Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 15.2
Properties of LBGC, LBS and MGIS
Property
LBGC
LBS
MGIS
Mobility
E
E
E
Data retrieval
D
E
O
Data collection
D
O
E
Local analysis
E
O
O
Network dependence
D
E
O
High-powered computing
E
O
O
Dedicated software
E
O
O
Positioning
E
E
E
Communications
D
E
O
Imaging
D
O
O
Multiple methods of interaction
D
D
D
Note:
E, essential; D, desirable; O, optional.
incentives in return for such information. For example, in the United Kingdom, fast-food establish-
ments will offer discounts to people who frequently visit their outlets, with relevant visit data being
collected through a mobile platform, such as Foursquare (2013). In addition to location-tagging apps
like Foursquare, educational, crowdsourcing-based apps such as iSpot (www.ispot.org.uk) are also
appearing. iSpot is deployed on a mobile device and is an app designed to aid in recognition of wild-
life. To obtain such help, the user takes a photograph (or several) of the wildlife, enters a description
of their location (i.e. geographical coordinates taken from the device's GPS) together with a best
guess of what they think it might be and thereafter uploads that information to a website. Their entry
is then viewed and discussed by an online community with the originator as a participant so as to
come to a consensus on the identification of each particular specimen.
In Table 15.2, the properties of LBGC, LBS and MGIS are shown together with an estimate of
the relative importance for each individual property; all key properties are defined in Table 15.3.
It is seen that LBGC, LBS and MGIS have aspects in common, notably that they all require some
level of mobility and information (usually from device sensors) pertaining to location. The dif-
ferences arise when the purpose of each is analysed. LBGC is about performing analysis in the
TABLE 15.3
Definition of Properties Listed in Table 15.2
Property
Definition
Mobility
Designed to be mobile, devices which can be easily mobilised.
Data retrieval
Device can get data which are not locally stored.
Data collection
Device can collect data on location.
Local analysis
Device is capable of performing computation locally.
Network dependence
Device is required to be networked via data connection for service to function.
High-powered computing
Device has computational power which is comparable to current laptops.
Dedicated software
Device supports native apps rather than ported apps.
Positioning
Device is able to position itself in the real world.
Communications
Device is able to communicate with other devices.
Imaging
Device has image capture capabilities.
Multiple methods of interaction
Device can be interacted with in a variety of ways (touch, voice, etc.).
