Theory and development of research in ubiquitous mapping

Abstract

Understanding of the emerging field of Ubiquitous Mapping requires a clear definition of the field and the list of issues to study. The author proposes a simple principal framework of the field, and provides a discussion of the future direction of research. Ubiquitous Mapping refers to the ability or the environment within which users can create and use maps anywhere and at any time to resolve spatial problems. The most characteristic element of this approach is that of context awareness. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools differ from those of Ubiquitous Mapping in that GIS is oriented toward spatial analysis in a defined space whereas Ubiquitous Mapping is concerned with spatial communication and is comprised of the four basic elements, the real world, the map, the user, and the information technology (IT) infrastructure, in a human-oriented context that emphasizes the interaction between the output map and human responses such as spatial cognition and decision making. Essential to this process is context awareness. Thus, in Ubiquitous Mapping the notion of a ``map'' must be replaced with that of ``mapping'' since the user demand is for the real-time creation and manipulation of maps. Consequently, ``maps'' must therefore include not only 2D, but also 3D views, such as those where users observe the real world from the side in order to recognize and verify the various spatial elements of a particular scene. Also, because 3D maps require common spatial articulation, the abstraction and categorization of objects, as well as a clear reference system relating the features of the map to real objects is often difficult, particularly in urban areas where many objects have similar shapes. This phenomenon is conducive to the development of the notion of the real scale map. A further difference is that traditional maps only describe immobile features, while Ubiquitous Mapping can be used to represent human activities such as the planned route of travelers and other events may be represented in real time.