Investigation into developing stand-alone Location Investigation into developing stand-alone Location Based services (LBS)Based services (LBS)

Nkululeko GojelaNkululeko GojelaSupervisor: Dr Hannah ThinyaneSupervisor: Dr Hannah Thinyane

BackgroundBackground

“…services that integrate a mobile devices location or position with other information so

as to provide added value to the user”Schiller and Viosard

BackgroundBackground

• Types of Location Based Services• Type 1

– Those that are dependent on an aggregation infrastructure (Central server with application logic)

• Type 2– Those that are independent of an aggregation

infrastructure (Standalone)

• Getting location information:1. GPS based2. Network Based (Cell operator)3. Hybrid (Combination of 1 & 2)

Purpose of ProjectPurpose of Project

• To investigate the development of LBS:– Do not requirement aggregation

infrastructure.– Possible methods for developing the services– Which method offers:

• Maximum portability• With maximum location accuracy

– How does the portability and location information accuracy divide the types of LBS that can be developed.

Development ApproachDevelopment Approach

• Two approaches:1. J2ME : Applications on installed on device.– Why?

• Java is designed for platform independence• J2ME Location API - gives applications the opportunity to use a

device's location capabilities• In Location API the Location Provider supplies information

about the location of the devices based on criteria given.• Criteria include – accuracy, response time.

Development ApproachDevelopment Approach

2. Java Card Techonology : Applications running on smart cards.

– Why?• Java is designed for platform independence• Allows for applets written in Java to be execute on smart cards.• Offers portability because the applets are not/less dependent

on device platform.• But memory restrictions affect what you can or cannot do on

the card.• Also enable acquiring of location information from sim/smart

card applet level.• Provide JCVM, RE and Java Card API for developing Card

applets.

InvestigationInvestigation ApproachApproach

– Investigation approach is to develop LBS using both methods.• LBS will allow use to view location information• Set landmark on the application• Events triggered whenever currently location information

matches the landmarks.

– Evaluate the outcomes of the • How does location information affect the type of service

(accuracy)

ProgressProgress

– Understanding the development environments• J2ME + Support for LBS• Java Card Technology and Gemalto Developer Suite.

– Examining the technologies support for LBS

ToolsTools

• J2ME Platform SDK• Gemalto Developer Suite and Simulator• Mutiple mobile device platforms – Symbian OS, Andriod, iPhone OS,

possibly Windows Mobile

Mobile PlatformsMobile Platforms

Questions?Questions?