EP1164834A1

EP1164834A1 - Identification device

Info

Publication number: EP1164834A1
Application number: EP00926830A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heiko Haase
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-06
Filing date: 2000-04-06
Publication date: 2002-01-02
Also published as: DE29905954U1; WO2000059295A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an identification device for receiving identifying elements and/or information for identifying animals, especially dogs and other pets. The identification device can be detachably fitted to an animal and is provided with electronic storage means (22), input means (17, 20; 30) and output means (20) for said identifying elements and/or information. The output means have at least one variable display for reproducing at least one telephone number and/or address.

Description

description

Marking device

Field of application and state of the art

The invention relates to a marking device for receiving markings and / or information, in particular for marking dogs or pets in general, the attachment to the carrier being such that the marking device is visible and can be released in a simple manner.

Marking devices of this type are known, for example, as so-called dog tags that a dog must wear on its collar. Such dog tags usually consist of aluminum sheet and carry information regarding Dog tax, vaccination regulations, etc. This information is usually stamped into city-made brands that contain the name of each city. As a rule, a dog bears several brands, for example with the tax number, a name tag or the like. as well as vaccination information and appointments. Task and solution

The invention has for its object to provide a marking device according to the preamble of claim 1, which is versatile and improved over the prior art.

This object is achieved in that the labeling device has electronic storage means which are connected to input means and output means for the labeling and / or information. The output means have at least one changeable or controllable display. In this way, information that was otherwise applied essentially unchangeably to the marking device can be changed and displayed again. The display of the output means can reproduce or represent at least part of the information contained in the storage means. The storage means are advantageously designed as digital memories, in particular as non-volatile memories. A ROM memory, in particular a programmable memory, is preferred. If an EPROM memory or an EEPROM memory is used, further information can be entered or saved subsequently, or existing information can be changed or deleted. It is possible to use an integrated circuit or microchip that contains or can take over the control functions in addition to the memory.

In addition to the display, the input means for inputting and / or operating the marking device are advantageously also easily accessible, in particular freely accessible without great effort. This distinguishes a marking device used for marking pets with features of the invention from known microchip implants which are introduced under the skin of the animal. The input means can be at least partially mechanically operable, for example as a button with contacts. So-called miniature pushbuttons, as are known from digital clocks, are preferred, the input means preferably being watertight. According to a further possibility, the input means can have contacts, for example for the electrical input of information to be stored or for its change or output. For example, it is possible to extract part of the information exclusively or in addition to the visible display, in particular information that is not intended for everyone. The contacts can be designed as exposed electrical contact fields, wherein they preferably have a coating as corrosion protection.

The output means preferably have at least one electrically controllable display, particularly preferably an LCD display. The display can at least partially have a 7-segment display. In addition, symbols can preferably be represented with the display, which is preferably alphanumeric. Displays of this type can represent numbers, letters and symbols, and they are also very economical in terms of power consumption. Some information can be highlighted by using colored LCD displays. It is also possible to provide the marking device with illuminants. One possibility are light-emitting diodes, in particular also novel organic light-emitting diodes, which can form at least part of the display of the output means. Important information or signals can be displayed in a highly distinctive way, for example by flashing, brighter lighting or colored display.

The output means can have at least one subdivided display, which is in particular optically subdivided. This enables the use of several small and therefore cheaper displays, in particular in the case of LCD displays. A sub- Sharing can be done according to different categories of information.

The marking device preferably has its own energy supply, for example by means of a built-in capacitor bank or a conventional battery, for example a button cell or a lithium battery. Furthermore, time measuring means can be built into the marking device, which are in particular clocked. A quartz crystal is preferred, as is known, for example, from a digital watch. Using a quartz crystal, time can be measured in small units. However, the processing of the time units in the microchip is preferably limited to months, since the time recording, in particular the vaccination data, can essentially be limited to months.

The functional units of the marking device are advantageously combined in one housing, it in particular also protecting the latter from external influences, in particular being impact-resistant and watertight. For versatile use, the housing can be substantially flat, such as a flat trailer. The thickness is advantageously less than 8 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 6 mm. The display is advantageously attached to one side of the housing and covers it at least partially, in particular to a large extent or entirely. The largest possible housing side is preferred. Such a compactly designed marking device is essentially not much larger in area than a conventional dog tag, only thicker.

The input means can essentially be arranged on a different housing side than the display, in the case of a flat housing preferably on a narrow side. They can be used to protect against damage or accidental activation Housing recesses can be arranged or protected by housing projections.

For important information, for example vaccination data or the like, at least one area of the input and / or the output, in particular also a part of the storage means, can be provided with a coded access block. This code can advantageously be changed, for example a selectable multi-digit number and / or letter combination.

The marking device or its housing can be a fastening for a thick bracelet or the like. have, preferably at least one recess or bushing on the housing. One possibility is a stable hanging eye for a safety ring or the like.

Other possible uses include essentially all living beings or objects to be labeled.

These and further features emerge from the claims and also from the description and the drawings, the individual features being realized individually or in groups in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields and being advantageous and capable of being protected by themselves Can represent versions for which protection is claimed here. The division of the application into individual sections and subheadings do not limit the general validity of the statements made under these.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show: 1 is the front of a marking device, which is covered by a display with various information,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the labeling device of Fig. 1 with input means and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the structure of the marking device.

Detailed description of the embodiment

1 shows a marking device 11 for a dog from the front. Its front is covered by a display 12 which is visible in three dashed areas 13. The display 12 can be a single display or, alternatively, a display 12 can be provided for each area 13. The display 12 covers the front of a hexagonal housing 15, for example as an LCD display, and is attached to the housing 15 with a transparent glass front. Since LCD displays generally have their own glass plate, this glass plate itself can also serve as a front for the housing 15.

The upper area 13 indicates vaccinations carried out by letters, for example "T" for rabies, "S" for distemper and "H" for hepatitis. The middle largest area contains the name of the dog and at least one telephone number under which the owner or dog owner can be reached. Furthermore, several telephone numbers can be stored, which can be displayed alternately, for example, or appear alternately by operating the labeling device. This means that telephone numbers that can be changed at short notice can be entered, for example those of a holiday hotel. Further information, for example for a finder's fee, is possible. The lower area 13 contains playfully the name of the city in which the dog is registered and the tax number.

The side view of the marking device 11 in FIG. 2 gives approximately an indication of how flat the housing 15 can be. Furthermore, 16 input means are arranged on the housing sides, specifically on the upper housing side in FIG. 2 as miniature pushbuttons 17, which are arranged within a recess 18 of the housing side 16. They can be operated by pressing on with a pointed object, for example a ballpoint pen or the like. Two electrical contact fields 20 are arranged on the lower side of the housing and can be used, for example, for input and output of information by means of electrical contacting.

3 schematically shows the functional structure of the marking device 11. The centerpiece is the microchip 22 with built-in memory, which on the one hand is connected to the input means in the form of miniature keys 17 and contact fields 20. On the other hand, it is connected to a quartz crystal 23 for time measurement and a button cell 24 for energy supply. Furthermore, it has three display connections 26, which are led to the display 12 and control the display 12.

Finally, a fastening eyelet 28 is attached to the upper side of the housing 15, in particular formed integrally thereon. The marking device can be fastened with this fastening eyelet.

function

A part of the information, such as the name of the dog, telephone numbers etc., can be entered into a new marking device 11 by the user himself. Further information such as a tax number or the The name of the city can be entered by the owner himself or the responsible administrative authority. Information of great importance, such as vaccination data, can be entered in the manner of an electronic vaccination card, but usually only by a veterinarian. For this purpose, part of the information, in particular or preferably the input of the important or special information, can be protected by coding. For example, a four-digit number code can be provided, which queries the access authorization for entering or changing this special information. The code can be specified on delivery or set to "0000" at the factory, for example. A veterinarian can enter either any code or a personal code, which is used, among other things, for identification purposes, to supplement or change the vaccination data. The same can be provided for entering the tax number. To enter or change various information or displays, a type of menu navigation can also be provided with a few buttons, with which the individual input options can be queried. To protect against unauthorized intervention, the entire entry can be blocked by a code. An input or output can also be random or contactless, for example by inductive or capacitive signal coupling. Another possibility is an IR transmission with a transmitter 30.

On the one hand, the information can be displayed permanently. On the other hand, alternating or flashing displays are possible, for example several telephone numbers can be displayed alternately, which means that less display space is required or the telephone number can be displayed larger. Flashing displays or the like can also be used to indicate upcoming vaccinations or vaccination updates. For this purpose, the associated letter can, for example, flash with a certain frequency or be given a further identification.

Claims

claims

1. Marking device for receiving markings and / or information for marking animals, in particular dogs and other domestic animals, which can be detachably attached to an animal, characterized in that it has electronic storage means (22) with input means (17, 20; 30) and output means (12, 20) for the identifications and / or information, the output means having at least one changeable display (12) for displaying at least one telephone number and / or address.

2. Identification device according to claim 1, characterized in that the output means comprise a region (13) for information about vaccinations carried out and / or about the state of health of the animal.

3. Labeling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the memory means (22) are designed as digital memory (22) and have a ROM memory, an EEPROM memory or another non-volatile memory.

. Marking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input means (17, 20) for entering and / or operating the marking device (11) are freely accessible.

5. Marking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input means (17, 20) are at least partially mechanically actuated, preferably as a button with contacts, wherein they are designed in particular as a miniature button (17) and are preferably encapsulated watertight.

6. Labeling device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input means (17, 20) have contacts for at least the electrical input of labels and / or information to be stored, in particular also for their changes and / or output, preferably the Contacts are designed as exposed electrical contact fields (20) and in particular are provided with a coating as corrosion protection.

7. Labeling device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output means (12, 20) have at least one electrically controllable display, preferably an LCD display (12).

8. Labeling device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has illuminants, preferably at least one LED.

9. Labeling device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by its own Power supply, in particular with a built-in battery (24).

10. Marking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by time measuring means, which are in particular clocked, the time measuring means preferably having a quartz crystal (23).

11. Marking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a housing (15) which carries all functional units and in particular contains, wherein the housing preferably forms a protection of the functional units contained from external influences, in particular is waterproof.

12. Marking device according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing (15) is substantially flat, preferably in the manner of a flat trailer, wherein it has a maximum thickness of 8 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 6 mm.

13. Labeling device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by a display (12) as part of the output means (12, 20) on at least one side of the housing (15), in particular the display at least partially covering a flat housing side, preferably largely.

14. Labeling device according to claim 13, characterized in that the input means (17, 20) are arranged substantially on a different housing side than the display (12), preferably on a narrow side (16) of a flat housing (15), in particular the Input means are arranged in housing recesses (18).

15. Marking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one area of the input and / or output, in particular also part of the storage means (22), is provided with a coded access lock, the code preferably being changeable.

₁ 6. Marking device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a fastening for a thick bracelet, preferably at least one recess or passage on a housing, in particular a suspension eye (28).

17. Labeling device according to claim 1, characterized in that a transmitter (30) is provided as the input means, which represents a contactless data connection for the input of labels and / or information.

18. Labeling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by entering a security code, a veterinarian or another authorized person has access to the entry of vaccination data or other data.

19. Labeling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of stored labels and / or information are displayed successively in time on the display.