Global Positioning System Reference
In-Depth Information
9.3
Intelligence and Whereness
In the concluding paragraph of Chapter 7 the problem of the fragmented nature of
the information resources needed for Whereness was highlighted. All the
necessary individual Whereness functions (i.e., converging information through
data fusion, following previously mapped information, and mapping information
collaboratively), still require an overarching framework to the information itself.
This leads us into the field of artificial intelligence and the need to create a
standardized Whereness framework or ontology.
9.3.1
Taxonomies and Ontologies
When an area of knowledge is being considered, the first stage of the process
involves the creation of taxonomies and ontologies. Taxonomy
1
is an
informational hierarchy concerning the terminology. A positioning taxonomy has
already been published and was discussed in Chapter 2. An ontology, which is a
term used in philosophy concerning the meaning of being, has been adopted by
computer scientists, and in this context is useful as a standardization process.
Once adopted, there are then automatic computer software tools to greatly
facilitate the ability to use the information in computer applications without the
need for specialized programming efforts. In essence, basic knowledge is
abstracted into a higher layered framework that is then more generally applicable.
The great advantage will be the automation of the process of finding, combining
and using information (i.e., without the need for new software to be written).
Whereness seems an ideal candidate because of the fragmented nature of the
component parts that encompass the domain.
Some knowledge domains are ahead of others in using the Semantic Web but
fortunately the area of geographical information is at the forefront with efforts
coordinated by organizations such as the OGC and standards such as GML (see
Section 8.6.1). It is reasonable to suggest that real-time positioning could be part
of that domain or perhaps both part of a larger domain that includes everything
concerning time, space, radio, and sensing. In these sections the formal stages for
the creation of a Whereness ontology are explored.
9.3.2
The Semantic Web
The most promising relevant methodology in computer science concerns the
Semantic Web, a movement influenced by the Web's creator, Sir Tim Berners-
Lee [4] who leads W3C [5], the body that seeks to standardize the future of the
Web. In simple terms the aim is to turn the Web from a mainly human readable
resource into a database that is meaningful to both humans and machines. It has
been suggested, therefore, that each domain of knowledge be analyzed by domain
1
A taxonomy for ubiquitous positioning is included in the Epilogue.