Pingmark: A Textual Protocol for Universal Spatial Mentions

TL;DR

The paper addresses fragmentation in expressing spatial context within text by proposing a universal textual protocol that uses the token !@ to indicate a location. It introduces PPS v0.1, which decouples the symbolic trigger from coordinates and generates a resolver URL of the form https://pingmark.me/$lat$/$lon$[/$timestamp$] via client-side computation, ensuring ephemerality and privacy. A reference implementation (pingmark.me) demonstrates an open, map-visualization resolver based on OpenStreetMap/Leaflet.js with no central data collection. This approach aims to standardize spatial mentions across platforms, enabling lightweight, privacy-preserving, real-time location sharing in everyday text and applications.

Abstract

Pingmark defines a universal textual protocol for expressing spatial context through a minimal symbol: !@. Rather than embedding coordinates or using proprietary map links, Pingmark introduces a semantic trigger that compliant client applications interpret to generate a standardized resolver link of the form https://pingmark.me/lat/lon/[timestamp]. This allows location expression to function like existing textual conventions - @ for identity or # for topics - but for physical space. The protocol requires no user registration, relies on open mapping technologies, and protects privacy by generating location data ephemerally and locally. This paper presents the motivation, syntax, and design of the Pingmark Protocol Specification (PPS v0.1), its reference resolver implementation, and the long-term goal of establishing Pingmark as an open Internet standard for spatial mentions.