Abstract: A mounting system for electronic equipment is described which includes a mounting rack, a connector plate, and a retention device. The connector plate is hingedly mounted to a rear of the mounting rack and the connector plate is configured for the mounting of connectors that mate with the connectors of the electronic equipment. The retention device is configured to hold the connector plate against a rear of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating an impedance through a node at an intersection between roads in a roadway network. The impedance may be measured in time or distance, for example. Characteristic information describes at least one feature of the intersecting roads. One or more pieces of characteristic information may impact the impedance of traffic through an intersection and are used to estimate the impedance through the node. Examples of characteristic information are speed information, road-type, network routing level, intersection angle information, one-way, and cross traffic turn information. An impedance factor, or a cost, is assigned to each piece of characteristic information. The cost may be positive if the characteristic information adds impedance to the node, or negative if the characteristic information subtracts impedance from the node.

Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft navigational system including a graphical user interface that is capable of displaying navigational information in a split-screen format. The split-screen format includes displaying multiple graphical user panels, each depicting different traffic information. For example, one of the panels displays a plurality of air traffic symbols corresponding to airborne obstacles and another of the panels simultaneously displays ground traffic symbols representing ground obstacles. The obstacles can include other aircraft in the air and on runways as the pilot's aircraft approaches for a landing. The navigational system also is capable of switching between a single graphical user panel and multiple panels in response to a triggering event, such as a change in the course of the aircraft.

Abstract: An improved device and method for mounting an avionic system is shown. The design provides varying locations of key components, which allows a single mounting system to be used with several varieties and configurations of aircraft within the crowded confines of an instrument panel. Ranges of flexibility with this system include the ability to arrange modules horizontally, and the ability to locate the display unit vertically. The multi-dimensional mounting flexibility of the mounting system shown allows electronic modules to be mounted in close proximity to a display unit, which greatly increases accessibility of the modules over prior configurations where modules were housed in the nose of the aircraft, the rear of the aircraft, or other remote locations. Installation, repair, and replacement are all greatly simplified with this configuration.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device 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 device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.

Abstract: A battery contact mechanism (10) including a battery contact spring (12) for electrically connecting a battery (24) with electronic componentry (20) within a battery-powered device (14), such as, for example, a portable, hand-held GPS unit or personal digital assistant (PDA). The battery contact mechanism (10) includes a single-piece battery contact spring (12), including a center section (34), an upper tang (36) for contacting the battery (24), and a lower tang (38) for contacting the electronic componentry (20); a post or rib projection (28) for securing the spring (12) within the device (14); and a sealant reservoir (30) for preventing leakage of moisture or other substances to the electronic componentry (20).

Abstract: A GPS system (10) which may be mounted on a dashboard (12) of any vehicle (14) after the vehicle has been manufactured yet appears to be integral with the dashboard. The GPS system (10) includes a GPS device (16), a hood (18) for covering the GPS device, a base (20) for supporting the GPS device and the hood on the vehicle dashboard, and a faceplate (22) for placement over the front face of the GPS device for framing the GPS display.

Abstract: A portable, handheld electronic navigation device includes an altimeter and a GPS unit. An internal memory stores cartographic data, for displaying the cartographic data on a display of the navigation device. Accordingly, the device is capable of displaying cartographic data surrounding a location of the unit as determined by GPS and altitude information as determined by the barometric altimeter and GPS. The device provides an enhancement of the calibration and hence the accuracy of barometric altimeter measurements with the aid of derived altitudes from a GPS. The device is able to determine the need for calibration and perform the subsequent computations necessary to facilitate the calibration. Furthermore, the device is able to determine a correction quantity that should be applied to barometric altitude readings, thereby allowing the device to be calibrated while in motion. Both of these features ultimately result in a more accurate determination of altitude.

Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit (10) communicates over a wireless radio network (12) with at least one other such unit. The unit (10) may transmit radio signals over the network (12) indicative of the unit's location. The unit (10) includes a single, push-to-talk button (38) that may be pressed to both transmit a voice communication and to initiate transmission of location data. The unit (10) also includes a “polling” function that requests location data from other units, an auxiliary coding system that codes or encrypts all transmitted data, and an emergency message feature that facilities the transmission and receipt of emergency messages.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device 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 device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.

Abstract: A multi-function, portable, 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 positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions includes a navigational component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A deployment indicator indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of the navigational component is activated in response to the deployment indicator indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for determining the appropriate or desired geographical correction source for SBAS corrections. One aspect provided herein is a method. According to one method embodiment, a Space Based Augmentation System (SBAS) correction message is received from a selected SBAS satellite. It is determined whether at least one criterion is satisfied for using the selected SBAS satellite as a correction source and then processing the correction message received therefrom. A second SBAS satellite is selected from which to receive SBAS correction messages upon determining that at least one criterion is not satisfied for using the selected SBAS satellite as a correction source. One example of SBAS is the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) used in North America. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for interfacing to navigation operations. An application programming interface (API) library is provided having navigation modules, guidance modules, routing modules, and mapping modules. The API is accessible to customized modules operating on a portable electronic device. The customized modules are operable to selectively access and process a number of the modules using the API library while the customized modules are processing on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A multi-function, portable, 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 positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions includes a navigational component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A deployment indicator indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of the navigational component is activated in response to the deployment indicator indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.

Abstract: An improved device and method for a transmission line connector is shown. The transmission line connector includes a memory device. In one embodiment, the memory device allows the storage of parameters for use with an electronic module. In one embodiment, the location of the memory device allows a user to replace a broken module with a second module and upload any parameters stored in the memory device without having to manually re-enter the parameters from the new module.