Personal Field Data Collection by UM-FieldGIS (Integration of Google Map API to Mobile GIS) Ko Ko Lwin*. Yuji MURAYAMA* *Division of Spatial Information Science Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Tsukuba kokolwin@geoenv.tsukuba.ac.jp, mura@atm.geo.tsukuba.ac.jp Abstract Field data collection is a first-step critical task for many scientists, researchers, geologists, biologists, archaeologists and students to gather, integrate and analyze the data from their study area. The accuracy of field data collection is key factor to achieve proper decision making and hypothesis. Advances in computer hardware and networking is major contribution factor to mobile field data collection by handy and mobility. Ultra Mobile GIS (UM-FieldGIS em FieldGIS ) is a stand alone Windows based computer program, especially designed for Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). UM-FieldGIS utilizes Google Map API (Application Program Interface) and Microsoft Access database to collect, store, integrate and retrieve collected field data by digitally (no paper work required). Either Google Map API or PIM Pre-Installed Map or Built-in GPS can be used as a coordinate collection. UM-FieldGIS handles not only text data but also multimedia data such as images can be attached to each record. Collected field data can be exported into ESRI Shape file format or directly imported by ESRI ArcGIS program to integrate with other GIS dataset for further spatial analysis and decision making process. Keywords: Google Map API, Urban Areas Field Data Collection, MS Access Database, UMPC Ultra Mobile PC, UM-FieldGIS 1. Introduction Mobile GIS is the expansion of a geographic information system (GIS) from the office into the field. A mobile GIS enables field based personnel to capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display geographic information. Mobile GIS integrates one or more of the following technologies: Mobile devices Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Wireless communications for Internet GIS access Traditionally, the processes of field data collection and editing have been time consuming and error prone. Geographic data has traveled into the field in the form of paper maps. Field edits were performed using sketches and notes on paper maps and forms. Once back in the office, these field edits were deciphered and manually entered into the GIS database. The result has been that GIS data has often not been as up-to-date or accurate as it could have been. (By ESRI) 2. Mobile GIS Future Trends Perhaps the most exciting area of computer system development continues to be in hand-held devices. There is a much recognizable efficient in form factor (size, shape, weight, etc), chip type, internal storage capacity, battery life time and operating system compare to desktop computers. 1
Recent innovation in Computing, Networking and Internet GIS (WebGIS) technologies enable GIS field users to collect, store and analyze by handy and mobility. PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are handheld computers that were originally designed as personal data organizers, but became more versatile over the years. PDA can be used as a clock, calendar, accessing the Internet, sending and receiving E-mails, working like spreadsheet and word processor. However, PDA lacks the fully-blown infrastructure of a Wireless Broadband network and limited screen resolution (Typically 240 X 320). Recently, Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC, typical screen resolution 1024 X 600 Wide Screen) was developed as a joint development exercise by Microsoft, Intel, Samsung and others. UMPCs will be able to run any software that has been written for the Windows XP platform. Ultra-Mobile PCs can also feature Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, Wi-Fi and Ethernet are all supported as well. There has been a revolution in GPS over the last several years, as cost of receivers have decreased and accuracy has improved. GPS has become a critical tool for spatial information users in a wide range of application fields. Due to the above characteristics, mobile GIS is rapidly gaining popularity and effectiveness among the spatial information users. Mobile GIS is interdisciplinary. Now a day, the focus of much leading edge research in Geography is interdisciplinary (integrating two or more academic disciplines) is not only limited to scientific investigation, but also extended to applied real world problem solving (so-called normative uses). VAIO VGN-UX71. CPU: Core Solo U1400 1.20GHz, RAM: 1GB, HD: 30GB Figure: 1. Sample specification of SONY VAIO Type U 3. Urban Area Field Data Collection On the other hand, Google provides high resolution satellite images for almost urban areas around the world. The spatial resolution is quite enough to collect reference GCP (Ground Control Points) in urban area due to the nature of distinguishable landscapes and their associated features such as road intersections, building shapes, etc. Urban areas field survey such as households surveying, road condition inspection, hydrant inspection and mapping, damage investigation (in the case of disaster), public health survey and collection of public facilities are important to local and city planners to make effective urban planning. 2
4. UM-FieldGIS 4.1. Program Design GIS MODULE DATABASE MODULE Table Name Online Mode GMap API Record ID X-coordinate Y-coordinate (YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS) Required Required Field 01 GPS S Field 02 Offline Mode PIM Field n User defined fields (survey items) Base map selector Media link Optional MS Access DB (.mdb) ESRI Shape PIM = Pre-installed Map (supported formats: GeoTIFF and ESRI Shape) GMap API = Google Map Application Program Interface Figure: 2. Program Design of UM-FieldGIS Initially, UM-FieldGIS is intended to use for student field survey projects which does not require any Server-side installation. UM-FieldGIS is a Windows based GIS program which enables to collect, store and integrate into current GIS system in timely manner. UM-FieldGIS field survey file is based on Microsoft Access Database format (.mdb file extension) which technology is also used in ESRI Personal Geodatabase (.mdb). However, ESRI Personal Geodatabase is more complex than MS Access Database, which handles both DBMS (Database Management System) and geographical features and their associated topographical relationships. Under the UM-FieldGIS, field user can collect geographical positions from embedded Google Map API (Online Network Connection) or PIM Pre-Installed Map (Map based mobile GIS) or attached USB2 (Universal Serial Bus) GPS or built-in GPS. Field users enable to create their own survey items (Field Names) and choose multimedia attachment capability. UM-FieldGIS supports general GIS functions such as map zooming, scrolling, querying attributes, map layer arrangement, search by attribute name and change 3
map view properties under the PIM mode. Final field surveyed data can be exported into ESRI Shape file format or directly imported under by ArcGIS program. 4.2. Graphical User Interface (GUI) UM-FieldGIS Graphic User Interface is especially designed for UMPC Wide Screen resolution (1024 X 600) monitor and featured on Tabbed Dialog Box Class. Functionally, UM-FieldGIS can be grouped into twos, Database Module and GIS Module. All functions are grouped by Tabs. So user can easily switch between the functions by clicking the appropriate Tab (it does not require to open multiple windows). This is especially advantage for limited screen display desktop. Database module enables user to create new field survey file in Microsoft Access Database Format (.mdb) or open existing survey file to analyze or to append the surveying process. Database Module GIS Module (GMap API + PIM) Create new survey in MS Access format Base map selection Create new survey form (Survey Items) Figure: 3. Graphical User Interface of UM-FieldGIS 4.3. Field Data Collection by UM-FieldGIS UM-FieldGIS allows users to create their own survey form (survey items) and add media folder for image attachment in each record. Record can be added, deleted and edited by under the Add New / Edit Mode Tab. Colleted records can be viewed as tabular, record and media views. Survey Form (Survey Items) Media Attachment Figure: 4. Add / Edit Record Mode 4
Table View Record View Media View Map View Figure: 5. Records can be view as Tabular, Record and Media Views Figure: 6. Different survey projects by changing base map 4.5. Who and Where can be Used The application of UM-FieldGIS is limitless. Generally, any spatial information users who want to collect spatially distributed objects with their associated multi media information under both Online (wireless networking access mode) or Offline (pre-installed high resolution satellite image map) modes. The following table summarizes the potential users and their applications by using UM-FieldGIS. Potential User Geologist Crop Scientist Ecologist Emergency manager Others Potential Applications Geological structure mapping (measurement of dip, strike, lithology, etc) Crop status survey Plant species survey Damage assessment Forest inventory, Soil mapping, Hydrant Inspection and mapping, Water quality survey, Public facility survey, etc. Table 1. UM-FieldGIS potential users and their applications 5
5. Conclusion As a conclusion, UM-FieldGIS utilizes modern advances in Computing, Networking and Internet GIS (Web GIS) technologies which apply to mobile field data collection. UM-FieldGIS eliminates traditional field data collection by paper maps, data entering, and data conversion steps that introduce a lot of errors in field data collection process. Final output of UM-FieldGIS survey data is ESRI Shape file format which allows spatial information users to analyze, integrate with other GIS dataset in timely manner. References Books Dynamic and Mobile GIS: Investigating Changes in Space and Time (Innovations in GIS) by Jane Drummond (Editor), Roland Billen (Editor), Elsa Joao (Editor), David Forrest (Editor) Global Positioning System: A Field Guide for the Social Sciences by John Spencer, Brian Frizzelle, Philip Page, John Vogler Internet Definition of Mobile GIS by ESRI http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/about/mobile _gis.html PDA Specification http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/personal_digital_assist ant 6