Traditional GIS tools are well suited for desktop workstations, but need to be adapted in order to satisfy the requirements of mobility. We propose a concept for sketch-based spatial querying in mobile GIS environments. This concept combines newest techniques for spatial querying and mobile technologies. Such a combination is beneficial because it allows formulating queries by drawing the desired spatial configuration on touch-sensitive screens, thus avoiding typing complex statements in some SQL-like query language. Client-server architectures in mobile environments are characterized by low and fluctuating bandwidth, and by frequent disconnections. We discuss client-server strategies in mobile environments and suggest an adaptive client-server architecture for geo-mobile querying. It is shown that adaptation to the mobile environment is necessary in order to ensure efficiency of geo-mobile queries.
David Caduff, Max J. Egenhofer