DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a system for tracking a communication device and method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[001] In today’s world of globalization the whole world at large is a market for goods suppliers, and the goods produced at one part of the world are supplied to customers residing at another part of the world via ships, planes, trains, trucks, etc. via all modes of transportation, it is always preferred by suppliers as well as customers or individuals to keep a track of goods in transit for various reasons such as security, timely delivery of goods or their loved ones etc. While transportation via ships, planes and trains are generally secured, time bound and not controlled by an individual, transportation through road generally takes place by trucks owned by individuals/ companies and driven by individual drivers who are in control of goods in transit. Consequently, security and time bound delivery in case of road transport becomes a matter of concern for the suppliers as well as customers. Accordingly, keeping a track of whereabouts/ geographical location of vehicle transporting the goods becomes vital in case of road transport.
[002] One known way of tracking geographical location of a vehicle is by tracking a mobile phone in possession of an individual driving the vehicle. Such mobile tracking may be achieved through interaction of radio signals between cell towers of a mobile network and the mobile phone.
[003] A mobile phone communicates with a mobile network through a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) adapted on the mobile phone in the form of a card. A typical SIM card essentially stores Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID), International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number and its related key. Such SIM card is issued by a specific mobile network operator who has all information of an already issued SIM card. Accordingly, a network operator is able to track a mobile phone having its SIM card whenever such mobile phone communicates with the cell towers of the network operator. Consequently, geographical location of the cell tower becomes indicative of the geographical location of an individual carrying the mobile phone in communication with the cell tower.
[004] While the aforementioned technique is generally used by law enforcement agencies and other governmental agencies for security/law enforcement purposes, same may also be used by suppliers to track geographical location of a driver transporting the goods. However, as per the requirements of privacy laws, the geographical location of individuals cannot be provided by the mobile network operators to anyone except to individual/ entity who owns the SIM card or to law enforcement agencies or to other governmental agencies for security/law enforcement purposes. Accordingly, a supplier is required to provide a SIM card owned by the supplier to a driver and request telecommunication service providers to track location of mobile phone having the particular SIM card and provide tracking details. However, as suppliers dispatch a substantial number of vehicles each day, a substantial number of SIM cards will required to be owned by the suppliers for providing the same to each driver. Such option is not only expensive but the supplier would also be held liable for any misuse of the SIM card by the driver. Additionally, management of such huge number of SIM cards also becomes a matter of concern. Moreover, in most of the cases the drivers would be reluctant to replace their own SIM card with a supplier owned SIM card in their mobile phones because such replacement will cause inconvenience to drivers in making and receiving calls/ text messages using new IMSI number.
[005] Another known way of tracking geographical location of a vehicle is by using a portable satellite based Global Positioning System (GPS) device mounted on the vehicle. The GPS device tracks geographical location of the vehicle through satellite communication and provides tracking details to supplier/customer using a communication module. However, as GPS devices are expensive, procurement of the GPS devices by the supplier involves a huge cost which is undesirable. Further, as the transporter transporting the goods and the supplier are generally different entities, once the truck containing the consignment reaches the destination, further costs are involved for the supplier to procure the GPS devices from the destination and bring it back to the source for reuse.
[006] Nowadays mobile phones having GPS capability are also available and therefore tracking of such mobile phones are possible by using data received by a GPS chipset provided on the mobile phone. Such data having information about location of the mobile phone may be further transmitted the supplier to remotely track the mobile phone. Transmission of data usually takes place through a software application installed on the mobile phone. For the purpose of such transmission, GPRS/3G/4G enabled mobile phone is an essential requirement. However, such smart mobile phones are generally expensive. Further, seamless internet connectivity of any network throughout the country is not available thereby making continuous transmission of location data to the supplier almost impossible.
[007] Thus, there is a need to develop measures that obviates at least some of the above noted drawbacks, which is economical and does not fall within prohibition of law.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for tracking a communication device. The system includes a portal server configured to send a request for tracking location of the communication device wherein the request at least comprises of unique data related to the communication device and event data; and a server of a service provider in communication with the portal server. The server of the service provider configured to: receive a request from the portal server for tracking location of the communication device; track the communication device if the request for tracking of the communication device is received; generate a unique authentication code, such as one time password, for the communication device; provide the unique authentication code to the communication device; send location data, such as a latitude and a longitude or a time period for which the communication device has been tracked, of the communication device to the portal server once the unique authentication code is received back by the server of the service provider from at least the portal server; and terminate the tracking of the communication device once the communication device satisfies the event data. The portal server is also configured to send the tracking data to a user.

[009] In an embodiment, the event data relates to destination and/ or origin location of the communication device, estimated time of arrival of the communication device at a destination location, time period for which tracking of the communication device is required to be carried out.

[010] In another embodiment of the invention, termination of tracking occurs when the server of the service provider fails to locate the communication device and tracking duration exceeds the estimated time of arrival of the communication device at the destination location.

[011] In yet another embodiment, the communication device is a global positioning system (GPS) device or a mobile phone with a unique Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory number (MSISDN). In case of a mobile phone, the portal server is configured to: receive a MSISDN unique to a mobile phone; identify a service provider associated with the MSISDN; and send a request to track the mobile phone to the server of the service provider associated with the MSISDN.

[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, a dedicated application program resides on an electronic device wherein the dedicated application program is configured to communicate with the portal server and displays the tracking data of the communication device on the electronic device in accordance with event data.

[013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for tracking a communication device. The method comprising the steps of: sending a request from a portal server to a server of a service provider for tracking location of the communication device, the request at least comprises of unique data related of the communication device and event data; tracking the communication device if the request for tracking of the communication device is received by the server of the service provider; generating a unique authentication code for the communication device by the server of the service provider; providing the unique authentication code to the communication device; sending location data of the communication device to the portal server once the unique authentication code is received by the server of the service provider from at least the portal server; and terminating the tracking of the communication device once the communication device satisfies the event data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[014] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system for tracking a communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system having multiple SIM based network service providers for tracking a communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method for tracking a communication device implemented on the system of figure 1 or figure 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[015] The present invention is directed towards a system and method for tracking location of a communication device using one or multiple modes of tracking where a request to track the communication device is sent using a portal by a third party and the tracked location data is shared with multiple stakeholders until the communication device has reached a destination location or satisfies an event data.
[016] Figure 1 shows a system for tracking a communication device. The communication device to be tracked can be selected from a global positioning device, a mobile device and the like.
[017] The system comprises a portal server 110, a SIM based network service provider 122, an Application Program Interface (API) based service provider 124, and a GPS based service provider 126. Further, each of the service providers has its own server (130A,130B, 130C) and has an application programming interface (API) (140A, 140B, 140C) implemented on its server. The API helps the server of the service provider to interact with the portal server.
[018] As shown, a subscriber 160, an initiator 190 and plurality of customers 150 are in communication with the portal server. The subscriber is in possession of the communication device which is required to be tracked. Accordingly, the subscriber can be tracked by tracking position/location of the communication device. The communication device/subscriber is associated with the SIM based network service provider or with the API based service provider or with the GPS based service provider. In this regard, the location information of the subscriber/communication device is provided by the service provider. The initiator has access to an electronic device through which the initiator requests and/or receives tracking information of the subscriber/ communication device.
[019] As shown in figure 1, the initiator is in communication with the portal. The initiator as discussed hereinbefore has access to an electronic device through a dedicated application or a web application residing/installed/accessible from the electronic device. For tracking, the communication device/subscriber, the initiator (through the electronic device) enters identification details, which are unique data, of the communication device to be tracked. In this regard, the initiator may also provide other details unique to a subscriber. The kind of identification information which is required to be entered to initiate tracking primarily depends upon the type of communication device which is required to be tracked i.e. - a SIM card based communication device, API based communication device or global positioning system (GPS) based communication device. In addition to unique data of the communication device, the initiator also provides event data. The event data can be data related to destination location of the communication device or data related to origin location of the communication device or data related to estimated time of arrival of the communication device at a destination location or a time period for which tracking of the communication device is required to be carried out.
[020] The details entered are received by the portal server, and the portal server is configured to send a request for tracking location of the communication device to a server of one of the service providers associated with the subscriber. The server upon receiving the request initiates tracking of the communication device. Simultaneously, the server generates a unique authentication code to authenticate/verify the communication device. In an embodiment, the unique authentication code is a onetime password (OTP). The unique authentication code is provided to the communication device. In an embodiment, the unique authentication code has to be entered/ provided to the portal server to verify the communication device. In this regard, the unique authentication code can be entered/ fed into the portal by the subscriber or the identifier or a third-party 180 who is authorized to receive and enter OTP. In another embodiment, the unique authentication can be provided directly by the subscriber to the service provider. In case the authentication code matches i.e. authentication code is verified, location data of the communication device is sent to the portal server. In an embodiment of the invention, the location data comprises a latitude and a longitude of the communication device. In a further embodiment of the invention, the location data comprises a time period for which the communication device has been tracked. The location data now available on the server is accessible to the initiator. The plurality of customers shown in figure 1, may also be given access to the portal to track the communication device.
[021] Thus, once the same unique authentication code is received by the server of the network service provider, the server of the network service provider starts sharing the location data with the portal server which can be accessed by the initiator and/or customer. Further, as shown the portal server is also in communication with a SMS server 170 and is configured to send SMS alerts of the tracked data to the initiator/ customers/ subscriber.
[022] Further, with regard to the authentication code, if the same authentication code is not received by the server of the network service provider a new authentication code is generated and sent to the subscriber device. For instance, maximum of three attempts are allowed by the server of the network service provider for authentication of the request and if more than three attempts are made to verify the request the server of the service provider stops tracking the location of the subscriber device.
[023] The subscriber location is tracked until the subscriber reaches the destination location. Once the subscriber reaches the destination location, the server of the service provider terminates tracking of location of the subscriber and a journey report is generated and sent to the portal server. In an embodiment, the server of the service provider can be configured to terminate tracking when the server of the service provider fails to locate the communication device and tracking duration exceeds the estimated time of arrival of the communication device at the destination location. In a further embodiment of the invention, a geographical fence may be defined to initiate and terminate tracking of the communication device. Details of the geographical fence may reside on the portal server based on which the tracking data is received and shared. Details of the geographical fence may also be provided by the portal server to the service provider while making a request for tracking.
[024] Figure 2 shows a system for tracking a communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system illustrated in figure 2 is similar to the system illustrated in figure 1. However, as shown in figure 2, the portal server 210 is in communication with multiple network service providers such as a first network service provider 222, a second network service provider 224, a third network service provider 226 etc. As shown, each network service provider has its server (230a, 230B, 230C) and API (240A, 240B, 240C). In this regard, the communication device which is a mobile phone will have a unique Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN). To initiate tracking, the initiator enters the identification details such as MSISDN of a subscriber device which is to be tracked into the portal. Upon entering the details, the portal automatically identifies the network service provider associated with the MSISDN and sends a request to a server of the identified network service provider to track location of the subscriber 260, and the system provides location data as discussed hereinbefore.
[025] In an exemplary embodiment/application, the system is adapted to track a fleet of vehicles. Each vehicle or driver of the vehicle is provided with a mobile phone, and by tracking the mobile phone, the vehicle can be tracked. For tracking the driver/vehicle, a unique number or dial-in number of the mobile phone is entered into the portal server by using a computer and the portal server identifies the network service provider of the SIM card of the driver and sends a request to track the location of the SIM card to the server of the identified network service provider. The server of the network service provider initiates tracking location of the SIM card and simultaneously generates a unique authentication code such as one time password (OTP). The OTP is sent to the mobile phone of the driver. The OTP is shared by the driver with the transporter/company which then feeds the OTP into the portal server or is fed into the portal server directly by the driver. If the OTP received by the server of the service provider is same then the tracked location data is shared with the portal server. The portal server provides the tracked location data to the company and/or the customers of the company whose goods are being transported by the driver. Advantageously, location of the vehicle carrying goods is provided to the manufacturer/customers on a real time basis.
[026] In another embodiment of the invention, a dedicated application program is provided on the communication device or on the electronic device of the initiator to display the tracking data received from the portal server. In this regard, the dedicated application program is either installed on the initiator’s electronic device or can be installed on the device when a request is made to the portal server. Initiator is also provided with an authentication code to validate the device with the portal server. Once validated, the initiator may remain be active and in communication with the portal server for a predetermined time and capable of initiating a request to track a communication device/ subscriber. The initiator when initiates a request to portal server for tracking of a communication device/ subscriber, the subscriber receives an authentication code along with an option to install the dedicated application program in case same is already not installed. The subscriber authenticates the communication device using the authentication code. The portal server receives the authentication code from the communication device and validates the same together with other unique data, for example MSISDN, of the communication device. In an embodiment of the invention, the initiator may also retrieve and/ or see all past requests along with status thereof.
[027] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the subscriber is a driver of a truck intended to transport goods from a plant to a desired location and the initiator is a transporter. Accordingly, when a sales order is placed by a customer, the transporter receives the details of the order. The transporter thereafter initiates a request for tracking of the driver as described hereinbefore. The driver receives an authentication code which when validated; tracking of the communication device with the driver is initiated. In this regard, the tracking takes place as described hereinbefore, i.e. either through network service provider or through API service provider or through GPS service provider. In an embodiment, the dedicated application program may also use another application program, such as google map, for tracking of the communication device. The dedicated application program is further configured to display the real time or deferred location of the communication device/ subscriber/ truck. In this regard, once the truck reaches the plant or is within a predetermined geographical fence, the dedicated application program displays that the truck has arrived the plant. Similarly, when the truck exits the plant, the dedicated application program displays that the truck has exited the plant. The dedicated application program also enables the driver to start a trip after exiting from the plant and terminates the trip once reaching the destination and unloading the truck. Once a trip has been started by the driver, the dedicated application program updates and displays the location of the truck on a map. Upon reaching the destination or when the truck is within a predetermined geographical fence of the designation, the dedicated application program displays that the truck has arrived the destination. In the meantime, the portal server provides alerts and truck location to a customer through SMS.
[028] Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for tracking a communication device implemented on a server as described hereinabove. The method starts at step 3A where the initiator (through the electronic device) enters identification details of the communication device to be tracked on the portal server and portal server sends a request to track the communication device to a server one of the service provider. At step 3B the server upon receiving the request initiates tracking of the communication device. Simultaneously, the server generates a unique authentication code to authenticate/verify the communication device and provide it to the communication device. At step 3C, the server of the service provider receives the authentication code from the communication device and/or the computing device. At step 3D, the server of the service provider checks if the authentication code received by the server is same. In case the authentication code matches i.e. authentication code is verified, the method proceeds to step 3E and the location data of the communication device is sent to the portal server. In an embodiment, the location data now available on the server is accessible to the initiator. The location data is continuously shared with the portal server by the server of the network provider. However, if the authentication code does not match, the method proceeds to step 3F and the tracking is terminated. At step 3G, the server of the service provider checks if the destination is reached or a time lapsed since tracking initiated has exceeded a time period, the method proceeds to step 3F and the tracking is terminated. In an embodiment, the server of the service provider terminates tracking when the server fails to locate the communication device and tracking duration exceeds the estimated time of arrival of the communication device at the destination location.
[029] Advantageously, the present invention provides a technologically independent system and a method for tracking of a communication device. Moreover, the present invention eliminates the need of tracking communication devices issued in the name of companies and rather depends on authentication by subscribers of such communication devices. Further, tracking of communication devices according to present invention is event dependent.
[030] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since the modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to the person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the disclosure.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A system for tracking a communication device comprising:
a portal server configured to send a request for tracking location of the communication device, the request at least comprises of unique data related to the communication device and event data;
a server of a service provider in communication with the portal server, the server of the service provider configured to:
receive a request from the portal server for tracking location of the communication device;
track the communication device if the request for tracking of the communication device is received;
generate a unique authentication code for the communication device;
provide the unique authentication code to the communication device;
send location data of the communication device to the portal server once the unique authentication code is received back by the server of the service provider from at least the portal server; and
terminate the tracking of the communication device once the communication device satisfies the event data.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the event data comprises of data related to destination location of the communication device.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the event data comprises of data related to origin location of the communication device.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the event data comprises of data related to estimated time of arrival of the communication device at a destination location.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the event data comprises of time period for which tracking of the communication device is required to be carried out.

6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein termination of tracking occurs when the server of the service provider fails to locate the communication device and tracking duration exceeds the estimated time of arrival of the communication device at the destination location.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portal server is configured to send the tracking data to a user.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the authentication code is an one time password (OTP).

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location data comprises a latitude and a longitude.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the location data comprises a time period for which the communication device has been tracked.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is a mobile phone with a unique Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory number (MSISDN).

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the portal server is configured to:
receive a MSISDN unique to a mobile phone;
identify a service provider associated with the MSISDN; and
send a request to track the mobile phone to the server of the service provider associated with the MSISDN.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a dedicated application program residing on an electronic device, the dedicated application program configured to communicate with the portal server.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the dedicated application program is configured to display the tracking data of the communication device on the electronic device.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the dedicated application program is configured to display the tracking data of the communication device on the electronic device in accordance with event data.

17. A method for tracking a communication device, the method comprising the steps of:
sending a request from a portal server to a server of a service provider for tracking location of the communication device, the request at least comprises of unique data related of the communication device and event data;
tracking the communication device if the request for tracking of the communication device is received by the server of the service provider;
generating a unique authentication code for the communication device by the server of the service provider;
providing the unique authentication code to the communication device;
sending location data of the communication device to the portal server once the unique authentication code is received by the server of the service provider from at least the portal server; and
terminating the tracking of the communication device once the communication device satisfies the event data.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the event data comprises of data related to destination location of the communication device.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the event data comprises of data related to origin location of the communication device.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the event data comprises of data related to estimated time of arrival of the communication device at a destination location.

21. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the event data comprises of time period for which tracking of the communication device is required to be carried out.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein termination of tracking occurs when the server of the service provider fails to locate the communication device and tracking duration exceeds the estimated time of arrival of the communication device at the destination location.

23. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the authentication code is an one time password (OTP).

24. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the location data comprises a latitude and a longitude.

25. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the location data comprises a time period for which the communication device has been tracked.

26. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the communication device is a global positioning system (GPS) device.

27. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the communication device is a mobile phone with a unique Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory number (MSISDN).

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, comprising the steps of:
receiving a MSISDN unique to a mobile phone by the portal server;
identifying a service provider associated with the MSISDN by the portal server; and
sending a request to track the mobile phone to the server of the service provider associated with the MSISDN.