Patent ID: 8315565

Claim:
A method for detection and tracking of items of baggage, said method comprising the steps of: a) attaching a tag to each of the items of baggage, each tag comprising a tag antenna, a transceiver operatively connected to said antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals, a memory operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, a programmed data processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said memory and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said memory, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said data processor; b) storing, in the memory of each tag, origin data, destination data, and status data; c) loading the items of baggage on a plane, said plane being provided with at least one reader; d) reading data from each tag and updating status data stored in the memory of each tag by interrogating all tags in said repository with RF interrogation signals via said reader; and e) transmitting data from each tag to a central data processor to provide a tally of the items of baggage on the plane; and f) cross-checking a list of baggage determined to be on the plane based on transmitted data from each tag against a list of baggage that is supposed to be on the plane.