Luggage Tracking Tags for Security Screening Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baggage handling systems are inefficient, costly, and resource-intensive, particularly for high-volume travel entities like cruise ships, due to the need for manual data entry and printed bag tags, which consume human resources and increase operational costs while reducing revenue opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a tracking device attached to luggage items to store and transmit security screening information, including pseudo IDs and passenger data, allowing for automated luggage handling and reduced rescreening requirements across different travel modes, using IATA-compatible messages and imaging technology to digitize and reuse discarded bag tags for seamless luggage transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual data entry and printed bag tags are used for baggage handling, then passenger check-in can be completed, but human resources are consumed and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated tracking devices that carry baggage information autonomously. The tracking device stores and transmits baggage data without requiring manual data entry by staff, allowing the baggage to 'serve itself' through automated identification and tracking across different transport modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (staff reading bag tags and entering data) with electronic automated systems. The tracking device uses electronic storage and wireless transmission to substitute the mechanical actions of manual data collection, processing, and transfer between baggage handling systems.
2Reliability
If printed bag tags are used for each passenger, then baggage identification is achieved, but operational costs and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating new printed bag tags for each transport leg, the system creates a digital copy of the baggage information stored in the tracking device. This electronic copy can be repeatedly accessed and transmitted without consuming additional physical materials, replacing the need for multiple printed tags.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses the tracking device and its stored information across multiple transport legs. Rather than discarding the bag tag information after one use, the system recovers the data from the tracking device and reuses it for subsequent transportation, eliminating the need for continuous printing of new tags.
3Reliability
If manual baggage processing is performed at each transport leg, then security screening can be conducted, but data entry errors increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device provides continuous feedback of baggage information to each transport leg's system through automated transmission. This feedback mechanism ensures that the same accurate data is available at each screening point without requiring manual re-entry, reducing errors and maintaining data consistency across the entire journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The baggage information is prepared and stored in the tracking device in advance during initial check-in. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary data is ready before each transport leg, eliminating the need for last-minute manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors during security screening processes.
4Ease of operation
If traditional baggage handling systems are used for high-volume travel entities, then passenger service is provided, but revenue opportunities are reduced due to high operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device serves multiple functions across different transport modes (airplane, train, bus, ferry, cruise ship). This universal system handles identification, tracking, and information transfer for all modes of travel, eliminating the need for separate manual processing systems and reducing overall operational costs while maintaining service quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems for tracking a luggage item of a passenger are disclosed. They may include, tracking, by at least one processor, a tracking device associated with the luggage item; and loading security screening information into memory of the tracking device, after the luggage item is screened by a first baggage screening requirement to travel using a first mode of travel. The method and systems may include generating, by at least one of the at least one processor, a baggage information message that includes the security screening information to a network interface of a computing system to screen the luggage item for a security threat that is the same as or lower than a first baggage screening requirement. This may enable the bypass rescreening of the luggage item at the second baggage screening requirement to transfer travel from the first mode of travel to a second mode of travel.