Baggage handling system and method

Abstract

A label for tracking and tracing baggage in a baggage handling system is disclosed. The label includes resonators doped into the label. The resonators providing the label with a unique signature and are capable of being read from approximately 2 meters. A baggage handling system incorporating a resonator based label system is also disclosed. The system includes at least one piece of baggage, a label for tracking and tracing baggage in the baggage handling system, at least one reader for reading the label in order to properly direct the attached at least one piece of baggage, and at least one baggage mover suitable for moving the at least one piece of baggage within the baggage handling system. The label includes resonators doped into the label that provide the label with a unique signature, the label being attached to and referenced with said at least one piece of baggage.

1 . A label for tracking and tracing baggage in a baggage handling system, said label comprising: resonators doped into the label, said resonators providing the label with a unique signature, wherein the resonators are capable of being read from approximately 2 meters. 
     
     
         2 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said label includes paper. 
     
     
         3 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said label includes plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said resonators doped into the label are doped during the pulping process for creating a paper based label. 
     
     
         5 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said resonators doped into the label are doped during the formation stage of a plastic based label. 
     
     
         6 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said resonators doped into the label have a controlled doping process. 
     
     
         7 . The label of  claim 6 , wherein said controlled doping process provides optimal randomness in the label. 
     
     
         8 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said resonators include dipoles. 
     
     
         9 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said resonators include nano-resonators. 
     
     
         10 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said resonators include crystals. 
     
     
         11 . The label of  claim 1 , further comprising an orientation mark suitable for orienting the label for scanning of said resonators. 
     
     
         12 . The label of  claim 11 , wherein said orientation mark includes a bar code. 
     
     
         13 . The label of  claim 11 , wherein said orientation mark includes a numeric label located in a particular location on said label. 
     
     
         14 . The label of  claim 13 , wherein said particular location includes the bottom left corner of said label. 
     
     
         15 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein said resonators respond to an interrogation based on the signature of the resonators. 
     
     
         16 . The label of  claim 15 , wherein the response includes a signature of the label. 
     
     
         17 . The label of  claim 16 , wherein the signature at least semi-uniquely identifies the label. 
     
     
         18 . The label of  claim 16 , wherein the signature uniquely identifies the label. 
     
     
         19 . The label of  claim 16 , wherein the signature is a time domain spectrograph signature identifying the label.