Cell Tracking with Python for Nokia Series 60

It's easy to assemble a quick application in python that tracks cell sites for you. I made a small app to do this and am using it on my Nokia E61. You need a Symbian Series 60 phone and Python interpreter installed on it.

To run it on your phone you need to do the following:

• Download Python on to your phone.
• References:
• Nokia page for Python on Series 60
  
• Nokia wiki on Python
• Download Python for Symbian from sourceforge. For Series 60 3rd edition download:
• PythonForS60_1_4_1_3rdEd.SIS
• PythonForS60_1_4_1_doc.pdf
• PythonScriptShell_1_4_1_3rdEd_unsigned_freedevcert.SIS
• You cannot get the location information in Symbian 3rd edition phones without a signed application and the Python Script Shell you just downloaded is not signed. There is no way to "turn off" Platform Security in a S60 3rd Edition device. As an individual you can get a developer certificate from Symbian to sign it yourself. The basic level developer certificate is free and getting it takes just a few minutes. More information on devcerts here
• Getting a symbian devcert:
• Register on www.symbiansigned.com.
• Download the DevCertRequest tool to generate a Certified Symbian Request (.csr) file. This tool guides you through five steps:
• Name of application
• File information
• Personal information
• Phone IMEI and capabilities information
• Confirm Symbian Developer Request Details
• Request a new DevCert by uploading the .csr file which generates a DevCert file ready for download.
• Sign the file PythonScriptShell_1_4_1_3rdEd_unsigned_freedevcert.SIS using your devcert. Instructions on signing sis file is available here and here. Download signsis zip file here. Use the below command to sign:
  signsis PythonScriptShell_1_4_1_3rdEd_unsigned_freedevcert.SIS
  • PythonScriptShell_1_4_1_3rdEd_signed_devcert.SIS
  YourCert.cer YourCert.key 12345
• Install PythonForS60_1_4_1_3rdEd.SIS and the signed python shell on to your phone.
• Save the source code below on your PC and transfer it on to your phone via bluetooth
  

  
  # Simple app to display current cell info and signal strength.
  
  import e32
  import appuifw
  import location, sysinfo, time
  
  class my_cell_id:
  def __init__(self):
  self.text = u""
  
  def get_new_data(self):
  self.mcc, self.mnc, self.lac, self.cellid = location.gsm_location()
  self.bars = sysinfo.signal_bars()
  self.dbm = sysinfo.signal_dbm()
     self.sigpct = self.bars*100/7
  
  def lookup_mcc(self, mcc):
     if 404 == mcc or 405 == mcc:
   return u"India"
  else:
   return u"Unregistered Country"
  
  def get_display_text(self):
     self.text = u"Mobile Country Code: %s (%s)\nMobile Network Code: %s\nLocation Area Code: %s\nCell ID: %s\nSignal Strength: %s(%s%%) - %sdbm\nTime: %s\n" % (self.mcc, self.lookup_mcc(self.mcc), self.mnc, self.lac, self.cellid, self.bars, self.sigpct, self.dbm, time.asctime())
  return self.text
  
  def close(self):
  self.text = u""
  pass
  
  e32.ao_yield()
  
  class my_cell_info:
  def __init__(self):
     self.lock = e32.Ao_lock()
  self.timerstarted = 0
  
     self.old_title = appuifw.app.title
     appuifw.app.title = u"My Cell Info"
  
     self.exit_flag = False
     appuifw.app.exit_key_handler = self.abort
  
  appuifw.app.body = appuifw.Text()
  appuifw.app.body.set(u"Choose \"Fetch\" from options to fetch or refresh cell info anytime")
  self.dataobj = my_cell_id()
  
     self.timerobj = e32.Ao_timer()
  
     self.menu_fetch = (u"Fetch", self.handle_fetch)
     self.menu_auto_refresh_start = (u"Start Auto Fetch", self.handle_start_timer)
     self.menu_auto_refresh_end = (u"Stop Auto Fetch", self.handle_stop_timer)
  appuifw.app.menu = [self.menu_fetch, self.menu_auto_refresh_start, self.menu_auto_refresh_end]
  
  def loop(self):
     try:
         self.lock.wait()
         while not self.exit_flag:
             self.refresh()
             self.lock.wait()
     finally:
         self.dataobj.close()
  
  def close(self):
     appuifw.app.menu = []
     appuifw.app.body = None
     appuifw.app.exit_key_handler = None
     appuifw.app.title = self.old_title
     self.timerstarted = 0
     self.timerobj.cancel()
  
  def abort(self):
     # Exit-key handler.
     self.exit_flag = True
     self.lock.signal()
  
  def refresh(self):
  if 1 == self.timerstarted:
   self.dataobj.get_new_data()
     appuifw.app.body.set(self.dataobj.get_display_text())
  if 1 == self.timerstarted:
   self.timerobj.after(5, self.refresh)
  
  def handle_fetch(self):
     self.dataobj.get_new_data()
  self.refresh()
  
  def handle_start_timer(self):
  self.timerstarted = 1
  self.refresh()
  
  def handle_stop_timer(self):
  self.timerstarted = 0
     self.timerobj.cancel()
  
  def main():
  app = my_cell_info()
  try:
     app.loop()
  finally:
     app.close()
  
  if __name__ == "__main__":
  main()
  

  
  
• Fire up Python on your phone and run the script!

It would be interesting if I had a GPS phone and I could link this up to www.cellspotting.com to tag my locality. May be I should work on it further...