Method and set for the identification of animals

0001The present invention relates to a method and a kit for the identification of animals. The present invention particularly relates to a method and a device for identifying Pets Using passports.

0002More and more countries, especially among European countries, require or recommend that animals, especially animals company, are identified for example by a transponder and stored in a database, thus allowing, if necessary, to trace the owner or person in charge of the animal.

0003Two ISO standards for features transponders in use for this purpose have for example been established:<sl><li>· ISO 11784, complete with ISO 3166</li><li>· ISO 11785</li></sl>

0004They are practically unanimous in all countries European.

0005On the other hand, a European regulation that will be implemented once July 3, 2004 requires that pets traveling in member countries or from third countries shall be accompanied a passport and to ensure a sufficient level of safety in Concerning health risks.

0006At the state level, fraud prevention and the animal traceability in the area are also on the agenda.

0007A passport for animal is a document containing the animal identification data. It may also contain its health data, medical monitoring and other information on about.

0008Or the identification methods of the prior art such as by example described in the European city regulations do not allow to be sure that the passport presented for an animal match actually this animal. One solution adopted by these methods is for example affixed to passports animal photo to identify. Gold such a solution has several disadvantages. First, it is unreliable because it is such relatively easy to change the picture of a passport without tampering is visible. On the other hand, the identification of an individual from a photograph, sometimes already difficult for a human being is even more difficult for an animal, and This difficulty is even more increases as the animal ages. Photography must also be of good quality, which is typically relatively expensive, and properly framed, which can be difficult and time consuming to perform with animals.

0009More generally, any identification document and / or health of the prior art shows whether the animal presented matches that shown in the passport.

0010An object of the invention is therefore to propose a method and a set for the identification of animals to remedy the disadvantages methods and devices of the prior art.

0011Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a set to ensure a simplified and reliable identification desanimaux.

0012A solution to avoid the use of unreliable passports of the prior art would be to store all the necessary information concerning the animal in the transponder attached to it. Such a solution however has the disadvantage that the transponder should then have enough memory space to store all these data, involving a high cost and a relatively large size of transponder. In addition, the data could not be read at any time, since access would necessarily require the use of a reader adapted.

0013A passport or other identity document printed rest and useful for a quick check, for example, desdonnées on the animal, the reading of the transponder is e.g. performed only in casde doubt about the authenticity of these data.

0014The aims of the invention are thus achieved by a method and by an identification set comprising the features of claims Independent corresponding, advantageous embodiments being further given by the dependent claims.

0015These objects are achieved in particular by a method for identifying an identified, including binding to said identified a first transponder including a first identifier and marking a printed document identifying the identified using a second transponder comprising a second identifier linked univocally said first identifier and a set for identifying an identified comprising a first coded transponder with a first identifier and a printed document identification the identified marked by a second transponder comprising a second identifier related to said first identifier so univocal. Both transponder including related identifiers them unequivocally and preferably tamper-proof, it is ensured that the printed document identification matches the identified.

0016The invention relates in particular to a passport for animal identified by an anti-fraud transponder containing an identifier can be uniquely associated with an identifier contained in the identification transponder injected into the animal, in order to avoid this passport is presented with an animal to which it relates does not.

0017In a preferred variant of the invention, the device of animal identification includes a passport identified by a Fraud transponder eg containing the same number as the identification transponder injected into the animal, these two transponders can preferably be read with the same standard reader.

0018In this embodiment, the invention thus ensures that the passport presented corresponds to the animal for which it contains informationsen lesdeux comparing numbers, that of the animal and that of passport, and checking that they are identical.

0019In this variant, any person or authority concerned by animals, such as for example the authorities, veterinarians, Companies animal welfare, etc., is preferably able to claim the passport for the animal sampled, read the injected transponder in the animal, read the transponder contained in the passport and compare numbers, if they are identical, guarantee that the passport presented corresponds to the animal concerned. Reading two transponders is preferably carried out using the same drive Standard transponders.

0020In this way, this passport allows any person or administration concerned by animals to detect any errors or attempted fraud and take appropriate action. For all Additional information, that person or directors may from preferably a contact database in which is registered the animal in order to verify that the data given in the passport by such as the identity of the owner or keeper of the animal, are well up to date.

0021An advantage of the solution of the invention is that it allows the need easy access to data not appearing, for example Due to space and / or privacy, on the printout. These Additional data are for example stored in the two transponders, in one of the two transponders if type different and / or in a preference database accessible distance, in such a uniquely associated record to the identifier contained in at least a two transponders.

0022Some sensitive or confidential data, so are by example only stored in the first and / or second transponder. They are then accessible only by using a drive adapted and preventing them from being easily accessed by unauthorized person. Confidential data can also be stored in the database. Access is then preferably protected by a password. These include confidential data by eg the blood of the animal, its veterinary file, etc.

0023For up raisonsde, some data are for example stored in one of the two transponders or in the bank data, the amount of information being for example too large for it is completely reproduced on the printed document.

0024According to the invention, at least part of the data animal and / or its owner or manager is stored in a database, managed for example by a state or administration a private organization and collecting preferably data all animals identified in a region or a country For privacy reasons and / or space, some information is then preferably stored in this database.

0025The database is preferably a database Central gathering information on all the elements identified according to the invention in a region or a country. It is for example implemented on a computer server and managed by an administration regional or national government or by a private, for example mandated by government. The database is Any reachable distance by computer, for example Through an Internet connection, fixed or mobile telephone, etc., for eg using a PC, phone or other terminal communication, such that at least a portion of the data it contains accessible eg lorsde control identity the identified element, for example of the animal. Through such connection distance, some data can be electronically envoyéesde to the database and be entered directly, for example when the initial identification of the animal by a veterinarian.

0026The first transponder adapted to be fixed to the identified contains preferably a minimum amount of information, so that the memory size and power required for reading is the smallest possible, especially if it must be injected under the skin of an animal. he will contain the first identifier and possibly some basic information such as blood type and animal species for example. The memory of the first transponder is preferably Type or OTP ROM, so that the information can no longer listed be changed. In casde ROM, certain information specific to the identified generally immutable and can be however added after the initial programming, this information is by eg dates of animal vaccines, etc.

0027According to a first variant, the second transponder uses technology identical to the first and the second contains identifier and optionally at leastone of the information Additional contained in the first transponder. According to another Alternatively, the memory size of the second transponder is more significant and contains more information than the first. His memory is however always preferably ROM or OTP kind.

0028The database preferably contains all Information in your transponders and in document printed identification. However, it also contains advantageously information may be modified such that eg contact details of the owner or responsible the identified and / or voluminous information, such as file veterinarian of the animal, etc.

0029The first and second identifiers are linked so univocal. In a first variant, these two identifiers are identical. It is then for example of the same digital code unique identification for example allocated to identified. According to another Alternatively, the identifiers are bound by a conversion function mathematical and / or by the same encryption can be e.g. decoded by the transponder reader. Data on identified stored in the database are preferably also associated with an identifier linked univocally to the first identifier and / or the second identifier, so that the link between these donnéeset the identified can be made safe manner.

0030The database preferably contains data on the identified and / or its owner or responsible.

0031A transponder is the translation of the English word transponder, abbreviation of TRANSmitter &amp; resPONDER.

0032It is an electronic element that can receive a signal specific, and transmit a specific response.

0033It generally consists of a microchip containing information, a capacitor and an antenna.

0034It can be active or passive.

0035In the context of animal identification:<ul><li>the microchip example contains a 15-digit code (ISO transponder);</li><li>the three components are for example enclosed in a tiny tube and injectable biocompatible glass in the animal; </li><li>it is of the passive type.</li></ul>

0036In the context of the invention, the transponder system identifying the passport preferably meets the following criteria:<ul><li>the three components are combined so that they can be integrated in the passport, for example glued or inserted in coverage on a page or any other location without passport it is possible to remove them without rendering them unusable and / or leave traces of manipulation on the passport itself;</li><li>it is preferably of the type OTP (One Time Programmable) Technical allowing only a single write the number without possibility subsequent changes, allowing better protection against forgery;</li><li>to ensure that the transponder used to identify the Passport can be easily read by a standard player such as example that described in the already cited ISO 11785, the features techniques are preferably identical to the technical characteristics the transponder implanted in the animal, for example as regards the animal bit described in ISO 11784 cited above.</li></ul>

0037According to this preferred embodiment of the invention, the passport is identified by a transponder offering optimal protection against fraud and containing an identifier that can be combined so unique to the identifier of the identification transponder injected into animals, these two transponders can preferably be read with the same standard reader.

0038The identifier of the transponder identifying the passport is preferably coded according to OTP technique (One Time Programmable) or any other technique allowing plusde change this number once it was recorded in the transponder. It is for example registered in a ROM (Read-Only Memory) for example, adding additional information without allowing them erasure. The timing involved the codification of the transponder depends on process initial identification, the problem is to ensure so simple and safe that the two transponders associated with the animal and its passport are indeed encoded with identifiers linked together unambiguously.

0039According to a variant of the invention, the passport is issued after first identification of the animal.

0040In this variant, the person responsible for the identification initial of the animal, for example a veterinary<ul><li>performing the identification of the animal by injecting a transponder comprising an identifier, such as a code unique identification,</li><li>fills an identification card, such a listing printed or electronic, by specifying the identifier of the transponder injected into the animal, preferably the characteristics of dog and coordinates of its owner or his manager,</li><li>preferably sends this information to a bank central database, a database for example chosen or imposed by national rules.</li></ul>

0041On receipt of this information, the management system of the Bank of data<ul><li>records manually and / or automatically data received,</li><li>conducts writing ina identification transponder for passport, preferably in an OTP process or any other process not allowing modification of entries, a related identifier univocally to the identifier indicated on the identification sheet received and contained in the transponder injected into the animal, these two Identifiers example being the same unique identification code,</li><li>issues a printed identification document, such as a passport, on which there is at leastone portion of the recorded data regarding the animal identified by the transponder and encoded previously,</li><li>sends this document identifying the owner or responsible for animal passport holder.</li></ul>

0042According to another variant of the invention, the document Identification is issued before the first identification of the animal.

0043In this variant, the entity responsible for issuing passports, which is preferably also responsible for the system management of the database, preferably sends the elements following the veterinarian or other person and / or administration responsible for the first identification of the animal:<ul><li>a first transponder to be injected into the animal containing a identifier, such as a unique numerical code stored by example by the producer of the transponder;</li><li>a passport identifiable by a second transponder containing a bound identifier univocally to the identifier of first transponder, for example the same digital code, the second transponder preferably being linked to the passport, for example integrated danssa cover, mounted on one of its pages, etc., so as not can be removed without being damaged and / or leave traces of the manipulation on the passport;</li><li>an identification card to fill such a listing paper or electronic.</li></ul>

0044The veterinarian or other person and / or administration responsible for the first identification of the animal<ul><li>performs an initial identification of the animal by injecting the first received transponder</li><li>fills the identification form received with the identifier transponder injected into the animal and preferably with some Additional indications such as for example the characteristics of dog and / or contact details of the owner or his manager,</li><li>sends this information to a central database, a database for example chosen or imposed by a national regulations.</li><li>possibly complete the identification document printed, eg passport, and puts it on your owner or keeper of the animal.</li></ul>

0045Upon receipt of the identification form, the entity responsible database management system<ul><li>stores the received data,</li><li>optionally sent to the owner or responsible the animal passport holder a confirmation of registration taken using at least part of the recorded Optical data; this confirmation is then for example glued or inserted in the passport.</li></ul>

0046In a variant of this last method, the distribution of first transponder to be injected into the animal and the distribution the printed document identified by a second transponder containing an identifier linked univocally to the identifier of the first transponder are made through different channels. The veterinarian or another person and / or Authority the first identification of the animal receiving these elements then is preferably able to check that the two received transponders are encoded correctly prior to the identification of the animal.

0047According to yet another variant of the invention, lestranspondeurs destinésà identify the animal and the passport are distributed regardless of the passport itself. In this embodiment, the three elements (passport, identification transponder of the animal, passport identification transponder) are distributed through channels different, the veterinarian or other person and / or administration responsible for the first identification of the animal gathering cestrois elements lorsde identification of the animal. According to this alternative Also, the veterinarian or other person and / or administration responsible for the first identification of the animal receiving these items is then preferably able to control the two transponders received are coded correctly prior to identification the animal and the issuance of the passport. This variant has the advantage that the method of the invention can thus easily be associated with any method of dispensing animal passport of the prior art without requiring modification of these methods.

0048According to the variants of the present invention described above, the Identification device of the invention comprises a passport animals uniquely identified and virtually unforgeable by a transponder. Those skilled in the art will however understand that the principle of the invention can be applied to any other document identification, electronic or paper, comprising in its structure a transponder that displays lorsde reading an identical number to that contained in the attached or grafted transponder on the animal to be identified.

0049The process of the invention has been described above in connection with the identification of animals, especially pets. The man the art will however understand that the invention can be applied to the identification of other entities such objects such as works art, computer software, data carriers, parts mechanical, pieces of meat, etc. In general, the principle of the invention can be applied to the identification of any associated element a printed identification document, eg passport or a certificate of authenticity.

0050According to a variant of the invention, the same printout Identification, such as a passport or even the same certificate of authenticity is used for several identified, for example for identify all software of the same series with a single certificate printed. Each identified then preferably comprises a transponder containing the same identifier.

0051The invention thus relates to a method for identifying an identified, comprising affixing to said identified of a first transponder comprising a first identifier and the marking of a printed identification document of the identified using a second transponder comprising a second identifier linked so said first unique identifier.

0052According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the identified is domestic animal, to which the transponder is first example injected under the skin.

0053According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the document printed identification is a passport.

0054Preferably, the marking of the printed document Identification is made so it can not be modified and / or canceled without altering the identification device and / or the second transponder.

0055According to an identification procedure, setting the first identified transponder is performed before marking device Identification with the second transponder. The second transponder is then preferably encoded with a second identifier after fixation, based on the first identifier included in the first transponder.

0056In another identification procedure, marking identification device with the second transponder is performed before mounting the first transponder identified. The first alorsde transponder is preferably encoded with the first identifier after labeling, based on the second identifier included in the second transponder.

0057The first identifier and / or the second identifier are is preferably stored in a database comprising preferably further information about the identified and / or owner or manager.

0058The first transponder and the second transponder can preferably be read by the same reader. To avoid fraud or tampering, the first transponder and / or the second transponder are preferably of the OTP or ROM. They further comprise Any additional information about the identified and / or its owner or manager.

0059The present invention also relates to a set for identifying an identified, comprising a first coded transponder with a first identifier and a printed document identification the identified marked by a second transponder comprising a second identifier related to said first identifier so univocal. To avoid fraud or forgery, the first transponder and / or the second transponder are preferably type OTPou ROM. The printed identification document is for example a passport.