Optimized assignment of multiple conveyor belts

A computer-implemented method for assigning one or more conveyor belts to convey a plurality of items. The computer-implemented method determines an availability of one or more conveyor belts, determines a quantity of a plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts, and assigns the one or more conveyor belts to convey the plurality of items, based on the determined quantity of the plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts. The computer-implemented method further tracks a location of each of the plurality of items on the assigned one or more conveyor belts, associates each of the plurality of items with a user, and directs the user to the one or more conveyor belts based on the tracked location of each of the plurality of items associated with the user.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of cognitive computing, data processing, and more particularly to optimizing the assignment of conveyor belts to convey a plurality of items.

Travelers oftentimes need to check in baggage prior to getting into their seat, especially on airplane rides. After reaching a destination, checked-in baggage is removed from the underbelly of an airplane and driven to the baggage claim area of the airport where all of the removed baggage is typically placed on a conveyor belt that transports the baggage in a continuous loop on one of several baggage carousels.

Depending on the size of the airport, the size of the baggage carousel, and the number of checked-in baggage on the flight, more than one carousel may be required. Travelers, more often than not, need to alternate back and forth between various baggage carousels in the hopes of sighting their baggage and making a speedy exit out of the busy airport.

Some travelers may just hope that the airline did not lose their luggage and, quite often, exhale a sigh of relief when their baggage is spotted on the baggage carousel. This uncertainty and stress in locating one's baggage after a long journey can leave travelers dissatisfied and wary of the idea of traveling, and checking in baggage, in the first place.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method, a computer program product, and a system.

A method, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a data processing system including a processor and a memory, for implementing a program that assigns one or more conveyor belts to convey a plurality of items. The method includes determining an availability of one or more conveyor belts, determining a quantity of a plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts, and assigning the one or more conveyor belts to convey the plurality of items, based on the determined quantity of the plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts.

According to another embodiment, a computer program product for directing a computer processor to implement a program that assigns one or more conveyor belts to convey a plurality of items, is provided. The storage device embodies program code that is executable by a processor of a computer to perform a method. The method includes determining an availability of one or more conveyor belts, determining a quantity of a plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts, and assigning the one or more conveyor belts to convey the plurality of items, based on the determined quantity of the plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts.

According to another embodiment, a system for implementing a program that manages a device, includes one or more computer devices each having one or more processors and one or more tangible storage devices is provided. The one or more storage devices embody a program. The program has a set of program instructions for execution by the one or more processors. The program instructions include instructions for directing a computer processor to implement a program that assigns one or more conveyor belts to convey a plurality of items. The program instructions include instructions for determining an availability of one or more conveyor belts, determining a quantity of a plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts, and assigning the one or more conveyor belts to convey the plurality of items, based on the determined quantity of the plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a solution for quickly and efficiently locating a user's baggage on a baggage carousel using computer vision, and notifying the user of the location of the baggage via text message and/or other methods as explained herein.

Currently, there are still problems and inconveniences associated with baggage retrieval at airports, and other public transportation venues. Firstly, the baggage carousel sizes are typically not commensurate with the amount of baggage that is being placed on them. For example, a large aircraft may only be afforded one small baggage carousel at the baggage claim area. In this scenario, multiple layers of baggage may be on a continuous loop, while being dangerous for a traveler to remove their bag for fear of another piece of baggage landing on their foot.

In other instances, two baggage carousels may be used to accommodate a large flight with a lot of checked-in baggage. However, travelers do not know which baggage carousel will be carrying their baggage, thus leaving the travelers eyeing both baggage carousels, back and forth, in the hopes of sighting their baggage.

The complexities and hassle of current baggage retrieval results in more travelers carrying larger bags with them onto the airplane, thus slowing down boarding and deplaning procedures.

Furthermore, long waiting times, crowded baggage claim areas, and missing or wrong baggage claim information can be very unsatisfying for travelers and airlines alike, not to mention give the airport an overall bad reputation.

The present disclosure proposes a baggage carousel management system that assigns one or more baggage carousels of various sizes to each flight arrival, based on the amount of checked-in baggage. Using surveillance cameras, the system tracks the baggage and the activity on each baggage carousel, optimizes the baggage carousel allocation for each arriving flight, and directs passengers to the correct baggage carousel using a mobile application.

The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments below, but may be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the drawings used herein are for purposes of illustration, and may not show actual dimensions.

FIG. 1illustrates baggage carousel management computing environment100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Carousel management computing environment100includes computing device110, server120, and baggage carousel140, all connected via network102. The setup inFIG. 1represents an example embodiment configuration for the present invention, and is not limited to the depicted setup in order to derive benefit from the present invention.

In exemplary embodiments, computing device110includes user interface112, Global Positioning System (GPS)114, and baggage carousel management application116. In various embodiments, computing device110may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with server120, and baggage carousel140, via network102. Computing device110may include internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 4. In other embodiments, computing device110may be implemented in a cloud computing environment, as described in relation toFIGS. 5 and 6, herein. Computing device110may also have wireless connectivity capabilities allowing it to communicate with server120, and baggage carousel140, and other computers or servers over network102.

In exemplary embodiments, computing device110includes user interface112, which may be a computer program that allows a user to interact with computing device110and other connected devices via network102. For example, user interface112may be a graphical user interface (GUI). In addition to comprising a computer program, user interface112may be connectively coupled to hardware components, such as those depicted inFIG. 4, for receiving user input. In exemplary embodiments, user interface112may be a web browser, however in other embodiments user interface112may be a different program capable of receiving user interaction and communicating with other devices.

In exemplary embodiments, GPS114may be a computer program on computing device110that provides time and location information of a user. Modern GPS systems operate on the concept of time and location. In modern GPS systems, four or more satellites broadcast a continuous signal detailing satellite identification information, time of transmission (TOT), and the precise location of the satellite at the time of transmission. When a GPS receiver picks up the signal, it determines the difference in time between the time of transmission (TOT) and the time of arrival (TOA). Based on the amount of time it took to receive the signals and the precise locations of the satellites when the signals were sent, GPS receivers are capable of determining the location where the signals were received. In exemplary embodiments, GPS114may be capable of providing real-time location detection of a user. For example, GPS114may be capable of providing a set of longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of a user waiting for their baggage at a baggage carousel at the airport.

In exemplary embodiments, baggage carousel management application116may be a web browser or other computer program, on computing device110, that is capable of receiving real-time data (e.g., baggage location data) from baggage carousel management program130and baggage carousel140, via network102. In alternative embodiments, baggage carousel management application116can transmit location information of a user in relation to a location of one or more pieces of baggage associated with a user, within a venue (e.g., airport, bus station, etc.).

With continued reference toFIG. 1, server120includes database122and baggage carousel management program130, and may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with computing device110and baggage carousel140, via network102. While server120is shown as a single device, in other embodiments, server120may be comprised of a cluster or plurality of computing devices, working together or working separately. In a preferred embodiment, server120may be implemented in a cloud computing environment, as described in relation toFIGS. 5 and 6, herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, database122may be a local storage on server120that contains the floorplans, or maps, for various transit venues, specifically with regards to depicting where a baggage claim area is located within the venue. For example, venue database122may include the floorplans, or map, for a train station, a bus station, an airport, a cruise ship loading station, and any venue where a traveler can locate a specific baggage claim area amongst many baggage carousels, within a venue.

In exemplary embodiments, database122is capable of being updated, dynamically, to provide a status, or location, of one or more items of baggage, based on information received from a user's computing device110(e.g., location of a user via GPS114), baggage carousel140(e.g., location of a user's baggage), or by any other means of tracking an individual's location, and items of baggage belonging to the individual, and transmitting the location to baggage carousel management program130, known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In exemplary embodiments, individuals must opt-in, and may opt-out at any time, to receive tracking information of themselves and/or their possessions.

In exemplary embodiments, database122may also store venue templates as data objects according to a type of venue (e.g., bus station, train station, airport, etc.), a corresponding route (e.g., 9 am express bus down Flatbush Ave; 10:15 am train shuttle from Penn Station to DC; 11 pm redeye flight from Chicago O'Hare to LAX), a transit venue name (e.g., well-known bus company, train company, or airline), a specific user as identified by a seat number (e.g., seat 34B on Flight 123), number of baggage checked-in by user (e.g., User A, 2 baggageChecked), or any other category or organization deemed most useful for the invention to be utilized. For example, a venue data object may be stored as <airlineX, 9:15 am, Flight 123, LAX, seat 34B, 2 baggageChecked>.

In various embodiments, database122can be stored on server120, computing device110, or baggage carousel management program130, as a separate database.

In an exemplary embodiment, baggage carousel management program130contains instruction sets, executable by a processor, which may be described using a set of functional modules. The functional modules of baggage carousel management program130may include determining module132, assigning module134, tracking module136, associating module138, and transmitting module139.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, baggage carousel140includes scanners142and cameras144, and may comprise one or more conveyor belts that can convey a plurality of items from one location to another. In exemplary embodiments, the one or more conveyor belts are one or more baggage carousels in an airport and the plurality of items are baggage.

In exemplary embodiments, baggage carousel management program130communicates the carousel assignments to a baggage trolley driver (i.e., computing device110) at the airport, over network102, and the arriving baggage is then transferred to the assigned baggage carousels. Various factors can determine which baggage carousel140is assigned, as discussed further herein.

In exemplary embodiments, the baggage loading zone on each baggage carousel140, as well as one or more points on the baggage carousel140loop, are equipped with one or more scanners142, cameras144, and/or other devices known to one of ordinary skill in the art, that use computer vision to count the pieces of baggage on the baggage carousel140, scan baggage tags for each piece of baggage, and check whether more pieces of baggage are still being loaded onto the baggage carousel140.

In exemplary embodiments, scanners142may be a computer program or device, on baggage carousel140, that can read and output printed barcodes, near field communication (NFC) tags, or quick response (QR) codes, such as a baggage barcode label, baggage NFC tag, and/or baggage QR code, to a computing device, such as server120or computing device110. In an exemplary embodiment, checked-in baggage by a user may include a barcode label that is scanned upon loading onto a baggage carousel140. Scanners142are not limited to the technology described herein, however, and may include other types of scanning and tracking technology known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In various embodiments, scanners142may be set up at equidistant points along a baggage carousel140route. At the various points where the scanner142is located, individual pieces of baggage (containing barcode labels, NFC tag, QR code, etc.) may be scanned, and the information is dynamically updated to reflect a location of the particular bag along the baggage carousel140route. This location information may then be transmitted to baggage carousel management application116, via network102.

In exemplary embodiments, cameras144may include devices capable of recording moving objects along a baggage carousel140route, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In exemplary embodiments, cameras144installed along the baggage carousel140route, from airplane to baggage claim area in the airport, are capable of constructing a feature set in real-time for each piece of baggage using video analytics software, such as IBM® Intelligent Video Analytics (all IBM-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation and/or its affiliates).

In alternative embodiments, cameras144installed along a passenger route from the airplane to the baggage claim area at the airport, together with video analytics software, can be leveraged to develop feature sets that encode the identity of individual passengers to enable subsequent identification of these passengers from different perspectives (e.g., facial features, gender, age, clothing, height, etc.). In this fashion, baggage carousel management program130may better identify an individual waiting for their baggage at a baggage carousel140, thereby directing the individual to a correct baggage location. In exemplary embodiments, individuals must opt-in, and may opt-out at any time, prior to any tracking or location information of a user and/or their possessions is obtained.

In exemplary embodiments, cameras144are also installed inside a baggage claim area, overlooking baggage carousels140. Depending on the characteristics and capabilities of cameras144, together with the layout design of baggage carousels140, one camera144may be capable of spanning multiple baggage carousels140. As loaded baggage on baggage carousel140, and passengers, travel along their respective routes towards the baggage claim area, the baggage and passengers are detected by cameras144and corresponding feature sets are acquired in real time. The location of the individual passengers and baggage are continually updated, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, and this information is used to help the individual passengers find his/her baggage via a mobile application (i.e., baggage carousel management application116) on computing device110. In alternative embodiments, a user location may be obtained via GPS114on the user's computing device110.

In exemplary embodiments, each of the one or more conveyor belts (i.e., baggage carousel140) are equipped with a plurality of scanners142and/or cameras144to perform at least one of the following functions: scanning a tag on each of the plurality of items (i.e., baggage), wherein the tag on each of the plurality of items is associated with a user; and providing real-time images of each of the plurality of items.

In alternative embodiments, scanners142may communicate with one or more pieces of baggage on baggage carousel140via Bluetooth® (Bluetooth and all Bluetooth—based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and/or its affiliates), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), and any other wireless radio communication standard known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In further embodiments, information associated with one or more pieces of scanned baggage (e.g., owner's name, flight number, origination airport, number of other checked-in baggage belonging to same user, etc.) may be transmitted to baggage carousel management program130, over network102.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, baggage carousel management program130, in an exemplary embodiment, may be a computer application on server120that contains instruction sets, executable by a processor. The instruction sets may be described using a set of functional modules. In exemplary embodiments, baggage carousel management program130may receive input from baggage carousel140and computing device110, over network102. In alternative embodiments, baggage carousel management program130may be a computer application contained within baggage carousel140, or as a standalone program on a separate electronic device.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, the functional modules of baggage carousel management program130include determining module132, assigning module134, tracking module136, associating module138, and transmitting module139.

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating the operation of baggage carousel management program130ofFIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, determining module132includes a set of programming instructions, in baggage carousel management program130, to determine an availability of one or more conveyor belts (step202). The set of programming instructions is executable by a processor.

In exemplary embodiments, the one or more conveyor belts are one or more baggage carousels at an airport. In alternative embodiments, the one or more conveyor belts may be baggage carousels at a bus station or any other public venue used to convey baggage from one location to another. In further alternative embodiments, the one or more conveyor belts may be found in warehouses (e.g., shipping centers, receiving docks, etc.) or any other venue used to convey items from one location to another.

In exemplary embodiments, determining module132further includes a set of programming instructions, in baggage carousel management program130, to determine a quantity of a plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts (step204). The set of programming instructions is executable by a processor.

In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of items are baggage. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of items may be any product, or item (e.g., boxes, envelopes, etc.).

In exemplary embodiments, determining module132receives data from baggage carousel management application116or database122, which may include information for an arrival flight such as an arrival time, a number of passengers on the arrival flight, a number of checked-in baggage to be loaded onto the one or more baggage carousels upon arrival, origination airport, arrival airport, number of baggage carousels at a given airport, and any other relevant information that may be helpful for baggage carousel management program130to determine a quantity of a plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more baggage carousels.

In exemplary embodiments, determining module132is capable of assessing current usage of the one or more baggage carousels, and determining a number of baggage carousels140to be assigned to the arrival flight, based on the number of baggage to be loaded, and the assessed current usage of the one or more baggage carousels140.

In exemplary embodiments, baggage carousel management program130assesses current baggage carousel usage by utilizing one or more predictive models (i.e., machine learning or other analytical models) to estimate a time for a first baggage pickup for the arrival flight and a last baggage pickup for the arrival flight at a baggage carousel140, and a distribution of baggage pickups for the arrival flight, at the baggage carousel140.

For example, machine learning or other analytical models are created to predict, for a given flight, the time interval between landing and the first baggage pickup; the time interval between the first and last baggage pickup; and the distribution of the baggage pickups over time (e.g., by modeling the distribution as a standard distribution and predicting the mean and standard deviation).

In exemplary embodiments, the one or more parameters used by the one or more predictive models may include at least one of the following: a time of day of arrival flight; a distance between arrival gate and baggage claim area; airport congestion at time of arrival flight; a number of baggage on an arrival flight; a number of passengers on an arrival flight; and an estimated crowd at passport control at time of arrival flight.

In exemplary embodiments, the one or more baggage carousels140may be of various sizes and dimensions. For example, baggage carousel “A” at an airport may only be able to hold 100 pieces of baggage, while baggage carousel “B” may be capable of holding 300 pieces of baggage. By determining the availability of various one or more baggage carousels140at a venue, determining module132makes effective use of the resources available in order to provide a more seamless and satisfactory experience for travelers.

With reference to an illustrative example, Joe is arriving at a busy international airport in New York City on packed Flight 123 carrying 500 passengers. The busy international airport has 15 baggage carousels located in the baggage claim area for the particular airline that Joe is on. Joe has a driver waiting to pick him up and Joe is concerned that he will be waiting a long time in order to retrieve his baggage from the baggage claim area. Joe has had multiple bad experiences with airlines losing his luggage, standing for lengthy periods of time at the incorrect baggage carousel, and not recognizing his luggage through multiple loops around the baggage carousel. In the present disclosure, baggage carousel management program130may alleviate Joe's concerns and rather, make the experience of luggage retrieval at the baggage carousel more expeditious and seamless. In Joe's scenario, determining module132determines that baggage carousels “A” and “B” are available at the time of Flight 123's arrival, and are sufficient to hold all of the checked-in baggage of the500passengers on Flight 123.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, assigning module134includes a set of programming instructions, in baggage carousel management program130, to assign the one or more conveyor belts to convey the plurality of items, based on the determined quantity of the plurality of items to be loaded onto the one or more conveyor belts (step206). The set of programming instructions is executable by a processor.

In exemplary embodiments, assigning module134communicates with baggage carousel140over network102, and assigns the available one or more baggage carousels140that are capable of conveying the number of checked-in baggage on an arrival flight.

In alternative embodiments, assigning module134can generate all possible baggage carousel assignments for scheduled arrival flights, on a given day, and choose the option that optimizes certain constraints (e.g., pick up time, etc.).

In exemplary embodiments, assigning module134communicates the baggage carousel140assignments to a baggage trolley driver, and unloaded baggage is then transferred to the assigned baggage carousels140.

With continued reference to the illustrative example above, assigning module134assigns baggage carousels “A” and “B” to Flight 123, since they are currently not in use and are sufficient to hold all of the checked-in baggage of the500passengers on Flight 123. By assigning baggage carousels “A” and “B” to Flight 123's arrival, assigning module134adheres to the machine learning models for first baggage pickup and last baggage pickup at baggage carousels “A” and “B”, and therefore does not assign baggage carousels “A” and “B” to any other arrival flights until determining module132determines baggage carousels “A” and “B” availability once again.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, tracking module136includes a set of programming instructions in baggage carousel management program130, to track a location of each of the plurality of items on the assigned one or more conveyor belts (step208). The set of programming instructions is executable by a processor.

In exemplary embodiments, each of the one or more conveyor belts (i.e., baggage carousel140) are equipped with a plurality of scanners142and/or cameras144to perform at least one of the following functions: scanning a tag on each of the plurality of items (i.e., baggage), wherein the tag on each of the plurality of items is associated with a user; and providing real-time images of each of the plurality of items.

In exemplary embodiments, tracking module136utilizes the scanners142and cameras144associated with baggage carousel140, in order to track a location for each of the pieces of baggage loaded onto baggage carousel140for a particular arrival flight, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Tracking module136, in exemplary embodiments, updates, continuously, the tracked location of each of the plurality of items (i.e., baggage) associated with the user, in real-time.

In exemplary embodiments, every time a piece of baggage is loaded onto the baggage carousel140, it is scanned by scanners142. The information associated with the barcode on each piece of baggage is then transmitted to baggage carousel management program130, via network102. Cameras144installed on baggage carousel140track each piece of baggage at each loop around the baggage carousel140. Additionally, if baggage carousel management program130knows the shape of the baggage carousel140, as retrieved in database122, it can use the time it takes for a piece of baggage to complete a full loop in order to estimate a piece of baggage's position on the baggage carousel140at any given moment.

With continued reference to the illustrative example above, Joe exits the airplane and walks toward baggage claim to retrieve his baggage at baggage carousel140. Tracking module136tracks Joe's baggage as it gets loaded onto baggage carousel140. Joe's baggage is scanned by scanners142on baggage carousel140, thereby identifying the baggage as belonging to Joe. Cameras144along baggage carousel140then track the identified baggage on its route along baggage carousel140.

In alternative embodiments, priority baggage and their respective owners (e.g., first class passengers, sky rewards members, etc.) can be handled differently (i.e., separate machine learning models, separate time estimates, separate baggage carousel assignments) for more expeditious service.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, associating module138includes a set of programming instructions in baggage carousel management program130, to associate each of the plurality of items with a user (step210). The set of programming instructions is executable by a processor.

In exemplary embodiments, associating module138can associate baggage feature sets with individual passengers, thus enabling baggage carousel management program130to identify and track individual pieces of baggage belonging to specific passengers. In exemplary embodiments, individuals may elect to opt-in and opt-out of baggage tracking, via baggage carousel management application116, given proper disclosure and consent.

In exemplary embodiments, associating module138can direct the user (e.g., passenger) to the one or more conveyor belts (i.e., baggage carousel) based on the tracked location of each of the plurality of items (i.e., baggage) associated with the user.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, transmitting module139includes a set of programming instructions in baggage carousel management program130, to transmit the updated tracked location of each of the plurality of items associated with the user, on the assigned one or more conveyor belts, to the user via a mobile device (step212). The set of programming instructions is executable by a processor.

In exemplary embodiments, transmitting module139can transmit the updated tracked location of each of the plurality of items associated with the user, on the assigned one or more conveyor belts, to the user via a mobile device (e.g., computing device110) in various ways.

FIG. 3is an illustrative example of a message that a user receives on a mobile device depicting a location, in real-time, of a user's baggage on a baggage carousel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 3, transmitting module139may send an updated text message to the computing device110of the user indicating a location of the baggage of the user. For example, transmitting module139may send an image of the baggage carousel140and the user's baggage location on the baggage carousel140in real-time, with continuous updates that refresh the image depicting the location of a user's baggage on baggage carousel140, in accordance with the image displayed inFIG. 3.

InFIG. 3, computing device110receives a message from baggage carousel management application116indicating to the user that “You have two bags: The first bag is on carousel A, track its location below” and “Second bag has not been loaded onto carousel yet.” Carousel A, therefore, includes an “X” indicating that the first bag has arrived there.

In alternative embodiments, transmitting module139can activate a vibration or sound frequency on a user's computing device110(e.g., mobile device) in proportion to a distance between the user and each of the plurality of items associated with the user (i.e., baggage). For example, the closer the user gets to his/her baggage on baggage carousel140, the higher the vibration frequency (or faster the repetitive sound becomes) on the user's computing device110.

In further embodiments, transmitting module139can activate a voice prompt on a user's computing device110to provide directions to each of the plurality of items (i.e., baggage) associated with the user.

In further alternative embodiments, transmitting module139may further include a virtual reality (VR) headset integration that a user wears. While wearing the VR headset, a user would see the baggage carousel140overlaid with helpful graphical cues (e.g., a big arrow that points to the user's baggage) to more easily point out and find his/her baggage.

With continued reference to the illustrative example above, Joe arrives at the baggage claim area and receives an image on his mobile device, via baggage carousel management application116, that depicts a real-time location of his two pieces of baggage on baggage carousel140. Joe patiently awaits for the baggage carousel140to loop around until he is able to expeditiously retrieve his baggage.

In additional embodiments, baggage carousel management program130may gather baggage tracking information, together with individual user tracking information, in order to facilitate real-time interventions (e.g., an airport agent is dispatched if a passenger has been in the baggage claim area for more than 30 minutes) and longer-term improvements to operation (e.g., trends can be analyzed to inform modification to baggage transporting process). In all embodiments, any collected user data is only conducted on a user opt-in process, after full disclosure and consent by the user.

In the example embodiment, network102is a communication channel capable of transferring data between connected devices and may be a telecommunications network used to facilitate telephone calls between two or more parties comprising a landline network, a wireless network, a closed network, a satellite network, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, network102may be the Internet, representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways to support communications between devices connected to the Internet. In this other embodiment, network102may include, for example, wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections which may be implemented as an intranet network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any combination thereof. In further embodiments, network102may be a Bluetooth network, a WiFi network, or a combination thereof. In general, network102can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between computing device110, server120, and baggage carousel140.

FIG. 4is a block diagram depicting components of a computing device (such as computing device110as shown inFIG. 1), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated thatFIG. 4provides only an illustration of one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Computing device may include one or more processors902, one or more computer-readable RAMs904, one or more computer-readable ROMs906, one or more computer readable storage media908, device drivers912, read/write drive or interface914, network adapter or interface916, all interconnected over a communications fabric918. Communications fabric918may be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system.

One or more operating systems910, and one or more application programs911, such as baggage carousel management program130, may be stored on one or more of the computer readable storage media908for execution by one or more of the processors902via one or more of the respective RAMs904(which typically include cache memory). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the computer readable storage media908may be a magnetic disk storage device of an internal hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk, a semiconductor storage device such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, flash memory or any other computer-readable tangible storage device that can store a computer program and digital information.

Computing device may also include a R/W drive or interface914to read from and write to one or more portable computer readable storage media926. Application programs911on computing device may be stored on one or more of the portable computer readable storage media926, read via the respective R/W drive or interface914and loaded into the respective computer readable storage media908.

Computing device may also include a display screen920, a keyboard or keypad922, and a computer mouse or touchpad924. Device drivers912interface to display screen920for imaging, to keyboard or keypad922, to computer mouse or touchpad924, and/or to display screen920for pressure sensing of alphanumeric character entry and user selections. The device drivers912, R/W drive or interface914, and network adapter or interface916may comprise hardware and software (stored on computer readable storage media908and/or ROM906).

Characteristics are as follows:

Service Models are as follows:

Deployment Models are as follows: