Lightweight Animal Tracking Device Using BLE and Extraction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current animal tracking devices are bulky, expensive, and energy-consuming, making them unsuitable for small animals like birds or rodents, and there is a lack of lightweight and inexpensive solutions for tracking such species effectively.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight and low-cost animal tracking device using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol for short-range transmissions, powered by solar cells or kinetic/thermal energy, which secures to animals without burdening them, and a system comprising tracking devices, receivers, and a server to generate animal maps based on collected data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS-based tracking devices are used, then location tracking capability is improved, but device weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the GPS receiver from the animal tracking device, keeping only the lightweight transmitter component that sends location data to a remote server. This separation allows the animal to carry minimal weight while still achieving accurate location tracking through the server's processing of signals from multiple receivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the animal tracking device and the location data processing system. The server receives signals from multiple GPS receivers, performs triangulation calculations, and provides location information without requiring the animal-borne device to contain all processing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If GPS-based tracking devices are used, then location tracking capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts expensive components such as the GPS receiver, battery, and processing unit from the animal tracking device, retaining only the inexpensive transmitter. The expensive GPS receivers are distributed across multiple stationary or wearable units that can be shared among multiple animals, significantly reducing the per-animal cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the expensive GPS receiver and processing components universal by allowing multiple animals to be tracked using a shared infrastructure of receivers and a common server system, rather than requiring each animal to have its own complete tracking system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If GPS-based tracking devices are used, then location tracking capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power-intensive GPS receiver and data processing functions from the animal tracking device, leaving only the low-power transmitter that sends minimal location data to the server. This dramatically reduces the energy consumption of the animal-borne device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that performs the energy-intensive tasks of receiving signals from multiple GPS receivers, calculating locations through triangulation, and managing data storage and processing. This shifts the computational energy burden from the animal device to the server infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides reliable, energy-efficient tracking of small animals with minimal weight burden, enabling precise location mapping and monitoring of animal movements without the need for batteries, suitable for various animal types including birds and pets.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion:

Implementation Method 4

using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol for short-range transmissions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP3758474B1Device, system and method for tracking animals

Publication Date: 2024.10.09 MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a device, system and method for animal tracking. The tracking device comprises a tracker processing component, an energy component, a transmitting component, and a securing component. The system comprises the tracking device, a receiving device and a server. The method comprising securing the tracking device to an animal, transmitting an identification of the animal, receiving the transmission via the receiving device, modifying it and forwarding it to the server, where the modified transmission is logged and analyzed to determine animal positions.