Wave Systems Corp. (fka WAVXQ)

[solas]

My personal musings re opertunities for Wave.

Trusted computing and Yachting? An interesting thread of conversation came across a boating mail list I'm a member of. (I've included it below- redacted to remove names- you could visit the website and see originals). It started with someone lamenting the theft of high $$ electronics from their boat. It goes on a bit suggesting "hardware" securtiy (mounting the pricey bits well off the deck, fiberglassing them down, using special screws, etc.) Then the last person suggested why couldn't the manufactures somehow secure these technologically. I wish I'd thought of that.

Marine electronics today generally use a networking protocal called NEMA (yes there are others... the discussion of the merits and failings of each are sometimes the topic of heated discourse among sailors.) Additionally, the use of electronic charts (among other things) mean that a computer is onboard and managing the information transmitted from all the electronic sensing equipment (GPS, wind direction/speed, radar, depth transducer, speed log, weather station, etc.)

I hope someone else sees where I am going with this. Give each component a TPM and tie/manage them with Wave on the PC. Maybe several years out... but it's an interesting idea.

Have a good weekend everybody,
-R

The email....

It sounds like we should be asking for simple security features to be included in our cockpit electronics. If you lose power to my truck radio it locks until I enter my PIN. It even has a bilking led to remind thieves the security is armed.

DVD drives for PC's look at the first DVD you insert in them for a region code and then program themselves to only play that region's DVDs.

A variation off the two schemes might be a NEMA or HSB module that sends your boat specific PIN in reply for an ID request every time the cockpit electronics get turned on. When the unit is new it learns which boat is his home. If a thief steals that generation of cockpit hardware it will be just dead like my truck radio when he goes to use it.

It might also be useful to display "error code" followed by your MMSI# when the stolen unit has locked. That way manufacturer's "1-800- Support Line"
can contact the local police see it's returned to the proper owner. We had a piece of stolen property brought in by a wife trying to get the item fixed for her husband as a Christmas present one year. He got bracelets instead so thieves can be that dumb.


-----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 11:23 AM
To: Catalina
Subject: RE: [catalina] Activity on this list

Unfortunately they took the entire NavPod off of its lower mounting, thus by-passing the need to unbolt anything with the special tool.

Original Message:
-----------------

Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 12:42:06 -0400
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RE: [catalina] Activity on this list



The Nav Pod uses a special screw to hold the instrument pod together. Unfortunately I changed them to Phillips screws as they were a
pain as I would misplace the special wrench. Did yours have these special
screws ?

I am wintering at a different boatyard this winter. I have the RL70CRC. Maybe we should take the things home for the winter. Maybe I
should put the special screws back in.


-----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 12:22 PM
To: Catalina
Subject: Re: [catalina] Activity on this list

That is terrible. But there are thieves about. My RL80CRC radar/chartplotter and my ST7001+ autopilot control head were stolen out of the cockpit last winter. I've nothing to go on, but I'd guess that in my case the equipment was stolen by someone who had a customer for it. I imagine in your case whoever took it wanted it for himself (thieves are men, right?)



Original Message:
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Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 11:43:40 -0400
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: [catalina] Activity on this list


MessageHere is a topic for you Sean.... I got my new Waas 120 Raymarine GPS
antenna cut off my boat. WOw huh ? Like has anyone else had this
"surprise" and what did you do in the future ???

I now sport the new 125 model. I am thinking about writing our boat name
on the darn thing just to maybe prevent the next thief from cutting the
cable and stealing it.

I could screw the top on and off, but I might also flip it overboard.



----- Original Message -----

Installing a radar can open up a can of discussion worms as well.


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