Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft for acquiring and/or transmitting data, capable of automatically maintaining desired airframe stability while operating by remote directional commands. The aircraft comprises a fuselage and a wing, a piston engine and propeller, a fuel supply, at least one data sensor and/or radio transceiver, a microprocessor disposed to manage flight, a radio transceiver for receiving remotely generated flight direction commands, a GPS receiver, a plurality of control surfaces and associated servomechanisms, for controlling flight stabilization and direction, roll, pitch, yaw, velocity, and altitude sensors. The microprocessor uses roll, pitch, yaw, and altitude data to control attitude and altitude of the aircraft automatically, but controls flight direction solely based on external commands. The aircraft does not exceed fifty-five pounds.

Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft having interchangeable data handling modules, such as sensors for obtaining digital aerial imagery and other data, and radio transmitters and receivers for relaying data. The aircraft has a microprocessor for managing flight, remote control guidance system, and electrical supply system. The data handling modules have an aerodynamic housing and manual fasteners enabling ready installation and removal. One or more data acquiring sensors or data transferring apparatus and support equipment such as batteries and communications and power cables are contained within the module. A plurality of different modules are preferably provided. Each module, when attached in a preferred location below the wing, does not significantly alter the center of gravity of the airframe. Preferably, each module contains the supervisory microprocessor so that the microprocessor need not be part of the airframe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an external rotor stepper motor consisting of four individual, independently controlled, co-planar stepper motors optimized for vehicle direct wheel drive applications. The innovative design eliminates the need for bifilar coil winding, each of the motors' coils being single conductor, each coil being wound in the same direction throughout the entire motor. Each of the four independent motors is simultaneously energized. Because adjacent, outside coils of adjacent motors are simultaneously energized at the same polarity, there is substantially no energy wasting cancellation of magnetic flux. Carefully chosen radially spacing of the four independent, co-planar motors also eliminates substantially all flux interaction between the motors. Because similar coils of the four motors are all connected in parallel, the net inductance presented driver circuits is minimized. This yields fast rise time pulses and improved efficiency through minimized reactance of the motor.

Abstract: A sensing device is featured that electrochemically measures methanol concentration. The sensing device has a flexible composite of layered materials wrapped about a flexible tube having aperture contact with a methanol flow stream. The layered materials sequentially wrapped on the tube are: a polytetrafluoroethylene insulation sheet; an electrically conducting mesh representing the anode current collector; a carbon-based material representing an anode diffusion medium; a catalyst-coated membrane with both sides coated by catalysts such as Pt/Ru and Pt; a carbon-based material serving as the cathode diffusion medium; and an electrically conducting mesh representing the cathode current collector.

Abstract: A cash card system featuring an electronic element providing a mechanism for making a cash purchase or payment. The electronic element contains a PIN and electronic cash, and is useless by itself. Only the correct PIN will validate a purchase. The account number encoded on the electronic element is tied to the PIN, such that the loss or theft of the electronic element will prevent unauthorized usage. The user purchases a dollar amount for the electronic element, which is electronically loaded therein. Thereafter, the user transfers the electronic cash to a retailer or a financial institution by providing the PIN.

Abstract: There is provided an RFID transceiver, typically in the form of a prox-wafer. The transceiver is suitable for lamination or encapsulation into newly manufactured identification (ID) badges and similar articles. These ID badges are suitable for identifying and/or authenticating a person or object when used in conjunction with an RFID identification system. The proximity badges formed using the RFID transceivers are superior to conventional magnetic stripe, bar code, or “smart chip” badges because no direct contact with a badge reader is required and the element containing the identification code is not easily corrupted.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for electrochemical cells such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells operating at ambient conditions are activated first by exposing them at a temperature higher than ambient temperature and with the gaseous reactants back-pressurized. The performance of the membrane-electrode assemblies, especially those whose electrodes are of low catalyst loadings made using supported catalysts, improves dramatically after the activation.

Abstract: A new acoustic sensing device or directional microphone having greater sensitivity and reduced noise. The directional microphone or acoustic sensor has a rigid, one micron thick, polysilicon membrane having dimensions of about 1 mm×2 mm. The membrane is supported upon its center by rigid supports having torsional and transverse stiffness. The differential microphone is useful in hearing aids, telecommunications equipment, information technology and military applications.

Abstract: A putting device and system for analyzing how a golfer addresses and strokes a golf ball. The putting device includes a plurality of lasers that are mounted on the putter. The laser project beams of light at the ball, at a target, and at a proximate side screen to show the accuracy and trueness of a putting swing.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for registering a single dimensional image to a two dimensional image, and for generating spectral two dimensional images, as practiced in aerial imagery. Raw data or primary images are acquired from a subject of interest and are passed through a camera type aperture and divided by passing the light beam through a beam splitter. One beam is recorded digitally as two dimensional images containing at least three recognizable geometric reference points. The second beam is passed through a slit to form single dimensional images, which are then preferably diffracted to produce plural spectral single dimensional images. The spectral single dimensional images are recorded digitally in a manner enabling each single dimensional image to be linked to its corresponding two dimensional reference image. The beam splitter and slit device may be replaced by a selectively reflective beam splitter which accomplishes the function of both deleted components.

Abstract: A tactile feedback device such as a bumper or prod located to give the operator of a wheeled vehicle tactile feedback when the leg of the operator is in operable position to depress the brake pedal. Preferably, the feedback device is locatably adjustably fixed to the body of the vehicle in a location causing contact when the leg of the operator is in an ergonomically comfortable and ordinary position for depressing the brake. Illustratively, the device may depend from the steering column of a passenger automobile. In an alternative embodiment, the feedback device is readily removable from the vehicle. In a further alternative embodiment, contact characteristics may be adjusted to be, at one end of a range of adjustment a soft contact, at the other end of a range of adjustment a solid, unyielding contact, or any intermediate between the two ends of the range of adjustment.

Abstract: A method of shipping a disassembled miniature, unmanned aircraft capable of handling data, the aircraft having remote guidance, an onboard microprocessor for managing flight, wing area of at least eight hundred square inches, a wingspan of at least eight feet, and weighing under fifty-five pounds. The aircraft includes a data handling module. The aircraft is disassembled into separate components including at a minimum the wing, the fuselage, and the data handling module. The fuselage and possibly other lesser components are packed in a first shipping container. The wing is packed in a second shipping container. The data handling module is packed in a third shipping container. The first and second containers are shipped by overnight courier, while the third container is either shipped the same way or alternatively travels as unchecked luggage aboard a commercial airliner.

Abstract: The invention features a method wherein a recognition environment utilizers pseudo-English as a programming language to extract simple and complex objects with image—and/or map—data as inputs. Based on this human/computer interface in which pseudo-English is a programming language, the object—recognition system has three major logic modules: (1) an input data module; (2) an information—processing module, coupled with the above—noted human computer interface (HCI) module; and (3) an output module that has a feedback mechanism back to the main information—processing and the input—data module. A physical phenomenon (i.e., one that is visible, audible, tactile, etc.) Is analyzed by the information—processing module to determine weather it is susceptible to description or articulation. If not, the phenomenon is matched or compared, via the output module, to a know articulatable, physical-phenomenon model and recognizable features are extracted.

Abstract: A miniature unmanned aircraft which uses remotely controlled model aircraft components and technology, and has on-board automatic “on-the-fly” fuel and air mixture adjustment enabling high altitude flight. The aircraft, which may have conventional fuselage, wing, reciprocating piston engine and radio frequency operated controls, also has sensors for sensing atmospheric pressure, atmospheric temperature, engine crankshaft rotational speed, engine temperature, and exhaust temperature. A microprocessor aboard the aircraft receives inputs from the sensors and controls at least one servo to adjust fuel and air mixture according to preprogrammed look-up tables and equations to operate the engine at appropriate fuel-to-air ratios for the altitude and other operating conditions.

Abstract: A tie down device having a pulley incorporating a ratchet and a security lock. The tie down device has a housing which encloses a pulley over which is reeved a plastic jacketed metallic stranded cable, a ratchet wheel and associated pawl, and a key operated lock. The housing is formed in two parts united by rivets, and is devoid of externally accessible tool operated fasteners such as screws. A crank handle affords a user mechanical advantage when imposing tension on the cable. In an alternative embodiment, the tie down device includes a mounting element for securing the tie down device to a transport vehicle. In one alternative embodiment, a hook is provided to suspend the tie down device from an environmental object.

Abstract: A large, efficient, high power collimated backlight assembly has a highly reflective, substantially closed, thin rectangular light cavity containing highly reflective surfaces and one or more light sources. One of the large faces of the cavity is a light exit plate which contains a transmissive, light collimating structure. The cavity side of the collimating structure includes a highly reflective white planar structure containing an array of circular apertures with minimal sidewall absorption. The apertures are centered on the optical axis and located near the focal distance of a closely packed array of hemispherical or spherical lenses located on the outer surface of the collimating structure. Light rays are trapped between the highly reflective surfaces of the cavity, light sources, and aperture walls, until they enter the lenses, which output the majority of rays that enter in a collimated beam.

Abstract: The present invention features are series of techniques for designing and assembling of large, robust monolithic and monolithic-like flat panel displays. Many techniques originally developed for creating tiled, flat-panel displays having visually imperceptible seams may be advantageously applied to monolithic structures. These techniques include single-sided wiring, two-sided wiring from opposite sides, segmented row and column lines, and reordering row and column lines in fan-out region. Single-sided wiring facilitates the construction of displays with small outlines. By using these techniques, display sharpness and contrast may be improved. In addition, color and luminance balance and uniformity across the display may also be improved.

Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft having a parachute which deploys automatically under certain conditions. The aircraft has a flight control system based on remotely generated signals, potentially achieves relatively high altitude flight for a remotely controlled aircraft, and can thus operate well beyond line-of-sight control. For safety, an automatically deployed parachute system is provided. The parachute deployment system includes a folded parachute and a propulsion system for expelling the parachute from the aircraft. Preferably, a microprocessor for flight management sends intermittent inhibitory signals to prevent unintended deployment. A deployment signal is generated, illustratively, when the microprocessor fails, when engine RPM fall below a predetermined threshold, and when the aircraft strays from predetermined altitude and course.

Abstract: The present invention features a series of techniques for designing and assembling of large, robust monolithic and monolithic-like flat panel displays. Many techniques originally developed for creating tiled, flat-panel displays having visually imperceptible seams may be advantageously applied to monolithic structures. These techniques include single-sided wiring, two-sided wiring from opposite sides, segmented row and column lines, and reordering row and column lines in fan-out region. Single-sided wiring facilitates the construction of displays with small outlines. By using these techniques, display sharpness and contrast may be improved. In addition, color and luminance balance and uniformity across the display may also be improved.

Abstract: The present invention features designs of pixels and designs of control features for seals on AMLCD tiles optimized for tiling AMLCD flat panel displays (FPDs) which have visually imperceptible seams. The FPD structure has an image view plane which is continuous and remote from the pixel apertures or image source plane on the inside of the tiles. The image is formed on the view plane by a distributed ultra low magnification flies-eye optical system (a screen) that is integrated with the tiles, effectively excluding and obscuring an image of the seams. The innovations described herein minimize the defects on the perimeter pixels by effectively damming the waviness of the front of the seal near the perimeter pixels on the tiles. Dark space required for the seal between the interior tile edges and active regions of the pixels is decreased, as is the space allocated for wiring thereby increasing the feasible aperture ratios near the mosaic edges and all apertures.