Methods and devices for tagging of animals
Methods and devices for providing access to identity information stored in an electronic chip in a system where a unique animalis tagged with an electronic chip and provided with a transponder configured to be able to read the electronic chip. The transponder stores the identity read from the chip in local memory and responds to information request messages by broadcasting the read identity as a beacon signal. The information request message is typically received from an authorized device, while the response beacon signal may be received by any device capable of receiving beacon signals. The identity code received as part of the beacon signal can be used by the receiving device to request access to information relating to the unique animal from a remote device. In some embodiments, the remote device may be equipment such as an electronically controlled gate, or a dispenser of animal food.
1. A method for providing access to identity information stored in an electronic chip associated with an animal, said animal being tagged with said electronic chip and provided with a transponder configured to read said electronic chip and to receive and respond to information request messages, the method comprising:
reading an identity code from said electronic chip using said transponder;
storing the identity code in memory in said transponder;
receiving, in said transponder, an instruction to activate a beacon signal;
transmitting said identity code as a beacon signal.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said transponder includes or is in communication with a proximity sensor that is configured to detect the proximity of the animal, the method further comprising:
setting an integrity flag in said memory;
monitoring said proximity sensor, and, upon receiving indication of interrupted proximity, unsetting the integrity flag; and
including a current value of the integrity flag when transmitting said beacon signal.
3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising performing a determination of authorization, and wherein the instruction to activate said beacon signal is only executed upon a positive determination of authorization.
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said authorization is determined based on at least one of a previous pairing of the device transmitting said instruction with said transponder, a username and password, and a digital certificate, and a token authentication.
5. A transponder for providing access to identity information stored in an electronic chip associated with an animal, said animal being tagged with said electronic chip and provided with a transponder configured to read said electronic chip and to receive and respond to information request messages, comprising:
a reader for reading an electronic chip;
a memory;
a wireless communication interface;
a central processing unit configured to
store an identity code read by said reader in said memory,
receive an instruction to activate a beacon transmission over said wireless communication interface, and
transmit said identity code as a beacon signal.
6. A transponder according to claim 5 , further comprising a proximity sensor that is configured to detect the proximity of said animal, and wherein said central processing unit is further configured to set an integrity flag in said memory, monitor said proximity sensor and unset the integrity flag upon receipt of an indication of interrupted proximity from said proximity sensor, and include a current value of the integrity flag when transmitting said beacon signal.
7. A transponder according to claim 6 , wherein said proximity sensor is selected from the group consisting of:
a buckle transmitting or interrupting a signal if it is opened, a light sensor covered by being in contact with the skin of the animal during normal operation, a capacitive sensor with characteristics depending on the closeness of an animal body, a resistive sensor detecting a change in the resistance between two electrodes that are in contact with the animal body during normal operation, and an inductive sensor responsive to changes in an inductive field as a result of the proximity of an animal.
8. A transponder according to claim 5 , wherein said transponder is mounted to a collar for attachment around the neck of an animal implanted with said electronic chip.
9. A transponder according to claim 5 , wherein said central processing unit is further configured to perform a determination of authorization, and wherein the instruction to activate said beacon signal is only executed upon a positive determination of authorization.
10. A transponder according to claim 9 , wherein said authorization is determined based on at least one of a previous pairing of the device transmitting said instruction with said transponder, a username and password, and a digital certificate, and a token authentication.
11. A method for accessing identity information stored in an electronic chip associated with an animal, said animal being tagged with said electronic chip and provided with a transponder configured to read said electronic chip and to receive and respond to information request messages, the method comprising:
transmitting a first request to said transponder device instructing said transponder device to transmit a beacon signal;
receiving, in response to said first request, a beacon signal including an identity code, said identity code being previously read from said electronic chip and stored in memory in said transponder;
transmitting a second request to a remote device, said second request including said identity code; and
receiving a response from said remote device, said response including at least a confirmation that said second request has been executed.
12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein said beacon signal further includes an integrity flag, said integrity flag indicating whether proximity between the transponder device and said animal has been interrupted subsequent to the reading of the identity code from the electronic chip, the method further comprising:
making a determination on whether to proceed based on the value of the integrity flag, and performing said transmitting and said second request to a remote device only if said determination is made in the positive.
13. A method according to claim 12 , wherein the determination on whether to proceed is based on a rule.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein said rule restricts which requests can be transmitted to the remote device as said second request if the integrity flag indicates that integrity may have been compromised.
15. A method according to claim 11 , wherein the transmitting of the first request instructing the transponder to transmit said beacon signal is done from a first device which has previously been paired with said transponder, and said receiving said beacon signal is done at a second device which has not been previously paired with said transponder.
16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein said second device which has not been previously paired with said transponder is configured with credentials enabling authorization by said remote device.
17. A method according to claim 11 , wherein said remote device is a database and said second request includes a request for information stored in said database and associated with said identity code, and said response includes the requested information.
18. A method according to claim 11 , wherein said remote device is a database and said second request includes data associated with said identity code and a request to add, update or delete data in said database in based on the second request and the included data associated with said identity code.
19. A method according to claim 11 , wherein said remote device is an electronically control led actuator configured to open a gate.
20. A method according to claim 19 , wherein said gate is selected from the group consisting of: a gate preventing vehicles from passing, a gate preventing animals from passing, and a gate preventing animal food from being dispensed.
21. A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium and including instructions that enable a computing device to perform the method according to claim 11 when executed by a processor.