Abstract: In order to provide a high contrast, wide angle, color, liquid crystal display, the pixel elements each have subpixel color cells fabricated with a thickness of liquid crystal material through which light perpendicular to the display panel is transmitted that is less than the liquid crystal thickness for minimizing optical transmission when the subpixel cell is in an off-state. Using a thickness less than the thickness of liquid crystal material for minimizing off-state optical transmission on the axis perpendicular to the plane of the display panel (and component subpixel color cells) results in the minimum optical transmission at an off-axis viewing angle. By permitting a small amount of off-state optical transmission along the axis of the display (as a result of using a liquid crystal thickness less than the thickness required for minimizing undesired transmittance), a relatively small undesired transmittance of light for the liquid crystal cell display can be achieved over wide viewing angle.

Abstract: A directional antenna suitable for use with the transmission and reception of information related to the traffic alert and collision avoidance systems (TCAS) of a monitoring aircraft is disclosed. The directional antenna includes four monopole antennas positioned and electrically coupled in a manner to produce a radiation pattern having unique directional characteristics. The disclosed antenna can transmit radiation in a directional pattern. The antenna can also receive radiation from a transponder equipped intruder aircraft (i.e., an aircraft within a predetermined range of the monitoring aircraft). By comparing the amplitudes of the signals induced in the plurality of antenna elements by the received radiation, the bearing (direction) of the intruder aircraft relative to the monitoring aircraft can be determined. The antenna is fabricated to provide a reduced cross-sectional profile, for example by providing a folded monopole antenna structure, thereby reducing the antenna profile in aircraft applications.

Abstract: In a polychromatic liquid crystal display, apparatus and method for improving the off-axis viewing characteristics are described. The angle of view can be expanded by appropriate selection of the thickness and the birefringence parameter of the liquid crystal material as a function of the color of the liquid crystal display pixel. In order to improve further the angle of view, retardation films are used to reduce the angular dependence of the radiation. The retardation films reduce the background light leakage by compensating for the change in retardation of the liquid crystal display at angles other than normal to the display. The reduction in the background light leakage results in improved contrast ratio and chromaticity.

Abstract: Data bases of a first and second input output processor (IOP), which are primary and secondary slave IOPs, respectively, are sychronized, and communications by a master controller is made only to the first IOP. Each IOP is executing the same tasks utilizing their own clocking systems. A method for maintaining synchronization between the first and second IOP comprises the steps of transmitting a message addressed to the first IOP by the master controller. The first IOP receives the message for subsequent execution. Receipt of the message is acknowledged by a transmission back to the master controller the acknowledge message including a message number. The second IOP eavesdrops on the transmissions between the master controller and any of the IOPs on the network. Upon recognizing that the message is addressed to the corresponding first IOP and that the message is of a predetermined type, the second IOP receives the message for subsequent execution.

Abstract: The apparatus for sensing pressure comprises a header, having at least one input port for receiving a substance under pressure. A substrate, having a wafer-like shape with a relatively large surface area in comparision to its thickness, includes at least one internal passage to couple the substance under pressure. A pressure sensing element is mounted onto the surface of the substrate over an exit port of the internal passage coupling the substance under pressure. The substrate is bonded to a surface of the header at extreme locations from a location in which the pressure sensing element is mounted. Thus isolation is provided for the pressure sensing element from unwanted stresses induced in the substrate.

Abstract: In a system for controlling or monitoring an object, wherein a position of the object must be determined, the system includes a first and second multispeed sensor, the first sensor having a speed of N and the second sensor having a speed of N-1. A method for determining the position of the object comprises the steps of obtaining position data as measured by the first and second multispeed sensor, respectively. A parameter, N.sub.A, a weighted difference between the obtained position data, is determined to ascertain whether a first or second case exists. If the first case exists, a first set of constants based on a first set of equations is generated; otherwise the first set of constants is generated based on a second set of equations. A second set of constants is then generated. Finally, the position of the object is determined by calculating the weighted average of the second constants, thereby obtaining the position of the object, utilizing the data provided by both sensors.

Abstract: A pressure sensor package, having a dual-in-line package (DIP) structure as commonly used in the semiconductor industry, comprises a first layer of predetermined material, having at least one internal passage for transmitting a fluid under pressure from a first surface of the first layer to a second surface of the first layer. A pressure sensitive element is bonded to the first surface of the first layer, and covers an exit from the first surface of the internal passage. A lead package, has a plurality of pins, each pin being perpendicular to the first surface of the first layer and placed along a first and second length of the first layer exterior to the pressure sensor package, and having a spacing conforming to the DIP configuration. Predetermined points of the pressure sensitive element are electrically connected to predetermined pins. A second layer of predetermined material is bonded to the first surface of the first layer providing an enclosed spaced for the pressure sensitive element.

Abstract: In a process control system, having at least one process control unit which includes redundant equivalent controllers to reduce the impact of failure of the controllers in the process control unit, a technique is provided to guarantee that interruption of either the active (primary) controller or the backup (secondary) controller will not adversely effect the storage of data signals or the execution of commands by the process control unit. In the present invention, an information message or packet sent to the process control unit and, hence, to the active controller is forwarded to the backup controller before a response in the form of acknowledgement message is returned to the device issuing the information message or packet. The information message or packet is therefore stored in the same order in both the active controller and the backup controller and is executed in the same order by either controller.

Abstract: In the navigation display of the electronic flight instrument system, the arc mode and Rose Nav mode of a navigation display require computation of parameters for a greater surface (modified Edit) area than the Edit area for each display scale. When the icons representing selected navigational features are included on the navigation display, the retrieved and stored icons can be positioned external to the viewable Edit area. Because access to a dictionary defining the position of the icons is sequential and because the display buffer storage unit from which the screen display is created has a limited capacity, the arc or Rose Nav display can include features in the non-viewable modified Edit area while not including important features in the Edit area. An algorithm is described that determines when a feature with which an icon is associated is in the Edit area and selects the data associated with those features in the Edit area to be stored in the display buffer storage unit.

Abstract: A method by which redundant network interface modules (NIMs) interconnecting the communication buses of two local area networks communicate with one another at predetermined time intervals over the communication buses of both networks. A first NIM of a redundant pair of NIMs is designated as the primary and a second NIM of the redundant pair is designated as the secondary. Contents of the information communicated between the NIMs over the communication bus of the first network includes the status of the transmitting NIMs ability to communicate with the second network and the information communicated between the NIMs over the communication bus of the second network includes the status of the transmitting NIM's ability to communicate with the first network. Based on the information exchanged, the failure of the NIMs to communicate as scheduled, and the internal status of each NIM as understood by that NIM, the NIMs decide when failover from the primary NIM to the secondary NIM occurs.

Abstract: A combination wedge-lock type circuit card retainer and guide slot for use in an electronic chassis. The combination including an elongated base member having a circuit card guide wall formed along one side. One end of the base member has a fixed wedge formed thereon spaced from and facing the guide wall. A support aligned with the fixed wedge is formed adjacent the other end of the base member and it also is spaced from the guide wall. The combination retainer also includes a shaft having a head end and a thread end. The shaft extends through the fixed wedge with its thread end engaged in the support. An end wedge is threaded onto the shaft adjacent the thread end with a center wedge mounted on the shaft between the fixed and end wedges. The center wedge is provided with a spring that is grounded on the base member for biasing the center wedge into engagement and alignment with the fixed and the end wedges. The aligned wedges together with the guide wall forming a circuit card channel or slot.

Abstract: In a low resolution color printer having a color set, a set of shaded colors is generated thereby expanding the color set of the printer. The method for generating the shaded colors determines if a critical line is to be printed. Then a check is made to determine if a shaded color is to be printed. If a pattern of a shaded color is to be printed, including a non-critical line, a first algorithm is used to generate a print buffer by interspersing a dark (quasi-black) colored pixel among the colored pixels, the blending effect resulting in a shaded color. If a critical line of a shaded color is to be printed, a second algorithm is utilized (to overcome a deficiency of the first algorithm) to insure an interspersing of the dark pixels with colored pixels. Otherwise, the pattern is printed in the designated color.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling data movement between a peripheral and a data processing system, comprises a memory for storing data, wherein the memory comprises a plurality of memory modules. Each memory module corresponds to an assigned area of a first memory map, the first memory map being duplicated into a plurality of mirrored memory maps. Each mirrored memory map corresponds to a predefined operation, a composite of the first memory map and the plurality of mirrored memory maps forming a total memory space. Each memory location within the total memory space is defined by a unique memory space address. A processor performs a pseudo operation in response to a first control signal from the peripheral indicating data is available for being moved. A logic circuit generates at least one control signal in response to the pseudo operation such that a predetermined data movement operation occurs.