Interactive WiFi Hotspot Geomapping on the iPhone
Senior Project: 2008-2009
Brandon Bauman, Sean Cowan, En-Jay Hsu, David Knutzen and Adam Mork
Con-X Corporation is a small, Tokyo-based company specializing in development
of "intelligent mobile connectivity" technology. Con-X works closely with major
companies in the telecom, handset, and automotive industries. Apart from the
main office in Tokyo, Con-X also maintains a Wireless Connectivity Lab in
Boulder and partner associates in Germany.
To promote the use of "intelligent mobile connectivity," Con-X has become
interested in software than can aid a user in both finding and choosing WiFi
hotspots in the vicinity of the user. The project goal was to develop a WiFi
hotspot mapping application for the
iPhone 3G
using the cellular phone's built-in GPS capability.
To achieve this goal, an interactive map-based application was created for the
iPhone 3G. The application allows a user to search anywhere in the world using
3G, Edge, or wireless connectivity for WiFi connections that fit one's needs.
As with other iPhone applications, the GUI is simple and intuitive. Only a few
touches allow a user to perform any of the functions associated with the
application. Hotspots are represented by colored dots on a map, along with
pop-up information about a hotspot when it is tapped.
The application also offers a dynamic hotspot database which sets it apart from
existing hotspot repositories. Initially seeded with
AT&T hotspots
as well as
T-Mobile hotspots,
the database can easily be changed and updated. Any user can upload any hotspot
within the wireless range capabilities of the iPhone, so it is easy to add a
hotspot if a user would like other users to be able to find their hotspot.
System features include the following:
Filter hotspots to user's needs Upload hotspots to add to the database Offline mode for use when no internet connectivity is available Geo-searching, allowing a user to find hotspots at any location regardless of the user's current location Map update based on user's location Automatic connectivity to chosen wireless networks Interactive map, allowing map movement and map zoom in/out, as well as pop-up information on each hotspot
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