The Bluetooth chips that can set up a wireless links between computers and
other digital devices have found another use: tracing lost luggage in airports.
Bluetags of Denmark suggests fitting the chips into a smart label for suitcases
that stores the owner鈥檚 itinerary and personal details (WO 01/37004). The owner
activates the label on departure, and the luggage spends the journey
transmitting its call sign. A portable receiver built into a cellphone picks
this up. Bluetooth only has a range of a few metres, but that鈥檚 enough for the
cellphone to direct the owner to the right carousel. Airports could use similar
receivers to identify lost baggage.
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