Abstract: A system and method for item tracking and management. A marking tag is affixed to each item to be tracked, such as articles of commercial airline passenger luggage, so that it can be read as items enter and leave the system through which they are actively managed. The marking tag bears unique identifying information that in a central registration database is associated with the person to which the item (or items) belongs. The marking tag may also bear additional information about the owner or the about the article itself. Each time the owner checks the item, the time and place of checking is noted in the registration database. A historical record of places the item has been checked is kept and may be used for identifying passengers, baggage or situations that may require greater scrutiny by security personnel. A check-out station is provided to monitor the return of items to their respective owners, and a lost item return system aids in the recovery of lost items.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methodology for use of an automatic item-driven system for deposit and pick-up in a job-driven environment including access, instructions, item tracking, storage, billing, payment and delivery. The invention is also directed to an automatic deposit machine having logic which is item driven in a job-driven environment wherein automatic systems provide interface between job-driven services and user, as well as an operator's use of the automatic item-driven system to interface between the user either on site or remote locations. A continuous flow automatic deposit machine system provides for customer interface with the system, operator interface with the system and return of finished goods or job-related items to the customer; however, the flow provides various stops in the item, job-related environment due to insufficient information or inappropriate processing demands.