21-01-2013, 04:44 PM
Advanced Location Modeling to enable sophisticated LBS Provisioning in 3G networks
[attachment=47939]
Abstract
Network Operators recently spotted Location Based services (LBS) as a promising attempt to establish new sources of profit for the upcoming 3G networks (which are expected to be the main driver for real ubiquity) beside voice and video communication . For the time being, LBS are based on a simple location model, which maps basic geographic position information into a human-friendly description of position that is then used as a simple filter parameter within a database lookup. As location awareness for services generally require more extensive conditioning of the location information, the existing models restrict the range of possible LBS. To allow for a comprehensive range of sophisticated Location Based Services, an augmented form of location modeling is required. In this paper we introduce an advanced location modeling system, which comprises a multi-dimensional view of the term 'Location'; far beyond just representing simple geographic positions.
Introduction
Today the provisioning of Location Based Services follow the simple chain of (1)
determination of a position, (2) mapping this information onto a natural-language
based description of this position and (3) performing the service itself. The mapping
process in (2) is based on an underlying position interpretation model. This model is
usually named location model, although it only describes simple geographic positions.
The drawbacks of such location models are:
dedication to a specific service
restrictions on interpretation of geographic positions
descriptions of only discrete, point-shaped locations
dependence on the type of position-finding mechanism
Considerations on advanced Location Modeling
As noted in the introduction, a location model is a pre-requisite for the interpretation of a geographic position as a location. Today the identified location still describes a geographical position and the description itself only allows for the referring of a discrete, uniformed location identifier. Next we introduce a more convenient view on location, which first allows for more sophisticated descriptions of geographic positions and also covers non-geographic and non-position related location information. We denote this enriched interpretation of location as location+.
Location Add-Ons
In the previous chapter we presented a number of advanced location related information data beyond the simple position, which enables an LBS-enabling system to support a broad range of location-based services. To complement the available information and to allow performing LBS in a comprehensive way, the location+ model is supplied with location independent information. Those add-ons comprise dynamic behavior and context information.These location add-ons are, of course, not aturally part of a location model, nor of a location+ model. But to meet the claimed openness of the location based serviceenabling system, we may disregard these additional information for the underlying model. The location+ model enriched by location add-ons is therefore called location++ model.
Dynamic Behavior
Dynamic behavior covers the influence of changing environments. Here we distinguish: 1. General Time Dependencies: this class comprises information regarding, e.g., opening hours of tourist attractions (which then have to be matched with the daytime of service access, see context information).Rate of Location Change: having this information available enables the platform to provide expectations on how the conditions could change within a certain range of time. An example is an expected decrease of a traffic jam after the rush hour, so that it is foreseeable that a jam may disappear once a driver reaches the location.
Modeling
'The great thing about standards is there are so many to choose from'. This saying [6] never turned out to be as true as of the area of LBS today. For this reason, it is advisable to extend an existing approach instead of adding yet another model to the existing set of real or planned standards.A very promising area of extension for our location model is the 'Common Spatial Location Data Set' [7]. This Internet Draft in the framework of SLoP1 [9] aims at providing a data set for spatial location information, bridging various existing data representation formats and meeting the requirements of location aware services. Besides classic position information, the currently defined data-set already comprises advanced information like time, speed, orientation and direction of the located object. The data set is available in XML Schema providing and easy extension and enhancement. Another option [8]
enables the attachment of a newly defined additional data set for a location++ model. We are currently preparing a proposal how to integrate the concepts from our location++ modeling approach into the SLoP framework.
[attachment=47939]
Abstract
Network Operators recently spotted Location Based services (LBS) as a promising attempt to establish new sources of profit for the upcoming 3G networks (which are expected to be the main driver for real ubiquity) beside voice and video communication . For the time being, LBS are based on a simple location model, which maps basic geographic position information into a human-friendly description of position that is then used as a simple filter parameter within a database lookup. As location awareness for services generally require more extensive conditioning of the location information, the existing models restrict the range of possible LBS. To allow for a comprehensive range of sophisticated Location Based Services, an augmented form of location modeling is required. In this paper we introduce an advanced location modeling system, which comprises a multi-dimensional view of the term 'Location'; far beyond just representing simple geographic positions.
Introduction
Today the provisioning of Location Based Services follow the simple chain of (1)
determination of a position, (2) mapping this information onto a natural-language
based description of this position and (3) performing the service itself. The mapping
process in (2) is based on an underlying position interpretation model. This model is
usually named location model, although it only describes simple geographic positions.
The drawbacks of such location models are:
dedication to a specific service
restrictions on interpretation of geographic positions
descriptions of only discrete, point-shaped locations
dependence on the type of position-finding mechanism
Considerations on advanced Location Modeling
As noted in the introduction, a location model is a pre-requisite for the interpretation of a geographic position as a location. Today the identified location still describes a geographical position and the description itself only allows for the referring of a discrete, uniformed location identifier. Next we introduce a more convenient view on location, which first allows for more sophisticated descriptions of geographic positions and also covers non-geographic and non-position related location information. We denote this enriched interpretation of location as location+.
Location Add-Ons
In the previous chapter we presented a number of advanced location related information data beyond the simple position, which enables an LBS-enabling system to support a broad range of location-based services. To complement the available information and to allow performing LBS in a comprehensive way, the location+ model is supplied with location independent information. Those add-ons comprise dynamic behavior and context information.These location add-ons are, of course, not aturally part of a location model, nor of a location+ model. But to meet the claimed openness of the location based serviceenabling system, we may disregard these additional information for the underlying model. The location+ model enriched by location add-ons is therefore called location++ model.
Dynamic Behavior
Dynamic behavior covers the influence of changing environments. Here we distinguish: 1. General Time Dependencies: this class comprises information regarding, e.g., opening hours of tourist attractions (which then have to be matched with the daytime of service access, see context information).Rate of Location Change: having this information available enables the platform to provide expectations on how the conditions could change within a certain range of time. An example is an expected decrease of a traffic jam after the rush hour, so that it is foreseeable that a jam may disappear once a driver reaches the location.
Modeling
'The great thing about standards is there are so many to choose from'. This saying [6] never turned out to be as true as of the area of LBS today. For this reason, it is advisable to extend an existing approach instead of adding yet another model to the existing set of real or planned standards.A very promising area of extension for our location model is the 'Common Spatial Location Data Set' [7]. This Internet Draft in the framework of SLoP1 [9] aims at providing a data set for spatial location information, bridging various existing data representation formats and meeting the requirements of location aware services. Besides classic position information, the currently defined data-set already comprises advanced information like time, speed, orientation and direction of the located object. The data set is available in XML Schema providing and easy extension and enhancement. Another option [8]
enables the attachment of a newly defined additional data set for a location++ model. We are currently preparing a proposal how to integrate the concepts from our location++ modeling approach into the SLoP framework.