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The basic idea is to hide a cell phone on something valuable (e.g. bike, vehicle) that is left in a vulnerable-to-theft location. If/when the valuable item is stolen the cell phone transmits its location, leading you to the thief. This might be useful to catch a thief who has been targeting an area.
The
phone application would transmit a message to an internet site or phone with its coordinates (using the phone's GPS) when activated by motion (using the phone's accelerometer). The phone would continue to send frequent SMSs while the phone is moving, and then stop when the phone is stationary.
The phone would have to be hidden somewhere that will still receive a GPS signal and be able to transmit cell phone signals. For example, a phone could be hidden in the seat of a bike.
I realize there are devices that use a cell phone signal to transmit a GPS coordinate for tracking purposes; however these are dedicated devices. The (small) idea here is integrate the elements present in newer mobile phones (GPS, accelerometer) with a simple software application.
This should be a start
http://www.gadget.p...rld-from-venezuela/
Adding GPS and an accelerometer won't add too much to the BOM [coprocephalous, Aug 27 2009]
Astro 220
https://buy.garmin....do?pID=8576&ra=true
Track with these babies instead. Poor man's lo-jack. [Custardguts, Aug 27 2009]
[link]
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Why would you use a cellphone for this!? It's very wasteful. |
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re: wasteful - only if you don't catch the thief. |
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Also, I would guess cell phones are cheap compared to the dedicated devices because they are made in such large quantities. |
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Really? No-commitment (ie, without contract) pricing on even
cheapo free phones runs anywhere from 150 - 200 bucks or
more. And those usually don't have GPS, and the ones that do
don't support 3rd party apps. |
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I'm actually doing this with my bike - phone (with prepaid card) cost 6€, with 2€ pre-charge. Online tracking service had to be OKed with 45c text message, now i can track the bike whenever i want.
For a phone this cheap, there is no GPS and acc sensors, of course, just the normal phone tracking via phone signal.
Reloading the phone is a pain, but i'm working on it... |
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Tracking via phone signal's an inexact method at best, though. It
can be off by a half mile or more. |
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See linky on Astro 220. Why reinvent the wheel using mobile phones? |
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Just put one of the DC30 collars on your bike somewhere (they cost maybe $200). You then use the fully featured handheld GPS to track your stolen item. |
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Just stay within about 5km of the item to keep signal. |
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good idea custard. I'll just leave a note on the bike/car and advise the thief not to travel more than 5km away from my present location ;) |
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Sounds like a good use for an old pager. |
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