TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL PAGE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. iii
DECLARATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… iv
CERTIFICATION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. v
DEDICATION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. vi
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. vii
ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. viii
TABLE OF CONTENT ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ix
TABLE OF FIGURES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… xi
LIST OF TABLES …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. xii
CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1
1.1 Background of the Study ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1
1.1.1 Search Engines ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
1.2 Statement of the Problem ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
1.3 Aims and Objectives ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
1.4 Significance of the Research ……………………………………………………………………………….. 5
1.5 Scope of the Study ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
1.6 Justification for the Study………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
1.7 Thesis Outline …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
CHAPTER TWO : LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
2.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
2.2 Historical Development of GSM Text Messaging ………………………………………………….. 9
2.3 Short Messaging Gateways …………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
2.4 SMS Base Search and Retrieval Systems ………………………………………………………………. 14
2.5 SMS Search with Google SMS …………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
2.5.1 How Google SMS works …………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
2.5.2 Google SMS Design Constraints ……………………………………………………………………….. 19
2.6 Inherent Limitations of SMS Services ………………………………………………………………… 19
CHAPTER THREE : PROGRAM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION ……………………………………………………. 21
3.1 System Design ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21
3.2 Database Design …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
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3.2.1 The Basic Data Source ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
3.2.2 The Basic Fields …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 26
3.3.3 The Basic Tree Representation ……………………………………………………………………….. 37
3.3 System Design Using Flowcharts …………………………………………………………………………….. 40
3.4 Algorithms Design and Development ………………………………………………………………………. 43
3.5 System Implementations …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50
3.5.1 The Database Development …………………………………………………………………………………. 50
3.5.2 Installing MYSQL …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 51
3.5.3 Creating the System Database …………………………………………………………………………. 52
3.5.4 Installation of Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP)…………………………………………. 53
3.5.5 The Server-Side Program and PHP Codes ………………………………………………………. 54
3.5.6 Graphical User Interface (GUI) Simulation of the Text Message
System………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 58
CHAPTER FOUR : SIMULATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS …………………………………………………………………… 62
4.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 62
4.2 Testing the Whole Process ………………………………………………………………………………………. 63
4.3 Discussion of Results……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 72
CHAPTER FIVE : SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ……………………………………………………………………………. 76
5.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 76
5.2 Summary of Thesis Work …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 77
5.3 Suggestions for Future Research …………………………………………………………………………… 78
REFERENCES …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 80
APPENDIX A– DATA BASE COMMANDS ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 84
APPENDIX B- PHP PROGRAM CODES …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 87
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the use of
electronic devices such as computers, telephone devices, network
devices, telecommunication infrastructures, software and people
to collect data, process and disseminate information to various
destinations in a presentable format that can be meaningful to a
recipient. The term that is widely attributed to ICT is
basically the Internet which is made possible by the
interconnection of host computers called Servers and other node
computers called Clients across the globe by use of Network
Infrastructural Devices. Global System for Mobile Communication
(GSM) is another form of ICT which makes it possible for
information to be transmitted via host service provider’s
servers to a mobile recipient via a handheld device called
mobile phone or handsets by means of voice data or text data
transmission.
ICT involves so-many phenomenon in-order to enable information
dissemination and utilization by various people across the
globe. It is not uncommon to say that ICT makes it possible for
any type of information to be obtained at the click of a button
(computer based information), or with a voice call (phone based
information) or texting and such information can be obtained or
retrieved almost immediately. The Internet and the GSM are two
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synonymous technologies that have made information to be
retrieved by an individual at possibly any time of the day and
from any location with inter-connection.
The desire to use ICT to gather information from different
sources has been on the increase due to the fact that various
people need different information on the Internet or through
other ICT devices. Different people have different meaning to
what they refer to as the right information or the right source
of such information. The fact that there are so many sources of
information to access using ICT means that managing this large
resource of information base is a problem in itself. This has
brought about the need for a special tool or software called
search engine to enable people search for information easily and
also to retrieve information as well.
1.1.1 Search Engines
A search engine is software developed primarily to query for
results from an existing list of dataset available to it using a
predefined criteria. A web search engine is a search engine
designed to search for information on the World Wide Web.
Information may consist of web pages, images and other types of
files. Some search engines also mine data available in news,
books, databases, or open directories. Unlike web directories,
which are maintained by human editors, search engines operate
algorithmically or are a mixture of algorithmic and human input.
Most information are stored across the globe in various
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computers called servers and accessed by other computers or
devices called clients. Getting to know where information is
stored among the millions of host servers across the globe is
the work of a search engine.
Over the years several researches have taken place in order to
meet with the demand for more information on the Internet, more
search engines or search technology have evolved to meet with
different needs and specification of users [1].
Furthermore, there are several search engines across the globe,
majority which are general purpose search engines such as Google
(world’s biggest search engine); Yahoo search (Powered by Yahoo
Cooperation); MSN search (now Live search, powered by
Microsoft); Baidu(largest Chinese search engine, powered by
infortex)and Guruji(Indian search engine)etc. Some search
engines are for special purposes only, such as Google local (For
search within the US and Canada), Fast and transfer (for tourist
guides in the US) [1].
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It is not surprising that the introduction of the mobile phone
devices has added yet another desire to search for information
while on the move and without access to computers (Mobile
search). It is not uncommon especially in Nigeria to see people
using their mobile phones to call or text another user of mobile
phone to request for some basic information or the other when
the person seems reliable. Most of the information obtained by
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calling or texting an individual is only successful if such a
person also has this information in his knowledge domain. This,
no doubt, means that a central repository of basic information
available in public domain needs to be gathered and queried when
the need arises. Most GSM phones have the SMS feature for
sending and receiving text messages; that is why another
platform for searching information using mobile phones has to be
made available especially within the Nigerian GSM landscape.SMS
charges are also relatively cheaper than other GSM services such
as normal call rates, data transfer service charges for most
smart phones, mobile internet access, data access, etc. Thus,
exploring the use of SMS to search is a better platform than its
other emerging technologies.
1.3 Aims and Objectives
The main objectives of this thesis is to develop and simulate an
SMS Gateway system consisting of a data-warehouse for storing
localized information with references to physical addresses,
description of activities, contact phone numbers, websites and
other related local information.
It is also aimed at developing an optimal search and retrieval
algorithm for filtering text message input, retrieving a
particular data token from a data-ware house, constraining it
into a text message for effective information dissemination.
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1.4 Significance of the Research
The importance of developing an SMS Gateway system for localized
information search is due to the fact that there is already
demand for local information within the greater populace. But
the following are highlighted areas of significance:
ü Search using mobile devices will enable users to receive
information they want such as the names and address of
nearby restaurants, churches, mosques, school, etc, within
their locality and other information like contact phone
numbers, description of goods and services at any time and
place within the Nigerian GSM coverage area etc.
ü People on the move (travelers, waiters, visitors) or people
without access to computers or internet can use the SMS
Gateway search platform to get relevant localized
information by texting (SMSing) for the information using
mobile phones without access to the computer.
ü Small and Medium Enterprises organization will get a lot of
patronage from people who will soon discover their business
services and location through the local search for
information using their mobile phones or internet access.
ü Wireless network service providers would also have added
revenues as searchers pay for minutes of services or for
text messaging. This will no doubt be a strategy to get
customers to use their mobile services for more than just
phone calls.
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ü Mobile search could yield revenue for the search vendors,
who could either license their technology to other
companies or provide the services directly to customers.
They could also sell advertisements that run with SMS query
results.
1.5 Scope of the Study
This research work covers the use of GSM mobile phones to search
and retrieve information with SMS facility. The research is
restricted to the development of the server side program that
can serve as the SMS Gateway and the PHP sever side program that
drives the database to retrieve information. Technical details
of how the GSM provider infrastructure can transmit the SMS
message to the user or any method of GSM transmission is not
included.
1.6 Justification for the Study
There is no doubt that such a facility like the Short Messaging
search and retrieval for mobile users is necessary for the GSM
industry. Implementation of this will require massive datacollection
initially, but subsequently when most people are
aware about its usage, then certainly it will be a justifiable
facility to use. The relative cost of text message to phone
calls and effort of looking for information at random is also a
factor which may make this implementation very convenient for a
lot of people. Another justification is the fact that it will
benefit millions of mobile phone users that cannot afford smart
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phones configured with browsing interfaces but works with
cheaper plain text interface and dot-matrix screens usually
called low-end mobile devices.
1.7 Thesis Outline
In Chapter Two, a review of related literature on the search
engine technology as well as the use of text messaging system is
discussed. Related journals and articles on SMS applications in
Health, Education and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) was
stated.
In Chapter Three, the program design and implementation were
shown. The database structure and the algorithm design is
illustrated. A real life photograph was shown to illustrate how
a data source can be used to retrieve information stored on bill
boards, complimentary cards, etc.
In Chapter Four, the simulation and results of the
implementation of the created database and search program using
PHP and MYSQL were presented. Some test results were shown
through the use of simulated web pages and captured screens
created specially to send and receive text message to and from
the search system created.
Chapter Five summarizes the work done with the appropriate
recommendations for future research.
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