Reptile Scale Pattern Identification for Non-Invasive Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking and tracing reptile skins throughout their life cycle and subsequent processing are inefficient, unreliable, and often require invasive or costly technologies, making them unsuitable for widespread adoption, especially in the context of wildlife trade regulation and authentication.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a smartphone or tablet to capture reptile skin images, detect scale edges, construct a graph of scale positions, and store recognition features in a database for real-time tracking and tracing, ensuring non-invasive, reliable, and robust identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive or costly technologies are used for tracking and tracing reptile skins, then reliability of identification is improved, but ease of operation and widespread adoption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying of scale patterns from reptile skin to create identification records. Instead of invasive physical tagging or costly specialized equipment, the system captures images of the natural scale patterns and creates digital replicas that can be stored and compared. This allows reliable identification through pattern recognition while maintaining ease of operation using standard imaging devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or physical identification methods (such as tags, labels, or invasive marking) with an optical and computational system. By using image capture and automated pattern recognition algorithms, the system eliminates the need for physical intervention while achieving high reliability through digital analysis of scale patterns.
2Reliability
If complex tracking systems are implemented, then traceability over the complete lifecycle is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unique identification information directly from the natural scale patterns of the reptile skin, separating the identification function from complex tracking infrastructure. By capturing and storing digital representations of these patterns at different lifecycle stages, the system achieves complete traceability without requiring complex centralized systems, as the identification data is self-contained in the scale pattern images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal identification system based on scale patterns that can be applied across the entire lifecycle of reptile skin products. The same imaging and pattern recognition approach works for live animals, processed skins, and final products, eliminating the need for different tracking systems at different stages and reducing overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If destructive identification methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the self-service property of natural scale patterns, which inherently provide unique identification information without requiring any modification or destruction of the skin. The scale patterns exist naturally on the reptile skin and can be captured through non-invasive imaging, allowing precise identification while preserving the complete substance of the skin for commercial use.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method of skin identification having scales, especially reptile skin identification, includes the steps of acquiring at least one image of a skin portion to be identified, detecting of features corresponding to borders of scales in the image, building a graph of the repetitive pattern scales positions of detected scales, determining the outline of the detected scales and representing the detected scales based on their outline, and determining recognition features data of detected scales for traceable identification of the skin comprising scales. The detection of scales is based on scan lines.