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SenseWeb is composed of three basic parts: sensors (or data-collecting units), Microsoft's database indexing scheme that sorts through the information, and the online map that lets users interact with the data. The sensors used in the project can vary in form and function, and can include thermometers, light sensors, cameras, and restaurant computers. SenseWeb puts baseline sensor information, such as location and function, into a database that's searchable by location and type of sensor information.
Then, if someone wants to check traffic conditions along a stretch of highway, for instance, the database will direct queries to cameras ("Web cams") located along the route -- and an image of traffic shows up on the map.
In order for people with sensors -- from researchers at universities to a private citizen with a Web cam -- to participate in SenseWeb, Nath says, they would have to be able to upload data to the Internet and provide information to the Microsoft group about their sensor, such as latitude, longitude, and the type of data it provides (for example, gas prices, temperature, or video).
One challenge for the SenseWeb project will be making the different types of information pulled into its database consistent enough to analyze and sort, says Samuel Madden, professor of computer science at MIT. For instance, there would need to be standard units for temperatures. "As soon as you start integrating all this data, you can imagine that weird things will happen," he says. "It's really a challenge to build tools that work with generic data and to come up with a way that anyone can publish their information."
Another, more fundamental hurdle for the SenseWeb project, Nath says, is getting people to register their sensors and sign on to the free program. Gas stations or restaurants may not even know about the project, or may not have an efficient way to pass along their data.
Therefore, in coming months, the Microsoft group will extend SenseWeb to universities that have already deployed sensors for other projects. In addition, the team is talking to a company that has sensors on parking spots, which, if integrated into Live Local, could help people find available parking more easily, he says.
For now, though, SenseWeb and Live Local are separate projects, according to Nath. The Live Local team "really loves this technology," he says, but right now "what's missing is the actual data."
Guest (LW)
Need Data? We already have it in Portland
http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?mainNav=RoadConditions&curRegion=1
We already have access to live traffic cams, construction info, accident info, etc.
Seems like a candidate source to partner with to include in the larger sensor scheme.
Guest (andrew)
What is the technology used in real-time feature of this...
I happen to be doing a project for school and i need to know what kind of technology this is.
thank you
Guest (John)
SensorWeb as opposed to SenseWeb
You might want to check out Sensor Web Enablement, an Open Geospatial Consortium functional area. http://www.opengeospatial.org/functional/?page=swe Microsoft may be doing something similar but proprietary.
Guest
better if they try to make good and less fat software
Guest (Max)
better if they try to make good and less fat software
better if they try to make good and less fat software
Guest (plasticdoc)
Guest (toby watson)
we have a tracking system with antennas, transmitters and rdif chips that have a fifty mile range and can be expanded by adding more antennas and are looking for a mapping solution. The RDIF chips are the size of a quarter, and we will have the size of 1/4 in. in six months with the same range.
Guest (plasticdoc)
Guest (Tom)
Note what is being proposed is not real time imagery, but rather real time updates to information associated with things on the ground (gas prices, traffic status, etc.) They will use existing imagery (sometimes more than 2-3 years old), just like Google Earth
Guest (andrew)
how do you know this...
2-3 years ago is not that great of a jump for a new technology like this
Guest (Tom)
Real time, high resolution coverage requires a huge number of satellite systems in low earth orbit. These kinds of satellites are in ~ 90 minute polar orbits and have very narrow fields of view (10's of kilometers). This means that a given satellite can only see the same spot on the ground a few times a day. If you look at Google earth coverage you can see that the coverage repeat is very infrequent. It all comes down to orbital mechanics physical limitations of camera systems. Chech out http://www.digitalglobe.com/about/imaging.shtml
You will see that DigitalGlobe's (DG) next generation satellite will only have a ground revisit time of 1.3 days. Their current satellite (Quickbird) has a much longer repeat time. DG has the best commercial imagery and they have but one satellite operational.
Guest (andrew)
thank you tom for the information. Two questions though. Do you think anybody in the near future will figure a way into real time transmission from satellites or not? And do you if there is a new technology in SenseWeb? In that it will make it consistent?
Thank you again
Guest (Tom)
I have a explanation that is too long to post here. If you like I could send it via email.
Tom
Guest (Mark K)
Nice idea but not applicable to the modern world. What kind of business would willing put up their most important information to all to see. For example, what if a restaurant is terrible? Nobody will be in-line and any "connected" person will see that. This will create a viscous cycle where the hot restaurants/ bars are always busy and the up and comers can not create any buzz. Who wants to go to a restaurant that no one else is at? The best application of this technology is related to traffic and parking. Imagine a system where you could immediately identify, reserve, and pay for a parking spot. No more driving around randomly for a space.
This is just another example of programmers writing code and creating systems without performing any market research.
Guest (King of Royal)
Sounds like another monopoly project that create by Microsoft
First of all, are these real time data will monopolize by Microsoft?? Hell like they doin on the Microsoft Windows families.
Guest (sultan)
Manufacturing in the United States is in trouble. That's bad news not just for the country's economy but for the future of innovation.
Our list of the 50 most innovative companies, including the following:
Guest (Emil)
Real time data
Credit card companies have enormous amounts of data about things like gas purchases. Harnessing that data could be very valuable.
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