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The initial interaction
with the service is registration. Through
the registration process, the user identifies
the device type and a user name and password.
The user can then make the user name and
password available to anyone that may have
access to the positions of that asset. For
personal accounts, the user also enters
data through iBill to handle automated monthly
billing though a credit card.
Once registered,
the user can begin to use the system. Configuration
of the remote equipment may be required
to setup TCP/IP addresses for some devices.
If the devices are purchased directly from
CATS, this configuration is already completed.
All of the devices (except for packet radio)
require a service contract for their wireless
communication. CATS or the user can arrange
for this.
When the device
is configured, service can begin. The devices
can be placed into two categories based
on how they report. Some devices report
on a regular interval while other devices
only report when a special event has occurred
or the device is polled for position.
For users with
a NavTalk device, they log onto the cattrax.biz
website, go to the Existing Accounts page
and login with their username and password.
After submitting this information and the
system checks for active account status,
the mapping window is displayed. The user
selects the device they want to know the
position of (multiple devices can be registered
to the same account). In this case, the
device is pollable. When the mapping page
is drawn, a 'Poll' button is visible. Pressing
this button causes the mapping server to
send a position request to the data server
with the device type and identity. The mapping
server then places a call to the unit via
a modem. When the phone answers, the commands
to request a position from the phone are
issued. The position report is then returned
to the data server. There is no interaction
required at the phone end. When the position
is returned, the data server formats the
information and sends the data to the mapping
server. The mapping server then determines
the map resolution required (based on user
settings) and the area required to show
the target. This map is then converted into
a .gif file and transmitted to the user
for display in the Browser window.
Once the map is
displayed, the user may zoom in or out,
pan in any direction or re-center the map.
Additionally, as mentioned above, the track
can be displayed as well as a track report.
When the user is
finished, they log off from the system.
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