Patent Description:
In practice, passenger baggage is often manually loaded into a cargo compartment of an aircraft, such as a commercial aircraft. This can make it difficult to locate specific baggage for retrieval in certain situations. For example, when a passenger does not show up at the gate, that passenger's baggage will need to be removed from the cargo compartment, and if the baggage was manually loaded into the cargo compartment along with numerous other baggage, it can take an undesirable amount of time and effort to locate that passenger's baggage.

Existing solutions for addressing this issue involve scanning baggage prior to loading, in order to know which order bags are loaded into the cargo compartment and to know which specific cargo compartment a particular bag is loaded into. Other solutions involve use of containers within the cargo compartment, each with a dedicated position, and tracking which bag is loaded into which container. However, these existing solutions can still be inefficient for locating specific baggage, particularly in situations where baggage needs to be quickly removed and where there are numerous other bags in the cargo compartment or in containers.

What is needed is an improved system for locating baggage within a cargo compartment of an aircraft.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states that an asset including an arrangement for monitoring objects in an interior of the asset includes a sensor system arranged on or in the asset to obtain data about the asset or an object in the asset and a communication system arranged on the asset and coupled to the sensor system. The communication system transmits the data obtained by the sensor system to a remote facility via the Internet. A data reception system is arranged on the asset arranged to obtain data to enable the position of the asset to be determined, i.e., at the remote facility, and is coupled to the communication system which transmits the data to enable the remote facility to determine the location of the asset. The sensor system may be integrated with a cell phone or PDA.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states that systems and methods may be employed to visually locate and/or track objects equipped with active RFID tags. The disclosed systems and methods may employ an articulated camera/s, such as closed circuit television ("CCTV") or other suitable type of articulated camera/s, that is equipped with an antenna array.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states that a radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an antenna located so that when baggage is being loaded on a vehicle, the antenna is capable of detecting information transmitted from at least one identity RFID tag located on the vehicle as well as information transmitted from a baggage RFID tag located on an item being loaded on or unloaded from the vehicle (though not necessarily simultaneously). A computer system is configured to compare the information transmitted from the identity RFID tag with expected vehicle information for the item loaded on or unloaded from the vehicle. An alarm condition may be generated if the results of the comparison indicate that the item is loaded on a vehicle other than that which was expected. The computer system may also provide notification to passengers or others regarding successful loading of the item on the vehicle. Similar processes may be used during unloading operations.

In an example, a system is described. The system includes at least two transceivers configured to be coupled to an interior of a cargo compartment of an aircraft, and further configured to detect radio frequency identification (RFID) signals from an RFID tag coupled to baggage stored in the cargo compartment. The system also includes a processor configured to perform a set of operations. The set of operations includes receiving the RFID signals detected by the at least two transceivers. The set of operations also includes based on runtimes of the RFID signals, determining, for each transceiver of the at least two transceivers, a respective distance from the baggage to the transceiver, where the respective distance defines a boundary that is centered at a known location of the transceiver and along which the baggage is estimated to be located with respect to the transceiver. The set of operations also includes identifying locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect. The set of operations also includes based on the locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect, detecting an estimated storage location of the baggage. The set of operations also includes controlling a display device to display the estimated storage location.

In another example, a method is described. The method includes receiving, by a processor, radio frequency identification (RFID) signals detected by at least two transceivers from an RFID tag coupled to baggage stored in a cargo compartment of an aircraft, where the at least two transceivers are coupled to an interior of the cargo compartment. The method also includes based on runtimes of the RFID signals, determining, by the processor, for each transceiver of the at least two transceivers, a respective distance from the baggage to the transceiver, where the respective distance defines a boundary that is centered at a known location of the transceiver and along which the baggage is estimated to be located with respect to the transceiver. The method also includes identifying, by the processor, locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect. The method also includes based on the locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect, detecting, by the processor, an estimated storage location of the baggage. The method also includes controlling, by the processor, a display device to display the estimated storage location.

In another example, a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions, that when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a set of operations is described. The set of operations includes receiving radio frequency identification (RFID) signals detected by at least two transceivers from an RFID tag coupled to baggage stored in a cargo compartment of an aircraft, wherein the at least two transceivers are coupled to an interior of the cargo compartment. The set of operations also includes based on runtimes of the RFID signals, determining, for each transceiver of the at least two transceivers, a respective distance from the baggage to the transceiver, where the respective distance defines a boundary that is centered at a known location of the transceiver and along which the baggage is estimated to be located with respect to the transceiver. The set of operations also includes identifying locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect. The set of operations also includes based on the locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect, detecting an estimated storage location of the baggage. The set of operations also includes controlling a display device to display the estimated storage location.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yet other examples. Further details of the examples can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

The invention is defined by the independent claims and preferred features are set out in the dependent claims. The illustrative examples, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative example of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Disclosed examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed examples are shown. Indeed, several different examples may be described and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, elements depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Within examples, described herein is a system and corresponding method for localizing baggage within a cargo compartment of an aircraft. The disclosed system, for example, includes at least two transceivers configured to be coupled to an interior of the cargo compartment of the aircraft, and also configured to detect radio frequency identification (RFID) signals from an RFID tag coupled to baggage stored in the cargo compartment. For example, two transceivers can be located in a particular cargo compartment of an aircraft, both located on the same longitudinal side of the aircraft, with one transceiver positioned at an aft end of the cargo compartment and another transceiver positioned at a front end of the cargo compartment.

The disclosed system also includes a processor that is configured to perform various operations. Specifically, the processor receives the RFID signals detected by the at least two transceivers and, based on runtimes of those RFID signals, determines for each transceiver, a respective distance from the baggage to the transceiver. The respective distance from the baggage to a given transceiver defines a boundary that is centered at a known location of the transceiver and along which the baggage is estimated to be located with respect to the transceiver. The processor then identifies locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect, detects an estimated storage location of the baggage based on the identified locations, and controls a display device to display the estimated storage location.

By calculating an approximate position at which a particular bag is located within the cargo compartment, the disclosed system allows for more efficient removal of the bag from the cargo compartment, such as in a situation in which the airline must remove a passenger's checked bag when that passenger does not show up to the gate by the departure time.

These and other improvements are described in more detail below. Implementations described below are for purposes of example. The implementations described below, as well as other implementations, may provide other improvements as well.

Referring now to the figures, <FIG> depicts a system <NUM> for localizing baggage within a cargo compartment <NUM> of an aircraft <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes at least two transceivers <NUM> and a processor <NUM> that is communicatively coupled (e.g., via a wired or wireless communication link) to the transceivers <NUM>. As indicated above, the transceivers <NUM> are configured to be coupled to an interior of the cargo compartment <NUM>, and also configured to detect RFID signals from an RFID tag <NUM> coupled to baggage <NUM> stored in the cargo compartment <NUM>. Within examples, the RFID tag <NUM> is affixed to a paper baggage tag that is coupled to the baggage <NUM>, such as a paper tag that is temporarily attached to the baggage <NUM> when the passenger checks the baggage <NUM> to be loaded onto the aircraft <NUM>. Within other examples, the RFID tag <NUM> can be affixed to the baggage <NUM> in another manner.

The transceivers <NUM> are antennas configured to send and receive (i.e., detect) signals. Within examples, each of the transceivers <NUM> transmits a signal <NUM> having specific data that makes that signal <NUM> differentiable with respect to other signals. The RFID tag <NUM> receives the signal <NUM>, which activates the RFID tag <NUM> and causes the RFID tag <NUM> to send back a signal <NUM> that contains the original data as well as additional data that is specific to the RFID tag <NUM>, which enables the processor <NUM> to identify which RFID tag the signal <NUM> came from. Within other examples, when activated, the RFID tag <NUM> modulates the original signal and transmits a signal back to the transceiver, which enables the processor <NUM> to identify which RFID tag the signal <NUM> came from. Other example RFID signaling is possible as well.

Also shown in <FIG> is a display device <NUM> that is communicatively coupled to the processor <NUM>. The display device <NUM> can take the form of a computing device configured to receive instructions from the processor <NUM> and responsively display information on a display that is integral with or separate from (but connected to) to the computing device. Within examples, the display device <NUM> is a smartphone, tablet computer, personal computer, or laptop computer having a touchscreen or other type of display. Other examples are possible as well.

The processor <NUM> can be a general-purpose processor or special purpose processor (e.g., a digital signal processor, application specific integrated circuit, etc.) of a computing device. The processor <NUM> is configured to execute instructions (e.g., computer-readable program instructions including computer executable code) that are stored in memory <NUM> and are executable to provide various operations described herein.

The memory <NUM> that stores the instructions can take the form of one or more computer-readable storage media that can be read or accessed by the processor <NUM>. The computer-readable storage media can include volatile and/or non-volatile storage components, such as optical, magnetic, organic or other memory <NUM> or disc storage, which can be integrated in whole or in part with the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> is considered non-transitory computer readable media. In some examples, the memory <NUM> can be implemented using a single physical device (e.g., one optical, magnetic, organic or other memory or disc storage unit), while in other examples, the memory <NUM> can be implemented using two or more physical devices.

The processor <NUM> is configured to perform various operations, which will now be described in more detail. Although the following examples are described primarily as involving two transceivers for a given cargo compartment, more than two transceivers can be used in other examples.

The following operations can be performed in various scenarios, such as when a passenger has checked their bag but does not show up to the gate. In such a scenario, the processor <NUM> might receive (e.g., from a computing device operated by the airline for the aircraft <NUM>) a notification to remove the baggage <NUM> from the cargo compartment <NUM> and will perform the following operations in response to receiving the notification.

<FIG> depicts localization of baggage <NUM> within the cargo compartment <NUM>, in accordance with an example implementation. As shown, the transceivers <NUM> include a first transceiver <NUM> and a second transceiver <NUM>. The cargo compartment <NUM> includes a front side <NUM>, an aft side <NUM>, a first longitudinal side <NUM>, and a second longitudinal side <NUM>. The first transceiver <NUM> is coupled to the first longitudinal side <NUM>, proximate to the aft side <NUM>, and the second transceiver <NUM> is coupled to the second longitudinal side <NUM>, proximate to the front side <NUM>. Within examples, the cargo compartment <NUM> includes one or more doors (not shown) located on the first longitudinal side <NUM> and/or the second longitudinal side <NUM>.

In operation, the processor <NUM> receives RFID signals detected by the transceivers <NUM>. More particularly, the processor <NUM> controls each transceiver to send out a signal in various directions from a known location of the transceiver. And in line with the discussion above, for each signal the RFID tag <NUM> receives from a given transceiver, the RFID tag <NUM> generates and transmits a signal in various directions, which is then received by that transceiver. When a signal is received at / detected by a transceiver from the RFID tag <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines (i) that the signal was received from the RFID tag <NUM> (i.e., based on the specific code that the RFID tag <NUM> includes in the signal), (ii) a time that the original signal was transmitted by the transceiver, and (iii) the time at which the signal is received at the transceiver from the RFID tag <NUM>.

Based on runtimes of the RFID signals detected by each transceiver, the processor <NUM> determines, for each transceiver, a respective distance from the baggage <NUM> to the transceiver. Specifically, for each transceiver, the processor <NUM> detects, from the RFID signals detected by that transceiver, an RFID signal having a shortest runtime of the RFID signals detected by that transceiver. The processor <NUM> then determines the respective distance based on the shortest runtime and a travel speed of the detected RFID signal. In particular, the processor <NUM> calculates the respective distance to be equal to the runtime of the shortest-runtime RFID signal multiplied by the travel speed of the shortest-runtime RFID signal. In practice, many signals transmitted by the transceivers <NUM> are reflected from surfaces, and the shortest-runtime signal is selected as the one that represents the likely actual distance between the RFID tag <NUM> and a respective transceiver, as it is the signal that travelled the shortest total distance.

For each transceiver, the respective distance that the processor <NUM> determines defines a boundary that is centered at a known location of the transceiver and along which the baggage <NUM> is estimated to be located with respect to the transceiver. As shown in <FIG>, for example, a boundary for a given transceiver takes the form of a circle centered at the transceiver and having a radius equal to the respective distance determined for that transceiver. Specifically, <FIG> depicts a first boundary <NUM> and an arrow representing a first respective distance <NUM> from the first transceiver <NUM> to the baggage <NUM> (or, more particularly, to the RFID tag <NUM>), and further depicts a second boundary <NUM> and an arrow representing a second respective distance <NUM> from the second transceiver <NUM> to the baggage <NUM>.

Having determined the respective distances, the processor <NUM> identifies locations at which the boundaries intersect and, based on the locations at which the boundaries intersect, detects an estimated storage location of the baggage <NUM>.

In practice, with two transceivers, for instance, the boundaries intersect at a maximum of two locations. As shown in <FIG>, the locations at which the boundaries intersect include a first location <NUM> within the cargo compartment <NUM> and at least one other location <NUM> outside of the cargo compartment <NUM>. In many cases, the at least one other location <NUM> is also exterior to the aircraft <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). Given these points of intersection, the processor <NUM> detects which of the locations is the first location <NUM> and selects the first location <NUM> to be the estimated storage location of the baggage <NUM>. The positioning of the first transceiver <NUM> and the second transceiver <NUM> on the same side of the cargo compartment <NUM> - that is, the first longitudinal side <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, improves localization of the baggage <NUM> because it causes one of the intersection points to be outside of the cargo compartment <NUM>, thus eliminating that location from consideration.

Having detected the estimated storage location of the baggage <NUM> - that is, the first location <NUM>, in the above-described example - the processor <NUM> controls the display device <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) to display the estimated storage location. Within examples, the act of controlling the display device <NUM> to display the estimated storage location involves the processor <NUM> transmitting an instruction to the display device <NUM> for the display device to display the estimated storage location. The processor <NUM> can also store the estimated storage location in memory <NUM>. The manner in which the display device <NUM> displays the estimated storage location can take various forms, one of which is described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts the display device <NUM> displaying the estimated storage location of the baggage <NUM>, according to an example implementation. In line with the example above, the estimated storage location is the first location <NUM>.

The display device <NUM> includes a display <NUM>, such as a touchscreen. Within examples, upon receipt of instructions from the processor <NUM>, the display device <NUM> displays a graphical user interface including graphical elements representing the cargo compartment <NUM>, the estimated storage location within the cargo compartment, and additional information.

In some such examples, the cargo compartment <NUM> is divided into a plurality of regions and the processor <NUM> instructs the display device <NUM> to display data identifying, from the plurality of regions, a particular region in which the baggage <NUM> is located. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the cargo compartment <NUM> is divided into four quadrants, including a front-left section <NUM>, a front-right section <NUM>, an aft-left section <NUM>, and an aft-right section <NUM>. As shown on the display <NUM>, the estimated storage location is located in the aft-left section <NUM>.

Within examples, the processor <NUM> also determines an uncertainty value associated with the estimated storage location, and the data that identifies the particular region in which the baggage is located (e.g., the aft-left section <NUM>, in the example shown in <FIG>) includes (i) the plurality of regions of the cargo compartment, (ii) the particular region in which the baggage <NUM> is located, (iii) an estimated location of the baggage within the particular region, and (iv) a circular uncertainty boundary <NUM> surrounding the estimated location. The size of the circular uncertainty boundary is defined by the uncertainty value. In practice, a particular bag is tracked during loading and a path to its final position is steady, a calculated uncertainty value associated with that bag will be lower than another bag that is tracked during loading having a path with discontinuities representing instances where the position of that other bag is unknown or less certain.

The uncertainty value can depend on various factors, such as signal blockage, multipath errors (e.g., if the processor <NUM> detects a reflected signal and uses that signal's runtime as the shortest runtime to calculate one of the respective distances), time measurement errors, and so on. Thus, the uncertainty value and subsequent display of circular uncertainty boundary <NUM> can be useful to assist human operators with pinpointing the estimated storage location of the baggage <NUM> with as much accuracy as possible.

In practice, how the cargo compartment <NUM> is divided into regions, as well as how many regions there are, can depend on the size of the cargo compartment <NUM>, as well as on how accurate the system <NUM> is. That is, in other examples, there can be more or less regions than shown in <FIG>.

The act of detecting the estimated storage location is further based on an order in which a plurality of bags were loaded into the cargo compartment <NUM>. The order in which the bags are located can be predetermined and provided to the processor <NUM>. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> can be configured to use the above-described RFID techniques and/or other techniques to track the path of each bag that is located into the cargo compartment <NUM> and to determine the order in which the bags were loaded into the cargo compartment <NUM>.

Knowing the order in which the bags were loaded into the cargo compartment <NUM> and tracking the loading path of each bag can help the processor <NUM>, and thus a human operator responsible for unloading the baggage <NUM>, pinpoint the estimated storage location of the baggage <NUM>. For example, if all of the bags were loaded into the cargo compartment <NUM> through a door (not shown) located on the first longitudinal side <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can determine, based on the order and loading paths, that the baggage <NUM> was loaded in later, such as after at least the front-right section <NUM> and the aft-right section <NUM> were already filled with other bags.

Additionally or alternatively to determining the order in which bags are loaded into the cargo compartment <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can be configured to store data correlating a baggage identifier <NUM> contained in the RFID tag to a passenger identifier <NUM> associated with a particular passenger of the aircraft <NUM>. The processor <NUM> can thus control the display device <NUM> to display the estimated storage location along with the baggage identifier <NUM> and the passenger identifier <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Within examples, the processor <NUM> is configured to store, in memory <NUM>, mapping data that maps each passenger identifier with a corresponding one or more baggage identifiers and one or more estimated storage locations for the one or more baggage identifiers. As such, the processor <NUM> can control the display device <NUM> to display, in the same user interface or in a different user interface than that shown in <FIG>, one or more estimated storage locations for the baggage of any one or more of the passengers. In situations where the aircraft <NUM> has more than one cargo compartment, the mapping data can also specify which cargo compartment baggage is located. Thus, if the processor <NUM> receives a notification to remove a passenger's bag from a given cargo compartment, the processor <NUM> can perform the above-described operations so that a human operator (e.g., an airline employee) is provided with information that identifies the bag's estimated location.

Furthermore, in situations where there are multiple cargo compartments in the aircraft <NUM>, the processor <NUM> can be configured to perform the above-described operations with respect to each such cargo compartment.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of an example of a method <NUM>. Method <NUM> could be used with the system <NUM> and components thereof shown in <FIG> and in the scenarios shown and described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>. Method <NUM> may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks <NUM>-<NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes receiving, by a processor, RFID signals detected by at least two transceivers from an RFID tag coupled to baggage stored in a cargo compartment of an aircraft, where the at least two transceivers are coupled to an interior of the cargo compartment.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes based on runtimes of the RFID signals, determining, by the processor, for each transceiver of the at least two transceivers, a respective distance from the baggage to the transceiver, where the respective distance defines a boundary that is centered at a known location of the transceiver and along which the baggage is estimated to be located with respect to the transceiver.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes identifying, by the processor, locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes based on the locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect, detecting, by the processor, an estimated storage location of the baggage.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes controlling, by the processor, a display device to display the estimated storage location.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> is performed in response to the processor receiving a notification to remove the baggage from the cargo compartment.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> also includes storing, by the processor, in memory <NUM>, data correlating a baggage identifier contained in the RFID tag to a passenger identifier associated with a particular passenger of the aircraft, where the controlling of block <NUM> includes controlling the display device to display the estimated storage location along with the baggage identifier and the passenger identifier.

In some embodiments, the locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers intersect include a first location within the cargo compartment and at least one other location outside of the cargo compartment and exterior to the aircraft, and the detecting of block <NUM> includes detecting which of the locations is the first location, and selecting the first location to be the estimated storage location.

In some embodiments, the cargo compartment is divided into a plurality of regions, and the controlling of block <NUM> includes controlling a display device to display data identifying, from the plurality of regions, a particular region in which the baggage is located. Further, in examples of such embodiments, the method <NUM> also includes determining, by the processor, an uncertainty value associated with the estimated storage location, where the data includes (i) the plurality of regions of the cargo compartment, (ii) the particular region in which the baggage is located, (iii) an estimated location of the baggage within the particular region, and (iv) a circular uncertainty boundary surrounding the estimated location, and where a size of the circular uncertainty boundary is defined by the uncertainty value.

In some embodiments, the detecting of block <NUM> is further based on an order in which a plurality of bags were loaded into the cargo compartment.

Different examples of the system(s), device(s), and method(s) disclosed herein include a variety of components, features, and functionalities. It should be understood that the various examples of the system(s), device(s), and method(s) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the system(s), device(s), and method(s) disclosed herein in any combination or any sub-combination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) comprising:
receiving, by a processor (<NUM>), radio frequency identification (RFID) signals detected by at least two transceivers (<NUM>, <NUM>) from an RFID tag (<NUM>) coupled to baggage (<NUM>) stored in a cargo compartment (<NUM>) of an aircraft (<NUM>), wherein the at least two transceivers (<NUM>, <NUM>) are coupled to an interior of the cargo compartment (<NUM>);
based on runtimes of the RFID signals, determining, by the processor (<NUM>), for each transceiver of the at least two transceivers (<NUM>, <NUM>), a respective distance from the baggage (<NUM>) to the transceiver, wherein the respective distance defines a boundary that is centered at a known location of the transceiver and along which the baggage (<NUM>) is estimated to be located with respect to the transceiver;
identifying, by the processor (<NUM>), locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers (<NUM>, <NUM>) intersect;
based on the locations at which the boundaries of the at least two transceivers (<NUM>, <NUM>) intersect and the order in which the plurality of bags was loaded into the cargo compartment (<NUM>), detecting, by the processor (<NUM>), an estimated storage location of the baggage (<NUM>); and
controlling, by the processor (<NUM>), a display device (<NUM>) to display the estimated storage location.