Tracking and theft-recovery system for mobile assets
A system for tracking objects includes tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module. A server includes a processor and a memory. A mobile communications device (typically a mobile telephone) includes memory for storing an identification of the mobile device, a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network and a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices. The mobile telephone also includes a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile telephone. On receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, a location is obtained from the location module and a signal transmitted to the server including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received.
1. A system for tracking objects including:
a plurality of tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module;
a server;
a mobile communications device including:
a memory for storing therein an identification of the mobile device;
a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network;
a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices, the received signal including at least an identification of the tracking device;
a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile communication device; and
a processor for:
on receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, obtaining a location from the location module; and
transmitting a signal to the server via the long range communication module, the signal including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received;
a memory associated with the server, wherein the server further:
receives an authentication request from a mobile communications device, the authentication request including an identification of a tracking device and an identification of the mobile communications device from which the request is received;
accesses the memory to determine if the mobile communications device from which the authentication request is received is an authorised mobile communications device for the tracking device; and
if the mobile communications device is an authorised device then transmitting an authentication message back to the mobile communications device via the long range communication modules;
wherein upon receipt of an authentication message, the mobile communication device transmits a cancel message via the short range communication modules to the tracking device to thereby stop the tracking device from transmitting distress messages.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device is a mobile telephone.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the mobile communications device and the server both include a long range communications module which enable the mobile communications device and the server to communicate directly with one another.
4. A system for tracking objects using a mobile communications device, the mobile communications device including a memory, long and short range communications modules, a location determination module, and a processor, the system including:
a plurality of tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module;
a server;
mobile device software configured for the mobile communications device, the mobile device software configured to be executed upon the processor to:
store in the memory an identification of the mobile device;
access the long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network;
access the short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices, the received signal including at least an identification of the tracking device;
access the location determination module to determine the location of the mobile communication device;
on receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, obtaining a location from the location module; and
transmit a signal to the server via the long range communication module, the signal including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received;
server software executable by the server to:
receive an authentication request from a mobile communications device, the authentication request including an identification of a tracking device and an identification of the mobile communications device from which the request is received;
access the memory to determine if the mobile communications device from which the authentication request is received is an authorized mobile communications device for the tracking device; and
if the mobile communications device is an authorized device, then transmitting an authentication message back to the mobile communications device via the long range communication modules;
wherein upon receipt of an authentication message, the mobile device software causes the mobile device to transmit a cancel message via the short range communication modules to the tracking device to thereby stop the tracking device from transmitting distress messages.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the object to be tracked is a motor vehicle.