Dreaded feature summary

o C_wiz is a PC based software product that allows you to gather, log and transfer data emanating from data devices such as GPS units, intelligent engine gauges, embedded engine data control units, depth sounders, "on /off" devices, analog sensors via A/D modules etc.

o The data can then be analyzed by playing, plotting, mapping voyage tracks and reviewing event occurrences - thus allowing a comprehensive history of a vessel's usage to be maintained and monitored.

o All aspects of behavior may be interactively tailored to the user's requirements.

o Data gathering is performed via data device drivers (D3s), a unique feature of C_wiz that allows it to be interfaced to almost any source of data in an extremely flexible manner.

o Data logging is the process of censoring data and searching it for events then publishing the censored data and events in real time (i.e. as it happens).

o Data publishing includes recording a data value, displaying it on the virtual instrument panel (VIP) as it occurs (in whatever form the user defines) and broadcasting it over a C_wiz instant messaging session. A map can be raised to show the track of the voyage in progress.

o Instant messaging sessions can be established between copies of C_wiz running on different computers and connected via LAN and /or the Internet. The Internet connection can be conducted over a mobile phone providing (for example) real time vessel to base communications whenever the vessel is in mobile phone range, which is anywhere in the world if a LEO (low earth orbit) system is used.

o Transfer of recorded data can occur via removable media (floppy disk, Zip disk, CD etc) or email. email data transfers can be requested over the Internet from the base or manually or automatically periodically initiated from the vessel.

o Playing of recorded data produces a simulation of a nominated voyage on the VIP. New events can be posthumously searched for. A map can be raised to show the track of the corresponding voyage in progress, slow speed of play and fast forward /fast backward /pause /resume functionality.

o Plots of recorded data vs date-time may be produced for any time period. A map can be raised, showing the corresponding voyage track, to provide position correlation (where was the vessel when this happened? what was happening when the vessel was here?).

o Events are the single most powerful feature of C_wiz, enabling the user to solve the "needle in the haystack" problem by scanning data as it is received, or being played, for the occurrence of incidents of importance to him.

o Event definitions are under the user’s control and can include time lags (e.g. high engine revs for 30 seconds) and combinations of conditions (e.g. low gearbox oil pressure and high engine revs, high speed in a restricted area, tachometers out of sync at high engine revs).

o Recorded events can be quizzed for over a nominated period to produce summary reports, reports alphabetically ordered by event description, full chronologically ordered reports or chronological reports of a single event type with by-day-of-week and by-hour-of-day distribution summaries.

o Event occurrences can be shown "in context" by plot and map with cross hairs indicating the exact location.

o The Video subsystem allows the user to view in real-time, play or plot modes appropriate video frame grabs completely synchronized to all the other data simultaneously captured.

o User tailoring of all aspects of behaviour is achieved via 8 internal interactive editors. Multiple tailoring definitions can be kept on-line and changed to, generally "on the fly".

o VIP is the simulation of an instrument panel, allowing the user to display data in a digital (text) and /or analog (needle gauge) form. Every aesthetic element is user definable. Example gauges are supplied.

o Map can have an underlay (typically a scanned chart or aerial photograph) of the user's choice, used to supply visual position cues. When analysing recorded data a voyage track tracing option displays where voyage track will go before it goes there. Chart conversion utilities are provided which allow charts to be created from GeoTiff files, BSB 2-3 files and scan files in bitmap, jpeg or tiff format.

o If Google Earth is installed on the PC it can be automatically and fully integrated into the Map subsystem.

o Snapshot allows the user to "photograph" a VIP, plot or map's screen image and output it to a Microsoft Windows capable printer.

o Data management functions allow export, import and deletion of logged data by arbitrary volume.

o Test Drive is a comprehensive context-sensitive on-line help facility which explains in detail the options available to the user at any point.

o Ease of use was a primary design consideration. The data gathering, logging and publishing functions, which occur on the vessel, are totally automatic and require no crew intervention whatsoever. The analysis functions, which typically occur ashore, have a very simple user interface consistent with Microsoft Windows GUI (Graphical User Interface) conventions.

o LAN aware C_wiz executables can reside on any PC and be run from any PC, the C_wiz tailoring and data files can reside on any PC and be accessed from any PC and C_wiz can run on multiple LAN connected PCs passing smoothed and filtered data as it is received.

o "On /off" devices are anything that can have only 2 states ("on" or "off"). Examples include gear change, electric bilge pumps, raw cooling water flow alarms and navigation lights.