage lock 11, wherein by pressing the button 69, a power supply to the code receiving device 43 can be activated and the code receiving device 43 can be woken up from an energy-saving sleep mode before the opening code O is transmitted (cf.Figs. 1A, 1B, 10A and 10B).

[0174] 3A to 3C further show that the control device 29 is connected to a power source 65, via which the control device 29 and / or the electromechanical locking mechanism 15 can be supplied with electrical energy. In addition, however, a charging socket 67 is provided, via which, particularly when the internal energy source 75 is exhausted, electrical energy can be provided from an external energy source and, for example, the mobile opening devices 35 shown in FIGS. 8A and 9A, in order to still be able to actuate the electromechanical locking mechanism 15. The control device 29 can also be configured to send a power source status signal E to the opening device 35 of the owner of the luggage lock 11 in order to alert the owner that the power source 65 is almost exhausted, so that the owner can replace or recharge the power source 65.This can be done in particular via the radio module 45 and, for example, a mobile radio and / or a WLANAWiFi connection.

[0175] Figs. 4A to 4C illustrate a further embodiment of the electromechanical luggage lock 11 or an electromechanical locking mechanism 15, wherein, however, the energy source 65 and the charging socket 67 are not shown. In this embodiment, a securing element 19 is also provided, which is pretensioned toward a locking position V and can be pushed back by inserting the securing section 23 into the lock environment 81 and engages the securing section 23 when the latter is fully inserted into the lock environment 81. Unlike the embodiment described with reference to Fig.3A to 3C, however, the engagement opening 91 formed on the securing portion 23 is designed without bevels, and the securing element 19 also only has a bevel 85 in order to be pushed back during insertion of the securing portion 23, so that the securing portion 23 is immediately locked relative to the luggage lock 11 after insertion into the lock environment 81. In order to be able to selectively release the securing portion 23, however, the actuator 17 in this embodiment is designed to release the securing element 19 in response to an unlocking command received from the control device 29.of the received opening code O against the force of the spring 83 into an unlocking position T, in which the securing element 19 is disengaged from the engagement opening 91 of the securing section 23 and the securing section 23 is released for movement relative to the luggage lock 11 (see Fig. 40). This release can occur in particular when an opening code O matching the one in the memory 37 is received at the code receiving device 43.

[0176] In the embodiment of the electromechanical luggage lock 11 or its electromechanical locking mechanism 15 illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the securing element 19 is not pretensioned in the direction of a locking position V, but is movable by means of the actuator 17 between the locking position V and the unlocking position T. However, even in such an embodiment, an automatic function can in principle be provided, for example, in response to a signal from the sensor 61, which detects the inserted securing section 23, a command to move the securing element 19 into the locking position V can be generated directly. The movement of the securing element 19 into the unlocking position T can also occur in such an embodiment if a corresponding opening code O is received at the code receiving device 43 from a mobile opening device 35.

[0177] 6A to 6C show an electromechanical locking mechanism 15 that is essentially the same as in FIGS. 3A to 3C, but this electromechanical locking mechanism 15 has two securing elements 19 that are preloaded into a respective locking position V in order to be able to lock or release two securing sections 23 relative to the luggage lock 11. Here, too, the actuator 17 can be controlled to move the bolt 21, in particular based on signals from respective sensors 61 for detecting the securing sections 23, although these sensors 61 are not shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Furthermore, it can be provided to provide a respective bolt 21 for each of the securing elements 19 that can be moved between a release position R and a blocking position F, so that the securing sections 23 can also be individually locked relative to the luggage lock 11.Furthermore, it is fundamentally possible to lock two securing sections 23 by means of a single securing element 19, for example by passing the securing element 19 through two completely open engagement openings 91.

[0178] Such an electromechanical locking mechanism 15 for locking two securing sections 23 can be provided, for example, in a luggage lock 11 of a piece of luggage 13 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which has a luggage closure 25 designed as a zipper 26, via which the first container part 73 and the second container part 75 are connected to one another. The zipper 26 can be selectively closed via two handles 27 in the closed position G of the second container part 75 in order to thereby hold the second container part 75 against the first container part 73 (cf. FIG. 2B). In addition, the handles 27 function as securing sections 23 of the piece of luggage 13 and can, for example, be closed by means of the locking mechanism 25 illustrated in FIG.6A to 60, the electromechanical locking mechanism 15 can be selectively locked relative to the electromechanical luggage lock 11 to secure the second container part 75 in the first container part 73. Therefore, to gain access to the interior 79 of the luggage body 77, it is necessary to release the handles 27 for movement relative to the electromechanical luggage lock 11 by transmitting an opening code O that matches the one stored in the memory 37 of the luggage lock 11, so that the handles 27 can be removed from the lock environment 81 of the electronic luggage lock 11 and the zipper 27 can be opened.

[0179] In addition, the electronic luggage lock 11 of the piece of luggage 13 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B has, in addition to the electromechanical locking mechanism 15, a mechanical locking mechanism 57, of which a locking cylinder actuated by means of a key is shown as an example. This mechanical locking mechanism 57 can, in particular, enable an owner of the luggage lock 11 to actuate the locked security section 23 by actuating the mechanical locking mechanism 57, bypassing the electromechanical locking mechanism 15, so that this mechanical locking mechanism 57 can provide a mechanical override of the electromechanical locking mechanism 15. The implementation of such a mechanical override is generally known to those skilled in the art, so it will not be discussed in detail here.

[0180] A piece of luggage 13 can also have, as a luggage closure 25, in particular a buckle closure with a buckle, via which a first container part can be held to a second container part. For this purpose, the buckle can be connected in particular to one of the container parts in order to be able to engage behind an engagement strip formed on the other container part. In such luggage closures 25, it can be provided in particular to lock a pawl of the buckle by means of an electromechanical locking mechanism 15 of a luggage lock 11 in order to thereby prevent the engagement of the engagement strip from being released. The luggage lock 11 can therefore in particular be integrated into such a buckle.In addition, luggage locks 11 of the type described herein can also be detachable from the piece of luggage 13, for example by using a luggage lock 11 designed as a padlock with an I-shaped shackle 78 to connect the two handles 27 of the zipper 26 of the piece of luggage 13 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B by means of the shackle 78 and to lock them by locking the shackle 78 to a lock body 80 relative to the luggage lock 11, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0181] Since the luggage locks 11 described above can be opened using mobile opening devices 37 by wirelessly transmitting an opening code O, the owner of such a luggage lock 11 can be offered a convenient way to open the luggage lock 11 while reliably locking it against unauthorized opening attempts. Furthermore, the luggage locks 11 offer the possibility of being opened non-destructively by employees of a security institution who must conduct checks on the piece of luggage 13 in the absence of the owner, so that the contents of the piece of luggage 13 can be checked by authorized persons without having to break the luggage lock 11.

[0182] To enable this, the electromechanical luggage lock 11 comprises, in particular, an identification device 31, via which a lock identification code 33 individually assigned to the electromechanical luggage lock 11 can be read out, so that the luggage lock 11 can be identified by reading the identification device 31. The lock identification code 33 can therefore be stored together with the opening code O in a database 38 readable by a security institution, so that an employee of the security institution can first read out the lock identification code 33 during a check and then query the assigned opening code O from the database 38 in order to open the luggage lock 11 non-destructively by transmitting the opening code O (see Figs. 8A and 9A).

[0183] In particular, the lock identification code 33 can be optically readable and, for example, can be formed as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical code applied by laser engraving, for example as a QR code, so that it can be scanned by an opening device 35 of the security institution and, in particular, a smartphone camera. Alternatively, the lock identification code 33 can be readable, for example, via a radio connection, for example an RFID connection and, in particular, an NFC connection, wherein the identification device 31 can, in particular, have an active or passive transponder for providing such a lock identification code 31.The luggage lock 11 thus basically allows opening by various persons and in particular employees of a security institution, provided they have the opening code O, without, however, the security institutions having to provide their own locking mechanism.

[0184] However, it can be provided that the owner is offered options for controlling whether and at what times the luggage lock 11 can be opened by persons who have access to the database 38. As Fig. 7 shows, a master code M can initially be permanently stored in the memory 37 connected to the control device 29, wherein an initialization command A with an initialization code C and a device identification 49 of the owner's opening device 35 can be received via the radio module 45, particularly during a first coupling between the owner's mobile opening device 35 and the electronic lock 11. The control device 29 can be designed to compare the initialization code C with the master code M and, if they match, to store the device identification 49 as the owner identification 47 in the memory 37.In this way, the owner's opening device 35 can be identified as a "trusted device" to the luggage lock 11 in order to grant this opening device 35 further authorizations with regard to settings of the luggage lock 11 and / or the actuation of the locking mechanism 15.

[0185] In particular, it can be provided that the control device 29 is designed to receive a code change command B, in particular via the radio module 45, from the owner's opening device 35 in a code change operation and, in response to the code change command B, to change the stored release code F in the memory 37. For example, the device identification 49 can be transmitted again together with the code change command B, so that the code change command B can only be executed and the release code F changed if the device identification 49 matches the owner identification 47 and the code change command B was therefore transmitted by the authorized owner of the luggage lock 11 (see Fig. 7).For example, a modified release code F3 can be transmitted with the code change command B and the release code F stored in the memory 37 can be replaced by the modified release code F3.

[0186] 7 also illustrates that a first release code F1 can be stored in the memory 37, which comprises a first release code 53 and information about a release period Z, wherein a second release code F2 can also be stored, which only comprises a second release code 55. In particular, the control device 29 can be designed to change only the first release code F1, but not the second release code F2, in response to the code change command B. Furthermore, the control device 29 can be designed to control the electromechanical locking mechanism 15 to release the locked security section 23 if a transmitted opening code O includes the second release code 55 or if the transmitted opening device O includes the first release code 53 and was received during the release period Z.

[0187] In particular, it can be provided that the second release code F2 is available only to the owner, whereas the first release code F1 can be transmitted to the security institutions to allow their employees optional access to the piece of luggage 13. In this respect, in the event of an opening attempt by a person other than the owner of the luggage lock 11, it can be checked whether this opening attempt occurs during a release period Z authorized by the owner, and the security section 23 can only be released in this case. Otherwise, the activation of the electromechanical locking mechanism 15 can be omitted.

[0188] Such a distinction between the owner and other persons who have an opening code O can also be made, in particular, by transmitting the device identification 49 in addition to the opening code O. The control device 29 can accordingly be designed to distinguish between owner authorization and authority authorization and, in the event that the device information 49 matches the owner identification 47, to always control the electromechanical locking mechanism 15 to release the security section 23 upon receipt of the opening code O, but in the event that the device information 49 does not match the owner identification 47, to only control the electromechanical locking mechanism to release the security section 23 if the corresponding opening command O was received during the release period Z.In such embodiments, therefore, only a release code F and information about a release period Z can be stored in the memory 37 of the luggage lock 11, so that the owner can optionally allow the opening of the luggage lock 11 by employees of a security institution for a specific period of time - the release period Z - but can ensure that the luggage lock 11 cannot be opened by other persons outside of the release period Z. To check whether an opening code O was received during the release period Z, the control device 29 is also connected to a clock 59 of the electromechanical luggage lock 11.

[0189] In particular, in order to change the release code F, it can be provided that the release period Z and / or the release coding 53 are adjusted by means of the code change command B. In addition, it can be provided that the release code F can be selectively activated or deactivated, so that an owner of the baggage lock 11 can, for example, authorize opening by employees of a security institution before starting a journey or after handing over the piece of baggage 13 at a check-in counter by activating the release code F, but can prevent the possibility of such opening again after receiving the piece of baggage 13 at the destination airport by deactivating the release code F. In this respect, a release period Z can ultimately be set indirectly by activating and deactivating the release code F.

[0190] Furthermore, information I can be stored in the memory 37 of the luggage lock 11 when an opening code O was received at the code receiving device 43. In this respect, attempts to open the luggage lock 11 can be documented in the memory 37, including, in particular, a time of receipt of an opening code O, information about a location at which the opening code O was received, and / or the device information 49 of the mobile opening device 35 from which the opening code O was transmitted. Furthermore, it can be documented in the memory 37 when the sensor 61 detects removal of the security section 23 from the luggage lock 11 and the piece of luggage has thus actually been opened.

[0191] In particular, the radio module 45 can form an interface 63 via which the memory 37 can be read, so that an owner of the luggage lock 11 can determine whether the piece of luggage 13 or the luggage lock 11 was opened by an employee of a security institution, for example, after the piece of luggage 13 was handed over at a check-in counter. The data or information contained in the memory 37 can also be stored in encrypted form to prevent unauthorized persons from reading the memory 37.

[0192] 8A to 8C illustrate a method for providing an opening code O for a security institution to enable employees of the security institution to open a luggage lock 11 non-destructively. As Fig. 8A illustrates, in particular, an owner of the luggage lock 11 can, before starting a journey, read the lock identification code 33 from the identification device 31 using the mobile opening device 35 in a step 95 and transmit the lock identification code 33 to the database 38 in a step 97, which can be read by the security institution (see also Fig. 8B). Furthermore, an opening code O can be transmitted to the database 38 in a step 99, so that a data pair consisting of the lock identification code 33 and the opening code O can be stored in the database 38 in order to be retrieved by an employee of the security institution in the event of an inspection.In particular, the lock identification code 33 and the opening code O can be transmitted to the database 38 by the owner's opening device 35 upon the owner's command. It is also possible to transmit the data pair consisting of the lock identification code 33 and the opening code O to the database 38, for example, via an Internet website. Furthermore, steps 97 and 99 can also be performed by a manufacturer of the luggage lock 11, if necessary, by having the manufacturer store the data pair consisting of the lock identification code 33 and the opening code O in the database 38, in order to enable the security institution to open the manufactured luggage lock 11 in a non-destructive manner.

[0193] Fig. 8C illustrates further steps that, in particular, the owner of the luggage lock 11 can perform to provide the opening code O for the security institutions. For example, in a step 101, it can be provided that the owner transmits a release period Z to the database 38, during which the luggage lock 11 can be opened by transmitting the opening code O. This allows the owner to ensure that the piece of luggage 13 can only be opened by employees of the security institution for the duration of a trip, whereas opening by third parties after the conclusion of the trip or receipt of the piece of luggage 13 and the expiration of the release period Z can be ruled out. As an alternative to transmitting a release period to the database, the owner can also simply activate the opening code O in step 101.In addition, as already mentioned, the owner can also store the release period Z in the memory 37 of the luggage lock 11, so that the control device 29 of the luggage lock 11 can check the release period Z using the clock 59 of the luggage lock 11 and an opening of the luggage lock 11 outside the release period Z can be prevented even if the database 38 is manipulated.

[0194] In addition, in a step 103, the owner can transmit information I about a travel route, for example, a departure and destination airport, an airline, a flight number, and / or any intermediate stops, to the database 38. This enables the security institution to understand the travel route the piece of luggage 13 will take, for example, to only assign authorization to query the stored opening code O to those employees who are stationed at the corresponding airports and can therefore carry out a check if necessary. However, such information I can also be transmitted to the database 38, for example, by an airline if its employees are permitted to read the lock identification code 33 and transmit an associated flight number or travel route to the database 38 when checking in the piece of luggage 13.

[0195] Furthermore, in a step 105, the owner may receive information about the expiration of the release period Z, whereupon the owner may, for example, extend the release period Z in a step 107. This allows the owner to extend the originally transmitted release period Z, for example, in the event of a delay in a trip, in order to still allow the security authorities to open the luggage lock 11 without causing any damage.

[0196] In a step 109, it may also be provided to delete the opening code O or the associated release code F or F1 from the memory 37 of the luggage lock 11 and / or the database 38 after the expiration of the release period Z. In particular, by such deletion, the owner can ensure that after the release period Z, access to the piece of luggage 13 by external persons and / or manipulation of the database 38 is no longer possible.

[0197] 9A to 9C illustrate a method for opening the electronic luggage lock 11 by a security institution. Again, in step 95, the lock identification code 33 can first be read from the identification device 31 by means of the mobile opening device 35 by an employee of the security institution and, in a step 111, transmitted to the database 38 by means of the mobile opening device 35. Furthermore, the opening code O assigned to the lock identification code 33, which is stored in the database 38, can be requested. As a result of this request, in a step 113, the opening code O can be received at the opening device 35 from the database 38 and transmitted to the luggage lock 11 by means of the mobile opening device 35.The control device 29 of the luggage lock 11 can then compare the opening code O with the stored release code F and, if necessary, also take into account a device identification 49 of the opening device 35 in order to release the security section 23 in the event that the transmitted opening code O matches the release code F and / or the opening code O is received within the stored release period Z and to enable the employee to access the piece of luggage 13 and to inspect its contents.

[0198] Fig. 9C illustrates further steps that can be carried out by the security institution after the lock identification code 33 and the opening code O for the electronic luggage lock 11 have been received in a step 115.

[0199] For example, in a step 117, information I about a travel route can be received, which may, for example, include information about a departure and destination airport and / or one or more flight numbers. Depending on this information I, in a step 119, various opening devices 35 and / or various employees can be assigned a request authorization to request the opening code O. Alternatively, all employees of the security institution can also be assigned such a request authorization.

[0200] If a request for the opening code O is subsequently received in a step 121, this request can first be documented in the database in a step 123. For this purpose, for example, information about the opening device 35 from which the request was sent, a time of the request, and / or a location from which the request was sent can be documented.

[0201] In addition, in a step 125, it can be checked whether the request was received within a stored release period Z. If it is determined in a step 127 that the request was received outside the release period Z, the request for the opening code O can be rejected in a step 129. Alternatively, however, a request to extend the release period Z can also be transmitted to an owner of the piece of luggage 13 or its opening device 35, so that the owner can subsequently extend the release period Z if necessary.

[0202] If, however, it is determined in step 131 that the request was made within the release period Z, a check can be performed in step 133 to determine whether authorization to make the request exists. This can be done, for example, by transmitting a device identification 49 of the requesting opening device 35 in addition to the request for the opening code O, so that it can be checked whether authorization to make the request has been assigned to the opening device 35 or its user. If the request was made by an authorized employee of the security institution, the opening code O can be transmitted to the mobile opening device 35 in step 135, allowing the employee to open the electronic luggage lock 11.

[0203] If, however, no authorization to request exists, the transmission of the opening code O can be rejected in a step 137. A request for authorization to request can then be received from the requesting employee in a step 139, if necessary, so that an employee who was not originally assigned authorization to request can still be allowed to inspect the piece of luggage 13. As a result of this request, the opening code O can be transmitted to the employee in a step 141 or assigned authorization to request, or this request for authorization to request can also be rejected in a step 143.

[0204] In addition, in a final step 145, it can be provided that the stored opening code O is deleted from the database 38 after the expiry of the release period Z in order to guarantee that the opening code O can no longer be retrieved from the database 38 at all after the expiry of the release period Z, even if the database 38 is manipulated by unauthorized persons, and that the luggage lock 11 can possibly be opened by a person other than the owner.

[0205] Furthermore, non-destructive opening of the luggage lock 11 by a security institution can alternatively be enabled by receiving a plurality of opening codes 35 and associated lock identification codes 33 of respective luggage locks 11 at the database 38 and storing the plurality of opening codes 35 and associated lock identification codes 33, or a selection thereof, on the mobile opening device 35 of the security institution. An employee of the security institution can then, during an inspection, read a lock identification code 33 of the luggage lock 11 to be opened from its identification device 31 and retrieve the associated opening code O directly from the stored opening codes O in order to open the luggage lock 11 by transmitting the retrieved opening code O to the luggage lock 11 using the mobile opening device 35.In this respect, data pairs consisting of lock identification codes 33 and associated opening codes O received at the database 38 can be transferred directly to mobile opening devices 35 of the security institution, so that during a check, communication between an opening device 35 of an employee carrying out the check and the central database 38 does not necessarily have to take place, but the required opening code O can, for example, already have been stored beforehand in a memory (not shown) of the opening device 35 and can be retrieved therefrom immediately after a lock identification code 33 has been read out.

[0206] The luggage lock 11 described herein and the methods disclosed herein thus conveniently enable a piece of luggage 13 to be reliably protected against unauthorized opening attempts, while still allowing a security agency to non-destructively open the luggage lock 11 for inspection purposes. Furthermore, the luggage lock 11 can be reliably secured against tampering, and options for documenting opening attempts and / or processes can be created to understand the work of a security agency and / or, if necessary, to investigate and prosecute unauthorized opening attempts.

[0207]

[0208] 11 electronic luggage lock

[0209] 13 pieces of luggage

[0210] 15 electromechanical locking mechanism

[0211] 17 Actuator

[0212] 19 Securing element

[0213] 21 bars

[0214] 23 Security section

[0215] 25 Luggage lock

[0216] 26 zipper

[0217] 27 Zipper handle

[0218] 29 Control device

[0219] 31 Identification device

[0220] 33 Lock identification code

[0221] 35 mobile opening device

[0222] 37 storage

[0223] 38 Database

[0224] 43 Code receiving device

[0225] 45 radio module

[0226] 47 Owner identification

[0227] 49 Device identification

[0228] 53 first release coding

[0229] 55 second release code

[0230] 57 mechanical locking mechanism

[0231] 59 o'clock

[0232] 61 Sensor

[0233] 63 Interface

[0234] 65 Energy source

[0235] 67 Charging socket

[0236] 69 key

[0237] 71 Fastening device

[0238] 73 first container part

[0239] 75 second container part

[0240] 77 Baggage body

[0241] 78 brackets

[0242] 79 Interior 80 Lock body

[0243] 81 Castle surroundings

[0244] 83 spring

[0245] 85 slope

[0246] 87 slopes

[0247] 89 slope

[0248] 91 Access opening

[0249] 93 slope

[0250] 95 Reading the lock identification code

[0251] 97 steps

[0252] 99 steps

[0253] 101 steps

[0254] 103 steps

[0255] 105 steps

[0256] 107 steps

[0257] 109 steps

[0258] 111 requests for the opening code

[0259] 113 steps

[0260] 115 steps

[0261] 117 steps

[0262] 119 steps

[0263] 121 steps

[0264] 123 steps

[0265] 125 steps

[0266] 127 steps

[0267] 129 steps

[0268] 131 steps

[0269] 133 steps

[0270] 135 steps

[0271] 137 steps

[0272] 139 steps

[0273] 141 steps

[0274] 143 steps

[0275] 145 steps

[0276] A initialization command

[0277] B Code change command

[0278] C Initialization code E Power supply status signal

[0279] F Release code

[0280] F1 first release code

[0281] F2 second release code F3 changed release code

[0282] G Closed position

[0283] H Open position

[0284] I Information

[0285] M Master code O Opening code

[0286] R Release position

[0287] S Blocking position

[0288] T Unlocking position

[0289] V Locking position Z Release period

Claims

Claims Electronic luggage lock (11) for securing a piece of luggage (13) that can be opened non-destructively by a security institution, comprising an electromechanical locking mechanism (15) by which a security section (23) of the piece of luggage (13) can be selectively locked or released relative to the luggage lock (11), a control device (29) for controlling the electromechanical locking mechanism (15) and an identification device (31), wherein the identification device (31) holds a lock identification code (33) that is individually assigned to the luggage lock (11) and that can be wirelessly read out by means of a mobile opening device, in particular a smartphone, wherein the control device (29) is connected to a memory (37) in which a release code (F) assigned to the lock identification code (33) is stored,wherein the control device (29) is further connected to a code receiving device (43) which is designed to receive an opening code (O) from the mobile opening device (35) via a wireless connection, and wherein the control device (29) is designed to compare the received opening code (O) with the stored release code (F) and to control the electromechanical locking mechanism (15) to release the securing section (23) if the received opening code (O) matches the stored release code (F). Electronic luggage lock (11) according to claim 1, wherein the identification device (31) holds the lock identification code (33) in an optically readable form and / or in a wirelessly detectable electronic form. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the code receiving device (43) is designed toto receive the opening code (O) via a Bluetooth connection and / or an NFC (Near Field Communication) connection. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (29) is designed to change the release code (F) stored in the memory (37) in response to a code change command (B) received from the opening device (35) in a code change operation. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to claim 4, wherein the control device (29) is designed to distinguish between an owner authorization of the owner of the piece of luggage (13) and an authority authorization of a security institution, wherein the control device (29) is designed to change the release code (F) stored in the memory (37) only when the control device (29) determines the owner authorization. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the release code (F) can be activated and / or deactivated by the code change command (B).Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the code change command (B) comprises a device identification (49) relating to the opening device (35), wherein the control device (29) is designed to compare the received device identification (49) with an owner identification (47) stored in the memory (37) and to change the release code (F) only if the device identification (49) matches the stored owner identification (47).Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the control device (29) is designed to receive a changed release code (F3) in the code change mode and to replace the stored release code (F) with the changed release code (F3), and / or wherein the control device (29) is designed to generate a changed release code (F3) in the code change mode in response to the code change command (B) and to output the changed release code (F3) to the opening device (35).

9. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the code change command (B) contains an instruction to change the release code (F).

10. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the release code (F) comprises a release coding (53, 55) and information (I) about a release period (Z), wherein the control device (29) is designed to control the electromechanical locking mechanism (15) to release the locked securing section (23) if the received opening code (O) comprises the release coding (53, 55) and the opening code (O) was received within the release period (Z).

11. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to claim 10, wherein the code receiving device (43) is designed to receive a device identification (49) from the mobile opening device (35), wherein the control device (29) is designed to compare the received device identification (49) with an owner identification (47) stored in the memory (37) and to control the electromechanical locking mechanism (15) to release the locked security section (23), regardless of whether the opening code (O) was received within the release period (Z), if the received opening code (O) comprises the release coding (53, 55) and the received device identification (49) matches the stored owner identification (47).

12. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control device (29) is designed to change the release coding (53, 55) and / or the information (I) about the release period (Z) in the code change operation.

13. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the control device (29) is designed to delete the release code (F) from the memory (37) after the expiration of the release period (Z).

14. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 4 to 12, wherein a first release code (F1) and a second release code (F2) can be stored in the memory (37), wherein the control device (29) is designed to mechanical locking mechanism (15) to release the locked security section (23) when the received opening code (O) matches the first release code (F1) or the second release code (F2), wherein the control device (29) is designed to change only the first release code (F1) in the code change mode, but not the second release code (F) in response to the code change command (B).

15. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a master code (M) is permanently stored in the memory (37), wherein the control device (29) is designed to compare an initialization code (C) contained in the initialization command (A) with the stored master code (M) in response to an initialization command (A) received from the opening device (35), wherein the control device (29) is further designed to store a device identification relating to the opening device (35) contained in the initialization command (A) as an owner identification (47) in the memory (37) if the received initialization code (C) matches the stored master code (M).

16. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage lock (11) comprises a mechanical locking mechanism (57) which is designed to selectively lock or release the securing portion (23) of the piece of luggage (13) bypassing the electromechanical locking mechanism (15).

17. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage lock (11) comprises a clock (59).

18. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (29) is designed to document the reception of the opening code in the memory (37).

19. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (29) is designed to document in the memory (37) a time at which the opening code (O) was received and / or information (I) about the mobile opening device (35) and / or information (I) about a location at which the opening code (O) was received. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage lock (11) comprises a sensor (61) which is designed to directly or indirectly detect a movement of the securing section (23) of the piece of luggage (13) relative to the luggage lock (11) and to transmit a corresponding detection signal to the control device (29), wherein the control device (29) is designed to document the reception of the detection signal in the memory (37). Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the memory (37) is connected to an interface (63) via which the memory (37) can be wirelessly read. Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage lock (11) has a power source (65) for supplying power to the electromechanical locking mechanism (15).Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (29) is designed to transmit a power supply status signal (E) to the opening device (35). Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage lock (11) has a charging socket (67), in particular a USB (Universal Serial Bus) socket, and / or an induction receiver, via which the electromechanical locking mechanism (15) can be supplied with electrical energy from an external energy source, in particular the opening device (35). Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage lock (11) has a button (69), the actuation of which can activate the code receiving device (43) to receive the opening code.Electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage lock (11) has a fastening device (71) designed to permanently fasten the luggage lock (11) to the piece of luggage (13). comprising a luggage item body (77) with a securing portion (23), a first container part (73) and a second container part (75) movable relative to the first container part (73) between an open position (H) and a closed position (G), further comprising a luggage lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second container part (75) in the open position (H) allows access to an interior space (79) of the luggage item body and blocks access in the closed position (G), and wherein the second container part (75) can be secured by locking the securing portion (23) in the closed position (G).

28. A piece of luggage (13) according to claim 27, wherein the piece of luggage (13) has a luggage closure (25) which is designed to hold the second container part (75) in the closed position (G), wherein the electromechanical locking mechanism (15) is arranged on the luggage body (77) and the securing section (23) is arranged on the luggage closure (25), or vice versa.

29. Method for providing an opening code for a security institution for opening an electronic luggage lock (11), in particular an electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 1 to 26 and / or an electronic luggage lock (11) of a piece of luggage (13) according to claim 27 or 28, comprising the steps Transmitting a lock identification code (33) of the luggage lock (11) to a database (38) and Transmitting the assigned opening code to the database (38).

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the lock identification code (33) and the opening code (O) are transmitted to a database (38) readable by the security institution, in particular readable by a security institution with the task of carrying out baggage checks at airports. 31 . Method according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the lock identification code (33) and the opening code (O) are transmitted to the database (38) by a mobile opening device (35), in particular a smartphone, via a wireless connection.

32. Method according to one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the lock identification code (33) is read out wirelessly by means of the opening device from an identification device (31) of the luggage lock (11) and / or from a memory (37) of the opening device (35) before being transmitted to the database (38).

33. Method according to one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the lock identification code (33) is selected on the opening device (35).

34. Method according to one of claims 29 to 33, wherein the opening code (O) is transmitted to the luggage lock (11) via a wireless connection and is stored as a release code (F) in a memory (37) of the luggage lock (11).

35. Method according to one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the opening code (O) is activated.

36. Method according to one of claims 29 to 35, wherein information (I) about a release period (Z), during which the luggage lock (11) is to be opened by transmitting the opening code (O), is transmitted to the luggage lock (11) and / or the database (38).

37. Method according to claim 36, wherein the opening code (O) is deleted after expiration of the release period (Z).

38. Method according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the release period (Z) can be subsequently extended.

39. Method according to one of claims 36 to 38, wherein information (I) about the expiration of the release period (Z) is received before the expiration of the release period (Z). Method according to one of claims 29 to 39, 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 (38). A method for opening an electronic luggage lock (11) with a readable identification device (31) by a security institution, in particular an electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 1 to 26 and / or an electronic luggage lock (11) of a piece of luggage (13) according to claim 27 or 28, in particular by means of an opening code provided according to a method according to one of claims 29 to 40, comprising the steps: Reading a lock identification code (33) of the luggage lock (11) from the identification device (31), Transmitting the lock identification code (33) of the luggage lock (11) to a database (38) using a mobile opening device (35) of the security institution and requesting an associated opening code (O), receiving the opening code (O) from the database (38), and transmitting the received opening code (O) to the luggage lock (11) using the mobile opening device (35). Method according to claim 41, wherein the database (38) is readable by the security institution, in particular readable by a security institution tasked with conducting luggage checks at airports. Method according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the request for the opening code (O) is documented in the database (38).Method according to one of claims 41 to 43, wherein a time of the request for the opening code (O), a location of the request for the opening code, a device identification (49) of the mobile opening device (35), and / or a personal identification of a requesting user are documented in the database (38). Method according to one of claims 41 to 44. wherein a plurality of mobile opening devices (35) and / or persons are assigned a request authorization and wherein the opening code (O) is only transmitted when the opening code (O) is requested by an authorized person and / or an authorized device.

46. ​​Method according to claim 45, wherein the request authorization is assigned in dependence on information (I) about a travel route of the piece of luggage (13) stored in the database (38) and associated with the lock identification code (33).

47. Method according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the assignment of the request authorization can be requested by means of the opening device (35).

48. Method according to one of claims 41 to 47, wherein after reading the identification device (31), information (I) about a time of a previous request for the opening code (O) is displayed on the opening device (35).

49. Method according to one of claims 41 to 48, wherein by transmitting the received opening code (O) to the luggage lock (11) an opening of the luggage lock (11) is enabled or effected, wherein the opening is documented in a memory (37) of the luggage lock (11).

50. Method according to one of claims 41 to 49, wherein the opening code (O) is only transmitted from the database (38) to the mobile opening device (35) if the request for the opening code (O) is received during a release period (Z) stored in the database (38).

51. Method according to claim 50, wherein, before the expiry of the release period (Z), a request for extending the release period is transmitted from the database (38) to a mobile opening device (35) of an owner of the piece of luggage (13), by means of which the lock identification code (33) and / or the opening code (O) was provided.

52. Method for opening an electronic luggage lock (11) with a readable identification device (31) by a security institution, in particular a electronic luggage lock (11) according to one of claims 1 to 26 and / or an electronic luggage lock (11) of a piece of luggage (13) according to claim 27 or 28, in particular by means of an opening code provided according to a method according to one of claims 29 to 40, comprising the steps: Receiving a plurality of opening codes (O) and associated lock identification codes (33) of a respective luggage lock (11) at a database (38), Storing the plurality of opening codes (O) and associated lock identification codes (33), or a selection thereof, on a mobile opening device (35) of the security institution, Reading a lock identification code (33) of the luggage lock (11) from the identification device (31), Retrieving the opening code (O) assigned to the read lock identification code (33) from the stored opening codes (O), Transmitting the retrieved opening code (O) to the luggage lock (11) by means of the mobile opening device (35).

53. Method according to claim 52, wherein by transmitting the retrieved opening code (O) to the luggage lock (11) an opening of the luggage lock (11) is enabled or effected, wherein the opening is documented in a memory (37) of the luggage lock (11).

54. Method according to claim 52 or 53, wherein the plurality of opening codes (O) and associated lock identification codes (33) are also assigned a respective release period (Z).

55. Method according to one of claims 52 to 54, wherein the reading of the lock identification code (33) of the luggage lock (11) from the identification device (31) and / or the retrieval of the opening code (O) associated with the read lock identification code (33) is documented in the mobile opening device (35) of the security institution.

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the documentation carried out in the mobile opening device (35) is transmitted to the database (38).

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