Global Positioning System Reference
In-Depth Information
given information field and only a small amount of development effort is needed
to make the information more widely available. Regardless of any other services
available, an emergency call service with Cell ID is normally implemented.
It is easy to associate an emergency voice call with its Cell ID and to display
it on a map using a GIS. Things become more complicated when calls are
received from different mobile networks and even more difficult when automatic
text messages arrive (somewhat later), triggered automatically by air-bag
inflations. Telephone calls and text messages have a calling line identity (CLI)
that can help to associate calls with callers, but this can be withheld. Much work
is needed to converge all the various information sets and networks that carry
them. As new types of networks and technologies are rolled out, the need for
convergence increases and the value of the convergence also increases.
Emergency calling is very important since it involves safety of life and is
thus important to public licensing authorities and to most end users since it
involves personal and workforce health and safety. In all ITS and LBS scenarios,
the case for emergency calling is the most important. As extreme global weather
conditions and security concerns increase, emergency alerts with positioning will
increase in importance.
Emergency calling can also be two-way. Outbound calling plans can be made
to mobile users, if positions are known, to alert them of impending disasters. In
some places the old fixed public sirens have been replaced by a GIS-controlled
reverse emergency call system.
4.6
Tracking and Logistics
This application assumes that some important objects or artifacts that are largely
static or stationary can be moved. Monitoring is important because of their value,
operational role, or composition. An object's location is monitored so that alarms
can be raised if it is moved into the wrong location at the wrong time. For
example, safety equipment can be checked to be present within a defined area. A
group of things can also be monitored so that if they are associated together in the
wrong way, alarms can be raised. For example, if only a certain number of
containers can safely be stored together, an alarm can be raised if extra containers
are added. If a number of things are needed together in one place, the service can
check or highlight if the wrong item is present.
Markets include industries and operations with expensive or important plants
where security and safety are important. High-value asset monitoring in general
office environments would be a very wide market and could include portable
computers, in-strictest-confidence documents, money, and legal documents. Life-
saving hospital equipment and controlled substances could be monitored and
hazardous material (chemical, biological, and nuclear) in government-related
agencies. Banks and the supply chain of precious metals, gems, and bullion could
be tracked.
