Granted Patent B2

US 7,310,568 · App. 10/689,873 · Granted Dec 18, 2007

Abstract

Claims (34)

1. A method for managing the transportation of baggage for passengers of a common carrier, the method comprising:

providing a baggage transportation service at a remote property, the remote property being remote from a transportation center, the baggage transportation service including

receiving travel information for a passenger at the remote property via a communications network, the travel information including departure information for a departure from the transportation center;

producing identification including the received departure information for baggage of the passenger, the baggage to be transported to the transportation center; and

transporting the baggage to the transportation center; and

providing an outsourcing arrangement for an employee at the remote property to perform both a first service associated with the baggage transportation service and a second service associated with an operation at the remote property, the second service distinct from the first service.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving travel information for a passenger via a communications network comprises accessing a remote server from a kiosk.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the baggage transportation service further includes registering the passenger for the travel based on the received travel information.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein registering the passenger comprises providing a boarding pass for the passenger.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein producing identification for baggage of the passenger comprises providing baggage identification labels including an identification bar code.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving travel information for a passenger at the remote property via a communications network comprises accessing travel information from a server via an interface common to a plurality of common carriers.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second service is selected from the group consisting of a bellhop service, a valet service, and a parking garage service.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second service is selected from the group consisting of a concierge service, a check-out service, a security service, or a room service.

9. A computer-based baggage transportation system comprising:

a server computer including travel information for a plurality of common carriers;

a client computer coupled via a network to the server computer, the client computer being configured to check in baggage and passengers from a property that is remote from a common carrier departure location; and

a baggage pick-up facility at the remote property for performing a baggage transportation service, wherein associated with the baggage transportation service is an outsourcing arrangement for an employee at the remote property to perform both a first service associated with the baggage transportation service and a second service associated with an operation at the remote property, the second service distinct from the first.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the property is a hotel and the second service is selected from the group consisting of a bellhop service, a valet service, and a parking garage services.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the client computer is part of a kiosk.

12. In a remote baggage and passenger check-in system, a method comprising:

(a) obtaining passenger identification information for a passenger;

(b) using the passenger identification information, retrieving travel information for the passenger from a server computer;

(c) printing a boarding pass for the passenger based on the retrieved travel information;

(d) printing a baggage identification label for passenger baggage at a property remote from a common carrier departure location;

(e) obtaining possession of the passenger baggage from the passenger at the remote property to conduct a baggage transportation service, wherein associated with the baggage transportation service is an outsourcing arrangement for an employee at the remote property to perform both a first service associated with the baggage transportation service and a second service associated with an operation at the remote property, the second service distinct from the first service;

(f) securely transporting the passenger baggage from the remote property to the common carrier departure location; and

(g) transferring possession of the passenger baggage to the common carrier.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein operations (a), (b), (c), and (d) are performed at a kiosk.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein retrieving travel information for the passenger from a server computer comprises accessing travel information using common use terminal equipment.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising accessing a server to register a passenger and obtain a boarding pass.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the retrieved travel information includes information on an airline flight, wherein the airline flight is schedule to depart the common carrier departure location less than twelve hours from when the passenger transfers possession of the passenger baggage as part of the baggage transportation service at the remote property.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising presenting a user interface configured to provide access to common carrier information for a plurality of common carriers.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second service is selected from the group consisting of a bellhop service, a valet service, and a parking garage service.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second service is selected from the group consisting of a concierge service, a check-out service, a security service, or a room service.

Assignments (9)