FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“METHOD AND SYSTEM TO FACILITATE TRACKING OF
A USER DEVICE”
We, Jio Platforms Limited, an Indian National, of Office - 101, Saffron, Nr.
Centre Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380006, Gujarat,
India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
METHOD AND SYSTEM TO FACILITATE TRACKING OF A USER
DEVICE
FIELD OF INVENTION
5
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to tracking
devices. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods
and systems to facilitate tracking of a user device.
10 BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide
background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may
include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the
15 present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only
to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure,
and not as admissions of the prior art.
[0003] Currently when a mobile phone handset or any such user
20 equipment is damaged intentionally or unintentionally, or when it is switched off
and/or the subscriber’s identity module (SIM) card is removed, tracking the user
equipment becomes difficult. There are certain cases and situations where it is
extremely critical to know the location of the handset and/or its owner. For example,
the location data may be needed for some legal investigations, or to find the lost
25 handset.
[0004] The existing solutions for tracking the user equipment fail to track
in various conditions such as when the mobile handset is damaged due to an
accident, the subscriber’s identity module (SIM) is ejected or unmounted from the
30 user equipment (also referred to as handset), or the user equipment is switched off
due to any reason, such as battery drainage, etc. This is because the user equipment
3
mainly relies on the SIM card connectivity to a base station for finding the location
of the user device. Since tracking of the user equipment has become extremely
important and of high significance in many situations, there is a need for a solution
where the tracking of the user equipment is independent of various factors such as
5 the battery of the device, and SIM card.
[0005] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to provide a method
and a system to facilitate tracking of a user device, which the present disclosure
aims to address.
10
SUMMARY
[0006] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present
disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed
15 description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope
of the claimed subject matter.
[0007] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a system to
facilitate tracking of a user device. The system includes a tracker unit adapted to be
20 integrated into the user device. The tracker unit further comprises a radio device
adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger, a power storage device coupled to
the radio device, and adapted to supply power to the radio device. The system
further includes a housing. The housing comprises a plurality of layers
encapsulating the radio device, and the power storage device therein.
25
[0008] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the signal
comprises at least one frequency from a set of frequencies and a location attribute
of the user device.
4
[0009] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the housing is
adapted to at least partially restrict an impact of an external force from acting on
the radio device and the power storage device.
5 [0010] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, each layer from
the plurality of layers is made from a material selected from a group consisting of
polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fiberglass, reinforced plastic
(FRP), polyethylene, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites, rubber, elastomer,
metal alloy, kevlar, rubberized fabric, honeycomb structure, polyurethane (PU),
10 ceramic, armour, polyimide, refractory material, ablative material, lead, concrete,
and combinations thereof.
[0011] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the trigger
comprises at least one from among turning off the user device, damage to the user
15 device, and a manual request.
[0012] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the radio device
comprises an antenna. The antenna is selected from a group consisting of a patch
antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna, a dipole antenna, a helical antenna, an external
20 antenna, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna, a folded dipole
antenna, an active antenna, and combinations thereof.
[0013] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the location
attribute of the user device comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates
25 of the user device.
[0014] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the radio device
is adapted to emit the signal periodically, according to a predefined periodicity.
5
[0015] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the tracker unit is
embedded in a set of the plurality of layers of a printed circuit board (PCB) of the
user device to prevent any unauthorized removal of the tracker unit.
5 [0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method to
facilitate tracking of a user device. The method includes providing a tracker unit
adapted to be integrated into the user device, wherein the tracker unit comprises: a
radio device adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger, a power storage device
coupled to the radio device, and adapted to supply power to the radio device. Next,
10 the method includes a housing comprising a plurality of layers encapsulating the
radio device, and the power storage device therein. Next, the method includes
detecting, by a processing unit, the trigger. Next, the method includes activating,
by the processing unit, in response to detection of the trigger, the tracker unit to
emit the signal.
15
[0017] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a user
device. The user device comprises a tracker unit adapted to be integrated into the
user device, wherein the tracker unit comprises: a radio device adapted to emit a
signal in response to a trigger; a power storage device coupled to the radio device,
20 and adapted to supply power to the radio device; and a housing comprising a
plurality of layers encapsulating the radio device, and the power storage device
therein.
[0018] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a non25 transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions to facilitate
tracking of a user device, the instructions include executable code which, when
executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a processing unit of the system
to detect the trigger; and activate, in response to detection of the trigger, the tracker
unit to emit the signal.
30
6
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
5
[0020] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a
method for tracking a user equipment in case the user equipment is damaged,
switched off, or a SIM card is removed from the user equipment.
10 [0021] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution
that uses radio communication to track user equipment.
[0022] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a method
and a system that tracks the user equipment independent of the battery or SIM of
15 the user equipment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and
20 constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the
disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same
parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the
principles of the present disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components
25 using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each
component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such
drawings includes disclosure of electrical components, electronic components or
circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
30
7
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing
device upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented, in
accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.
5 [0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system to
facilitate tracking of a user device, in accordance with exemplary implementations
of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a method flow diagram to facilitate tracking of a
10 user device, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present
disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a sequence flow diagram to facilitate tracking of
a user device, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present
15 disclosure.
[0028] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more
detailed description of the disclosure.
20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation,
various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that
25 embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific
details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one
another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not
address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the
problems discussed above.
30
8
[0030] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only,
and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the
disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will
provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an
5 exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made
in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and
scope of the disclosure as set forth.
[0031] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a
10 thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one
of ordinary skills in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these
specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components
may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the
embodiments in unnecessary detail.
15
[0032] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as
a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a
structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the
operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in
20 parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged.
A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional
steps not included in a figure.
[0033] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to
25 mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt,
the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any
aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques
30 known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
“includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed
9
description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner
similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding
any additional or other elements.
5 [0034] As used herein, a “processing unit” or “processor” or “operating
processor” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic
circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose
processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal
processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in
10 association with a (Digital Signal Processing) DSP core, a controller, a
microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable
Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may
perform signal coding, data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other
functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present
15 disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware
processor.
[0035] As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a smart-userdevice”, “a smart-device”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld
20 device”, “a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, “a
communication device” may be any electrical, electronic and/or computing device
or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The
user equipment/device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart
phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant,
25 tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable
of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may
contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from at least one of
a transceiver unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, a detection unit and any other
such unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.
30
10
[0036] As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a
machine or computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing
information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a
computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access
5 memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash
memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage
unit stores at least the data that may be required by one or more units of the system
to perform their respective functions.
10 [0037] As used herein “interface” or “user interface refers to a shared
boundary across which two or more separate components of a system exchange
information or data. The interface may also be referred to a set of rules or protocols
that define communication or interaction of one or more modules or one or more
units with each other, which also includes the methods, functions, or procedures
15 that may be called.
[0038] All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly
excluded herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors
being a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional
20 processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or
more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a
microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field
Programmable Gate Array circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits,
etc.
25
[0039] As used herein the transceiver unit includes at least one receiver
and at least one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting
data, signals, information, or a combination thereof between units/components
within the system and/or connected with the system.
30
[0040] As discussed in the background section, the current known
solutions have several shortcomings such as no provision for tracking the user
11
device or user equipment in situations where the user equipment is damaged or
subjected to conditions such as immersion in water or other such liquids, being set
on fire, extreme stress (being trapped under a stone or rock), the ejection or
unmounting of the subscriber’s identity module (SIM), or when the equipment is
5 switched off.
[0041] The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and
other existing problems in this field of technology by providing a method and a
system to facilitate tracking of a user device or user equipment. The present
10 disclosure provides a solution for tracking a user equipment when the user
equipment is damaged or switched off or the SIM card from the user equipment is
removed. The solution involves the installation of a tracking device comprising a
small radio beacon and a battery in the user equipment. The tracking device may be
protected by multiple layers of damage-resistant material. The tracking device may
15 be embedded in the main electronic circuit of the user equipment.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing
device [100] (also referred to herein as a computer system [100]) upon which the
features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with the
20 exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the
computing device [100] may also implement a method to facilitate tracking of a
user device utilising the system. In another implementation, the computing device
[100] itself implements the method to facilitate tracking of a user device using one
or more units configured within the computing device [100], wherein said one or
25 more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present
disclosure.
[0043] The computing device [100] may include a bus [102] or other
communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware
30 processor [104] coupled with the bus [102] for processing information. The
hardware processor [104] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor.
12
The computing device [100] may also include a main memory [106], such as a
random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the
bus [102] for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor
[104]. The main memory [106] also may be used for storing temporary variables or
5 other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed
by the processor [104]. Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage
media accessible to the processor [104], render the computing device [100] into a
special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in
the instructions. The computing device [100] further includes a read only memory
10 (ROM) [108] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [102] for storing static
information and instructions for the processor [104].
[0044] A storage device [110], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or
solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus [102] for storing information
15 and instructions. The computing device [100] may be coupled via the bus [102] to
a display [112], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD),
Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc. for
displaying information to a computer user. An input device [114], including
alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the
20 bus [102] for communicating information and command selections to the processor
[104]. Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller [116], such as
a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction
information and command selections to the processor [104], and for controlling
cursor movement on the display [112]. This input device typically has two degrees
25 of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow
the device to specify positions in a plane.
[0045] The computing device [100] may implement the techniques
described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs,
30 firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computing device
[100] causes or programs the computing device [100] to be a special-purpose
13
machine. According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by
the computing device [100] in response to the processor [104] executing one or
more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [106].
Such instructions may be read into the main memory [106] from another storage
5 medium, such as the storage device [110]. Execution of the sequences of
instructions contained in the main memory [106] causes the processor [104] to
perform the process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the
present disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination
with software instructions.
10
[0046] The computing device [100] also may include a communication
interface [118] coupled to the bus [102]. The communication interface [118]
provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link [120] that is
connected to a local network [122]. For example, the communication interface
15 [118] may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem,
satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a
corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the communication
interface [118] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data
communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be
20 implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface [118]
sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital
data streams representing various types of information.
[0047] The computing device [100] can send messages and receive data,
25 including program code, through the network(s), the network link [120] and the
communication interface [118]. In the Internet example, a server [130] might
transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet [128], the
ISP [126], the local network [122], host [124] and the communication interface
[118]. The received code may be executed by the processor [104] as it is received,
30 and/or stored in the storage device [110], or other non-volatile storage for later
execution.
14
[0048] The computing device [100] encompasses a wide range of
electronic devices capable of processing data and performing computations.
Examples of computing device [100] include, but are not limited only to, personal
5 computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, servers, and embedded systems. The
devices may operate independently or as part of a network and can perform a variety
of tasks such as data storage, retrieval, and analysis. Additionally, computing device
[100] may include peripheral devices, such as monitors, keyboards, and printers, as
well as integrated components within larger electronic systems, showcasing their
10 versatility in various technological applications.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of a system [200]
to facilitate tracking of a user device is shown, in accordance with the exemplary
implementations of the present disclosure. The system [200] comprises at least one
15 tracking device [202] and at least one processing unit [204]. The tracking device
[202] further comprises at least one radio device [202a] having at least one antenna
[208], at least one power storage device [202b], and at least one housing [202c].
The housing [202c] comprises a plurality of layers [206]. Also, all of the
components/ units of the system [200] are assumed to be connected to each other
20 unless otherwise indicated below. As shown in the figures, all units shown within
the system should also be assumed to be connected to each other. Also, in FIG. 2
only a few units are shown, however, the system [200] may comprise multiple such
units, or the system [200] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required
to implement the features of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation,
25 the system [200] may be present in a user device to implement the features of the
present disclosure. The system [200] may be a part of the user device / or may be
independent of but in communication with the user device (may also referred to
herein as a UE). In another implementation, the system [200] may reside in a server
or a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system [200] may reside
30 partly in the server/ network entity and partly in the user device.
15
[0050] The system [200] is configured to facilitate tracking of a user
device, with the help of the interconnection between the components/units of the
system [200].
5 [0051] The system [200] includes a tracking unit [202]. The tracking unit
[202] (also referred to as a tracking device) includes a radio device [202a] and a
power storage device [202b]. In an implementation, the radio device [202a] may be
such as, but not limited to, a radio beacon. In an implementation, the power storage
device [202b] may be such as, but not limited to, a battery that provides power to
10 the tracking unit [202]. In an exemplary implementation, the tracker unit [202] is
embedded in a set of the plurality of layers [206] of a printed circuit board (PCB)
of the user device to prevent any unauthorized removal of the tracker unit [202].
[0052] The tracking unit [202] comprises a housing [202c], the housing
15 [202c] comprises a plurality of layers [206]. The plurality of layers [206]
encapsulate the radio device [202a], and the power storage device [202b] therein.
The plurality of layers [206] provides encapsulation to the radio device [202a] to
protect it from accidental damage such as shock, impact, fire, water,
electromagnetic blasts, and radiation except for the antenna. In an implementation,
20 each layer from the plurality of layers [206] is made from a material selected from
a group consisting of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
fiberglass, reinforced plastic (FRP), polyethylene, carbon fiber, carbon fiber
composites, rubber, elastomer, metal alloy, kevlar, rubberized fabric, honeycomb
structure, polyurethane (PU), ceramic, armour, polyimide, refractory material,
25 ablative material, lead, concrete, and combinations thereof.
[0053] In an exemplary implementation, the radio device [202a] includes
an antenna [208]. Further, the antenna [208] is selected from a group consisting of
a patch antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna, a dipole antenna, a helical antenna, an
30 external antenna, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna, a folded dipole
antenna, an active antenna, and combinations thereof. The radio device [202a] is
16
adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger. In an exemplary implementation,
the trigger may comprise at least one of turning off the user device, damage to the
user device, and a manual request. The radio device [202a] is adapted to emit the
signal periodically, according to a predefined periodicity. In an exemplary
5 implementation, the signal comprises at least one frequency from a set of
frequencies and a location attribute of the user device. The predefined periodicity
is set by an entity such as a user, an authorised person, a manufacturer, or a service
provider. In an implementation, the radio device [202a], such as radio beacon
radiates on a set of pre-defined frequencies or frequency ranges. For example, this
10 frequency range may be as agreed and approved between operator and regulatory
bodies. The location attribute of the user device comprises the global positioning
system (GPS) coordinates of the user device.
[0054] In an exemplary implementation, the power storage device [202b]
15 may be coupled to the radio device [202a] and adapted to supply power to the radio
device [202a]. In an implementation, the radio device [202a], such as a radio beacon
is implemented for tracking and shall turn on with the power storage device [202b],
such as battery, when the main electronic circuit of the user device is turned off or
damaged due to any reason, or subscriber identity module (SIM) card of the user
20 device is removed.
[0055] In an exemplary implementation, the housing [202c] is adapted to
at least partially restrict an impact of an external force from acting on the radio
device [202a] and the power storage device [202b]. The housing [202c] comprises
25 the plurality of layers [206], which provide the protection and partially restrict the
impact of the external force or pressure in an event of such as, but not limited to,
emergency, accident or any intentional manual pressure from acting on the radio
device [202a] and the power storage device [202b].
30 [0056] In an implementation, when the tracking device [202] turns on, the
signal radiated by the radio device [202a], such as the radio beacon may be received
17
by one or more ground-based monopoles (GBMs). In an implementation, the signal
radiated by the radio beacon may be periodic or aperiodic, for example, signal is
generated every 15 mins, or dynamically periodic based on power left in the battery
or power device. In an example, the signal is generated every 10 minutes when the
5 power storage device [202b] is more than 80% charged. In another example, the
signal is generated every 30 min when the battery (power storage device) level is
in between 80%. and 50%. In yet another example, the signal is generated every 60
min when the battery level is less than 50%. A person skilled in the art shall
appreciate that the above example is provided for understanding purposes only and
10 does not limit or restrict the invention in any possible manner. Further, the signal
radiated by the radio beacon may contain global positioning system (GPS) data.
[0057] As used herein, the user device may be such as, but not limited to,
a user equipment, mobile device, and computing device implementing the system
15 and method as disclosed in the present disclosure.
[0058] As used herein, the user device may be associated with such as 5G
network technology, higher than 5G network technology or lower than 5G network
technology.
20
[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, a method flow diagram [300] to facilitate
tracking of a user device, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the
present disclosure, is shown. In an implementation the method [300] is performed
by the system [200]. As shown in FIG. 3, the method [300] starts at step [302].
25
[0060] At step [304], the method [300] as disclosed by the present
disclosure comprises providing, in a user device, a tracker unit [202] adapted to be
integrated into the user device, wherein the tracker unit [202] comprises: a radio
device [202a] adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger, a power storage
30 device [202b] coupled to the radio device [202a], and adapted to supply power to
the radio device [202a]; and a housing [202c] comprising a plurality of layers [206],
18
and encapsulating the radio device [202a], and the power storage device [202b]
therein. The tracker unit [202] in the user device may implement the method [300]
for tracking the user device. The tracker unit [202] comprises a housing [202c], a
radio device [202a], and a power storage device [202b]. The housing [202c]
5 comprises a plurality of layers [206]. The plurality of layers [206] encapsulates the
radio device [202a], and the power storage device [202b] therein. Each layer from
the plurality of layers [206] is made from a material selected from a group
consisting of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fiberglass,
reinforced plastic (FRP), polyethylene, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites,
10 rubber, elastomer, metal alloy, kevlar, rubberized fabric, honeycomb structure,
polyurethane (PU), ceramic, armour, polyimide, refractory material, ablative
material, lead, concrete, and combinations thereof. The housing [202c] with the
plurality of layers [206] provides encapsulation and protection to the radio device
[202a] from shock, impact, fire, water, electromagnetic blasts, and radiation except
15 for the antenna. The radio device [202a] may emit a signal in response to a trigger.
The trigger may comprise at least one of turning off the user device, damage to the
user device, and a manual request. The radio device [202a] is adapted to emit the
signal periodically, according to a predefined periodicity. In an exemplary
implementation, the signal comprises at least one frequency from a set of
20 frequencies and a location attribute of the user device. The predefined periodicity
is set by an entity such as a user, an authorised person, a manufacturer, or a service
provider. In an implementation, the radio device [202a], such as the radio beacon
radiates on a set of pre-defined frequencies or frequency ranges. For example, this
frequency range may be as agreed and approved between operator and regulatory
25 bodies. Further, a power storage device [202b] coupled to the radio device [202a]
may supply power to the radio device [202a]. The power storage device [202] is
different from the main or primary battery of the user device or user equipment.
[0061] Next, at step [306], the method [300] as disclosed by the present
30 disclosure comprises detecting, by a processing unit [204], the trigger. The method
[300] implemented by the processing unit [204] may detect the trigger. The trigger
19
may be detected based on the at least one of turning off the user device, damage to
the user device, and a manual request.
[0062] Next, at step [308], the method [300] as disclosed by the present
5 disclosure comprises activating, by the processing unit [204], in response to
detection of the trigger, the tracker unit [202] to emit the signal. The processing unit
[204] may communicatively couple with the tracker unit [202]. After detecting the
trigger, the processing unit [204] may activate the tracker unit [202] to emit the
signal. The tracker unit [202] comprises the radio device [202a]. In an exemplary
10 implementation, the radio device [202a] may be a radio beacon. The radio beacon
starts emitting the signal. The signal comprises at least one frequency from a set of
frequencies and a location attribute of the user device. The location attribute of the
user device may comprise global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the user
device. In an exemplary implementation, the radio device [202a] is adapted to emit
15 the signal periodically, according to a predefined periodicity.
[0063] In an example, the radio beacon or the radio device turn on when
main handset PCB is turned off or damaged due to any reason such as accident.
Next, the radio device radiates on frequencies as agreed and approved between
20 operator and regulatory bodies. Next, the radiated signals are caught by but not
limited to GBMs, specialized drones, and other tracking devices or methods. The
radio device to radiate the signals is powered by an internal independent battery i.e.,
power storage device. Further, in an example, the frequency and power provide a
range of 2-5 kms including vegetation and construction. Thereafter, the method
25 [300] terminates at step [310].
[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a sequence flow diagram [400] to facilitate
tracking of a user device, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the
present disclosure. The sequence flow diagram [400] is performed on a system
30 [200]. The sequence flow diagram [400] starts at step S2.
20
[0065] Next, at step S4, the radio device [202a] such as Radio Beacon
remains off during Normal Operation. The normal operation corresponds to
operations performed by any user equipment such as calling, sending and receiving
messages, using applications, accessing the internet, or any other task routinely
5 performed using the user device with the help of other components such as battery,
display, and the like.
[0066] Next, at step S6, a manual trigger is initiated due to an emergency
situation. In an exemplary implementation, the manual trigger may be generated in
10 an emergency tracking or any other requirement for the tracking.
[0067] Next, at step S8, a handset off or damage detected. In an exemplary
implementation, the sequence flow diagram [400] detects handset-off conditions or
damage detection condition via the processing unit [204].
15
[0068] Next, at step S10, the radio beacon starts radiating GPS data
periodically until the battery (e.g., battery connected with the radio beacon) lasts or
manual power is on, and network is detected. After detecting the condition at step
S6 and step S8, the processing unit [204] may activate the tracking unit [202]. After
20 receiving the trigger (e.g., conditions in step S6 or S8), the radio beacon starts
radiating the location data or GPS data periodically until the battery associated with
the radio beacon lasts or till the time manual power is on and the network is
detected.
25 [0069] Thereafter, the sequence flow diagram [400] terminates at step
S12.
[0070] The present disclosure may relate to a user device. The user device
comprises a tracker unit [202]. The tracker unit [202] comprises a radio device
30 [202a] and a power storage device [202b]. In an implementation, the radio device
[202a] may be such as, but not limited to, a radio beacon. In an implementation, the
power storage device [202b] may be such as, but not limited to, a battery or a
21
secondary battery connected with the radio device and different from the main
battery of the user equipment. In an exemplary implementation, the tracker unit
[202] is embedded in a set of the plurality of layers [206] of a printed circuit board
(PCB) of the user device to prevent any unauthorized removal of the tracker unit
5 [202].
[0071] The tracking device [202] may comprise a housing [202c], the
housing [202c] comprises a plurality of layers [206]. The plurality of layers [206]
encapsulates the radio device [202a], and the power storage device [202b] therein.
10 The plurality of layers [206] provides encapsulation to the radio device [202a] to
protect it from shock, impact, fire, water, electromagnetic blasts, and radiation
except for the antenna. In an implementation, each layer from the plurality of layers
[206] is made from a material selected from a group consisting of polycarbonate,
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fiberglass, reinforced plastic (FRP),
15 polyethylene, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites, rubber, elastomer, metal alloy,
kevlar, rubberized fabric, honeycomb structure, polyurethane (PU), ceramic,
armour, polyimide, refractory material, ablative material, lead, concrete, and
combinations thereof.
20 [0072] In an exemplary implementation, the radio device [202a] may
comprise an antenna [208]. Further, the antenna [208] is selected from a group
consisting of a patch antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna, a dipole antenna, a
helical antenna, an external antenna, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)
antenna, a folded dipole antenna, an active antenna, and combinations thereof. The
25 radio device [202a] is adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger. In an
exemplary implementation, the trigger may comprise at least one from among
turning off the user device, damage to the user device, and a manual request. The
radio device [202a] is adapted to emit the signal periodically, according to a
predefined periodicity. In an exemplary implementation, the signal comprises at
30 least one frequency from a set of frequencies and a location attribute of the user
device. In an implementation, the radio device [202a], such as radio beacon radiates
22
on a set of pre-defined frequencies or frequency ranges. For example, this frequency
range may be as agreed and approved between operator and regulatory bodies. The
location attribute of the user device comprises global positioning system (GPS)
coordinates of the user device.
5
[0073] In an exemplary implementation, the power storage device [202b]
may be coupled to the radio device [202a] and adapted to supply power to the radio
device [202a]. In an implementation, the radio device [202a], such as a radio beacon
is implemented for tracking and shall turn on with the power storage device [202b],
10 such as, the battery, when the main electronic circuit of the user device is turned off
or damaged due to any reason, or subscriber identity module (SIM) card of the user
device is removed.
[0074] In an exemplary implementation, the housing [202c] is adapted to
15 at least partially restrict an impact of an external force from acting on the radio
device [202a] and the power storage device [202b]. The housing [202c] comprises
the plurality of layers [206], which provide the protection and partially restrict the
impact of the external force or pressure in an event of such as, but not limited to,
emergency, accident or any intentional manual pressure from acting on the radio
20 device [202a] and the power storage device [202b].
[0075] The present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium storing instructions to facilitate tracking of a user device,
the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units
25 of a system, causes: a processing unit [204] of the system to detect the trigger; the
processing unit [204] of the system to activate, in response to detection of the
trigger, the tracker unit to emit the signal.
[0076] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be
30 acknowledged that the functionality described for the various the components/units
can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a
23
particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various
configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The
functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative
5 arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended
functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope
of the present disclosure.
[0077] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a
10 technically advanced solution for tracking a user equipment when the user
equipment is damaged or switched off or the SIM card from the user equipment is
removed.
[0078] The solution tracks the user equipment under various conditions,
15 including instances where the device is exposed to shock, impact, fire, water,
electromagnetic blasts, or radiation. The present solution of disclosure provides
emergency tracking when the phone is switched off or damaged. Further, the
present solution aids in search and rescue or users in emergency situations with the
help of the tracking device.
20
[0079] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the
disclosed embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made
and that many changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from the
principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the embodiments
25 of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to
be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative
and non-limiting.
24
We Claim:
1. A system to facilitate tracking of a user device, the system comprising:
- a tracker unit [202] adapted to be integrated into the user device, wherein
5 the tracker unit [202] comprises:
- a radio device [202a] adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger,
- a power storage device [202b] coupled to the radio device [202a],
and adapted to supply power to the radio device [202a]; and
- a housing [202c] comprising a plurality of layers [206], and
10 encapsulating the radio device [202a], and the power storage device
[202b] therein.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal comprises at least one
frequency from a set of frequencies and a location attribute of the user device.
15
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing [202c] is adapted to at
least partially restrict an impact of an external force from acting on the radio
device [202a] and the power storage device [202b].
20 4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each layer from the plurality of
layers [206] is made from a material selected from a group consisting of
polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fiberglass, reinforced
plastic (FRP), polyethylene, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites, rubber,
elastomer, metal alloy, kevlar, rubberized fabric, honeycomb structure,
25 polyurethane (PU), ceramic, armour, polyimide, refractory material, ablative
material, lead, concrete, and combinations thereof.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trigger comprises at least one of
turning off the user device, damage to the user device, and a manual request.
30
25
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio device [202a] comprises
an antenna [208], and wherein the antenna [208] is selected from a group
consisting of a patch antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna, a dipole antenna, a
helical antenna, an external antenna, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)
5 antenna, a folded dipole antenna, an active antenna, and combinations thereof.
7. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the location attribute of the user
device comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the user
device.
10
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio device [202a] is adapted
to emit the signal periodically, according to a predefined periodicity.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tracker unit [202] is embedded
15 in a set of the plurality of layers [206] of a printed circuit board (PCB) of the
user device to prevent any unauthorized removal of the tracker unit [202].
10. A method to facilitate tracking of a user device, the method comprising:
- providing a tracker unit [202] adapted to be integrated into the user device,
20 wherein the tracker unit [202] comprises:
- a radio device [202a] adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger,
- a power storage device [202b] coupled to the radio device [202a],
and adapted to supply power to the radio device [202a]; and
- a housing [202c] comprising a plurality of layers [206], and
25 encapsulating the radio device [202a], and the power storage device
[202b] therein,
- detecting, by a processing unit [204], the trigger; and
- activating, by the processing unit [204], in response to the detection of the
trigger, the tracker unit [202] to emit the signal.
26
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the trigger comprises at least
one of turning off the user device, damage to the user device, and a manual
request.
5
12. A user device comprising:
- a tracker unit [202] adapted to be integrated into the user device, wherein
the tracker unit [202] comprises:
- a radio device [202a] adapted to emit a signal in response to a trigger;
10 - a power storage device [202b] coupled to the radio device [202a],
and adapted to supply power to the radio device [202a]; and
- a housing [202c] comprising a plurality of layers [206], and
encapsulating the radio device [202a], and the power storage device
[202b] therein.
15
13. The user device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the signal comprises at least
one frequency from a set of frequencies and a location attribute of the user
device.
20 14. The user device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the housing [202c] is adapted
to at least partially restrict an impact of an external force from acting on the
radio device [202a] and the power storage device [202b].
15. The user device as claimed in claim 12, wherein each layer from the plurality
25 of layers [206] is made from a material selected from a group consisting of
polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fiberglass, reinforced
plastic (FRP), polyethylene, carbon fiber, carbon fiber composites, rubber,
elastomer, metal alloy, kevlar, rubberized fabric, honeycomb structure,
polyurethane (PU), ceramic, armour, polyimide, refractory material, ablative
30 material, lead, concrete, and combinations thereof.
27
16. The user device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the trigger comprises at least
one of turning off the user device, damage to the user device, and a manual
request.
5
17. The user device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the radio device [202a]
comprises an antenna [208], and wherein the antenna [208] is selected from a
group consisting of a patch antenna, a planar inverted-F antenna, a dipole
antenna, a helical antenna, an external antenna, a multiple-input multiple10 output antennas, a folded dipole antenna, an active antenna, and combinations
thereof.
18. The user device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the location attribute of the
user device comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the user
15 device.
19. The user device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the radio device [202a] is
adapted to emit the signal periodically, according to a predefined periodicity.
20 20. The user device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tracker unit [202] is
embedded in a set of the plurality of layers [206] of a printed circuit board
(PCB) of the user device to prevent any unauthorized removal of the tracker unit [202].