Real-Time Map Generation and Group Tracking using Mobile Phones

Abstract

The aim of this project is to analyze the existing mobile applications working based on technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS) supported by Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and designing a new application based on the architecture. This seeks to prototype the solution which can be implemented to trace people in a group finding the location with the guide of Google‟s Map. The main benefit of this research is to provide a base architecture for android mobile developers in order to develop a tracking application for teams working on different disciplines such as surveillance of teams working in hazardous situations. Real Time user tracking has gathered momentum with the wide usage of GPS devices. The user tracking has gone beyond just tracking users but allowing a set of users to share information real-time. Mostly these are supported in high end military applications with dedicated hardware infrastructures. If the same functions could be granted for the rescue teams in hazardous situations may highly benefit their missions. “The Mobile Based Real Time Map Generation” provides an effective solution for both digital map generation and real time user tracking. It is based on the client server model where the client becomes a GPS enabled mobile phone which is capable of capturing coordinates and serving dynamic maps to the user. The maps plot the current team‟s navigational routes and enables real time user tracking. The server caters the maps on demand and builds a GIS at the back end. The system is implemented without sophisticated hardware and uses the available GPRS network in the data transfer. This enables it to be used both at hazardous environments and by the general public at the day today usage. Today the expansion of the mobile technology has enabled the users of it to carry the necessary computing power in hand and modern mobile phones are equipped with GPS receivers. Therefore the objective of this project is to design and implement a system which enables real time user and team tracking, path identification and dynamic map generation using the client server architecture. The users will be connected via mobile clients to the back end server which will cater as a Geographical Information System. The system could be viewed both via a mobile client and a web interface. The system enables a subscribed set of team mates to share their route information via the GSM network. Furthermore the system facilitates on the fly map generation using the data the team submits.