HK1208655B - Method for automatic baggage handling and associated system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic deposition method for objects intended for the transportation of said objects. It also relates to a system implementing this method.

The field of the invention is the field of object transportation, and more particularly, the field of air transportation.

The invention can be particularly implemented in places such as airports for the deposit of luggage by an air passenger in order to transport the luggage into the cargo hold of an aircraft.

It can also be implemented in places such as post offices for the deposit of packages to be transported by a postal company.

State of the art

The first baggage handling systems equipped in airports include a main conveyor. Luggage is placed on the main conveyor by operators who transport these bags from a drop-off area to the main conveyor. Once placed on the main conveyor, the luggage is transported by the main conveyor to a baggage loading area in the airplane.

Next-generation systems include, in addition to the main conveyor, secondary conveyors that connect the baggage drop-off area to the main conveyor, thus avoiding the need for operators to transport luggage from the baggage drop-off area to the main conveyor. Luggage is placed on the secondary conveyors by authorized personnel after verifying passengers' boarding passes.

These next-generation systems have been modified to allow users to automatically drop off their luggage, among other things, to achieve faster luggage check-in. To do this, the loading area has been equipped with a terminal that checks the user's boarding pass and their right to carry a checked bag, and optionally prints an identification tag for their luggage.

However, many airports are still equipped with the first-generation baggage drop systems: these systems include only a main conveyor and no secondary conveyor. Luggage deposited by users in the drop-off areas is loaded onto the main conveyor by operators.

Equipping each of these airports with a new generation baggage handling system involves a high cost and causes a significant period of airport downtime. Moreover, existing airports do not always have enough space to install secondary conveyor systems. Therefore, it is difficult and especially costly to implement existing automated systems in these airports.

The U.S. document 2004/035928 A1 is known, which describes a method for depositing luggage onto a conveyor, for transporting the luggage, at a deposit area comprising an entry point and an exit point.

The invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a baggage drop-off process and system allowing for automated and secure deposit of baggage directly onto the main conveyor, which are less expensive than equipping existing sites with first or second generation systems described above.

Exposition of the Invention

The invention makes it possible to achieve at least one of the aforementioned objectives by an automatic deposition process of at least one object onto a conveyor, for the purpose of transporting said at least one object, at a specific area, called the deposit area, which is defined and provides access to said conveyor. Said deposit area includes at least one entry point and at least one exit point. The method, during the deposition of at least one object by at least one user, comprises: ▪ a phase, called the entry into the deposit area, including the following steps: reading, called first reading, of an access authorization data provided by said user,and when the read authorization data is valid, authorization for said user to enter said deposit area; and ▪ a phase, called the deposit phase, comprising the following steps: reading, called second reading, of said authorization data within the deposit area, when the authorization data read during the second reading is data previously read during the first reading, creation and issuance of a means, called a label, for identifying said object, including at least one data related to the transportation and/or identification of the object, placing said identification label on said object, and depositing said object onto said conveyor by said user.

In the following description, the words "user" and "passenger" are used interchangeably, as well as the words "object" and "baggage".

Thus, the invention makes it possible to automatically deposit luggage, without having to equip existing facilities with bulky and expensive elements, and without compromising the safety of transportation.

In addition, the invention allows for optimizing the space at the site by avoiding the presence of secondary conveyors and ensures a better object throughput, particularly for passengers in the case of air transport, and limits the waiting time for object drop-off.

Of course, the conveyor remains inaccessible to passengers outside the item drop-off area.

The method according to the invention may further include, prior to placing at least one object on said conveyor, a step of defining a placement area as described. Such an area can be defined by installing limiting means, such as barriers or others.

The label creation step may include a printing step of at least one data on a support and/or an encoding step of at least one data in digital form into a memory, such as an RFID chip, integrated into the label.

Once the label is issued, the user can place their baggage on the conveyor belt by themselves. It is equipped with a label so that it can be properly directed to the designated means of transport, especially the airplane, and sufficient security is ensured within the area to prevent an object/baggage not belonging to an authorized user/passenger from being loaded onto the means of transport / airplane. An object/baggage without a label is necessarily left at the dock.

To determine whether the authorization data read during the second reading is authorization data that was already read during the first reading, the method according to the invention may, for example, include, during the entry phase into the deposit area, storing in a remote or local database the authorization data read during the first reading step, and during the deposit phase, consulting this database and comparing the authorization data read during the second reading with the data stored in the database.

Advantageously, the authorization data can be recorded on a barcode boarding pass or in digital form in a memory, such as an RFID chip integrated into this card, which is read by various readers.

To determine whether the authorization data is valid or not, after the first reading step, the phase of entering the deposit area may include consulting a remote or local database. The phase of entering the deposit area may then include a step of comparing the read authorization data with data stored in the database and relating to: a departure location, for example, the departure location of a flight in the case of baggage transported by air, an arrival location, for example, the arrival location of a flight in the case of baggage transported by air, a departure time, and/or a right associated with a transportation, for example, the baggage allowance associated with a flight in the case of air transport.

The entry phase into the deposit area may further include: a step of reading an identity data, for example, reading an identification document, a number from an identification document, user biometric data such as the user's fingerprints or retinal scan, and a step of verifying the association between the read authorization data and the read identity data. The permission to enter the area is then also dependent on the result of this verification step.

Such a verification ensures that the user presenting the authorization data is indeed the person to whom this authorization was issued.

Such a verification can be performed by comparing the identity data with previously stored data in a database and/or directly on the medium, for example the boarding pass, from which the authorization data is read.

The entry step into the deposit area may further include opening an entry regulation device, such as a barrier or gate, in the deposit area.

Such a device can be controlled directly by the reading means performing the first reading, or by a central server depending on the data communicated to it by the reading means performing the first reading and/or the result of at least one other verification carried out by the server itself, such as the matching between the biometric data read and those stored in a database.

The method according to the invention may further comprise a phase, called the "exit from the deposit area," carried out after the deposit phase, and including, in particular when the label comprises a remotely readable data carrier, such as an RFID chip: an step of detecting a label delivered in the deposit area but not affixed to an object before exiting the deposit area, and a step of opening a exit control device, such as a barrier or gate, of the deposit area when no label is detected during the detection step.

Thus, it is possible to detect the passenger or passengers who have left with a label that was not affixed to the item for which it was issued, and who could therefore later try to apply it to another item that is not controlled, for example.

Such a detection can be carried out by placing RFID tag detection portals at the exit point, and more generally, remote-readable tags.

According to one embodiment, the method may include: a step of memorizing, in association with the user, the labels issued to the user; a step of detecting the labels affixed to objects passing on the conveyor; a step of modifying the status of data associated with the label once the label is detected on the conveyor.

In other words, during the issuance step of each label, an entry of the issued label reference can be made, as a issued label: either on an identification medium from which the authorization data is read, or in a remote or local database, in conjunction with the authorization data or with user identification data associated with the authorization data.

Then, when each object is placed on the conveyor, the label's reference is read by a reader, for example a portal through which the objects are transported by the conveyor or placed onto the conveyor. Each read reference is stored in a database as a deposited label.

In this case, the step of detecting the output phase may include: a reading step, called third reading, of data related to the user, and a step of checking the status of the labels stored in association with the user; the step of opening a device for regulating the exit from the deposit area is carried out based on the status of the labels and optionally on the result of comparing data relating to the weight and/or dimensions of the objects to which the labels have been applied.

In particular, the detection step can then, in this embodiment, and for at least one user wanting to leave the drop-off area, include the following steps: a third reading of the user's authorization data, and verification that all labels stored as "issued" are also stored as "deposited."

If yes, the user's exit is authorized. Otherwise, an appropriate processing step can be taken.

The method according to the invention may further include a step of measuring and verifying the weight or dimensions of at least one object during the entry phase into the deposit area or during the deposit phase.

Thus, it is possible to check that the object to be transported, for example in an airplane, is indeed the one that was previously verified.

Advantageously, for at least one object, the measurement and verification step can include: before the deposit step, a step of storing at least one data related to a dimension or weight of the object, in the label that will be attached to the object or in a database, and during/after the step of placing the object on the conveyor: ▪ a step of measuring the weight or dimension of the object, and ▪ a step of comparing said measured weight or dimension with said stored weight or dimension data.

Advantageously, the authorization to exit the discharge area by opening the control device can also be granted based on the result of this measurement and verification step.

According to another aspect of the invention, an automatic deposit system for at least one object onto a conveyor for transporting said at least one object is proposed. Said system comprises: at least one means for defining a zone, called a deposit zone, allowing access to said conveyor and comprising at least one entry point into said zone and at least one exit point from said zone; at each entry point into said deposit zone, at least one reading means, called a first reader, for an authorization data; within the deposit zone: at least one reading means, called a second reader, for an identification data, and at least one means for issuing an identification means, called a label, to be affixed on the object to be deposited, and at least one database storing data relating to the user and/or the object, accessible by said readers (116, 132); and means for comparing the data read by the first reader with data stored in the database and/or with the data read by the second reader.

The system according to the invention may further comprise, at each entry point of the deposit area, at least one means for regulating the entry into said deposit area.

The system according to the invention may further comprise, at each output point of the deposit area: ▪ at least one output regulation means for said deposit area, and ▪ at least one reading means, referred to as the third reader, for data relating to the user, such as authorization data; the database being further accessible to said third reader.

At least one of the first, second, or third reader, and in particular the second reader, may also be or include a writing means, notably for printing or recording digital data on the label and/or on an identification medium from which the authorization data is read.

The system according to the invention may further include at least one means for measuring the weight or dimensions of an object.

Advantageously, the system can further include at least one writing means on the label and/or on an identification medium from which the authorization data is read, said writing means being in communication, at least indirectly, with at least one weight or dimension measuring means and/or with at least one label dispensing means.

The system according to the invention is particularly suitable for automated baggage handling in an airport.

Other advantages and features will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description of non-limiting examples, and the attached drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a system according to the invention; and FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of the steps of a method according to the invention.

It goes without saying that the embodiments described in the following are in no way limiting. It will be possible, for example, to imagine variations of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described hereafter, isolated from the other characteristics described, provided that this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to distinguish the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one functional preference characteristic without structural details, or with only part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to distinguish the invention from the prior art.

In particular, all the described variants and implementation methods can be combined with each other as long as there is no technical obstacle to such a combination.

On the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting embodiment of a system according to the invention.

The system 100 of FIGURE 1 allows for automated baggage deposit in an airport, including a conveyor 102 that transports the deposited luggage to a baggage loading area in the cargo hold of an aircraft.

The system includes a barrier assembly 104 that is attached to the conveyor 102 in order to prevent any luggage from being placed on it, except in a designated area 106, called the deposit area, which is defined by the barrier assembly 102 and allows access to the conveyor.

The system 100 includes a passage control device 108 located at the entrance 110 of the deposit area 106, and a passage control device 112 located at the exit 114 of the deposit area 106.

Each passage control device 108, 112 can be a door or a barrier that can be moved, by one or more motors (not shown), between a closed position that prohibits passage and an open position that allows passage.

Thus, in the open position, device 108 allows passage into the deposit area 106 from outside the deposit area, and device 112 allows passage from the deposit area 106 to outside the deposit area 106.

Outside the deposit area, near entrance 110, a reading device 116, called the first reader, is placed, capable of reading an access authorization data stored on or in an identification medium within the deposit area 106.

The identification medium can be a barcode boarding pass or an RFID card. When the boarding pass is a barcode type, the authorization data can be contained or represented by the barcode on the boarding pass. When the boarding pass includes an RFID card, the authorization data is stored in a chip of the RFID boarding pass.

The first reader 116 may also optionally read an identification medium written on/in a passenger's identity document or the passenger's biometric data, such as for example by means of a fingerprint or retinal scan.

The first reader 116 is connected, via a network 118, such as an Internet network, to a central server 120, either local or remote, with which it is capable of communicating. The server 120 stores data relating to users, who in the present example are passengers, in a database 122. This server can itself connect to other servers to validate passenger rights.

The first reader 116 is connected to the input control device 108, which it controls based on the results of the comparison between the data read from one or more identification media and the data stored in the central server's database 122.

Inside the deposit area 106, the system 100 also includes two kiosks 124 and 126, which can optionally each be associated with a loading device, respectively 128 and 130. Each kiosk 124, 126 also includes: a reader, referenced respectively 132 and 134, referred to as the second reader, for an identification means such as a boarding pass, and a printer, referenced respectively 136 and 138, for printing baggage identification means, such as baggage tags.

Each terminal 124, 126 is also capable of communicating with the central server 120 through the network 118.

Each loading device 128, 130 comprises at least one means for weighing luggage, and optionally at least one means for checking their dimensions.

Each charging device 128, 130 is connected to the corresponding terminal, respectively 124 and 126, which is capable of retrieving values sent by the charging devices 128 and 130, comparing them with authorized values stored locally or remotely, for example at the server 120 in the database 122. The printing of the label or other operations (passenger inquiry, payment, etc.) can be initiated based on the result of this comparison.

Each terminal 128 and 130 also includes interaction means (not shown) with the passenger, such as a keyboard, a screen, and optionally payment means.

The system 100 also includes a reading device 140, called the third reader, located inside the deposit area 106 at the output 114, which is identical to the first reader 116. This third reader is also connected to the server 120 via the network 118 and allows the control of the output regulation device 112.

Regarding the exit 114 of the drop-off area 106, the system 100 also includes an identification tag detection device 142, such as RFID tags. This allows detecting whether a passenger attempts to leave the drop-off area 106 while carrying a tag. Light and/or sound warning means (not shown) may be provided in case a passenger is carrying a tag.

The 142 detection device is also connected to the server 120 via the network 118.

The system 100 includes a tunnel 144 positioned above the conveyor 102 when the luggage exits the area through the conveyor 102. This tunnel 144 includes means for detecting labels, and optionally for reading data, for example, stored in an RFID chip when the labels are RFID tags. The tunnel 144 is also connected to the central server 120 via the communication network 118, and thus to the database 122 where data related to the luggage and the various elements of the system are stored.

Tunnel 144 may also include means (not shown) for weighing and/or checking the dimensions of luggage.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an example of an automated object deposition process for their transportation according to the invention.

The process 200 shown in FIGURE 2 is described, more particularly, within the context of automated baggage deposit by air passengers in an airport, and can be implemented by the system 100 of FIGURE 1 without being limited to this system.

During step 202, the passenger who wishes to enter the secure drop-off area, for example area 106, presents his boarding pass, which includes a barcode, on a first reader, for example the first reader 116.

During stage 204, the first reader reads the barcode. This barcode allows coding an identifier that identifies the passenger.

Eventually, process 200 may include a step 206 in which the passenger presents an identification document to the first reader, and a step 208 in which the first reader reads the data from the identification document to obtain identity data or to obtain the passenger's biometric data (for example, a fingerprint).

During step 210, the first reader sends the data read during step 204, and optionally the data read during step 208, to a remote central server, such as for example server 120, through a communication network, such as for example network 118.

During a step 212, the central server, using the passenger's identifier, retrieves from a database, for example database 122, the data stored with the received identifier. These data include information related to the passenger's trip.

The central server compares, at step 214, the data received from the first reader with the data extracted from the database and/or with predetermined data. For example, the central server may compare a departure location with an authorized departure location, a departure day with an authorized departure day, flight time with an authorized time range, or a flight number with a list of authorized flight numbers, also stored on the server, and checks whether the passenger has authorization to check baggage.

At step 216, the central server issues an authorization data. When the extracted data corresponds to the read data, the central server grants authorization in the deposit area; otherwise, it issues a denied authorization data or an error.

During step 218, the central server updates the status of data associated with the boarding pass to indicate whether it has entered the drop-off area or not. For example, a "baggage registration?" data can change from "0" to "1".

It should be noted that this status data can also be checked before issuing an authorization data, for example, to prevent a passenger from entering whose baggage registration data indicates that he has already been authorized to enter the secure area for drop-off.

The central server sends to the first reader a message containing the authorization data or an error message during step 220.

In step 222, if the received message includes granted authorization data, the first reader commands the opening of an input control device at the drop-off area, such as device 108, allowing the passenger to enter the drop-off area. Otherwise, the error message received from the central server is displayed on the reader's display screen.

Alternatively, the comparison and authorization issuance steps can be performed at the level of the first reader that has previously retrieved information from the central server. It should be noted that the step of obtaining identity data and comparing these data with extracted data is optional. Similarly, the data examined for authorization are given as an example, and other data or combinations of data could also be examined at this stage.

Once in the drop-off area, the passenger can then proceed to a second reading means, for example, station 124 including a second reader 132.

The passenger presents his boarding pass to the second reader located in the kiosk 124, during step 224.

The barcode, containing the passenger's identifier and possibly other data, is read by the terminal 124 during step 226.

The terminal requests the central server for the status data associated with the just-read identifier, during step 228.

It is also possible to record the time at which the passenger entered the drop-off area and check that this time is not too far from the current time.

The status data is sent by the server to the terminal during step 230.

If, based on the status data, it turns out that the passenger entered the area with the boarding pass scanned at the first reader, the kiosk grants, at step 232, permission to the passenger to check their baggage.

Otherwise, an error message appears on a screen of the terminal. It is also possible to associate this error with an alert at the terminal level, which may be equipped with sound and/or light means for this purpose.

If it has been detected at the entrance of the deposit area, that is, at the entrance of the deposit area, during step 216 for example, that the passenger does not have the right to deposit a baggage, it is then possible to grant the passenger the right to enter the area in order to purchase an additional baggage allowance at the kiosk. In this case, data related to the baggage deposit is also stored, for example during step 218. This data regarding the right to deposit baggage is checked at the kiosk, and depending on the value of this data (if the passenger is not authorized to deposit the baggage), a special screen for purchasing appears. The kiosk can, in this case, be equipped with a bank card payment terminal, for example.

If the passenger is authorized to check a baggage, during step 234, he places his bags one by one on a loading device capable of measuring the weight and optionally the dimensions of the baggage, for example the loading device 128 of the system 100.

Each baggage is weighed one by one at step 236. The dimensions of each baggage are also checked.

The weight of each baggage is transmitted to the kiosk by the loading device during step 238.

During a 240 step, the scale compares the weight of each baggage to one or more predetermined thresholds, which may be partially extracted from the central server and can be related to the passenger (if, according to the passenger's status, the weight of the baggage that he is allowed to carry changes).

In the case where the weight and/or dimensions of the baggage are not compliant, an error message is displayed on the kiosk. It is also possible to allow the passenger to pay an additional fee to cover this irregularity or to activate visual and/or audible alerts.

If the weight and dimensions of each piece of luggage as measured are correct, during step 242, the terminal equipped with a printer, for example printer 136 of system 100, prints a conventional baggage tag.

Then the user applies the printed label to the corresponding luggage during step 244.

He then places the luggage on the conveyor, for example the conveyor 102 of FIGURE 1.

Once all his luggage has been placed on the conveyor, the passenger leaves the deposit area, possibly after scanning his boarding pass again on a reading device, such as the third reader of system 100 of FIGURE 1.

In another alternative or combined embodiment with the previously described embodiment, the printed label includes an RFID chip. When a passenger wishes to exit the secure drop-off area, he passes through the exit point via a detector, such as detection device 142 of FIGURE 1, designed to detect RFID chips on labels carried by the user. If the user is carrying labels, the detector identifies them and activates visual and/or audible alarm means. In the case where such a detector is positioned in front of an exit control device for the drop-off area, such as device 112 of FIGURE 1, the third reader can also disable the opening command of this device, thereby preventing the passenger from exiting the drop-off area.

In another alternative mode of implementation or in combination with the already described mode(s) of implementation, the conveyor is equipped with a tunnel, such as tunnel 144 shown in FIGURE 1. During the printing of the label, a reference or an identification data of the RFID chip located in the printed label is associated with the boarding pass identifier, either at the level of the central server, in which case these data are sent to the central server, for example in the form of a message, so that it associates an RFID chip identifier read before printing with the boarding pass identifier, or by writing the boarding pass identifier into the RFID chip. Other data may also be written into the baggage's RFID chip or at the remote server, such as, for example, weight and/or dimension data of the baggage to which the label is attached. The number of bags that have been registered with the boarding pass is also recorded at the central server.

When the luggage passes under the conveyor tunnel, the RFID chips of the luggage are detected and their contents are read. The tunnel can also check the weight of the luggage using a scale placed under the conveyor and compare this weight with the one recorded in the chip. If the weight of the luggage does not match the weight recorded during the label printing step, an audible alarm can be triggered at the tunnel level to put the luggage on hold. The measured data and the recorded data are compared locally at the tunnel level or at the central server level.

It is also possible to enter into the central database that the luggage with a predetermined ID has indeed passed through the conveyor and its weight corresponds to that of the registered luggage.

In this case, when the passenger wants to leave the secure drop-off area, their boarding pass is read using the third reader located at the exit of the drop-off area. The third reader then communicates with the central server to check whether all luggage associated with the boarding pass ID that has just been read has been properly detected in the tunnel, and whether the weight of each piece of luggage corresponds to the weight measured at the weighbridge.

If this is the case, the device controls the opening of the output regulation device, thus allowing the passenger to exit the drop-off area. If this is not the case, the output regulation device remains closed and prevents exit from the drop-off area. A visual and/or audible alarm is then activated to alert an operator.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described. In its simplest configuration, the system according to the invention does not include a control point at the exit of the deposit area. Identity data are not necessarily also scanned at the entrance. The number of kiosks in the deposit area is not limited to what has been described. Similarly, the number of entry and exit points is not limited to what has been described and can be modified to facilitate passenger flow and limit the waiting time for baggage drop-off. The kiosks described may have many other functions besides those described (seat change, purchase of additional services, etc.). The loading device could also be associated with the first reader and not with the second one.

Claims (16)

1. A method (200) for the automatic drop-off of at least one object on a conveyor belt (102), for the purpose of transporting said at least one object, at an area (106), called drop-off area, delimited and allowing access to said conveyor belt (102), said drop-off area (106) comprising at least one point of entry (110) and at least one point of exit (114), and said method comprising, during the drop-off of at least one object by at least one user:

   - a phase (202-222), called drop-off area (106) entry phase, comprising the following steps:

   • reading (204), called first reading, of a drop-off area (106) access authorisation data provided by said user, and

   • when the read authorization data is valid, authorizing (216-222) of said user to enter said drop-off area (106); and

   - a phase (224-246), called drop phase, comprising the following steps:

   • reading (226), called second reading, said authorisation data inside the drop-off area (106),

   • if the authorization data read during the second reading is a data read previously during the first reading, creating and delivering (242) a means, called a tag, of identification of said object comprising at least one data relating to the transport and/or the identification of the object,

   • affixing said identification tag to said object, and

   • drop-off (244) of said object on said conveyor belt (102) by said user.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of creating the tag comprises a step of printing the at least one data on a media and/or a step of writing the at least one data in digital form to a memory, such as an RFID chip, integrated in the tag.
3. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the authorization data is written on a bar code boarding card or in digital form in a memory, such as an RFID chip.
4. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the phase of entry to the drop-off area (106) comprises a step (214) of comparing the read authorization data with a data relating to:

   - a departure location, for example a departure location of a flight in the case of a bag transported by air,

   - an arrival location, for example an arrival location of a flight in the case of a bag transported by air,

   - a departure time, and/or

   - an entitlement associated with a transport.
5. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the phase (202-222) of entering the drop-off area comprises:

   - a step (208) of reading an identity data, and

   - a step (214) of verifying the association of the read authorization data with the read identity data, the authorization to enter the area then also depending on the result of this verification step.
6. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the authorization step (216-222) comprises an opening (222) of a device (108) controlling entry into the drop-off area (106).
7. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a phase, called drop-off area (106) exit phase, performed after the drop phase (224-246) and comprising, when the tag comprises a remotely readable data medium, such as an RFID chip:

   - a step of detecting a tag delivered in the drop-off area and not affixed to an object before exit from the drop-off area, and

   - a step of opening a device (114) for controlling the exit from the drop-off area (106) when no tag is detected during the detection step.
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises:

   - a step of recording, in association with the user, tags delivered to the user,

   - a step of detecting tags affixed to objects passing along the conveyor belt, and

   - a step of changing the status of data associated with the tag once the tag has been detected on the conveyor belt.
9. The method according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the detection step of the exit phase comprises:

   - a step of reading, called third reading, of a data relating to the user, and

   - a step of verifying the status of tags stored in association with the user;

   the step of opening a device (114) for controlling the exit from the drop-off area (106) being performed depending on the status of the tags and optionally on the result of the comparison of previously determined data relating to the weight and/or to the dimensions of the objects to which the tags have been affixed.
10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step (236) of measurement and verification of a weight or a dimension of at least one object during the drop-off area (106) entry phase or during the drop-off of phase (224-246).
11. The method (200) according to claim 10, characterized in that, for at least one object, the step (236) of measurement and verification comprises:

    - before the drop-off step (246), a step of storing at least one data relating to a dimension or a weight of the object, and

    - during/after the step of drop-off of the object on the conveyor belt (102):

    ▪ a step of measuring a weight or a dimension of the object, and

    ▪ a step of comparing said measured weight or said measured dimension with said stored item of weight or dimension data.
12. A system (100) for the automatic drop-off of at least one object on a conveyor belt (102) for the purpose of the transport of said at least one object, said system (100) comprising:

    - at least one means (104) for delimiting an area (106), called drop-off area, allowing access to said conveyor belt (102) and comprising at least one point of entry (110) into said drop-off area (106) and at least one point of exit (114) from said drop-off area (106),

    - at each point of entry (110) into said drop-off area (102) at least one means (116), called first reader, of reading of an authorization data,

    - in the drop-off area (106):

    ▪ at least one means (132,134), called second reader, of reading an authorization data,

    ▪ at least one means (136,138) of creating and delivering a means, called tag, of identification to be affixed to the object to be dropped, and

    - at least one database (122) storing data relating to the user and/or to the object, which can be accessed by said readers (116,132), and

    - means of comparing data read by the first reader with data stored in the database and data read by the first reader with those read by the second reader;

    the system being configured to carry out the steps of the method according to claim 1.
13. The system (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises, at each point of exit (114) from the drop-off area (106):

    ▪ at least one means (112) of controlling the exit from said drop-off area (106), and

    ▪ at least one means (140), called third reader, of reading an authorization data;

    the database (122) also being accessible to said third reader (140).
14. The system (100) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that it also comprises at least one means (128,130) of measuring a weight or a dimension of an object.
15. The system (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it also comprises means (136,138) of writing, specifically printing or entering a digital data, onto the tag and/or on an identification media from which the authorization data is read.
16. Airport equipped with an automatic bag drop system (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 15.