Monitoring luggage contents using wireless transponders

摘要

A system for monitoring the contents of suitcases, briefcases, handbags and similar pieces of luggage facilitates automated determination of items placed into the luggage during packing of the luggage. It facilitates automated determination of items removed from or added to the luggage. It may interface to a baggage tracking means to facilitate security of luggage contents during transit. The preferred system couples an RFID transponder to an item and uses the associated ID to monitor the presence or absence of that item in the luggage. The RFID transponder may be selectively deactivated. The luggage may also comprise an associated RFID transponder, and the item IDs may be associated with a luggage ID by the system. The system may associate a description of an item with its ID and may thereby present a user with a list of items packed in the luggage.