PC and Image Requirements

For these applications we recommend a PC dedicated solely to the Cloudmaster system, keeping the PC off the LAN and implementing the PcAnywhere dial in facility or LogMeIn for remote control as detailed below.

Minimum PC required is a Pentium II with 256M RAM, 5G HD, 17” SVGA monitor and video card capable of at least a 1024 x 768 pixel 24 bit colour image, CD, keyboard, Mouse, at least one serial port (with 56 K modem and phone line or PABX extension if comms is via cellular network), Windows 2000 or XP operating system.

Recommended : 1.4Ghz Pentium III processor, 1G RAM, 20G HD,

Windows XP Pro, optical wheel mouse and a printer.

Remote control enables users to dial in from their home or portable notebook computer, or for Jeffery Electronics to remotely support the Cloudmaster software with upgrades, demonstrations and assistance etc. It can be achieved with a broadband internet connection and a LogMeIn subscription (ref LogMeIn.com) which allows password protected access from any browser. Alternatively, a second serial port with 56 K modem and phone line or PABX extension and the PcAnywhere Host software package on the Cloudmaster machine and PcAnywhere Remote on each PC that will be dialling in allows dial up connection. External, rather than internal modems do have the advantage of indicator lights to show the operator off hook and successful connection.

The Cloudmaster Windows software uses a hierarchy of images representing the total area under control. For example, a Council may have a starting map showing the whole municipality. The software is used to place regions on this image that represent each park. When these regions are double clicked, an image of that park appears with regions representing the irrigation stations, floodlighting poles, BBQs etc. at the park.

In the case of a single site complex, such as a large landscaped area or a golf course, a single image of the whole complex may suffice or subsequent images can be set up to provide greater detail of a particular section.

Digital aerial photographs are ideal for these images although scanned drawings may be better in a situation where a dense tree canopy is likely to obstruct the view of the ground. In either case the image should be between 1000 x 750 pixels and about 2000 x 1500 pixels and landscape in orientation. Keeping the colour depth down as far as possible without degrading the image will minimise file size and maximise remote control speed. A maximum of about 4 MB .BMP file (uncompressed) should be used as a guide. File formats can be either .BMP or .JPG.

Jeffery Electronics can assist with setting up the images and regions. When supplying images, it is best to keep them at as higher resolution as possible. We can reduce resolution not increase it.