DeviceBoard – Live Tracking & Maps Feature Documentation
DeviceBoard – Live Tracking & Maps Feature Documentation
DeviceBoard – Live Tracking & Maps Feature Documentation
DeviceBoard provides a powerful Live Tracking and Mapping subsystem designed for real-time monitoring of mobile assets, vehicles, field sensors, and geographically distributed devices. This enables organizations to visualize locations, movement paths, geo-events, and spatial analytics across their IoT ecosystem.
This guide explains the features, configuration options, and capabilities of the Maps module in DeviceBoard.
1. Introduction to Live Tracking in DeviceBoard
The Live Tracking system allows DeviceBoard users to:
- Monitor device locations in real time
- Track movement history on maps
- Visualize device statuses and health indicators
- Detect geofence entry/exit events
- Overlay alarms and analytics on the map
- View device clusters for large-scale deployments
- Monitor vehicles, people, assets, or environmental sensors
DeviceBoard supports global-scale deployments—from city-level smart mobility to nationwide asset tracking.
2. Key Features of Live Tracking & Maps
2.1 Real-Time Location Tracking
Devices can send:
- Latitude / Longitude
- Altitude (optional)
- Speed
- Direction / Bearing
- Timestamp
As telemetry, DeviceBoard automatically updates map markers.
Features:
- Near real-time marker updates
- Auto-refresh map tiles
- Smooth marker transitions
- Color-coded status indicators
- Support for thousands of devices
2.2 Map Visualization Features
DeviceBoard’s Map widget provides:
✔ Multiple Map Providers (configurable)
- OpenStreetMap
- Google Maps (if enabled externally)
- Mapbox
- Custom tile servers for private deployments
✔ Adjustable Layers
- Streets
- Satellite
- Terrain
- Hybrid
✔ Custom Zoom Controls
- Auto-fit to active devices
- Fixed zoom for specific areas
2.3 Marker Customization
Markers can be customized based on:
- Device type
- Device status
- Device health score
- Alarm severity
- Speed thresholds
- AI anomaly state
Customization options:
- Color
- Shape
- Icon (vehicle, sensor, asset type, custom images)
- Size
Example:
- Red icon → device in alarm
- Green icon → normal operation
- Orange icon → warning state
2.4 Device Clustering
For large deployments (thousands+ devices), map clustering enables:
- Density-based grouping
- Cluster heat indicators
- Expandable cluster groups
- Improved map performance
Clusters show:
- Total devices in cluster
- Device severity breakdown
- Zoom-in auto-expansion
2.5 Movement History and Playback
DeviceBoard supports trajectory tracking for any device with GPS updates.
Features:
- View historical path on the map
- Timeline slider for playback
- Customizable time range
- Breadcrumb visualization
- Speed & event overlay
Use cases:
- Vehicle tracking
- Asset movement audit
- Route optimization
- Field service monitoring
- Equipment relocation tracking
2.6 Geofencing Features
DeviceBoard allows geofence creation and event detection.
Geofence Types Supported
- Circular zone
- Polygon zone (multi-point shape)
- Route corridor
Geofence Events
- Enter geofence
- Exit geofence
- Stay duration
- Violation (if zone is restricted)
Actions via RulesFlow
- Raise an alarm
- Send notifications (Email/SMS/webhook)
- Update device attributes
- Record event logs
- Trigger AI inference
- Dispatch commands
2.7 Asset & Device Layer Filtering
Users can filter map views by:
Device Group
- Fleet group
- Region group
- Customer group
- Functional group
Asset Group
- Buildings
- Zones
- Floors
Device Model / Type
- Sensor
- Vehicle
- Machine
- Worker safety beacon
- Energy meters
Custom Filters
- Online/offline
- Battery level
- AI anomaly score
- Alarm severity
2.8 Alarm Overlays on the Map
When devices trigger alarms:
- Markers change color or icon
- Alarm panel can appear beside the map
- Clicking on marker shows alarm details
- Heatmap view highlights alarm zones
Supported alarm types:
- Location-based alarms
- Device health alarms
- AI anomaly alarms
- Safety hazard alerts
- Speed violations
2.9 Map-Based Context Panels
Clicking a map marker opens an info window containing:
- Latest telemetry
- Device attributes
- Alarm history
- AI predictions
- Maintenance status
- Device twin data
You can directly navigate to the device dashboard.
3. Advanced Map Features
3.1 Heatmaps
Heatmaps visualize:
- Device distribution
- Sensor intensity (e.g., temperature, pollution)
- Alarm density
- Movement hotspots
Color gradients reflect value density.
3.2 Multi-Layer Maps
DeviceBoard supports multiple visual layers such as:
- Weather overlays
- Traffic overlays
- Custom company GIS layers
- Asset boundaries
Layers can be toggled independently.
3.3 Map Widgets for Digital Twins
Digital Twin representations can integrate map views showing:
- Indoor location mapping
- Outdoor GPS mapping
- Asset hierarchy navigation
3.4 Edge Integration for Offline Maps
When used with DeviceBoard EDGE, maps can:
- Cache map tiles locally
- Display real-time GPS updates even offline
- Sync movement history once internet is restored
4. Map Widgets in Dashboards
4.1 Real-Time Device Map
- Live device positions
- Marker customization
- Cluster visualization
4.2 Route Playback Map
- Movement history
- Playback slider
- Speed color coding
4.3 Multi-Asset Map
- Assets + devices layered view
- Asset categories with unique icons
4.4 Geofence Map
- Create/edit geofences
- Visualize zone breaches
5. Configuration & Data Sources
5.1 Required Telemetry Fields
Devices must send telemetry keys:
- latitude
- longitude
Optional:
- altitude
- speed
- heading
- accuracy
- gps_timestamp
5.2 Data Mapping
Users can configure:
- Key names (customized per device model)
- Time window to show
- Layer visibility rules
- Alarm overlays
5.3 Integration with RulesFlow
RulesFlow can process:
- Speed > threshold → trigger alarm
- Entering geofence → create event
- GPS signal lost → send notification
- Sudden stop → trigger safety alert
6. Use Cases for Live Tracking & Map Visualization
✔ Fleet Management
- Trucks, delivery vehicles, taxis, buses
- Track routes, violations, idle time
✔ Industrial Asset Tracking
- Forklifts
- Moving equipment
- Warehouse IoT
✔ Worker Safety
- Wearable devices
- Man-down alerts
- Restricted zone entry
✔ Smart City
- Utility sensors
- Environmental monitors
- Public service vehicles
✔ Agriculture
- Tractor/harvester tracking
- Field sensor mapping
✔ Security & Surveillance
- Patrol movement logs
- Geo-triggered alarms
7. User Access Control in Maps
Map visibility respects:
RBAC
- Access to map modules
- Permission to use map-editing tools
ABAC
- Ability to edit geofences
- Ability to view restricted devices
- Ability to assign map widgets to dashboards
Device & Asset Group Restrictions
Users only see devices they are allowed to.
8. Summary of Core Map & Live Tracking Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Real-Time GPS Tracking | Smooth device updates on map |
| Movement History | Route playback with timeline |
| Geofencing | Enter/Exit alerts, violations, automation |
| Clustering | Handles thousands of devices efficiently |
| Custom Markers | Color, icon, status-based visualization |
| Alarm Overlay | Map-based alarm indication |
| Heatmaps | Density & sensor activity visualization |
| Multi-Layer Support | Satellite, terrain, custom layers |
| Digital Twin Integration | Location-aware twin visualization |
| Edge Offline Support | Works during connectivity outages |
| RulesFlow Integration | Geo-triggered automations |