Automatic baggage-handling system

Claim 2

An automatic system for handling baggage in response to baggage-handling information wherein said baggage is placed in a transporter which is guided to a destination in accordance with said baggage-handling information comprising: means for converting said baggage-handling information into electrical signals comprising a baggage-handling message; means for transmitting said electrical signals to said transporter; means for generating receiving and retransmitting signals; Means moving with said transporter and responsive to said receiving signal for receiving said electrical signals; means moving with said transporter for storing said received electrical signals; means responsive to said retransmitting signal for sampling said stored electrical signals; means responsive to said retransmitting signal for retransmitting said sampled electrical signal; means for receiving said retransmitted electrical signals; and, means responsive to said received retransmitted electrical signals for guiding said transporter.

Claim 3

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 1 wherein said converting means comprises a digital means for converting said baggage-handling information into a baggage-handling message comprised of a train of digital bits and wherein: said transmitting means includes first means for generating a radio frequency carrier; means for modulating said carrier with said digital bit train; and first antenna means for radiating said modulated carrier into space; said moving receiving means includes: second antenna means for receiving modulated baggage messages; and, means for demodulating a received modulated baggage-handling message; said moving storage means includes: memory means for storing said received and demodulated baggage-handling message; said moving retransmitting means includes: second means for generating a radio frequency carrier; means responsive to said retransmitting signal for sampling said stored baggage-handling message said modulated second means generated carrier being radiated into space by said second antenna means; and said means for receiving said retransmitted electrical signals include: third antenna means for receiving said retransmitted electrical signals; and, means for demodulating said received transmitted electrical signals.

Claim 4

An automatic system for handling baggage in response to baggage-handling information wherein said baggage is placed in a transporter and said transporter is guided to a remote destination in accordance with said baggage-handling information comprising: means for converting said baggage-handling information into an electrical signal comprised of a digital train of binary bits; means for transmitting said binary train to said transporter via a radio link; means for generating receive and retransmit signals; means moving with said transporter and responsive to said receive signal for receiving said binary train; means moving with said transporter for memorizing said received binary train; means responsive to said retransmit signal for sampling said memorized binary train; means for retransmitting said sampled binary train; means for receiving said retransmitted binary train; and, means responsive to said received retransmitted binary train for guiding said transporter.

Claim 5

An automatic system for handling baggage in response to baggage-handling information wherein said baggage is placed in a transporter and said transporter is guided to a remote destination in accordance with said baggage-handling information comprising: means for converting said baggage-handling information into an electrical signal comprised of a digital train of binary bits; means for transmitting said binary train to said transporter via a radio link; means for generating receive and retransmit signals; means moving with said transporter and responsive to said receive signal for receiving said binary train; means moving with said transporter for memorizing said received binary train; means responsive to said retransmit signal for sampling said memorized binary train; means for retransmitting said sampled binary train; means for receiving said retransmitted binary train; and, means responsive to said received retransmitted binary train for guiding said transporter.

Claim 6

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 3 wherein said transmitting means includes means for inserting a unique binary code word in a predetermined location in said binary train and with additional means moving with said transporter comprising: decoding means responsive to said received binary train for decoding said code word and for generating a memorization signal upon decoding of said code word; and, wherein said memorizing means includes first gating means responsive means responsive to said memorization signal for allowing said received binary train to enter into said memory so as to displace any information already contained therein.

Claim 7

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for generating receive and retransmit signals additionally includes means responsive to said memorization signal for generating a receive signal while inhibiting said transmit signal.

Claim 8

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 3 wherein said transmitting means includes: master register means for storing said binary train; means for generAting a first transmit signal; temporary shift register gating means responsive to said first transmit signal for sampling said binary train stored in said master register; a temporary shift register for storing said sampled binary train; clock means responsive to said transmit signal for generating and applying strobing pulses to said temporary shift register so as to cause it to discharge said binary train stored therein; and, means for radiating said discharging binary train into space.

Claim 9

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 6 wherein said transmitting means additionally includes: ground wire means for transmitting binary electrical signals via a ground wire; means for generating a second transmit signal; transmitter gating means responsive to said second transmit signal for connecting said frond wire means to said second transmit signal for connecting said ground wire means to receive said discharging binary train, said temporary shift register gating means being additionally responsive to said second transmit signal for sampling said binary train stored in said master register and said clock means being additionally responsive to said second transmit signal for strobing said temporary shift register.

Claim 10

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 7 wherein said transmitting means additionally includes: means connected to intercept said discharging binary train for pre-empting a predetermined portion thereof.

Claim 11

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 8 wherein said pre-empting means inserts a binary word identifying said transmitter into said predetermined portion of said binary train.

Claim 12

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 6 wherein said binary train contains a predetermined number of bits and with additionally: first counting means strobed by said clock means for extinguishing said first transmit signal after a predetermined number of said strobing pulses.

Claim 13

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 10 wherein said transporter is releasably restrained while said baggage is loaded thereon and said transmitting means additionally includes verification means comprising: second receiving means for receiving a comparison signal comprising said retransmitted binary train and for generating a verification signal upon receipt of said comparison signal, said temporary shift register gating means being additionally responsive to said verification signal for sampling said binary train stored in said master register; clock generator means responsive to said comparison signal for strobing said temporary shift register so as to cause it to discharge its contents as a train of binary bits; a comparator comparing said discharging train of binary bits with said comparison signal bit by bit for generating an error signal when said bits do not compare properly; first counting means strobed by said clock generator means for generating a completion signal at a predetermined count, said first counting means being reset by said error signal; means responsive to said completion signal for releasing said baggage transporter; and, means responsive to said error signal for regenerating said first transmit signal.

Claim 14

An automatic system for handling baggage in response to baggage-handling information wherein said information has been encoded into a first binary train having a predetermined length, a first unique binary word identifying the beginning of said first train and a second binary word identifying a particular baggage, said first train being transmitted to a baggage cart on which is loaded said baggage to be transported to one remote location out of a plurality of remote locations and including means capable of transporting said cart to any one of said plurality of remote locations, said first binary train having been stored in a recirculating memory on said cart wherein said first binary train is continuouSly recirculated and wherefrom said first binary train is periodically radio transmitted as said cart is transported to said remote location, the route of said cart to said remote location being determined by switches at switching points in said transporting means, a first of said switches being controlled by a first reader signal, said first reader comprising: a first master register containing a second binary train; gating means responsive to a reset signal for sampling said second binary train contained in said first master register; a first temporary shift register for temporarily storing said sampled second binary train; receiver means for receiving transmissions from recirculating memories including said transmitted first binary train; decoder means responsive to said received first binary train for generating said reset signal when said unique binary word is recognized; means for generating strobing pulses synchronously with said received first binary train, said strobing pulses being applied to said temporary shift register so as to cause it to discharge said second binary train bit by bit; and, comparator means responsive to said received first binary train and said discharging second binary train for generating said first reader signal.

Claim 15

An automatic system for handling baggage in response to baggage-handling information wherein said information has been encoded into a first binary train having a predetermined length, a first unique binary word identifying the beginning of said first train and a second binary word identifying a particular baggage, said first train being transmitted to a baggage cart on which is loaded said baggage to be transported to one remote location out of a plurality of remote locations and including means capable of transporting said cart to any one of said plurality of remote locations, said first binary train having been stored in a recirculating memory on said cart wherein said first binary train is continuouSly recirculated and wherefrom said first binary train is periodically radio transmitted as said cart is transported to said remote location, the route of said cart to said remote location being determined by switches at switching points in said transporting means, a first of said switches being controlled by a first reader signal, said first reader comprising: a first master register containing a second binary train; gating means responsive to a reset signal for sampling said second binary train contained in said first master register; a first temporary shift register for temporarily storing said sampled second binary train; receiver means for receiving transmissions from recirculating memories including said transmitted first binary train; decoder means responsive to said received first binary train for generating said reset signal when said unique binary word is recognized; means for generating strobing pulses synchronously with said received first binary train, said strobing pulses being applied to said temporary shift register so as to cause it to discharge said second binary train bit by bit; and, comparator means responsive to said received first binary train and said discharging second binary train for generating said first reader signal.

Claim 16

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 12 with additionally: counter means responsive to said strobing pulses for generating a completion signal after a predetermined number of said strobing pulses; and, gating means opened by said completion signal for allowing said first reader signal to pass to said first switch.

Claim 17

an automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 12 wherein said comparator means compares said first and second binary train bit by bit and generates said first reader signal only when the comparison is in accordance with a predetermined plan and with additionally: counter means responsive to said strobing pulses for generating comparator means disabling signals at predetermined counts of said counter, said comparator being temporarily disabled by said disabling signals.

Claim 18

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 14 wherein said counter means generates a completion signal after a predetermined number of said strobing pulses and with additionally: gating means qualified by said completion signal for allowing said first reader signal to pass to said first switch.

Claim 19

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 16 with additionally: means for altering said second binary train contained in said master register.

Claim 20

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 14 with additionally: means for generating a programming signal; and, means responsive to said programming signal for programming said counter means.

Claim 21

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 12 wherein said recirculating memory includes means responsive to a received said first unique word for reprogramming itself with subsequently received words and first receiving means for receiving transmissions and wherein said recirculating memory is to be reprogrammed with a third binary train comprising at least said first unique word, said second binary word and a third binary word by a means comprising: storage means for storing said third binary train in a predetermined order; decoder means responsive to a received first unique word for generating a start signal; temporary storage means for temporarily storing said sampled third train; means for generating a first train of strobing pulses synchronously with a received transmission; means for applying said first train of strobing pulses to said temporary storage means so as to cause it to discharge its contents in a predetermined order; comparator means responsive to said discharging contents and said received transmission for comparing predetermined portions of said discharging contents with said received transmission and For generating a reprogramming signal; and, means including said sampling means and temporary storage means and responsive to said reprogramming signal for transmitting said third binary train to said recirculating memory, said recirculating memory thus reprogramming itself with said third binary train.

Claim 22

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 18 wherein said sampling means is additionally responsive to said reprogramming signal for sampling the third binary train contained in said storage means and wherein said transmitting means additionally comprises: clock means responsive to said reprogramming signal for generating a second train of strobing pulses, said applying means being arranged to apply said second train of strobing pulses to said temporary storage means so as to cause it to discharge its contents in a predetermined order; and, transmitter means enabled by said second train of strobing pulses for transmitting said discharging contents to said recirculating memory.

Claim 23

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 19 with additionally: first counter means responsive to said second train of strobing pulses for disabling said clock means after a predetermined number of said second strobing pulses.

Claim 24

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 20 with additionally first gating means for applying said reprogramming signal to said sampling means and said clock means.

Claim 25

An automatic baggage handling system as recited in claim 21 wherein said comparator means comprises: a comparator for comparing contents discharging from said temporary storage means with received transmissions; second counter means responsive to a said first train of strobing pulses for disabling said comparator at predetermined periods of said comparator operation; and means responsive to said reprogramming signal for disabling and counter means, whereby a subsequently received transmission, comprising said third binary train, which is received from said circulating memory by said receiving means, causes said decoder means to once again generate said start signal thereby causing said third binary train as received to be compared in its entirety in said comparator with said third binary train as stored in said storage means, said comparator thus generating a valid signal if said comparison is proper and generating an invalid signal if said comparison is improper.

Claim 26

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 22 with additionally: second gating means qualified by said reprogramming signal and opened by said valid signal for generating a second gate signal, said second gate signal being applied to disable said first gate.

Claim 27

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 23 wherein said receiving means is temporarily disabled by said second gate signal.

Claim 28

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 23 additionally comprising a second switch responsive to said valid signal for controlling the route of said cart.

Claim 29

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 23 with additionally third gating means qualified by said reprogramming signal and opened by said invalid signal for regenerating said reprogramming signal.

Claim 30

An automatic baggage-handling system as recited in claim 18 with additionally means for changing the informational content of said third binary train as contained in said storage means.

Claim 31

An automatic system as recited in claim 1 with additionally means for verifying the accuracy of transmission of said electrical signals to said transporter, wherein said electrical signals are transmitted from a first location to said transporter, comprising second means for storing said transmitted electrical signals; second means for receiving said retransmitted electrical signals; decoding means for generating a comparison signal upon receipt of said retransmitted signal at said second means; second means respOnsive to said comparison signal for sampling said stored transmitted electrical signal; means for synchronizing said sampled stored transmitted electrical signals and said received retransmitted electrical signals; and means for comparing said sampled stored transmitted electrical signals with said received retransmitted electrical signals for generating an error signal.

Claim 32

An automatic system as recited in claim 28 wherein said electrical signals comprise an electrical digital bit train having a unique start of message word and wherein: said second storing means comprises a master register; said second sampling means comprises a temporary shift register and means responsive to said comparison signal for reproducing the signals stored in said master register in said temporary shift register; and, said synchronizing means comprises a clock generator responsive to said received retransmitted signal for generating clock pulses; and, gating means responsive to said comparison signal for strobing said temporary shift register with said clock pulses; said temporary shift register being connected to discharge its contents into said comparing means.

Claim 33

An automatic system for handling baggage in response to baggage-handling information and including a baggage cart and a transporting means capable of transporting said cart to any one of a plurality of remote locations, the route of said cart being determined by switches in said transporting means comprising: means for converting said baggage-handling information into a first binary train having a predetermined length, a first unique binary word and at least a second binary word; means for transmitting said first binary train to said cart; means for generating receiving and retransmitting signals; means moving said said cart and responsive to said receiving signal for receiving said first binary train; means moving with said cart for storing said received first binary train; first means responsive to said retransmitting signal for sampling said stored first binary train; means responsive to said retransmitting signal for retransmitting said sampled first binary train; means for receiving said retransmitted first binary train; a first master register containing a second binary train; decoder means responsive to said received retransmitted first binary train for generating a reset signal when said first unique word is recognized; second means responsive to said reset signal for sampling said second binary train contained in said first master register; comparator means responsive to said received retransmitted first binary train and said sampled second binary train for generating first reader signals; a first transporter means switch; and means responsive to said first reader signals for controlling said first switch.

Claim 34

An automatic system for handling baggage in response to baggage-handling information and including a baggage cart and a transporting means capable of transporting said cart to any one of a plurality of remote locations, the route of said cart being determined by switches in said transporting means comprising: means for converting said baggage-handling information into a first binary train having a predetermined length, a first unique binary word and at least a second binary word; means for transmitting said first binary train to said cart; means for generating receiving and retransmitting signals; means moving said said cart and responsive to said receiving signal for receiving said first binary train; means moving with said cart for storing said received first binary train; first means responsive to said retransmitting signal for sampling said stored first binary train; means responsive to said retransmitting signal for retransmitting said sampled first binary train; means for receiving said retransmitted first binary train; a first master register containing a second binary train; decoder means responsive to said received retransmitted first binary train for generating a reset signal when said first unique word is recognized; second means responsive to said reset signal for sampling said second binary train contained in said first master register; comparator means responsive to said received retransmitted first binary train and said sampled second binary train for generating first reader signals; a first transporter means switch; and means responsive to said first reader signals for controlling said first switch.

Claim 35

An automatic system as recited in claim 30 wherein said second sampling means comprises: gating means responsive to said reset signal for sampling said second binary train contained in said first master register; a first temporary shift register for temporarily storing said sampled second binary train; and, means for generating strobing pulses synchronously with said received retransmitted first binary train, said strobing pulses being applied to said first temporary shift register so as to cause it to discharge its contents into said comparator means.

Claim 36

An automatic system as recited in claim 1 wherein said converting means converts said baggage-handling information into electrical signals which include at least a first unique word, a second unique word and a third unique word, said electrical signals comprising a first message and wherein said guiding means additionally comprises: master storage means for storing a second message including at least said first, second and third unique words; means responsive to said received retransmitted first message for generating a start signal; comparator means for comparing a message applied thereto with said second message during a comparison period and for generating a reprogramming signal when said messages compare properly; first means responsive to said start signal for applying said received retransmitted first message to said comparator means; second means responsive to said start signal for sampling said second message stored in said master storage means and applying said sampled second message to said comparator means; means responsive to said received retransmitted first message for disabling said comparator means during portions of said comparison period; and, second transmitter means responsive to said reprogramming signal for transmitting said second message to said moving receiving means; said moving receiving means and said moving storing means being additionally responsive to said transmitted second message for receiving and storing said second message.

Claim 37

An automatic system as recited in claim 1 wherein said moving storing means is a recirculating memory comprising: a shift register having a first output terminal connected to said sampling means and a first input terminal; first gating means normally connecting said first output terminal to said first input terminal and responsive to said received electrical signal for disconnecting said first input terminal from said first output terminal and connecting said first input terminal to said moving receiving means; clock means for generating a first train of strobing pulses; means responsive to said received electrical signals for generating a second train of strobing pulses; and, second gating means for normally applying said first train of strobing pulses to said shift register and responsive to said received electrical signals for applying said second train of strobing pulses to said shift register.