Electronic tagging system for tagging a plurality of luggage items transported through a transportation system, using electronic-ink display tags for displaying real-time information regarding said luggage items, and remotely programmable by activator modules installed throughout said transportion system

Abstract

An electronic tagging system for tagging a plurality of luggage items transported through a transportation system. The system includes a plurality of electronic-ink display labels coupled to a plurality of luggage items. Each electronic-ink display label displays graphical indicia representative of information relating to the status of the luggage item within the transportation system. One or more activation modules are provided throughout the transportation system for transmitting electromagnetic data signals to electronic-ink display labels and providing instructions to updateable electronic-ink display labels employed in the determination of graphic indicia to be displayed on electronic-ink display labels. Each electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The electronic-ink display label includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the activation module, using the antenna structure. The electronic-ink display label displays graphical indicia representing information which changes as the associated luggage item moves through the transportation system.