Abstract: An aircraft surveillance system that includes an uninterruptible aircraft information broadcasting system (such as an ADS-B system) for transmitting flight information from an aircraft, and one or more ground stations for receiving the broadcast flight information. The flight information preferably includes the aircraft's aircraft ID, current three-dimensional position, and intended path. Optional components according to the invention include a system and method for validating messages received from the aircraft, and an alternative system and method for determining the aircraft's position if a primary navigation aid, such as GPS, is not available. In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a transmitter and an uninterruptible power supply that are disposed within a secure housing within the aircraft. This serves to prevent passengers and crew members from disabling the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cockpit display systems are provided. A cockpit display is segmented into a first and a second region, within the first region flight setting data are presented including communication settings and navigational settings. The second region of the display presents additional settings and graphical data. Moreover, the display is encompassed by a bezel having flight controls and flight sensors integrated in close proximity to the bezel.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. A PDA with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The PDA is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the PDA is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the PDA is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The PDA processes travel along the route, recognizes when the PDA has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.

Abstract: The Fault Detection and Exclusion (FDE) system for use in navigational systems that rely upon multiple ranging signals, such as GPS satellites, uses an FDE algorithm to detect, as soon as possible, whether a fault exists in a signal associated with one or more of the GPS satellites. The system makes this determination by comparing a computed residual error with a first fault detection threshold. After determining that the computed residual error has exceeded the first, relatively low, fault detection threshold, the system transmits a signal to one or more external systems indicating that one or more signals associated with the various GPS satellites may be faulty. The system then monitors horizontal estimated position error (HUL) until this value has met or exceeded a relatively high fault isolation threshold value. The system then attempts to isolate and exclude the faulty satellite from the current navigational solution.

Abstract: A computer program, method, and device for controlling the brightness of a display (10) by proportionally varying the voltage delivered to each pixel in the display (10) after the back light (12) for the display (10) has been dimmed to its approximate lowest level. The display (10) includes a back light (12); a display module (16) having an array of pixels that may be individually controlled to selectively block or pass light from the back light (12) to create a desired image; a user interface (24) for selectively adjusting brightness of the back light (12) to vary the amount of light passing through the pixels to control the brightness of the image; and a controller (22) for proportionally adjusting the luminosity of the pixels to further control the amount of light passing through the pixels to control the brightness of the image.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for monitoring water temperature. One method includes receiving water temperature data and graphically presenting the data. The data is presented having the water temperature data graphically differentiated to indicate when the water temperature data crosses a threshold temperature.

Abstract: An electronic equipment module includes a symmetrical casting with two chassis units. Each unit includes a mounting recess to receive a circuit assembly, separated by a cover applied to either unit, or both. The module is normally mounted to a unit rack, and typically has a removably attachable, re-orientable keyed surface which mates with another keyed surface on the rack. A mounting system includes a unit rack coupled to at least one electronic equipment module and a mounting frame. A method of mounting an electronic equipment module includes inserting the module into an open end of a unit rack, electrically coupling connectors attached to the module and the rack, securing the module to the rack, and attaching the rack to a mounting frame. The module can be secured to the rack by engaging a cam lever attached to the module.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly linking electronic marine components (14) to associated displays (16) to reduce or eliminate the need for application-specific wiring between the components (14) and the displays (16). The system includes an electronic component (14) adapted for mounting on a marine vessel (12) and operable for generating data representative of a function of the electronic component (14); a wireless transmitter (20) coupled with the electronic component (14) for wirelessly transmitting the data; a display (16) adapted for mounting on the marine vessel (12) remotely from the electronic component (14) and operable for displaying information corresponding to the data; and a wireless receiver (24) coupled with the display (16) and operable for wirelessly receiving the data from the wireless transmitter (20). The wireless transmitter (20) and the wireless receiver (24) transmit and receive the data via BlueTooth or WiFi communication protocols.

Abstract: A method for organizing roadway network data in a memory storage device is provided. A data set indicative of a roadway network is provided. Proximity criteria for intersection nodes between the roads in the roadway network is identified. The intersection nodes are grouped into a node block based on the proximity criteria. Node records which contain data indicative of the nodes are stored as a group in the node block in contiguous memory.

Abstract: A universal transducer mounting bracket (10) that may be used to mount a transducer (12) to either a transom (14) or a trolling motor (16). A mounting body (18) broadly comprises a transom attachment (36) for mating to the transom (14), at least one hole (20) through the transom attachment (36) for accepting one or more fasteners therethrough in order to secure the bracket (10) to the transom (14), and an arcuate top wall (22) for mating to the trolling motor (16). The mounting body (18) preferably further includes two side walls (26) and a bottom wall (30) forming the transom attachment (36) for rigidly securing the bracket (10) to the transom (14). The transom attachment (36) may be defined by the walls (22,26,30,34) forming a perimeter around an opening, thereby making the bracket (10) hollow.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides clear and concise guidance through decision points along a route by providing assistance that is more understandable, accurate and timely. One aspect provided herein is an electronic navigational aid device with voice guidance. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate to the processor. The memory is adapted to store cartographic data and a route to a desired destination. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route, and provides voice guidance for the decision point. According to one embodiment, the voice guidance includes an initial voice guidance, an advance voice guidance, and a confirmation voice guidance. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: An improved device and method for grounding shields of transmission lines is shown. A grounding apparatus, a connector device, and methods associated with them are shown having improved efficiency and reliability among other advantages. Devices and methods shown eliminate a dressing and attaching step of grounding numerous grounding lines to a grounding element such as a connector housing. Devices and methods shown further improve quality and reliability of grounding operations using shielded transmission lines and transmission line connectors.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for more efficient use of RAM and other resources in connection with a route calculation algorithm which quickly obtains a best or reasonable best path between two locations. The navigational aid device includes forced layer switching capabilities. The navigational aid device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The memory has cartographic data including any number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The plurality of thoroughfares are organized in a hierarchy of detail levels. The processor operates on a route calculation algorithm to find a path between any two of the number of locations and the route calculation algorithm dynamically forces switching between different levels in the hierarchy of detail levels based on a set of criteria.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided which include a rugged, waterproof, navigation device having a touch panel. The device includes a portable, and/or handheld navigation device. The navigation device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The memory is adapted to store navigation related data, the navigation related data including cartographic data including a number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The device includes a housing having an opening. A touch panel is mounted in the opening of the housing. The touch panel and housing forming a substantially waterproof enclosure. A navigation component is located within the substantially waterproof enclosure.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The navigational aid device includes a processor adapted to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device processes travel along the route. The device recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.

Abstract: PDA systems, devices and methods are provided for improved navigational route planning. The PDA provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The PDA includes a processor operable to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The PDA processes travel along the route. The PDA recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.

Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. The navigational device with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a processor located within the housing and a memory in communication with the processor. The electronic device includes a display in communication with the processor and a touch panel positioned on a surface of the housing. The display is viewable through a touch panel mounted to an opening in the housing. The housing includes a flange around the opening which has a fluid seal to prevent fluid flow past the touch panel and into the housing. A shock mount may also be included within the housing to make the touch panel drop-resistant.

Abstract: A portable GPS unit (10) communicates over a wireless radio network (12) with at least one other such unit (10A-10E). The unit (10) may transmit radio signals over the network (12) indicative of the unit's location and receive similar radio signals from the other units (10A-10E). The unit (10) is operable to calculate and display a route that may be followed to go to a moving waypoint such as one of the other units (10A-10E).