GB2341379A

GB2341379A - Electronic identification device with integral display

Info

Publication number: GB2341379A
Application number: GB9921700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harry Thomson; Shaun Woodward; John Pape
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-14
Filing date: 1999-09-14
Publication date: 2000-03-15
Also published as: GB9921700D0; GB9819998D0

Abstract

An electronic identification device 10 in the form of a tag, collar or the like to be worn or carried about the body of a wearer such as an animal, comprises a housing 12, a memory to store a plurality of data fields, means 14, 15 for entering the data into the memory, a means 14, 15 for retrieval of the data and a display means 13 for selectively displaying the data upon retrieval. The data may include the name and/or the medical history of the wearer and/or contact details of the owner if the wearer is a pet. The device may possess a clock and/or a sound generation circuit. The sound device could be used in an alarm system within the device, to remind an owner of a dog wearing the device to walk the dog, or of important dates such as inoculation and birthday dates. The display may be of liquid crystal, and the device may have a range of patterned replaceable covers. The device may include a magnet to operate a cat or dog flap.

Description

1 2341379 IDENTITY TAG The present invention relates to an identity tag,

particularly an identity tag for pets such as dogs or cats.

Conventionally, an identity tag for a pet consists of a metal disk worn around the neck. Identity data is engraved onto the tag. Existing identity tags for pets suffer from the disadvantage that they are necessarily limited in size and therefore also in the amount of data they can carry. There is therefore a need for an improved tag having increased data carrying capacity.

In its broadest sense, the present invention provides an electronic identity tag comprising a housing adapted to be worn or carried about the body of a wearer of the tag and housing a circuit comprising a memory storage device for recording a plurality of data fields; the tag further comprising data entry means for entering data into the memory storage device, a display for displaying one or more data fields and retrieval 15 means for selectively retrieving the data for display.

Typically, the display is a liquid crystal device.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an identity tag in accordance 20 with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an identity tag in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of an identity tags in accordance with the present invention, which includes a range of replaceable covers.

2 Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an identity tag 10 having a housing 12 and being -1 ID mounted by means of loops 16 (slightly obscured) upon a collar I I around the neck of a dog or cat (not shown). In the housing 12 is mounted a liquid crystal display unit 13. Inside the housing is an electronic circuit powered from a button cell battery and including a data storage memory (not shown). The memory stores data in fields such as:

1. Name of the animal, 2. Owner's address, 3. Owner's telephone number; 4. Medical history - such as blood type, ailments (such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism etc, allergies.

Data is entered into the memory using a pre-determined combination of left and right scroll buttons 14 and 15. For the first three data fields mentioned above, the data may be entered by scrolling through alphanumeric characters using one scroll button and

C ZD selecting the required character with the other scroll button. A sinuilar arrangement will be available for other data, such as medical history, but in addition a number of conditions may be pre-programmed into the circuit to reduce the amount of data entry required. The scroll buttons are also used to retrieve the data, by scrolling through the stored memory fields from which the data is output to the display 13. In the preferred embodiments shown, the default display is the name of the animal. The practical details of such arranuements are well known in the field of electronics and need not be described in any further detail. Alternative arrangements will also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The electronic circuitry can also include a clock circuit. Such a circuit would enable the tag to be used as a reminder system. For example, everyday activities such as a reminder to take the pet for a walk, play, or cuddle etc. More important dates could be programmed, such as dates for inoculations, flea treatments etc. These reminders will be displayed on the display 13. In a preferred embodiment, the tag includes a sound device such that an audible alarm sounds to accompany the reminder message.

3 The circuit may also include a sound chip programmed with the tune 'Happy Birthday' 0 to be played periodically during the pet's birthday.

In a preferred embodiment, the circuit requires input, for example by means of the scroll buttons, of a user-specified code in order to enter or amend any of the sensitive data, such as name, address and medical data stored in the memory. It would not be necessary to enter a code merely to view the data.

The housing 12 of the tag is typically manufactured in the same manner as, for example, a watch, whereby the housing will be suitably weatherproof and provide the necessary physical protection from damage. It may be metallic or injection moulded in 10 two sections from a resilient plastics material.

WMIst the embodiment of Figure 1 is slidably mounted upon the collar 11, that of Figures 2 and 3 includes a loop 20 such that the tag can be hung from the collar.

The housing 12 of the identity tag of the present invention may have any three- 0 dimensional form, such as that of a bone (Figure 2). Alternati ely, the tag may include iv g a range of demountable covers 21 (Dalmatian print), 22 (pictorial), 2-33 (sunflower), 24 C (bone print) as shown in Figure 3, such that the appearance of the tag may be changed regularly by the user. As will be apparent, as shown, when a cover is in place, only the display will be visible, though a letterbox aperture 330. That is to say, access to the scroll and input buttons 14, 15 is obstructed. This avoids inadvertent actuation of the buttons and also reduces any problems arising though ingress of dust and dirt into the buttons.

In an alternative arrangement, the data is input to the tag by means'of a data transfer protocol from a computer or similar device (such as an electronic organiser), such that data cannot be entered directly into the device.

The tag of the present invention offers a number of advantages over the prior art devices. For example, if the animal is injured in a road traffic accident and the animal is transferred to a veterinary surgeon, the surgeon can retrieve the medical information prior to commencing any treatment or therapy. The address can be readily changed

0 g 4 the pet moves to a different locality. This is particularly advantageous for a temporary relocation.

In an alternative embodiment, the tag may further include a magnet to operate a magnetically locked dog or cat flap. 5

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. An electronic identity tag comprising a housing adapted to be worn or carried 0 about the body of a wearer of the tag and housing a circuit comprising a memory storage device for recording a plurality of data fields; the tag further comprising data 0 entry means for entering data into the memory storage device, a display for displaying 1 one or more data fields and retrieval means for selectively retrieving the data for display.

2. An electronic identity tag as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the plurality off data fields includes a data field relating to the name of the wearer.

3. An electronic identity tag as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the plurality of data fields includes a data field relating to the medical history of the wearer.

4. An electronic identity tag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a clock circuit.

5. An electronic identity tag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further 15 comprising a sound generation circuit.

6. An electronic identity tag substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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