Apparatus and methods for tracking movement of persons
A system and method for tracking movements of an object of interest using an contact or contactless tag, having a writable memory. A plurality of scanners are dispersed throughout an environment in which movement of the object is to be tracked, wherein when a scanner detects the tag an entry is added to the tag. The entry can include a variety of data including, for example, the location entry indicating a time the tag was detected and a location of the detection. The system and method are particularly, but not exclusively, suited for use with airline travel.
1. A system for tracking movements of a first person being escorted to a second person, the system comprising:
a storage device, having a writable memory for storing identification information associated with both the first person and the second person; and
a plurality of scanners dispersed throughout a region in which movement of the first person is to be tracked, wherein when a first scanner detects the storage device a location entry is added to the storage device, the location entry indicating a time the storage device was detected and a location of the detection and wherein the identification information of the second person is used to verify the identity of the second person at a destination location.
2. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of scanners includes fixed and mobile scanners.
3. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the storage device is integrated with a travel related document.
4. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the storage device is affixed to the first person.
5. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the location entry is a travel depot.
6. A system, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the travel depot is an airport.
7. A system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the location entry and the destination location comprises at least two airports.
8. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the location entry and the destination location comprises an amusement park.
9. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the location entry and the destination location comprises a hospital.
10. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the location entry and the destination location comprises a prison.
11. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
a printer associated with a scanner, the printer printing a travel log of the first person, the travel log including an indication of each location entry recorded in the storage device.
12. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the storage device comprises one of: an RFID tag.
13. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the location entry comprises a time and an identifier of the scanner detecting the storage device.
14. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the location entry additionally comprises at least one of a date, an agent identification, a flight number, a baggage identification string, and a security status.
15. A system, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the identification information comprises at least one of the following: photo; physical description; fingerprint; voice print; and eye print.
16. A system to report the movement of a traveler, the system comprising:
an RFID tag carried by the traveler, the RFID having a writable memory for storing identification information associated with the traveler and a second person;
a plurality of RFID scanners dispersed along a path followed by the traveler, each RFID scanner configured to detect the proximity of the RFID tag and if a detection occurs, storing an indication on the RFID tag of the detection; and
reporting system for providing, based upon the indications stored in the RFID tag, a description of interactions between the RFID tag and each RFID scanner that detected the proximity of the RFID tag including verification of the identity of the traveler at an entry location and verification of the identity of the second person at a destination location.
17. A system, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the RFID tag is a bracelet.
18. A system, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the RFID tag is incorporated into a boarding pass.
19. A system, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the RFID tag is incorporated into a ticket.
20. A system, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein at least one RFID scanner is a hand held scanner.
21. A system, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein the reporting system comprises:
an RFID scanner that reads the indications stored on the RFID tag; and
a printer that outputs a report based on the indications read by the RFID scanner.
22. A method for tracking a traveler, the method comprising:
associating an RFID tag with the traveler;
placing a plurality of RFID scanners;
when the traveler comes into proximity with an RFID scanner at an entry location, storing on the RFID tag a record indicating the identity of the RFID scanner, the identity of the traveler and the time at which the traveler came into proximity with the RFID scanner; and,
when the traveler comes into proximity with an RFID scanner at a destination location, storing on the RFID tag a record indicating the identity of the RFID scanner, the identity of a person meeting the traveler and the time at which the traveler came into proximity with the RFID scanner.
23. A method, as set forth in claim 22 , wherein the identification information comprises at least one of the following: photo; physical description; fingerprint; voice print; and eye print.
24. A method for tracking an airline traveler, the method comprising:
placing a plurality of RFID scanners around a first and second airport:
associating an RFID tag with the traveler when the traveler checks in at the first airport: and
as the traveler progresses from the first airport to the second airport, when the traveler comes into proximity with an RFID scanner, storing on the RFID tag a record indicating the identity of the RFID scanner, the identity of the traveler and the time at which the traveler came into proximity with the RFID scanner and when the traveler comes into proximity with an RFID scanner at a destination location, storing on the RFID tag a record indicating the identity of the RFID scanner, the identity of a person meeting the traveler and the time at which the traveler came into proximity with the RFID scanner.
25. A method, as set forth in claim 24 , further comprising: outputting a report based upon the records in the RFID tag.
26. A method, as set forth in claim 25 , wherein the step of outputting comprises: creating a web site based upon the records in the RFID tag.
27. A method, as set forth in claim 25 , wherein the step of outputting comprises:
reading the records in the RFID tag; and
printing a report.