C-Pod Boat Security/Management System
The C-Pod system is a boat management system that provides peace of mind and gives
the boat owner direct access to the boat via a web portal or a mobile phone.
In addition
to offering an active anti-theft alarm system, directly alerting the owner or an appointed
third party in the event of a theft attempt, the C-Pod offers online services to enhance the
boating experience and to bring the boat closer to the owner.
These services can also be
shared via the web portal with family and friends back home.
Alarm Handling
The C-Pod server handles incoming alarms according to a pre-defined and
user-configurable action list.
Alarms are sent either as an SMS message or as
an e-mail and are also visible on the web portal. The action list is configured per
alarm type. All alarms must be reset by the end-user. If an alarm is not recognised
by the recipient, then a built-in escalation on the C-Pod server sees to it that the
next recipient on the action list gets the alarm. The alarm message that is sent to
the recipient contains user-configurable information specific to the type of alarm
or warning that has been triggered as well as standard information such as a timestamp
and position. This information is configurable from the web portal so that
the end-user can enter telephone numbers that are relevant for each situation.
A user might, for instance, want every geo-fence alarm to contain the telephone
number to the police or coastguard and every battery warning to contain the
number to the service personnel at the local marina.
Anti-theft Alarms
The overall anti-theft alarm function can be switched on or off by pressing the
alarm activation button. Typically, the magnetic intrusion alarm is mounted in a
way that it will be triggered before accessing the activation button. The alarm will
therefore trigger only if the alarm has not been switched-off within 45 seconds
from intrusion detection.
Similarly, the alarm is activated 45 seconds after switching-on the alarm. When a
theft-attempt alarm has been triggered, positions are sent regularly to the C-Pod
server until the alarm has been reset.
Intrusion Alarms
The C-Pod unit is delivered with one magnetic sensor for intrusion alarms as
standard.
When fully equipped, the unit will have up to 12 sensors organised in
two different alarm sections, i.e. when triggered, the system will indicate within
which sector the alarm is triggered, but not which specific sensor has been
triggered.
Geo-fence
The geo-fence alarm is triggered when the position of the built-in GPS receiver
has changed more than 250 m from the supposed position which is set to be the
current position when the alarm is activated.
Battery Disconnect Alarm
If the C-Pod unit detects that the external power supply has been disconnected
a battery disconnect alarm will be triggered and sent to the selected recipients
according to the pre-defined action list.
System Monitoring Warnings and Alarms
System monitoring-related warnings and alarms are sent from the C-Pod server to
the registered alarm receivers according to the predefined action list. There is no
need to reset warnings that have been issued as is the case with alarms.
Battery Levels
When the boat battery level drops below a user configurable level a low battery
warning is sent to the C-Pod server and passed on to the registered receivers
according to the pre-defined action list. Note that, if the unit senses that the
discharge is not continuous, a battery alarm is triggered instead of a warning.
Heartbeats
The C-Pod unit can be made to send heartbeats on regular intervals. Heartbeats
confirm that the agent is working properly. When a heartbeat has not been
received as expected, a communication monitor warning is triggered by the
server and handled according to the pre-defined action list. This type of warning
will always be triggered even if the unit has been located and been made nonoperational.
Positioning and Status Requests
The C-Pod unit can be requested to send its position and status by a direct
request from the C-Pod server via the web portal or a mobile phone at any time,
regardless of whether the alarm function is switched on or not.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy to install
- Instantaneous message alert
- Global reach
- Updated information on position, speed and status
- Central server for maximum security
- HeartBeat technology gives regular communication with your boat
- GeoFence alarm
- Flexible system with possibilities to equip sensors for intrusion, fire, water and motion detection
- Remote control to onboard equipment including AC, refrigerator and heating
- Back-up battery
C-Pod System, Standard Package
The standard consumer-packaged C-Pod system includes:
- One C-pod unit with fastener, ready for installation
- External GSM/GPRS antenna (direct attachment)
- External GPS antenna with fastener and cord
- External alarm activation button with integrated status LED
- A power cord for connection to external battery
- One external magnetic intrusion sensor with cord
- Installation instructions and activation code
- Guarantee certificate
Accessories
A number of accessories have been developed that extend the functionality
of the system:
- Beeper (remote alarm activation, waterproof and it floats)
- Hubs (plug-and-play connector boxes for adding sensors to alarm loop)
- Relays (for remote on/off switching of third-party hardware)
- Cables (3-, 5- and 10-m cables with connectors)
- Sensors (magnetic and IR)
- Sirens
- Antennas (for special applications
- Outboard motor protection sensor
Additional services
Tracking
The end-user pre-selects a time period, e.g. the summer holiday, during which the position of
the boat is sent at regular intervals. The tracking data is then stored on the C-Pod server and
available to the end-user as a map with route and waypoints. The service is charged based on
the frequency of the position reports and the duration of the tracking period.
Online Log-book
The end-user sends an SMS message from his or her mobile phone to the C-Pod server. The sender’s phone number
is matched with a C-Pod unit, a position poll is sent to the unit and the SMS message is stored
together with the position of the boat and a time stamp. An upgraded version supports messages
in the MMS format, i.e. containing images together with the text.
Guest Accounts
It is possible to add guest accounts via the web portal. A guest account user will receive certain
information such as log messages and tracking data either by e-mail or sent directly to their
mobile phone when the owner of the C-Pod wishes to share information.
Direct Handling of Warnings and Alarms
It is possible to select a professional receiver for triggered warnings and alarms that will receive
alarms directly without the involvement of the end-user through SMS or e-mail. The recipient
could be an insurance company, a 24/7 call centre or the coastguard depending on type of
alarm, location and situation.
Installation
The C-Pod unit is installed by mounting it on a well-hidden and protected surface onboard the
boat using the provided snap-on mounting bracket. The GSM antenna and the GPS antenna are
connected to the bottom of the unit and the GPS antenna which is attached via an extension cord
is mounted at a suitable position on the boat. The magnetic intrusion sensor is connected to the
connection socket in the bottom part of the unit and mounted at suitable position on the boat (e.g.
entrance). The alarm activation button is connected to the connection socket in the bottom part of
the agent and mounted at a suitable (i.e. well-hidden but easily accessible) position on the boat.
The external power cable is connected to the onboard battery in one end and to the power input
connector on the unit in the other. When the unit is powered-up the first time it is automatically
installed on the server and ready to use.
Activation
When powered-up and connected to the GSM/GPRS network, the C-Pod unit sends an
activation message to the C-Pod server. When the unit receives the first position from the GPS it
immediately sends it to the server, thereby completing the activation of the C-Pod unit.
Registration
The C-Pod unit is registered by the end-user by sending the registration code provided with
the unit to the C-Pod server via SMS. When the message has been received by the server,
the mobile phone number of the end-user is connected to the C-pod unit and the mobile phone
number is registered as default receiver of any alarm or warning triggered. A confirmation is
sent to the end-user which includes the status of the C-pod unit and a temporary user name and
password to access the C-Pod web portal.
