To ensure coverage of different ocean areas for which the United States has responsibility and ensure all ships of every size and nationality can receive safety information, the U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts different types of maritime safety warning messages and uses the RADABS with a variety of radio systems. Most of these broadcasts, except those over VHF and MF radiotelephone, are now made by computer. The RADABS software allows the Coast Guard to broadcast weather and hydrographic information, such as storm warnings, to mariners, the boating public as well as other government agencies.
Weather information is transmitted into the Coast Guard's message system from a variety of sources. RADABS searches all the messages, parsing to a database those that meet the Coast Guard's criteria for automated broadcast. Elements of the parsed data are used to determine the correct broadcast time, broadcast location and priority level.
Just before broadcast time, the RADABS application retrieves and formats the messages for broadcast. Using AT&T Natural Voices speech engine, messages to be sent out as voice data will be converted from text to digital speech. The messages are then sorted by priority and sent to the appropriate device and location for transmission via high and medium frequency transmitters. From there, equipment on vessels and aircraft can receive the message on a variety of message handling systems.
"Wizzard is seeing a growing trend in the speech technology marketplace of businesses and government organizations using high quality text-to-speech to broadcast information via radio, telephone, television and the internet", says Chris Spencer, Wizzard Software CEO. "We believe the increase in speech generated alerts, reminders and broadcasts will continue to grow as organizations develop innovative solutions such as this one by the Coast Guard."
About the United States Coast Guard:
The United States Coast Guard is America's oldest and its premier maritime agency. For more information, please visit http://www.uscg.mil.
About Wizzard Software:
Founded in 1996, Wizzard Software has become a leader in the speech technology application development market. Wizzard architects solutions to business problems using its expertise in consulting, speech development tools and building speech based applications for the Desktop and Internet. Wizzard has achieved global recognition because of its expertise with voice communication whether it is via PC or telephone. Wizzard's successes have lead to expanding opportunities in both the government and commercial sectors. In April of 2004, Wizzard acquired MedivoxRx Technologies. Founded in 2000, MedivoxRx is the originator of "Rex", the talking prescription pill bottle, which "talks" to the patient allowing them to distinguish what type of medication is in the bottle and hear critical information on dosage amounts and refill parameters. Additional information on MedivoxRx can be found at www.rxtalks.com. More information on Wizzard Software can be found in the Investor's Corner www.wizzardsoftware.com.
Legal Notice:
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: "Forward-looking Statements" as defined in the Private Securities litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. There are important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to risks associated with changes in general economic and business conditions, actions of our competitors, the extent to which we are able to develop new services and markets for our services, the time and expense involved in such development activities, the level of demand and market acceptance of our services, changes in our business strategies and acts of terror against the United States.
IR Contact:
Arthur Douglas and Associates
Art Batson
407/478-1120.