Method for optimizing the available volume of luggage compartments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the available volume of overhead luggage compartments in an aircraft cabin for a flight, comprising the following steps: a) taking (23) at least one digital photograph of a piece of luggage to be transported in the overhead compartments during the flight, using a camera, by a passenger on the flight; b) determining (25) the dimensions of the luggage using the at least one digital photograph; c) comparing (23) the previously defined dimensions with the available volume in the overhead luggage compartments in the aircraft cabin for the flight; and d) taking into account (35) the result of the comparison for loading the overhead luggage compartments before the start of the flight. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for optimizing the available volume of luggage compartments

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the available volume of baggage compartments in an aircraft cabin for a flight.

[0002] Since airlines have started charging extra for additional baggage on many tickets, the number of bags carried in the aircraft cabin, also known as hand luggage, has increased significantly. Particularly on very busy flights, there is often more baggage in the cabin than the overhead compartments can hold. In such cases, the excess baggage must either be stowed under the seat in front, which reduces legroom and thus passenger comfort, or be loaded into the aircraft's hold. The latter option is associated with increased travel time, often resulting in a delayed departure.

[0003] Passengers also regularly carry baggage in the cabin that exceeds the maximum permitted dimensions and therefore cannot be stored in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front. This baggage must also be loaded into the hold afterward, which presents the aforementioned drawbacks. Simple carry-on baggage sizers indicating the maximum dimensions for carry-on baggage are available to control baggage dimensions.

[0004] An objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a method for optimizing the available volume of luggage compartments and in particular the total storage available for luggage in an aircraft cabin.

[0005] This objective is achieved by a method with the following characteristics. Advantageous embodiments are also described below.

[0006] The claimed method of optimizing the available volume of baggage compartments in an aircraft cabin for a flight includes at least the following steps: a) taking at least one digital photograph of a bag to be transported in the baggage compartments during the flight, using a camera, by a passenger on the flight; b) determination of the dimensions of the luggage using at least one digital photograph; c) comparison of the dimensions previously defined with the available volume in the overhead compartments in the aircraft cabin for the flight, taking into account the already known dimensions of other baggage that must also be transported in baggage compartments during the flight, and d) consideration of the result of the comparison for the loading of baggage compartments before the start of the flight.

[0007] In other words, a method is provided whereby a passenger must indicate, even before boarding, for example during check-in or when booking their flight, the baggage they wish to carry in the overhead compartments of the cabin, so that its size or dimensions can be taken into account when loading the aircraft. In order to reliably determine the size of this baggage, also hereafter referred to as carry-on baggage, the passenger must first provide or take one or more photographs of their baggage at step a) using a digital camera. Alternatively, the photographs can also be taken at a check-in counter by a check-in agent, this agent then acting in place of the passenger at least for step a).

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, in step a), the passenger takes at least one digital photograph of the luggage using a mobile phone camera via a predefined application. The application can guide the user, in particular, through the other steps of the process and indicate the conditions under which the luggage can be photographed, depending on the available options. The application can, in particular, predefine distances, angles of inclination, or specific views of the luggage. Alternatively, however, the photographs can also be taken, for example, with a digital camera connected to a computer, such as a webcam.

[0009] In a subsequent step, the dimensions of the luggage are calculated from at least one photograph. Various methods for calculating the dimensions from the photograph(s) are then described as preferred embodiments.

[0010] In a first preferred embodiment, different views of luggage of known dimensions are superimposed with at least one digital photograph of the luggage to determine the dimensions in step b). After visual or optical comparison between the different superimposed views, the passenger chooses the one representing luggage whose dimensions most closely approximate those of the luggage to be transported.

[0011] In this embodiment, which can also be called augmented reality, luggage with known dimensions is virtually placed next to or on top of the passenger's luggage. The passenger can choose from several virtual luggage options the one whose dimensions most closely match their own luggage. For example, the user can modify the height, depth, or width of the virtual luggage until the image of the superimposed luggage most closely resembles their own luggage. Advantageously, the passenger does not have to compare numerical values ​​but can decide on its own the correct dimensions from the visual or optical comparison made between the virtual luggage displayed and the luggage photographed.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the luggage are automatically calculated in step b) to determine the dimensions from at least one digital photograph. In this case, it is particularly preferred that a plurality of photographs of the luggage are taken in step a), which represent views of the luggage from different viewpoints and at a similar distance, and the dimensions of the luggage are automatically calculated in step b) from the different photographs of the luggage using photographs showing views of the luggage taken from at least two different viewpoints.

[0013] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the luggage are calculated automatically from the user's photograph(s). Several photographs of the luggage, taken, for example, from different views at approximately equal distances, are used to perform automatic measurements. By processing the different views, it is possible to estimate the various dimensions of the luggage as accurately as possible. This task also has the advantage that the user does not need to do anything, as the dimensions of the luggage are determined automatically.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the at least one photograph is automatically compared to comparative photographs of luggage with known dimensions to determine the dimensions in step b), knowing that in the event of a match between the luggage shown on the at least one photograph and luggage shown on a comparative photograph, the known dimensions of the luggage shown on the comparative photograph serve as the dimensions for the luggage to be transported.

[0015] In this preferred embodiment, the photograph(s) are compared to photographs of luggage whose dimensions are known. The photographs can, for example, be stored in a central database containing photographs of luggage whose dimensions are determined using one of the methods already described. However, it is also possible for the database to be populated exclusively or additionally with photographs and dimensions, and / or to be continuously populated by a service provider or, for example, by luggage manufacturers making this information available. This embodiment also allows for a rapid optical comparison, which in this case can be performed in a fully automated manner.

[0016] It is naturally possible for a method to implement several of the embodiments described above. For example, it is conceivable that the passenger could choose between the different methods, which could be particularly useful when they have already performed this procedure with the baggage. The luggage is transported in the overhead compartments, and the photographs are stored together with the dimensions in a central database. In another embodiment, the photograph(s) are first compared to photographs of luggage with known dimensions. When this comparison is unsuccessful, i.e., when no dimensions can be determined, the central system attempts to automatically determine the dimensions from the photograph(s). Only when this technique fails is the user asked to determine the dimensions by comparison with a virtual piece of luggage superimposed on the photograph. If neither method works, the passenger could be asked to manually enter the dimensions.It would also be possible to allow the passenger to indicate at the beginning of the process that the dimensions of the baggage to be transported have already been detected previously, and to use the known dimensions for the other steps of the process. In this case, there would be no direct temporal relationship between steps a) and b) on the one hand and c) and d) on the other, but the process would nevertheless be fully carried out for the baggage.

[0017] For the sake of completeness, it is mentioned that the method may also implement only one or two of the previously described methods for determining the dimensions, as well as other methods not described here. The methods may also be carried out one after the other in a different order. For example, it is possible to verify the determination made by the passenger by comparing it with virtual luggage through an automatic determination.

[0018] Once the baggage dimensions are defined, a comparison of the previously defined dimensions is carried out in step c) with the available volume in the baggage compartments. In other words, the space required for the baggage is compared to the remaining space in the baggage compartments when taking into account the dimensions of any baggage already known to be transported in the same baggage compartments on the same flight. This already known baggage may belong to the same passenger or to other passengers flying on the same flight. The comparison preferably takes into account the aircraft on which the flight will be operated, in order to consider, for example, the different dimensions of baggage compartments and the different configurations of baggage compartments used.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the comparison takes into account the available volume in the overhead compartments in step c) as well as the available volume under the seats for luggage. This allows for an advantageous calculation of whether there is still space available in the aircraft cabin for luggage, and the method is extended to the entire optimization of the available storage volume for luggage or carry-on baggage in an aircraft cabin for a flight.

[0020] Finally, in step d), the result of the comparison is taken into account again for the loading of the baggage compartments before the start of the flight and / or before the passengers board the aircraft by planning the loading so that as many passengers as possible can place their luggage in the baggage compartments during the flight.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the passenger is allocated a seat for the flight in step d), located under a baggage compartment and / or near a baggage compartment in which sufficient volume is available to accommodate the baggage, taking into account the known dimensions of baggage that must also be transported in the baggage compartments during the flight and which is carried by other passengers to whom adjacent seats are allocated. Passengers can thus be easily distributed throughout the aircraft cabin to achieve the most even possible mix of passengers with and without carry-on baggage.This prevents certain areas of the aircraft from being occupied by numerous passengers carrying carry-on luggage for which there is insufficient space in the overhead compartments, while other areas of the cabin are occupied mainly by passengers without carry-on luggage, leaving parts of the overhead compartments unoccupied. This also prevents passengers from having to move around the aircraft beyond their seats in search of space for their carry-on luggage during boarding, thus avoiding slowing down the boarding process.

[0022] In an alternative or complementary embodiment, in step d), the passenger is allocated a space in a baggage compartment for their baggage, in which sufficient volume is available to accommodate the baggage. More preferably, the passenger is shown the designated space for their baggage in the baggage compartment upon boarding the aircraft. The baggage compartment can be indicated, for example, by specifying the row of seats and / or the seat above which the allocated space is located. It is also possible for the spaces in the baggage compartments to be permanently numbered. In another embodiment, spotlights are placed in the baggage compartments, indicating, for example, the passenger's name and the outline of the baggage within the compartment.This allows for particularly precise placement of luggage and thus efficient use and / or a high degree of optimization of luggage compartment loading.

[0023] In another preferred alternative or complementary embodiment, it is possible to deny the passenger in step d) the right to take their luggage with them into the aircraft cabin when it has been determined in step c) that there is no available space in the aircraft cabin to accommodate the luggage for the flight. Thus, it is possible to Avoid bringing more luggage into the cabin than the overhead compartments or the space under the seats can hold, and ensure that this luggage is unloaded. Instead, passengers can be asked to carry their luggage to the hold.

[0024] It is also possible, in step d), to inform the passenger that they will only be able to bring their luggage into the aircraft cabin upon payment of a fee. This can encourage passengers to forgo their luggage or to transport it in the hold.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, step a) is performed on a passenger terminal device using a predefined application, and steps c) and d) are performed by a central system. The terminal device could, for example, be the passenger's mobile phone, while the central system is managed either by the airline itself or by a service provider.

[0026] In one embodiment, the baggage dimensions are defined in step b) on the passenger's terminal device and, at the end of step b), transmitted to the central system by the passenger's terminal device. Alternatively, at least one image is transmitted to the central system by the passenger's terminal device. In this case, step b) is performed by the central system. The choice of the alternative followed, which can also be combined, depends in particular on the processing power of the user's terminal device and the method used to determine the dimensions. If, for example, the image overlays a virtual bag, it should not be necessary to transmit the image to the central system. On the other hand, if a comparison is performed with a central database, transmission to the central system is recommended.It may also be advisable, in the case of automatic dimension determination from photographs, to transmit the photographs to the central system, given that the latter has sufficiently reliable computing power.

[0027] Finally, it is preferable to implement the procedure for all baggage that passengers wish to carry in the overhead compartments during the flight. This ensures that no baggage not previously accounted for is carried in the cabin.

[0028] The present invention will be explained in more detail later with reference to the figures representing an example of an embodiment.

[0029] [Fig. 1] illustrates a flowchart of an example of an implementation of a process for optimizing the available volume of luggage storage space in the aircraft cabin,

[0030] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic arrangement made from a passenger terminal device and a central system, illustrating an example of an embodiment of the method according to claim 1, and

[0031] [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic view of an aircraft cabin with a luggage storage space whose available volume can be optimized by the process of [Fig.1].

[0032] The section schematically illustrated in [Fig. 3] of an aircraft cabin 1 comprises a plurality of seats 3a to 3f arranged in a line under which baggage 5a to 5c can be stowed in a known manner during the flight for transport. In the example of [Fig. 3], baggage is only stowed under seats 3a, 3b, and 3d, while space and / or volume remain available under the other seats 3c, 3e, and 3d for stowing other baggage.

[0033] Luggage compartments 7a to 7d are arranged above the seats, and luggage 9a to 9j is placed in them during a flight. Luggage compartments 7a and 7c are already completely full of luggage, while there is still available volume 1a and 11b in luggage compartments 7b and 7d, respectively, where additional luggage can still be placed. The representation in [Fig. 3] does not illustrate a fully loaded cabin 1 but rather the loading plan for a cabin 1 before a flight.

[0034] For the implementation of the method example, a passenger uses a terminal device 13, schematically illustrated in [Fig. 2] as a mobile phone. The terminal device 13 comprises, in addition to a digital camera 15, a central processor 17 running a predefined application within the framework of the method. Two arrows in [Fig. 3] show that the terminal device 13 is designed for bidirectional communication 19 with a central system 21, for example, via the Internet. The central system 21 implements additional steps of the method, as illustrated in more detail later. It is operated, for example, by an airline or a service provider. The other actual components of the terminal device 13 and the central system 21 are not shown in [Fig. 2] but are well known to those skilled in the art. Finally, [Fig. 2] also illustrates a piece of luggage 22 that must be transported in the cabin 1.

[0035] In the first step 23 of an example of an embodiment of a method for optimizing the available volume of baggage compartments 7a to 7d in an aircraft cabin 1, a passenger takes several pictures of the baggage 22 with the digital camera 15 of the mobile phone 13. The baggage 22 is to be transported in the aircraft cabin 1 during a defined flight, preferably in one of the baggage compartments 7a to 7d or at least under one of the seats 3a to 3f. An application executed by the processor 17 helps the passenger to take suitable pictures of the baggage 22 by, for example, suggesting a defined shooting angle and checking that the user maintains at least approximately constant distances between the camera 15 and the baggage 22.

[0036] Based on the photographs, the dimensions of the baggage 22 are determined in a second step 25. The process uses three different methods 27, 29, 31 for this purpose, which are described in more detail later. After the passenger has taken the photographs of the baggage 22 in step 23, the process automatically switches to the first method 27. The second and third methods 29, 31 are only used if the preceding method 27, 29 has failed to determine the dimensions. However, the application may allow the passenger to select a specific method 27, 29, 31 that they wish to use to determine the dimensions.

[0037] In the first method 27, the photographs are transmitted to the central system 21 by the terminal device 13 and are compared there with the photographs of baggage 5a to 5c, 9a, to 9j whose dimensions are known. The dimensions and photographs of baggage 5a to 5c, 9a, to 9j are stored in a database forming part of the central system 21. For example, the dimensions and photographs of baggage 5a to 5c, 9a, to 9j already stowed in the overhead compartments 7a to 7d and / or under the seats 3a to 3f and / or which are known to have to be stowed there during the flight, are stored in the database. When the system 21 determines during the automated comparison of the images that the bag 22 illustrated on the photographs is a bag 22 with known dimensions, the dimensions stored in the corresponding photographs are accepted and the process proceeds to the third step 33.It is therefore possible to determine the dimensions of the luggage to be transported 22 in a particularly efficient and reliable way, by automated comparison of images using methods known to the person skilled in the art.

[0038] If, however, the comparison is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to the second method 29 in which the dimensions of the baggage 22 are calculated automatically from the photographs. No further passenger input is advantageously required here. If the calculation is successful, the process proceeds to the third step 33.

[0039] If the calculations are unsuccessful, the process automatically proceeds to the third method 31, in which one or more images of the baggage 22 are displayed to the passenger, the images being superimposed with virtual bags of known dimensions. The passenger can scroll through various virtual bags, for example, using common swiping gestures on mobile phones with touchscreens. As soon as a virtual bag is shown to the passenger, whose dimensions, based on simple visual comparison, correspond to the dimensions of their own bag, the passenger selects the bag, and the dimensions of the virtual bag are transmitted to the third step of the process 33.

[0040] In the third step of the process, a comparison is made between the previously defined dimensions of baggage 22 and the available volume 1a, 11b, for which no baggage 9a to 9j is yet planned in the baggage compartments 7a to 7d. Additionally, the process can also take into account the storage spaces under seats 3c, 3e, and 3f, for which no luggage (5a to 5c) is yet planned. Depending on the result of the comparison in the third step 33, the process provides different options in the fourth step 35 for taking the results of the comparison into account when loading luggage compartments 7a to 7d and the storage spaces under seats 3a to 3f.

[0041] If the comparison shows, for example, that the storage space and / or available volume 1la, 11b of one of the baggage compartments 7b, 7d is still sufficient for baggage 22, then space 3c is allocated, for example, in step 37, to the passenger located below the baggage compartment 7b with available volume 1la. In this way, the passenger is seated in a seat 3c above which there is still storage space lia, 11b available in the baggage compartments 7a to 7d, taking into account the already known baggage 5 to 5c, 9a to 9j to be transported in cabin 1. Alternatively, seat 3f can also be allocated to the passenger.

[0042] Alternatively or in addition, it is possible to allocate to the passenger in step 39 an available volume defined lia, 11b in one of the baggage compartments 7b, 7d, the volume 1 la, 11b being allocated to the passenger when boarding the aircraft by means of a projector (not illustrated in [Fig.3]) projecting his name and the dimensions of the baggage 22 in the baggage compartment 7b, 7d at the place where the baggage 22 is to be placed.

[0043] If it turns out that the available space 1a, 11b for baggage 22 is insufficient, seats 3d or 3f can, for example, be allocated to the passenger in step 37, and they can be informed that baggage 22 must be stored under the front seat 3c or 3e, respectively. This prevents passengers from storing oversized baggage 22 in the overhead compartments 7a to 7d.

[0044] If it is observed in step 33 that there is not sufficient available volume 1 la, 11b in cabin 1, it is possible to inform the passenger in step 41 that baggage 22 cannot be transported in cabin 1 and that it will have to be deposited, i.e. transported in the hold.

[0045] Additionally, step 43 may inform the passenger that baggage 22 can only be transported in the baggage compartments 7a to 7d upon payment of a fee. For example, an airline may charge fees for carry-on baggage based on its size or restrict the use of baggage compartments 7a to 7d to those who pay a fee. This prevents an excessive number of bags from being carried in cabin 1 and, given that passengers are generally cost-conscious, discourages them from bringing excessively large or numerous bags for which a fee would be charged.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for optimizing the available volume of baggage compartments (7a-7d) in an aircraft cabin (1) for a flight, comprising the following steps: a) creating (23) at least one digital photograph of a piece of luggage (22) to be transported in the baggage compartments (7a-7d) during the flight, using a camera (15) of a mobile phone (13) using a predefined application, by a passenger of the flight; b) determining (25) the dimensions of the luggage (22) using the at least one digital photograph; c) comparing (33) the previously defined dimensions with the available volume (11a, 11b) in the baggage compartments (7a-7d) in the aircraft cabin (1) for the flight, taking into account the already known dimensions of other luggage (9a-9j) also to be transported in the baggage compartments (7a-7d) during the flight;(d) taking into account (35) the result of the comparison for loading the baggage compartments (7a-7d) before the start of the flight.;

2. Method according to claim 1, different views of luggage (9a-9j) of known dimensions being superimposed with the at least one digital photograph of the luggage (22) to determine the dimensions in step b) and the passenger selecting after visual or optical comparison from the different superimposed views the one representing a luggage (9a-9j) with dimensions as close as possible to the dimensions of the luggage to be transported (22).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, the dimensions of the luggage (22) being calculated automatically from the at least one digital snapshot to determine the dimensions in step b).

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of photographs of the baggage (22) are taken in step a), which represent views of the baggage (22) from different viewpoints and at a similar distance; and from the different photographs of the baggage (22), the dimensions of the baggage (22) are automatically calculated in step b) using photographs showing views of the baggage (22) from at least two different viewpoints.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, the at least one snapshot being automatically compared with comparative snapshots of luggage (9a-9j) with known dimensions to de- completing the dimensions in step b), knowing that in the event of correspondence of the baggage (22) shown on the at least one photograph and a baggage (9a-9j) shown on a comparative photograph, the known dimensions of the baggage (9a-9j) shown on the comparative photograph serve as dimensions of the baggage to be transported (22).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, the comparison of the available volume (11a, 11b) in the luggage compartments (7a-7d) also taking into account in step c) the available volume present under the seats (3a-3f) for luggage (5a-5c).

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passenger is allocated in step d) a seat for the flight under a baggage compartment (7a-7d) and / or in the vicinity of a baggage compartment (7a-7d) in which a sufficient volume (11a, 11b) is available to accommodate the baggage (22) taking into account already known dimensions of baggage (9a-9j) also to be transported in the baggage compartments (7a-7d) during the flight and which are transported by other passengers to whom neighbouring seats are allocated.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passenger is allocated in step d) a location in a baggage compartment (7a-7d) for his baggage (22), wherein sufficient volume is available to accommodate the baggage (22) and preferably the location allocated to the baggage (22) in the baggage compartment (7a-7d) is indicated to the passenger when he boards the aircraft.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the passenger is refused in step d) the right to take his luggage (22) with him into the aircraft cabin (1) when it has been determined in step c) that there is no available volume (11a, 11b) in the aircraft cabin (1) to receive the luggage (22) for the flight.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the passenger is informed in step d) that he will only be able to bring his baggage (22) into the aircraft cabin (1) against payment of a financial consideration.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step a) is carried out on a terminal device (13) of the passenger using a predefined application and steps c) and d) are carried out by a central system (21).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the dimensions of the luggage (22) are defined in step b) on the terminal device (13) of the passenger and transmitted at the end of step b) to the central system (21) by the terminal device (13) of the passenger

13. Method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one snapshot is transmitted to the central system (21) by the terminal device (13) of the passenger and step b) is carried out by the central system (21).

14. A method according to any preceding claim, the method being carried out for all baggage (5a-5c, 9a-9j, 22) that passengers wish to transport in the baggage compartments (7a-7d) during the flight.

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