M-COMMERCE  and GPS - Global Positioning System - includes segment on Geocaching

This page last updated 2016 Feb 1
- see also related page  www.witiger.com/ecommerce/locationdeterminant.htm
 
 

GPS Terms

GPS - Global Positioning System, reached full operational capacity in 1995        - proper name "the United States NAVSTAR Global Positioning System"        - achieved by constellations of about 30 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites in different orbital planes.         - managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. SPS - Standard Positioning Systems - within 100 metres             - the U.S. military has removed restrictions on commercial use of SPS PPS - Precise Positioning System (encoded by U.S. military)- within a few metres AGPS - Assisted GPS, the use of cell towers to augment GPS identifying where the person is inside a building

ANS - All Source Positioning and Navigation
GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems - generic term; (GPS) is the only fully operational GNSS.
The European Union's Galileo positioning system is a GNSS in initial deployment phase, scheduled to be operational in 2014
The People's Republic of China has indicated it will expand its regional Beidou navigation system into the global Compass navigation system by 2015.
 
 

GPS in 2016

Adaptable Navigation Systems (ANS)  darpa.mil/program/adaptable-navigation-systems  "DARPA is developing high-precision clocks, self-calibrating gyroscopes and accelerometers, and high-precision navigation instruments that can track position for long periods without relying on external sources."  computerworld.com/article/2902401/goodbye-gps-darpa-prepares-new-tracking-technology.html   navipedia.net/index.php/GPS_Future_and_Evolutions  The GPS modernization program involves a series of consecutive satellite acquisitions

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Video of WTGR explaining how a handheld  GPS unit works in tracking pedestrian  or vehicle movement  youtube.com/watch?v=BI27bhwA3fI

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GPS in 2010

Stig Kristoffersen, a civil engineer and geoscientist, wrote in May 2009 "old satellites administrating the GPS system are not exchanged with new ones." Kristoffersen and other claim that several satellites will stop working in the period form 2010 to 2016. When this happens, the GPS system might become gradually more unreliable. Kristoffersen explains "In order to be accurate, the GPS system relies that a minimum of 24 satellites continuously working together." Some people are questioning whether the US airdefence will get new satellites fast enough to maintain full power on the system without any discontinuity.  According to the Government Accountability Office report, “In recent years, the Air Force has struggled to successfully build GPS satellites within cost and schedule goals” as part of a $2 billion modernization program. “If the Air Force does not meet its schedule goals for development of GPS IIIA satellites, there will be an increased likelihood that in 2010, as old satellites begin to fail, the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required to provide the level of GPS service that the US government commits to.” read more at http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/05/21/gps-system-in-us-could-fail-by-2010/

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Question: What technology needs to develop for location determinant commerce to "take off", meaning the ability to market to customers based upon where they are actually located? Answer: GPS enabled Cell Phones

 GPS Links and Related Sites
 http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/snap/gps/gps_links.htm
 The University of New South Wales, Australia

GPS applications exchange
 http://gpshome.ssc.nasa.gov/

A-GPS
 http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/gps-knowledge/a-gps-assisted-gps/
 
 

In 2nd week of July 2008 Prof. Richardson was interviewed on CTV television show "Canada AM" for a segment on GPS. The clip is very brief, but it provides a useful intro to the basics of GPS SPS PPS and AGPS You can watch the clip on the CTV website at  http://watch.ctv.ca/news/top-picks /wireless-world/#clip65751

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In early Sept 2010 I (WTGR) took the 2008 CTV interview and added some additional commentary and posted it on YouTube  youtube.com/watch?v=QSvL2eImklk Students can look at this version and earn class participation marks by making comments.

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In early Feb 2008, several students in the MGD415 class at the University of Toronto (MIssissauga Campus) put together a quick video illustrating some of the basic points of GPS together with some examples of how such interaction is useful. This was the "first" video created for witiger.com, by students, and I am sincerely grateful and appreciative for their enthusiastic contribution. Special thanks to Justin L.,  David S., Lester C. and Phil H. and SPECIAL thanks to Conrad M. for organizing this WTGR 2008 Feb 19

if the YouTube link is dead, a back-up copy is here
http://people.senecac.on.ca/tim.richardson/video/gps_fyi.mov

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Deitel CHPT 6  page 168

Location Tracking     KEY POINTS The consequences of moving from location indeterminant to location determinant will have big impacts on business and society.. WTGR GPS - Global Positioning System "The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from a constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations. GPS uses these "man-made stars" as reference points to calculate positions accurate to a matter of meters. In fact, with advanced forms of GPS (such as PPS) you can make measurements to better than a centimeter! " wasfrom  www.trimble.com/gps/what.html - 24 satellites in six circular orbits  - three of the satellites are used to determine the latititude, longitude and altitude of the receiver. The fourth satellite is used to check the errors in triangulation"  SPS - Standard Positioning Systems - within 100 metres  PPS - Precise Positioning System - within a few metres   KEY POINTS The consequence of cell phones equiped with GPS will mean that customers can be identified by their location as well as their contact information. If cell phoe users can be identified by their location, then they can be "marketed" according to their proximity to a vendor. WTGR "Wireless technology turns e-business into m-business... it allows you to connect to the Internet any time from virtually any place" Deitel text p. 152  - the point being that your interaction with the WWW is not determinant on your location - but, you as a customer have a location based on where you are - so vendors will sell to you based on where you are - your "circumstances" are location determinant

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GPS Technical Introduction

Bryan C. and Sarah F. of MRK 410 in March 2004, found a site which discusses GPS. This site from University of Colorado discusses GPS from a technical point of view - however this information can be used as an intro to GPS for m-commerce. "The GPS User Segment consists of the GPS receivers and the user community. GPS receivers convert SV signals into position, velocity, and time estimates. Four satellites are required to compute the four dimensions of X, Y, Z (position) and Time. GPS receivers are used for navigation, positioning, time dissemination, and other research."    "Navigation in three dimensions is the primary function of GPS. Navigation receivers are made for aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and for hand carrying by individuals. "

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"How GPS works" This website has an online tutorial about GPS and understanding it   This good site  was found by  BCS 555  student  Judy P. in November  2005

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How GPS works

according to Trimble.com Here's how GPS works in five logical steps: 1. The basis of GPS is "triangulation" from satellites.  2. To "triangulate," a GPS receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals. 3. To measure travel time, GPS needs very accurate timing which it achieves with some tricks. 4. Along with distance, you need to know exactly where the satellites are in space. High orbits and careful monitoring are the secret. 5. Finally you must correct for any delays the signal experiences as it travels through the atmosphere. permission quote from trimble.com given by LeaAnn McNabb in their California office 2005Nov08. Copies of emails kept in the permissions binder

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How GPS works

according to Trimble.com Here's how the GPS network is structured Copyright © 2003-04 LeckMedia, LLC from Jake's GPS Tutorial (was at  www.ipaqhq.com/articles/articles/18) GPS has three parts – 1. Satellites, 2. Receivers, 3. Ground stations. "Satellites – The satellites are in 12 hour orbits at 20,200 KM (12,550 miles) altitude. At this altitude they can be seen over large portions of the surface. Although GPS works from pole to pole, none of the satellites are in polar orbit. The orbits are approximately 12 hours long, which means that they move slowly in the sky and can be used by any individual receiver for a long time. They are NOT geosynchronous, so the “constellation” of satellites that any given receiver can see at any given time is constantly changing." "Signals – The satellites transmit multiple signals. For most of the cycle they transmit the time based on an on-board atomic clock, but every thirty seconds they transmit information about where they are in space, called ephemeris or ephemeredes and information about the general location of the other satellites, is called the almanac." "Ground Stations – monitor the health of the satellites and any changes in the satellite orbits and update the ephemeris data accordingly. The USAF has a dedicated command that monitors the health of the entire set of satellites and updates the ephemeris data as the orbits are affected by external forces."

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How GPS  works when used in combination with a  cell phone

Michael Giorgio Manager in Strategic Planning ? Execution at TELUS, and student in MGTD06 at University of Toronto (UTSC) Sept-Dec 2002 WTGR and Michael met up again in March 2008 at the UTSC MESA banquet and talked about Michael's exciting job with Telus. Michael works right in the middle of many of the topics regarding cell phones and GPS applications and mobile commerce payment systems and has been an excellent source of "up-to-date" information. One of the things Michael provided some helpful assistance understanding is how GPS works with cell phone technology to "locate" the user. On the Telus website (in March 2008 http://www.telusmobility.com/clientcare/pcs_east/faqs/gps_faqs.shtml) there was a series of diagrams explaining how GPS works with cell phones.

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GPS ?  cell  phones

Assisted GPS

Telus explains "the location of a mobile device is determined by triangulating the position of at least three satellites orbiting around our planet with the added help of the our [Telus] network" WTGR adds, while three will work, it is better if 4 or even 5 satellites are over the area you are operating in so the signal can be triangulated with more accuracy. "Added help" means the Telus system works in further position information based upon where the user is in the cell phone network, which can further define and refine location info down to a few metres.

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GPS ?  cell  phones

Hybrid Triangulation

Telus explains "If line of sight to three satellites is not available, then hybrid triangulation uses a combination of both GPS and the closest cell sites to identify the location" WTGR adds, this hybrid approach is very useful when a person is in a location blocked by a building or cloud cover or bad weather. It means essentially that you can have location based data even when GPS sources are not fully available.

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GPS ?  cell  phones

Network Triangulation

Telus explains "If no satellites are in the phone’s line of sight, then network triangulation uses the closest cell sites to the mobile phone to identify the location" WTGR adds, this is not as satisfactory as having satellites to locate you, but in the event you are inside a building, it can tell your position within a city block or two - depending on what part of the city you are in and how far apart are the cell towers.

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GPS ?  cell  phones

Cell site location

Telus explains "should all of the above fail, the location of the cell site that is in contact with the mobile device will be provided" WTGR adds, this would allow you to be identified within a kilometre or two, depending on how far away you are from the tower.

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GPS - Global Positioning System and E-911

Location Tracking   KEY POINTS The consequences of moving from location indeterminant to location determinant will have big impacts on business and society.. WTGR GPS - Global Positioning System article formerly at http://www.compukiss.com/populartopics/tech_gadgetshtm/article691.htm Sandy Berger  writes that "E-911 is the high-tech label for a federal mandate known as  Enhanced 911 that requires all US wireless phone companies  to begin offering improved location capabilities on their networks. This mandate is a response to a large number of emergency calls being made on cell phones. When 911 emergency calls are made from a landline, an address appears on an operator’s screen. However, if the call comes from a mobile phone, the 911 dispatcher cannot locate the position of the caller. Therefore, the FCC is now requiring  wireless companies to accurately locate mobile 911 callers." As we can see, by the end of 2004 this requirement has still not been met - but may be developing in 2005. As aside from the safety aspects, Berger notes " Location-based services like finding nearby  restaurants and checking traffic and weather updates keyed  to a precise location are certain to be popular."

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GPS - Global Positioning System and Privacy Concerns

GPS in cell phones and consequent Privacy Concerns   KEY POINTS GPS in cell phones is sure to be a controversial issue since the topic of "Privacy Concerns" is raised even before this technology is widely applied. article was at abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/FutureTech/e911cell030304.html

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GPS - Global Positioning System and Privacy Concerns

GPS in cell phones and consequent Privacy Concerns Paul Eng wrote  "Industry watchers say the technology needed to locate mobile cell phone calls isn't difficult to implement...some are concerned that the demand for more call tracking technology might also harm privacy." "..following an FCC requirement mandated in October 2001, cellular service  providers must deploy a more accurate E911 system, so-called Phase Two.   Under the next stage of wireless E911, every cellular phone service provider would be required to share with PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points - the places that run the 911 system) a user's actual location data.  "By the end of 2005, wireless E911 systems are expected, at a minimum, to help operators pinpoint a cell-phone caller's location to within 100 meters 95 percent of the time. This automatic tracking ability is the one that has many privacy advocates concerned the  technology may be abused by others, including law enforcement officials...while the FCC mandated the E911 program, federal legislators haven't put  into place how that information may be used or who would have access to it."

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e911 A humourous explanation of the basics by students in BCS555 at Seneca College,  4th week of October 2009. The emphasis is on the consequences of authorities being able to identify callers to 911 based on the GPS identifiers in certain types of cell phones. thanks to  Ricky S. Angela N. Jason W.

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GPS  and e-911

e-911 "TEXT 911"   student Hinal P. in MGD415 in Feb 2012 emailed to explain that e-911 also has to take into account people who have disabilities. Hinal wrote "...found an interesting article by Tech Vibes on Twitter. We have talked in class about E911 and the benefits it allows through the GPS tracking, but what if someone seeking emergency help had a speech or hearing disability? In order to address the difficulties that people who are deaf or have a speech impediment when trying to communicate with 911 services, Canada will be launching a 3 month trial to allow such individuals to TEXT 911 services. The trial will be composed of 120 participants equally divided into the 4 trial regions: Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and Peel, with the help of wireless carrier, Telus. This is a severs safety issue as such disabled individuals do not have the same or equal access to 911 the way a person without these impediments does. The technology will also track the location onto the text messaging functionality. I feel that this service will be incredibly useful for certain individuals and am surprised that it has JUST been thought of." WTGR replies "checked with my contacts at the CNIB  www.cnib.ca  re: TEXT 911 and asked if this will incorporate GPS identifiers see also  thestar.com/business/article/1132780--crtc-tests-911-texting-for-hearing-and-speech-impaired

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GPS Misconceptions A humourous explanation of the some of the misconceptions about GPS by students in BCS555 at Seneca College,  1st week of November 2009. Probably a good video to watch for "first-time users" roles played by students Shannelle F Doug M filmed / edited by Warren P

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GPS - Global Positioning System and Privacy Concerns

GPS in cell phones and consequent Privacy Concerns   "The hazards of GPS tracking" In the Aug 31 edition of intergovworld.com, Laurie Rowell wrote about the consequences of one's ability to be geographically identified via the GPS in your cell phone  http://www.intergovworld.com/article/b8778ebd0a01040800a1918ea11eacef/pg1.htm Rowell explains "Since 2005, phones sold in the United States have been GPS-enabled to accommodate the FCC E911 regulation requiring that cell phone carriers be able to locate specific phones for 911 emergency calls...But there's a big issue ... this increased location monitoring means you can be tracked by a lot of folks"

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GPS - Global Positioning System and Privacy Concerns

GPS in cell phones and consequent Privacy Concerns pic supplied by Divya Divya T. was a student in MGD415 at UTM in March 2009 and was interested in how GPS technology can be applied.  She sent this email discussing an application that involves privacy issues. Divya wrote "On Friday night, I was doing some channel surfing when something on Global TV News caught my attention. It was a small clip introducing a new way to track your child's driving. Divya  explains In essence, once this "teen behaviour tracking system" is installed in your child's car, it records their driving pattern and notifies the parents via text message or e-mail. Thus, if your child is speeding, making dangerous turns, or performing any dangerous activity which can result in an accident, parents are notified immediately, due to it's real time tracking feature.  So, afterward I went online to try and search for an article so I could further read into the new use of GPS units. Insurance Companies in the US, such as AIG Insurance, Safeco and Allstate offer discount packages to parents to purchase the teen behaviour tracking system."

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GPS - Global Positioning System and Privacy Concerns

Divya then explains the Pros and Cons "There are several Pro's of having such a feature installed in your car such as knowing exactly where your child and car are, whether your child reached their destination and even knowing how responsible your child is behind the wheel!  However, a Con that may result from this new technology is that Insurance companies can now track the child's driving pattern too, which may or may not affect the insurance payments. Although, when I was watching this on Global News, they mentioned Insurance companies might base the insurance payments on the results they recieve from the GPS unit."

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GPS  applications in other  IT  devices

GPS applications in other IT devices   KEY POINTS GPS in cell phones almost guaranteed to be something that will be developed further in 2007, 2008 and 2009 but there are a number of other I.T. related devices that can incorporate GPS applications. Student George N. at UTM in MGD415 in April 2007 sent an email in which he discussed GPS functionality applied to cameras.  George said "Hi prof, I remembered that you have a keen interest in photography and I thought this might interest you. I was browsing Sony's website the other day and I saw a GPS unit for sale. ($130 CDN)  This product is supposed to be used with Sony's cameras. It basically calculates and records precision satellite data when a person is taking a picture. This information is then uploaded onto a computer. Once uploaded, the picture can now be uploaded with specific GPS coordinates which will let the viewers know the exact location of the picture taken. I think this is a really cool feature as there are many possibilities that can be used with this. I hope you'll find this application of GPS as interesting as I did.

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GPS  applications in other  IT  devices

GPS applications in other IT devices WTGR replies George, I agree, I think this is a "way kewl" application, especially if the GPS is integrated into the viewfinder, meaning the GPS can be applied to the direction the camera is pointing, as well as the GPS of the camera's location - this way we can look at an image and derive 2 things 1 - the location, example N43 50.996 W79 22.049 2 - the view through the lens is oriented to N- N.E. I could see something like this used in real estate, geological exploration, criminal investigation, travel and tourism - the list might be endless

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Who else is doing GNSS - Global Navigation Satellite Systems

Europe - "The European Union and European Space Agency agreed on March 2002 to introduce their own alternative to GPS, called the Galileo positioning system. the system is scheduled to be working from 2012. Galileo is expected to be compatible with the modernized GPS system." Blogger Mary Johnson said "The projected number of satellites in the Galileo constellation has already been reduced from 28 to 22 initially, due to cost overruns." Russia - "GLObal'naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema(GLObal NAvigation Satellite System), or GLONASS, was a fully functional navigation constellation but since the collapse of the Soviet Union has fallen into disrepair.... The Russian Federation has pledged to restore it to full global availability by 2010 with the help of India, who is participating in the restoration project" China "indicated they intend to expand their regional navigation system, called Beidou or Big Dipper, into a global navigation system; a program that has been called Compass" read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_navigation_satellite_system

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Examples of how GPS can be used with other "new technologies"

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GPS ? RFID and Corporate Security   During the 4th week of June 2008,  Richardson was interviewed by itWorldCanada.com for a story about how retailers are using new technologies to guard against loss prevention. Retailers in Canada are losing around $3.6 billion yearly to various criminal activities.   http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=48681?PageMem=3   The entire interview given by Richardson is available by clicking on the screen capture to the left it discusses several things such as   o RFID applications in security  o RFID merged with GPS technology  o consideration of a "low tech" approach

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How  GPS, sometimes, does NOT work

It is important to understand that in the early years of using GPS, there are some circumstances that make it an imperfect science, and vulnerable to the "Geographic Environment", particular weather. Extreme weather, hurricanes, typhoons etc. can effect the ability of a signal to reach the satellites, therefore making a GPS reading difficult. People who are developing a business based on GPS information need to develop contingencies to deal with this interuption. However I would suggest that if you are in the middle of a Class 5 hurricane - getting a GPS lock is probably NOT your biggest problem - getting the hell out of there is probably more important !! Secondly, GPS sometimes does not work in some types of vehicles because of the metallic roof. "Jake's GPS Tutorial" says "...if your car offers some sort of electronic de-misting or defogging option, that option will probably block GPS signals". It is better to put an antenna on the roof or use the GPS outside the car. WTGR Thirdly, some GPS do not work inside heavy metal 40' cargo containers. Sometimes when car thieves go to steal your car, they try to drive it right away to one of those 40' containers and put it inside so if you have a GPS anti-theft device like Bommerang, it will not work - then they move the container with the car inside. Then they put the container on a ship and pile other containers on top and there is very little chance the GPS signal can reach the device.

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GEOCACHING  geocaching.com In early Feb 2008, several students in the MGD415 class at the University of Toronto (MIssissauga Campus) put together a couple of quick videos illustrating some of the basic points of GPS together with some examples of how such interaction is useful.  Phil H. did a segment on Geocaching and if you click on the image to the left it take you directly to the YouTube URL for that segment. WTGR 2008 Feb 13

if the YouTube link is dead, a back-up copy is here
 http://people.senecac.on.ca/tim.richardson/video/geocaching.mov

screen capture of YouTube clip featuring Issac Daniels explaining his "GPS in shoes" invention

student Ruvani P. at UTM in MGD415 in March 2008 emailed to show a story about GPS in shoes? Ruvani said Hello Professor Richardson, I'm not sure if you've already heard about this, but Isaac Daniels www.isaacdaniel.com idconex.com has  patented GPS in shoes to prevent the problem of getting lost and  missing children.

Ruvani explains The technology can be activated by switching a  button on!  The chip is embedded in the sole of shoes, with a small 20  GB hard-drive that can be recharged every three weeks.  Parents can  ping the device and connect to the tracking service called Id connex  to find out where their missing child is or even an alzheimer?s  patient.  Will this patent make disappearance a thing of the past? Ruvani concludes Here's a video of coverage on the product that you  might find interesting:  a NBC story from the 2008 "world accessories shoe convention in Las Vegas" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5wMza29JwI.

GPS  pros and cons

GPS Pros and Cons   Student Salma A. in MGD415 at University of Toronto, sent a long email in, Feb 13th 2008 in which she did some analysis of the Pros and Cons of GPS in the two most likely applications we have been talking about in 2008, namely Cars and Phones. .

GPS Pros and Cons - Automobiles - by Salma A. .

Pros: immediately located in case of an emergency help you navigate through unfamiliar areas easily directed to the final destination faster service provided when a car has an accident Cons: Some rental car companies can spy on you (for example, Acme Rental  Car was sued in 2001 for tracking a car rented out to a customer. It  stated that, if the customer drove over 79 miles/hour, they will have  to pay fines because of the cars quick depreciation. Anyone can track you anytime On high way, police can track how fast cars are moving. How? By how  fast a car reaches one tower to another.

GPS Pros and Cons  - Cell Phones - by Salma A.   .

Pros: E911, incase of an emergency, eg being followed or at an accident Track down your child incase they are missing or you just want to  know where they are for safety concerns Phone call traces can be easier and faster Can quickly check how far you are from your destination Cons: Advertisements pushed out towards the customers whenever they go out Someone is always watching them (Big brother) It can be very annoying to have different retailers sending coupons  all at once some people might always know exactly where you are - which is a problem if you want privacy

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