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DUAL FREQUENCY NFC/RFID CARD FOR SELF SERVICE BAGGAGE CHECK AND METHOD

20220100974 · 2022-03-31

Assignee

Inventors

Cpc classification

International classification

Abstract

A card is made from rigid plastic confirming to ISO 7810 ID-Type 1 card constructed of PVC, PET, Styrene, Polypropylene, Tyvek, or other synthetic material that is 7 mil to 30 mil thick (180 to 760 microns) with both an embedded High Frequency (HF) RFID chip and a Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip; each chip is affixed to its own unique antenna that is appropriately tuned to operate in its designated frequency range in a passive manner such that the antenna are not physically connected to a power source such as a battery; the HF chip is encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) with code that directs a NFC enabled smartphone, tablet, or similar device to a dedicated website or app where it initializes the interaction by delivering in the NFC encode string identification data unique to that card's UHF RFID chip; the NFC encode string may include such data as the UHF chip's Tag Identification Number (TID), a serial number assigned to the tag that is encoded into the UHF chip's EPC memory; the delivery of the unique identifying information from the card's UHF chip allows the website or app to associate the tag with the passenger's itinerary by associating it with a ticket number, reservation number, frequent traveler number, or other identification element that is unique to the specific passenger for whom the tag is associated; wherein once the card's NFC is used to link the tag to the reservation the bag can be tracked through the transport carrier's baggage handling system using the card's embedded UHF RFID capability.

Claims

1-68. (canceled)

69. A card or tag for use in tracking luggage, the card or tag comprising: a) Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that is encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) with permanent code including executable data with an NFC encode string that includes identification data that is unique to the card or tag, wherein the executable data is adapted to: i) cause a website or software application (app) of a transport carrier baggage tracking system to open on an NFC enabled device; ii) deliver to the website or app the NFC encode string with the identification data; iii) cause the website or app to automatically associate the identification data with an existing account of a card or tag holder; and iv) cause the website or app to automatically link the card or tag to a travel reservation of the card or tag holder that is part of the account to effect check-in of a luggage item with the card or tag attached thereto; b) machine readable technology that is operable to be read by and used in conjunction with the transport carrier baggage tracking system while processing and handling the luggage item; and c) a remote check-in function enabled by the executable data that initiates and causes check-in of the luggage item having the card or tag coupled thereto with the transport carrier baggage tracking system and the travel reservation.

70. The card or tag of claim 69 wherein the executable data is adapted to enable the remote check-in function without a tag or card holder having to engage in a check-in step other than placing the NFC enabled device in proximity of the card or tag.

71. The card or tag of claim 69 wherein the executable data is adapted to enable the remote check-in function without a tag or card holder having to: (i) open the website or app; (ii) input data on the website or app; (iii) stop and/or input data at a kiosk at a departing locale; (iv) speak with a counter representative; and (v) write or input information or data to the card or tag.

72. The card or tag of claim 70 wherein the executable data is also adapted to i) capture live biometric data of the card or tag holder that has been captured by the NFC enabled device; ii) deliver the live biometric data to the website or app and cause the website or app to compare the live biometric data captured by the executable data with stored biometric data of the account to verify identity of the card or tag holder checking in the luggage item with the card or tag coupled thereto.

73. The card or tag of claim 69 wherein the NFC technology is an HF chip connected to an HF antenna and the machine readable technology is a UHF chip connected to a UHF antenna.

74. The card or tag of claim 69 wherein the NFC technology is an HF chip connected to an HF antenna and the machine readable technology is a barcode.

75. The card or tag of claim 69 wherein the NFC technology and the machine readable technology are part of a single chip that operates in HF and UHF frequency ranges, wherein the single chip is connected to both a UHF antenna and an HF antenna.

76. The card or tag of claim 69 wherein the NFC technology and machine readable technology are part of a single chip that operates in HF and UHF frequency ranges, wherein the single chip is connected to a single antenna that is tuned to desired HF and UHF frequencies.

77. A card or tag for use in tracking luggage, the card or tag comprising: a) Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that is encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) with permanent code including executable data with an NFC encode string that includes identification data that is unique to the card or tag, wherein the executable data is adapted to: i) cause a website or software application (app) of a transport carrier baggage tracking system to open on an NFC enabled device; ii) deliver to the website or app the NFC encode string with the identification data; iii) cause the website or app to automatically associate the identification data with an existing account of a card or tag holder; and iv) cause the website or app to automatically link the card or tag to a travel reservation of the card or tag holder that is part of the account to effect check-in of a luggage item with the card or tag attached thereto; v) capture live biometric data of the card or tag holder that has been captured by the NFC enabled device; vi) deliver the live biometric data to the website or app and cause the website or app to compare the live biometric data captured by the executable data with stored biometric data in the account to verify identity of the card or tag holder checking in the luggage item; b) machine readable technology that is operable to be read by and used in conjunction with the transport carrier baggage tracking system while processing and handling the luggage item; and c) a remote check-in function enabled by the executable data that initiates and causes check-in of the luggage item having the card or tag coupled thereto with the transport carrier baggage tracking system and the travel reservation.

78. The card or tag of claim 77 wherein the live biometric data includes one or more of the following unique identification biometric markers: i) fingerprint; ii) voice signature; iii) palm print; iv) hand geometry; v) facial geometry (facial recognition markers); vi) brain signals (electroencephalogram); vii) heart signals (electrocardiogram); or viii) other unique physiological characteristic.

79. A method of transporting luggage from a departing locale to an arriving locale comprising the steps of: a) establishing an account for a traveler with a carrier; b) booking a travel reservation with the carrier that is linked to the account established in step “a”; c) coupling a card or tag that includes identification data that is linked to the account established in step “a” to a luggage item of a traveler, wherein the card or tag includes: i) Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that is encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) with permanent code including executable data with an NFC encode string that includes the identification data that is unique to the card or tag, wherein the executable data is adapted to: cause a website or software application (app) of the carrier to open on an NFC enabled device; deliver to the website or app the NFC encode string with the identification data; cause the website or app to automatically associate the identification data with the account of step “a”; and cause the website or app to automatically link the card or tag to the travel reservation of the card or tag holder of step “b” to effect check-in of the luggage item with the card or tag attached thereto; ii) machine readable technology that is operable to be read by and used in conjunction with a transport carrier baggage tracking system of the carrier while processing and handling the luggage item; and d) checking in the luggage item with the card or tag attached thereto with the carrier in a single step of the traveler placing the NFC enabled device in proximity of the card or tag so that the NFC enabled device reads the executable data of the card or tag of step “c” and delivers the executable data to the website or app where a link is automatically established between the identification data of the card or tag and the travel reservation to complete a check-in event; and e) dropping the luggage item with the card or tag attached thereto at a designated luggage drop area of the carrier.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein completion of the check-in event occurs without the traveler having to: (i) open the website or app; (ii) input data on the website or app; (iii) stop and/or input data at a kiosk at the departing locale; (iv) speak with a counter representative; and (v) write or input information or data to the card or tag.

81. A method of transporting luggage from a departing locale to an arriving locale using the card or tag of claim 77, comprising the steps of: a) establishing the account for the card or tag holder with a transport carrier; b) booking the travel reservation with the transport carrier that is linked to the account established in step “a”; c) obtaining the card or tag; d) coupling the card or tag to the luggage item of the card or tag holder; e) checking in the luggage item to the transport carrier baggage tracking system with the card or tag attached thereto by placing the NFC enabled device in proximity of the card or tag so that the NFC enabled device reads the executable data of the card or tag of step “c” and delivers the executable data to the website or app where a link is automatically established between the identification data of the card or tag and the travel reservation to complete a check-in event; f) using the NFC enabled device to also capture live biometric markers of the card or tag holder that are captured by the executable data during step “e” and delivered to the website or app where the live biometric markers are compared to stored biometric markers in the account to verify identity of the traveler; and g) dropping the luggage item with the card or tag attached thereto at a designated luggage drop of the transport carrier.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein completion of the check-in event occurs without the card or tag holder having to: (i) open the website or app; (ii) input data on the website or app; (iii) stop and/or input data at a kiosk at the departing locale; (iv) speak with a counter representative; and (v) write or input information or data to the card or tag.

83. The method of claim 81 wherein the live biometric markers and stored biometric markers each include one or more of the following unique identification features: i) fingerprint; ii) voice signature; iii) palm print; iv) hand geometry; v) facial geometry (facial recognition markers); vi) brain signals (electroencephalogram); vii) heart signals (electrocardiogram); or viii) other unique physiological characteristic.

84. A method of tracking luggage from a departing destination to an arrival destination using the card or tag of claim 68, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing the account with account identifying information of the card or tag holder that is linkable to one or more travel reservations and to the transport carrier baggage tracking system; b) providing the website or software application (app) that stores information on and manages the travel account and which manages the transport carrier baggage tracking system or is linkable to the transport carrier baggage tracking system; c) providing the card or tag to the card or tag holder, wherein the card or tag is linked to the account of step “a”; and d) receiving luggage item check-in information from the card or tag holder after the card or tag holder places the card or tag, which is attached to the luggage item, in proximity of the NFC enabled device so that the NFC enabled device reads the executable data which directs the NFC enabled device to open the website or app and automatically deliver the identification data that is unique to the card or tag to the website or app where the identification data, and therefore the card or tag, is automatically linked to a said one or more travel reservation in the transport carrier baggage tracking system to cause check-in of the luggage item with the transport carrier baggage tracking system; e) receive the luggage item with the card or tag attached thereto at a luggage drop off location; and f) handling and processing the luggage item during a trip of the card or tag holder from the departing destination, to the arrival destination, to bag claim by the card or tag holder.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein handling and processing of the luggage item includes delivering and updating luggage item status information during the trip to the website or app.

86. The method of claim 85 wherein the luggage item status information is viewable by the account holder on the website or app.

87. The method of claim 85 wherein the method does not include: i) rewriting or changing the permanent code including the executable data at check-in of the luggage item or at check-points of the transport carrier baggage tracking system during the trip; ii) writing account holder travel reservation information to the card or tag; and iii) receiving check-in or personal information from the traveler at a bag check-in kiosk or counter at a transportation carrier facility.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0295] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0296] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention;

[0297] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present invention;

[0298] FIG. 3A is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0299] FIG. 3B is a side view of a first preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0300] FIG. 3C is a back view of a first preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0301] FIG. 3D is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0302] FIG. 4A is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0303] FIG. 4B is a side view of a second preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0304] FIG. 4C is a back view of a second preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0305] FIG. 4D is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0306] FIG. 5A is a front view of a third preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0307] FIG. 5B is a side view of a third preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0308] FIG. 5C is a back view of a third preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0309] FIG. 5D is an exploded view of a third preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0310] FIG. 6A is a front view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0311] FIG. 6B is a side view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2;

[0312] FIG. 6C is a back view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2; and

[0313] FIG. 6D is an exploded view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the system and/or method of FIG. 1 or 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0314] FIG. 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a method and system of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a method and system of the present invention. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a first preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the method and system as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a second preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the method and system as shown in FIG. 1 or 2. FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a third preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the method and system as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card that can be used in the method and system as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. In FIGS. 3A-3D a first preferred embodiment of a baggage tag or card, designated by the numeral 10, is illustrated. Preferably, tag or card 10 is made from rigid plastic conforming to ISO 7810 ID-Type 1 form factor specifications (or to other similar standards or systems currently available or to be developed in the future) and is about 7 mils to 30 mils thick (180 to 760 microns). Tag or card 10 can be constructed of PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek®, or other desired synthetic material that is 7 mil to 30 mil thick (180 to 760 microns). Card/tag 10 can include an opening 17 so that a tie or other coupler can be threaded through opening 17 and used to attach card/tag 10 to bag 22. A card/tag 10 can also be coupled to a bag 22 in other suitable manners as are known in the art. Card/tag 10 can include a passenger/traveler name 19 and a tag member number or tag member identifier 20 that can be encoded in the UHF chip 13 and which can also be imaged on a front 28 or back 29 surface of a card/tag 10 as desired, using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available variable imaging process or other similar process to be developed in the future. A tag/card 10 also preferably includes a tag identification number 18 that is preferably encoded in UHF chip 13 and which can be imaged on a front 28 or back 29 surface of a card/tag 10 as desired. In one or more embodiments a tag identification number 18 and/or tag member number or identifier 20 is included in both human readable and barcode formats.

[0315] A front 28 of a tag or card 10 can be blank. A front 28 can also have carrier specific branding printed on it, or tag identifying information (e.g., number 18, bar-code 15/16, passenger name 19, a frequent traveler number which can be a number 20, etc.) that can be a full or partial representation of the data shown on the other side of the tag. Likewise, a back 29 of a tag or card 10 can be blank. A back 29 can also have carrier specific branding printed on it, or tag identifying information (e.g., number 18, bar-code 15/16, passenger name 19, a frequent traveler number which can be a number 20, etc.) that can be a full or partial representation of the data shown on the other side of the tag or card 10.

[0316] A tag or card 10 front 28 and/or back 29 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The antenna(s) and chip(s) inside a card or tag 10 often cannot be seen.

[0317] Card 10 preferably is equipped with both Near Field Communication technology and Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology. Card 10 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D has both an embedded Near field Communication NFC chip (e.g., a High Frequency (HF) chip 11, which can be an HF Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) chip), and an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) chip 13, which preferably is a UHF Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) chip. Other suitable NFC chips or technology, HF chips or technology, UHF chips or technology, and RFID chips or technology that are currently available or to be developed in the future that will enable a card 10 to function and be used in the manner as shown and described herein also can be used in one or more embodiments of a card 10.

[0318] HF chip 11 preferably is affixed to its own HF antenna 12 that is appropriately tuned to operate in its designated frequency range in a passive manner such that the HF antenna 12 is not physically connected to a power source such as a battery. UHF chip 13 is preferably affixed to its own UHF unique antenna 14 that is appropriately tuned to operate in its designated frequency range in a passive manner such that UHF antenna 14 is not physically connected to a power source such as a battery.

[0319] In one or more preferred embodiments, HF chip 11 is preferably encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) with NFC NDEF executable code that includes chip 11 identifying information, e.g., tag identification number 18, that can direct a smart device 21 that is NFC enabled, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, to a dedicated website or app where the code initializes the bag check-in interaction by delivering in the NFC NDEF executable encode string identification data that is unique to card's/tag's 10 UHF chip 13.

[0320] In one or more preferred embodiments, HF chip 11 is preferably encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) with code that can direct a smart device 21 that is NFC enabled, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, to a dedicated website or app where the code initializes the bag check-in interaction by delivering in the NFC NDEF executable encode string identification data that is unique to card's/tag's 10 UHF chip 13. The NFC encode string preferably includes such data as the UHF chip 13's tag identification number 18, which can be a serial number, or other unique identifier, assigned to the tag that is encoded into the UHF chip's 13 Electronic Product Code (EPC) memory. The NFC encode string can also include the tag member number or tag member identifier 20. The delivery of the unique identifying information from the card's/tag's 10 UHF chip 13 preferably allows the website or app to associate the tag/card 10 with an account and travel itinerary of the passenger/traveler by associating the tag identification number 18 and therefore the card/tag 10, with a ticket number, reservation number, frequent traveler number, or other identification element that is unique to the specific passenger for whom the tag/card 10 is associated. The tag identification number 18 can be included in a data server maintained by the carrier for the associating/linking with the travel itinerary or ticket reservation and/or in data associated with the traveler's account to provide a link between the tag/card 10 and the travel itinerary or ticket reservation.

[0321] If a traveler's/passenger's account includes other family members, for example, or more than one pending travel itinerary, the traveler/passenger can designate to which person and which itinerary that the tag/card 10 is to be linked by navigating through appropriate instructions and prompts on the transport carrier's website/app.

[0322] Once the card's HF chip 11 is used to link the tag/card 10 to the travel itinerary or tick reservation, the bag 22 can preferably be tracked through the transport carrier's baggage handling system using the card's embedded UHF RFID capability.

[0323] If a tag or card 10 includes a barcode, e.g., a Quick Response (QR) code including a vertical barcode 15 and horizontal barcode 16 as shown in FIG. 3C, preferably, the NDEF encode string of HF chip 11 includes data for the barcodes 15/16. A QR code scanner or reader can read the barcodes 15/16. A QR code reader app can be downloaded to a smart device 21. Human readable numbers 18 (tag identification number), and 19 (tag member number) can also be included in the NDEF encode string of HF chip 11. Preferably, such a barcode 15/16 is unique to the specific card/tag 10 and also serves to support tracking through a baggage tracking system of the carrier. Preferably, tag identification number 18 is also unique to the specific card/tag 10 and also serves to support tracking through a baggage tracking system of the carrier. Tag member number 20 can also be unique to the specific card/tag 10 and also serves to support tracking through a baggage tracking system of the carrier, although in some embodiments the same tag member number 20 can be included on more than one baggage tag owned by the same traveler. Additionally, in one or more preferred embodiments, more than one tag can be associated with a passenger or traveler itinerary.

[0324] In some embodiments, the card does not have an embedded UHF chip but is tracked using the transport carrier's baggage tracking system solely by a barcode 15, 16 that is permanently assigned to that specific card/tag 10.

[0325] FIGS. 4A-4D depict another preferred embodiment of card/tag, designated by the numeral 30, that can be used in the method and/or system as depicted in FIG. 1 or 2. Card or tag 30 preferably is equipped with both NFC technology and RFID technology. Card or tag 30 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D includes a HF/UHF combination chip 31 that has both NFC technology and RFID technology. Card/tag 30 is similar to card/tag 10 except that card/tag 30 uses a single NFC HF/UHF combination chip 31 that can function in both HF and UHF frequency ranges, with connection to an antenna specific to each frequency. Card or tag 30 can function in a similar manner as discussed with regard to card 10.

[0326] As shown, HF/UHF combination chip 31 is connected to UHF antenna 32 and HF antenna 33. Preferably a chip 31 has UHF RFID capabilities. Other suitable NFC chips or technology, HF chips or technology, UHF chips or technology, and RFID chips or technology that are currently available or to be developed in the future that will enable a card 30 to function and be used in the manner as shown and described herein also can be used in one or more embodiments of a card 30.

[0327] Like card/tag 10, card/tag 30 preferably is made from rigid plastic conforming to ISO 7810 ID-Type 1 form factor specifications and is about 7 mil to 30 mil thick (180 to 760 microns). Tag or card 30 can be constructed of PVC, PET, styrene, polypropylene, Tyvek®, or other desired synthetic material that is about 7 mil to 30 mil thick (180 to 760 microns). In some embodiments card/tag 30 can include an opening 17 so that a tie or other coupler can be threaded through opening 17 and used to attach card/tag 30 to a bag 22. A card/tag 30 can also be coupled to a bag 22 in other manners as are known in the art. Card/tag 30 can include a passenger/traveler name 19 and a tag member number or tag member identifier 20 that can be encoded in the HF/UHF combination chip 31 and which can also be imaged on a front 28 or back 29 surface of a card/tag 30 as desired, using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available variable imaging process or other process to be developed in the future. A tag/card 30 also preferably includes a tag identification number 18 that is encoded in HF/UHF combination chip 31 and which can also be imaged on a front 28 or back 29 surface of a card/tag 30 as desired, using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or other commercially available variable imaging process or other similar process to be developed in the future.

[0328] A front 28 of a tag or card 30 can be blank. A front 28 can also have carrier specific branding printed on it, or tag identifying information (e.g., number 18, bar-code 15/16, passenger name 19, a frequent traveler number which can be a number 20, etc.) that can be a full or partial representation of the data shown on the other side of the tag. Likewise a back 29 of a tag or card 30 can be blank. A back 30 can also have carrier specific branding printed on it, or tag identifying information (e.g., number 18, bar-code 15/16, passenger name 19, a frequent traveler number which can be a number 20, etc.) that can be a full or partial representation of the data shown on the other side of the tag or card 30.

[0329] A tag or card 30 front 28 and/or back 29 can be opaque or transparent or semi-transparent. The antenna(s) and chip(s) inside a card or tag 30 often cannot be seen.

[0330] HF/UHF combination chip 31 is preferably encoded using NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) with code that can direct a smart device 21 that is NFC enabled, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other NFC enabled device, to a dedicated website or app where the code initializes the bag check-in interaction by delivering in the NFC encode string identification data that is unique to card's/tag's 30 HF/UHF combination chip 31. The NFC encode string may include such data as a tag identification number 18 of HF/UHF combination chip 31, which can be a serial number, or other unique identifier, assigned to the tag/card 30 and that is encoded into the HF/UHF combination chip's 31 Electronic Product Code (EPC) memory. The NDEF encode string can also include the tag member number or identifier 20. The delivery of the unique identifying information from the card's/tag's 30 HF/UHF combination chip 31 preferably allows the website or app to associate the tag/card 30 with an account and travel itinerary or ticket reservation of the passenger/traveler by associating the tag identification number 18, and therefore the card/tag 30, with a ticket number, reservation number, frequent traveler number, or other identification element that is unique to the specific passenger for whom the tag/card 30 is associated. The tag identification number 18 can be included in data associated with the travel itinerary or ticket reservation and/or in data associated with the traveler's account to provide a link between the tag/card 30 and the travel itinerary or ticket reservation.

[0331] If a traveler's/passenger's account includes other family members, for example, or more than one pending travel itinerary, the traveler/passenger can designate to which person and which itinerary that the tag/card 30 is to be linked by navigating through appropriate instructions and prompts on the transport carrier's website/app.

[0332] Once the card's HF/UHF combination chip 31 is used to link the tag/card 30 to the travel reservation, the bag 22 can preferably be tracked through the transport carrier's baggage handling system using the HF/UHF combination chip 31's UHF RFID capability.

[0333] If a tag or card 30 includes a barcode, e.g., a Quick Response (QR) code including a vertical barcode 15 and horizontal barcode 16 as shown in FIG. 3C, preferably, the NDEF encode string of HF/UHF combination chip 31 includes data for the barcodes 15/16. A QR code scanner or reader can read the barcodes 15/16. A QR code reader app can be downloaded to a smart device 21. Human readable numbers 18 (tag identification number), and 19 (tag member number or tag member identifier) can also be included the NDEF encode string of HF/UHF combination chip 31. Preferably such a barcode 15/16 is unique to the specific card/tag 30 and also serves to support tracking through a baggage tracking system of the carrier. Preferably number 18 (tag identification number) is also unique to the specific card/tag 30 and also serves to support tracking through a baggage tracking system of the carrier. Tag member number 20 can also be unique to the specific card/tag 30 and also serves to support tracking through a baggage tracking system of the carrier, although in some embodiments the same tag member number 20 can be included on more than one baggage tag owned by the same traveler. Additionally, in one or more preferred embodiments, more than one tag can be associated with a passenger or traveler itinerary.

[0334] FIGS. 5A-5D depict another preferred embodiment of card/tag, designated by the numeral 40, that can be used in the method and/or system as depicted in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Card or tag 40 preferably is equipped with both NFC technology and RFID technology. Card or tag 40 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D includes an HF/UHF combination chip 31 that has both NFC technology and RFID technology. Card/tag 40 is similar to card/tag 30 except that card/tag 40 includes a single NFC HF/UHF combination chip 31 that can function in both HF and UHF frequency ranges and that is connected to an HF/UHF combination antenna 35 that can function in both HF and UHF frequency ranges. Card or tag 40 can include the same or similar features, including materials, elements images on front and/or back surfaces, and dimensions as a card or tag 10, 30 and can function in a same or similar way as a card or tag, 10, 30. In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, a QR code having vertical 15 and horizontal 16 barcodes is included. The QR code can be used by a transport facility baggage tracking system for processing and handling a bag 22 with card or tag 40 attached thereto. Other desired machine readable elements can also be included in card or tag 40 along with a HF/UHF combination chip 31 and HF/UHF combination antenna 35. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D front 28 can include a QR code like back 29 as shown in FIG. 5D. Front 28 in FIG. 5A is shown without a QR code for demonstration purposes so that the HF/UHF combination chip 31 and HF/UHF combination antenna 35 can be seen. Other suitable NFC chips or technology, HF chips or technology, UHF chips or technology, and RFID chips or technology that are currently available or to be developed in the future that will enable a card or tag 40 to function and be used in the manner as shown and described herein also can be used in one or more embodiments of a card or tag 40.

[0335] In FIGS. 6A-6D, another preferred embodiment of a tag or card is shown, designated by the numeral 50. Card or tag 50 can include the same or similar features, including materials, elements images on front and/or back surfaces, and dimensions as a card or tag 10, 30, 40 and can function in a same or similar way as a card or tag, 10, 30, 40 except that card or tag 50 does not include UHF technology. In this embodiment tag or card 50 has NFC technology, i.e., HF chip 11 and HF antenna 12, and machine readable technology, i.e., a QR code with vertical barcode 15 and horizontal barcode 16. The QR code can be used by a transport facility baggage tracking system for processing and handling of a bag 22 with card 50 attached thereto. Other desired machine readable elements can also be included in card or tag 50 along with an HF chip 11 and HF antenna 12. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6D front 28 can include a QR code like back 29 as depicted in FIG. 6D. Front 28 in FIG. 6A is shown without a QR code for demonstration purposes so that the HF/UHF combination chip 31 and HF/UHF combination antenna 35 can be seen. Other suitable NFC chips or technology, HF chips or technology, RFID chips or technology, and other machine readable elements that are currently available or to be developed in the future that will enable a card or tag 50 to function and be used in the manner as shown and described herein also can be used in one or more embodiments of a card or tag 50.

[0336] In some embodiments, a card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 is made from paper or other non-synthetic material and is about 4 to 36 mils thick (100 to 915 microns).

[0337] Preferably a card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 is made of a material enabling it to be used for multiple trips and multiple years, e.g., about 1 to 10 years, or more as desired.

[0338] In some embodiments, a card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 does not conform to ISO 7810 ID-Type 1 form factor specifications and functions in the same or substantially similar manner to a card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 as described above.

[0339] In some embodiments, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, a baggage tag/card can include NFC HF technology for initiating bag check-in in conjunction with an NFC enabled device and a barcode or other machine readable element that can be linked to and used with a transport carrier's bag transportation system, wherein the baggage card/tag does not include UHF RFID technology.

[0340] One or more tags/cards 10, 30, 40, 50 can be ordered or purchased by a traveler or passenger from a transport carrier, e.g., an airline (e.g., Delta Air Lines or American Airlines, etc.), a bus (Greyhound, etc.), or a train (Amtrak, SNEF, etc.) or a cruise line (e.g., Carnival Cruise Line)) prior to a scheduled trip, for example. Each tag/card 10 preferably includes a unique tag identification number 18 which is preferably encoded into UHF chip's 13 memory. Each tag/card 30, 40 preferably includes a unique tag identification number 18 which is preferably encoded into UHF/HF combination chip 31's memory. Each tag/card 50 preferably includes a unique tag identification number 18 which is preferably part of a machine readable element's data, e.g., a QR code's data of vertical 15 and horizontal 16 barcodes and/or as part of an HF chip 11. A card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 also preferably includes a tag member number or tag member identifier 20 that identifies the passenger or traveler, and which is preferably embedded into UHF chip's 13 memory of a card or tag 10, or UHF/HF combination chip 31's memory of a card or tag 30, 40, or part of data of a machine readable element (e.g., a QR code with vertical 15 and horizontal 16 barcodes) and/or chip 11 of a card or tag 50.

[0341] At the time of purchasing, being given, or otherwise acquiring a tag/card 10, 30, 40, 50 the tag/card 10, 30, 40, 50 can be linked to an account of a traveler that is established with a transport carrier and wherein account information can be stored in a transport carrier's server, e.g., a secure server. A card 10, 30, 40, 50 can also be linked to a card holder acquiring the card 10, 30, 40, 50 in a transport carrier's server, e.g., a baggage tracking system server, without a specific card holder account being established or stored, and the car 10, 30, 40, 50 can later be linked to a specific travel reservation of the card holder that is stored in the transport carrier server.

[0342] If more than one card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 is obtained by a single traveler/passenger, each tag/card 10, 30, 40, 50 can be linked to the account of a traveler/passenger that is established with a transport carrier with linking data or information for each tag/card 10, 10, 40, 50 stored in the account information on the transport carrier's server. If more than one card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 is obtained by a single traveler/passenger, each tag/card 10, 30, 40, 50 can have the same tag member number or tag member identifier 20 while having different tag identification numbers 18. Alternatively, each tag/card 10, 30, 40, 50 can have a different tag member number or tag member identifier 20 and different tag identification numbers 18. At the time of purchase, the tag(s)/card(s) 10, 30, 40, 50 can be linked to identifying information of the traveler or passenger as set forth in the traveler's account and stored in a transport carrier's secure server, e.g., a secure internet server and/or a secure remote database. A traveler's/passenger's account information may include name, address, frequent traveler number, tag member number or tag member identifier 20, etc. A tag identification number 18 can be information or data in the account for linking with a particular baggage card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50. A traveler preferably can access the traveler's account on the transport carrier's website or app, e.g., with a password and log-in information.

[0343] A traveler's or passenger's account information can also include biometric data or markers unique to the passenger/traveler, which is stored in the transport carrier's server. The biometric data or markers, preferably are biometric data or markers that can be collected by a mobile phone, tablet, or similar device, and which are unique identification features such as fingerprint, voice signature, palm print, hand geometry, facial geometry (facial recognition markers), brain signals (electroencephalogram), heart signals (electrocardiogram), or other unique physiological characteristic that can be captured now or in the future by the device.

[0344] Preferably, the tag(s)/card(s) 10, 30, 40, 50 will be linked to a same traveler account through which the traveler/passenger purchases transport tickets and receives travel itineraries and ticket reservations.

[0345] If a traveler's/passenger's account includes information on more than one family member, for example, or more than one pending travel itinerary, one or more cards or tags 10, 30, 40, 50 can be associated with one family member of the account and one or more additional cards or tags 10, 30, 40, 50 can be associated with another family member of the account.

[0346] In some embodiments it may be possible that a single card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 could be used by more than one person, e.g., more than one family member if a parent uses the card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 for one itinerary, and a child uses the same card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 for another later itinerary, and wherein both itineraries are purchased through the same traveler/passenger account of the transport carrier. In these embodiments, when checking-in a bag as described further below, the traveler/passenger could choose which person on the account and itinerary the card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 is being used for when checking a bag 22 into the transport carrier's baggage tracking system.

[0347] In some embodiments, after purchasing a card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 from one transport carrier, e.g., from Delta Air Lines, and linking the card/tag 10, 30, 40, 50 to a Delta Air Lines account for the traveler/passenger for use with a Delta Air Lines bag tracking system, the same card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50 can also later be linked to an account of the same traveler/passenger with another transport carrier, e.g., American Airlines, for use with an American Airlines bag tracking system.

[0348] Turning now to the system and/or method as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a baggage card or tag 60 is illustrated coupled to bag 22. Tag or card 60 can be a tag or card 10, 30, 40, or 50. Generally, a card or tag 60 can be the same or similar to a card or tag 10, 30, 40, or 50, and function in a same or similar way as a card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50 as described herein.

[0349] Card 60 is attached to a bag 22 prior to a passenger/traveler conveying bag 22 to a transport carrier's baggage tracking system. A bag 22 can be a desired typical travel bag or suitcase or other desired form of luggage. A bag 22 that has already been checked-in to a transport carrier's baggage tracking system via use of a passenger's or traveler's smart device 21, e.g., a mobile phone, tablet or other NFC enabled device, can use a transport carrier's expedited bag drop option represented by numeral 23 in FIG. 1 or 34 in FIG. 2. At the expedited bag drop option 23, 34 if desired, a traveler's/passenger's identity can be verified to match the account information for the checked-in bag 22, either by personnel checking identification or biometric markers of the passenger/traveler at an expedited baggage drop 23 of FIG. 1, or by an automatic baggage drop machine (represented by numeral 34 in FIG. 2) provided for checking biometric markers of the traveler/passenger. If a card holder does not have an account set up, biometric data of a card holder stored in a carrier's server can be used to verify that the person dropping the bag is the card holder.

[0350] A bag 22 with a card/tag 60 coupled thereto can be checked-in by a passenger or traveler remotely, prior to arrival at a transport facility, e.g., prior to arrival at an airport, using a smart device 21, which can be a mobile smart phone, a tablet or other desired NFC enabled device. A bag 22 can also be checked-in by a passenger or traveler while on grounds at a transport facility using a smart device 21, e.g., using a passenger's/traveler's own smart device 21 after the passenger/traveler has already arrived at a transportation facility, but without the passenger or traveler needing to visit the transportation facility's baggage check-in kiosk or check-in counter.

[0351] Preferably, a smart device 21 is portable or mobile. Preferably, a smart device 21 is the passenger's or traveler's own smart device 21 that they are taking with them for the trip. A smart device 21 preferably is not a smart device of the transportation facility and preferably is not a stationary self-service kiosk or a stationary computer at the transport facility as use of a transport carrier's device, kiosk or computer can cause delays. However, check-in of a bag can optionally be affected through use of a transport facilities smart device, check-in kiosk or stationary computer, e.g., if a passenger or traveler forgot a mobile smart device 21, or a mobile smart device 21 is not working, or a passenger or traveler otherwise needs assistance checking-in a bag 22.

[0352] In the method and/or system as shown in FIG. 1, to check in a bag 22 to a transport carrier's baggage tracking system, which can be done at a location remote from a transport facility at which the bag will be delivered to the transport carrier's baggage tracking system, a smart device 21 reads an NFC chip of card or tag 60, which can be an HF chip 11 as shown with regard to card/Lag 10, 50, or a combination HF/UHF chip 31 as shown with regard to card or tag 30, 40 and the smart device opens a private website on smart device 21 (or opens a software application (app) that is downloaded to the smart device 21). The NDEF encoding of an HF chip 11 or HF/UHF combination chip 31 embedded in the card 60 can deliver an executable directive that can direct either an app, or the internet browser on the smart device to a specific website, e.g., a transport carrier's website or app. Upon landing at the website or app, a tag member number or tag member identifier 20 (e.g., a tag or card number that is linked to traveler/passenger identification information in an account with the transport carrier and/or in a ticket reservation with the transport carrier) and a tag identification number 18 of a UHF chip 13, e.g., an RFID UHF chip, of the baggage tag or card 60 is delivered to the transport carrier's website or app.

[0353] A smart device 21 preferably can read HF chip 11, or HF/UHF combination chip 31, or another suitable NFC element of baggage tag or card 60 when smart device 21 is within about 1 to 10 cm of baggage tag or card 60. QR code with barcode 15/16 data of a tag or card 60 can also be delivered through the NDEF encode string to a transport carrier's website or app, e.g., if a card or tag 60 has a barcode component and does not have a UHF component, or if a QR code with barcodes 15/16 will be used in conjunction with a UHF component.

[0354] Baggage tag or card 60 data linking the baggage tag or card 60 to the passenger/traveler and/or to the ticket reservation of the passenger/travel is conveyed over the air through a mobile data network or by a Wi-Fi internet connection represented by numeral 25 to the transport carrier's bag tracking system (represented by numeral 26) to check in the bag to the transport carrier's bag tracking system. Mobile data network/Wi-Fi internet connection 25 can include cell towers, a mobile network, Wi-Fi internet connection, and/or a wireless network.

[0355] Before or after checking-in bag 22, card 60 is attached to bag 22. Card 60 is attached to bag 22 prior to a passenger/traveler conveying bag 22 to a transport carrier's baggage tracking system 26. A bag 22 that is already checked-in can be delivered to a transport carrier's expedited bag drop option 23. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, expedited drop bag option 23 can include personnel, who may or may not verify one or more biometric markers of the person dropping the bag and/or check and record a bag 22 weight, etc. as desired by a transport carrier. If a bag is over a desired weight, a charge can be added to the passenger/traveler account or can be collected at the expedited bag drop option 23.

[0356] The carrier monitors progress of bag 22 during the course of the passenger itinerary and inputs data on bag's 22 progress or status to the website or app. The information on the progress of a bag 22 can be monitored at various check points wherein airport bag tracking UHF devices or readers and/or barcode scanners and/or other machine readable scanners, e.g., a QR reader can read information embedded in a UHF RFID chip 13 of a tag/card 60, an HF/UHF combination chip 31 of a tag/card 60, a barcode 15 and/or 16 of tag/card 60 or another machine readable element of a tag/card 60. As mentioned a barcode, such as a QR barcode, or other machine readable technology that a transport carrier may use can be used in conjunction with UHF RFID technology or can be used instead of UHF RFID technology.

[0357] Status information for a bag 22 can be stored in the transport carrier's baggage tracking system and made available on the transport carrier's website or app at various stages of the bag's 22 journey to a passenger or traveler's account. A passenger/traveler can use their smart device and a mobile or Wi-Fi internet connection or wireless connection (represented by the numeral 25 in FIG. 1) to log into the passenger/traveler account with the transport carrier and to check the status of the checked bag 22 as updated and reported on the transport carrier's website or app until bag 22 is retrieved at a baggage claim area (represented by the numeral 24 in FIG. 1) in the destination city of the passenger/traveler.

[0358] In the method and/or system as shown in FIG. 2, to check in a bag 22 to a transport carrier's baggage tracking system, which can be done at a location remote from a transport facility at which the bag 22 will be delivered to a baggage tracking system, smart device 21 reads an NFC chip of card or tag 60, which can be an HF chip 11 as shown with regard to card/tag 10, 50, or a combination HF/UHF chip 31 as shown with regard to card or tag 30, 40 and the smart device opens a private website on smart device 21 (or opens a software application (app) that is downloaded to the smart device 21). The NDEF encoding of an HF chip 11 or HF/UHF combination chip 31 embedded in the card 60 can deliver an executable directive that can direct either an app, or the internet browser on the smart device to a specific website, e.g., a transport carrier's website or app. Upon landing at the website or app, a tag member number or tag member identifier 20 (e.g., a tag or card number that is linked to traveler/passenger identification information in an account with the transport carrier and/or in a ticket reservation with the transport carrier) and a tag identification number 18 of a UHF chip 13, e.g., an RFID UHF chip, of the baggage tag or card 60 is delivered to the transport carrier's website or app.

[0359] A smart device 21 preferably can read HF chip 11, or HF/UHF combination chip 31, or another suitable NFC element of baggage tag or card 60 when smart device 21 is within about 1 to 10 cm of baggage tag or card 60. QR code with barcode 15/16 data of a tag or card 60 can also be delivered through the NDEF encode string to a transport carrier's website or app, e.g., if a card or tag 60 has a barcode component and does not have a UHF component, or if a QR code with barcodes 15/16 will be used in conjunction with a UHF component.

[0360] Baggage tag or card 60 data linking the baggage tag or card 60 to the passenger/traveler and/or to the ticket reservation of the passenger/travel is conveyed over the air through a mobile data network or Wi-Fi internet connection represented by numeral 25 to the transport carrier's bag tracking system (represented by number 26) to check in the bag to the transport carrier's bag tracking system 26. Mobile data network 25 can include cell towers, a mobile network, Wi-Fi internet connection, and/or a wireless network. Smart device 21 can also capture one or more biometric markers such as fingerprint, facial geometry, or other individually unique characteristic that is passed to the carrier's website at the time the bag is checked.

[0361] Before or after checking in bag 22, card 60 is attached to bag 22. Card 60 is attached to bag 22 prior to a passenger/traveler conveying bag 22 to a transport carrier's baggage tracking system. Bag 22 that is already checked in can be delivered to a transport carrier's expedited bag drop option. In FIG. 2, the expedited bag drop option is an automatic baggage drop option 34. Bags 22 that are already checked-in can use the transport carriers' expedited bag drop option 34 that may include human verification of the person dropping the bag, or automation to allow for verification of the identity of the person conveying the bag through checking that individual's biometric markers with the biometric markers on file for the passenger and/or with those collected at the time the bag was checked using the smart device 21, e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or similar device. An automatic baggage drop option 34 can also collect bag data on bag 22 weight, etc. as desired by a transport carrier. If a bag weighs over a desired amount, a charge can be added to the passenger/traveler account or payment can be collected at the automatic baggage drop option 34.

[0362] The carrier monitors progress of bag 22 during the course of the passenger itinerary and inputs data on bag's 22 progress or status to the website or app. The information on the progress of a bag 22 can be monitored at various check points wherein airport bag tracking UHF devices or readers and/or barcode scanners and/or other machine readable scanners, e.g., a QR reader, can read information embedded in a UHF RFID chip 13 of a tag/card 60, an HF/UHF combination chip 31 of a tag/card 60, a barcode 15 and/or 16 of tag/card 60 or another machine readable element of a tag/card 60. As mentioned a barcode, such as a QR barcode, or other machine readable technology that a transport carrier may use can be used in conjunction with UHF RFID technology or can be used instead of UHF RFID technology.

[0363] Status information for a bag 22 can be stored in the transport carrier's baggage tracking system and made available on the transport carrier's website or app at various stages of the bag's 22 journey to a passenger or traveler's account. A passenger/traveler can use their smart device and a mobile or Wi-Fi or wireless connection (represented by the numeral 25 in FIG. 2) to log into the passenger/traveler account with the transport carrier and to check the status of the checked bag 22 as updated and reported on the transport carrier's website or app until bag 22 is retrieved at a baggage claim area (represented by the numeral 24 in FIG. 2) in the destination city of the passenger/traveler. In one or more preferred embodiments, NDEF encoding data from an HF chip 11 or HF/UHF combination chip 31 is combined with one (unimodal) or more (multimodal) biometric markers or data that can be captured by a smart device 21, e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, or similar device, and transmitted to a transport carrier. The passenger or traveler can also have the same one or more biometric markers or data registered with a transport carrier, e.g., linked to the passenger's or traveler's account with the transport carrier. The biometric marker or markers or data transmitted to the transport carrier can then be used by the transport carrier for security purposes such as, but not limited to, the verification of the identity of the traveler/passenger checking the bag.

[0364] In one or more embodiments, the biometric markers can be used at the time the traveler checks in the bag from their smart device through biometric technology of the smart device that captures a biometric marker which can then be captured in the NDEF encode string and delivered to the transport carrier website for comparison/verification when checking in the bag.

[0365] In one or more embodiments, a carrier can use biometric markers or data at an automatic baggage drop machine to validate that the passenger/traveler dropping off the bag matches the traveler/passenger that checked the bag 22 into their system and assigned it to a travel itinerary.

[0366] A card holder of a card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50 can provide data on one or more biometric markers of the card holder to the transport carrier for storing in the transport carrier server. The card holder of the card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50 along with the biometric data can be linked with the card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50 in the carrier's server, for later linking with the travel reservation and travel account. The card holder of the card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50 along with the biometric data can be linked with the card or tag 10, 30, 40, 50 in the carrier's server, for later linking with a card holder travel reservation and travel account.

[0367] The biometric data, or markers, collected by a smart device 21, e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, or similar device, can include one or more unique identification features such as fingerprint, voice signature, palm print, hand geometry, facial geometry (facial recognition markers), brain signals (electroencephalogram), heart signals (electrocardiogram), or other unique physiological characteristic that can be captured now or in the future by the device itself, or by an accessory that connects to the device using a wireless or wired connection.

[0368] A tag/card 10, 30, 40, 50 or 60 can be used with airline baggage tracking systems. A tag/card 10, 30 or 60 can also be used with other types of transport baggage tracking systems, e.g., at a train or bus station or with ships or sea travel, for example.

[0369] The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

PARTS LIST

[0370]

TABLE-US-00001 PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 10 baggage tag or card 11 HF chip 12 HF antenna 13 UHF chip 14 UHF unique antenna 15 vertical barcode 16 horizontal barcode 17 opening 18 tag identification number 19 passenger/traveler name 20 tag member number/tag member identifier/frequent traveler number 21 smart device 22 bag 24 baggage claim area 25 mobile data network 26 transport, carrier's bag tracking system 28 front 29 back 30 baggage card or tag 31 NFC HF/UHF combination chip 32 UHF antenna 33 HF antenna 40 baggage card or tag 50 baggage card or tag 60 baggage card or tag

[0371] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0372] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.