Abstract: A communications system provides the functionality to provide a wireless telephone user directional information to a desired destination. Incorporated into the wireless telephone is a position determining device such as a global positioning system (GPS) device. When a phone user establishes a connection with a particular switch in the wireless network, this positional information from the GPS device is provided and the location of the wireless phone may be determined. The wireless telephone user also provides information regarding the desired destination. Associated with the destination code for the desired destination is a physical street address. Using the known location of the wireless telephone and the street address for the desired destination, a mapping procedure may be performed to determine a route between the two points. This route may be then converted to audio and/or alphanumeric directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating validation and verification of computer software that confirms during a test execution of the software that all lines of code are executed and all branches in the software are taken or not taken at least once. The computer software to be tested is compiled and a link map is generated. After compilation of the code, it is run in a test fixture to test all the required functions. During this test execution, a monitoring process is performed which documents which lines of code have been executed and whether certain branches of the code were either taken or not taken. An execution record is generated which indicates what instruction branches were taken and were not taken. A comparison is then made between the link map originally generated and the instruction record generated to determine what lines of code were executed, whether each branch was taken at least once, and whether a branch was not taken at least once.

Abstract: A phosphor binding material and process is shown and described for LCD backlight systems. The improved process provides a residual phosphor binding material transparent to UV light. No UV light energy is lost to absorption in the binding material and more UV light energy is used to produce visible light. Because the UV light is better utilized in the production of visible light, overall lamp efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A terrain profile for executing terrain following flight is generated using a minimal volume of digital terrain elevation data (DTED) information. By limiting the amount of information considered in generating the terrain profile, the computational time and resource requirements for terrain profile generation are reduced, but without compromising the integrity of the terrain profile generated. The sample region is limited by limiting the width of sample regions according to expected use including most likely terrain following flight command data, potential unexpected flight path deviation, and long range terrain following flight data.

Abstract: An image display apparatus which employs a polarization-sensitive scattering element (PSSE). In the display, a light source is used to illuminate a panel which modulates light in order to form an image. Positioned between the light source and the panel is the PSSE which acts to effectively separate light of different polarizations. The PSSE provides a means for recapturing light energy which would otherwise be lost in the display, while reducing degradation and heat build-up due to light absorption.

Abstract: A dual radio frequency interferometer aided by laser rangefinder and terrain database system utilizes two linear rays of RFI sensors to determine the position of a source of RF energy. The dual RFI system is very attractive in that it is a passive system and cannot be detected by other sensors or systems while it is going through its position determination operation. Furthermore, use of two linear arrays of sensors allows for the elimination of chronic effects inherent in radio frequency interferometers. The two linear arrays can be placed anywhere on a vehicle as long as they are in the same common geometric plane and in-flight mechanisms are provided to transform the coordinate systems from the in-flight platform coordinates to the local geodetic coordinates. This provides positioning and source identification which can be beneficial to not only the present system but other systems in the area.

Abstract: A control circuit for providing a common electrode voltage for a liquid crystal display dynamically controls the voltage applied to the common electrode according to various factors that affect the capacitance across the liquid crystal layer. The common electrode control circuit dynamically adjusts the common electrode voltage according to the current maximum and minimum display voltages. In addition, the common electrode control circuit adjusts the common electrode voltage according to the gate-to-source parasitic capacitance, as well as temperature fluctuations. Thus, the control circuit compensates for the most significant factors which may cause he inadvertent accumulation of a charge across the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A ground collision avoidance system that exhibits improved accuracy and performance by integrating with all other aircraft systems including guidance systems, navigation systems, digital terrain elevation databases, mission computers, and radar altimeters. The ground collision avoidance system fully utilizes active onboard sensors in combination with the knowledge of terrain and obstacle data contained in databases. Furthermore, the ground collision avoidance system provides a multiple processing path to determine numerous predicted flight paths based on a number of reasonable assumptions regarding the aircraft flight during a predetermined amount of time. By using predictive flight path schemes a realistic estimate of the predicted flight path envelope can be determined and then this information can be used in conjunction with accurate terrain elevation databases to determine whether a ground collision condition exists.

Abstract: An embedded mission avionics data link system is provided which allows an aircraft to receive, transmit, and process a variety of different types of information. The present system has the capability of generating and receiving video information for viewing by a pilot in the cockpit. The system also requests, receives and recognizes situation awareness data as well as mission update data and processes this information accordingly. Any video images received by the pilot either externally or internally may be annotated and either stored in memory or transmitted externally. The system allows multiple aircraft on a mission to stay in constant communication as to relative positions to each other and targets, provide up-to-date information as to the situation which exists at the target, and do this in a mostly automatic fashion which reduces the workload of the pilot and significantly enhance the mission capability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a conformal coat to an electronic assembly which significantly reduces the emissions which are a by-product of the process. A spray gun atomizes a conformal coat/solvent mixture at a high pressure within the gun and then emits the mixture at a low volume and low pressure such that the transfer rate of the material is very high and the amount of wasted material is very low. The coats are applied in such a manner that the electronic assembly can be sprayed multiple times before sending the entire assembly into the curing oven.

Abstract: A circuit and method for optimizing the display of a video signal on a display. Control of the display's brightness and contrast is based on aspects of a video signal, such as the average amplitude of the signal and the standard deviation. These aspects of the video signal are determined and the video signal manipulated based on the determined characteristics such that the resultant video signal is optimized to the dynamic range of the display.

Abstract: An apparatus which outputs very low duty cycle pulses of a consistent width. It is common to use a pulse width modulator as part of a liquid crystal display dimming system to vary the brightness. In the typical pulse width modulating scheme for lamp dimming, certain noise irregularities may appear at the beginning of a ramping voltage. These irregularities result in pulse widths which vary greatly. In the present invention, the slope of the ramping voltage is greatly increased at the beginning of the period, thus making the comparison between the reference voltage and the ramping voltage more accurate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aircraft survivability equipment training. The disclosure is particularly directed to the use of such an apparatus and method for multiple player training aircraft with a central controller. The threats are simulated by the central controller and transmitted to each player aircraft via encoded data packets. Additionally, electronic counter measures, counter measures and weapons initiation are simulated. A predictive threat intervisibility engine provides a realistic training situation by predicting each player aircraft's "line of sight" to an updated threat list and local terrain data, as the aircraft travels. Defeated threats are determined by the central controller based on simulated electronic counter measure models, simulated weapon systems activated from weapon controls, simulated counter measures activated by counter measure controls and aircraft dynamic data from the player aircraft's navigation system.

Abstract: A learning autopilot for a vehicle provides the capability to command complex maneuvers or maneuver the vehicle when control by its ground station is not possible. A memory is used during a piloted rehearsal mission and position and time information for the aircraft is stored in the memory. This memory is incorporated into the vehicle control system, and during automatic operation of the aircraft, the recorded position and relative time information is retrieved and compared against position and relative time information occurring during automatic flight. The difference between the recorded information and the actual flight information is used to generate error signals which are converted to command signals for the vehicle. Maneuvers which were initiated and completed by the pilot during the rehearsal mission are then repeated during the automatic flight from the flight information stored in the memory.

Abstract: In a laser diode which forms read and write functions upon an electro-optic memory, a drive circuit provides power modulation during the read function and sufficient power to perform a write function. During a read function, transistors connected in an emitter coupled switch pair modulate the power delivered to the laser diode. At the emitters of each transistors are a pair of Schottky diodes which enhance the switching speeds of the transistors. Logic is provided to completely turn on the read switch during the time the write switch is on in order to provide sufficient power to the laser diode in order to perform a write function.

Abstract: An amplifier which outputs a nonlinear function in response to a linear input. The nonlinear response is a piece-wise linear approximation. The circuit includes an op amp which outputs a ramping voltage and a series of stages which change the scope of the ramping voltage. As the output of the op amp reaches a particular breakpoint, an additional stage of the circuit is activated so as to change the slope of the output. The new line segment has a new slope such that the combination of all these stages approximates a nonlinear response.

Abstract: An image display apparatus which employs a polarization-sensitive scattering element (PSSE). In the display, a light source is used to illuminate a panel which modulates light in order to form an image. Positioned between the light source and the panel is the PSSE which acts to effectively separate light of different polarizations. The PSSE provides a means for recapturing light energy which would otherwise be lost in the display, while reducing degradation and heat build-up due to light absorption.

Abstract: A subtractive color liquid crystal display employing circular polarizers. In the subtractive color display each picture element has three liquid crystal switching elements. Adjacent to each liquid crystal switching element are a circular polarizer and 1/4 wave retarder plate combination. The circular polarizer and 1/4 wave retarder plate combination create a linear notch polarizer for an isolated and steep polarization band for each of the primary colors (red, green blue). The notch polarizes are tuned to the particular backlight of the display in order to provide increased light transmittance and color gamut.

Abstract: A phosphor binding material and process is shown and described for LCD backlight systems. The improved process provides a residual phosphor binding material transparent to UV light. No UV light energy is lost to absorption in the binding material and more UV light energy is used to produce visible light. Because the UV light is better utilized in the production of visible light, overall lamp efficiency is improved.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a color liquid crystal display backlight system for daytime and nighttime use. Night vision imaging system retirements are met so that light emissions from the 630 nm to 930 nm range are substantially reduced or eliminated. Separate daytime and nighttime light sources are utilized. The NVIS compatible nighttime source is positioned to be out of sight of a user and produces an appropriately filtered, substantially collimated beam which diffusively reflects from the inside walls and base of the display housing before it illuminates the display surface. Intensities of both daytime and nighttime light sources can be controlled.