Device, system and methods for tracking animals

A system for tracking animals, the system comprising

• a plurality of tracking devices, each comprising
• a tracker processing component;
• and
• an energy component;
• and
• a transmitting component configured to periodically transmit a transmission comprising at least an identification corresponding to the animal;
• and
• a securing component configured to secure one tracking device to an animal;
• wherein the transmitting component is configured for short-range transmissions and to operate via a BLUETOOTH® low energy (BLE) protocol and wherein the tracking device is further configured to use only an advertising part of the BLE protocol;
• a plurality of receiving devices;
• each comprising
• a receiver processing component;
• and
• a receiving communication component configured to detect transmissions from the tracking device when in range;
• and
• a receiver server communication component;
• a server configured to log and analyze animal positions based on the communications from the receiving devices;
• wherein the receiver processing component is configured to add further data to the transmission to obtain a modified transmission;
• wherein the receiver server communication component is configured to communicate the modified transmission to the server,
• wherein the tracking device does not establish further communication with any devices that receive the transmission,
• wherein no connection is established between the tracking device and the receiving devices, and
• wherein the identification corresponding to the animal is encrypted, and wherein the encrypted ID is received as a Company Identifier Code, as part of the BLUETOOTH® BLE specification's Manufacturer Specific Data type.

A method for tracking animals, the method comprising securing a tracking device comprising a tracker processing component, an energy component, a transmitting component, and a securing component to an animal;

• and
• the tracking device periodically transmitting a transmission comprising at least an identification corresponding to the animal via the transmitting component which operates via a BLUETOOTH® low energy (BLE) protocol and wherein the tracking device is further configured to use only an advertising part of the BLE protocol;
• and
• a receiving device comprising a receiver processing component, a receiving communication component and a receiver server communication component receiving the transmission from the tracking device when the receiving device is in range of the tracking device's transmission;
• and
• the receiving device modifying the transmission by adding further data to it to obtain a modified transmission;
• the receiving device using the receiver server communication component to communicate the modified transmission to the server;
• and
• the server logging and analyzing animal positions based on communications from a plurality of the receiving devices,
• wherein the tracking device does not establish further communication with any devices that receive the transmission,
• wherein no connection is established between the tracking device and the receiving devices, and
• wherein the identification corresponding to the animal is encrypted, and wherein the encrypted ID is received as a Company Identifier Code, as part of the BLUETOOTH® Low Energy (BLE) specification's Manufacturer Specific Data type.