Luggage tracking device

1. A luggage tracking device comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a piece of luggage;

a location unit provided in the housing to determine a current location of the device;

a transmitter provided in the housing and configured to transmit current location information at programmed intervals predetermined by a user; and

a controller provided in the housing to control operations of the location unit and transmitter.

2. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the location unit includes a receiver configured to obtain Global Positioning System (GPS) information.

3. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the location unit includes a receiver configured to obtain location information through a wireless communication with an external transmitter local to the device.

4. The luggage tracking device of claim 3 , wherein the receiver communicates with the external transmitter through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

5. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the transmitter to transmit the current local information through a local and/or wide area network connection.

6. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , further comprising a battery to provide power to the controller, transmitter, and location unit.

7. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to open to provide access to components located inside the housing.

8. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , further comprising a coupling member to couple the device to the piece of luggage.

9. The luggage tracking device of claim 8 , wherein the coupling member is configured to be locked and unlocked by a user.

10. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a transparent portion provided at least one side through which to display identification information.

11. The luggage tracking device of claim 1 , further comprising a storage to store user selected communication instructions.

12. A method of tracking luggage using a wireless luggage tracking device, the method comprising:

storing contact information in the luggage tracking device regarding a user selected mode of communication;

determining current location information of the luggage tracking device; and

transmitting the current location information to the user according to the selected mode of communication and programmed intervals predetermined by a user.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the determining of the current location information occurs at periodic intervals selected by the user.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the determining of the current location information occurs continuously.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transmitting of the current location information occurs at periodic intervals selected by the user.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transmitting of the current location information occurs in response to the luggage tracking device determining a change in the current location.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising transmitting the current location information to one or more airline systems.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the current location information is transmitted by email, SMS text, automated telephone call, or any combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the determining of the current location information comprises receiving and processing GPS signals to determine longitude/latitude coordinates, a street address, an airport code, or any combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the determining of the current location information comprises receiving and processing location information from a local airport network to determine longitude/latitude coordinates, a street address, an airport code, or any combination thereof.