Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
23
Context-Aw are Applications
Most mobile applications are location-aware systems. Specifically, tourist
guides are based on users' locations in order to supply more information
on the city attraction closer to them or the museum exhibit they are see-
ing. Nevertheless, recent years have seen many mobile applications trying to
exploit information that characterizes the current situation of users, places,
and objects in order to improve the services provided.
The principle of context-aware applications (CAA) can be explained using
the metaphor of the Global Positioning System (GPS). In aircraft navigation,
for example, a GPS receiver derives the speed and direction of an aircraft by
recording over time the coordinates of longitude, latitude, and altitude. This
contextual data is then used to derive the distance to the destination, com-
municate progress to date, and calculate the optimum flight path.
For a GPS-based application to be used successfully, the following activi-
ties are a prerequisite:
1. The region in focus must have been GPS-mapped accurately.
2. The GPS map must be superimposed with the relevant information
regarding existing landmarks, points of civic and official signifi-
cance, and, facilities and service points of interest in the past to the
people—this is the context in this metaphor.
3. There must be a system available to ascertain the latest position per
the GPS system.
4. The latest reported position must be mapped and transcribed on to
the GPS-based map of the region.
5. This latest position relative to the context (described in the 2 nd activ-
ity) is used as the point of reference for future recommendation(s)
and action(s).
It should be noted that the initial baseline of the context (described in
the 2 nd activity) is compiled and collated separately and then uploaded
into the system to be accessible by the CAA. However, with passage of
time, this baseline gets added further with the details of each subsequent
transaction.
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