Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a §371 application of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/068354 filed on Sep. 5, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to an automatic method for the drop-off of objects for the purpose of the transport of said objects. It also relates to a system implementing this method. 
     The field of the invention is the field of the transport of objects and, more particularly, the field of air transport. 
     The invention can more particularly be implemented in locations such as airports, for bag drop by an air transport passenger for the purpose of transporting bags in the hold of an aircraft. 
     It can also be implemented in locations such as post offices for the drop-off of packages to be transported by a postal delivery service. 
     The early bag drop systems installed in airports comprise a main conveyor belt. Bags are placed on the main conveyor belt by handlers who transport these bags from a drop-off area to the main conveyor belt. Once placed on the main conveyor belt, bags are transported by the main conveyor belt to an area for loading bags into the aeroplane. 
     New-generation systems comprise, in addition to the main conveyor belt, conveyor belts called secondary conveyor belts, linking the drop-off area to the main conveyor belt and avoiding the need for handlers to transport bags from the drop-off area to the main conveyor belt. Bags are dropped on the secondary conveyor belts by authorized handlers, after the passengers&#39; boarding cards have been verified. 
     These new-generation systems have been modified in order to allow bags to be dropped in an automated manner by users for the purpose, inter alia, of obtaining a more rapid bag drop. In order to do this, the loading area has been equipped with a terminal making it possible to verify the user&#39;s boarding card and his entitlement to carry a bag in the hold, and optionally to print an identification tag for his bag. 
     However, many airports are still equipped with the early bag drop systems: these systems comprise a main conveyor belt only, and no secondary conveyor belt. The bags dropped by users in the drop-off areas are loaded onto the main conveyor belt by handlers. 
     Equipping each of these airports with a new-generation bag drop system represents a high cost and a significant downtime. Moreover, existing airports do not always have sufficient space for installing secondary conveyor belts. In these airports it is therefore difficult and above all costly to install the existing automated systems. 
     The aim of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. 
     Another aim of the invention is to propose a bag drop method and system allowing bags to be dropped in a secure and automated manner directly onto the main conveyor belt, while being less costly than equipping existing sites with the early or second-generation systems described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention makes it possible to achieve at least one of the aforementioned aims by an automatic bag drop method for at least one object onto a conveyor belt for the purpose of transporting said at least one object, at an area, called drop-off area, delimited and allowing access to said conveyor belt, said drop-off area comprising at least one point of entry and at least one point of exit, said method comprising, during the drop-off of at least one object by at least one user:
         a phase, called drop-off area entry phase, comprising the following steps:
           reading, called first reading, of an item of said drop-off area access authorisation data, provided by said user, and   when the read item of authorization data is valid, authorizing said user to enter said drop-off area; and   
           a phase, called drop phase, comprising the following steps:
           reading, called second reading, of said item of authorisation data inside the drop-off area,   if the authorization data read during the second reading is an item of data read previously during the first reading, creating and delivering a means, called a tag, of identification of said object, comprising at least one item of data relating to the transport and/or the identification of the object,   affixing said identification tag to said object, and   drop-off of said object on said conveyor belt by said user.   
               

     In the description which follows, the words “user” and “passenger” are understood to be equivalent, as are the words “object” and “bag”. 
     Thus, the invention makes it possible to achieve automatic bag drop without having to equip existing installations with bulky and costly elements and without compromising transport security. 
     Moreover, by avoiding the presence of secondary conveyor belts, the invention makes it possible to optimize space in the site concerned, and to ensure a better throughput of objects, in particular of passengers in the case of air transport, and to limit the waiting time for object drop-off. 
     Of course, the conveyor belt remains inaccessible to passengers outside the bag drop-off area. 
     The method according to the invention can also comprise, prior to the drop-off at least one object on said conveyor belt, a step of defining a drop-off area as described. Such an area can be described by the installation of means marking out the area, such as barriers or other. 
     The step of tag creation can comprise a step of printing the at least one item of data onto a media and/or a step of writing the at least one item of data in digital form to a memory, such as an RFID chip, integrated in the tag. 
     Once the tag has been delivered, the user can place his bag on the conveyor belt himself. It is provided with a tag such that it may be correctly directed to the intended means of transport, in particular to the aeroplane, and security is sufficient inside the area to avoid an object/bag not belonging to an authorized user/passenger being loaded into the means of transport/aeroplane. An object/bag not equipped with a tag is left behind in the loading area as a matter of course. 
     In order to determine if the item of authorization data read during the second reading is an item of authorization data already read during the first reading, the method according to the invention can for example comprise, during the drop-off area entry phase, storing in a remote or local database the item of authorization data read during the first reading step and, during the drop-off phase, consulting this database and comparing the item of authorization data read during the second reading with the data stored in the database. 
     Advantageously, the item of authorization data can be written on a bar code boarding card or in digital form to a memory, such as an RFID chip integrated in this card which is read by the different readers. 
     In order to determine whether or not the item of authorization data is valid, after the first reading step, the drop-off area entry phase can comprise consulting a remote or local database. The drop-off area entry phase can thus comprise a step of comparing the read item of authorization data with an item of data stored in the database and relating to:
         a departure location, for example a departure location of a flight in the case of a bag transported by air,   an arrival location, for example an arrival location of a flight in the case of a bag transported by air,   a departure time, and/or   an entitlement associated with a transport, for example the baggage allowance associated with a flight in the case of air transport.       

     The drop-off area entry phase can also comprise:
         a step of reading an item of identity data, for example reading an identification document, a number from an identification document, the user&#39;s biometric data, such as finger- or retinal prints, and   a step of verifying the association of the read item of authorization data with the read item of identity data, the authorization to enter the drop-off area then also depending on the result of this verification step.       

     Such a verification makes it possible to ensure that the user arriving with the item of authorization data is in fact the person to whom this item of authorization data was delivered. 
     Such a verification can be performed by comparing the item of identity data with an item of data previously stored in a database and/or directly on the media, for example the boarding card, from which the item of authorization data is read. 
     The step of entering the drop-off area can also comprise an opening of a device controlling entry, such as a barrier or an arch, in the drop-off area. 
     Such a device can be controlled directly by the reading means performing the first reading or by a central server depending on the data communicated to it by the reading means performing the first reading and/or from the result of at least one other verification which is performed by the server itself, such as the correspondence between the read biometric data and those stored in a database. 
     The method according to the invention can also comprise a phase, called drop-off area exit phase, performed after the drop phase and comprising, in particular if the tag comprises a remotely readable data medium, such as an RFID chip:
         a step of detecting a tag delivered in the drop-off area and not affixed to an object before exit from the drop-off area, and   a step of opening a device controlling the exit from the drop-off area, such as a barrier or an arch or a gate, if no tag is detected during the detection step.       

     Thus it is possible to detect the passenger(s) who has (have) exited with a tag that is not affixed to the object for which the tag has been delivered and who could therefore subsequently try to affix it to another, unchecked object, for example. 
     Such a detection can be performed by having available arches/gates for the detection of RFID tags and more generally, remotely-readable tags, at the point of exit. 
     According to an embodiment, the method can comprise:
         a step of recording, in association with the user, tags delivered to the user,   a step of detecting the tags affixed to the objects passing along the conveyor belt,   a step of changing the status of an item of data associated with the tag once the tag has been detected on the conveyor belt.       

     In other words, during the step of delivering each tag, a reference of the delivered tag can be written as a tag that has been delivered:
         either to an identification media from which the item of authorization data is read,   or to a remote or local database,
 
in association with the item of authorization data or an item of identification data of the user with whom the item of authorization data is associated.
       

     Then, when each object is dropped on the conveyor belt, the tag reference is read by a reader, for example an arch/a gate through which the objects are transported by the conveyor belt or dropped on the conveyor belt, and each reference read is stored in a database as a dropped tag. 
     In this case, the detection step of the exit phase can comprise:
         a step of reading, called third reading, of an item of data relating to the user, and   a step of verifying the status of tags stored in association with the user;
 
the step of opening a device for controlling the exit from the drop-off area being performed depending on the status of the tags and optionally on the result of the comparison of data relating to the weight and/or the dimensions of the objects to which the tags have been affixed.
       

     In particular, the detection step can thus comprise, in this embodiment, and for at least one user wishing to leave the drop-off area, the following steps:
         a reading, called third reading, of the item of authorization data of the user,   verification that all the tags stored as “delivered” are also stored as “dropped”.       

     If so, the user is authorized. Otherwise, an appropriate processing step can be carried out. 
     The method according to the invention can also comprise a step of measurement and verification of a weight or a dimension of at least one object during the drop-off area entry phase or during the drop-off phase. 
     It is thus possible to verify that the object which will be transported, for example in an aeroplane, is in fact that which has been verified beforehand. 
     Advantageously, the measurement and verification step can comprise, for at least one object:
         before the drop-off step, a step of storing at least one item of data relating to a dimension or a weight of the object, in the tag which will be affixed to the object or in a database, and   during/after the step of drop-off of the object on the conveyor belt:
           a step of measuring a weight or a dimension of the object, and   a step of comparing said measured weight or said measured dimension with said stored item of weight or dimension data.   
               

     Advantageously, the authorization to exit the drop-off area by opening the control device can be given also depending on the result of this measurement or verification step. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is proposed an automatic drop system for at least one object on a conveyor belt for the purpose of the transport of said at least one object, said system comprising:
         at least one means for delimiting an area, called drop-off area, allowing access to said conveyor belt and comprising at least one point of entry into said area and at least one point of exit from said area,   at each point of entry into said drop-off area at least one means, called first reader, of reading an item of authorization data,   in the drop-off area:
           at least one means, called second reader, of reading an item of identification data,   at least one means of delivering an identification means, called tag, to be affixed to the object to be dropped, and   
           at least one database storing data relating to the user and/or to the object, which can be accessed by said readers,   means of comparing data read by the first reader with data stored in the database and/or data read by the first reader with those read by the second reader.       

     The system according to the invention can also comprise, at each point of entry into the drop-off area, at least one means of controlling entry to said drop-off area. 
     The system according to the invention can also comprise, at each point of exit from the drop-off area:
         at least one means of controlling the exit from said drop-off area, and   at least one means, called third reader, of reading an item of data relating to the user, such as the item of authorization data;
 
the database also being accessible to said third reader.
       

     At least one of the first, second or third readers, and in particular the second reader, can also be or comprise a means of writing, specifically printing or entering an item of digital data, onto the tag and/or on an identification media from which the item of authorization data is read. 
     The system according to the invention can also comprise at least one means of measuring a weight or a dimension of an object. 
     Advantageously, the system can also comprise at least one means of writing onto the tag and/or onto an identification media from which the item of authorization data is read, said writing means being in communication, at least indirectly, with the at least one weight or dimension measurement means, and/or the at least one means of delivering tags. 
     The system according to the invention is particularly suitable for automatic bag drop in an airport. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent on examination of the detailed description of examples which are in no way limitative, and the attached diagrams, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of a system according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of the steps of a method according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is well understood that the embodiments that will be described hereinafter are in no way limitative. Variants of the invention can in particular be envisaged comprising only a selection of the features described below in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention with respect to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention with respect to the state of the prior art. 
     In particular, all the described variants and embodiments can be combined if there is no objection to this combination from a technical point of view. 
     In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same references. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of a non-limitative embodiment of a system according to the invention 
     The system  100  of  FIG. 1  makes it possible to perform an automated bag drop in an airport comprising a conveyor belt  102  which transports the dropped-off bags to an area for loading bags into the hold of an aircraft. 
     The system comprises a set  104  of barriers which is bonded to the conveyor belt  102  in order to prevent any bags being dropped thereon, apart from within an area  106 , called drop-off area, delimited by the set  104  of barriers and allowing access to the conveyor belt. 
     The system  100  comprises a device  108  for controlling passage, arranged at the entry  110  of the drop-off area  106  and a device  112  for controlling passage arranged at the exit  114  from the drop-off area  106 . 
     Each device  108  and  112  for controlling passage can be an arch/gate or a barrier which can be moved by one or more motors (not shown) between a closed position preventing passage and an open position allowing passage. 
     Thus, in the open position, device  108  allows passage towards the drop-off area  106  from outside the drop-off area, and device  112  allows passage from the drop-off area  106  to outside the drop-off area  106 . 
     Outside the drop-off area, adjacent to the entry  110 , there is placed a reading device  116 , called first reader, capable of reading an item of data authorizing access to the drop-off area  106  written on/in an identification medium. 
     The identification medium can be a boarding card with a bar code or RFID. When the boarding card has a bar code, the item of authorization data can be contained in or represented by the bar code of the boarding card. When the boarding card comprises an RFID card, the item of authorization data is written in a chip of the RFID boarding card. 
     The first reader  116  can optionally also read a means of identification written on/in an identity document of the passenger or biometric data of the passenger, such as for example by taking finger- or retinal prints. 
     The first reader  116  is linked, via a network  118 , such as an internet network, to a local or remote central server  120  with which it is capable of communicating. The server  120  stores data relating to users, in the present example passengers, in a database  122 . This server can itself be connected to other servers to validate passengers&#39; entitlements. 
     The first reader  116  is linked to the device for controlling entry  108  which it controls depending on the results of the comparison between the data read from one or more identification media and data stored in the database  122  of the central server  120 . 
     Inside the drop-off area  106 , the system  100  also comprises two data processing terminals  124  and  126  each of which can optionally be associated with a loading device, respectively  128  and  130 . Each data-processing terminal  124 ,  126  also comprises:
         a reading device, respectively referenced  132  and  134 , called second reader, of a means of identification such as a boarding card, and   a printer, referenced respectively  136  and  138 , for printing means of identification of bags, such as bag tags.       

     Each terminal  124 ,  126  is also capable of communicating with the central server  120  via the network  118 . 
     Each loading device  128 ,  130  comprises at least one means of weighing the bags and optionally at least means of verifying the dimensions thereof. 
     Each loading device  128 ,  130  is linked to the corresponding terminal, respectively  124  and  126 , which is capable of retrieving the values sent by the loading device  128  and  130 , comparing with them with the authorized values stored locally or remotely, for example at the server  120  in the database  122 . Printing the tag or other operations (passenger query, payment, etc.) can be commanded depending on the result of this comparison. 
     Each terminal  128  and  130  also comprises means of interaction (not shown) with the passenger such as a keyboard, a screen and optionally means of payment. 
     The system  100  also comprises a reading device  140 , called third reader, arranged inside the drop-off area  106  at exit  114 , which is identical to the first reader  116 . This third reader is also linked to the server  120  via the network  118  and makes it possible to command the exit control device  112 . 
     Facing the exit  114  from the drop-off area  106 , the system  100  also comprises a device  142  for detecting means of identifying bags, such as RFID tags. This makes it possible to detect if a passenger attempts to exit the drop-off area  106  with a tag on his person. Light and/or audible warning means (not shown) can be provided for the case where a passenger is carrying a tag on his person. 
     The detecting device  142  is also linked to the server  120  by means of the network  118 . 
     The system  100  comprises a tunnel  144  arranged above the conveyor belt  102  when the bags leave the area via the conveyor belt  102 . This tunnel  144  comprises means of detecting tags and optionally reading the data present for example in the RFID chip when the tags are RFID tags. The tunnel  144  is also linked to the central server  120  via the communication network  118  and therefore to the database  122  in which are stored data relating to the bags and to the different elements of the system. 
     The tunnel  144  can also comprise means (not shown) of weighing and/or verifying the dimensions of bags. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of an example of an automated method for the drop-off of objects for the purpose of their transport according to the invention. 
     The method  200  shown in  FIG. 2  is described, more particularly, within the framework of automated bag drop by air transport passengers in an airport, and can be implemented by the system  100  in  FIG. 1 , without being limited to this system. 
     During a step  202 , the passenger wishing to enter the secure drop-off area, for example drop-off area  106 , presents his boarding card which comprises a bar code, at a first reader, for example the first reader  116 . 
     During a step  204 , the first reader reads the bar code. This bar code makes it possible for an identifier, which identifies the passenger, to be coded. 
     The method  200  can optionally comprise a step  206  during which the passenger presents an identity document at the first reader and a step  208  during which the first reader reads the data from the identity paper in order to obtain identity data or to obtain biometric data of the passenger (for example a fingerprint). 
     During a step  210 , the first reader sends the data read during step  204 , and optionally those read during step  208 , to a remote central server, such as for example the server  120 , via a communication network, such as for example the network  118 . 
     During a step  212 , the central server, using the passenger&#39;s identifier, extracts from a database, for example the database  122 , the data stored with the received identifier. These data comprise data relating to the passenger&#39;s journey. 
     The central server compares, in step  214 , the data received from the first reader with those extracted from the database and/or with predetermined data. The central server compares, for example, a departure location with an authorized departure location, a departure date with an authorized departure date, the flight time with a range of authorized times, or a flight number with a list of authorized flight numbers, also stored on the server, and verifies if the passenger has an authorization to place his bags in the hold. 
     In step  216 , the central server provides an item of authorization data. When the data extracted correspond with the data read, the central server provides a granted authorization for the drop-off area, or otherwise, an item of refused authorization or error data. 
     During a step  218 , the central server changes the status of an item of data associated with the boarding card in order to indicate whether or not the passenger has entered the drop-off area. An item of data marked “bags checked in?” can for example change from “ 0 ” to “ 1 ”. 
     It is to be noted that this item of status data can also be tested before providing an item of authorization data in order, for example, not to allow the entry of a passenger where the bag check-in data shows that he has already been authorized to enter the secure drop-off area. 
     The central server transmits to the first reader a message comprising the item of authorization data or the error message during a step  220 . 
     During a step  222 , if the message received comprises an authorization granted data item, the first reader commands the opening of a device controlling entry to the drop-off area, such as for example the device  108 , authorizing the entry of the passenger into the drop-off area. Otherwise, the error message received from the central server is displayed on a display screen of the reader. 
     Alternatively, the steps of comparing and providing authorization can be carried out at the first reader which will have previously retrieved information from the central server. It is to be noted that the step of obtaining identity data and comparing these data with extracted data is optional. Similarly, the data which are examined in order to provide authorization are indicated by way of example and other data or combinations of data could also be examined at this stage. 
     Once he/she is in the drop-off area, the passenger can thus go to a second reading means, for example the terminal  124 , comprising a second reader  132 . 
     During a step  224 , the passenger presents his boarding card at the second reader located in the terminal  124 . 
     The bar code, comprising the identifier of the passenger and optionally other data, is read by the terminal  124  during step  226 . 
     The terminal requests from the central server the item of status data associated with the identifier which has just been read, during a step  228 . 
     It is also possible to record the time at which the passenger entered the drop-off area and to verify that this time is not too far from the current time. 
     The item of data is communicated by the server to the terminal during a step  230 . 
     If in the light of the item of status data it is evident that the passenger entered the area with the boarding card scanned at the first reader, in step  232  the data-processing terminal delivers an authorization to the passenger to drop off his bags. 
     Otherwise, an error message is displayed on a screen of the terminal. It is also possible to associate a warning with this error at the terminal, which for this purpose can be equipped with audible and/or light means. 
     If it was detected at the entry to the drop-off area, i.e. at the entry to the drop-off area during step  216  for example, that the passenger is not entitled to drop off a bag, it is thus possible to grant the passenger entitlement to enter the area in order to purchase an additional baggage entitlement at the terminal. In this case, an item of data relating to the drop-off a bag is additionally stored, for example during step  218 . This item of data relating to the entitlement to drop off a bag is tested at the terminal, depending on the value of this item of data (if the passenger is not authorized to drop off the bag), a special purchase screen is displayed. The terminal can in this case be equipped with a bank card payment terminal for example. 
     If the passenger has authorization to drop off a bag, during a step  234 , he places his bags one item at a time on a loading device capable of measuring the weight and optionally the dimensions of the bags, for example the loading device  128  of system  100 . 
     Each bag is weighed, one item at a time, during a step  236 . The dimensions of each bag are also verified. 
     The weight of each bag is communicated to the terminal by the loading device during a step  238 . 
     During a step  240 , the terminal compares the weight of each bag with one or more predetermined thresholds, optionally extracted at least partially from the central server and which can relate to the passenger (if, according to the status of the passenger, the weight of the bags which he is entitled to transport changes). 
     In the case where the weight and/or the dimensions of the bags do not comply, an error message is displayed on the data-processing terminal. It is also possible to allow the passenger to pay an additional charge to cover this eventuality or activate visual and/or audible warning means. 
     If the weight and the dimensions of each bag as measured are correct, during a step  242 , the terminal equipped with a printer, for example the printer  136  of the system  100 , prints a standard baggage tag. 
     The user then affixes the printed tag to the bag in question during a step  244 . 
     She/He then drops the bags on the conveyor belt, for example the conveyor belt  102  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Once all his bags have been dropped on the conveyor belt, the passenger leaves the drop-off area, optionally after having again scanned his boarding card on a reading device, such as the third reader of the system  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
     In another alternative embodiment or in combination with the embodiment which has just been described, the printed tag comprises an RFID chip. When the passenger wishes to leave the secure drop-off area, he passes through a detector at the exit point, such as the detection device  142  of  FIG. 1 , intended to detect the RFID chips of the tags which the user is carrying on his person. If the user has tags on his person, the detector makes it possible to identify them and command the operation of means of visual and/or audible warning. In the case where such a detector is placed in front of a device controlling the exit from the drop-off area, such as the device  112  in  FIG. 1 , the third reader can also deactivate the command to open this device, preventing the exit of the passenger from the drop-off area. 
     In another alternative embodiment or capable of being combined with embodiment(s) already described, the conveyor belt is equipped with a tunnel such as the tunnel  144  in  FIG. 1 . At the moment of printing of the tag, a reference or an item of identification data of the RFID chip located in the printed tag is associated with the identifier of the boarding card, either at the central server, in this case these data are sent to the central server, for example in the form of a message, so that it combines an identifier from the RFID chip read before printing with the identifier of the boarding card, or by writing the identifier of the boarding card to the RFID chip. Other data can also be written to the RFID chip of the bags or at the remote server, such as for example weight and/or the dimensional data of the bags with which the tag is associated. The number of bags checked in with the boarding card is also written to the central server. 
     When the bags pass under the tunnel of the conveyor belt, the RFID chips of the bags are detected and their contents read. The tunnel can also verify the weight of the bags using scales placed beneath the conveyor belt and compare this weight with that written in the chip. If the weight of the bags does not correspond to that weighed during the step of printing the tag, an audible alarm can be triggered at the tunnel to put the bags on hold. The data measured and those checked in are compared locally at the tunnel or at the central server. 
     It is also possible to write to the central database that the bag with a predetermined identifier has actually passed onto the conveyor belt and that its weight did actually correspond to that of the bags checked in. 
     In this case, when the passenger wishes to exit the secure drop-off area, his boarding card is read using the third reader situated at the exit from the drop-off area. The third reader thus communicates with the central server in order to verify if all bags associated with the identifier of the boarding card which has just been read have actually been detected in the tunnel and if the weight of each bag corresponds to that weighed at the terminal. 
     If this is the case, the device commands the opening of the device controlling the exit, thus authorizing the passenger to exit the drop-off area. If this is not the case, the device controlling the exit remains closed and prevents exit from the drop-off area. A light and/or audible alarm is thus activated in order to warn an operator. 
     Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. In its simplest configuration, the system according to the invention does not comprise any checkpoint at the exit from the drop-off area. The identity data are also not necessarily scanned at entry. The number of data-processing terminals in the drop-off area is not limited to that which has been described. Similarly, the number of points of entry and exit is not limited to that which has been described and can be changed in order to facilitate the flow of passengers and limit the waiting time for drop-off of bags. The data-processing terminals described can have many functions other than those described (change of seat, payment of an additional charge, etc.). The loading device could also be linked to the first and not the second reader.

Technology Category: b