Touchless Baggage Retrieval via Automated Code Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional baggage claim systems in airports often result in passengers mistakenly removing the wrong baggage, and during social distancing measures, this can lead to multiple passengers touching the same bags, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows passengers to retrieve their baggage without physically touching any bags other than their own, using a scanning system to match passenger codes with corresponding baggage codes, and a diverting mechanism to deliver the correct baggage directly to the passenger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If passengers manually remove baggage from conveyor belts, then passengers can retrieve their baggage, but passengers may touch wrong baggage and other passengers' baggage, increasing disease transmission risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of passengers reaching and grabbing baggage with an automated optical scanning system. Barcode scanners automatically read baggage identifiers as bags pass by, and a control system automatically directs the correct baggage to the correct passenger outlet, eliminating the need for passengers to physically search and touch multiple bags.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated identification and routing. Passengers simply present their identification at the outlet, and the system automatically verifies their claimed baggage against the scanned codes and directs the correct bag to them, without requiring manual intervention or touching of other bags.
2Reliability
If passengers manually search for and remove their baggage, then they can claim their items, but they may mistakenly remove the wrong baggage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and routing of baggage before passengers need to claim it. Barcode scanners continuously read baggage identifiers and the control system pre-positions or directs the correct baggage to the appropriate passenger outlet in advance, so when passengers arrive, their baggage is already ready and waiting for them.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through automated verification where the control system continuously monitors scanned baggage codes against passenger claims, automatically verifies matches, and provides real-time confirmation to ensure the correct baggage is directed to the correct passenger, preventing wrong baggage retrieval.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple passengers queue for baggage claim, then all passengers can retrieve their baggage, but social distancing is compromised and disease transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the baggage claim process into multiple independent outlets or stations, each handling specific passengers or groups of passengers. This segmentation allows passengers to claim baggage at different locations simultaneously, maintaining social distancing while preserving overall system throughput and productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes conveying baggage through a baggage claim system, receiving a code (116) from a first passenger (106) in a queue, and scanning codes on the baggage in the baggage claim system for a baggage item that matches with the code received from the first passenger. The method includes detecting the baggage item (104) that matches with the code received from the first passenger and diverting the baggage item from the baggage conveyed through the baggage claim system using a gate (118), for retrieval by the first passenger. This can be performed without the first passenger touching any of the baggage in the baggage claim system other than the baggage item that matches with the code received from the passenger, and without any other passengers touching the baggage item.