WO2003058551A1

WO2003058551A1 - Device for identifying domestic cattle

Info

Publication number: WO2003058551A1
Application number: PCT/DE2002/004720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Detlef Houdeau; Uwe Weber; Ralf Schmidt; Manfred HÜTTLINGER
Original assignee: Bundesdruckerei Gmbh; Orga Kartensysteme Gmbh; Siemens Ag
Priority date: 2002-01-11
Filing date: 2002-12-17
Publication date: 2003-07-17
Also published as: DE10201243C2; DE10201243A1; AU2002358451A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for identifying domestic cattle, comprising an RFID transponder chip (3). The RFID transponder chip (3) is built into a carrier structure (2) which is fixed to domestic cattle or associated therewith. The RFID transponder chip (3) is provided with various memory sectors having different read and write authorisations.

Description

Livestock identification device

Field of the Invention:

The invention relates to a farm animal identification device with a transponder chip, the transponder chip being built into a carrier structure which is fastened to a farm animal and the transponder chip having a storage sector, uses of such a farm animal identification device, and a method for validating a farm animal intended for slaughter such a livestock identification device. Livestock means any animal that is subject to human care, care or breeding. In addition to farm animals intended for slaughter, this also includes pets, dairy cattle, animals in zoos or game parks, and the like!

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART:

For reasons of disease prevention and consumer protection, it is desirable to provide a surveillance system with (possibly state) control over a livestock life cycle. This can ensure that only meat from such farm animals reaches an end consumer whose origin and history meet defined criteria.

From the agricultural market reference 10/2001, pages 84-86, it is known to equip farm animals after birth with a farm animal identification device which comprises a transponder. This farm animal identification device is attached to the farm animals on the ear. The transponder chip stores important information in the course of livestock life Data such as place of birth, parent animals or fattening farm. An electronic reader for reading out the transponder is installed in a barn, slaughterhouse or cutting plant. All participating companies are networked online. When a livestock is being transported, the data flows with it, and at a destination it can be checked by reading the transponder.

A livestock identification device with a carrier structure and a transponder chip built into the carrier structure are known from the literature US Pat. No. 4,461,807. A similar device is described in the literature reference EP 0 639 942.

A livestock identification device is known from the literature reference DE 196 29 531 C2, in which the memory can only be deleted completely, but not partially, for reasons of security against manipulation.

A disadvantage of the above prior art is that the manipulation possibilities in the field of data technology are not excluded with sufficient certainty. In particular, there is no guarantee that unauthorized persons will be excluded from storing incorrect data.

Technical problem of the invention:

The invention is therefore based on the technical problem of specifying a livestock identification device which is secured against unauthorized storage of information, in particular incorrect information. Fundamentals of the invention and preferred embodiments:

To solve this technical problem, the invention teaches a farm animal identification device with an RFID transponder chip, the RFID transponder chip being built into a carrier structure which is assigned to and / or attached to a farm animal, and the RFID transponder chip having different storage sectors which differ from one another have different read / write permissions. A livestock identification device according to the invention can be attached to a livestock, but can also be managed and stored as it were, a livestock passport, separately from the livestock. Both together (if necessary) with additional farm animal passports at different locations) results in redundancy, which further reduces the risk of manipulation.

RFID stands for "Radio Frequency Identification". Properties of RFID transponder chips can be found, for example, in the ISO / IEC 15693 standard. Of course, different technical specifications are also possible. Support structures include, for example, those of the prior art (injection molded parts), but also plastic laminate structures in card form, in which the RFID transponder chip is laminated. Optimally, plastics used for the carrier structure are resistant to high temperatures and biologically compatible and can withstand temperature loads of -40 ° C and + 100 ° C at 4 x 30 minutes / 24 hours without damage. It goes without saying that, if necessary, a suitable antenna structure is connected to the RFID transponder chip and installed in the carrier structure. The different read / write authorizations are preferably set up using different keys for the different memory sectors. The various keys are set up, for example, according to a key hierarchy. This means that different keys are used in the system, each key ensuring separate access rights for different functions. In this way, separate users and access rights (read / write permissions) assigned to the respective user can be defined. It is expedient here if the different read / write authorizations are set up for one or more authorized persons from the group consisting of "state supervisory authorities, veterinary doctors, breeders and fatteners". Appropriately, a breeder's or fattener's access rights will not include writing to storage sectors that contain data registered by a government regulatory agency and / or a veterinarian. Memory sectors can therefore be write-protected according to an access authorization by means of the key. In this respect, write and / or read authorizations can be restricted not only to their own memory sectors assigned to a specific authorized group, but also include memory sectors of other group members in accordance with the hierarchy. For example, it is possible for a breeder and / or fattener to have read / write permission only for their own area. On the other hand, it can be provided that a state supervisory authority and / or a veterinarian has write / read authorization not only for its own storage sector, but also for the storage sectors of the other parties involved authorized groups. Correspondingly, limited read authorizations can also be provided, for example a feed plan can only be read out by the breeder or fattener with regard to quantities and times. The read authorizations can be structured such that a complete copy of the memory contents of a farm animal identification device cannot be carried out by any authorized group, at least not by a breeder or fattener. Manipulation is then also ruled out.

The carrier structure preferably has an ear clip. This allows the normal attachment of the farm animal identification device to an ear of the farm animal. For reasons of protection against manipulation, it is advantageous if a destruction of the carrier structure or an opening of the ear clip deletes the memory content and / or sets a “manipulated” memory. In the simplest case, this can be set up in that the support structure is covered with micro-lines, which become electrically highly resistive when broken mechanically and thereby initiate the above processes. The ear clip, which typically consists of two interlocking elements, can be equipped with contacts on the interlocking elements, a low-resistance one in the closed state

Line loop is formed. When the ear clip is released, the contacts are also opened, so that the line loop becomes high-resistance. However, it is also possible, for example, to set up a temperature sensor in the area of the ear clip and to perform the above processes in the case of

/ Initiate exceeding of defined temperatures. Corresponding programs are for the average specialist can be easily set up as part of a controller of the RFID transponder chip.

Furthermore, the invention teaches the use of an RFID transponder chip for producing a livestock identification device, the RFID transponder chip having different storage sectors which have different write / read authorizations, the RFID transponder chip being built into a carrier structure and the carrier structure with the RFID transponder chip is attached to a farm animal or assigned to it, with defined farm animal-specific data being stored in at least one storage sector or in a plurality of storage sectors before or after the fastening / assignment. After the attachment / assignment, further data are expediently successively stored in different memory sectors in accordance with the different write authorizations.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for validating a farm animal intended for slaughter with a farm animal identification device according to the invention, data of the farm animal being transmitted to a slaughterhouse, the farm animal delivered for slaughter being guided past a transponder interrogation device in the area of the slaughterhouse, by means of the transponder interrogation device Data is read from the farm animal identification device and compared with the transmitted data, and the farm animal is permitted or rejected for slaughter in accordance with the comparison of the data. Rejection will be an option, especially if the data compared does not match. A release can, for example, by the Slaughterhouse or veterinarians monitoring the slaughter.

Overall, a high level of security against manipulation is achieved with the invention due to the establishment of different memory sectors with different write / read authorizations. The keys can be used to encrypt the data before it is stored in the storage sectors. A reading system can also be used to carry out both group identification and selective identification. Group identification is the complete registration of all animals in a group. Selective identification is the filtering out of one or more specific animals from the group, for example using the ID numbers. Overall, regulations for animal breeding, consumer protection and animal welfare can be made easier and, in particular, also easier to monitor. A livestock identification device according to the invention can be used as a livestock seal of approval. An external attachment of a livestock identification device according to the invention to a livestock has the advantage that implants with little acceptance may not be necessary on the consumer side. Basically, the use of a livestock identification device according to the invention in the context of implants is not excluded. Within the scope of the invention, a trust center can be set up which centrally records, manages and monitors data of all farm animals. All places involved from the birth of a farm animal to its slaughter are connected to such a trust center. Manipulations can be determined in the data network by quickly comparing the target / actual. This double In this respect, data storage (software or database or trust center / animal or animal passport) is particularly advantageous. In addition, in the case of database problems, the data is still available, namely on the basis of the livestock identification device.

In particular, before the slaughter, the data are read out from a farm animal identification device and compared with the data stored in the trust center for the farm animal in question. Within the scope of the invention it is also possible for transport times to be recorded. In this case, a transponder interrogation device of a first station writes a first time stamp into a memory sector and, after the transport has ended, a second time stamp is appropriately stored or determined at a target station. By reading out and forming the difference between the first and second time stamp, statutory transport times, in particular between the breeder and the slaughterhouse, can also be checked and monitored. Conclusions about transport routes (and detours) are also possible, which can be particularly relevant for truck / motorway transport.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of figures which merely illustrate exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1: A schematic representation of a livestock identification device according to the invention.

2: the structure of a suitable transponder chip, 3: the control of such a transponder chip by a transponder interrogation device or a read / write device and

4: Memory sectors with assigned keys of an RFID transponder chip used according to the invention.

A farm animal identification device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. It has a card-shaped support structure 2 (format: eg identity card) which is laminated from several polymer layers. Of course, any other shapes and formats are also possible. A printed (paper) layer can be laminated. In any case, an RFID transponder chip with the associated antenna is laminated. Data can be stored in and read from the transponder chip, as described later. In addition to the examples mentioned in Table 1, the data can also include DNA / R-NA data and / or other biochemical "fingerprints" or characteristics of an individual. In particular, blood analysis data, for example drug levels, may also be considered here. The polymer layers of the support structure are temperature-resistant from -40 ° C. to over 100 ° C. The support structure 2 has a form-fitting recess 5 in which a polymer rivet can be riveted. When attached to a farm animal, the polymer rivet passes through an ear of the farm animal and thus holds the carrier structure to the farm animal. Data in plain text and / or in encrypted form can be attached to the printed (paper) layer. The support structure can also be known from security document technology Contain security and / or verification elements, for example a hologram.

FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of a my-d transponder chip 3 which is preferably used in the context of the invention. One first recognizes an antenna connection 7, to which an antenna 4 is connected. Connected to the antenna connection 7 is a control unit 8 which, among other things. controls an access control 9 and a memory access 10 to the memory 11 with the different memory sectors. In the context of the memory 11, secure memory sectors 17-19 (see FIG. 4) with variable data access are released for several users or for their read / write devices 12 if they have the appropriate access rights. RFID transponder chips 3 used according to the invention operate, for example, with a standardized working frequency of 13.56 MHz and have up to 10 Kbit and more of available memory 11.

FIG. 3 shows an RFID transponder chip 3 used in accordance with the invention, which is addressed by means of a read / write device 12. This has an antenna 13, a control 14 therefor, and a microcontroller 15. The microcontroller 15 can optionally be connected to a computer system 16. Not only the data transmission takes place at the working frequency, but also the required energy transmission to the transponder chip 3 is carried out with this working frequency. Read / write processes take place in the millisecond range, so that reliable data transmission is guaranteed even with fast moving farm animals. FIG. 4 shows the memory organization of an RFID transponder chip 3 used in accordance with the invention. A total of three memory sectors 17-19 can be seen in the figure, to which different keys 20-22 are assigned. An access authorization, in particular write and / or read authorization for the assigned memory sectors 17-19 is defined by means of the keys 20-22 and / or encryption of the data stored in the assigned memory sector 17-19 is set up. In particular, the key 20-22 for encrypting the data of the assigned memory sector (17-19) can encrypt the data stored or to be stored therein. The access authorization is then defined in that a reader (with which it may also be possible to write into the transponder) either has the key assigned to the access authorization stored, or an operator first has to enter the key, similar to a PIN, in it.

The following table 1 shows, for example, access authorizations of different groups of people to different storage sectors or storage contents.

Table 1: Example of data storage in a livestock identification facility.

Sector 1: Sector 2: Sector 3: State authority for veterinary breeders / fatteners

Read / write readers, read / write readers. Read / write. for own sector for own sector only own sector and sector 2 and sector 1

Animal ID Animal ID Animal ID

Birthday initial weight check

Place of birth Vaccinations Type / amount of feed

Breeder / Master medication Milk delivery test Animal generation Feed testing Breeding decision

Delete after

Slaughter clearance releases slaughter date

Authority ID Veterinary ID Breeder / Master ID

Claims

claims

1. livestock identification device (1) with an RFID transponder chip (3), the RFID transponder chip (3) being built into a carrier structure (2) which is assigned to and / or attached to a farm animal,

the RFID transponder chip (3) having different memory sectors (17-19) which have different write / read authorizations from one another.

2. Livestock identification device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the different write / read authorizations are set up by means of different keys (20-22) for the different storage sectors (17-19).

3. Livestock identification device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the different read / write authorizations are each set up for one or more of the beneficiaries from the group consisting of "state supervisory authority, veterinarian, breeder and fattener".

4. livestock identification device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the carrier structure (2) is designed as a card-shaped plastic laminate with a laminated RFID transponder chip (3) and has an ear clip for attachment to an ear of a farm animal.

5. livestock identification device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a destruction of the support structure (2) or opening the ear clip deletion of memory contents and / or setting a "manipulated" memory.

6. Use of an RFID transponder chip (3) for producing a livestock identification device (1),

the RFID transponder chip (3) having different memory sectors (17-19) which have different write / read authorizations,

wherein the RFID transponder chip (3) is installed in a carrier structure (2) and the carrier structure (2) with the RFID transponder chip (3) is attached to or assigned to a farm animal, with defined farm animal-specific before or after the fastening / assignment Data can be stored in one memory sector (17-19) or in several memory sectors (17-19).

7. Use according to claim 6, wherein after attachment, further data are successively stored in different memory sectors (17-19) in accordance with the different write authorizations.

8. Method for validating a farm animal intended for slaughter with a farm animal identification device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5,

wherein data of the farm animal are transmitted to a slaughterhouse, for example from a database, a trust center and / or from a breeder / master and, for example, via the Internet, the farm animal delivered for slaughter being sent to the slaughterhouse a transponder interrogation device (12) is guided past,

wherein data are read out from the farm animal identification device (1) by means of the transponder interrogation device (12) and compared with the transmitted data and

whereby the livestock is permitted or rejected for slaughter in accordance with the comparison of the data.