Investigation into developing standalone Location Based services LBS

Investigation into developing stand-alone Location Based services (LBS) Nkululeko Gojela Supervisor: Dr Hannah Thinyane

Background “…services that integrate a mobile devices location or position with other information so as to provide added value to the user” Schiller and Viosard

Background • 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 based 2. Network Based (Cell operator) 3. Hybrid (Combination of 1 & 2)

Purpose 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 Approach • Two approaches: 1. J 2 ME : Applications on installed on device. – Why? • Java is designed for platform independence • J 2 ME 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 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.

Investigation Approach – 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)

Progress – Understanding the development environments • J 2 ME + Support for LBS • Java Card Technology and Gemalto Developer Suite. – Examining the technologies support for LBS

Tools • • • J 2 ME Platform SDK Gemalto Developer Suite and Simulator Mutiple mobile device platforms – Symbian OS, Andriod, i. Phone OS, possibly Windows Mobile

Mobile Platforms

Questions?