Patent Publication Number: US-8531316-B2

Title: Nautic alert apparatus, system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/255,639, filed on Oct. 28, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Today, many people own a boat or other nautical vessel. Often times an owner keeps the boat or vessel at a marina, harbor, dock, trailer, other suitable location away from a home residence, or even at a home residence. Many of these places do not have security or monitoring services. Due to this lack of security or monitoring, many boats and vessels are susceptible to various risks of damage when left unattended, including, for example, high-levels of water in a boat, smoke, gas fumes, unexpected movement of an anchored boat, and unexpected movement of a boat from its dock or trailer. The resulting damage from these events can be large. Moreover, boats are often stored in close proximity to many other boats increasing the potential risk for more damage. The ability to efficiently monitor, detect, alert, and respond to these types of events becomes the key to minimizing damage in the boating world. 
     Certain known solutions to the above-described issues may involve on-board monitoring systems. Many such solutions typically reference a land-based data center, land-based remote site, land-based network operations center, or land-based center of operations, or remote land-based website, which is typically understood in the art to be a data processing point for information, controlled and facilitated at least by computer hardware, operating systems, applications, storage, and communication networks. 
     Generally, vessel monitoring systems include a telemetry type of device or a device with a microprocessor installed on a vessel that is used to capture a data point value (for example, an “On” or “Off” value or a “0” or “1” value) from a sensor. Typically such devices can receive data points from onboard sensors and subsequently forward it to a land-based center via wireless communications for data processing. In turn, the land-based center applies algorithms to the received data so as to analyze the data and determine the existence or non-existence of a problem. The land-based center may then notify the owner of the vessel that a problem exists and pursue further courses of action to resolve the problem. A typical model for such vessel monitoring systems that are known in the art is shown in  FIG. 1 . However, such vessel monitoring system&#39;s depend on land-based computer systems and therefore the vessel onboard telemetry device cannot bypass the land-based center for the purposes of data processing and communicating alerts or information to the vessel owner. The requirement of routing all operations through and cooperating with the land-based center restricts or limits the ability to offer onboard functionality in an efficient manner. In addition, the dependency on the land-based center means that the vessel&#39;s onboard telemetry asset is not standalone nor independent, which limits the asset&#39;s ability to solve or mitigate the vessel owner risks autonomously; hence, mitigation of vessel owner risks and solution of any existing problems according to the known art requires that the onboard telemetry device and the land-based computers work together as one system to complete key core processes that address the risks and existing problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least one exemplary embodiment described herein includes a nautic alert method, system and apparatus. In the exemplary method, system and apparatus, an intelligent, interactive embedded computer system may monitor, detect, analyze, or alert a vessel owner, harbormaster, or a service provider of user selected boat events, conditions, statuses, trends, or event history through hardware and software. The method, system and apparatus may minimize false-positive alerts, and may efficiently detect potential hazard and alert a user. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the nautic alert method, system and apparatus may operate as an onboard autonomous and independent system and may not have a dependency on a land-based center or computer. The method, system and apparatus may further be configured to present enhanced reports to a vessel owner via a mobile device or a remote computer, and to present information related to online nautical and standard maps, weather, fuel level usage and consumption, vessel speed, vessel location, and the vessel&#39;s traveled course. Such information may be presented while onboard the vessel, or via a remote computer, display or mobile device. The method, system and apparatus may further be configured to not operate on a subscription-based system for provision of reports, information, and certain information that is described herein. 
     Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, the nautic alert system, method, and apparatus may place the required logic, intelligence, and capability to solve and mitigate risks onboard the vessel in an integrated and autonomous fashion. The nautic alert system, method, and apparatus may allow the system to monitor, detect, analyze, present information, and communicate directly with the vessel owner or other desired targets, while the owner or other desired targets are onboard the vessel or while they are away from the vessel. The nautic alert system, method, and apparatus may eliminate the need for a land-based center to complete key core processes. The nautic alert system, method, and apparatus may processes data onboard the vessel and may make decisions onboard the vessel based on defined policies, application logic, and the nautic alert analytic engine and process analysis method. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary prior art land based dependency model for monitoring, data processing, and communication; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary nautic alert model for monitoring, information, and communication; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary nautic alert system overview; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert system console; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert system console architecture; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary listing of nautic alert application service logic module Descriptions; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert intelligent wireless sensor architecture; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert analytic engine and analysis process model; 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert intelligent wireless DC power and gas fume sensor unit; 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert intelligent wireless ultrasonic water level and temperature sensor and switch unit; 
         FIG. 11  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert intelligent wireless smoke detector, temperature, and motion detection sensor unit; 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert personal emergency wireless unit; and 
         FIG. 13  is an exemplary diagram of a nautic alert distributed control system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the terms “embodiments of the invention,” “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the method, system or apparatus include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     Further, many embodiments are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, these sequence of actions described herein can be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of computer readable storage medium having stored therein a corresponding set of computer instructions that upon execution would cause an associated processor to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the invention may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, for each of the embodiments described herein, the corresponding form of any such embodiments may be described herein as, for example, “logic configured to” perform the described action. 
       FIG. 3  shows an overview of an exemplary embodiment of a nautic alert system  160 . System  160  may be a dedicated, integrated, and self-contained system. As shown in  FIG. 3 , nautic alert system  160  may include, but is not limited to, several major areas of functionality, including security monitoring  162 , vital event monitoring  164 , video and audio  166 , vessel and support information  168 , and communication and reporting  170 . 
     Security monitoring  162  and vital event monitoring  164  functionalities may address certain boat owner risks. To that end, security monitoring  162  and event monitoring  164  may include observing certain events and conditions  172 . Such events and conditions  172  may include, but are not limited to, security events, vessel location tracking, vital vessel events, and personal emergency response needs. Video and audio support  166  functionalities may include surveillance and communication capabilities, for example and not limited to, surveillance of a vessel bridge or a specific compartment, or video conferencing. Vessel and support information  168  functionalities may include monitoring and analyzing, as an example and not limited to hereto, bilge water level measurements, fuel level measurements, traveling speed measurements, engine related measurements, and other types of measurements. Vessel and support information  168  functionalities may also provide, as an example and not limited to, nautical maps, standard maps, weather information, vital vessel trends, vital vessel history, and system statuses. Communication and reporting  170  functionalities may provide the ability for, as an example and not limited to, delivery of events and alerts to targeted recipients, requests to targeted individuals or entities for help or assistance, and two-way information exchange between the nautic alert system and targeted individuals or entities. 
     Nautic alert system  160  may be an intelligent system that may utilize an analytic engine  87  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) to perform analyses of sensor data points, and to perform event analyses in an effort to eliminate false-positive messages and to promote proactive behavior that may help mitigate various disasters and events. Sensor events may be fed into analytic engine  87 , which may evaluate the event against an alert policy, and may give additional feedback about a critical event, for example, whether the event has gone beyond critical or back to a normal state. A critical event may also be evaluated over a period of time as having become “worse” or “better,” for example, by reporting and measuring quantitative data from a sensor. To successfully monitor, detect, analyze, and issue alerts, system  160  may include the following hardware and software: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Hardware 
                 Software 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 System Console with digital logic board 
                 Nautic Alert ® Application 
               
               
                 (motherboard) with CPU and Memory 
                 Logic 
               
               
                 System Console with Touch-Screen 
                 Nautic Alert ® Intuitive 
               
               
                 LCD 
                 Graphical User Interface 
               
               
                 Tri-Band GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, 
                 Nautic Alert ® API Interfaces 
               
               
                 and Quad-Band GSM 
               
               
                 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; 
               
               
                 Dual Band CDMA 824-849/869-894 
               
               
                 MHz, and 1850-1910/1930-1990 MHz 
               
               
                 1XRTT 
               
               
                 for U.S. and International Cellular 
               
               
                 Communication 
               
               
                 Cellular Antenna 
                 Nautic Alert ® Device Drivers 
               
               
                 GPS Antenna 
                 Nautic Alert ® Mobile Portal 
               
               
                 Wi-Fi 
               
               
                 Integrated System Console Power 
                 Nautic Alert ® Harbor-Master 
               
               
                 Sensor 
                 Portal 
               
               
                 Integrated System Console GPS 
                 Nautic Alert ® Service Provider 
               
               
                 Receiver 
                 Portal 
               
               
                 Integrated System Console Motion 
                 Nautic Alert ® Fleet Vessel 
               
               
                 Detector Sensor 
                 Management Portal 
               
               
                 Integrated System Console Speaker 
                 SQL Compatible Database 
               
               
                 Integrated System Console with 
               
               
                 Camera, Siren, and Microphone 
               
               
                 Integrated System Console Temperature 
               
               
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 Wireless AC Volt Sensor with DC 
               
               
                 Power 
               
               
                 Wireless DC Volt Sensor with DC 
               
               
                 Power 
               
               
                 Wireless Motion Detector with DC 
               
               
                 Power 
               
               
                 Wireless Smoke and Carbon Monoxide 
               
               
                 Detector with DC Power or AC Power 
               
               
                 Wireless Gas Fume Detector with DC 
               
               
                 Power 
               
               
                 Wireless Compartment Temperature 
               
               
                 Sensor with DC Power 
               
               
                 Wireless Ultrasonic Waterproof Water 
               
               
                 Level Sensor with DC Power 
               
               
                 Wireless GPS Sensor 
               
               
                 Wireless Emergency Response Device 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a system architecture  300 , such as the Nautic Alert Architecture, may be composed of hardware and software that may create an intelligent, interactive embedded system  160  that may monitor, detect, analyze, or alert a vessel owner, harbormaster, or service provider, of events that may require attention or immediate response. The boat owner may interact with system  160  by way of an Intuitive Graphical User Interface (IGUI)  32 , such as the Nautic Alert Graphical User Interface, which may be displayed on a touchscreen  2  for easy navigation. The IGUI layer  32  may communicate with an application logic layer  33 , such as the Nautic Alert Application Logic layer. Application logic layer  33  may contain core system algorithms. By way of the operating system, a system application  29 , such as the Nautic Alert System Application, may communicate with system hardware  76 , such as the Nautic Alert Hardware. System architecture  300  may include support for wireless sensors, such as Nautic Alert Wireless Sensors. The System may identify a genuine wireless sensor from a foreign wireless sensor as a function of security management logic  38 . Encrypted communication may take place between system console  200  and the wireless sensors. 
     System  160  may be an interactive system. Interaction may take place from a system console  200  or from mobile devices, such as, for example, a cell phone, smartphone, laptop computer or personal digital assistant (“PDA”). Event messages may be sent utilizing Short Message Service (“SMS”) standards for notification. Overview of statuses, trends, historical data, and forensics may be facilitated through a portal, such as the Nautic Alert Portal, and changes to the operating mode or settings may be accomplished through system console  200  or from a mobile device. The portal and system console  200  may communicate using the wireless markup language (WML) over short message service (SMS) or WML with the wireless application protocol (WAP). 
     In one exemplary embodiment, nautic alert system  160  may include a system console  200 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . System console  200 , such as the Nautic Alert System Console, may contain a Central Processor Unit (CPU)  22  integrated into printed circuit boards (motherboard) with integrated memory and buses  16 , which may operate on direct current (“DC”) power via a DC power interface  23 , or on alternating current (“AC”) power via a shore power interface  28 , and may have an internal battery backup power source  27  and management. Application logic level software  33 , such as Nautic Alert® Application Logic level software, may communicate with an IGUI  32  such as the Nautic Alert® IGUI, with electronic components on the motherboard  16 , and with sensors. Application logic level software  33  can thus be the logic engine and algorithm software that facilitates the functionality of system  160 . 
     Console  200  may be mounted in a vertical position to a bulkhead, fastened to a stand, set into an instrumentation console, set into a panel, installed inside a cabinet, locker, or other type of location. Console  200  may use a touch-screen  2  coupled with the IGUI  32 , which may enable the user to interact with system application  29 . IGUI  32  may produce summarized information in an executive summary, or in details, and may guide the end-user to targeted areas that may need attention or present risk. The IGUI  32  may also include an embedded “Help” system that may aid the customer in answering system related questions. 
     Console  200  may include an enclosure  1 , and an embedded audio speaker  3  that can facilitate making two-way voice calls and can act as a receiver for an intercom system. Console  200  may also include a siren  4 , which can emit variable pitch sounds as system warnings or as certain events arise onboard the vessel. Console  200  may also include a primary power indicator  5 , which can show color status notifications for primary power on, primary power off, or a problem with power. Console  200  may further include a system message indicator  6 , which can show color status notifications for system messages that indicate no messages, messages that requires immediate action, or messages that are proactive in nature. Console  200  may further include an operating mode indicator  7 , which can show color status notifications for whether system  160  is operating in an “onboard” mode (that is, system  160  is operating in a configuration optimized for when the vessel owner is onboard), or in an “away” mode (that is, system  160  is armed and operating in a configuration optimized for when nobody is onboard the vessel and the vessel is closed and secured). Console  200  may further include a microphone  8 , which can allow two-way conversations, one-way conversations as part of an intercom configuration, to facilitate listening for intruders, or for surveillance purposes. Console  200  may also include a temperature sensor  9  which can measure ambient temperature in the vicinity of console  200 . Console  200  may also include an emergency response button  10  which, when depressed, can display on touch-screen  2  a selection of pre-programmed emergency situations. Selecting a pre-programmed emergency situation can initiate contact with and communicate desired actions and conditions to desired targets or entities. Console  200  may also include at least two integrated motion detector sensors  11 ,  13  that can detect bodily motion when the operating mode  7  is set to “away.” Motion sensors  11 ,  13  can also be disabled through user configuration options within the system application  29 . When one or both of the motion detector sensors  11 ,  13  detect bodily motion, the sensor can interact with motion sensor logic  43 , which may in turn make a call to the analytic engine  87  for analysis and appropriate execution of logic based on system policies  88 , user policies  89 , and on analysis process model  500  shown in  FIG. 8 . Console  200  may also include an integrated camera  12  that can capture still pictures or video within the targeted area and that can interface with video and sound logic  40  through device driver manager  64 . Viewing of the targeted area can occur directly on the touch-screen  2  or can occur from a remote location using a mobile device or remote computer. Console  200  may also include an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and integrated antenna  26 , a WiFi® interface and integrated antenna  15 , a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) wireless modem and integrated antenna  20 , a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modem and integrated antenna  19 , a wireless sensor coordinator/controller  18  for the nautic alert wireless devices, and a wireless sensor radio and integrated antenna  17  that can interface at the operating system hardware layer  77  with wireless sensor layer  84 . 
     Console  200  may further include a proprietary main digital circuit board, power interface, and other interfaces and buses  16 , which may facilitate interconnecting the components of console  200 . Such components may include, but are not limited to, CPU  22 , memory  24 , WiFi®  15 , modems  19 ,  20 , video interface  14 , audio interface  25 , wireless coordinator/controller  18 , wireless radio  17 , and all other identified electronic components depicted in  FIG. 4 . The components may interact with each other through the proprietary main digital circuit board, power interface, other interfaces, and buses  16 , and with the system application  29 . As an illustrative and non-limiting example, such communication may also utilize various methods such as GSM  20 , CDMA  19 , WiFi®  15  to wireless satellite services, WiFi®  15  to wireless broadband services, wired Ethernet to satellite services, and wired Ethernet to broadband services. System application  29  may be configured to seamlessly auto-switch between any provided integrated wireless communication methods in an effort to mitigate the risk of an unavailable or problematic wireless connection for communication to a set of targeted recipients or services, and to use all available options to increase communication reliability. 
     Active features of console  200  and system  160  may be based on the operating mode of system  160  and on user activated features. Possible operating modes may include at least an “onboard” operating mode and an “away” operating mode. The onboard mode may be used when the vessel owner or other desired individuals are onboard the vessel. In this mode, the motion detectors  11 ,  13 ,  131 , camera  12 , and microphone  8  may be disabled, and wireless sensor settings for the onboard mode may default to a different set of thresholds. Such thresholds may account for the vessel being in operation, and can eliminate false-positives due to environmental changes such as the vessel moving or from vessel operation. When the vessel owner or other individuals are no longer onboard or when the vessel is secured in a port, the operating mode can be set to “away.” In the away operating mode, motion detectors  11 ,  13 ,  131 , camera  12 , and microphone  8  may be enabled, and the wireless sensor settings set for the away operating mode may be activated. This may disable, change or otherwise modify the active thresholds established under the onboard mode. The operating mode may be changed from system console  200  or from the vessel owner&#39;s cell phone or other mobile device. 
     System console  200  may be powered by direct current (“DC”), and may have a DC power interface  23 , which can interface with the vessel&#39;s DC power. Console  200  may further include a secondary alternating current (“AC”) power interface  28 , which can interface with “shore” power, that is, power from sources external to the vessel. The voltage levels for both DC power interface  23  and AC power interface  28  may be measured continuously by the power management logic  39  of system application  29 , and such measurements can be reported to analytic engine  87 . Console  200  may also include a backup power battery  27 , which may be utilized in the event that both DC power and AC power are lost. Backup power battery  27  may therefore enable console  200  to continue operating for an a period of time after loss of power. 
     System console  200  may also include a National Marine Electronics Association 2000 (“NMEA 2000”) interface  21  for facilitating compliance with electrical and data specifications protocols for a marine data network that is used for communication between other NMEA 2000 compliant marine electronic devices. Such devices may include, but are not limited to, navigation instruments, depth finders, engine sensors and instruments, tank level sensors, and other applicable type of devices. The NMEA 2000 interface  21  can support a hardwired connection or can be accessed through the Zigbee®/NMEA 2000 wireless bridge. The Nautic Alert intelligent wireless sensors can operate on a dedicated Controller Area Network (“CAN”) bus, and can utilize the NMEA 2000 protocol that resides on top of the CAN bus. The CAN bus may interact with the intelligent wireless sensor architecture  400  at the physical layer  79 , at the Media Access Control (MAC) layer  80 , and at the ZigBee® data link controller layer  81 . That is, the Nautic Alert intelligent wireless sensors may connect directly to the CAN bus through a NMEA 2000 hardwire interface or may connect to the CAN bus through a wireless Zigbee®/CAN bridge. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a system console architecture  300  and the software logic service modules that may be included in system application  29 . An exemplary, but not limiting list of such service logic modules is shown in  FIG. 6 . System application  29  may include, but is not limited to, intuitive graphical user interface (IGUI)  32 , application logic  33 , application programming interfaces (“APIs”)  54 , and device drivers  55 . 
     IGUI  32  may include, but is not limited to, presentation and navigation logic  30  and setup wizard logic  31 . Application logic  33  may include, but is not limited to, analytic engine  34 , sensor management logic  35 , communication management logic  36 , event management logic  37 , security management logic  38 , power management logic  39 , video and sound logic  40 , power sensor logic  41 , soft GPS sensor logic  42 , motion sensor logic  43 , smoke sensor logic  44 , vessel tracking logic  45 , gas fume logic  46 , temperature sensor logic  47 , ultrasonic water sensor logic  48 , fuel level sensor logic  49 , map and weather logic  50 , remote application logic  51 , coordinator custom logic  52 , and remote coordination logic  53 . 
     System application  29  may run on top of a commercial operating system within the operating system machine code process layer  56  and may interface with the operating system APIs  57  utilizing APIs  54  of system application  29 . System application  29  may interface with the operating system kernel layer  58  via the operating system kernel  62 , which may contains kernel core library  63 . Kernel core library  63  may provide functionality such as, but not limited to, registry and file system management  59 , memory management, process loading, scheduler, process and thread memory management  65 , graphics, graphic windowing, and graphic event subsystem  60 , network APIs  61 , and device driver management  64 . 
     CPU  71  may interact with the system application  29  by fetching the application instructions, which may be stored in random access memory RAM  66  and in read only memory ROM  67  by the process and thread memory manager  65  of the operating system kernel  62 . CPU  71  may return a set of results from processing system application  29  instructions to the operating system kernel  62 , which in turn may result in completed instructions, data, or new instructions to be processed by the CPU  71 . The application logic results may then be made visible to a vessel owner or user, for example, in graphical form, in specific actions, in data, in messages, in alerts, in reports and in other forms and methods. 
     Device drivers  55  may interact with operating system device driver manager  64  at operating system kernel layer  58  and operating system hardware layer  75 . Such interaction may be facilitated via interfaces such as video  69 , audio  70 , mouse  73 , USB  68 , COM  72 , and LAN  74 , thereby resulting in direct communication with hardware  76  and the intelligent wireless sensors. 
     System  160  may include integrated sensors and devices, which may include the following: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Function 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Camera 
                 Integrated 
                 Captures still images or video inside the 
               
               
                   
                 Device 
                 targeted vessel area as requested by the boat 
               
               
                   
                   
                 owner via the Mobile Portal or by policy 
               
               
                 CDMA Modem 
                 Integrated 
                 Enables Nautic Alert to communicate using a 
               
               
                   
                 Device 
                 CDMA cellular network 
               
               
                 Global 
                 Integrated 
                 Provides navigation data such as longitude, 
               
               
                 Positioning 
                 Device 
                 latitude, speed, and heading - and detects 
               
               
                 System (GPS) 
                   
                 changes to the baseline 
               
               
                 Receiver 
               
               
                 and Soft 
               
               
                 GPS Sensor 
               
               
                 GSM Modem 
                 Integrated 
                 Enables Nautic Alert to communicate using a 
               
               
                   
                 Device 
                 GSM cellular network 
               
               
                 Internal 
                 Integrated 
                 Monitors and measures the voltage of the 
               
               
                 DC Power 
                 Sensor 
                 Nautic Alert ® system console primary DC 
               
               
                 Sensor 
                   
                 source and health of the internal backup 
               
               
                   
                   
                 power source 
               
               
                 Internal 
                 Integrated 
                 Monitors and measures the voltage of the 
               
               
                 AC Power 
                 Sensor 
                 Nautic Alert ® system console primary AC 
               
               
                 Sensor 
                   
                 source 
               
               
                 LCD Touch- 
                 Integrated 
                 Monitor that displays the Nautic Alert ® 
               
               
                 Screen 
                 Device 
                 Intuitive Graphical User Interface and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 enables touch-screen navigation 
               
               
                 Microphone 
                 Integrated 
                 Records sound or aids in two-way 
               
               
                   
                 Device 
                 communication 
               
               
                 Motion 
                 Integrated 
                 Detects bodily motion 
               
               
                 Detector 
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 Personal 
                 Integrated 
                 Alerts targeted entities, organizations, or 
               
               
                 Emergency 
                 Device 
                 individuals of a personal emergency onboard 
               
               
                 Response 
                   
                 the vessel 
               
               
                 Speaker 
                 Integrated 
                 Emits audio sounds resulting from specific 
               
               
                   
                 Device 
                 events 
               
               
                 Temperature 
                 Integrated 
                 Measures temperature within a targeted area 
               
               
                   
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 Wi-Fi 
                 Integrated 
                 Enables Nautic Alert to interface and 
               
               
                   
                 Device 
                 communicate through satellite networks and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 other types of broadband services 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     System  160  may include wireless sensors and devices, which may include the following: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Function 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 AC Volt Sensor 
                 Wireless 
                 Detects the presence of AC voltage, which is 
               
               
                   
                 Sensor 
                 considered to be “Shore” power 
               
               
                 DC Volt Sensor 
                 Wireless 
                 Measures voltage for a specific battery bank 
               
               
                   
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 Fuel Level 
                 Wireless 
                 Ascertains vessel fuel level 
               
               
                   
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 Gas Fume 
                 Wireless 
                 Detects gas fumes in a targeted compartment 
               
               
                 Sensor 
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 GPS Sensor 
                 Wireless 
                 Provides all required navigation data such as 
               
               
                   
                 Sensor 
                 longitude, latitude, speed, and heading - and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 detects changes to the baseline. Designed to be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 mounted on or near window for strong signal. 
               
               
                 Motion 
                 Wireless 
                 Detects bodily motion inside a specific 
               
               
                 Detector 
                 Sensor 
                 compartment 
               
               
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 Personal 
                 Wireless 
                 Alerts others of an onboard personal emergency 
               
               
                 Emergency 
                 Sensor 
                 situation 
               
               
                 Device 
               
               
                 Smoke Detector 
                 Wireless 
                 Detects smoke and carbon monoxide in a 
               
               
                 and CO Sensor 
                 Sensor 
                 designated compartment 
               
               
                 Temperature 
                 Wireless 
                 Provides temperature reading for a designated 
               
               
                 Sensor 
                 Sensor 
                 compartment 
               
               
                 Water Level 
                 Wireless 
                 Measures the water level at the bottom of a vessel&#39;s 
               
               
                 Sensor and 
                 Sensor 
                 bilge compartment using ultrasonic technology, and 
               
               
                 Switch 
                   
                 can turn a bilge pump “on” or “off” 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The wireless sensors, with the exception of the alternating current (AC) power sensor, may be direct current (DC) powered devices, with internal backup battery power. The water level and DC power sensors may obtain their primary power from the vessel&#39;s DC system. The AC power sensor may have an internal backup power supply, with a primary power source from the vessel&#39;s AC shore power. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , system  160  may include an intelligent wireless sensor architecture  400 , which in turn may include an operating system hardware layer  77  and a wireless sensor layer  84 . Wireless sensor layer  84  may include digital logic layer  78 , IEEE 802.15.4 physical layer  79 , IEEE 802.15.4 media access control (MAC) layer  80 , ZigBee® data link controller layer  81 , ZigBee® networking application layer  82 , and remote application logic  83 . The above-listed components of wireless sensor layer  84  can facilitate the exchange of data and application instructions between remote application logic layer  83  and system application  29 . 
     Digital logic layer  78  may include a digital circuit board, power interface, other interfaces, and buses, and may facilitate interconnecting the electronic components of the wireless sensor units such as wireless radios, interfaces, memory, capacitors, relays, and other electronic components that enable system  160  to function as described herein. 
     The upper level of the communication protocol suite may be based on the ZigBee® communication protocol, which may provide network layer  82  and data link layer  81  of the communication protocol. The lower level of the communication protocol suite may include physical layer  79  and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer  80 , and may be based on the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless data transfer standard. 
     System application  29  and remote application logic  83  may include application-level logic that can enable application-level communication functionality between the system console  200  and the intelligent wireless sensor devices. Such functionality may be separate and distinct from the ZigBee® upper level communication protocol suite. The application-level communication logic may include the following capabilities and functionalities: (1) a proprietary application level communication protocol; (2) enhanced security measures to prevent against non-trusted communication; (3) future scalability that can allow support for an NMEA-2000-to-Nautic-Alert bridge and interface, wherein a physical wireless sensor can act as though it contains multiple sensors that may be located on another physical medium; (4) an enhanced automatic error recovery and additional security algorithms supporting dynamic frequency hopping and dynamic network ID change capability; (5) an ability to reset coordinator ID to automatically recover a Nautic Alert intelligent wireless sensor that may have initially bound to another coordinator; and (6) an ability to set update rate based on aggressive reporting or conservative battery consumption. 
     Remote application logic  83  may support the functional application and purpose of each unique intelligent wireless sensor. The intelligence within each wireless sensor may be established by the interaction of remote application logic  83 , analytic engine  87  and analysis process model  500 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the analysis process model  500  and analytic engine  87  used within system application  29  in conjunction with the wired and wireless intelligent sensors and devices. Analytic engine  87  may be configured to eliminate false-positive messages, to aid in information reporting, and to promote proactive behavior that helps to mitigate specific disasters and events. Therefore, system  160  can be an intelligent system that can utilize an analytic engine  87  to perform analysis of inputs such as system messages  85 , sensor data points, and sensor measurements  86 . System  160  may analyze such inputs against system policies  88  and user-defined policies  89  and may thereby determine whether there is currently “no event”  90 , whether a “new event”  91  has occurred, or whether the current input is part of an “open event”  92  that supports keeping the event open or supports closing the event. When analytic engine  87  declares a new event  91 , then event manager  95  may record the event to a database or to a set of files  96  and may notify the communication manager  97 . When the analytic engine  87  declares an input as part of an open event  92 , analytic engine  87  may perform data correlation 93, if applicable, to determine whether the input supports declaring a closed event  94 . If so, the event may be closed and the event manager  95  may record the closure by updating the database or set of files  96  and may further notify communication manager  97 . Conversely, if the input does not support declaring a closed event  94 , the event manager  95  may record the input as part of an open event, may update the database or set of files  96  and may further notify the communication manager  97 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 4 , system  160  may be equipped with a GPS receiver  26  and a soft GPS sensor  42  that can capture navigation data such as longitude, latitude, speed, heading, and altitude for the vessel. GPS receiver  26  and soft GPS sensor  42 , may be for example, integrated into the cabin of the boat or vessel, provided in an external antenna, a wireless system or the like. By capturing these data points along with other data and applying appropriate algorithms, system  160  may monitor for anchor slippage when a vessel is anchored. If soft GPS sensor  42  detects a change in drift distance and angle that violates user-defined policies and thresholds, system  160  may alert the vessel owner or other targeted recipients using multiple options as defined under the policies of communication manager logic  36 . 
     When a vessel is moored offshore or docked in a marina, if the vessel is moved from its location, soft GPS sensor  42  may detect the change and system  160  may alert the vessel owner, marina harbormaster, service provider, or other targeted recipients, using multiple options as defined under the communication manager logic  36  policies, that the vessel may have moved unexpectedly from its port, and may further provide current location information. System  160  may also allow for GPS stabilization on cold resets or normalized distance calculations that may prevent location outlier readings from generating false positives. Thus, system  160  may prevent false positive readings due to natural environmental factors that influence the GPS&#39;s accuracy or false positives that may occur due to poor GPS readings, for example, in remote areas of the globe. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , system application  29  may further include vessel tracking logic service module  45 , which can interact with soft GPS sensor logic  42  service module. Such interaction may include, but is not limited to, creating the following capability, functionality, and data points: (1) tracking the course of a vessel, destination, and originating location; (2) tracking travel time, longitude, latitude, speed, and heading between the origination point, the final destination point, and points therebetween; and (3) tracking past routes or courses that a vessel traveled. 
     System application  29  may include fuel level sensor logic  49  service module, which can obtain periodic measurements of a vessel&#39;s fuel level in coordination with vessel tracking logic  45  service module and maps and weather logic  50  service module. All included service modules can provide and send information to analytic engine  87  for process analysis as shown in  FIG. 8 . As an illustrative example, an owner of a fleet of vessels can review various online reports to protect against fuel theft, to measure efficiency, to manage costs, and for other goals and objectives. Analysis of said information by a vessel owner can be further enhanced by factoring additional variables such as weight, weather, tide, and water current information to determine impact on fuel consumption. 
     System console  200  may further include the capability and functional ability to display, via touch-screen  2 , online nautical and standard maps and weather information as part of the map and weather logic  50  service module. Such ability to stream internet based online nautical and standard maps may eliminate the need for specific geographic location memory cards and the need to perform periodic system library updates. A map image of the vessel&#39;s current location can be downloaded and buffered such that the geo-fence representation can be overlaid on the map, and the map layers can be animated, thus reducing the need for additional map downloads. Additionally, the online weather information capability may reduce the need for bulky and expensive radar rendering equipment commonly found on an onboard weather device. 
     System  160 , when in away operating mode  7 , may detect bodily movement in the cabin with integrated motion detection sensors  11 ,  13 . System  160  may also include a wireless motion detector sensor for additional compartments. At detection, system  160  may initiate and send an alert to the vessel owner, marina harbormaster, service provider, or other targeted recipients using multiple options as defined under the communication manager logic  36  policies. System  160  may also initiate an audio alert via siren  4  of console  200 . System may further have a deactivation feature using the boat owner&#39;s cell phone. That is, away operating mode  7  may be deactivated or changed via the vessel owner&#39;s cell phone, for example by issuing an SMS text message to system console  200 . The cell phone can further be used, for example and not limited to hereto, maintenance of the boat by being able to remotely arm, disarm or otherwise change the operating mode  7  of system console  200 . Such SMS text message interface capability may also be used, for example, to query the vessel&#39;s coordinates, to reset alerts, to get system information, and to access or modify other functions of console  200  directly, without requiring a subscription and without utilization of a central facility. The SMS text message interface may be limited to phone numbers that have been pre-registered with the console  200  so that security attacks from non-trusted phones may be prevented. 
     System console  200  may include an integrated camera/video unit  12  and microphone  8  that are configured to capture a still picture of the surrounding area or to capture video with sound of the surrounding area. Such visual data may be used for security purposes, management purposes, surveillance, and for video conferencing, as illustrative, non-limiting examples. Microphone  8  can be used alone so as to capture voice for intercom services or for two-way telephone conversations. The functionality associated with pictures, video, and sound can be supported and enabled by system application  29  and by video and sound logic  40  service module. 
     System  160  may monitor power with integrated (wired) and wireless sensors, and, to that end, may utilize power management logic  39  and power sensor logic  41 . The categories for power monitoring and detection may include at least: primary DC power interface  23 ; shore AC power interface  28 ; backup battery power  27 , vessel DC power for a first battery bank  103 ; vessel DC power for a second battery bank  105 ; and Nautic Alert intelligent wireless device power interfaces. If power management logic  39  or analytic engine  87  detect the loss of AC power, a critical reduction in the vessel&#39;s DC voltage, or a power risk for the continuous operation of the vessel&#39;s power system or of system  160 , system  160  may alert the boat owner, marina harbor-master, service provider, or other targeted recipients using multiple options as defined under the communication manager logic  36  policies. Communication manager logic  36  policies can be derived from user policies  89 ; therefore, the boat owner or user may decide, for example, the point at which the voltage level would generate an alert, as well as detected conditions for charging or discharging battery states. 
     System  160  may detect gas fumes in a designated vessel compartment. System  160  detects an irregular level of fumes, it may alert the boat owner, marina harbormaster, service provider, or other targeted recipients using multiple options as defined under communication manager logic  36  policies. 
     Turning to  FIG. 9 , system  160  may include an intelligent wireless DC power and gas fume sensor unit  600 . Unit  600  may include a body enclosure  111 , a facial enclosure  101 , and a trim cover  107  to conceal mounting fasteners. The front of unit  600  may include battery bank connectors  103 ,  105  and power indicators  102 ,  106 , to facilitate connecting up to two separate DC main power sources, which can serve as inputs to be measured and monitored by unit  600 . The front of unit  600  may also include a gas fume sensor  104  that can be used to measure gas fume levels for a desired area. During operation, inputs from battery connectors  103 ,  105  and gas fume sensor  104  can be captured through main digital circuit board, interfaces, and buses  100  by remote application logic  83 , which may reside in memory  99  of unit  600 . The resulting instructions from remote application logic  83  may then be processed by CPU  98 . Wireless sensor layer  84  may then communicate with operating system hardware layer  75  via wireless sensor interface  108 , wireless sensor radio  109 , and wireless antenna  110 . In hardware layer  75 , wireless sensor coordinator/controller  18  and coordinator custom logic service module  52  can interact with operating system kernel layer  58 , resulting in application-level communication with power sensor logic  41  service module and gas fume sensor logic  46  service module of system application  29 . The inputs received by power sensor logic  41  service module and gas fume sensor logic  46  service module can then be utilized by analytic engine  87  for analysis processing, per the analysis process model  500  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     System  160  may detect changes in water level from the boat owner&#39;s defined base using a sensor, for example a wireless ultrasonic sensor. In addition to being able to detect against a pre-determined threshold, this sensor may send additional alerts if the measured water level continues to rise, for example, due to reasons like a clogged water drain pipe, a failed bilge pump, a leaky thru hull fitting, or a water leak greater than the bilge pump capacity. Changes in water level may be measured and detected at less than one inch with the use of sound waves. Changes in water level may be evaluated against the boat owner threshold and reported according to certain policies. Alerts may be sent to the boat owner, marina harbor-master, or service provider using multiple options as defined under communication manager logic  36  policies. 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , system  160  may include an intelligent wireless ultrasonic water level and temperature sensor and switch unit  700 . Unit  700  may include a water-resistant enclosure  117  and a DC and NMEA 2000 power in connector  112  to facilitate providing power to unit  700  from a DC power source that may be aboard the vessel. Unit  700  may further include an internal moisture sensor  119  that can facilitate measuring moisture levels within enclosure  117 . Such measuring of moisture levels may be a proactive process facilitated and managed by ultrasonic water sensor logic  48  service module to so as to increase reliability and performance levels. 
     Unit  700  may further include a waterproof dual ultrasonic (sonar) water level sensor module  113  and a waterproof temperature sensor  114 . Ultrasonic water level sensor module may include dual ultrasonic sensors so as to provide redundancy in the case of sensor failure. The front of unit  700  may be positioned over a desired area that can contain water or liquid, and may further be positioned so as to expose ultrasonic water level sensor module  113  and temperature sensor  114  to the desired area. The ultrasonic water level sensor module  113  may then emit a concentrated pulse of sound waves to the targeted surface area and subsequently can measure the length of time for the sound to be reflected back to sensor module  113 . As the sound moves at a fast and constant speed, the distance to the targeted bottom surface and back can be calculated. The targeted bottom surface may represent an area with no liquid at the time in which the baseline is established; that is, the baseline may be equal to zero inches (or equivalent thereof in other measuring units). When liquid enters the targeted bottom surface area, the length of time for the sound to be reflected back to the said sensor module  113  can decrease due to the presence of liquid above the bottom surface. Sensor module  113  can then measure the change in time for the sound to reflect off the liquid surface within the targeted area and may calculate a change in level from a zero level to the new level in inches or other desired measuring units. 
     During operation, inputs from internal moisture sensor  119 , ultrasonic water level sensor module  113 , and waterproof temperature sensor  114  can be captured through the proprietary main digital circuit board, interfaces, and buses  120  by remote application logic  83 , which may reside memory  123  of unit  700 . The resulting instructions from remote application logic  83  mayt then be processed by CPU  116 . Wireless sensor layer  84  may then communicate with operating system hardware layer  75  via wireless sensor interface  121 , wireless sensor radio  122 , and wireless antenna  115 . In hardware layer  75 , wireless sensor coordinator/controller  18  and coordinator custom logic  52  service module, can interact with operating system kernel layer  58 , resulting in application level communication with ultrasonic water sensor logic  48  service module and temperature sensor logic  47  service module of system application  29 . The inputs received by ultrasonic water sensor logic  48  service module and temperature sensor logic  47  service module can then be utilized by analytic engine  87  for analysis processing, per the analysis process model  500  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Unit  700  may include a connector  118  that is adapted for a primary or secondary bilge pump. Connector  118  may be a DC and NMEA 2000 power out connector, and may be configured to control the operation and the on/off state of a supported bilge pump. Unit  700  can be used as a bilge pump switch, and may thus replace the float switch for a bilge pump. Unit  700  may also be used as a switch to a secondary bilge pump and can utilize ultrasonic water level sensor  113  to measure the water level. The user may modify user policy  89  to set a desired “maximum” and “minimum” water level. When the water level reaches such a maximum level, the internal relay  124  of unit  700  can be closed, thereby allowing DC power to flow to the bilge pump. The bilge pump is thus turned on and can pump water out of the bilge area, until the ultrasonic (sonar) water level sensor module  113  measures a minimum lower water level that meets the predetermined user policy  89  based minimum level. Internal relay  124  may then be opened, turning off the bilge pump. Furthermore, with or without the use of the switch function illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the ultrasonic water level sensor module  113 , in conjunction with remote application logic  83 , can report to system console  200  and to system application  29  periodic water level measurements and bilge pump operating time. Such measurements may then be processed utilizing analytic engine  87  and analysis process model  500 . 
     Ultrasonic water level sensor module  113  may check water level at least once per second so as to conserve power, and may be configured, via touch-screen  2  of console  200 , to perform varying time checks. Unit  700  may also be able to recalibrate and zero-out a sensor reading on the fly. By default, the sensor may measure a set distance. Once the sensor has been installed, the zero-distance mark may reside inside of a distance range. For example, if the bilge normally has a ¼ inch of water present due to normal operations, the zero-distance mark will be at the top of the ¼ inch of water and any additional rise in level may be reported. Should the user want to adjust the zero-distance mark, the ultrasonic water level sensor module  113  may be recalibrated with a new zero-distance mark. The user may further utilize console  200  to restore product defaults so as to allow a vessel owner or installer to see how much additional space they have to work with before a sensor reading is registered, in the event the bilge height is greater than the maximum range distance detected by the sensor. This can allow the user to ascertain whether the sensor is mounted within a proper range. 
     Ultrasonic water level sensor module  113  may include two ultrasonic water level sensors for redundancy purposes, so that the failure of one sensor does not impede the operation of unit  700 . Ultrasonic water sensor logic  48  of system application  29  may detect a failed ultrasonic sensor and can automatically modify the operation of unit  700  to operate on one ultrasonic sensor within the ultrasonic water level sensor module  113 . An automatic modification due to an unexpected failed ultrasonic sensor may further result in a system message alert to the boat owner or user. In the case of ultrasonic sensor failure, or as otherwise may be desired, ultrasonic water level sensor module  113  can be replaced without replacing the entire unit  700 . 
     System  160  may utilize integrated and wireless sensors to detect temperature that may be approaching or have reached freezing levels. The user may customize upper and lower temperature threshold settings for which alerts are sent. System  160  may alert the vessel owner of such temperature changes in each desired compartment or as an overall temperature warning in order to mitigate risk of damage to, for example, engine(s), water strainers, water lines, or thru hull fittings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , intelligent wireless ultrasonic water level and temperature sensor and switch unit  700  may further include a temperature sensor  114 , which can measure the temperature within a desired compartment area and can alert the vessel owner or other targeted recipients, as an illustrative example, of a potential freeze warning. The user can customize the upper and lower temperature threshold settings for which they wish to receive alerts via console  200 . 
     System  160  may detect smoke caused by fire or burning of materials. If system  160  detects smoke, it may alert the boat owner, marina harbormaster, service provider, or other targeted recipients using multiple options as defined under the policies of communication manager logic  36 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , system  160  may include an intelligent wireless smoke detector, temperature, and motion detection sensor unit  800 . Unit  800  may include an enclosure  129 , and may be powered with AC or DC power using the AC/DC and NMEA 2000 power interface  125 , or may operate from standalone batteries  128 . Unit  800  may also include an exposed temperature (heat) sensor  130 , a smoke and carbon monoxide detector  136 , a motion detector  131  with a LED indicator  140 , a power indicator  137 , a siren  138 , and a user test button  139  for testing the system. 
     During operation, inputs from heat sensor  130 , smoke and carbon monoxide detector  136 , motion detector  131 , and user test button  139  can be captured through the proprietary main digital circuit board, interfaces, and buses  135  by remote application logic  83 , which may reside in memory  127  of unit  800 . The resulting instructions from remote application logic  83  may then processed by the CPU  126 . Wireless sensor layer  84  may then communicate with operating system hardware layer  75  via wireless sensor interface  134 , wireless sensor radio  133 , and wireless antenna  132 . In hardware layer  75 , wireless sensor coordinator/controller  18  and coordinator custom logic service module  52  can interact with operating system kernel layer  58 , resulting in application-level communication with temperature sensor logic  47  service module, smoke sensor logic  44  service module, and motion sensor logic  43  service module of system application  29 . Smoke sensor logic  44  may then apply appropriate algorithms to pre-test for a false-positive event. Inputs received by temperature sensor logic  47  service module, smoke sensor logic  44  service module, and motion sensor logic  43  service module from the remote application logic  83  can then be utilized by analytic engine  87  for analysis processing, per the analysis process model  500  shown in  FIG. 8 . Upon declaration of an event by analytic engine  87  and event manager  95 , siren  138  may sound and an alert may be issued to the vessel owner and other targeted recipients, as defined by the policies of communication manager logic  36 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 12 , system  160  may include at least one personal emergency wireless unit  900 . Unit  900  may provide an individual present on a vessel with a safety device that can be used, for example but not limited to, to provide a personal injury or disablement notification, or a notification of a passenger or crew member falling overboard from a vessel. Unit  900  may be portable and may be adapted to be coupled to the person of an individual present aboard the vessel. The notification may be issued by depressing manual button  129 . In the event that an individual has fallen overboard from a vessel, the notification may be issued by depressing manual button  129 , or may be issued automatically by unit  900 , based on a diminution in the signal strength to the personal network  154  or by the loss of signal to personal network  154 . 
     Nautic Alert personal emergency wireless unit  900  may include a body enclosure  144 , a manual button  129 , a battery level LED indicator  143  to facilitate monitoring the strength of installed replaceable batteries  141 , and a network signal strength indicator  151 . During operation, the activation of unit  900 , whether via depressing manual switch  129 , via reduced signal strength, or loss of signal to personal network  154 , may be captured through proprietary main digital circuit board, interfaces, and buses  142  by remote application logic  83 , which may reside in memory  150  of unit  900 . Such activation can in turn activate siren  148 . The resulting instructions from remote application logic  83  may then be processed by CPU  149 . Wireless sensor layer  84  may then communicate with operating system hardware layer  75  via wireless sensor interface  147 , wireless sensor radio  146 , and wireless antenna  145 . In hardware layer  75 , wireless sensor coordinator/controller  18  and coordinator custom logic service module  52  can interact with operating system kernel layer  58 , resulting in application-level communication with system application  29 . The inputs received by system application  29  can then be utilized by analytic engine  87  for analysis processing, per the analysis process model  500  shown in  FIG. 8 . If analytic engine  87  and event manager  95  declare an event, siren  4  of console  200  may then emit high-pitched variable sounds, or any other desired alarm sound, and may display, on touch-screen  2 , location information from soft GPS sensor logic  42  service module. An alert may further be issued to the vessel owner and targeted recipients, as defined by the policies of communication manager logic  36 . Location information from soft GPS sensor logic  42  service module may be included within the policies of communication manager logic  36 . 
     System application  29  may include sensor management logic  35 , so as to enable a user to easily identify, add, and remove desired sensors and desired units from personal network  154 . A user may utilize IGUI  32  of console  200  to view the sensors that are active in personal network  154 , the status of the sensors, the alert settings and thresholds of the sensors, as well as the real-time data being provided by those sensors. The user may further identify and troubleshoot wireless issues by seeing real-time packet statistics, signal strengths, as well as whether or not a sensor has been detected as going offline, or never coming online since a system power-on event. 
     Sensor management features may include at least: (1) a manual ability to scan for new sensors and add them to personal network  154 ; (2) once sensors are added to the network, limiting the communications thereof only to the trusted Communication Manager; (3) online and offline sensor detection, wherein if a sensor unexpectedly drops offline or will not come online, error recovery may automatically initiate and rescan for a random clear channel to switch to (in the event another network may be operating within range on the same channel, this may allow the sensor network to self-correct to a clear channel); (4) ability to distinguish sensor instances through unique name; (5) ability to view firmware levels and (keep-alive) update rate; (6) ability to view sensor type, for example, long range or standard range; (7) ability to initiate alarm test to verify communication path and alert settings; (8) ability to disassociate a sensor from the network, and reset sensor into network discovery mode; (9) ability to enable or disable a sensor on the personal network; (10) ability to view sensor signal strength and real-time packet statistics for troubleshooting purposes; (11) ability to view all sensor types and online/offline status in a single window; (12) ability to see sensors with pending commands that are waiting to be sent; and (13) ability to provide a summary of sensor statuses using red, yellow, and green graphical indicators. 
     Safeguards may provide additional security measures for the wireless sensors. This may help prevent wireless communication issues, as well as rogue devices attempting to communicate within the personal network and compromise system security. System application  29  may include a plurality of safeguards, implemented via security management logic  38  service module, which can provide enhanced security measures for the wireless sensors and console  200 . System application  29  may be configured to discriminate between genuine or authorized wireless sensors/devices and foreign wireless sensors/devices as a function of security management logic  38  service module. Such capabilities may facilitate reducing the likelihood of wireless communication issues, impeding rogue devices from attempting to communicate with and within personal network  154 , and protecting the security of system  160  from being compromised. 
     Safeguards of the system may include at least: (1) security management logic  38  service module may generate a random network ID to reduce the likelihood of coexistence of two or more networks having the same network ID; (2) the ability to regenerate network ID and ability for networked sensors and units to auto-discover and bind to this change; (3) ability to view sensor firmware and sensor type, for example, long range/standard range; (4) the system may not communicate with non-trusted or foreign sensors; (5) ability to override channel assignment and prevent against channel scanning/hopping; and (6) physical layer wireless encryption. 
     System console  200  may also include password protection features. Recovery of a lost password may be accomplished by requesting the password via a button on the sign-on screen of IGUI  32 . Upon request, the system can send the password to the vessel owner by email or as a text message. System application  29  can be configured so that access to console  200  can be granted based on an individual&#39;s role, such as “administrator” or “non-administrator”. The individual&#39;s role may determine what modifications, if any, an individual can make to system application  29 , and which application screens can be presented via IGUI  32  or allowed to be viewed on touch-screen  2  of console  200 . 
     System application  29  may include an event management logic  37  service module, which can enable an event log. The event log may contain a log of events captured by analysis process model  500  over a period of time. The event log may contain a list of all reported events and non-reported events. This list may be saved in a non-volatile location, for example in a non-volatile location in console  200 , such that it may be retrieved after complete power-loss is experienced. The event log may at least: (1) show when alert policy has changed and been reset; (2) show changes to sensors; (3) show online/offline/alert events that attempted to send remotely; (4) show password login-attempt failure events, as well as other miscellaneous events; (5) time stamp and dates all logged events; and (6) update event database as data points for portals. 
     Settings for system  160  may be customized, for example via IGUI  32  of console  200 . Such customizable settings may include at least: (1) changing the language displayed in the IGUI; (2) Setting/enabling/disabling password settings; (3) choosing a password recovery contact; (4) setting time and date; (5) changing LCD brightness and power management controls; (6) setting measurement units; (7) setting user policies; and (8) changing personal information, such as, for example, marina, dock/pier, slip, address, and boat name. 
     System features may be activated or deactivated using the boat owner&#39;s cellular phone, Smartphone, PDA, PC, or Laptop. As an example, if a vessel owner is about to enter the cabin while motion sensor is currently active under the away mode, the vessel owner, using his or her cell phone, can dial into the system and submit a code to change the operating mode from “away” to “onboard” prior to entering the vessel&#39;s cabin. The vessel owner can thus avoid the generation of an entry event and related messages and the activation of siren  4 . 
     Communication manager logic  36  can be a software component that may interact at the application logic  33  level. Communication manager logic  36  service module may be responsible for the at least the following: (1) alert policies; (2) sending alerts; and (3) alert recipient contacts. The communication manager logic  36  service module may utilize user-defined policies  89  to define alert policies to determine which events will generate alerts, when the alerts will be sent, how they will be sent, to whom the alert will be sent, and the repeated frequency for sending alerts. Alert policy management may be facilitated via the alert settings of user policies  89  which are configured by the boat owner. 
     System  160  may include a number of alert-related features including, but not limited to: (1) sending an alert indicator and audio sound to system console  200  and audio speaker  3  thereof, and/or sending the alert to the vessel owner and other targeted recipients using cellular communication; (2) specifying the number of repeat alert occurrences that should be sent or acknowledged locally based on time or number policy; (3) specifying what type of sensor events should be sent, for example, online, offline, alerts, or status events; (4) specifying sensor thresholds for sending alerts; (5) specifying a list of alert recipients; (6) setting a time delay for cabin exit; (7) setting individual sensor threshold settings; and (8) requiring critical messages to be confirmed by recipients. 
     System  160  may support bi-directional cellular communication. To protect the system from unauthorized callers and unauthorized connections, security management logic  38  may have a list of authorized phone numbers and authorized personal identification numbers (PINs) as part of the authentication process. System console  200  may contain an embedded Global System for Mobile (GSM) standard modem  20  and a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) modem  19  for direct wireless communication through existing service provider networks. To enable communication with certain provider networks, an active Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) may be used. System console  200  may provide user access to add or change a SIM. The Alert Application may provide the boat owner with SIM Management information so the system may communicate. System console  200  may also be configured to interface with satellite and wireless broadband provider equipment utilizing wireless interface  15 . System  160  may further utilize operating system hardware layer  75  to seamlessly auto-switch between GSM modem  20 , CDMA modem  19 , wireless interface  15  to satellite, and wireless interface  15  to broadband by monitoring the connection availability, status, health, cost, priority order, and expected bandwidth load. Such functionality may be managed via system policies  88  and user policies  89 . 
     System  160 , via system application  29 , may have the ability to send alerts as email messages to the vessel owner&#39;s or other targeted recipients&#39; email accounts. Email messages may be sent directly from the system console  200  to desired email accounts, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Thus, the need for a land-based central server is eliminated. Furthermore, security management logic  38  service module of system application  29  may encrypt email communications and may negotiate a secured connection for transmission of the encrypted email message using a Secured Socket Layer (SSL) protocol. 
     System application  29  may include a setup wizard  31  service module, which may be a component of IGUI  32 . Setup wizard  31  may guide the end user through a non-technical setup process and enforce dependency rules to setup the system, and facilitate a simple and user-friendly interface and method for system setup. Conversely, system application  29  may be configured and managed at a granular, technical level, for example, by users that have specific requirements or a need for greater system visibility. 
     System application  29  may also include a help manager. The Help Manager may provide user help information within interactive steps and within configuration sections of the system application. The Help Manager may also explain what each indicator means, the purpose of each function, and the best practice for the use of each function. 
     From time to time, there may be a need to update the firmware of components of system  160  or of system application  29 . To accomplish an update, there may be at least two methods: (1) updates may be accomplished by inserting a compliant USB storage device into system console  200  that contains authorized and approved system software; and (2) updates may be accomplished as a “push” from a server to a targeted system  160  using a “signed” company software image. Subsequently, in either case, system application  29  and security management logic  38  may then seek an electronically “signed” company software image on the USB device that certifies the said software image as authorized and approved for production distribution. The user may also be guided through the updating procedures via IGUI  32 . 
     System  160  may provide at least four distinct portals that can allow the display of enhanced information, receive alerts, and enable two-way enhanced capabilities between system console  200  and a mobile device or remote computer. The portals may include, but are not limited to: (1) Mobile Portal—an application may run on a smartphone, PC, or laptop, which may provide a boat owner with a status dashboard, vessel location information, video and sound capability, historical data including courses traveled, trend information, and the ability to remotely change the configuration of system application  29  with approved security credentials; (2) Harbormaster Portal—A web-based application that may run on a PC or laptop that may provide a marina harbormaster with, for example, a red, yellow, or green graphical indicator for each vessel in the marina that has a system  160  onboard. The application may enable a marina management team to remain proactive about situations that may create a threat to a single vessel or to other vessels, property, and lives in the marina; (3) Service Provider Portal—a web-based application that may run within a three-tier architecture (the tiers including user presentation, application and database), providing a local or national monitoring service with, for example, a red, yellow, or green graphical indicator for each vessel with a system  160  that has subscribed for monitoring services such as a boat owner or an entire marina. The Service Provider Portal may enable the service provider to directly contact, for example, police, coast guard, medical or fire emergency team within seconds of a critical alert; and (4) Fleet Vessel Management Portal—a web-based “cloud” application that may provide a company with a fleet of vessels a view with enhanced reporting capability to aid, as an illustrative example, in enhanced vessel tracking capabilities, travel coordinates (longitude, latitude, heading), communications (including, for example, video conferencing), data exchange, fuel level consumption monitoring, travel time, correlation of information, fuel theft prevention, historical traveled courses, information to aid in the analysis of operating expense opportunities, and the ability to remotely change the configuration of the system application  29  with approved security credentials. System  160  may store data through event manager  37 , and the data may interact with external web services, applications, and databases. 
       FIG. 13  shows an exemplary embodiment of a nautic alert system  160 . System  160  may include primary console  152 , secondary console  153 , DC &amp; gas fume sensor unit  155 , water &amp; temperature sensor &amp; switch unit  156 , personal emergency unit  157 , and smoke &amp; motion unit  158 . Consoles  152 ,  153  and units  155 ,  156 ,  157 ,  158  may communicate via nautic alert personal network  154 . Network  154  may be a wired or secured wireless local network. 
     The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.