Travel card: Airport self-check in using a wireless PDA

Abstract

A pilot project conducted at an airport allows passengers to self check-in and board using a personal digital assistant (PDA). The PDA runs a tiny browser wirelessly networked to a server. Transcoding software connects PDAs, gate readers and displays to the legacy reservation and departure control system. Gate readers cause digital photographs of passengers to appear during boarding for security check. Flight attendant PDAs and reception desk laptops receive digital photographs and flight records of passengers as they approach to allow personalized greetings.