System for controlling the baggage drop-off process via a mobile device

Abstract

A computerized system for controlling a baggage drop process via a mobile device is provided. The system is configured to create a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station using a signal emitter at the baggage drop station. A signal emitted by the signal emitter is received by the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone. If it is determined that the mobile device is within the trigger range, initiation of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station is triggered. If it is determined that the mobile device has left the virtual zone based on the signal received from the signal emitter, the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station is aborted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a computerized system for controlling the baggage drop process via a mobile device. [Background technology]

[0002] The webpage https: / / www.britishairways.com / en-gb / business-travel / articles / self-service-bag-drop shows a bag drop station where passengers must be guided through the bag drop process via a console fixedly attached to the bag drop station. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Webpage: https: / / www.britishairways.com / en-gb / business-travel / articles / self-service-bag-drop Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to a first aspect, a computerized system for controlling a baggage drop process via a mobile device is provided. The computerized system includes at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory. The computerized system is configured to create a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station using at least one signal emitter at the baggage drop station. The computerized system is configured to receive signals emitted by the at least one signal emitter by the mobile device and determine, based on the signals received from the at least one signal emitter, whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone. In response to determining that the mobile device is within the trigger range, the computerized system triggers the initiation of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station. The computerized system is further configured to determine, based on the signals received from the at least one signal emitter, whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone. In response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone, the computerized system aborts the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station.

[0005] According to a second aspect, a method for controlling a baggage drop process via a mobile device is provided. The method includes creating a virtual zone in front of a baggage drop station using at least one signal emitter at the baggage drop station. The method includes receiving, by the mobile device, a signal emitted by the at least one signal emitter, and determining, based on the signal received from the at least one signal emitter, whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone. The method includes triggering initiation of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station in response to determining that the mobile device is within the trigger range, and determining, based on the signal received from the at least one signal emitter, whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone. The method further includes aborting the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station in response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone.

[0006] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising program code instructions stored on a computer readable medium for performing an activity that a computerized system according to the first aspect is configured to perform when said program is run on a computing device.

[0007] Additionally, a brief description of the supplementary examples According to a first aspect, there is provided a computerized system for controlling a baggage drop process via a mobile device, the computerized system including at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory.

[0008] The computerized system is configured to create a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station using at least one signal emitter at the baggage drop station.

[0009] The signal strength of the signal periodically emitted by the at least one signal emitter may define the dimensions of the virtual zone, as further explained below.

[0010] A baggage drop station is a station at an airport where a user, such as an airline passenger, can drop off baggage to be carried onto an aircraft. At a baggage drop station, the baggage is typically weighed and compared to weight limits associated with the flight and / or passenger / airport policies. An association between the baggage and the passenger may also be made, for example, by scanning a baggage tag already attached to the baggage.

[0011] The signal emitters at the bag drop stations are, for example, fixedly mounted on the front of the bag drop station so as to face towards passengers who wish to carry out the bag drop procedure. These signal emitters could be Bluetooth® beacons, WiFi transmitters, infrared emitters, NFC beacons, 3D cameras, etc. Typically, there may be at least two signal emitters per bag drop station.

[0012] Signals emitted by at least one signal emitter extend a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station. The signal strength of signals periodically emitted by the at least one signal emitter and received by the mobile device may define the dimensions and thus the boundaries of the virtual zone. For example, if the signals have a signal strength above a given signal strength threshold up to a distance of 100 cm, the virtual zone defined by this signal strength threshold may have a radius of 100 cm around the signal emitter. Signal strength decreases as a function of distance to the emitter according to the inverse square law.

[0013] A mobile device is configured to receive signals emitted by the at least one signal emitter. The mobile device may be, for example, a mobile phone of a passenger who wishes to check in their baggage at a baggage drop station. However, the mobile device may be any portable computerized device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop, a PDA, etc.

[0014] Based on the signals received from at least one signal emitter, it is determined whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone. The trigger range indicates an area closer to the signal emitter than the boundary of the virtual zone and therefore closer to the baggage drop station. For example, the trigger range may cover only an area with a radius of 0-60 cm or 0-30 cm from the signal emitter. This may be the range where the signal strength of the emitted signal has dropped to approximately 70%, 60%, or 50% of the signal's initial signal strength.

[0015] The mobile device may determine whether it is within this trigger range by, for example, measuring the signal strength of a signal periodically received from the signal emitter. The mobile device may determine its location relative to the signal emitter, such as by identification information transmitted to the mobile device by the signal emitter, or by trilateration of signals received from multiple signal emitters. The signal emitter may transmit a range indicator, such as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value, along with the signal. This RSSI value may be calibrated by the signal emitter manufacturer to be the signal strength of the signal emitter at a known distance, typically one meter. Using the signal emitter's known output signal strength and the signal strength observed by the mobile device, an estimate may be made of the distance between the beacon and the device.

[0016] In response to determining that the mobile device is within the trigger range, initiation of a mobile device-controlled bag drop procedure at the bag drop station is triggered. Initiation of the mobile device-controlled bag drop procedure may include an interaction by a user of the mobile device, such as clicking a link (URL) to a bag drop website where the bag drop process is performed. For example, initiation of the mobile device-controlled bag drop procedure may occur automatically if a bag drop application on the mobile device is automatically launched when the user of the mobile device enters the trigger range.

[0017] Once the baggage drop procedure has been initiated, it is (periodically) determined whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone based on signals received from at least one signal emitter. This determination may be made on the mobile device itself by determining the signal strength of the signals received from the signal emitters, as indicated above. In this process, the signal strength indicators (RSSI values) mentioned above may also be used.

[0018] The strength of the received signal may have fallen to a process abort threshold at the boundary of the imaginary zone, which may correspond to, for example, 30%, or 25%, or 20%, or 15% of the initial signal strength of the signal emitted from the signal emitter.

[0019] In response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone, the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station is aborted.

[0020] Using this mechanism, it is ensured that when the bag drop procedure is performed, the user of the mobile device remains within a given distance to the bag drop station given by the boundaries of the virtual zone.

[0021] Generally, thanks to the use of mobile devices to control baggage drop procedures, the typical fixed-installation console at a bag drop station may be omitted as the control functions previously conveyed by the console are outsourced to the user's mobile device, which reduces the amount of hardware required at the bag drop station and may also reduce the space required for the bag drop station.

[0022] Furthermore, the operations performed by the computerized system described above ensure that a user who wishes to perform a baggage drop procedure at a particular baggage drop station remains within a specific area around the baggage drop station when the baggage drop procedure is being performed. This also ensures that control signals transmitted from the mobile device to the baggage drop station or feedback signals transmitted from the baggage drop station to the mobile device can actually be received by the respective intended recipients. This also ensures that the user is near the baggage drop station if, for example, the baggage is not accepted and must be removed by the user.

[0023] When a 3D camera is used as a signal emitter, the camera may continuously detect the position of the mobile device (or the user of the mobile device). The mobile device may determine whether the mobile device is within or outside a virtual zone or trigger range based on a signal emitted by the camera to inform the mobile device of its location. The camera may directly determine whether the mobile device is within or outside the virtual zone or its trigger range and send this information to the mobile device.

[0024] In some examples, the computerized system is configured to identify, by the mobile device, whether a signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, the signal strength of the received signal being dependent on a distance between the mobile device and the at least one signal emitter.

[0025] As described above, identifying whether the signal strength of a received signal exceeds a trigger threshold is a possible method for determining whether a mobile device is within a trigger range. The trigger range may cover only an area with a radius of 0-60 cm or 0-30 cm from the signal emitter, an area where the signal strength of the emitted signal drops from 100% of the signal's initial signal strength to approximately 70%, 60%, or 50%. The trigger threshold may be set using the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) described above (which indicates which signal strength corresponds to which distance). The trigger threshold for received signal strength may be set in advance (e.g., before the mobile device enters the virtual zone).

[0026] For example, in response to identifying a signal strength of a received signal as exceeding a trigger threshold, initiation of a mobile device-controlled bag drop procedure at a bag drop station is triggered. As described above, this initiation of the mobile device-controlled bag drop procedure may occur automatically or may be triggered by an action by a mobile device user that ultimately initiates the bag drop procedure.

[0027] After the baggage drop procedure is initiated, the mobile device determines whether the signal strength of the received signal is below a process abort threshold. As described above, the boundary of the virtual zone may be indicated by the distance between the signal emitter and the mobile device at which the strength of the received signal has dropped to this process abort threshold. The signal strength process abort threshold may correspond, for example, to 30%, 25%, 20%, or 10% of the initial signal strength of the signal emitted by the signal emitter.

[0028] In response to identifying that the signal strength of the received signal has fallen below a process abort threshold, the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station is aborted.

[0029] In some examples, the computerized system is further configured to identify, by the mobile device, whether a signal strength of the received signal falls below an alert threshold, and to trigger an alert on the mobile device in response to the signal strength of the received signal falling below the alert threshold.

[0030] The warning threshold is a signal strength threshold that is between the trigger threshold and the process abort threshold. The warning threshold may correspond to a preset threshold that corresponds to a signal strength lower than the trigger threshold but higher than the process abort threshold. For example, the trigger threshold may correspond to 70% of the initial signal strength of the signal transmitter, the warning threshold may correspond to 40% of this initial signal strength, and the process abort threshold may correspond to 20% of the initial signal strength.

[0031] The purpose of the alert to the mobile device, triggered by the signal strength dropping below the alert threshold, may be to remind the user to stay close enough to the baggage drop station while the baggage drop procedure controlled by the mobile device is being carried out.

[0032] The process is only aborted if the user of the mobile device actually leaves the virtual zone, which may correspond to the received signal strength dropping below a process abort threshold.

[0033] In some examples, at least one signal emitter is a Bluetooth® beacon for indoor geofencing. For example, two, three, or more Bluetooth® beacons may be placed in front of a bag drop station.

[0034] Broadly speaking, a Bluetooth® beacon is a hardware transmitter (a class of Bluetooth low energy (LE) device that broadcasts its identifier to nearby portable electronic devices). The technology enables smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices to perform actions when they are within range of a Bluetooth® beacon. A Bluetooth® beacon may use Bluetooth® low energy proximity sensing to transmit a universally unique identifier that is picked up by a compatible app or operating system on the mobile device. This identifier and some of the bytes transmitted with it may be used to determine the device's physical location or to trigger location-based actions such as initiating a baggage drop process controlled by the mobile device via push notification (e.g., an indicator of the signal strength of the signal received by the mobile device, the RSSI indicator mentioned above, etc.).

[0035] As mentioned above, trilateration may be used to estimate the location of a mobile device using multiple Bluetooth® beacons at and around a bag drop station. Bluetooth® beacons may also report their identity, and each Bluetooth® beacon's identity may be associated with a different bag drop station.

[0036] Bluetooth® beacons may be used to provide a type of indoor geofencing solution, where a virtual zone corresponds to an (outer) geofence that extends from a bag drop station to a wider area than the (inner) geofence that corresponds to a trigger range.

[0037] In some examples, a plurality of baggage drop stations are provided, each of which is provided with a signal emitter for defining a virtual zone in front of the respective baggage drop station, and the dimensions of the virtual zone of each baggage drop station may be selected and the distance between the at least one signal emitter of each of the different baggage drop stations may be selected so that the virtual zones of the baggage drop stations do not overlap.

[0038] Several baggage drop stations may be located close to one another but with a distance between their respective signal emitters such that their respective virtual zones do not overlap. The distance between the respective signal emitters of the baggage drop stations, as well as the dimensions of their respective virtual zones, and in particular the dimensions of their respective trigger ranges, are selected so that at least the respective trigger ranges of the respective virtual zones do not overlap. This ensures that a mobile device cannot be simultaneously triggered to initiate a mobile device-based baggage drop procedure by two baggage drop stations with signal emitters. The distance between the signal emitters of different baggage drop stations may be in the range of between 150 cm and 200 cm.

[0039] A mobile device may receive signals from both signal emitters associated with two or more bag drop stations. However, if the mobile device is within the trigger range of a particular bag drop station, the signal strength of the received signal will exceed the trigger threshold only for that bag drop station and not for all other bag drop stations. Therefore, initiation of the bag drop procedure will be initiated only at that bag drop station.

[0040] Once a bag drop procedure is initiated, the mobile device may listen only to signal emitters transmitting identifiers associated with the bag drop station from which the initiation of the bag drop procedure was triggered, and only the signals of these signal emitters may be used by the mobile device to determine whether the signal strength is above or below a process abort threshold, which may correspond to the mobile device being within or outside the virtual zone of the respective bag drop station, respectively.

[0041] In some examples, at least one of the signals emitted by the at least one signal emitter includes a URL that can initiate a baggage drop procedure. In some examples, the signal that includes the URL is pushed to the mobile device by the signal emitter.

[0042] Once pushed to the mobile device, the URL may automatically appear on the mobile device display so that the mobile user can click on the URL link to activate the baggage drop procedure.

[0043] The URL may point to a web server, such as an application server, that communicates with the mobile device in controlling the baggage drop process at the baggage drop station. The web resource pointed to by the URL may act as a backend for the control of the baggage drop process communicated by the mobile device.

[0044] In some examples, in response to activation by a mobile device user of a URL delivered via the signal emitter, the flow of a baggage drop operation is mirrored to the mobile device.

[0045] The following operations may be performed, controlled via the mobile device, which may communicate with an application server that serves as a backend for the baggage drop application for the mobile device.

[0046] The weight of the baggage may be measured at the baggage drop station and the measured weight may be displayed to the user on the mobile device for informational purposes.

[0047] The measured weight may be checked against, for example, a departure control system (DCS), which may be done to check whether a passenger is eligible to check in baggage of a particular weight.

[0048] The user may then be prompted via the mobile device to acknowledge completion of this action.

[0049] In a further action, the baggage tag of the baggage may be scanned by the mobile device. Alternatively, this may be done automatically by a camera mounted at the baggage drop station. Successful completion of this action may be fed back to the user via the mobile device.

[0050] The measured weight may then be checked against a weight allowance, for example a weight allowance implemented by flight control. The user may be informed of the result of the weight allowance check via the mobile device. If the result of this check is positive, the baggage may be accepted. The user may be informed of the result via the mobile device.

[0051] In some examples, in response to the mobile device identifying that the signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, a baggage drop application on the mobile device is automatically initiated and the flow of the baggage drop operation is mirrored to the mobile device.

[0052] Instead of prompting a user via a pushed URL to manually initiate a bag drop procedure controlled by the mobile device, the bag drop procedure may be initiated automatically when the mobile device enters a trigger range. This may be accomplished, for example, by the mobile device receiving an application start indicator via a signal emitter and automatically opening a bag drop application on the mobile device.

[0053] In some examples, the mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure is performed via an application server with which the mobile device communicates. As mentioned above, the application server may act as a backend for a baggage drop application running on the mobile device.

[0054] In some examples, the mobile device communicates with the bag drop station using a mini PC and programmable logic controller associated with the bag drop station to control the bag drop process.

[0055] The baggage drop procedure may be controlled via the mobile device via a mini PC and programmable logic controller associated with the bag drop station, via which, for example, a weighing sensor at the bag drop station and a conveyor belt at the bag drop station may be controlled according to control commands received from the mobile device.

[0056] According to a second aspect, a method for controlling a baggage drop process via a mobile device is provided. The method includes creating a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station using at least one signal emitter at the baggage drop station. The method further includes receiving, by the mobile device, a signal emitted by the at least one signal emitter and determining, based on the signal received from the at least one signal emitter, whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone. In response to determining that the mobile device is within the trigger range, initiation of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station is triggered. The method further includes determining, based on the signal received from the at least one signal emitter, whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone and, in response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone, aborting the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station.

[0057] The method may include any of the operations that the computerized system according to the first aspect is configured to perform.

[0058] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising program code instructions stored on a computer readable medium for performing operations that a computerized system according to the first aspect is configured to perform when the program is run on a computing device.

[0059] Examples of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0060] [Figure 1]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a baggage drop station equipped with Bluetooth® beacons that emit signals that are received by a mobile phone, the signals extending a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station, and the signals being received by the mobile phone within a trigger range of the virtual zone. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of the bag drop station of FIG. 1 with a signal received by a mobile phone within the virtual zone but outside the trigger range of the virtual zone; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the baggage drop station of FIGS. 1 and 2, with a signal received by a mobile phone outside the virtual zone; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a baggage drop station such as that shown in FIG. 1 or 2, with imaginary zones extending in front of the baggage drop station that do not overlap and are spaced apart from one another. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic of a bag drop operation performed at a bag drop station and mirrored on a mobile phone that communicates with an application server to control the bag drop process. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a comprehensive schematic block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if a passenger exits a virtual zone. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a further comprehensive schematic block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user exits the virtual zone. [Figure 8] 1 is a flow chart of an example of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop procedure is aborted if the user leaves the virtual zone, and that the user is alerted if they are nearly outside the virtual zone. [Figure 9A]FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves a virtual zone, where the initiation of the baggage drop procedure is triggered by a URL pushed to the mobile phone by the signal emitter shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 9B] FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves a virtual zone, where the initiation of the baggage drop procedure is triggered by a URL pushed to the mobile phone by the signal emitter shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 9C] FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves a virtual zone, where the initiation of the baggage drop procedure is triggered by a URL pushed to the mobile phone by the signal emitter shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 is a detailed block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves a virtual zone, where initiation of the baggage drop procedure is automatically triggered in a baggage drop application on the mobile device. [Figure 10B] FIG. 1 is a detailed block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves a virtual zone, where initiation of the baggage drop procedure is automatically triggered in a baggage drop application on the mobile device. [Figure 10C]FIG. 1 is a detailed block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves a virtual zone, where initiation of the baggage drop procedure is automatically triggered in a baggage drop application on the mobile device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a computerized system for performing any of the operations illustrated in FIGS. 5-10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] The drawings and description of the drawings are examples of the invention and not the invention itself. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the following description of examples.

[0062] Example explanation It is noted that throughout the description of the examples, the mobile device is represented as a mobile phone, but any other portable computerized device, such as a tablet PC, may be used instead of a mobile phone.

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a baggage drop station equipped with Bluetooth beacons that emit signals that are received by a mobile phone, the signals extending a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station, and the signals being received by a mobile phone within a trigger range of the virtual zone.

[0064] The baggage drop station 1 is equipped with two signal emitters, Bluetooth® beacons 2, 2′, on either side of the conveyor belt 11. The Bluetooth® beacons 2, 2′ periodically emit a signal 10, which is also indicated by an outgoing wave at the Bluetooth® beacon 2′. The Bluetooth® beacons may be fixedly mounted to the front of the baggage drop station 1 so that they can radiate their Bluetooth® beacon signals into the area in front of the baggage drop station 1. The strength of these signals defines the dimensions of a virtual zone 5 in front of the baggage drop station 1. The dimensions of the virtual zone are indicated by a dashed box in front of the baggage drop station 1 in FIG. 1. Note that in FIG. 1, the virtual zone is box-shaped for illustrative purposes only. The shape of the virtual zone may instead be spherical.

[0065] The function of the virtual box 5 is to define an area in which the baggage drop procedure can be controlled by a mobile device such as the mobile phone 3. The virtual zone 5 is an area in which the user of the mobile phone 3 must remain when the baggage drop procedure is controlled via the mobile phone 3 and when the baggage drop procedure is in progress. The virtual box 5 is created, for example, by Bluetooth beacons 2, 2' and corresponds to a virtual geofencing area.

[0066] A trigger range 4 exists within a virtual zone 5. In the scenario illustrated by FIG. 1 , a mobile phone 3 is within this trigger range 4 with respect to the signal emitter of a Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′. When the mobile phone 3 is within the trigger range 4, the mobile phone 3 is sufficiently close to the Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′ such that a bag drop procedure controlled via the mobile phone 3 can be triggered / initiated. The mobile phone 3 may continuously check, for example, by a bag drop application while waiting, whether the mobile phone 3 is within the trigger range 4. To do so, the mobile phone 3 may measure the signal strength of a signal 10 periodically received from the signal emitter (here, the Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′). If the signal strength exceeds a trigger threshold, the mobile device identifies the mobile device as being within the trigger range, and the initiation of the bag drop procedure is triggered. Thus, the signal strength of the trigger threshold may indicate the boundary of the trigger range. The trigger range may cover a distance (eg, radius) of 0-80 cm, 0-60 cm, or 0-30 cm from the signal emitter (Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′).

[0067] To initiate the baggage drop procedure, the mobile device 3 may receive a PUSH signal from the Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′, which may include a URL. This URL may be included in each signal periodically emitted by the Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′. This URL may be displayed on the mobile device 3. The user can then click on this URL on the display of the mobile phone 3 to initiate the baggage drop procedure via the application server (see FIG. 5). Individual actions of the baggage drop procedure, such as weighing, checking DCS allowance, etc., may be mirrored on the mobile phone, and the baggage drop procedure may require the user to confirm every action as it is completed.

[0068] The mobile phone may actively query the signal strength of the signal emitters (here Bluetooth® beacons 2, 2′) by triggering beacons in the vicinity of the mobile phone to measure the signal strength and determine whether the mobile phone 3 is still within the virtual zone 5 or even within the trigger range 4 of the virtual zone 5.

[0069] When the baggage drop procedure is initiated, the process may involve weighing the baggage, checking the baggage weight against a threshold, and scanning the baggage tag either manually by mobile phone 3 or by a camera 9 mounted on arch 8. The baggage drop procedure may be controlled via a mobile device (here mobile phone 3) via a mini PC 6 and programmable logic controller 7 associated with baggage drop station 1.

[0070] The bag drop station of FIG. 1 is shown schematically by FIG. 2, with signals received by a mobile phone within the virtual zone, but outside the trigger range of the virtual zone.

[0071] A mobile device, here shown as a mobile phone 3, is within a virtual zone 5, but outside a trigger range 4 within said virtual zone 5. Thus, the mobile device 3 receives a signal 10 from a Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′.

[0072] If the bag drop process has not yet started and signal 10 is the first signal emitted from the Bluetooth® beacon received by mobile phone 3, nothing happens. Because the signal is not received within the trigger range, mobile phone 3 is not triggered to start the bag drop process.

[0073] However, if the mobile device has previously received a signal 10 within the trigger range (as shown in FIG. 1 ) and the bag drop procedure has been initiated, for example, by activating a URL previously received via a Bluetooth beacon signal 10 emitted by a Bluetooth beacon 2, 2′, the bag drop procedure will not be aborted as long as the mobile device 3 remains within the virtual zone 5. The virtual zone 5 may extend over a distance (e.g., a radius) of 0 to 200 cm, preferably 0 to 150 cm, from the Bluetooth beacon.

[0074] The mobile device 3 may detect that it is within the boundaries of the virtual zone 5 by detecting the signal strength of the signal 10 emitted by the Bluetooth® beacon 2, 2′ and comparing this signal strength with a process abort threshold. As long as the determined strength of the received signal 10 is higher than (or equal to) the process abort threshold, the baggage drop procedure remains active.

[0075] Thus, a signal strength received by a mobile device (here mobile phone 3) equal to the process abort threshold may indicate the outer boundary of the virtual zone 5.

[0076] The situation when the mobile phone 3 leaves the virtual zone is illustrated diagrammatically by FIG.

[0077] The mobile phone 3 may then receive a signal 10 from a Bluetooth® beacon, for which the mobile phone determines a signal strength that is below a process abort threshold.

[0078] In response to this determination, the baggage drop procedure is aborted.

[0079] This mechanism ensures that a user performing a baggage drop procedure controlled via a mobile phone 3 remains within a specific perimeter given by a virtual zone around the corresponding baggage drop station 1 while the baggage drop procedure is being performed.

[0080] Once the baggage drop procedure is completed, the user may manually terminate the baggage drop procedure via the mobile phone 3.

[0081] Baggage drop stations arranged at a distance from each other with non-overlapping imaginary zones extending in front of the baggage drop stations are shown diagrammatically in FIG.

[0082] In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, there are two bag drop stations 1, 1' arranged side by side. The distance 17 between the Bluetooth beacons 2, 2' and 20, 20' of each bag drop station 1, 1', and also the dimensions of the virtual zones 5, 5' in front of each bag drop station 1, 1', are selected so that the virtual zones 5, 5' do not overlap. What should be ensured at least is that the trigger ranges 4, 4' of the virtual zones 5, 5' do not overlap, to prevent a mobile phone from being triggered simultaneously by different bag drop stations 1, 1'.

[0083] In the arrangement shown by FIG. 4, the mobile device 3 is within the virtual zone 5 of the baggage drop station 1 and is therefore outside the virtual zone 5' in front of the baggage drop station 1'.

[0084] However, the mobile device 3 may receive signals 10, 10' from both the Bluetooth® beacons 2, 2' associated with the bag drop station 1 and the Bluetooth® beacons 20, 20' associated with the bag drop station 1' as well. The distance 17 between the Bluetooth® beacons 2, 2' of the bag drop station 1 and the Bluetooth® beacons 20, 20' of the bag drop station 1' may be between 150 cm and 200 cm.

[0085] However, because the mobile phone 3 is outside the virtual zone 5' of the baggage drop station 1', the signal strengths 10' detected by the mobile phone 3 from the Bluetooth® beacons 20, 20' located at the baggage drop station 1' are below the process abort threshold. Therefore, these signals are ignored by the mobile phone 3.

[0086] If the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station 1 has already been initiated under the control of the mobile phone 3, the baggage drop procedure continues as the mobile phone 3 continues to receive signals 10 from the Bluetooth® beacons 2, 2' with signal strengths indicating that the mobile phone 3 is within the virtual zone 5 in front of the baggage drop station 1.

[0087] If the baggage drop procedure has not yet been initiated via the mobile phone 3, the initiation of the baggage drop procedure is not triggered at the mobile phone 3 since the mobile phone 3 is outside the trigger range 4 of the virtual zone 5 and outside the trigger range 4' of the virtual zone 5'.

[0088] The bag drop (control) operations performed at the bag drop station and mirrored on the mobile phone, which communicates with the application server to control the bag drop process, are shown schematically in FIG.

[0089] In the schematic illustration given by FIG. 5, it is assumed that a mobile phone 3 is, at least initially, within a trigger range 4 of an imaginary zone 5 in front of a bag drop station 1 .

[0090] The Bluetooth® beacons 2 periodically emit signals, all or at least some of which contain a URL for triggering the initiation of the baggage drop procedure. This URL is thus pushed towards the mobile devices 3 that are within the trigger range 4 of the virtual zone 5 in operation A2. In operation A2, the URL is further retrieved by the mobile phone 3, and the user of the mobile phone 3 opens the URL, for example by clicking on the URL presented on the display, in order to start the baggage drop process in operation A3.

[0091] The following actions A3 to A8 are controlled via the mobile device 3 in communication 15 with an application server 30 which may act as a backend for a bag drop application for the mobile device 3. Computationally intensive parts of the bag drop procedure may be executed in the application server 30 and the processing results may be communicated to the mobile device 3. The mobile phone 3 may also be equipped with a bag drop app which allows the mobile phone 3 to control the bag drop procedure alone, without the need for the application server 30 as a backend.

[0092] The baggage drop operations performed at baggage drop station 1 are mirrored on mobile device 3. For example, when the baggage is weighed at action A4, the weight of the baggage measured at baggage drop station 1 may be displayed to the user for information purposes. The measured weight may be checked against a Departure Control System (DCS) allowance, for example, at action A5. This may be done to check whether the passenger is entitled to check in baggage of a certain weight.

[0093] The user may then be prompted via the mobile phone 3 to acknowledge completion of this action.

[0094] In action A6, the baggage tag of the baggage may be scanned by the mobile phone 3. Alternatively, this could be done automatically by a camera (see Figure 1).

[0095] In operation A7, the weight measured in operation A4 is checked against a weight allowance, for example a weight allowance implemented by flight management. The user may be informed about the result of the weight allowance check via the mobile phone 3. If the result of this check is positive, the baggage may be accepted in operation A8. The user may be informed about this result via the mobile phone 3.

[0096] Throughout operations A3 to A8, starting with the initiation of the baggage drop process in operation A3 and the acceptance of the baggage in operation A8, the mobile device 3 communicates with the baggage drop station 1 via a mini PC 6 and a programmable logic controller 7 associated with the baggage drop station 1 in order to control the baggage drop process via the mobile phone 3 and mirror the baggage drop process on the mobile phone 3.

[0097] The mobile phone 3 bag drop control architecture illustrated schematically in Figures 1 to 5 reduces the amount of hardware that must be installed at the bag drop station: since the control functionality is outsourced to the user's mobile phone 3, there is no need for a permanently installed control console at the bag drop station.

[0098] A comprehensive schematic block diagram of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the passenger leaves the virtual zone is shown by FIG.

[0099] In operation B1, a virtual zone is created in front of the bag drop station using at least one signal emitter (see Bluetooth® beacons 2, 2', 20, 20' in Figures 1 to 5) located at the bag drop station.

[0100] In act B2, the mobile device receives a signal emitted by at least one signal emitter.

[0101] In act B3, it is determined whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone based on the signals received from the at least one signal emitter, this determination typically being made by the mobile device.

[0102] In act B4, in response to determining that the mobile device is within the trigger range, initiation of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure at the bag drop station is triggered.

[0103] In operation B5, it is determined whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone based on the signals received from the at least one signal emitter. This determination may also be made by the mobile device.

[0104] In act B6, in response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone, the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station is aborted.

[0105] In operation C1, a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station is created using at least one signal emitter located at the baggage drop station.

[0106] In act C2, a signal emitted by the at least one signal emitter is received by the mobile device.

[0107] In operation C3, the mobile device identifies whether a signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, the signal strength of the received signal being dependent on a distance between the mobile device and the at least one signal emitter.

[0108] In operation C4, in response to identifying the signal strength of the received signal as exceeding a trigger threshold, initiation of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure at the bag drop station is triggered.

[0109] In operation C5, after the baggage drop procedure has been initiated, the mobile device identifies whether the signal strength of the received signal is below a process abort threshold.

[0110] In operation C6, the baggage drop procedure at the bag drop station is aborted in response to the mobile device determining that the signal strength of the received signal has fallen below a process abort threshold.

[0111] A flow chart of an example of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the mobile device controlled baggage drop process is aborted when leaving the virtual zone and that the user is warned when they are nearly outside the virtual zone is shown in FIG. 8.

[0112] In operation S1, the mobile device receives signals from signal emitters of different baggage drop stations via their respective signal emitters, such as Bluetooth® beacons.

[0113] In operation S2, it is checked whether the signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, and if the result of this check is negative, the mobile device continues to receive and / or scan for signals from different baggage drop stations.

[0114] If the result of the check operation S2 is positive, in operation S3, the initiation of a bag drop procedure controlled by the mobile device is triggered, for example by having the signal emitter push a URL for initiating the bag drop procedure to the mobile phone. The signal containing the URL may further include an identifier for identifying the signal emitter and / or the bag drop station to which the signal emitter belongs. Since the mobile phone is only close enough to one bag drop station to be within the trigger range of a virtual zone spanned by the signal emitter of this bag drop station, the bag drop procedure is triggered only at the bag drop station in front of which the user of the mobile device is standing.

[0115] In operation S4, a bag drop procedure controlled by the mobile device is executed at the bag drop station where the signal exceeding the trigger threshold was received.

[0116] When performing a baggage drop procedure, the actions within this procedure performed at the baggage drop station are mirrored on the mobile device (see Figure 5).

[0117] While operation S4 is still in progress, a check is repeatedly performed, for example by the mobile device, according to operation S5, whether the strength of the received signal is below the warning threshold. If this is not the case, the baggage drop procedure of operation S4 continues.

[0118] However, if in operation S5 it is determined that the signal strength of the received signal is below the alert threshold, then in operation S6 an alert is triggered to the mobile device to approach a bag drop station.

[0119] In operation S7, it is again repeatedly checked whether the signal strength of the received signal is below the process abort threshold, and if this is not the case, the only action applied here (still) is to send a trigger alert to the mobile device in operation S8 (as in S7) to approach a bag drop station.

[0120] However, if the signal strength of the received signal is determined to be below the process abort threshold, then in operation S9 the bag drop procedure at the bag drop station is aborted.

[0121] The trigger threshold for signal strength may be significantly higher than the warning threshold, such as 130%, 150%, 200%, or 300% of the warning threshold, while the warning threshold may not be much higher than the process abort threshold, such as only 110% or 120% of the process abort threshold.

[0122] It is also possible that there is no warning threshold at all, so that the mobile phone only repeatedly checks, via operation S7, whether the signal strength of the received signal is below the process abort threshold. In this case, operations S5, S6 and S8 do not exist. The baggage drop procedure is aborted in operation S9 without first triggering a warning (operations S6 and S8).

[0123] Detailed block diagrams of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves a virtual zone, where the initiation of the baggage drop procedure is triggered by a URL pushed to the mobile phone by a signal emitter, are shown in Figures 9A to 9C.

[0124] In operation D1 (see FIG. 9A), a virtual zone in front of the baggage drop station is created using a signal emitter located at the baggage drop station.

[0125] In act D2, a signal emitted by the at least one signal emitter is received by the mobile device.

[0126] In operation D3, it is determined whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone based on the signal received from the signal emitter. An example of how this may be done is that the mobile device identifies whether the signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, where the signal strength depends on the distance between the mobile device and the signal emitter, and the signal strength trigger threshold corresponds to a boundary of the trigger range within the virtual zone (the area where the signal strength received by the mobile device exceeds the trigger threshold corresponds to the trigger range).

[0127] In operation D4, in response to determining that the mobile device is within a trigger range, initiation of a bag drop procedure controlled via the mobile device is triggered. As an example of how this may be done, in response to identifying that the signal strength of a received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, initiation of a bag drop procedure controlled by the mobile device at the bag drop station is triggered, wherein one of the signals emitted by the signal emitter includes a URL from which the bag drop procedure can be initiated. This URL is pushed to the mobile device by the signal emitter.

[0128] In operation D5 (see FIG. 9B), in response to the mobile phone user activating the URL delivered by the signal emitter, the flow of the baggage drop operation is mirrored to the mobile device, and the baggage drop procedure controlled by the mobile device is executed via an application server with which the mobile phone communicates, and the mobile device communicates with the baggage drop station via an interface (e.g., a mini PC or a cloud-based virtual PC) and a programmable logic controller associated with the baggage drop station to control the baggage drop process.

[0129] In operation D6, the mobile device identifies whether the signal strength of the received signal has fallen below an alert threshold, and in response to the signal strength of the received signal falling below the alert threshold, an alert is triggered on the mobile device.

[0130] In operation D7, it is determined whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone based on the signals received from the at least one signal emitter. An example of how this can be done is that after a baggage drop procedure is initiated, the mobile device identifies whether the signal strength of the received signal is below a process abort threshold, where the signal strength process abort threshold corresponds to the boundary of the virtual zone (areas where the signal strength received by the mobile device is higher than the process abort threshold correspond to the virtual zone, and areas where the received signal strength is lower than the process abort threshold are outside the virtual zone).

[0131] In operation D8 (see FIG. 9C ), in response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone, e.g., in response to identifying that the signal strength of the received signal has fallen below a process abort threshold, the baggage drop procedure controlled by the mobile device is aborted.

[0132] Detailed block diagrams of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure that ensures that the baggage drop process is aborted if the user leaves the virtual zone, where initiation of the baggage drop procedure is automatically triggered in a baggage drop application on the mobile device, are provided in Figures 10A to 10C.

[0133] In operation E1 (see FIG. 10A), a virtual zone is created in front of the baggage drop station using a signal emitter located at the baggage drop station.

[0134] In an operation E2, a signal emitted by the at least one signal emitter is received by the mobile device.

[0135] In operation E3, it is determined whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone based on the signal received from the signal emitter. An example of how this can be done is by the mobile device identifying whether the signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, where the signal strength depends on the distance between the mobile device and the signal emitter, and the signal strength trigger threshold corresponds to the boundary of the trigger range within the virtual zone.

[0136] In operation E4, in response to determining that the mobile device is within a trigger range, trigger initiation of a bag drop procedure controlled by the mobile device, e.g., by triggering initiation of a bag drop procedure controlled via the mobile device in response to identifying that the signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold.

[0137] In operation E5, in response to the mobile device identifying that the signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, a bag drop application on the mobile device is automatically initiated, at which time the flow of the bag drop operation is mirrored to the mobile phone.

[0138] In operation E6, the mobile device identifies whether the signal strength of the received signal has fallen below an alert threshold, and in response to this signal strength falling below the alert threshold, an alert is triggered on the mobile device.

[0139] In operation E7, it is determined whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone based on the signals received from the at least one signal emitter. An example of how this can be done is that after a baggage drop procedure is initiated, the mobile device identifies whether the signal strength of the received signal is below a process abort threshold, where the signal strength process abort threshold corresponds to the boundary of the virtual zone.

[0140] In operation E8, the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station is aborted in response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone, for example, by identifying that the signal strength of the received signal has fallen below a process abort threshold.

[0141] A diagrammatic representation of an exemplary computer system 500 is shown in Figure 11. A processor 502 is configured to execute a set of instructions 503 to cause the computer system 500 to perform any of the operations of a mobile device controlled baggage drop procedure as described herein. A computer of a distributed computer system that performs the tasks of the method of baggage identification and baggage reconciliation for public transportation may be configured in this manner.

[0142] The computer system 500 includes a processor 502, a main memory 504, and a network interface 508. The main memory 504 includes a user space associated with applications executed by a user and a kernel space reserved for applications related to the operating system and hardware. The computer system 500 further includes static memory 506, such as a non-removable flash drive and / or solid-state drive and / or a removable micro- or mini-SD card, that persistently stores software that enables the computer system 500 to perform its functions. Additionally, the computer system 500 may include a video display 510, a user interface control module 514, and / or an alphanumeric and cursor input device 512. Optionally, additional I / O interfaces 516, such as a card reader and a USB interface, may be present. The computer system components 502 to 516 are interconnected by a data bus 518.

[0143] In some exemplary embodiments, software programmed to perform (parts of) the methods described herein is stored on static memory 506, while in other exemplary embodiments an external database is used.

[0144] An executable set of instructions (i.e., software) 503 embodying any one or all of the above-described methodologies resides permanently, completely or at least partially, in non-volatile memory 506. When executing, process data resides in main memory 504 and / or processor 502. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1, 1' Baggage Drop Station 2, 2' Bluetooth® Beacon 3. Mobile phones and devices 4, 4' trigger range 5,5' Virtual Zone 6. Mini PC 7 Programmable Logic Controller 10, 10' signal 17 distance 20, 20' Bluetooth® Beacon 15. Communications 30 Application Server 500 Computer Systems 502 processor 503 instruction set 504 main memory 506 static memory, non-volatile memory 508 Network Interface 510 Video Display 512 Alphanumeric and cursor input devices 514 User Interface Control Module 516 additional I / O interfaces 518 Data Bus

Claims

1. 1. A computerized system for controlling a baggage drop process via a mobile device, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-volatile memory; creating a virtual zone in front of a baggage drop station using at least one signal emitter at said baggage drop station; receiving, by the mobile device, a signal emitted by the at least one signal emitter; determining whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone based on signals received from the at least one signal emitter; triggering initiation of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure at the bag drop station in response to determining that the mobile device is within the trigger range; determining whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone based on signals received from the at least one signal emitter; and a computerized system configured to abort the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station in response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone.

2. identifying, by the mobile device, whether a signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, wherein the signal strength of the received signal is dependent on a distance between the mobile device and the at least one signal emitter; triggering initiation of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure at the bag drop station in response to identifying a signal strength of the received signal as exceeding the trigger threshold; identifying, by the mobile device, whether a signal strength of the received signal is below a process abort threshold after the baggage drop procedure has been initiated; and in response to identifying that a signal strength of the received signal has fallen below the process abort threshold, aborting the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station.

3. 3. The computerized system of claim 2, further configured to identify, by the mobile device, whether a signal strength of the received signal falls below an alert threshold, and trigger an alert at the mobile device in response to the signal strength of the received signal falling below the alert threshold.

4. 4. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal emitter is a Bluetooth beacon for indoor geofencing.

5. 5. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of baggage drop stations are provided, each of said baggage drop stations being provided with a signal emitter for defining a virtual zone in front of said respective baggage drop station, and wherein the dimensions of said virtual zone of each of said baggage drop stations are selected so that said virtual zones of said baggage drop stations do not overlap, and wherein the distance between at least one signal emitter of each of different baggage drop stations is selected.

6. 6. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the signals emitted by the at least one signal emitter includes a URL from which the baggage drop procedure can be initiated.

7. The computerized system of claim 6 , wherein a signal including the URL is pushed to the mobile device by the signal emitter.

8. 8. The computerized system of claim 6 or 7, wherein in response to a user of the mobile device activating the URL delivered via the signal emitter, a flow of a baggage drop operation is mirrored to the mobile device.

9. 6. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein in response to the mobile device identifying that the signal strength of the received signal exceeds a trigger threshold, a baggage drop application on the mobile device is automatically initiated and a baggage drop operation flow is mirrored to the mobile device.

10. 10. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the baggage drop procedure controlled by the mobile device is performed via an application server with which the mobile device communicates.

11. 10. The computerized system of claim 8, wherein the mobile device communicates with the baggage drop station using a mini PC and programmable logic controller associated with the baggage drop station to control the baggage drop process.

12. 1. A method for controlling a baggage drop process via a mobile device, comprising: creating a virtual zone in front of a baggage drop station using at least one signal emitter at said baggage drop station; receiving, by the mobile device, a signal emitted by the at least one signal emitter; determining whether the mobile device is within a trigger range of the virtual zone based on signals received from the at least one signal emitter; responsive to determining that the mobile device is within the trigger range, triggering initiation of a mobile device-controlled baggage drop procedure at the bag drop station; determining whether the mobile device has left the virtual zone based on signals received from the at least one signal emitter; and c) suspending the baggage drop procedure at the baggage drop station in response to determining that the mobile device has left the virtual zone.

13. 13. A method according to claim 12, comprising any of the operations the computerised system of claims 2 to 11 is configured to perform.

14. 12. A computer program product comprising program code instructions stored on a computer readable medium for performing operations configured to be performed by a computerized system according to claims 1 to 11 when the program is run on a computing device.

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