Location-Based Services

Since the release of the first edition of this book in 2005, significant preconditions for the realization of LBSs have changed. GPS receivers have become a standard feature of mobile devices, electronic map services can easily be integrated into services by convenient APIs (application programming interface), the Web 2.0 paradigm has dramatically changed the way services are offered and used, and manufactures have created sophisticated mobile devices making it both easy and attractive to use LBS. As a result of these developments, the way of realizing LBSs has changed from a network-centric approach towards a device-centric approach, which is reflected by new location solutions for mobile devices, supporting protocols and architectures. This second edition of Location-based Services is a compilation of the latest developments, technologies and solutions in the LBS area, providing a unique overview of all aspects of location-based services and related technologies. The book describes new architectures and protocols that have emerged in the recent years and covers new paradigms for realizing LBSs. It provides a description of mobile platforms for supporting LBSs (e.g., Android or iPhone) as well as an update of other platforms and technologies examined in the first edition. Containing extended chapters dealing with maps and computational geometry as well as location privacy protection, the book is unique in offering broad coverage of positioning technology, telecommunication, and LBS services. It starts with an overview of service aspects before providing the required background on geophysical aspects. The main extent of the book provides information about the communication aspects and location determination technologies before concluding with a variety of available LBS solutions and platforms.