WO2003038734A1

WO2003038734A1 - Package identifying system

Info

Publication number: WO2003038734A1
Application number: PCT/IB2002/003872
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joel Gaillard
Original assignee: G. Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2001-11-02
Filing date: 2002-09-18
Publication date: 2003-05-08

Abstract

The package identification system (10) is able to identify packages using a portable identification device (18) having identification data pre-saved thereon. Packages are identified with an identification code which is generated from identification data representing the sender of the package retrieved from his portable identification device. The resulting identification code comprises information about the sender, and may comprise information about the destination of the package. Packages identified with the package identification system hence have an official identification, and it becomes simpler to trace the sender or the package itself.

Description

TΪTI.F, OF THE INVENTION : PACKAGE IDENTIFYING SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE DATA

This patent application claims convention priority based upon co- pending United States pending application No. 60/335,180 filed November 2^nd, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to package identification systems, and particularly to a system being able to identify packages using a portable identification device having identification data pre-saved thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Any sort of package, like a letter or a postal packet for example, can be sent through a mail or a courier service without any verification of content, or any formal identification of the sender. Hence, any individual can send a booby- trapped, tricked, or undesirable package with biological or chemical hazard to any destination, without any efficient way of tracing the sender after it has been sent. The only way of tracing the sender of a package after it has been sent is through the sender's return address written on the package, which, in some postal services, isn't a mandatory requirement for sending a package, and which can comprise false or

misleading information.

Furthermore, luggage being carried through an airline can be lost, stolen, misplaced, or otherwise miscarried. A few apparatuses already exist for automatically identifying packages with the owner's or sender's identity. However, the owner's/sender's identity is manually entered through the instrumentality of a keypad or a touchscreen by the sender himself; false or erroneous information can therefore be imprinted on the package. Such devices aren't used only for identifying postal packets, but also on other sorts of packages that require identification, for example, envelopes handed in to a photo shop for the development of the photographic film rolls contained therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for identifying a package with an identification unit comprising a data input device, an electronic circuit and an identification output device, said method comprising the steps of:

- establishing a temporary communication link between a portable identification device and said data input device;

- downloading identification data pre-saved on said portable identification device from the portable identification device to the data input device;

- generating an identification code representing at least said identification data with said electronic circuit; and - outputting with said identification output device said identification code received from said electronic circuit for applying said identification code on the package.

The present invention also relates to a method in an identification unit for identifying a package to be sent by providing the identification unit with the package, said identification unit comprising a data input device, an identification output device and an electronic circuit, said method comprising the steps of:

- receiving identification data through the instrumentality of a communication device provided within the data input device which can communicate with an external portable identification device having said identification data pre-saved thereon;

- generating an identification code representing at least said identification data, through the instrumentality of said electronic circuit provided on said data input device; and

- outputting said identification code to identification output device for applying said identification code on the package.

The present invention relates to a method for identifying a package to be sent by providing an identification unit with the package, said method comprising the steps of :

- providing a portable identification device having pre-saved identification data thereon;

- establishing a temporary communication link between said portable identification device and the identification unit; and - providing said identification data through said communication link for allowing the identification unit to apply an identification code representing at least said identification data on the package.

The present invention also relates to an identification unit, comprising :

- a data input device comprising a communication device for receiving identification data from a portable identification device comprising said identification data pre-saved thereon;

- an electronic circuit capable of generating an identification code representing at least said identification data received through said communication device; and

- an identification output device connected to said electronic circuit, comprising code-applying means for applying said identification code onto a package.

The present invention also relates to a package identifying system, comprising :

- a portable identification device comprising pre-saved identification data thereon;

- a data input device comprising a communication device for receiving said identification data from said portable identification device;

In one embodiment, said portable identification device being a smart card comprising a microchip capable of storing data embedded thereon. In one embodiment, said microchip further comprises a microprocessor.

In one embodiment, said smart card further comprises a validation device, capable of acquiring validation data. In one embodiment, said validation device is a fingerprint detector capable of obtaining a fingerprint image.

In one embodiment, said validation device is a keypad capable of obtaining a personal identification number.

In one embodiment, said code-applying means is a printer capable of printing said identification code onto a label.

In one embodiment, said code-applying means is a printer capable of printing said identification code onto the package.

In one embodiment, said code-applying means is an electronic device capable of transmitting the identification code to an electronic identification tag.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings :

Figure 1 schematically shows a package identifying system according to the present invention comprising an identification unit; Figure 2 schematically shows an identification unit according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows an envelope marked with the package identifying system of figure 2, showing more particularly and identification code applied on the envelope next to the stamp;

Figure 4 schematically shows an identification unit according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 schematically shows the data flow throughout the package identifying system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 schematically shows a package identifying system 10 (PIS

10) according to the present invention. PIS 10 is destined to identify packages that require carriage from a source to a destination location. In one embodiment, these packages can be of the type being sent, through a postal service, for example an envelope or a postal packet. In another embodiment, these packages can be luggage that require to be checked-in at an airline counter in order to be forwarded to a destination location.

PIS 10 comprises two main components : an identification unit (IU) 13, and a portable identification device (PID) 18.

IU 13 comprises : a data input device (DID) 12, an identification output device (IOD) 20 and an electronic circuit 15.

DID 12 is used to read data from PID 18 to identify a person sending a package through PIS 10. DID 12 comprises a communication device 14 able to communicate with PID 18. DID 12 further comprises a facultative user interface

device 16.

PID 18 can be for example a magnetic card, a smart card, or any other suitable portable identification device capable of storing identification data about its actual owner. In one embodiment, PID 18 has the ability to process data, by means described hereinafter. The identification data comprised onto PID 18 is destined to be uploaded to DID 12.

The identification data stored in PID 18 can be for example the name and address of the PID owner. It can also comprise one or more photographs of the user, or another form of identification information about the PID owner.

In one embodiment, PID 18 is a smart card comprising a microchip 32. Microchip 32 can store identification data about the cardholder. Microchip 32 can also embody a microprocessor for processing local data. PID 18 can also further comprise a validation device 34 linked to microchip 32. Validation device 34 can be any suitable device allowing the owner of PID 18 to authorise and validate the outgoing transmission of information from PID 18 to DID 12. For example, validation device 34 can be a keypad allowing the PID owner to type a personal identification number (PIN) which will be compared to a PIN pre-saved in microchip 32, with a PIN match validating and authorising the identification data transmission; or a biometric parameter detector, such as a fingerprint detector, capable of obtaining a fingerprint image and comparing it to fingerprint image data pre-saved on microchip 32 corresponding to the fingerprint of the PID owner, with a fingerprint image match validating the identification data transmission. The comparison between the two PINs or the two fingerprint images is accomplished by the microcontroller comprised within microchip 32. The comparison being accomplished within the card, the authentication of the cardholder is secure, making it harder for a counterfeiter to intercept validation information (for example, a PIN or a fingerprint image) while the data transmission is being made. In another embodiment, PID 18 could also be a card comprising a magnetic strip encoded with suitable identification data (i.e. a magnetic card).

In one embodiment, the authentication can be made remotely. The fingerprint image, PIN or other alternate validation data provided by a user wanting to send a package is sent to DID 12, and the latter then queries a computerised database (comprising personal information about the user), to which it is connected by means known in the networking art, to check if the validation data provided by the user matches with the actual cardholder's validation data. After the validation data is entered by the user, if the emitted data corresponding to the validation data matches with the actual cardholder's validation data stored in the remote database, the user's authentication succeeds; otherwise, the user's authentication fails.

The communication between PID 18 and DID 12 can be established by any contact or contactless communication means known in the art. For example, if PID 18 is a smart card, communication device 14 is a smart card reading device. Generally speaking, communication device 14 is a reading device capable of extracting data from PID 18, whichever technology is used to construct PID 18. In one embodiment, communication device 14 can also send and thus write data onto PID 18.

Facultative user interface device 16 can be used as an external (relative to PID 18) validation device, or to provide information to and/or receive information from a computer linked to interface device 16. Interface device 16 can be for example a keypad coupled to a display screen.

As shown in figure 5, electronic circuit 15 is used to generate the identification code destined to be applied onto the package requiring carriage. It is also used to interpret data inputted from a PID, or from an external computer C (relative to DID 12), to which it is linked through the instrumentality of facultative interface device 16. The identification code represents at least the inputted identification data, meaning that the identification code is generated from the identification data retrieved from a PID, and facultatively from data regarding the package's forwarding destination. The identification code is then transmitted to the identification output device 20, which will apply it on the package by means described hereinafter.

Figure 2 shows a package identifying system 10 according to the embodiment wherein PIS 10 is used for identifying postal services packages. In this embodiment, identification output device 20 is a package box system 20A. Package box system 20A comprises a housing 23 defining an inner chamber (concealed by housing 23 in the drawings). Housing 23 has a package inlet port 24 for allowing packages to be inserted into an inner chamber of package box system 20A. In one embodiment, inlet port 24 comprises a door (not shown) that allows packages to be inserted into the housing 13 inner chamber, but which prevents access into the inner chamber. Package box system 20A further comprises a package outlet port 25. An access opening 26 is further provided on housing 23, to allow access into the housing 23 inner chamber. Access opening 26 is closed with a lockable door 27, to prevent unauthorised access into the housing 23 inner chamber.

Authorised persons able to unlock door 27 may consequently have access into housing 23 and to the packages stored therein.

Package box system 20 A further comprises code-applying means (not shown) for applying an identification code onto the package to be sent. As shown in figure 3, the identification code is marked as 38. The code applying means can be a printer applying a code directly on the package, or a printer printing the identification code onto an adhesive label which is subsequently applied on the package to be sent, an electronic label being part of the package, or any other suitable device capable of applying an identification code to a package. Identification code 38 can either be coded and indecipherable, like a barcode for example, or visually recognisable, like the user's name and address. According to the present embodiment, a person desiring to send a package through the package transmittal service owning an IU 13, can insert the package through inlet port 24. For the package transmittal instructions to be completed, the sender must establish a communication link between his PID 18 and communication device 14, in order to authenticate himself and transmit the identification data located in the PID microchip 32 to DID 12. If the authentication of the user succeeds, an identification code corresponding to the user's identification data will be sent to package box system 20A, and this identification code will be suitably printed or applied on the package inserted in inlet port 24 by the code- applying means of package box system 20A. This identification code can be the identification data or otherwise coded data representative of the identification data.

If a suitable PID is not provided when a package is submitted to package box system 20A to complete the package transmittal instructions, or if the validation data entered by the user is erroneous, then the package will be ejected out of package box system 20A through package outlet port 25 or confiscated by the system.

In an alternative embodiment, the package is inserted inside package box system 20A after the user has been authenticated. If the authentication fails, then the user cannot insert his package inside package box system 20 A.

If a package is accepted by package box system 20 A, with the sender address printed or otherwise applied thereon, the package will then be forwarded to its destination according to the PIS 10 owner's policies. It is envisioned that automated or manual verifications of the sender address be made during the package forwarding process, either at an intermediate location, or at the destination address. If the sender address is encoded, a decoding machine will be used to verify the sender address. Thus, in case of a seemingly hazardous or uncertain package based on the sender address, the package can be intercepted and isolated before it is opened either at an intermediate location or at the destination address. Figure 3 shows a package in the form of an envelope 35 which comprises usual destination address 37 and return address 36 (facultative) information and a stamp 39. It is understood that the return address 36 is conventionally indicated by the sender himself on the envelope 35, and thus is unreliable since it can comprise false or misleading information, or can be entirely absent from envelope 35, since a return address is not compulsory in many mail services. Identification code 38 has been applied to or printed on envelope 35 next to stamp 39, although it is understood that any suitable location on envelope 35 can be envisioned for identification code 38. With the package identification system and method of the present invention, all outgoing packages that are sent through the package delivery entity owning a IU 13 will be identified according to the identification data located on PID 18. Considering that a suitable protection system can be used to prevent use of PID 18 by any other than its owner, for example secure authentication means, then the person sending a package by depositing it in package box system 20A will automatically be identified as the sender of the package on the package. This is especially desirable to prevent the sending of booby-trapped or otherwise hazardous biological or chemical content packages which would otherwise be sent anonymously, since the sender would then be identified as such, to face the legal consequences of his malevolent acts.

The package identification system and method of the present invention could be used, for example, by national postal services, with package box system 20A being mail boxes, disposed at convenient areas as known in the art. PID 18 could additionally include payment options, similar to a credit card for example, allowing the sender to simultaneously validate the sending of the package, to identify the package and to pay for the mail services (i.e. the "stamp"). Thus, all letters and/or parcels sent through a national mail service would be identified as being sent by a specific sender. Figure 4 refers to the embodiment wherein PIS 10 is used to identify luggage, and wherein identification output device 20 is a communication device 20B. Communication device 20B is capable of sending an identification code to an electronic identification tag 21. Electronic identification tag 21 is a device built on, located inside or attached outside a piece of luggage 40. Electronic identification tag 21 comprises an electronic circuit capable of storing the identification code on a memory unit comprised thereon, and from which it is possible to download data stored therein, and to which it is possible to upload data. Electronic identification tag 21 can comprise a screen for selectively displaying data comprised in the memory unit also comprised therein.

The code-applying means in this embodiment is the communication device 20B itself.

The link between communication device 20B and electronic identification tag 21 is temporary. In one embodiment, the link can be contactless. When a person wants to check-in his luggage, a link is temporarily established between electronic identification tag 21 and communication device 20B, in order for the two components to exchange data. This link can for example be established by electromagnetic signals, electronic identification tag 21 and communication device 20B both having a paired set of electromagnetic transceivers. This link could also be established by releasably connecting electronic identification tag 21 and communication device 20B.

In one embodiment, the identification code memorized onto electronic identification tag 21 can comprise information about the destination of the PID owner. To obtain the information about the PID owner's destination, DID 12 is suitably connected to an external computer C represented in figure 5, this computer being for example owned by the airline with which the PID owner is traveling. Computer C can further be linked by means well known in the networking art to a federal monitoring government agency which would want to monitor the passenger flow for security reasons. Electronic circuit 15 handles the encoding of the identification and destination data received respectively through communication device 14 and user interface device 16, and outputs a corresponding identification code to communication device 20B, the latter being able to forward this code to electronic identification tag 21, which will store it onto its memory unit. In one embodiment, electronic identification tag 21 could comprise an electromagnetic transmitter of another suitable type of contactless communication device being able to transmit an identification signal. After a luggage has been checked-in and the identification and destination data have been uploaded to electronic identification tag 21, it is automatically or manually dispatched by a conveying system to a specific loading point, from which it will be carried onto the plane departing for the destination corresponding to the destination data stored in electronic identification tag 21. The conveying system is able to remotely read the destination of each piece of luggage carried thereon, the destination being transmitted by electronic identification tag 21, and is hence able to automatically dispatch the luggage to the corresponding loading point.

Each piece of luggage can be electronically registered when it is loaded onto the plane. Planes could also be equipped with an interface device capable of downloading the identification data from PID 18. A passenger wanting to confirm that his luggage has appropriately been loaded onto the plane can use his PID 18 complementarily with the this device. A verification can be made whereby the passenger's luggage has effectively been loaded onto the right plane, through the instrumentality of an electronic circuit located within this device. A message could then be displayed onto a display screen located on the interface device whereby verification can be made as to whether his luggage has or has not been loaded onto the right plane. The PID 18 could therefore be used to confirm that (1) the passenger has boarded the plane; and (2) his luggage is indeed loaded onto the plane, through a suitable network.

In one embodiment of the invention, when a person wants to recuperate his luggage after having arrived to his destination location he has to use his PID to check the luggage out. A corresponding luggage check-out station, available in airports, is equipped with an interface device capable of downloading identification data from a PID 18. This interface device is used to confirm that the user wanting to check-out his luggage is its actual owner, hence preventing luggage theft and accidental mix-ups between visually similar pieces of luggage.

In embodiments discussed hereinabove, airlines were used to designate a public transportation service to which a package identifying system 10 could be integrated; it is however understood that package identifying system 10 could be integrated to bus stations, train stations, or any sort of public or private transportation service.

In an alternative embodiment, luggage could also be identified with an imprinted label being applied to identify the luggage, similarly to the previously discussed package identifying embodiment. It is understood that the identification unit 13 could be in another form than that of an automated machine such as the one shown in figure 1. According to one embodiment, the identification unit could be a manually operated portable machine, which could be used for example by private messenger employees which are required to move between the buildings of different clients to collect the packages. In such a case, the identification unit could be devoid of any housing and inner chamber, the package being simply manually received by the person handling the identification unit. However, the identification unit would still be used to identify the package according to identification data received from a PID. Figure 5 shows the data flow within PIS 10. After the PID owner has established a link between his PID and DID 12, and after his authentication has succeeded, the identification data is uploaded from the PID to the DID. Information about the package's destination can also facultatively be uploaded from an external computer C (relative to IU 13) to DID 12. Electronic circuit 15 then generates, from the destination information and the user's identification data, an identification code recognizable by the identification output device. The identification output device then applies the code onto the package. The code can be applied either physically, for example imprinted on the package or on a label subsequently applied on the package, either electronically, for example transferred to an electronic identification tag attached or located inside a piece of luggage.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a package with an identification unit comprising a data input device, an electronic circuit and an identification output device, said method comprising the steps of:

- generating an identification code representing at least said identification data with said electronic circuit; and

- outputting with said identification output device said identification code received from said electronic circuit for applying said identification code on the package.

2. A method in an identification unit for identifying a package to be sent by providing the identification unit with the package, said identification unit comprising a data input device, an identification output device and an electronic circuit, said method comprising the steps of:

- receiving identification data through the instrumentality of a communication device provided within the data input device which can communicate with an external portable identification device having said identification data pre-saved thereon; - generating an identification code representing at least said identification data, through the instrumentality of said electronic circuit provided on said data input device; and

3. A method for identifying a package to be sent by providing an identification unit with the package, said method comprising the steps of :

- establishing a temporary communication link between said portable identification device and the identification unit; and

- providing said identification data through said communication link for allowing the identification unit to apply an identification code representing at least said identification data on the package.

4. An identification unit, comprising :

5. An identification unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said code-applying means is a printer capable of printing said identification code onto a label.

6. An identification unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said code-applying means is a printer capable of printing said identification code onto the package.

7. An identification unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said code-applying means is an electronic device capable of transmitting the identification code to an electronic identification tag.

8. A package identifying system, comprising :

- a portable identification device comprising pre-saved identification data thereon; - a data input device comprising a communication device for receiving said identification data from said portable identification device;

9. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said portable identification device being a smart card comprising a microchip capable of storing data embedded thereon.

10. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said microchip further comprises a microprocessor.

11. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said smart card further comprises a validation device, capable of acquiring validation data.

12. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said validation device is a fingerprint detector capable of obtaining a fingerprint image.

13. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein said validation device is a keypad capable of obtaining a personal identification number.

14. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said code- applying means is a printer capable of printing said identification code onto a label.

15. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said code- applying means is a printer capable of printing said identification code onto the package.

16. A package identifying system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said code- applying means is an electronic device capable of transmitting the identification code to an electronic identification tag.