Point to Discover Server Platform
The p2d Platform is the server-side infrastructure behind the
Point to Discover mobile applications. The platform
has two core functions: First, it provides interfaces to different
sources of geo-referenced content - e.g. to content stored in a local
database, or to geo-tagged content from various sources on the Web.
Second, it exposes a specialized geospatial query API to
p2d applications.
What's Visible From My Location?
There are two properties that make the p2d platform API different from traditional geo-spatial search:
- Visibility. A p2d search result indicates which points of interest are visible from the user's location, and which are hidden. This unique functionality enables entirely novel types of user interfaces - such as the geo-pointer interface used in the p2d mobile restaurant guide.
- Environment Geometry. A p2d query result includes information about the geometry of the environment, creating additional design possibilities for innovative geospatial interfaces - for example interfaces that present a simple block model or a schematized skyline-view of the user's vicinity.
Visualization & Analysis
In addition, the Point to Discover platform work package develops tools
for the analysis of the outdoor function trial results: For example, an
export tool for Google Earth allows us to view recorded test log files (i.e. the sensor data collected
when our test users point at nearby buildings) in 3D. A small
sample log file can be found here.
(Google
Earth is required to view the file.)
The results of the logfile analysis are used to improve the query algorithms and increase the robustness of the system under the influence of GPS and sensor errors.