Developing a WAP-based Mobility Survey System

描述（由申请人提供）：WAP（无线应用协议）是无线计算的事实上的标准，是移动设备连接到互联网的基本技术。该协议在促进移动商务的全球趋势以及有时被称为无所不在的、普遍的或无重量的计算方面起着关键作用。第一阶段SBIR应用程序旨在测试将平台中立、多语言、AskAnywhere调查系统的数据收集能力扩展到支持wap的设备（包括网络电话、个人数字助理和越来越多的特定应用程序的移动计算平台）的可行性。对低成本、轻量级、基于互联网的手持式测量设备的需求正在增长。医疗保健专家、社会科学家、教育工作者和政治民意测验专家等都迫切需要能够与互联网保持连续连接的无线移动调查系统。目前的手持解决方案主要局限于桌面HotSync托架、红外（IR）传输，以及局限于局域网或国家“网络剪辑”服务的专有无线连接。对这些旧协议的依赖限制了设备与网络的连接，限制了其与在线数据库通信的性质，从而降低了其对广泛调查工作的价值。一个基于三层模型的便携式调查系统，包括一个客户端、基于wap的移动PDA（个人数字助理）；Java servlet中间件；后端数据库将为研究人员提供一个轻量级的数据收集系统，摆脱当前无线移动调查产品固有的限制。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is the de facto standard for wireless computing and an essential technology underlying the linkage of mobile devices to the Internet. This protocol plays a key role in fostering the global trend toward mobile commerce and what is sometimes referred to as ubiquitous, pervasive, or weightless computing. This Phase I SBIR application proposes to test the feasibility of extending the data gathering capabilities of the platform-neutral, multilingual, AskAnywhere survey system to WAP-enabled devices including web phones, personal digital assistants and a growing number of application-specific mobile computing platforms. The demand for low cost, lightweight, Internet-based handheld survey devices is growing. Healthcare specialist, social scientist, educators, and political pollsters, etc. have an immediate need for wireless, mobile survey systems capable of maintaining a continuous link to the Internet. Current handheld solutions are limited largely to desktop HotSync cradles, infrared (IR) beaming, and proprietary wireless connections restricted to local area networks or national "web clipping" services. Reliance on these older protocols constrains a device's link to the network, limiting the nature of its communication with online databases and thereby reducing its value for widespread survey efforts. A portable survey system based on a three-tier model consisting of a client-side, WAP-based mobile PDA (personal digital assistant); Java servlet middleware; and back-end database will furnish researchers with a lightweight data gathering system freed of the constraints imposed by the limits inherent in current, wireless, mobile survey products.