DE102023100000A1 - Procedures for computer-aided processing of identification processes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a method for the computer-assisted processing of identification processes by processing participants with the aid of a data processing device, a computer system, a computer program and a computer program product for implementing this method.

Description

The present presentation describes a method for the computer-assisted processing of identification processes and/or pieces of luggage with the aid of a data processing device, a computer system, a computer program and a computer program product for implementing the method.

Thousands of trips take place around the world every year. Travel documents must be kept ready for each leg of the journey, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. If travel documents are lost, they must be replaced, which is time-consuming and expensive.

Furthermore, a correspondingly large number of pieces of luggage are transported when travelling - usually in the form of suitcases. It cannot be ruled out that a piece of luggage may be lost during the trip or that its whereabouts are unclear, as passengers and their luggage are usually processed and sometimes transported separately during a trip. It is not uncommon for pieces of luggage to arrive at a different location to their owners. It is also possible for pieces of luggage to arrive late - sometimes by days - at the desired location, such as an airport or seaport. In any case, this is very annoying for the traveller concerned, as they may be absolutely dependent on their luggage or they cannot wait for the luggage to arrive because the traveller cannot wait any longer and must continue their journey. In addition, there is the stress of contacting the travel company responsible for this. This can be particularly difficult abroad.

Currently, each travel company creates separate travel documents for each passenger for each journey section. When a journey involves multiple means of transport or multiple journey sections operated by different travel companies, a corresponding number of travel documents must be kept on hand. This is laborious and sometimes complicated, especially if there are unforeseen changes to the travel route. The same applies to luggage. In order to assign a destination or a specific travel route to a piece of luggage, it is currently given a luggage label issued by the respective travel company when the luggage is checked in. The luggage label contains at least the name of the traveler to whom the luggage is assigned, the start and destination locations and the date of the journey. The information is also applied to the luggage label as a machine-readable image in the form of a barcode so that luggage sorting machines and the staff responsible for checking in luggage can quickly scan the luggage digitally and transport it to the desired destination.

This requires a new luggage label to be created or attached to each piece of luggage for each leg of the journey. This has a high environmental impact and also involves a great deal of organizational effort. Furthermore, the piece of luggage is not yet or no longer integrated into the tour operator's luggage logistics before the luggage is checked in or after arrival at the destination. If a piece of luggage is lost before or after the journey, for example on the way from the parking garage to the baggage counter, it can no longer be assigned to its rightful owner. The piece of luggage is lost.

Furthermore, current luggage labels require that all travel data relevant to the luggage is printed on the label for everyone to see. This is questionable in terms of data protection and incompatible with the currently applicable General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union (EU).

Boarding passes are now issued individually, namely anew for each journey, on site.

One object of an embodiment according to the invention can therefore be seen as making it possible, on the one hand, to have uniform and universally usable travel documents for all journey sections and, on the other hand, to track luggage at any time and, in the event of loss, to find it anywhere in the world in a simple and uncomplicated manner without the respective luggage having to be equipped with mobile data communication and location determination. Furthermore, one object can also be seen in providing a flexible method for identifying processing procedures, which can be integrated into existing systems, particularly for air travel.

• Registrieren eines Nutzers, wobei das Registrieren ein Eingeben und Bereitstellen von Nutzerinformationsdaten und/oder Gepäckstückinformationsdaten für zumindest ein Gepäckstück beinhaltet;
• Erzeugen oder Bereitstellen einer oder mehrerer Nutzeridentifikationen (GUID), wobei die Nutzeridentifikationen
  • ◯ als invariante Identifikationschiffren erzeugt werden und
  • ◯ jeweils für einen Nutzer mit dem Datensatz des Nutzers nicht-lösbar gekoppelt zugeordnet wird, wobei der Datensatz, die Nutzeridentifikation (GUID) und die nicht-lösbare gekoppelte Zuordnung in der Datenbank abgespeichert wird; Erzeugen oder Bereitstellen einer oder mehrerer Gepäckstückidentifikationen oder Abwickleridentifikationen, wobei die Gepäckstückidentifikationen oder die Abwickleridentifikationen
  • ◯ als invariante Identifikationschiffren erzeugt werden und jeweils einem Gepäckstück oder jeweils einem Abwicklungsteilnehmer, dem Datensatz und/oder der Nutzeridentifikation und/oder einem Global Boarding Pass (GBP) lösbar oder nicht-lösbar gekoppelt zuordbar ist, wodurch das jeweils zugeordnet Identifikationschiffre in einen nicht-lösbar gekoppelten oder einen lösbar gekoppelten Zuordnungszustand überführbar ist, wobei der lösbar gekoppelte Zuordnungszustand einen gekoppelten oder nicht gekoppelten Zuordnungszustand beinhaltet, und wobei die Identifikationschiffren und der jeweilige Zuordnungszustand der Gepäckstückidentifikation in der Datenbank abgespeichert wird.

According to one aspect, such an embodiment relates to a possible core idea of the invention, a method for the computer-assisted processing of identification processes by processing participants, in particular in the context of travel, in particular air travel, with the aid of at least one data processing device which is connected to a database, wherein the database has at least one application interface and at least one data record with at least one data field, wherein a user can enter the data via an input device (2) which is connected to the least at least one data processing device (4) forms a communication connection (10) for entering a data record into the database. The method further comprises at least the steps:

• Registering a user, wherein the registration includes entering and providing user information data and/or baggage information data for at least one baggage item;
• Generating or providing one or more user identifications (GUID), whereby the user identifications
  • ◯ are generated as invariant identification ciphers and
  • ◯ is assigned to a user in a non-releasably linked manner with the user's data record, whereby the data record, the user identification (GUID) and the non-releasably linked assignment are stored in the database; generating or providing one or more baggage identifications or processing identifications, whereby the baggage identifications or the processing identifications
  • ◯ are generated as invariant identification ciphers and can be assigned in a detachably or non-detachably coupled manner to a piece of luggage or to a processing participant, the data set and/or the user identification and/or a Global Boarding Pass (GBP), whereby the respectively assigned identification cipher can be converted into a non-detachably coupled or a detachably coupled assignment state, wherein the detachably coupled assignment state includes a coupled or non-coupled assignment state, and wherein the identification ciphers and the respective assignment state of the piece of luggage identification are stored in the database.

Through this process, all data relevant to a traveler, for example travel documents and/or luggage, are stored centrally in a database and made available via an application interface of the database.

In this way, a user can register centrally and have a central user identification (GUID) and, if necessary, one or more baggage identifications in the form of an identification code generated/issued, on the basis of which secure central access to the processing information data required for a trip is possible.

Invariant means that the identification cipher once generated becomes part of a pool of identification ciphers permanently and in an unchanged form and is available for further identification processes. The identification ciphers can be assigned to different identification processes, such as baggage identification or user identification, and classified accordingly. This type of invariance of the identification ciphers creates a high degree of flexibility and speed in the method according to the invention and it makes it possible to generate identification ciphers in advance, which can then be assigned when they are made available. The identification ciphers can be linked to different information in this way, with a significant part of the intelligence lying in the link, in particular in the unique link.

The flexibility of the method according to the invention is further improved by the fact that for certain links or assignments, the assignment is designed as a detachable assignment, whereby, as in the case of baggage identification, this can be converted from a non-coupled assignment state to a coupled assignment state to the data set and/or to the user identification and/or to the global boarding pass and vice versa. With this type of detachable or flexible assignment, it is possible for the identification method according to the invention to be easily integrated into existing processing procedures because the integration of the baggage identification according to the invention can be flexibly aligned to the existing indication procedures.

According to one embodiment, the release or transfer of a coupled state to a non-coupled state or vice versa can be made dependent on a temporal or other event result act. For example, the luggage identification can be released/separated from a piece of luggage after a trip so that the luggage identification is available either for other pieces of luggage or for other users.

Furthermore, a further development provides that the coupled assignment state comprises a provisionally coupled assignment state and a final coupled assignment state, whereby the luggage item identification is initially transferred to the provisionally coupled assignment state and, after a verification step, changes to the final coupled assignment state. This can ensure that the luggage item identification is actually also accepted by the user. zer is used to implement a planned trip.

Furthermore, according to a further development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that, before transferring to a provisionally coupled assignment state, a processing participant carries out a recording and/or a comparison of user information data from a virtual or physical user boarding pass of a user.

Furthermore, in this context, it can be provided according to the invention that a trip implementation verification is carried out with respect to the user before transferring to the final coupled assignment state.

An advantageous further development can also consist in the respective assigned identification cipher being assigned to a locked or releasably locked assignment state. This means that the identification cipher can be deactivated and no longer used.

Due to the flexible allocation options according to the invention, the identification code according to the invention can also be combined with other identification codes from third parties, for example, in a wide variety of process steps in travel or baggage handling. According to the invention, the identification code can be represented as a QR code and at the same time combined with an identification code that is represented as a bar code, and the advantages of the identification options according to the invention can be made accessible at the same time.

Through secure access to the identification code, all participants involved in the travel processing can be provided with access to the information data they require for the travel processing, not just for one trip/travel route, for example, but for any number of trips or travel routes.

In addition, all possible processing participants can be easily integrated. This could include airlines, travel agencies and baggage handling service providers, but also insurance companies that need to be integrated, for example, to provide cover in the event of lost baggage, or even finders who find a lost piece of baggage and want to return it to the rightful owner.

A participant in the method according to the invention can receive the status of a settlement participant in particular if he or she goes through a registration process in a similar way or receives or has a registration status as the user in the method. A user could also be referred to as a settlement participant in this respect due to his or her registration.

User information data can include all personal data about the user, which can include address data including any email addresses and telephone numbers, as well as scans of identity cards, possible visas, health passports and any type of biometric identification data.

Separately, according to the invention, baggage information data can be recorded, which can provide information on the number, size and contents of the pieces of baggage.

The user information data and/or baggage information data can also be assigned travel information data in the data set or via a separate data set, which can provide information about one or more travel plans.

The user conveniently registers as a user of the database via a website or app, whereby a data set for processing trips is generated for the user during registration, which is assigned to the user uniquely and uniquely through the generated user identification and is always the same, i.e. unchanging, value, i.e. a constant, across all means of travel and travel routes. Registration takes place via an input device, which can be a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The above-mentioned data set is preferably designed as a user account, in which all processing information data that can be called up by the registered user is stored and can be released individually. The user information data can, for example, be, as already mentioned, contact data such as at least one email address, telephone number or postal address or fax number, or at least one password for logging into the user account via the Internet. The unique, clearly assignable user identification can, for example, be a number, an individually selectable user name or a permanent and clearly assignable identification code. In any case, the user identification is stored separately in the database for each user. For this purpose, the database automatically checks When registering a new user, whether the user identification intended for him is already in the database. If this is the case, a new user identification is created or a new user identification is requested from the user until the database can no longer detect any duplicate user identification to be registered. This effectively ensures that each user identification can be clearly assigned to only one user.

With user identification, the data set can be read anonymously, without specifying names or email addresses, for example. The user account is thus designed like a numbered account, which means a high level of data security for the registered user. At the same time, this meets the strict requirements of the EU's GDPR.

Such a permanent and uniquely assignable user identification can, for example, be a Global Unique Identifier (GUID) consisting of letters and numbers. It is also conceivable that the permanent and uniquely assignable user identification distinguishes between upper and lower case letters and that special characters can also be included. The permanent or invariant and uniquely assignable user identification can be generated randomly by the data processing device or by the database. Permanent means that the user identification is only assigned once for each user and remains assigned to the respective user. To ensure that the user identification is not assigned twice by chance, it has at least 25 characters. This also ensures the uniqueness of the user identification, since the large number of different variants of the user identification that can be generated means that the probability of two identical user identifications being generated by chance is practically zero.

The data processing facility can store all assigned user identifications centrally in the database and, when a new user registers, check the database for duplicates of the newly assigned user identification and, if duplicates are found, assign a new user identification to the user to be registered.

Alternatively, the user identification last assigned by the data processing facility can be temporarily stored and, when a new user identification is assigned, can be counted up by a certain increment based on the last assigned user identification. Counting up does not only refer to numbers, but can also mean an alphabetical "counting up" with letters.

Further development also means that the data set can be read in and out by application participants and/or third parties via the application interface. The data set can be supplemented with travel information data via the application interface or the travel information data in the database can be assigned to the data set, and the travel information data can be supplemented and/or read out by application participants and/or third parties via the application interface.

Furthermore, a further development is provided in that the identification process includes a comparison of at least one identification code stored in the database with an identification code available at the processing participant and identification access is granted depending on a successful comparison of the identification code. This represents an advantageous security comparison in which no personal data needs to be read out or compared.

For further security, a further development according to the invention also consists in that the identification access can either only include a statement about an authorization status of the user stored in the database and/or includes a defined read access and/or write access. According to the invention, this can advantageously be defined depending on the situation. The authorization status is then also part of the user information data.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention can comprise generating or providing one or more travel document indications, wherein the travel document identifications are generated as an invariant identification cipher and are statically assigned to the user identification in a non-releasable manner, wherein the travel document identification and the non-releasable assignment are stored.

A further development according to the invention also consists in creating a global boarding pass for travel means for the user on the basis of the travel document identification. The travel document identification is assigned to the global boarding pass, which can be individually specified and read out and linked to processing information data relevant to travel or a trip in the database. The global boarding pass is preferably created automatically when the user registers. However, it is also conceivable that it can be created on request by the user. The travel document identification cation is unique because it is only issued once for a Global Boarding Pass.

For example, to securely authenticate travel authorization, the identification process for the Global Boarding Pass can be carried out by comparing the identification code as described above, and if the identification code is successfully compared, identification access is only granted to the extent that a statement can be made about a positive authorization status stored in the database, which, for example, qualifies the user for a certain trip or a certain section of the trip or for a certain means of travel or not. This can be part of the check-in, during which, according to the invention, it is obviously advantageous that no personal information needs to be exchanged in order to be able to determine whether the right person wants to take the trip or not.

The travel document identification can be stored in a data field in the user's data record in a similar way to the user identification and can be stored for the Global Boarding Pass as a machine-readable coded image or character in order to be able to be read by external image capture and/or image processing devices.

With the help of this global boarding pass, the user, who is also a traveler, can travel across flights and trips with just one boarding pass. The global boarding pass only refers to data stored or held in the database and ensures secure access by third parties, i.e. in particular processing participants such as tour operators. A separate boarding pass no longer has to be created for each means of travel. This saves the user from having to carry multiple travel documents in the form of boarding passes on a trip.

The boarding pass can be a physical identification element, for example as a printout in the form of an adhesive paper label or a more durable and reusable plastic label from, for example, a 3D printer, or in the form of a particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention as a digital image or digital identification means or symbol on a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone. Before the start of the journey, the boarding pass is scanned by the respective tour operator or airline at the airport and, via the link with the user identification, this gives the tour operator/airline access to the processing information data relevant to the trip, which is stored in the database and can thus be compared/checked visually or electronically with the travel information data of the tour operator/airline, whereby the user is checked in as a traveler for the corresponding section of the journey.

Preferably, according to the invention, travel documents - such as passports, visas, health passes or similar, fingerprints, an iris or face scan in digital form - are stored in the data set by the user in a separate data field and can be read as required. This means that the travel documents are stored securely in digital form. A passport can no longer be lost if it has been stored digitally in the database. Furthermore, this user information data is then available for access via the database and can be linked via the Global Boarding Pass for any travel purpose as required.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the luggage item identification can also be assigned in an analogous manner in the form of an identification code to the document ID of a piece of luggage to be taken along on a trip. Preferably, instead of the piece of luggage as a direct means of identification, according to the invention, so-called tags or labels can be used, which are each assigned to a piece of luggage, on which the identification code is readable and via which a connection to the database and the luggage information data held therein can be enabled by comparing the identification code in the tag and an identical identification code stored and released in the database.

In the context of the piece of luggage or tag, unique means that only one unique identification code (constant) is used for each piece of luggage or tag, and this is permanent. Whether and to what extent processing information data can be read from the database using the tag's identification code depends on whether or not the piece of luggage or tag is approved for such a read-out connection to the database based on existing travel information data or other information/deposits.

Through secure access, all participants involved in the travel process can be provided with direct access to the information data they require for the travel process via the database, and not only for one trip, but for all future trips of a registered user and their luggage. There is no longer a need to issue individual boarding passes for each trip and the usual issuing of luggage tags or baggage labels for each piece of luggage. This not only makes check-in for a trip much easier, it also results in cost savings, including the fact that baggage labels no longer need to be printed and the hardware required for this, such as label printers, and the paper used can be saved. This does not include the savings that result from the efficiency gains in the processing procedure, because at any point in the travel processing procedure, every relevant participant can have simple and secure access to the information data that is relevant to them.

The identification ciphers referred to here can, as already mentioned elsewhere, contain letters and numbers, for example. It is also conceivable that the permanent and uniquely attributable identification cipher distinguishes between upper and lower case letters and that special characters can also be included. The permanent and uniquely attributable identification cipher can be generated randomly by the data processing device or by the database.

To ensure that the identification code is not assigned twice by chance, it has at least 25 characters, whereby the type and extent of the identification code to be used can of course be adapted to the requirements of the air traffic control authorities IATA, ICAO, etc. This also ensures the uniqueness of the identification code, since the large number of different variants of the identification code that can be generated means that the probability of two identical identification codes being generated by chance is practically zero.

Preferably, according to the invention, all assigned identification ciphers are stored centrally in the database and, when a new registration is made, the database checks the newly assigned identification ciphers for duplicates. Alternatively, the identification cipher last assigned by the data processing device can be temporarily stored and, when a new identification cipher is assigned, can be increased by a certain increment based on the last assigned identification cipher. In this case, "increasing" does not only refer to numbers, but can also mean "increasing" alphabetically using letters.

Furthermore, it is possible to have any number of identification ciphers for user identification, travel document identification, baggage identification or other identification features in stock, which can run into the millions and billions, and to assign or allocate these stochastically when a user registers.

Furthermore, in this context, a certain number of identification codes can be given to airlines, for example, which can then pass these on to users or assign them to them in a stochastical manner, even before they are registered in the database according to the invention. During registration, the previously assigned identification codes would then be assigned to the user data set. The latter can be particularly advantageous for baggage identification.

In the user account, which is also the data set for the processing information data of the registered user, at least one data field with a permanent and uniquely assignable identification code for a user's global boarding pass or for a registered piece of luggage is stored. Just as, according to the invention, each piece of luggage or tag is assigned exactly one unique identification code, a user can theoretically register several global boarding passes, for example one global boarding pass for private purposes and one for professional purposes.

Using such a permanent and uniquely assignable identification code, preferably in a uniform format, each Global Boarding Pass and/or each piece of luggage can be reliably and uniquely assigned. As already mentioned, several pieces of luggage can be registered in a user's data set, with only selected pieces of luggage being reserved for a specific journey section. The pieces of luggage can be reserved for the corresponding journey section using the respective identification code.

According to a further advantageous development, it is also possible according to the invention that the registration can be carried out in one process for a group of users, whereby a main registrar carries out the group registration and the co-registered secondary registrars are invited, for example by e-mail, to confirm the registration carried out by the main registrar.

Advantageously, in group registration, the main registrar can, for example, Multiple baggage identifications, i.e. identifications for several pieces of baggage, whose identification codes or the associated tags can then be used by all group members. This can be of particular interest to families, couples or companies.

User registration can be carried out in a simple manner either from a website of the database operator or from an app provided by the operator. Registration is based on an email address and a password. Upon registration, a unique (constant) GUID is automatically generated for the user. An email with a link for user account verification is also automatically sent.

Registration can also be done via social media or via the relevant accounts on Google, Apple, Facebook, GitHub, etc. After successful registration, the user is redirected to a website where he can register the user account, including the scope of use selected during registration, and make a possible payment for use. After successful payment or successful receipt of payment, the global boarding pass and/or the baggage identification or baggage tag for the selected scope of use is generated and stored in the database. The generated baggage tags can then be sent to the user's registered address and attached to the user account. As soon as the user or main registrar (see above) has verified the generated baggage tags by capturing/scanning the assigned identification code(s), the scope of use booked by the user can be used. In case of doubt, the person who bears the costs of use is considered the main registrar.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, data from at least one data field which is assigned to the processing information data can be read out by third parties, i.e. in particular processing participants, as required or necessary via the application interface.

Processing participants or third parties can be travel companies, tour operators, baggage handlers, travel agencies, transport operators such as airlines or similar, and/or customs authorities as well as the police/federal police. They must be registered in the database in order to be granted reading authorization for the data stored in the database. For example, when booking a trip, airlines can read the data required for the booking from the database on the one hand and enter the travel data or travel information data into the database on the other, on the basis of which the global boarding pass or the day intended for the piece of luggage is then released. The release can of course be made not just for one but for several travel sections. This means that the global boarding pass according to the invention is universally valid across all trips and therefore only needs to be issued once. In this respect, the global boarding pass represents a type of global digital identification document.

The registration of a settlement participant can then be carried out in a similar way to the registration of a user, whereby when registering the settlement participant, settlement information data is entered into the or a data record, which data record is assigned to the settlement participant via a settlement identification and stored in the database, whereby the settlement identification is generated and stored as an invariant identification cipher for all future identification processes of a registered settlement participant.

If the processing participant or, where applicable, a third party is invited by the user to participate in the process according to the invention within the scope of use selected during registration (whereby the third party would become a processing participant), the registration process of the processing participant takes place either via the website of the database operator or via the operator's app.

After the processing participant has registered with an email address, an automatic trigger in the database creates the unique processor identification and, if necessary, other identifiers for identification. All relevant information data in the data set, for example the baggage information data including the user's corresponding baggage identification(s), are then linked to the processor identification or the other identification identifiers and can be used by the processing participant within the scope of use booked by the user.

In addition, it is advantageously possible according to the invention for additional information to be stored in the database for a registered piece of luggage, such as the contents to be declared. This means that the pieces of luggage can also be processed quickly and easily by customs authorities as processing participants, who have the relevant and appropriately released information in the database. Data can be retrieved from the database throughout the day. The method according to the invention also allows processing participants or third parties to administer other persons within the scope of their authorization. Customs as a processing participant could, for example, carry out the administration or administrative measures for customs employees.

However, photos of the baggage before it is checked in can also be stored in the database and linked to the baggage identification code. This way, if the baggage is damaged due to improper handling, it can be proven what the condition of the baggage was before it was checked in.

It is also conceivable that processing participants and/or third parties also receive limited write permissions for the database upon registration. For example, tour operators can save certain data for a booked trip directly in a data field in the user's data record. Such data can be, for example, starting point and time as well as destination and time.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the steps of creating a machine-readable image for the at least one piece of luggage by the data processing device on the basis of the unique identification code assigned to the at least one piece of luggage, wherein the creation takes place automatically or on request by the user; storing the at least one created machine-readable image in the data field of the database, wherein the data field is assigned to the at least one piece of luggage, and/or transmitting the created machine-readable image to a display device on the at least one piece of luggage, and/or creating a physical identification element that can be applied to the at least one piece of luggage and/or a printout with at least the created machine-readable image, preferably by a printing device;

Identifying the at least one piece of luggage by reading the machine-readable image which is displayed on the display device on the at least one piece of luggage and/or is attached to the at least one piece of luggage as a physical identification element and/or printout, using an external image capture and/or image processing device which is capable of reading machine-readable images;

Sending the permanent, unique identification code of the piece of luggage read from the machine-readable image to the data processing facility;

Checking for read authorization for the identification code stored in the database and, if authorization exists, comparing the permanent and clearly attributable identification code of the piece of luggage with the database by the data processing device and

Automatic notification of the user registered in the database about the identification of at least one of his pieces of luggage registered in the database by the data processing device upon release and match of the transmitted unique identification code of the at least one recorded piece of luggage with the at least unique identification code stored in the database.

This method advantageously enables tracking or rapid locating of the at least one piece of luggage without the holder of the at least one piece of luggage, who can also be referred to as the owner of the at least one piece of luggage, having the usual stress of locating his or her at least one piece of luggage.

From the permanent and clearly identifiable identification code, the data processing device advantageously generates a 2D code, for example in the form of a QR code, and/or a barcode as a machine-readable image. After registering a new travel document and/or piece of luggage in his data set, the user can use the input device to instruct the data processing device to generate a 2D code and/or barcode. However, the machine-readable image can also be created automatically by the data processing device after registering a new travel document and/or piece of luggage in the data set.

This machine-readable image is made available after it has been created by the data processing device or the database in addition to the identification element and/or printout and/or for downloading. The registered user can thus provide the item of luggage registered in the database with the unique and thus permanent and clearly identifiable identification code, so that it can be clearly identified from that moment on. It is also advantageous to arrange several machine-readable images on one item of luggage, all of which have the same coding. This creates a certain Redundancy in case one of the machine-readable images attached to the baggage is no longer machine-readable due to loss, contamination and/or destruction.

In addition to the permanent and clearly identifiable identification code, the 2D code and/or barcode can also contain a link to an internet address where the found piece of luggage can be identified using the permanent and clearly identifiable identification code. In addition, the 2D code and/or barcode can also contain contact details that a finder or a person who handles the piece of luggage can use to contact the owner of the found piece of luggage. In this respect, a finder is also a processing participant who generally does not need to register.

It is also conceivable that baggage handling service providers can use the unique identification code to assign the piece of luggage to a specific means of transport or similar. For example, baggage sorting machines can scan the at least one machine-readable image on the piece of luggage and assign it unambiguously. To do this, such a baggage handling service provider can obtain access to the database to the extent necessary for it and can use the unique identification code from the database that has been activated for a trip to view, for example, the owner of a piece of luggage, the planned travel route of the piece of luggage or its owner, and handle the loading of the piece of luggage.

The physical identification element and/or the physical printout, for example a plastic label or plastic tag or the like, of the machine-readable image is advantageously a label or sticker that can be applied to the registered item of luggage. It is particularly advantageous to apply several labels or stickers to different sides of the item of luggage so that, on the one hand, the item of luggage can be detected more easily and quickly by, for example, baggage sorting machines and at least one of the machine-readable images applied can be scanned and, on the other hand, if a label or sticker on the item of luggage is lost and/or destroyed, there is still a redundant replacement so that the item of luggage can always be clearly assigned using at least one of the machine-readable images applied.

The reading or scanning of a machine-readable image on at least one piece of luggage registered by the user is carried out by an external image capture and/or image processing device. Such a device can be, for example, a barcode scanner, a QR code scanner and/or a smartphone with a camera with a corresponding program for reading machine-readable images such as barcodes and/or QR codes. The external image capture and/or image processing device advantageously also has a mobile data connection for transmitting data to the database in which the at least one piece of luggage is registered. If, for example, a piece of luggage is scanned, the external image capture and/or image processing device sends the scanned permanent and uniquely attributable identification code to the database.

When the external image capture and/or image processing device transmits the uniquely assignable identification code to the database via the mobile data connection, the permanent and uniquely assignable identification code is automatically compared with the database and all items of luggage stored therein, or their respective permanent and uniquely assignable identification codes. If there is a match, it is advantageously conceivable that the transmitted data, as already described above, is stored in the data field associated with the item of luggage. Furthermore, the user to whom the scanned item of luggage can be uniquely assigned via the comparison with the database is advantageously informed of the discovery or scan of his item of luggage. The location of the item of luggage can be read directly during scanning if, for example, finders have already been assigned certain restricted access rights within the scope of the invention.

It is also conceivable that the person who found and scanned at least one piece of luggage is informed by the database via the mobile data connection that the owner of the at least one scanned piece of luggage, i.e. the registered user, has been informed that his or her at least one piece of luggage has been found.

It is particularly advantageous for the finder or the person who has found and scanned the at least one piece of luggage to be informed via the website he has accessed how he can return the at least one piece of luggage to the owner. To this end, the finder can automatically be shown a shipping label with which he can send the at least one piece of luggage by post to the owner, for example. The finder can also be shown a contact address or a telephone number for the owner and/or a contact point specified by the owner. In this way, the handover can be made either anonymously or non-anonymously to the owner of the luggage. at least one piece of luggage. It is also conceivable that the finder registers his data in the database via the data processing device so that the owner can access this contact information and get in touch with the finder. In addition, the data processing device can offer the finder a payment option for a finder's reward previously set by the owner via the website. For example, the finder can provide his account number in order to have the corresponding finder's reward transferred by the owner. The type of payment options is not limited here. A voucher or a check can also be sent to the finder, for example.

The database advantageously has an application interface, with the help of which other data processing devices - such as a booking system of a transport company - can access the database. For example, travel data for a user and/or at least one piece of luggage assigned to the user can be queried and/or saved in the database. This links users and/or at least one piece of luggage with the corresponding travel data. It is also conceivable that a baggage management system, such as that used at airports with lost property offices, accesses the database via the application interface in order to query the associated travel data for a scanned piece of luggage and/or to save the location of the piece of luggage in the database.

The identification code makes it possible to use it unchanged for a lifetime, for example for travel, because the respective travel, traffic or transport company, such as an airline, can access the database with its booking system via the application interface. This means that for each trip, travel data for a user, a user group and/or items of luggage assigned to the user or user group can be saved in the database again and again. In addition, user information data required for each trip, such as passport, visa or health data, can be saved in the database and linked to the respective trip. This makes the process universally applicable. The database is designed to be cross-platform thanks to the application interface.

It is also conceivable that instead of one user, entire user groups can register in the database, with at least one user being assigned to each user group. For example, a company that is saved in the database as a user group can register and track user information data and/or items of luggage belonging to its employees in the database for each of its employees who are saved in the database as individual users in the corresponding user group. This makes it easy and effective to track luggage for sports teams and/or school classes on a school trip. At the same time, the travel documents required for a trip can also be registered and managed collectively. This means that it is impossible to notice during a trip that travel documents for, for example, an individual person are missing. Everything can be managed easily and effectively in advance via the database.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, when the unique identification code of a piece of luggage is sent, the location of the external image capture and/or image processing device can also be sent to the data processing device in the form of position data.

It is also conceivable that the external image capture and/or image processing device also transfers personal data from the person scanning the piece of luggage to the database, either together with the location data or without it. The location, the person scanning and/or the time of the scan can be recorded and saved in the data field of the database for the corresponding piece of luggage. This makes it possible to effectively track luggage and, if at least one piece of luggage is lost, for example, it is not necessary to visit all of the user's previously visited locations in order to perhaps find the at least one lost piece of luggage.

In the simplest case, the position data is given as GPS coordinates, which are recorded, for example, by a GPS module integrated in the external image capture and/or image processing device. It is also conceivable that the GPS data does not reflect the exact location of the external image capture and/or image processing device, but represents fixed location data - such as the check-in hall where the scanned piece of luggage is currently located. In any case, at least the approximate location of at least one piece of luggage can be sent to the database by the external image capture and/or image processing device via the mobile data connection.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable that contact details of the person who found and scanned at least one piece of luggage for example in the form of a telephone number or email address, can also be transmitted to the database by the external image capture and/or image processing device. This allows the owner of the at least one piece of luggage found to contact the finder or the person who found and scanned the at least one piece of luggage directly.

The same applies to travel documents that have been provided with a permanent and clearly identifiable identification code. This means that their last location can be easily and effectively queried via the database if a finder has found them and scanned them accordingly.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, when the user registered in the database is automatically notified of the identification of his at least one piece of luggage registered in the database, a message can be sent to a telephone number and/or fax number and/or email address and/or postal address previously stored by him in the database.

When notifying by telephone or by email and/or fax, it is advantageous that the owner is informed promptly about the location or the discovery of at least one piece of luggage. Instead of notifying the owner directly, notification can also be sent to a contact point previously stored by the owner in the database, such as his employer. This advantageously allows the owner of the at least one piece of luggage to remain anonymous. When notifying the owner, the data processing device can simultaneously display a selection of possible actions or options from which the owner can choose, and when selected, the data processing device causes the selected option to be automatically executed. For example, when selected, the data processing device can execute the option "Send a delivery address to the finder for the found piece of luggage" and send the finder a delivery address for the found piece of luggage previously stored by the owner in the database. This advantageously ensures that the at least one piece of luggage is returned to its original owner, who is also a user of the database.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, when registering at least one piece of luggage, in addition to the permanent and uniquely assignable identification code, further data representing further information on the at least one piece of luggage can be stored in the data field.

It is conceivable that a photo of the at least one registered piece of luggage is stored. This allows the user to document the condition of their at least one piece of luggage before checking in luggage at an airport, for example. In addition, properties such as the colour, material, size, brand or make of the piece of luggage, etc. can be stored. For example, a finder's reward can also be set and stored in the event that the registered piece of luggage is found. This allows the finder to be informed of the finder's reward offered by the user for the piece of luggage in question and stored in the database after the database has been compared, after the machine-readable image on the piece of luggage has been scanned and the at least uniquely attributable identification number has been transmitted to the database.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the user must verify himself to the data processing device when registering in order to be able to access the data of his data set that can be uniquely assigned to him and/or to be able to add at least one data field to the data set.

Here, after the new user has registered, the database or data processing facility sends an email to an email address provided by the user during registration with a temporarily valid Internet link created specifically for verification, whereby clicking on the Internet link confirms and verifies the registration of the new user. This verification is advantageously saved in the database in the data record of the user to be verified, for example by means of a note. This means that the user is registered in the database as a "verified user", which means that certain services can be activated for them by the database. After verification, the registered and now verified user can edit their user data and/or register luggage. This two-stage process of registering and then verifying is advantageous for the data processing facility to ensure that the person registering as a new user in the database is real and not a machine - such as a bot. It is also conceivable that the verification takes place via an identification procedure, whereby the user registers with an official identification document or a website that uses an identification document and smartphone (photo) to an independent third party, which, after successfully verifying the user's identity, stores his data record in the database via the data processing device as "verified". iert” or reports the corresponding user to the database operator as “verified” and the operator then activates him in the database.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that in a further advantageous embodiment of the method the registered user can interact with the database via an app that is installed on a mobile device such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone. This allows the user to conveniently and easily query the current location or the last location stored in the database of at least one of his registered pieces of luggage. Advantageously, when at least one piece of luggage registered by him is found, the user also receives a notification via the app on his mobile device that it has been found. Particularly advantageously, the app shows the user a selection of options, which he can choose between. For example, one option could be to contact the finder directly to arrange the return of at least one piece of luggage. Another option could be to send the finder a shipping label so that he can send the found piece of luggage to an address specified by the user. The options mentioned are not to be understood as limiting. There may also be other options that are suitable for, on the one hand, providing the finder with an appropriate reward and, on the other hand, sending the user at least one piece of luggage that has been found.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, travel data can be stored in the data field for a registered piece of luggage in addition to the unique identification code. This travel data can be the same or similar to the data printed on conventional baggage labels for air travel. For example, it is conceivable that when booking and/or checking in for a trip, for example a flight and/or bus trip, the travel data from a travel provider and/or the respective transport company, such as an airline or a bus company, are stored in the database for the corresponding registered pieces of luggage. For this purpose, the travel providers and/or transport companies advantageously have the appropriate authorization to write and store the travel data for the respective user of the registered pieces of luggage in the appropriate place in the database.

It is also conceivable that the travel provider and/or transport company will simultaneously store ticket data in the data record of the user who is booking or has booked a trip along with the data stored in the database. The database can therefore also create a ticket for the booked trip in the form of a machine-readable image and make this available to the user digitally. The user can then load the ticket as a machine-readable image onto a mobile device and/or physically print it out using a conventional printer or 3D printing, e.g. as a plastic part. In the interests of data protection, it is also conceivable that the name of the user who booked the trip is not stored on the ticket, but only his or her clearly identifiable user identification.

According to a further aspect, a further embodiment of the invention further relates to a computer system, wherein the computer system is designed to carry out the method for computer-assisted management of at least one travel document and/or at least one piece of luggage. The computer system has at least one data processing device which is designed to be connectable to at least one memory on which a database can be stored. Furthermore, the data processing device is designed to be connectable to a communication network. For example, an input device in the form of a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. can be designed to be connectable to the data processing device via the communication network.

The computer system advantageously also has a server which is interposed between the communication network and the data processing device. This server advantageously has data in the form of a website which can be accessed publicly via the communication network and which can be used to communicate with the data processing device and the database. The data which is stored in the database memory can thus be created, changed and deleted via the website and the data processing device. It is also conceivable that the data which is stored in the database memory can be created, changed and deleted via an app which the registered user has installed on at least one mobile device - such as a tablet or smartphone. The data is also particularly advantageous for a travel provider and/or for a transport company, such as an airline, as it can be created, changed and deleted at least to a limited extent.

According to a further aspect, a further embodiment of the invention relates to a computer program, wherein the computer program is designed to implement the method for managing processing information data on a computer system. The computer program causes a data processing device to establish a communication connection with a database and has at least the steps of creating a data record in the database upon request from a user, wherein the data record represents the user or processing information data for processing the user's trips, creating at least one data field in the data record, wherein a data field represents a travel document or a piece of luggage of the user, generating a permanent and uniquely assignable identification code for the travel document and/or piece of luggage to be registered and storing this permanent and uniquely assignable identification code in the data field, creating a machine-readable image based on the permanent and uniquely assignable identification code for the travel document and/or piece of luggage, wherein the creation takes place automatically by the data processing device or the database or upon separate request by the registered user, storing the created machine-readable image in the data field and/or transmitting the created machine-readable image to the registered user, for example by email via a communication network, for display on a mobile device of the registered user - such as a tablet. and/or smartphone and/or for printing by a printing device on paper and/or as a label and/or as a sticker and/or in 3D printing for a global boarding pass and/or a tag, wherein the printing device forms a communication connection with the data processing device and/or with the mobile terminal of the registered user on which the machine-readable image is already located.

If, for example, the tag is lost and the machine-readable image applied to the registered global boarding pass and/or tag is scanned by an external image capture and/or image processing device, such as a smartphone or QR code scanner, this automatically transmits at least the read permanent and uniquely attributable identification code to the data processing device. The computer program also has at least the steps of receiving at least the permanent and uniquely attributable identification code by the data processing device, comparing the database with the permanent and uniquely attributable identification code and, in the event of a match, notifying the owner of the scanned, lost travel document and/or piece of luggage by the data processing device. The external image capture and/or image processing device can also transmit other data, such as location data, personal data of the finder, etc., to the data processing device or database.

According to a further aspect, a further embodiment of the invention further relates to a computer program product which has executable program code, wherein the program code, when executed on a computer system, carries out the method for computer-assisted management of settlement information data.

The computer program product is advantageously stored as a packed file and/or as a file directory on a data carrier. The data carrier is advantageously designed as a semiconductor memory, magnetic memory and/or optical memory.

Further features, advantages, effects and details emerge from the following description, in which at least one embodiment is described in detail, if necessary with reference to one or more drawings. Described and/or illustrated features form the subject matter on their own or in any meaningful combination, if necessary also independently of the claims, and can in particular also be the subject of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar and/or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols.

• 1 eine Übersicht eines Computersystems, das dazu ausgebildet ist, ein Verfahren zur computergestützten Verwaltung von wenigstens einem Reisedokument und/oder wenigstens einem Gepäckstück auszuführen;
• 2 ein Ablauf des Verfahrens zur computergestützten Gepäcksuche;
• 3 einen allgemeinen Ablaufplan der computergestützten Gepäcksuche ab dem Finden des Gepäckstücks durch einen Finder;
• 4 ein Beispiel für ein maschinenlesbares Bild;
• 5 eine Zeichnung einer Datenbank für die Registrierung von Gepäckstücken;
• 6 eine weitere Übersicht über wesentliche Teilnehmer und Identifikationsmittel im Rahmen der Erfindung;
• 7 eine Übersicht über den Flugreise-Check-in Prozess nach der Erfindung;
• 8 eine Übersicht wie im Falle einer Flugreise relevante Abwicklungsteilnehmer in das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren eingebunden sein können.

The following diagram shows:

• 1 an overview of a computer system designed to carry out a method for the computer-assisted management of at least one travel document and/or at least one piece of luggage;
• 2 a flow of the computer-assisted baggage search procedure;
• 3 a general flow chart of the computer-assisted baggage search from the moment the baggage is found by a finder;
• 4 an example of a machine-readable image;
• 5 a drawing of a database for the registration of baggage;
• 6 a further overview of essential participants and means of identification within the scope of the invention;
• 7 an overview of the airline check-in process according to the invention;
• 8th an overview of how, in the case of air travel, relevant processing participants can be integrated into the method according to the invention.

In 1 is a schematic overview of a computer system which is designed to carry out a method for the computer-aided management of processing information data for the processing of trips, in particular air travel.

The central component of the computer system is a data processing device 4, which is shown here as a so-called "cloud". Such a data processing device 4 can be, for example, a server or several servers. The data processing device 4 has a database 6. This database 6 contains data records, which in turn have data fields. Data is stored in these data fields. For example, such data can be names of users and other personal data about the user or the piece of luggage as well as their user identification or their identification code, travel document identification such as a global boarding pass or its identification code, piece of luggage identification or its identification code, etc.

The data processing device 4 also has application interfaces 8. These application interfaces 8 can be used to communicate with the data processing device 4 via communication connections 10.

In the figure, communication connections 10 are shown above the data processing device 4, which merge into a dashed line. They schematically represent the possibility that third parties or processing participants - such as travel agencies, transport companies, etc. - can also access the database 6 via the data processing device 4 and read and/or write data. At least one input device 2 is connected to the data processing device 4. Such an input device 2 can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a PC or a handheld 1 7. With these input devices 2, data can be exchanged with the data processing device 4 via communication connections 10 and an application interface 8. For example, a user account can be created in the database 6 or data can be queried from the database 6 for a user account of, for example, an airline or a baggage handling service provider, etc.

Data stored in the database 6 for a user can also be sent to an input device 2 by the user. For example, an identification code previously stored digitally in the database 6, which can be displayed on the user's smartphone in the form of a machine-readable image 14 as a global boarding pass.

It is also provided that an identification code in the form of a machine-readable image 14 from the database 6 is either sent digitally from the data processing device 4 to a display device on a piece of luggage 16 or is attached analogously to a piece of luggage 16 as a physical identification element and/or printout in the form of a tag or luggage label. With the help of an external image capture and/or image processing device 12, it is possible for the machine-readable image 14 on the piece of luggage 16 or on the tag to be scanned and the data read out thereby, i.e. the identification code read out thereby, to be sent to the data processing device 4 via a communication connection 10. The data processing device 4 queries the data record associated with the piece of luggage 16 from the database 6. In this way, the owner, who is also a user of the database 6, can be determined quickly and easily. This information can also be output again on the external image capture and/or image processing device 12. This allows a person who has found and scanned the item of luggage 16 using the external image capture and/or image processing device 12 to be immediately informed of who the item of luggage 16 belongs to.

The 2 shows a schematic flow chart of the process for computer-assisted baggage search, with the flow direction being from top to bottom. The branches are to be read as and/or connections.

First, a user registers in a database via an input device that is connected to a data processing device or forms a communication connection with it. The database is connected to the data processing device in such a way that the data processing device can create, save, read and delete data in the database. When the user registers, the data processing device creates a data record in the database that has a user ID or a clearly identifiable user identification. The user also enters user information data about himself. In addition to pure address data, this user information data can also include information data on scanned identity documents, visa documents, health passports and fingerprints and the like.

In the next step, the user registers a piece of luggage in the database using the input device via the data processing device in the data record assigned to him. The data processing device generates a permanent and uniquely assignable identification code, which is stored in the data field for the newly registered piece of luggage and which, like the user identification, remains constant, i.e. unchanged, for all travel activities of the registered user.

The data processing device then creates a machine-readable image from at least the permanent and uniquely assignable identification code. Advantageously, an internet link that has the permanent and uniquely assignable identification code is encoded as a machine-readable image in the form of a QR code and/or barcode.

The machine-readable image is now stored in the data field for the corresponding piece of luggage and/or it is transmitted from the data processing device to the input device and/or to a mobile terminal to be determined by the user, wherein it is sent via a communication network which connects the data processing device to the input device and/or the user's mobile terminal, and/or a physical identification element and/or printout of the machine-readable image is created by means of a printing device or 3D printer device, wherein the identification element and/or printout is designed as a sticker and/or label, particularly advantageously as a luggage label, i.e. tag.

After registration and the creation of a machine-readable image, the registered piece of luggage advantageously has the same in the form of a tag/label, for example. It is arranged as a sticker, for example, on the piece of luggage and/or it is displayed via a display device integrated in the piece of luggage and/or on a digital luggage label, which for example has at least one e-ink display, or tags containing pre-produced identification codes are assigned to a piece of luggage. Advantageously, several machine-readable images/tags are applied redundantly to the piece of luggage in the manner described above.

If the piece of luggage is lost and found by a finder, the finder identifies the piece of luggage by scanning the machine-readable image using an external image capture and/or image processing device, such as a smartphone. The image capture and/or image processing device decodes the machine-readable image to the internet link along with a permanent and uniquely identifiable identification code, whereby the internet link leads to a website on which the piece of luggage is reported as "found".

The permanent and uniquely attributable identification code is sent to the website using the decoded machine-readable image. The permanent and uniquely attributable identification code is then transmitted to the data processing facility for further processing.

The data processing device compares the permanent and uniquely attributable identification code with the database in order to determine the original owner, here referred to as the user, of the found piece of luggage. In this process, all identification codes in the database are compared with the transmitted identification code. If there is a match, the user identification of the data record containing the data field with the matching permanent and uniquely attributable identification code is transmitted to the data processing device.

The user assigned to the transmitted user identification will automatically be notified by the data processing facility. The notification can be sent electronically via a telephone number, by email and/or by fax and/or via an app that the user has installed on their mobile device.

Advantageously, when the permanent and clearly identifiable identification code is sent, location data from the finder's external image capture and/or image processing device are also transmitted to the data processing device, so that the user is informed of the location of his found piece of luggage with the automatic notification.

In 3 a general, schematic flow chart of the computer-assisted baggage search is shown from the moment the baggage is found by a finder. The machine-readable image is designed as a QR code, which encodes an internet address with a permanent and uniquely identifiable identification code for a registered baggage. In this case, the internet address refers to a website of the agent or the access platform/access website to the database.

The finder scans the QR code of the found piece of luggage, whereby the QR code is arranged as a sticker and/or as a hardware luggage label or tag on the piece of luggage or is displayed on a display device integrated in the piece of luggage, with an external image capture and/or image processing device, which is, for example, the finder's smartphone or tablet. The external image capture and/or image processing device directs the finder to the website of the agent or the access platform to the database. The process is also referred to as re-routing to the agent's website, whereby the permanent and uniquely attributable identification code of the found piece of luggage is sent to the website. At the same time, the location data is read out by the external image capture and/or image processing device and transmitted to the website along with the permanent and uniquely attributable identification code.

The return procedure is then carried out. The finder is shown information on the website about how to return the found piece of luggage. The return can be made anonymously or not. At the same time, the finder is shown a finder's reward on the website. The finder's reward is preferably set in advance by the owner of the piece of luggage and stored in the database in the data field corresponding to the piece of luggage. The advantage of transmitting the finder's reward to the finder is that the finder is motivated to actually return the piece of luggage to its original owner, i.e. the owner, and to treat it with care until then.

The finder can return the luggage anonymously or not. The finder can send the found luggage by post to an address provided by the website or it can be left at a location previously specified by the owner. The finder can also arrange for the luggage to be picked up via the website.

When the costs are billed, the provider of the website creates a cost invoice for returning the found piece of luggage to the owner and settles the costs with the owner. The cost invoice includes postage costs, agency fees and/or the finder's fee for the found piece of luggage.

If the finder successfully hands over the found piece of luggage, the finder's reward is paid out. The finder's reward can be paid to the finder in various ways. It is conceivable that the finder's reward will be paid out in cash or electronically transferred to an account specified by the finder.

At this point, the main part of the computer-assisted luggage search is completed once the luggage has been found by a finder. Optionally, the finder is offered the opportunity to register as a new user in the database once the luggage has been successfully returned to the owner. Registration follows the familiar procedure, as in, for example, 2 shown at the beginning and is called the Finder registry.

The finder, as a newly registered user, receives a rating following the successful return of a found piece of luggage. Optionally, the finder receives a rating from the owner. This step is also known as the finder rating.

4 shows an example of a machine-readable image in the form of a QR code. This QR code is used to encode a unique identification code for a registered piece of luggage, which is designed to be permanent and unique. It is particularly advantageous if this permanent and uniquely attributable identification code is embedded in an internet link, which takes a finder who scans this QR code directly to a website where the found piece of luggage can be reported.

The QR code shown encodes the characters “text” and is intended only as an example for a so-called luggage digital tag.

5 shows a schematic drawing of a database for registering pieces of luggage. This database, in the form shown, includes a data set which has a uniquely assignable user identification in the form of a Global Unique Identifier Main User (GUID MU). With this user identification, the data set assigned to a user (GUID MU) can be addressed in the database in order to create, save, change and/or delete data fields for pieces of luggage (GE). Digital tags (DT) and/or physical tags (PT) can be saved in the data field (GE) for pieces of luggage. The digital tags (DT) and/or physical tags (PT) are each provided with a counting variable 01, 02, 03, ... to n depending on the total number n.

6 shows a schematic overview of essential participants and means of identification within the scope of the invention. On the one hand, there is the unique GUID MU that clearly identifies the user's data set in the Cloud 4.

On the other hand, 6 an overview of information/data that may be part of the user data set. These are in 6 with Travel Docs and can contain, for example, a copy of the identity card (ID), visa information (Visa), the health pass (Health Pass) with, for example, information on vaccinations and the like and a fingerprint (Fingerprint) and much more. This data/information is assigned to the GUID MU.

Furthermore, 6 the so-called tags (DT-1, DT-2, DT-3, ..., PT-n; PT-1, PT-2, PT-3, ..., PT-n) assigned to the different pieces of luggage, where, as already mentioned above, DT stands for an identification code that can be specified/read on a digital device, for example, and PT stands for a physical identification code that can be read in coded form on a hardware label, for example. These identification codes are created as a permanent identification feature that relates to a specific piece of luggage and is therefore applicable across all trips. The identification code (DT or PT) enables access to information about the piece of luggage that is stored by the user/owner of the piece of luggage in the cloud 4, for example via an app. This information can be information about the piece of luggage itself, such as the contents (before departure) and appearance of the piece of luggage, but in particular information about the trip planned with the piece of luggage (destination, route). The identification code assigned once and permanently to the tag or piece of luggage, which is included in the tag (DT or PT), serves to assign a piece of luggage to a journey or sequence of journeys planned with or via an airline.

In addition, 6 the so-called Global Boarding Pass. The Global Boarding Pass includes a unique identification code for identifying a person, corresponding to the tags. The identification code of the Global Boarding Pass is used to assign the person to a specific trip or sequence of trips, and can be used to access the information/data stored or released in the cloud for the booked trip. After a user has registered in the cloud using an app, the information/data stored in the cloud, which is clearly assigned to the GUID MU, is available for booking future trips. When booking a trip through the airline or a travel agent, this information/data can be entered via the travel agents and, to the extent necessary, retrieved directly from the cloud, or if information/data is missing for the booking, this can be entered into the cloud database. Once the booking or booking process has been completed, the booking information is saved or stored in the cloud database and the pieces of luggage that can be clearly identified via the tags and specified/intended for the trip are released for the booked trip or trip sequence.

The same applies to the Global Boarding Pass (GBP) or the identification code of the Global Boarding Pass (GBP), which or via which the information stored in the cloud database for and for the booked flight can then be read out by a processing participant, such as an airline, a travel agency, bus driver/bus line or for the train journey.

The air traveler and his/her baggage(s) can be identified and assigned to the check-in process at the airport with the released tags and the released Global Boarding Pass (GBP) without any further procedure or without the need for tags and a boarding pass to be generated there. This identification can, for example, also be accompanied by additional verification or a comparison of the biometric data/information stored in the cloud database with the real person at the airport or check-in.

7 shows this process again schematically. After user registration, during which a GUID MU as well as a global boarding pass and tags, each with a unique identification code, were generated or assigned, a travel booking can be made using the information/data available in the cloud database during registration. With or after a successful travel booking, travel approval for the global boarding pass and the tags can be given via the cloud database. The traveler can then go through check-in at the airport with the tags attached to their suitcases and their global boarding pass and board their flight, with the booked airline gaining access to the information relevant to the booking or flight and stored in the cloud database by reading the respective identification codes. Means can also be provided for this purpose with which the global boarding pass and the tags can be read contactlessly at the airport, for example via passive or active RFID codes or via Bluetooth or other suitable technologies.

In addition, a biometric check-in can also take place, in which the biometric information stored in the cloud database is compared with the real person. After successful check-in or after completion of the trip Both the tags and the global boarding pass are deactivated until the next trip, so that no access to any information in the cloud database is possible. If a piece of luggage is lost, a partial deactivation can take place, which, within the scope of the invention, gives a potential finder the opportunity to contact the owner of the piece of luggage (see above).

Out of 8th A schematic overview is provided of how, in the case of an air journey, relevant processing participants, namely, for example, different airlines (AL 01, AL 02, AL n) participate in the method according to the invention or are integrated into it.

The different users (U 01, U 02, U 03, U 04, U 05, O 06, U n) are shown above the stylized cloud. Each of the different users is assigned a user identification (GUID) in the form of an identification cipher. For example, the GUID assigned to user U 01 is X1sU839aB37h. Accordingly, the following assignment applies overall: U 01 / GUID: X1sU839aB37h; U 02 / GUID: X1sU839aB37h; U 03 / GUID: X1sU839aB37h; U 04 / GUID: X1sU839aB37h; U 05 / GUID: X1sU839aB37h; U 06 / GUID: X1sU839aB37h; U n / GUID: X1sU839aB37h. This assignment is stored in the database or on the cloud server.

• • 00058938af114W6d83976f9d5a1229ca für das physikalische Tag PT 01 des Benutzers U1;
• • 01 148938Be114W6d93976f9d5a1229dT für das physikalische Tag PT02 des Benutzers U2;
• • 82148938Be114d6d93976f9d4a12295R für das physikalische Tag PT 06 des Benutzers U3;
• • 73143938Be114d6d93976D9d4a1220o für das physikalische Tag PT 01 des Benutzers U4;
• • 83143938Be122d6d93976D9d4a1226p für das physikalische Tag PT 10 des Benutzers U5;
• • 43143938Be122d6d93976D9d4a12Uz8 für das physikalische Tag PT 01 des Benutzers U6;
• • 24058938af1K4W6d83976f9d5a1229Mm für das physikalische Tag PT 01 des Nutzers Un mit der beliebigen Nr n.

To the left and right of the stylized cloud, baggage identifications are shown together with the associated tag, which can be linked to a real baggage item (PT 01, PT 02, PT 03, PT 04, PT 05, PT 06, PT n) of a registered user (U1, U2, U3, U 4, U5, U6, Un) or in this respect represent a real baggage item (PT 01, PT 02, PT 03, PT 04, PT 05, PT 06, PT n). The number of identification codes generated in the database for baggage identification can be determined by the registered user during registration or later. The registered user can then receive a corresponding number of electronic or embodied physical tags, which he can arrange/provide/attach to the baggage items for identification and for check-in. In 8th The identification codes of the baggage identification (Tag UID) are as follows:

• • 00058938af114W6d83976f9d5a1229ca for the physical tag PT 01 of user U1;
• • 01 148938Be114W6d93976f9d5a1229dT for the physical tag PT02 of user U2;
• • 82148938Be114d6d93976f9d4a12295R for the physical tag PT 06 of user U3;
• • 73143938Be114d6d93976D9d4a1220o for the physical tag PT 01 of user U4;
• • 83143938Be122d6d93976D9d4a1226p for the physical tag PT 10 of user U5;
• • 43143938Be122d6d93976D9d4a12Uz8 for the physical tag PT 01 of user U6;
• • 24058938af1K4W6d83976f9d5a1229Mm for the physical tag PT 01 of the user Un with the arbitrary number n.

This assignment is stored in the database or on the cloud server.

Below the stylized cloud, airlines AL 01, AL 02, AL n, where n is any natural number, are provided as processing participants. According to the invention, the airlines are assigned a defined authorization level in the database, which enables them to carry out the identification processes required for them as part of flight and travel processing. For example, they may only be allowed read access to the information data linked to a tag or its identification code in the database. The same could of course also be permitted for a bus company, a railway company or another passenger transport company.

Settlement participants such as airlines pursuant to 8th can, if permitted, register or have themselves registered in the database as part of the method according to the invention. Through registration, they are assigned the authorization level to which they are entitled and, through this, the intended or required read and/or write access. During registration, the processing participants are assigned a processor identification. This processor identification is preferably generated as elsewhere in the invention as a constant value in the form of a unique and unambiguous identification cipher, stored and assigned to the respective processor, after 8th an airline, assigned: AL 01 / UID: AL-01xUkxsT; AL 02 / UID: AL-02xSuxR1; AL n / UID: AL-nPU85Tr. AL 01 to AL n stand for the registered airlines/airlines that can be integrated into the inventive process through registration.

Other processing participants could include baggage handling service providers or, where appropriate, insurance companies.

Based on your registration, the airlines (AL 01, AL 02, AL n) can not only read the user information data linked to the Global Boarding Pass, but also the baggage information data linked to the baggage tags. When starting a journey for a specific flight/flight route, the baggage identification or a comparison of the assigned identification code can begin by scanning the QR code attached to the baggage. If a match is found and thus the baggage identification is correct, the identification code of the user identification (GUID) can also be verified or a match is made. If both apply correctly, all data relevant to the flight/flight route can be read by the airline and compared with its own information data. If all information is correct, the user can begin the flight.

In many cases, however, the baggage identification is not carried out by the airline but by a so-called baggage handler as a registered processing participant. Part of the check in this regard can also be that the baggage handler compares the baggage(s) with photos that are stored in the inventive database as part of the baggage information data, in order to be able to identify possible damage to the baggage, for example, in order to process this directly with the responsible insurance company. Of course, such a photo check can also be of interest to the Federal Border Police.

9 is a representation of flow charts which explain the relationship between a user identification, i.e. the Global Unique Identifier (GUID) and/or a Global Boarding Pass (GBP) and the baggage identification, i.e. a Unique Identifier (UID), within the scope of the usage or booking process up to baggage drop-off (BagDrop) or boarding at the airport. It is not important whether the Unique Identifier (UID), e.g. in the form of a QR code, is already printed on a physical tag (PT) or exists virtually or does not exist or is only being created.

The flow chart shown on the dashed line on the left shows key elements of the current standard process. The user first books a trip and receives a booking confirmation or a booking code. They can then check in online either from home or at the airport and receive a mobile boarding pass, which they can of course also print out. Alternatively, they can check in at the counter at the airport, as was common in the past, and receive a physical boarding pass.

The step of printing out a previously used baggage label is not shown there. This is because, according to an embodiment of the invention, the processing method according to the invention can intervene flexibly at this point.

• • die sogenannte LPN-Nr, und zwar als 10-stelligen Nr. sowie in Form eines Strichcodes/Barcodes, der insbesondere von den Systemen der Gepäckabfertiger gelesen wird,
• • den Namen des Passagiers
• • die Buchungsnummer
• • die Kategorie des Flugs
• • die Flugnummer und gegebenenfalls
• • ob man sich z.B. im europäischen Schengenraum oder nicht bewegt.

angegeben sind.It should be noted that the currently used baggage label usually contains the following information:

• • the so-called LPN number, namely as a 10-digit number and in the form of a barcode, which is read in particular by the baggage handling systems,
• • the name of the passenger
• • the booking number
• • the category of the flight
• • the flight number and, if applicable,
• • whether you are moving within the European Schengen area or not.

are specified.

The LPN number is a number assigned by the IATA (International Air Transport Association) that is reassigned to each piece of luggage during each check-in process. It is a sequential number that is increased by 1 up to a maximum of 999,999 and starts again at 1 when the maximum size is reached. It is therefore not an identification cipher in the sense of the invention or the Unique Identifier (UID). Its special feature is that once it has been generated, it remains invariant and unique and thus permanent, becoming part of a pool of Unique Identifiers (UID) that can be in active assignment or can be reserved for such an assignment. Each Unique Identifier (UID) can therefore be released from an assignment and reused.

In the process to the left of the dashed line, the integration into the method according to the invention takes place in particular by the contents of the boarding pass created being first read and recorded, e.g. by a scanner, whereby on the basis of this information and possibly additional user information that can be generated at this point, e.g. by reading an ID document, a user registration that may not have taken place yet can be "catch up" within the framework of the method according to the invention. can, whereby the user information can be recorded in the database according to the invention using the cloud and can be assigned to a Global Unique Identifier (GUID) generated therein. If the Global Unique Identifier (GUID) has been assigned, it can be linked to one or more Unique Identifiers (UID) and thus to one or more Physical Tags (PT) that have been assigned to the Physical Tags (PT), i.e. the Unique Identifiers (UID) or Physical Tags (PT) can be assigned to the Global Unique Identifier (GUID). The latter either when they are newly generated or when they are not currently actively assigned, i.e. are still in a non-linked assignment state. If the assignment is completed, the relevant Unique Identifier (UID) is blocked for further assignments until this block is lifted or released. This can be, for example, after the end of a trip. The relevant Unique Identifier (UID) or any Physical Tags (PT) physically assigned to these Unique Identifiers (UID) can then be available for other users and/or another trip. Within the scope of the inventive method, the Physical Tags (PT) can thus be made available, for example, as plastic labels or, for permanent use, from suitable paper/cardboard labels, e.g. as an adhesive label for permanent attachment to, for example, a hard-shell suitcase, on which the Unique Identifier (UID) is printed or engraved, or they can be printed out as is usual with baggage labels/bag tags. In whatever form, they can then be attached for the trip or to the luggage.

For travel processing and in particular for baggage handling and especially in the event that a piece of luggage is lost, all important processes for locating and returning luggage can be controlled on the basis of and with the Unique Identifier (UID). The Unique Identifier (UID) offers the particular advantage that it does not contain any direct information, but as an identification code contains a link to the Global Unique Identifier (UID), which in turn can only be used to extract information from the database, e.g. for the return process, with the appropriate access authorization. The Unique Identifier (UID), unlike the barcode or the other information on the luggage label, which become superfluous with the Unique Identifier (UID), is not easily accessible.

Nevertheless, the invention can provide that in addition to the unique identifier (UID) according to the invention, further information, e.g. such as was already provided on the previous baggage label, is also provided on the baggage label together with the unique identifier (UID). Depending on the size of the airport or the technology used there, this can be human-readable information (e.g. about the departure/destination airport, the flight number, the Schengen area, etc.) (see above for the baggage label). The latter is particularly suitable for baggage handling, since the systems used in this regard are currently often only able to read the original one-dimensional barcode. This makes it highly advantageous according to the invention to flexibly integrate the method according to the invention into existing processing processes and at the same time to enable the advantages, for example, when finding or retrieving items of baggage or in other respects, since important information about the user or their baggage can be made accessible in a secure manner via the connection of the unique identifier (UID) with the global unique identifier (GUID).

To the right of the dashed line in 9 Two preferred variants according to the invention are shown. The processes shown are comparable to those according to 6 and 7 First, the user registers and enters various personal data and information. The registration is confirmed by a verification email, which activates the user account. The user can also register an input device or terminal, e.g. a mobile phone, on which the Global Boarding Pass (GBP) and an app programmed for the method according to the invention will be stored in the future. Once the registration is complete, the Global Unique Identifier (GUID) is generated and assigned to the user, and a Global Boarding Pass (GBP) is assigned, particularly for mobile use and applications.

According to the invention, both the Global Unique Identifier (GUID) and the Global Boarding Pass (GBP) are invariant or permanent identification ciphers. The Global Unique Identifier (GUID) preferably has an irresolvable static relationship/assignment with the user's data record in the database and the Global Boarding Pass (GBP) preferably has an irresolvable static relationship with the Global Unique Identifier (GUID). The Global Boarding Pass (GBP) is preferably specified in the mobile device as a two-dimensional QR code. The use of a Global Boarding Pass (GBP) in mobile applications instead of directly using the Global Unique Identifier (GUID) serves in particular to increase data security, since mobile devices can also be lost.

Furthermore, two variants according to the invention can follow. In the right variant preferred according to the invention, the user has During a trip generation, the traveler receives physical tags (PT), ie possibly bought or rented, which he would like to use for future trips with the unique identifier (UID) attached to them. These unique identifiers (GUID) are therefore identification codes that can be activated or linked for a trip and are therefore in an unlocked and thus linkable assignment state.

If the user has received such physical tags (PT), these physical tags (PT) with their unique identifier (UID) receive a provisional assignment to the user's global unique identifier and are thus blocked for other users. If the user subsequently generates a trip/journey, e.g. as part of a travel booking and receiving boarding pass information and implements this trip by dropping off baggage and boarding at the airport, the provisional assignment is converted into a final assignment. The final assignment can be canceled by an event, e.g. after the trip has ended, or e.g. if the user passes on his physical tags (PT) to a third party. If the user has purchased the physical tags (PT), it can be assumed that deletion of the assignment to the global unique identifier (GUID) is generally not an option. The assignment will change from the state of final assignment to the state of provisional assignment for a future travel process at most. They can therefore remain blocked for third parties. Alternatively, the physical tag can also be assigned a permanently coupled assignment state.

In the left variant preferred according to the invention, the situation is that the user has not yet received a physical tag (PT) before the trip generation. Based on, for example, the trip generation or the boarding pass information generated during the trip generation, an existing inactive physical tag (PT) for a piece of luggage, which can also only be generated/printed at this point in time, e.g. with a unique identifier, can be linked to the global unique identifier. This assignment is initially only provisional until the user drops off their luggage and until boarding or baggage drop-off is completed.

Out of 10 shows a representation on the basis of which the pool concept according to the invention will be explained below. The basic idea includes in particular that identification ciphers according to the invention are uniquely assigned, but can assume at least three assignment states in the assignment, namely the non-detachably coupled assignment state and the detachably coupled assignment state, the latter containing a coupled and a non-coupled assignment state, which are or can be converted into one another. Furthermore, the pool idea consists in the fact that identification ciphers can be generated both individually and in stock, whereby the different assignment states according to the invention can be generated or can be generated from the stock/pool. The pool of identification ciphers can be assigned according to the invention depending, for example, on the encryption level of the identification cipher or different intended uses. For example, there can be a pool of identification ciphers for user identification (the Global Unique Identifier or the Global Boarding Pass), for baggage identification (a Unique Identifier) or for processor identification (a B2B Identifier) or possibly for other identification purposes. This pool idea gives 10 by specifying in a large circle the various aspects relevant to the invention, namely the user identification (Pool of Users), the baggage identification (Pool of Bag Tags), and the processor identification (Pool of B2B Partners), each of which has a different assignment relationship to the pool of Global Boarding Passes (Global BP) and/or the Global Unique Identifier, which according to 10 outside the large circle.

Furthermore, 10 It can be seen that the Global Boarding Pass, ie the user according to 6 different documents can be assigned if, due to the link between the Global Unique Identifier and the Global Boarding Pass, they are contained in the user data record assigned to the Global Unique Identifier.

Presented here and integrable into the Global Boarding Pass or linked to it, for example, are existing concepts such as "ONE ID" (biometric facial recognition for use in relevant steps at the airport - e.g. passing through security gates), but also the addition of travel documents in digital form (identity card, passport, booking confirmations for flight, hotel, rental car, etc. = Travel Docs)

Furthermore, 10 Examples of different luggage labels are shown which are provided with a UID according to the invention in the form of a two-dimensional QR code and which simultaneously also have a one-dimensional barcode.

In addition, 10 various luggage labels according to the invention: Hardware generations: D.2.0, P.3.2b, S.3.0 and S.2LH.0, in which the UID according to the invention in the form of a two-dimensional QR code with the The advantages of the processing method according to the invention can be combined with the existing processing processes and the existing hardware, e.g. in baggage handling, without the need for an immediate change to processes or investment in new processing equipment.

As 10 As can be seen, several QR codes and several barcodes can be assigned to a baggage label. This is advantageous if, as is often the case, the baggage label consists of several components, for example a section for the user (passenger receipt), a bag tag with the content of the LPN number, which should be readable from different directions, and a part that contains additional written information about the flight and to which the LPN number including the corresponding barcode is also assigned.

These sections indirectly represent process or user sections in which the information corresponding to the code can be relevant. Since the identification method according to the invention allows for far more reliable and comprehensive information about the user and the flight and/or baggage to be obtained, it can of course be advantageous according to the invention to also attach the QR code according to the invention at least wherever the bar code was previously indicated on the label. The latter is particularly useful for finding a lost piece of luggage.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description and the drawings, although they represent certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for illustration purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims and their range of equivalence. In particular, this description and the figures also reveal features of the embodiments that are not mentioned in the claims. Such features can also occur in combinations other than those specifically disclosed here. The fact that several such features are mentioned in the same sentence or in another type of textual context does not justify the conclusion that they can only occur in the specifically disclosed combination; instead, it is generally assumed that some of several such features can also be omitted or modified, provided that this does not call into question the functionality of the invention.

Throughout the specification and claims, the term "a" is used as an indefinite article and does not limit the number of parts to a single one. If "a" has the meaning of "only one", this will be understood by the person skilled in the art from the context or will be clearly disclosed by the use of appropriate terms such as "a single one".

List of reference symbols

GUID MU

Global Unique Identifier Main User

VAT number

Unique identifiers

DT

Digital Day

PT

Physical Day

ENG

Piece of luggage

B2C

Business-to-Customer

B2B

Business to Business

2

Input device

4

Data processing facility

6

Database

8th

Application interface

10

Communication connection

12

external image capture and/or image processing device

14

machine-readable image

16

Piece of luggage

17

Hand Held of a Baggage Handling Service Provider

Claims (29)

Method for the computer-assisted processing of identification processes by processing participants, in particular in the context of travel, in particular air travel, with the aid of at least one data processing device (4) which is connected to a database (6), wherein the database (6) has at least one application interface (8) and at least one data record with at least one data field, wherein a user can enter a data record into the database via an input device (2) which forms a communication connection (10) with the at least one data processing device (4), with at least the steps: registering a user, wherein the registration involves entering and providing user information data and/or Baggage item information data for at least one piece of baggage is included; generating or providing one or more user identifications (GUID), whereby the user identifications • are generated as invariant identification ciphers and • are each assigned to a user in a non-releasably coupled manner with the user's data record, whereby the data record, the user identification (GUID) and the non-releasably coupled assignment are stored in the database; Generating or providing one or more baggage identifications or processing identifications, wherein the baggage identifications or processing identifications • are generated as invariant identification ciphers and • can be assigned to a piece of baggage or to a processing participant, the data set and/or the user identification and/or a Global Boarding Pass (GBP) in a detachably or non-detachably coupled manner, whereby the respectively assigned identification cipher can be converted into a non-detachably coupled or a detachably coupled assignment state, wherein the detachably coupled assignment state includes a coupled or non-coupled assignment state, and wherein the identification ciphers and the respective assignment state of the baggage identification are stored in the database. Procedure according to Claim 1 , whereby the transition from the coupled state to a non-coupled state or vice versa can be made dependent on a temporal or other event or result. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the coupled assignment states comprise a provisionally coupled assignment state and a finally coupled assignment state, wherein the baggage item identification is first transferred to the provisionally coupled assignment state and, after a verification step, passes into the finally coupled assignment state. Procedure according to Claim 3 , wherein, before transferring to a provisionally linked assignment state, a processing participant collects and/or compares user information data from a user's virtual or physical user boarding pass. Procedure according to Claim 3 or 4 , whereby a journey implementation verification is carried out before transfer to a final-coupled assignment state. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the respectively assigned identification cipher is assigned to a locked or releasably locked assignment state. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the identification cipher can be combined with further identification codes. Procedure according to Claim 7 , whereby the identification cipher can be represented as a two-dimensional QR code, which is used in addition to a one-dimensional bar code. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data set can be at least partially read by application participants and/or third parties via the application interface (8). Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in the database (6) the data record is supplemented with travel information data via the application interface (8) or the travel information data in the database (6) is assigned to the data record and wherein the travel information data can be at least partially supplemented and/or at least partially read out by application participants and/or third parties via the application interface (8). Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the identification process comprises a comparison of at least one identification cipher stored in the database with an identification cipher available at the processing participant and the identification access is granted depending on a successful comparison of the identification ciphers. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the identification access comprises a statement about an authorization status of the user stored in the database and/or a defined read and/or write access. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises generating or providing one or more travel document identifications, wherein the travel document identification is generated as an invariant identification cipher and is statically assigned to the user identification in a non-releasable manner, wherein the travel document identification and the non-releasable assignment are stored. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a global boarding pass for travel means is created for the user, wherein the global boarding pass is assigned one of the travel document identifications which can be linked to processing information data relevant to travel or a trip in the database, wherein the global boarding pass is created automatically when the user registers or upon request by the user. Procedure according to Claim 14 , whereby the identification process for the Global Boarding Pass includes a comparison of the identification code according to Claim 11 , whereby the identification access provides a statement about the authorization status stored in the database according to Claim 12 , where the eligibility status includes a travel eligibility status. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the identification ciphers are kept in stock in any number. Procedure according to Claim 16 , whereby the identification ciphers provided are assigned stochastically during registration. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the registration can be carried out in one process for a group of users. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises registering a settlement participant. Procedure according to Claim 19 , whereby when registering the settlement participant, settlement information data is entered into the or a data record, which data record is assigned to the settlement participant via a settlement identification and stored in the database, whereby the settlement identification is generated and stored as an invariant identification cipher for all future identification processes of a registered settlement participant. Procedure according to Claim 19 or 20 , whereby when the processing participant is registered, the processing participant is assigned an authorization level for read and/or write access to the user's data set, which defines the scope of the read and/or write access. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the method for tracking and locating a piece of luggage (16) is carried out with the following steps: • Creating at least one machine-readable image (14) for the at least one piece of luggage (16) by the data processing device (4) on the basis of the unique identification code assigned to the at least one piece of luggage (16), wherein the creation takes place automatically or upon request by the user, • Storing the at least one created machine-readable image (14) in the data field of the database (6), wherein the data field is assigned to the at least one piece of luggage (16), and/or transmitting the created machine-readable image (14) to a display device on the at least one piece of luggage (16), and/or creating a physical identification element that can be applied to the at least one piece of luggage (16) with the created machine-readable image (14), • Identifying the at least one piece of luggage (16) by reading the machine-readable image (14), which is displayed on the display device on the at least one piece of luggage (16) and/or is attached as a physical identification element to the at least one piece of luggage (16), with the aid of an external image capture and/or image processing device (12) which is capable of reading machine-readable images (14), • sending the permanent and uniquely assignable identification code of the piece of luggage (16) read from the machine-readable image (14) to the data processing device (4), • checking for read authorization for the identification code stored in the database and, if authorization is available, comparing the permanent and uniquely assignable identification code of the piece of luggage (16) with the database (6) by the data processing device (4) and • automatically notifying the user registered in the database (6) about the identification of at least one of his pieces of luggage (16) registered in the database (6) by the data processing device (4) if the unique identification code sent is approved and matches the code of the at least one detected piece of luggage (16) with the unique identification code stored in the database (6) Procedure according to Claim 22 , wherein when the identified unique identification code of the at least one piece of luggage (16) is sent, the location of the external image capture and/or image processing device (12) is additionally sent to the data processing device (4) in the form of position data. Procedure according to Claim 22 , wherein when the user registered in the database (6) is automatically notified of the identification of his at least one item of luggage (16) registered in the database (6), a message is sent to a telephone number and/or fax number and/or e-mail address and/or postal address previously stored by him in the database (6). Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein when registering at least one piece of luggage (16) unique identification code further data, which represent further information on the at least one piece of luggage (16), are stored in a data field. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the user must verify himself to the data processing device (4) upon registration in order to be able to access the data of his data set that can be uniquely assigned to him and/or to be able to add at least one data field to the data set. Computer system, wherein the computer system is designed to carry out the method for the computer-assisted processing of processing of identification processes by processing participants according to at least one of the Patent claims 1 - 26 to execute. Computer program, wherein the computer program is designed to implement the method for computer-assisted processing of processing of identification processes by processing participants according to at least one of the Patent claims 1 - 26 on a computer system Patent claim 11 to execute. A computer program product comprising executable program code, the program code, when executed on a computer system, Patent claim 27 the procedure for the computer-assisted processing of identification processes by processing participants according to at least one of the Patent claims 1 - 18 executes.

Images