GPS Locator: An Application for Location Tracking and Sharing Using GPS for Java Enabled Handhelds

Abstract

The use of mobile devices has become a part of our daily routine. Recently, mobile devices like mobile phones or portable digital displays (PDAs) are equipped with global positioning system (GPS) receptors that allow us to get the device's geographic position in real time. Location Based Services (LBS) are regarded as a key feature of many future mobile applications. GPS serves well for most outdoor applications, however, its dependence on satellites makes it ineffective for indoor environments. This document gives a detail on our ongoing project work in the field of Location Based Services for JAVA enabled mobile devices, equipped with GPS receptor. We present a novel technique to send GPS coordinates to other mobiles through Short Message Service (SMS) based on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. This application also enables the users to get their current location coordinates (latitude, longitude and altitude) and they can also view their locations on the Google maps. Further, this application also enables the user to share his location with their friends through a web server using internet connectivity in their hand helds. GPS is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD). GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS can show you your exact position on the Earth in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS [6].