Alarm system for luggage in a luggage compartment in a passenger train

A system, passenger train, method and software product for assisting a passenger to monitor luggage and eventually issue an alarm. The system includes a luggage compartment with an RFID reader in connection with a train server aboard of the train. The train server is provided with information about an RFID tag attached to a piece of luggage of a specific passenger, and the train server is provided with information about the mobile device of this specific passenger. Upon detection of a piece of luggage with a registered RFID tag the train server notifies the mobile device of the passenger associated with the RFID tag and requests the passenger to confirm deposit of the luggage. The RFID reader seizes to protect the RFID tag of the deposited piece of luggage, the train server notifies the mobile device of the passenger associated with the RFID tag.

The present application relates to a system, a passenger train, a method and to a software product that are configured for assisting a passenger in monitoring luggage in luggage compartment of a passenger train.

BACKGROUND ART

Passenger trains typically have a number of rail cars with passenger seats and luggage compartments in each of the rail cars. Passengers deposit their luggage in one of the luggage compartments and take a seat close to or less close to the luggage compartment. Passengers may during the journey visit the restroom or visit the restaurant in another railcar and made during these visits not be able to attend their luggage. If such visit coincides with a stop at a railway station there is a risk that a third-party removes and misappropriates the passenger's luggage. Therefore, passengers may feel uncomfortable leaving their luggage unattended or at of sight.

Patent Application US 2009/0276089 A1 describes an apparatus and a method for dispensing a luggage recognition label having an RFID device associated therewith that allows a passenger and/or a passenger carrier to identify and track their luggage during travel, provide access to a secure network for storing customer and travel information including a luggage inventory and itinerary information. Upon dispensing the label, the association of the unique identification code within the reader network allows access to and maintenance of information that will allow tracking of the passenger's bag. A software program running on a personal computer is designed to interface with a portable transponder and a reader. In one embodiment readers are placed within the cargo hold of a plane such that a traveler can access information regarding the location of their bag on the airplane. The reader on the plane will identify when the bag has been placed on and removed from the plane. A communication to the traveler may be made so that a traveler is assured of the location of their bag at any point in time from check-in, embarking at the point of departure, to disembarking at the point of destination. Communication is carried out wirelessly using transponders.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

On this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a passenger train, a method, a software product and assistant that overcomes or at least reduces the problem above.

This object is achieved by providing a passenger train, the passenger train comprising a train server on board of the passenger train, the server comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, at least one luggage compartment, an RFID reader arrangement connected to the train server and associated with the at least one luggage compartment and located at or in the at least one luggage compartment so as to be able to detect and read an RFID tag attached to a piece of luggage that is placed in the at least one luggage compartment, a wireless access point connected to the train server and configured for establishing a local wireless network for allowing mobile devices of passengers to access to the train server, the train server having access to a database that contains information on luggage RFID tags that have been issued to a specific passenger and information on a mobile device associated with the specific passenger, or the train server being configured to receive a message from the mobile device after the mobile device connects to the wireless network informing the train server about the RFID luggage tag associated with the mobile device, the train server being configured to register a piece of luggage as deposited in the luggage compartment associated with the RFID reader arrangement when the RFID reader arrangement concerned detects the presence of a luggage RFID tag issued to a specific passenger that is included in the database, the train server being configured to send a message to the mobile device associated with the specific passenger when the RFID reader arrangement ceases to detect the presence of the luggage RFID tag issued to the specific passenger and associated with a deposited piece of luggage.

By providing a train server that is configured to communicate directly with mobile devices on the train via a wireless network, and by ensuring that the train server is informed of the association between the RFID luggage tag and the mobile device associated with the user to whom the RFID luggage tag is issued, and by providing the mobile device associated with the user to whom the RFID luggage tag is issued with functionality for communicating with the server on the presence of the deposited luggage it is possible to provide an simple and reliable and effective system for providing alarm went luggage is removed from a luggage compartment on a passenger train.

In an embodiment the train server is configured to send a message to the mobile device of the specific passenger when an RFID tag issued to the specific passenger has been read by the RFID reader arrangement, the message preferably including information identifying the luggage compartment and/or its location and the train server preferably further being configured to include a request for the specific passenger to confirm deposit of a piece of luggage.

In an embodiment the passenger train further comprises a wireless modem for establishing a data connection to a wide area network, the train server being connected to the wireless modem and the train server being configured to regularly connect to a booking server for accessing the database with issued RFID luggage tags.

In an embodiment the train server receives information from the booking database on the train journey booked by the specific passenger, and the train server is configured to send a message to the mobile device of the specific passenger shortly before the train arrives at the destination of the specific passenger to remember the specific passenger to take his or her luggage item deposited in the luggage compartment with them when disembarking the passenger train.

The object above is also achieved by providing a method of providing guidance to a passenger of a passenger train, the method comprising providing a train server on board of the passenger train, the server comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, storing and maintaining in the train server a database of RFID luggage tags and mobile devices associated with specific passengers, providing a luggage compartment in the passenger train, providing an RFID reader arrangement so as to be able to detect and read an RFID tag attached to a piece of luggage that is placed in the luggage compartment, the train server verifies in the database if a specific passenger and a mobile device are associated with the RFID tag concerned when the RFID reader arrangement detects and reads an RFID tag, or the train server being configured to receive a message from the mobile device after the mobile device connects to the wireless network informing the train server about the RFID luggage tag associated with the mobile device, the train server sending a message to the mobile device associated with the specific passenger that is associated with the detected RFID tag when the RFID reader arrangement ceases to detect the presence of the RFID tag.

In an embodiment of the method the server registers a piece of luggage as deposited in the luggage compartment associated with the RFID reader arrangement when the RFID reader arrangement concerned detects the presence of a luggage RFID tag issued to a specific passenger.

In an embodiment of the method the train server is configured to issue a notification when the RFID reader arrangement concerned ceases to detect the presence of the luggage RFID tag issued to the specific passenger.

In an embodiment of the method, the method further comprises providing a wireless access point connected to the train server and configured for establishing a local wireless network for allowing passenger owned mobile devices to access to the train server.

The object above is also achieved by providing a software product for a mobile computer device, such as e.g. a mobile telephone or a tablet computer, the software product comprising a program of instructions for assisting a passenger of a passenger train to monitor a piece of luggage deposited in the passenger train, wherein the program of instructions upon being executed on the mobile computer device causes the mobile computer device to prompt a user to scan an optical machine readable code associated with an RFID tag, store the RFID tag as associated with the mobile device, send a massage to a server to identify the mobile device as associated with the RFID tag, to notify the user via the display or via the loudspeaker of the mobile device that a message has been received from a train server that the RFID tag has been read by an RFID reader associated with a luggage compartment, to prompt the user to confirm that he or she has deposited a piece of luggage in the luggage compartment, to send a message to the train server confirming the deposit of the piece of luggage, to notify the user via the display or via the loudspeaker of the mobile device that a message has been received from a train server that the RFID reader has ceased to detect the RFID tag associated with the deposited piece of luggage.

In an embodiment of the software product the program of instructions upon being executed on the mobile computer device causes the mobile computer device to further prompt the user to confirm that he or she has removed the deposited piece of luggage from the luggage compartment.

The object above is also achieved by providing a system for assisting a passenger monitoring a piece of luggage, the system comprising a server on a computer, the server comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, the server being configured to issue RFID luggage tags to railway passengers, and the server including a database having issued RFID luggage tags stored therein, a train server on board of a passenger train, the server comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, an RFID reader arrangement connected to the train server and associated with a luggage compartment and located at or in the luggage compartment so as to be able to detect and read an RFID tag attached to a piece of luggage that is placed in the at least one luggage compartment, a wireless access point on the passenger train and connected to the train server and configured for establishing a local wireless network for allowing mobile devices of passengers to access to the train server, a wireless modem on the passenger train and connected to the train server and configured for establishing a data connection to the server via a wide are network, the train server being configured to access the database via the wireless modem to obtain information on issued RFID tags and mobile devices of passengers associated therewith or the train server being configured to receive a message from the mobile device after the mobile device connects to the wireless network informing the train server about the RFID luggage tag associated with the mobile device, the train server being configured to send via the wireless network a message to the mobile device associated with the specific passenger that is associated with a detected RFID tag when the RFID reader arrangement ceases to detect the presence of the RFID tag.

In an embodiment of the system the train server is configured to register a piece of luggage as deposited in the luggage compartment associated with the RFID reader arrangement when the RFID reader arrangement concerned detects the presence of a luggage RFID tag issued to a specific passenger that is included in the database.

Further objects, features, advantages and properties of the passenger train, method, software product and system according to the invention will become apparent from the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, example embodiments of the passenger train, system, method and software product, will be described in detail and with reference to the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2show a passenger train1with a railcar8and a seating arrangement with a plurality of seats5. The seats5are placed in a fixed arrangement and preferably said passenger seats5are numbered. The passenger train1is provided with doors3,4on both sides of the passenger train1for allowing passengers to embark and disembark the passenger train1when the passenger train1stops at a train station. One or more luggage compartments8is provided in the train and preferably distributed over the rail cars8.

A train server2is provided on board of the passenger train1. The train server2includes a processor, memory, a wireless access point9, such as a Wi-Fi hotspot and software for operating the train server. The wireless access point9provides for a wireless network in and around the train that can be accessed by a mobile device used by a passenger6in order to give passengers access to the train server2. The luggage item16has an RFID tag20attached thereto.

The train server2is also provided with a wireless modem15for wirelessly connecting to a wide area network, such as via cells14of a mobile data network (e.g. 3G or 4 g) that connects to the Internet.

The train server2is configured for intermittent connection to the wide area network, i.e. it does not need to be continuously connected to the wide area network or to the Internet. One of the reasons for the train server2to connect to a wide area network is to establish data communication with a server that includes an online database having stored therein train configuration, train numbers seating arrangements, seat numbering, seat occupancy, train schedules, journey bookings, seat reservations, issued luggage RFID tags, etc. The train server2runs RFID hardware and the Software API.

The train server2is configured to attempt to connect with the server2regularly so as to update its own record of issued RFID luggage tags and the passengers6and their mobile devices7associated therewith. The train server2does not need to be on line (connected to the wider network/Internet) continuously in order to carry out its functionality properly.

A reader23for detecting and reading wireless non-contact use of radio-frequency tags (RFID reader) (RFID door frame scanner) is provided in or at the luggage compartment11, preferably near a side or in the back of the luggage compartment11. The RFID reader23is placed such that it can detect and read RFID tags20attached to a piece of luggage16that is placed in the luggage compartment11. The RFID reader23is in an embodiment an active reader for reading passive tags20.

FIG. 2shows the train stopped next to a platform10of a railway station.FIG. 2also shows the layout of the train1with railcars8and passenger seats5and luggage compartments11arranged therein.

FIG. 3illustrates a diagram of components involved in an embodiment of the system and method. The luggage alert system is based on three different concept components, namely a preferably active RFID scanner23that can for example be arranged close to a doorframe of a luggage compartment11. In other embodiments the RFID scanner23is arranged in or at another location that is suitable for detecting the presence of an RFID luggage tag in the luggage compartment11. Another component is the RFID luggage tag20that can be in the form of an RFID chip sticker tag. A further component of the alarm system is a software product in the form of an app30on a mobile device7of a passenger6as a monitor.

FIG. 4shows the system architecture according to an embodiment. The system architecture is based RFID tags20and an RFID reader23. The RFID luggage tags20are in an embodiment passive tags. In an embodiment the RFID luggage tags20are tamper proof tags. In an embodiment the RFID luggage tags20are read only tags. The RFID reader23is connected to the train server2and the train server runs the RFID hardware/software API22. The online app software back and35runs on the mobile device7and the off-line/online train app software33runs on the train server2.

FIGS. 5 to 7illustrate an example embodiment of a method and illustrate the operation of the system, the software product30and the passenger train1. At the start of the usage flow the passenger6buys a ticket online using a personal computer and pays e.g. with a credit card. The user6connects to a server (not shown) that issues a ticket and issues an RFID tag20and sends the RFID tag20through the mail to the passenger. In the next step the passenger scans the unique optical (QR) code37that is enclosed with the RFID tag with his her mobile device7using the app30. (As shown inFIG. 5, train tickets, for passenger train journeys can be provided with an individual optical machine readable code27). The optical machine readable code37code provides the app30on the mobile device7with information identifying the RFID tag20and thus associates the mobile device7to the RFID tag20. Next, the passenger attaches the matched RFID tag (sticker) to his or her suitcase or other piece of luggage16. The mobile device7communicates its association with the RFID tag20to a (server not shown) via wide-area network. The train server20is in regular application with the server and thus informed of the issuance of an RFID tag20and of the mobile device7associated therewith. In an mother embodiment, the mobile device7informs the train server of its association with the RFIF luggage tag20upon establishing connection with the train server2via the local area wireless network provided by the wireless network access point9.

Next, the passenger6boards a train and thereafter the passenger6places the luggage item16in the luggage compartment11. During this process the RFID scanner23registers the RFID tag on the luggage and communicates this registration and the identification of the RFID tag20to the train server2. Thereupon, the train server2checks in his database which mobile device7is associated with the identified RFID tag20. After the train server2has looked up the associated mobile device7, it sends via the wireless network a message to the mobile device7that the train server2has registered that an item of luggage16has been deposited in a particular luggage compartment11. Upon receipt of this message from the train server2the app30on the mobile device7informs the user/passenger6to confirm the luggage deposit. When the user/passenger6confirms the deposit the app30sends a message via the wireless network to the train server2confirming the deposit. During this process or after this process the passenger6takes his or her seat.

The train server2monitors the presence of the RFID tag20until the RFID reader23ceases to detect the presence of the RFID tag20. When the RFID reader23ceases to detect the presence of the RFID tag20the train server2sends a message to the mobile device7to inform the user that the luggage has been removed and the luggage item16is no longer considered as deposited in the luggage compartment11. The app30on the mobile device7gives an alarm or an alert and asks the passenger6to confirm that he or she has removed his or her luggage item16from the luggage compartment11. Thus, in case of removal of luggage, also when done by an unauthorized third party, the passenger6is alerted about the change of status. If the passenger6was indeed this embarking the passenger train1the app30on the mobile device7allows the passenger to confirm to the train server2that the luggage was a righteously removed.

At least one computer on board the passenger train1runs the train server2.

The same or another computer runs the also offline/online in train app software on media server37, the RFID hardware/software API and the online software app back end.

The various components of the system architecture communicate with one another via a local or wide area network, including wireless connections.

The online app software backend35provides online service to mobile devices7of passengers.

The mobile device7, such as a smart phone is configured with a display and a camera. A luggage alarm app30is installed on the mobile device7, and its code is stored on a memory of said mobile device7as a software product. The luggage alarm app30provides the functionality required for assisting a passenger in monitoring his or her luggage item16during a train journey.

The wireless network is in an embodiment a local network area such as e.g. a WiFi network and/or wide area network such as e.g. a 3G or a 4G network.

Although the teaching of this application has been described in detail for purpose of illustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for that purpose, and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the teaching of this application.

The term “comprising” as used in the claims does not exclude other elements or steps. The term “a” or “an” as used in the claims does not exclude a plurality. The single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims.