GB2443814A

GB2443814A - Bag strap and timer display apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2443814A
Application number: GB0623038A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John William Hookway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-20
Filing date: 2006-11-20
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Also published as: GB0623038D0

Abstract

A luggage security strap features a strap member 12, which may be provided around an item of luggage, with a conductive path which completes an electrical circuit when the fastener 20a, 20b is closed. With the circuit is complete, a timer is started which relays timer information at a display 24, carried on the strap 12. This may provide security information as to when the item of luggage was last opened. Also disclosed is an item of luggage in combination with an RFID label or similar tag, and the identification and processing of luggage items, using RFID labels.

Description

lmDrovements in luggage security The invention relates to improvements

in luggage security, and in particular to a luggage security strap, an item of luggage and a travel security system.

In the current climate of heightened security, particularly relating to travel by aeroplane, there is an increased need to be able to ensure that items of luggage are not tampered with once they have left the control of the passenger, and to be able to correctly identify the owner of an item of luggage.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a luggage security strap comprising: a strap member to be provided around a piece of luggage; fastener means comprising a first fastener part provided at one end of the strap member and a second fastener part provided at the other end of the strap member; timer means; timer display means; and a conductive path provided within the strap member and extending between the first and second fastener parts, wherein when the strap member is arranged around a piece of luggage and the fastener parts are engaged to close the fastener, the conductive path is closed and the timer starts running, the time since the fastener was closed being displayed on the display means.

The strap member preferably has an adjustable operating length, so that it can be adjusted to match the dimensions of the piece of luggage. The operating length of the strap member is preferably selected such that the strap member may be located around the piece of luggage in a substantially ninety degree cross formation. The strap member is preferably provided with a mechanical buckle by which the operating length may be adjusted. Preferably, the buckle is only operable to adjust the operating length of the strap member when the fastener is open.

The fastener means is preferably a mechanical fastener and most preferably comprises a male fastener part and a female fastener part. The fastener means may additionally comprise locking means, such as a key operated mechanical lock or a combination wheel tumbler lock.

Alarm means may be provided on the fastener means, the alarm means being operable to emit an alarm signal when the fastener is opened. The alarm means may comprise a visual alarm means operable to emit an optical alarm signal. The alarm means may alternatively or additionally comprise an audible alarm means operable to emit an audible alarm signal.

The timer means preferably comprises an electronic timer circuit, which is most preferably battery powered. The timer means may additionally be operable as a clock, such that the time is displayed on the display means when the fastener is open and the timer count is displayed when the fastener is closed.

The display means preferably comprises a liquid crystal display means.

The timer means and the display means are preferably provided within one part of the fastener means.

The conductive path is preferably formed by a conductive element provided within the strap member. Alternatively, the strap member may comprise a conductive material.

The security strap may further comprise one or more remotely interrogateable identification means in which alphanumeric data is stored, the identification means being provided within the fastener and/or within the strap member. The identification means preferably comprises a radio frequency identification chip. The alphanumeric data niay comprise a unique code or may comprise other information for identifying the owner of the security strap.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an item of luggage comprising remotely interrogateable identification means in which alphanumeric data is stored.

The identification means preferably comprises a radio frequency identification chip. The alphanumeric data may comprise a unique code or may comprise other information for identifying the owner of the item of luggage.

Preferably, the item of luggage comprises a plurality of remotely interrogateable identification means, most preferably provided at spaced locations across the item of luggage. The identification means are preferably programmed to respond to a predetermined interrogation signal. Most preferably, a first subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a first interrogation signal and a second subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a second interrogation signal.

Preferably, the identification means comprise radio frequency identification chips which are operable to be reprogrammed by one interrogation signal to respond to a different interrogation signal.

The or each identification means may be attached to the item of luggage. The identification means may be attached by adhering the or each identification means to the item of luggage. Alternatively, the identification means may be provided within a security strap according to the first embodiment of the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the or an identification means may be embedded within the item of luggage.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a travel security system comprising: remotely interrogateable identification means in which alphanumeric data is stored, the identification means to be provided on an item of luggage; interrogation means operable to generate an interrogation signal to remotely interrogate the identification means to retrieve the alphanumeric data; and a computer communicatively coupled to the interrogation means and comprising a computer readable memory means having a luggage identification database file embedded therein, the database file containing passenger information related to the identification means.

The system preferably comprises a plurality of remotely interrogateable identification means. The system preferably further comprises a plurality of interrogation means, provided at different locations. Interrogation means may be provided at one or more of the following locations: entry points to travel terminals; check-in desks; security check areas; and passport control.

The identification means preferably comprises a radio frequency identification chip. The alphanumeric data may comprise a unique code or may comprise other information for identifying the owner of the item of luggage. The identification means are preferably programmed to respond to a predetermined interrogation signal from the interrogation means.

Preferably, the identification means are provided at spaced locations across the item of luggage. Most preferably, a first subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a first interrogation signal and a second subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a second interrogation signal.

Preferably, the identification means comprise radio frequency identification chips which are operable to be reprogrammed by one interrogation signal to respond to a different interrogation signal and the interrogation means is further operable to generate a programming interrogation signal carrying data for reprogramming an identification chip.

An additional identification means may be provided on a passenger's passport. An additional identification means may alternatively or additionally be provided on a passenger's travel ticket. An additional identification means may further alternatively or additionally be provided on a passenger. The identification means may be provided within a housing suitable for ingestion by the passenger or for implantation within the passenger. An item of luggage can thereby be associated with a passenger by matching the passenger information relating to the item of luggage and the passport and/or the travel ticket and/or the passenger. In addition, a passenger may be scanned on entry to a station, airport or port and matched to a prebooked journey.

Preferably, where one or more identification means are provided within a security strap according to the first embodiment of the invention, the or each identification means comprise active radio frequency identification chips operable to transmit a signal when the fastener means is opened and the travel security system further comprises sensor means provided within a vehicle, the sensor means being operable to detect said signal and to emit an alert signal. Crew onboard the vehicle can thereby be alerted to the opening of an item of luggage during a journey.

The travel security system may further comprise one or more interrogation means within the baggage handling and baggage reclaim areas of a travel terminal, the interrogation means further being in communication with baggage routing means to route an item of luggage to a specific reclaim location at which a passenger may collect the item of luggage.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a luggage security strap according to a first embodiment of the invention, the strap being shown in use around a suitcase; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the underside of the suitcase and security strap of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the fastener means of the security strap of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the fastener means of a security strap according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the fastener means of a security strap according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 s a diagrammatic representation of the fastener means of a security strap according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of an item of luggage according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, schematically showing a first RFID chip being interrogated; Figure 8 shows the item of luggage of Figure 7 following reprogramming of the RFID chips, schematically showing second and third RFID chips being interrogated; Figure 9 is a schematic representation of the departures side of a travel security system according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 10 is a schematic representation of the arrivals side of a travel security system according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a first embodiment of the invention provides a luggage security strap 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the luggage security strap 10 comprises a strap member 12 to be provided around a piece of luggage, in this example a suitcase 14. The strap member 12 comprises a fabric strap having a conductive metal wire 16 provided through it (as indicated by dashed lines in Figures 3-6). The strap member 12 may alternatively comprise a strap of a conductive material. The strap 12 has a mechanical buckle 18 provided towards one end, by which the length of the strap 12 may be adjusted in order to fit the suitcase 14.

A mechanical fastener 20 is provided comprising a male fastener part 20a and a female fastener part 20b. The male fastener 20a is provided at one end of the strap 12 and the female fastener 20b is provided at the other end of the strap 12. In this example, the fastener is a snap fit mechanical fastener. The fastener 20 is closed by inserting the male fastener part 20a into the female fastener part 20b. The fastener 20 is opened by squeezing the release buttons 20c on the female fastener part 20b, as illustrated in Figure 3, and removing the male fastener part 20a.

A timer means in the form of a battery powered electronic timer circuit 22 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 24 are provided within the female fastener part 20b. The conductive wire 16 is electrically coupled to the electronic timer circuit 22 within the female fastener 20b and extends through the strap 12 to the male fastener 20a, where it is terminated in an electrical terminal (not shown) arranged for electrical coupling with the electronic timer circuit 22 when the fastener parts 20a, 20b are engaged to close the fastener 20. When the fastener 20 is closed the electrical timer circuit 22 is completed and the timer starts counting. The time since the fastener 20 was closed in displayed on the LCD 24, as illustrated in Figure 3. In this example, the timer circuit 22 is additionally operable as a clock and the time is displayed on the LCD 24 when the fastener 20 is open.

The operating length of the strap 12 is adjustable, so that it can be adjusted to match the dimensions of the suitcase 14. The operating length of the strap 12 is set so that the strap 12 can be tied around the suitcase 14 in manner of tying string around a parcel, to form a substantially ninety degree cross formation. The buckle 18 is configured so that it may only be adjusted when the fastener 20 is open, so that the operating length of the strap 12 cannot be adjusted when the security strap 10 is in use, thereby preventing unauthorised removal of the security strap 10.

The timer means may additionally be operable as a clock, such that the time is displayed on the display means when the fastener is open and the timer count is displayed when the fastener is closed.

A second embodiment of the invention provides a security strap which is substantially the same as the security strap 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modification. In this embodiment the mechanical fastener 26, as shown in Figure 4, comprises a key operated mechanical lock mechanism 28 in place of the snap fit closure mechanism of the fastener 20.

A third embodiment of the invention provides a security strap which is substantially the same as the security strap 1 0 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications.

In this embodiment the mechanical fastener 30, as shown in Figure 5, comprises a combination wheel tumbler 32 lock in place of the snap fit closure mechanism of the fastener 20.

The security strap of the third embodiment is also provided with a remotely readable radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 34 within the female fastener part 20b. The RFID chip 34 may alternatively be provided on the strap member 12. The RFID chip 34 contains a unique alphanumeric code which can be associated with information identifying the owner of the security strap, and thus of the suitcase around which it is provided, as will be described in more detail below.

The RFID chip 34 may be a passive chip for remote interrogation by an RFID reader, as will be described below, or may be an active chip which transmits a data signal when the fastener 20 is opened.

It will be appreciated that an REID chip 34 can be provided with any of the described fasteners.

A fourth embodiment of the invention provides a security strap which is substantially the same as the security strap 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, audible alarm means, in the form of a signal generator (not shown), audio speaker 36, and visible alarm means, in the form of a light emitting diode (LED) 38, are provided on the female fastener 20b. The signal generator is operable to generate a drive signal for the audio speaker 36 and the LED 38 when the fastener 20 is opened, breaking the timer circuit. An audible and visible alarm signal is thereby generated when the fastener is opened, to alert the owner of the item of luggage to an unauthorised attempt to remove the security strap 10 and gain access to the item of luggage.

It will be appreciated that any of the above described fasteners may be provided with such an audible alarm and/or an visible alarm.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, a fifth embodiment of the invention provides an item of luggage, in this example a suitcase 40, in which four passive RFID chips 42, 44, 46, 48 are embedded; in this example three REID chips 42, 44, 46 are embedded within a wall 40a of the suitcase and the fourth RFID chip 48 is embedded within the handle 40b. It will be appreciated that the RFID chips may alternatively be affixed to a wall of the suitcase or the handle, or may be provided within the lining or piping of the suitcase.

Each REID chip 42, 44, 46, 48 is programmed with a unique alphanumeric code which can be related to information identifying the owner of the suitcase 40. The RFID chips 42, 44, 46, 48 are arranged into three subsets: chips 42 and 44; chip 46; and chip 48.

The chip or chips in each subset are programmed to respond to a specific interrogation signal, the interrogation signal being different for each subset. As illustrated in Figure 7, a first interrogation signal causes RFID chip 48 to transmit its unique codes in response to receipt of the interrogation signal, while the remaining RFID chips 42, 44 and 46 do not respond. And, as illustrated in Figure 8, a second interrogation signal causes chips 42 and 44 to transmit their unique codes in response to receipt of the interrogation signal, while the remaining RFID chips 46, 48 do not respond.

The RFID chips 42, 44, 46, 48 are reprogrammable on receipt of an appropriate interrogation signal, and can be reprogrammed to respond to a different interrogation signal to their originally programmed response. This also enables the arrangement of the chip subsets to be altered.

A sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 9 and 10 and provides a travel security system 50, 70 comprising a plurality of suitcases 40 according to the previous embodiment, interrogation means in the form of seven RFID readers 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 and departures and arrivals computers 66, 68.

In this example, the security system 50, 70 is arranged in two parts, a departures security system 50 and an arrivals security system 70.

The departures system 50 comprises a first RFID reader 52 provided at an entrance to the travel terminal, in this example an airport. It will be appreciated that where a terminal has more than one entrance an RFID reader 52 will be provided at each entrance. A second RFID reader 54 is provided at a check-in desk. It will be understood that were a terminal has more than one check-in desk an RFID reader may be provided at each check-in desk or one RFID reader may be provided for a group of check-in desks. A third RFID reader 56 is provided at the security check area, and it will again be appreciated that where there is more than one security check area, or where a security check area is larger than the operating area of the RFID reader, more than one RFID reader will be provided.

The RFID readers 52, 54, 56 are communicatively connected to the departures computer 66, the memory of the computer 66 having a luggage identification database file embedded therein.

The travel security system 50, 70 additionally comprises further RFID chips 72, 74 respectively provided on a passenger's passport and travel ticket.

On arrival at the travel terminal, the RFID chips within the suitcase 40 are read by the RFID reader 52 at the entrance to the terminal. The unique alphanumeric codes returned by one or more of the RFID chips on the suitcase 40 are stored within the database.

The system 50, 70 may further comprise an external computer database file in which the personal details of the owner of a suitcase 40 are stored for each RFID chip provided within the suitcase; this information may be recorded at the point of purchase of the suitcase 40 or subsequent to the purchase.

Having read the RFID chips on the suitcase 40, the computer 66 can request the personal details for each interrogated RFID chip from the external database.

On arrival at the check-in desk a passenger provides his passport and the AFID chip 72 in the passport is read by the RFID reader 54; the RFID chip 72 on the passport contains an electronic copy of the printed information provided on the passport. The RFID chips within the suitcase 40 are then read by the RFID reader 54 and their unique codes associated with the information read from the RFID chip 72 on the passport and stored within the database file record for that passenger. The check-in staff member then issues the passenger with their travel ticket and the RFID chip 74 on the ticket is read by the REID reader 54, and the chip code is associated with the passport, suitcase and passenger information within the database file.

The departures computer 66 is also operable to send reprogramming data to the chips within a suitcase 40 in order to reprogramme the chips into different subsets, so that a different chip or set of chips responds next time the suitcase 40 is interrogated.

The suitcase 40 is then sent to baggage handling and the passenger proceeds to the security check area. At the security check area the REID chips 72, 74 on the passenger's passport and travel ticket are inspected manually and read by the RFID reader 56, to thereby ensure that it is the same passenger that checked in the suitcase 40.

The arrivals security system 70 comprises a first RFID reader 58 at the point where baggage is unloaded and put onto a baggage reclaim conveyor belt 76, and a second RFID reader 60 is provided at a position along the belt 76. Further RFID readers 62, 64 are provided in the baggage reclaim hall. The RFID readers 63, 64 in the baggage reclaim hall read the RFID chips 72, 74 on the passenger's ticket and passport, to thereby determine the location of the passenger within the hall; this information is communicated to the arrivals computer 68. As a suitcase 40 passes the second RFID reader 60 the arrivals computer 68 identifies the corresponding passenger and routes the suitcase to the corresponding location for collection.

The security system 50, 70 may further comprise an on-board security system comprising an RFID reader operable to read the REID chips on any cabin luggage. This is particularly suited to use of the security strap 10 of the third embodiment of the invention, having an active RFID chip 34 operable to emit data (to form an alarm signal) when the fastener 20 is opened during travel.

The security system 50, 70 may further comprise an RFID chip provided within an ingestible housing which a passenger swallows prior to travel. The passenger themselves can then be scanned by the RFID readers 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 to provide an additional level of identification.

The described embodiments provided various advantages, including improving the security of public transport systems and making it easier to accurately and quickly identify the owner of an item of luggage, or an item of luggage for a particular passenger (which can often be the cause of airline delays when a passenger does not board a flight and their luggage must then be identified and removed from the aircraft).

The security straps also enable a passenger to be made aware of the fact that their luggage has been tampered with whilst out of their stewardship.

The travel security system allows for passengers to be checked in for travel automatically without the need for check in staff. Additionally instead of the usual free for all at the luggage carousel on arrival, baggage handling may be automated so that passengers can make their way to a pre determined pick up point for their luggage. The travel security system would also enable luggage to travel separately from its owner.

The onboard security system would enable larger hand luggage to be allowed into aircraft cabins so long as it had a security strap attached and was not opened at any point during the flight. -

Claims

Claims 1. A luggage security strap comprising: a strap member to be

provided around a piece of luggage; fastener means comprising a first fastener part provided at one end of the strap member and a second fastener part provided at the other end of the strap member; timer means; timer display means; and a conductive path provided within the strap member and extending between the first and second fastener parts, wherein when the strap member is arranged around a piece of luggage and the fastener parts are engaged to close the fastener, the conductive path is closed and the timer starts running, the time since the fastener was closed being displayed on the display means.
2. A luggage security strap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap member has an adjustable operating length, so that it can be adjusted to match the dimensions of the piece of luggage.
3. A luggage security strap as claimed in claim 2, wherein the operating length of the strap member is selected such that the strap member may be located around the piece of luggage in a substantially ninety degree cross formation.
4. A luggage security strap as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the strap member is provided with a mechanical buckle by which the operating length may be adjusted, the buckle is only being operable to adjust the operating length of the strap member when the fastener is open.
5. A luggage security strap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener means is a mechanical fastener.
6. A luggage security strap as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastener means additionally comprises locking means, such as a key operated mechanical lock or a combination wheel tumbler lock.
7. A luggage security strap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein alarm means are provided on the fastener means, the alarm means being operable to emit an alarm signal when the fastener is opened.
8. A luggage security strap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the conductive path is formed by a conductive element provided within the strap member or the strap member comprises a conductive material.
9. A luggage security strap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the security strap further comprises one or more remotely interrogateable identification means in which alphanumeric data is stored, the identification means being provided within the fastener and/or within the strap member.
1O.A luggage security strap as claimed in claim 9, wherein the identification means comprises a radio frequency identification chip and the alphanumeric data comprises a unique code or other information for identifying the owner of the security strap.
11. An item of luggage comprising remotely interrogateable identification means in which alphanumeric data is stored.
12.An item of luggage as claimed in claim 11, wherein the identification means comprises a radio frequency identification chip and the alphanumeric data comprises a unique code or other information for identifying the owner of the item of luggage.
13.An item of luggage as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein the item of luggage comprises a plurality of remotely interrogateable identification means provided at spaced locations across the item of luggage.
14.An item of luggage as claimed in claim 13, wherein the identification means are programmed to respond to a predetermined interrogation signal.
15.An item of luggage as claimed in claim 14, wherein a first subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a first interrogation signal and a second subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a second interrogation signal.
16.An item of luggage as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the identification means comprise radio frequency identification chips which are operable to be reprogrammed by one interrogation signal to respond to a different interrogation signal.
1 7.An item of luggage as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 wherein the or each identification means are attached to the item of luggage, embedded within the item of luggage, or are provided within a security strap as claimed in claims 9 or 10.
18.A travel security system comprising: remotely interrogateable identification means in which alphanumeric data is stored, the identification means to be provided on an item of luggage; interrogation means operable to generate an interrogation signal to remotely interrogate the identification means to retrieve the alphanumeric data; and a computer communicatively coupled to the interrogation means and comprising a computer readable memory means having a luggage identification database file embedded therein, the database file containing passenger information related to the identification means.
19.A travel security system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the system comprises a plurality of remotely interrogateable identification means and a plurality of interrogation means, provided at different locations.
20.A travel security system as claimed in claims 18 or 19, wherein the identification means comprises a radio frequency identification chip and the alphanumeric data comprises a unique code or other information for identifying the owner of the item of luggage.
21.A travel security system as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the identification means are programmed to respond to a predetermined interrogation signal from the interrogation means.
22.A travel security system as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the or each identification means are attached to the item of luggage, embedded within the item of luggage, provided within a security strap as claimed in claims 9 or 10.
23.A travel security system as claimed any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the identification means are provided at spaced locations across the item of luggage.
24.A travel security system as claimed any of claims 19 to 23, wherein a first subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a first interrogation signal and a second subset of the identification means are programmed to respond to a second interrogation signal.
25.A travel security system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the identification means comprise radio frequency identification chips which are operable to be reprogrammed by one interrogation signal to respond to a different interrogation signal and the interrogation means is further operable to generate a programming interrogation signal carrying data for reprogramming an identification chip.
26.A travel security system as claimed in any of claims 18 to 25, wherein an additional identification means is provided on a passenger's passport.
27.A travel security system as claimed in any of claims 18 to 26, wherein an additional identification means is provided on a passenger's travel ticket.
28.A travel security system as claimed in any of claims 18 to 27, wherein an additional identification means is provided within a housing suitable for ingestion by the passenger or for implantation within the passenger.
29.A travel security system as claimed in any of claims 22 to 28, wherein where one or more identification means are provided within a security strap the or each identification means comprise active radio frequency identification chips operable to transmit a signal when the fastener means is opened and the travel security system further comprises sensor means provided within a vehicle, the sensor means being operable to detect said signal and to emit an alert signal.
30.A travel security system as claimed in any of claims 18 to 29, wherein the system further comprises one or more interrogation means within the baggage handling and baggage reclaim areas of a travel terminal, the interrogation means further being in communication with baggage routing means to route an item of luggage to a specific reclaim location at which a passenger may collect the item of luggage.