CHECK-IN METHOD
A check-in method which streamlines the customer experience by automating many check-in steps. An example method involving passenger check-in for a flight includes wirelessly transmitting signals by a mobile communication device, receiving within a check-in area a response message from an airline system by the mobile communication device, sending check-in information to the airline system by the mobile communication device in response to the message, and receiving a mobile boarding pass from the airline system by the mobile communication device.
1 . A check-in method comprising:
sending signals by a mobile communication device;
receiving a message within a check-in area from a host system through a wireless communication infrastructure by the mobile communication device in response to the signals;
sending check-in information to the host system through the wireless communication infrastructure by the mobile communication device in response to the message; and
receiving a token from the host system through the wireless communication infrastructure by the mobile communication device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication infrastructure comprises a plurality of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard beacons.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication infrastructure comprises a plurality of wireless network access points.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the check-in information comprises information for authenticating the mobile communication device.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the check-in information comprises an Internet Protocol address of the mobile communication device.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the check-in information comprises a serial number of the mobile communication device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the check-in information comprises luggage amount.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the check-in information comprises a seating preference.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the check-in information comprises an early boarding preference.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the check-in information comprises payment information.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the check-in information comprises passenger authenticating information.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the check-in information comprises passenger authenticating information.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving another message by the mobile communication device from the host system requesting information authenticating the user of the mobile communication device prior to receiving a token.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the token comprises a mobile boarding pass.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving promotions by the mobile communication device.
16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving directions by the mobile communication device.
17 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving by the mobile communication device a departure alert message based upon a location of the mobile communication device.
18 . A check-in method comprising:
saving by a mobile communication device check-in information in a storage area of the mobile communication device, wherein the check-in information includes information identifying the mobile communication device;
sending signals by a mobile communication device;
receiving within a check-in area a message from a host system in response to the signals through a wireless communication infrastructure by the mobile communication device;
obtaining the check-in information from the storage area by the mobile communication device;
sending the check-in information to the host system through the wireless communication infrastructure by the mobile communication device; and
receiving a token from the host system through the wireless communication infrastructure by the mobile communication device.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the check-in information is saved during registration with the host system.
20 . A mobile communication device comprising:
wireless communication circuitry;
a storage area for storing check-in information;
a memory containing software; and
a processor configured with the software to cause the mobile communication device to
send signals;
receive within a check-in area a message from a host system through a wireless communication infrastructure in response to the signals;
send check-in information to the host system through the wireless communication infrastructure in response to the message; and
receive a token from the host system through the wireless communication infrastructure.