Paresh Patel N0414286

Cell phone tracker integrated with Android Mobile phones

1 Introduction: Explanation of the topic and project overview. Demonstrate familiarity with the background literature. Placed in a wider context. General implications of the project for the subject as a whole.

In today’s world the importance of cell phones is increasing day by day.(Keith Kingston 2004) Those were the days back in past when cell phones were used just for one reason and that was to be in touch through vocal communications. with the inventions of technologies there were plenty of new innovations and new inventions took place which added up plenty of other reasons to have a cell phone like business, outlook appointment, notepad, gaming, music etc... These days we see the smart phones completely cherished with all the required application for any purpose. Purpose may be gaming to business or sports to news and so on. People are now more over seen addicted or dependent on the cell phones. All the important data including the personal account details to bank account details are all usually store in the cell phones. Cell phones are used as substitutes to camera to capture the loving moments also cell Phones are used as substitute of the music player. In short there are jewel like important details for an individual starting from contacts to pictures and passwords to bank account details loaded in the cell phones. These details can completely let others misuse it so it equally becomes important to secure the same. With a reason here for we have an idea to prepare a mobile tracker through one of the Google's  operating system, 'Android'.  we have tried to develop an application that can track the cell phones location after it is misplaced or stolen.

We have tried to develop a program where user has to sign into the android for the app and when the cell phone is lost or misplaced, the person can login with their same account from another cell phone (Android based) and that will let the user know the location of the cell phone through satellite signals and show in the Google Maps. It will work like a GPS showing the signal for the parental cell phone by the substitute or secondary phone.

As a wider context, if we use this sort of data we can also track about the thief and this was slowly and gradually this software can be implemented in organizations as it will surely help all data to be secured. It is seen that there are many organizations who offer Smart Phones with Remote Access Service (RAS) to their employers and the data for them are very important, here is where the actual use of the software be seen.

As a broader concept this application can be used by the government for their secret missions. Where, it just requires following the step and inserting some other SIM into the phone and removing the old SIM. Through this course of action the team can track the location of fellow team mate. This can give an alert to the team for sending back up or something. This may be one of a good Application to count on!

Paresh Patel N0414286

It is seen that people do activities like Bill payment to shopping to browsing all on the phone and also if the Billing information is leaked with the Card number or something then it could be a major loss. However, this could be avoidable with this Application as the lost phone can be easily tracked.

This was very difficult to implement when the project started but eventually we kept on achieving our short term goals and that led to make the powerful app for tracking Mobile.

2 Aim: States clearly the aim. Elaboration

 technology has come a long way when it comes to mobile devices, computers and so on.

One of those technological advancements is mobile phone tracking system. This system,

which is based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking technology, could really

turn out quite useful in certain situations, and the aim here is to highlight a couple of the

usefulness of GPS mobile phone tracking.

First off, there are different types of mobile phone tracking that are used on different

mobile devices: network-based GSM mobile phone tracking system, handset-based GSM

mobile phone tracking system and hybrid GSM mobile phone tracking system. The

network-based variant makes use of the mobile service provider’s network signals to

locate phones while the handset-based mobile phone tracking system utilizes the signal

strength and identification of the mobile device coupled with the longitude and latitude

reading on the earth’s axis to track items. The hybrid version is capable of making use of

both network-based and handset-based mobile phone tracking systems to locate objects.

Did you misplace your phone? And you just do not have any idea of where exactly the

phone could be? Such thing does happen most times and, admittedly, it could be a

frustrating experience. But not to worry, provided the phone has a tracking system, one of

the usefulness of mobile phone tracking system like that using GPS technology is that

you can easily find the location of that mobile device using mobile tracking. And not only

just locating your phone, the GPS mobile tracking system can lead you to the user of the

device in the process, too.

Another usefulness of the GPS mobile phone tracking system is now being witnessed in

the corporate sector. Some companies now make use of the technology to track the

movement of the workers as it is less costly and effective. This usefulness of the GPS

mobile phone tracking system is particularly good for top executives of corporations who

desire to know the precise location of their workers at every point in time to ensure that

productive hours are not being used for something else.

GPS mobile phone tracking system also has a fun side to it. For someone going to holiday

destinations, one of the usefulness of the GPS mobile phone tracking system is that such

Paresh Patel N0414286

destinations can be easily found using the system coupled with 3D maps and Google

Earth. Not only that, photo can also be captured and shared via the system when out on a

journey or vacation. The particular person who may be embarking on a journey or tour

can also be easily tracked using the GPS mobile phone tracking system without much

hassle to it from the comfort of your home or wherever you may be.

Relocating the cell phone once lost is one of the most important goal in this project for us. We hereby have tried to develop an interconnection of the user id with the satellite or by clouding the connection by the login and not only by the cell phone. There were many of the other applications made back in past like mobile tracker, where the location of the cell phone was known by text. That application allowed the cell phone user to add one cell number to the personal phone and whenever any other Sim was accessed to the same it threw a text message to the one number saved with the location of where the phone is. It worked well but there were few of the loop wholes that we thought we can full fill to make a perfect software where in, it will make the cell phones secured and also possible to get it back. It is simply the signals playing the major role here to track the cell phone based on Google maps to relocate the cell phone.

The main aim is to locate the cell phones with jewel like data and the task was never simple however we tried and we succeeded to track the phones. Hereby we successfully made the signals pass through the clouding to the satellite and satellite to the login of the cell phone to track the primary login cell phone.

The Aim can be easily understood from below mentioned Figure 1

interface

interface

As seen in the flow chart, it becomes easy to understand the process how the App of Mobile Tracker works. As we can see, the Application would work smoothly if it works as per the process.

Mobile

Server PC

Internet

Paresh Patel N0414286

The main purpose here is not only the Cell Phone but also the Emails and all other important details. The most amazing thing which this application has is, the accounts and all the files auto locks when a new SIM is inserted. This secures the data and also helps the phone to get it back. Once the phone is back the owner can enter all the pass codes and get access to all the detailing.

This auto-lock function may be not good once in a while when the owner of the phone himself have to change the SIM. However, one thing is sure and that is the Security of the phone and data will no more be a subject to worry for the owner once he/she installs this application.

3 Tasks and Deliverables: Specific Measurable Appropriate Realistic

It is completely understood for how the process of this application runs from the above mentioned flow chart diagram. The main task is to catch hold of the mobile via its signal so that it could be tracked.

Whenever a mobile devise is lost or stolen, the phone is tracked first by the service provider’s network in the nearest zone. Then, this network is indicated on the other device where the owner of the lost phone logs in to the application to track its phone. It is the Cell Tower that listens for the signals sent and then it takes a wise decision to decide the nearest tower to the phones. The phone however changes its location, and wisely the antenna tower tries to monitor the signals and based on the same the phone is on the routing or is roamed to the nearest adjacent tower.

The functionality of the phone follows like; from relative signals absorbed a rough location can be determined for the phones location. Also it is possible to track the phones when they are turned on though they are not active on the telephone call.

Then these signals throw the radio waves to Network Server which is connected to the GPS and the GPS then throws the signal on the Google map. This way the Google maps take your current location and also show the location of the lost phone. The phone when moves from one antenna to other, the signal takes the appropriate location for the same and this is how the it displays the current location of the phone updated after few minutes.

This is what was planned and thought on papers, however when it was implemented it was seen to achieve all the details mentioned above. If not 100% perfect, but at-least 70% -80%.

Also, for the users of this applications will have to be realistic and give some time for the application to help to track the phone. As from the above mentioned detailing one

Paresh Patel N0414286

thing is clear the process is really detail oriented and it works but is time consuming. So, the user has to be realistic and co-operate with the application for getting over to the lost or stolen phone.(ANON )

1. Research Design

I have done overall research concerning all the aspects of project area. In this task, I would like to perform more specific research about better Reality, Android application development, Google maps and GPS. I will perform research and will find out which features are possible. I will do research using Google scholar, IEEE, Gartner, Academic search complete, ezinearticles, Android SDK, which are quite useful as per my research area. Main aim of this task is to find out whether this application is possible or not. If it is possible, then which specific functions I can achieve. At the end of this task, I will have clear idea what I have to make and which functions are not possible so finally it will clear out unnecessary parts and will provide me clear outline of project I have to complete.

2. Starting Off with Platforms

Research task will lead me to specific functions list, which I have to make in order to complete application. I have never worked with this kind of application before and on these platforms therefore, after research I would like to become familiarize with Android Device and tracking system. It is always preferred to start with small programs to become familiarize with any platform so I will try to develop simple programs like first hello world program in Android device and first log in program for Tracking system. I would like to build some sample GPS functions based programs as well so I will get an idea how GPS systems works on mobile devices. Complementation of all this programs will provide me improve for main application. After this task, I will have basic knowledge of all these platforms, which will help me to write my application.

3. Prototype building

As soon as I become familiar with all the platforms, I will start developing main application. It is always better to develop some parts and make them work and then finally merge them to make final application. Therefore, I will try to develop small prototype programs, which will have different functions successfully implemented. First of I will try to get track Android cell phone then try to put on any information as better layer and then Google Maps and GPS integration. So this way I will make progress for final applications. It is also helpful to create backups of running prototypes so if anything goes wrong in future I will not have to start from scratch. I could start with these working prototypes. At the end of this task, I will have all the major features in different prototype versions.

4. Prototype Testing

Developing and Testing go side by side, as we develop and test code as we finish some functions but it is different to test code after completing it. I mean as soon as development of prototypes completed I will test all the prototypes. I will try to find out how well they perform and if they have any bugs or errors. This task will help me to

Paresh Patel N0414286

improve prototypes. At the end of this task, I will have fully tested and running prototypes.

5. Creating Final Application

Building prototypes is important but merge all the prototypes and make them work together is important and hard as well. As soon as I have all the prototypes working and tested, I will merge them to make final application. This will help me to make slight changes to prototypes in order to make them work together. I will have to make data flow or workflow in which all prototypes works in efficient and relative manner. This task will also include User Interface design. Ultimately, this task will lead me to the final application.

6. Create Test Plan

None of the application is ready until it has been tested. However, it does not mean if application works, it is fully completed. We need to make sure that application is efficient in all aspects like speed, power and reliability. Therefore, I will make a test plan to test application on these aspects like how much time it takes to load application first time or display user current location data. Test plan will include all these aspects and will generate data on that basis I could judge if there is an error or issue with performance. I could use this data to improve overall system performance. I will create questionnaire as well for getting feedback from user as a part of beta testing .At the end of this task, I will have proper test plan, which will help me to test application measurable manner.

7. Alpha Testing

Alpha Testing refers to in-house testing. As soon as I have test plan, I will perform alpha testing, which will allow me to find out bugs or performance issues. I will try to test application on variety of available devices, which will provide device specific errors or performance issues. I will measure all the test records and all possible test data in measurable format so from that I could improve my system.

8. Beta Testing

Beta Testing refers to user testing. As soon as alpha testing will be completed, I would like to get potential user’s feedback by doing beta testing. It means, I will try to provide application to potential users and let them use on their devices. After that, I will try to get their feedback by asking them to fill up questionnaire regarding experience of application. Questionnaire will include specific questions about design, features and performance of application and will have suggestion or comment section where user can write any particular thing they like to share about application.

9. Improvement and final touches

Testing is always done for finding out bugs and performance issues but testing gives a feedback, which will lead to improve applications. Therefore, as soon as I get testing results I will try to improve system if needed. I will try to add or remove certain parts, if needed. I will make final changes to application coding and design. At the end of this task, I will have working application.

Paresh Patel N0414286

10. Dissertation report

Dissertation report is quite important part of the project. It is documentation of working project. It describes and explains every aspect of the project. I will write dissertation report from starting day but it will not be fully complete or organized, therefore after completing software application I will spend time to create dissertation report. I will organize all the data and information I have collected as well as try to describe how i created this application and what I have done to achieve that.

4 Timing:

Left

5 Resources: List of resources that can be used to meet the scope of the project. List of sources of information required to conduct the project.

The project that we are trying to make is of Mobile tracker, as discussed above. For the completion of this project there were few of the resources that were used and were linked with each other to get our goals achieved. Resources used were like below,

Computer and some programming based on Java. Network server. Clouding Theory. Few mobile devices (few smart phones and few regular phones) Android market The signals or the radio waves catcher Transmitter for transmitting to GPS to work on the maps. And many more.

There were many sources for the information gathered to get the project running. We had to study different tracker provider and study its working and based on that we had to mould the thoughts our way to better support the users. There were many sources from where we made it possible to get our idea floating.(ANON )

List of sources of information required to conduct the project:

There were many sources that helped us to achieve our projects mission or aim. Sources from web were one of the major sources that helped us for our project. We

Paresh Patel N0414286

however also got help regarding some logical issues from Wikipedia and other chat forums of yahoo and hi-tech talks on Linked-in.(ANON ) These talks and discussions that we browsed and studied helped us to know, what people want and what are the cures that can be achieved in a better way. Linked-In helped us to know the actual situations of different things which were some way related to our project and it gave an idea of actual situation/working

Once, having an actual idea of what we wanted to create we started our next step to study over how the connections are possible over the GPS and how it could be used to locate the phone via Google Maps. There were many articles that helped us to proceed with the plan and to educate our self regarding the working of GPS through GPS chip.(Aunindita Bhatia 2011) However, articles also on IEEE helped us a lot regarding the project for tracking the phone.

We came through many experiences of people on varied different things by going through.(ANON ) This helped us in some or the other way to prevent doing the same mistakes and it helped couple of times to avoid unnecessary waste of time on few things.

1. Android:2. Networking / Server side coding:3. Database:4. Google Maps integration:

6 Project Risks: Anticipate with justification any cause which may “derail” the project plan. What are proposed to keep the project on track.

1. Software limitations

First risk is software or development limitations. I have done quite research about my project area but it’s still not clear that my idea is totally achievable so In the first task I will to more specific research about all the platforms I am going to use and try to find out is the aim is achievable or not. If anyhow I found out that aim is not achievable, I will try to make application work like most of these kinds of applications works nowadays

2. Hardware Failure

I will be testing application on actual Android devices so I will need to take care of that Android devices to make sure they will not damage anyhow. Still anything wrong goes and any of the Android devices failed or damaged I will try to arrange new Android devices as soon as possible so It won affect my planning for completing the project in time.

3. Data loss

There is always a risk of data loss in computing environment as we store and perform all the data on computer itself. There might be event of data loss due to

Paresh Patel N0414286

technical fault so for this I will try to store my data online so it will be safe and I will try to create backup of all working parts as I make the, Therefore data loss will not be a problem.

4. Illness and Personal Problems

Illness and health problems are uncertain and unavoidable. In case of illness and other health problems, I will try to recover as soon as possible with help of available resources. I will be doing project in tasks and sections if anything major happens I will have at least some sections or parts working.

7 Evaluation of Professional, Social, Ethical and Legal Issues:Professional Issue:-All the issues that are related to our projects may be social issues, legal issues or any other ethical issues are taken into consideration under professional issues. It is very important for us to go through the research and evaluate the project to find out the issues to resolve the same. Issue are usually seen arising in every projects and our objective is to find the solutions for the same for which we had to do researches for the same.Our project covers the technique to track the lost cell phone or the stolen cell phone via GPS and other varied techniques. We had to face many social as well as privacy issues and consider the same to resolve the same.

Privacy:-Tracking a cell phone is always a boon however in few cases it is a curse too. As when the application is used in unethical ways then it becomes curse. Tracking a cell phone and Privacy issues are both paradoxical in one of the manner. People have started keeping track of all the phone activities as well through GPS. Security for everyone’s family members (kids/spouse/husband/wife) is always important but not cost of their freedom. However, people keep a track of phone calls to messages and everything which is one of the issues for privacy. With a reason we have made it a rule to erase all the data within 24 hrs from our server once the user deletes or removes the App from the cell phone. With this their privacy is maintained and also no one could misuse the same.(Chaitra Suraj Saxena 2011)

Social & Legal Issues:-Socially these cell phones are sometimes creating hype in the public place. Especially while we are on public transport we see lots of people chit chatting on phone and unnecessary disturbing others. However, the same thing is useful when there is some urgent need of the same. Technology is a boon but misusing the same is a curse to everyone.For this project the social issues that may be one of the point for consideration as we are going to take help of different people to reach the lost phone. First of all someone will have to login to the application to track the lost phone and then based on the same track the location of the phone. Sometimes it had happened that the locations tracked are in the area not with detailed address and that becomes difficult to track.(D.Mohankumar 2012)

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Also, some times the address shown is the wrong address or nearby address where in you are bothering someone else for the phone. When the phone is lost you may take help of social media to update status and ask for help from someone from nearby location where GPS is tracking the lost phone.

Main question for us while starting the project was legalization of the application we thought of. However, tracking a cell phone was legal and this made us proceed with our project. To find the perfect location GPS receiver must be upgraded to 3 satellite lock so to receive exact location. Mobile Phone Monitoring is likely legal in most of the countries. Now days there is an employment monitoring policy & there is a spy on company cell phones & over email and internet is done to track if there is no misuse of companies’ data made. Same applies for tracking a cell phone when it is with their desire. However, before  users will install our application they would be asked for the permission to track their cell phones and data as per their wish.(eastmobiles 2012)

Reference

1.ResourcesAndroid Developers Site

If you’re just starting out with Android, this should definitely be your first stop. In the Developer Resources section

you will find absolutely everything to get you on your feet, from tutorials, extensive documentation and news to

sample codes and other tips on how to develop Android applications hassle-free. Also, we strongly suggest you

become familiar with the community, as you can get in touch with other developers and learn some great tricks if

you follow their groups. Start with the Android Developers group and the Android Platform group.

Stackoverflow

This is one of the most powerful and, might I mention, #free Q&A platform. If you need answers, this is the place

to look for them. The site has a simple design, so it won’t be difficult to find your way around. Go to Tags, type

Android and you’ll find lots of questions and answers. You may even find that your question has already been

answered.

AndMob – The Open Mob for Android

What’s different about AndMob is that they incorporate a lot of useful resources that one needs before or when

developing applications for Android. They’ve got discussion board, podcasts, blogs, developer’s guide, tools,

tutorials and sample code. They also have some great collections of video trainings as well as recommended

books in digital format for Android development.

The Android Development Community

The Android Development Community, also known as anddev, is a forum especially created for Android

developers. Apart from the tutorials and news you can find here, the most activity goes around the Android

Coding Problem topics. This is where you can post the problems you’ve encountered and other developers can

help you out with solutions. This looks like a strong community, so if you need some quick answers to fix your

coding problems, do check it out.

Apps for Android

This is where you can find a nice collection of open source application for the Android platform.

We believe these are the most important resources you should check out. Have you found other resources you

think developers should know about?