US 7,841,300 B2Granted

System for uniquely identifying subjects from a target population

AssigneeBiopar, LLC

InventorPaul Anthony Skvorc, II

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Abstract

The system for uniquely identifying subjects from a target population operates to acquire, process and analyze images to create data which contains indicia sufficient to uniquely identify an individual in a population of interest. This system implements an automated, image-based process that captures data indicative of a selected set of external characteristics for subjects that are members of a target population of a predetermined species. The captured data is then processed to create a database record which is associated with the selected subject and which can be used to uniquely identify the selected subject. The subject identification process is repeatable, so any subject can be accurately mapped to their associated database record, which database record can be updated to reflect changes in the subject.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A system for uniquely identifying a particular individual subject from a group of subjects, wherein each individual subject in said group of subjects includes at least one external characteristic having a plurality of features that are unique to said individual subject, comprising:

subject processing means for positioning an individual subject from said group of subjects to enable determination of said at least one external characteristic that is unique to said individual subject;
image generation means for obtaining an image of said positioned subject that records said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics that are unique to said individual subject;
image data processing means for performing a correlation of said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics that are unique to said individual subject as recorded in said image of said positioned individual subject with said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics that are unique to individual subjects in said group of subjects as recorded in previously recorded images of said individual subjects;
and
database match means for generating an indication of a match when said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics that are unique to said individual subject as recorded in said image of said positioned individual subject matches said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics that are unique to individual subjects in said group of subjects as recorded in one of said previously recorded images of said individual subjects.

2 more elements

A method of uniquely identifying a particular individual subject from a group of subjects, wherein each individual subject in said group of subjects includes at least one external characteristic having a plurality of features that are unique to said individual subject, comprising:

storing in a database previously recorded first images that indicate said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics that are unique to said individual subjects;
obtaining a second image of a selected individual subject using an image generation apparatus that records said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics that are unique to said selected individual subject;
performing a correlation of said plurality of features of said at least one of said external characteristics of said second image of said selected individual subject with previously recorded first images of said individual subjects;
and
generating an indication of a match when said second image of said selected individual subject matches one of said previously recorded first images of said individual subjects by determining that at least one external characteristic of the individual subject in the first image that has been stored in said database matches the at least one external characteristic of the second image of said selected individual subject.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/498,188Filed 6 Nov 2003 · us provisional application
Priority: 8 Nov 2002
Published: US 2005/0011470 A120 Jan 2005
Granted: 30 Nov 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

A01K 11/006
Marking of animals: automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals
A01K 11/008
Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals: incorporating global positioning system [GPS]
A01K 29/00
Animal husbandry: other apparatus for animal husbandry
A01K 61/90
Culture of aquatic animals: sorting, grading, counting or marking live aquatic animals, e.g. sex determination