Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control artificial lighting using accurate geographical location, date and time, in order to activate such electrical activity only during needed periods of actual terrestrial darkness related to sun elevation. Accurate, real-time calculation of sun elevation relative to geographical location and date/time allow natural lighting characteristics such as natural light spectrum and intensity to be matched to artificial lighting, in order to provide a smooth transition in ambient lighting and to save energy. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a global positioning system (GPS) element for determining latitude, longitude, altitude, date and time and a calculation element for determining sun elevation angle accurately. A specific embodiment requires only desired sun elevation angle inputs from the user for controlling electrical switches in a control system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control artificial lighting using accurate geographical location, date and time, in order to activate such electrical activity only during needed periods of actual terrestrial darkness related to sun elevation. Accurate, real-time calculation of sun elevation relative to geographical location and date/time allow natural lighting characteristics such as natural light spectrum and intensity to be matched to artificial lighting, in order to provide a smooth transition in ambient lighting and to save energy. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a global positioning system (GPS) element for determining latitude, longitude, altitude, date and time and a calculation element for determining sun elevation angle accurately. A specific embodiment requires only desired sun elevation angle inputs from the user for controlling electrical switches in a control system.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant transponder system for craft is provided that inhibits attempted disablement and promotes very fast search and rescue operations for airplane and ship disasters. A key point in this invention is to have several simple transponders located on different places in the plane or a ship which can't be disabled by any means by any one or a number of people. The information which is transmitted periodically to a monitoring station through the satellite link are the GPS coordinates, date, time, altitude, speed and heading. In additions, the information may include the count of active transponders in the craft to be used to check against the number of monitored transponders. This information is the necessary and sufficient data to initiate a fast search and rescue operation anywhere in the world.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant transponder system for craft is provided that inhibits attempted disablement and promotes very fast search and rescue operations for airplane and ship disasters. A key point in this invention is to have several simple transponders located on different places in the plane or a ship which can't be disabled by any means by any one or a number of people. The information which is transmitted periodically to a monitoring station through the satellite link are the GPS coordinates, date, time, altitude, speed and heading. In additions, the information may include the count of active transponders in the craft to be used to check against the number of monitored transponders. This information is the necessary and sufficient data to initiate a fast search and rescue operation anywhere in the world.