Abstract: A portable apparatus (10) providing both substantially automated performance monitoring and audio entertainment features. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus (10) broadly comprises a portable housing (12); an attachment mechanism (14); a GPS component (16); a heart rate monitor component (17); an audio component (18); a user interface (20); a processor (26); and a power supply (30). The housing (12) may include a headset (1112a) within which is located the GPS component (16), and a second housing component (1112b) within which is located the processor (30), wherein the GPS component (16) communicates with the processor (26) in a wireless manner. The apparatus (10) is adapted to determine a number of laps or a distance, to provide an elapsed time, and to determine a speed.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to display or otherwise provide addresses in proximity to the device, and to periodically update the addresses as the navigational aid device is transported along a road. The device is adapted to be transported on a road. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and the memory are adapted to cooperate to provide an address that is proximate to the device. Another aspect includes a method. According to one method embodiment, an address proximate to a navigational aid device is estimated and displayed on the navigational aid device. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for automatic flight logs. One method includes receiving one or more location data points associated with a flight, automatically recording the one or more location data points in a flight log, and allowing access through a display user-interface to view and operate on the flight log. Receiving the one or more location data points includes obtaining the location data points from a global positioning system (GPS).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimally adjusting the received bit detection threshold in a digital communication system, such as a TDMA system that is characterized by very short duration burst transmissions. In one embodiment of the invention, a half-duplex radio modem is used for transmission and receipt of messages for airborne and ground-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) service. A feedback path is provided for in the transmission/receiver unit to provide the transmission signal to the receiver path. A bit detection threshold adjustment circuit receives the transmission signal. The circuit digitizes the analog baseband signal, detects the positive and negative peak values and calculates a peak-to-peak deviation value to define the bit detection threshold value.

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 calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the device is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.

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: An electronic device (10) comprising a location determining component (12), such as a global positioning system (“GPS”) device, a pedometer (14), and a computing device (16) is operable to determine a distance traveled by a user. The pedometer (14) is operable to sense a step taken by the user, and the location determining component (12), when accessible, is operable to determine a distance between two positions and supply such information to the computing device (16) for continuous calculation of an accurate step size of the user. When the location determining component (12) is inaccessible, the computing device (16) determines the distance traveled using the accurate step size information. In additional embodiments, a housing (132) is provided for storing a location determining component (112), a pedometer (114), and a computing device (116), and an accelerometer (242) is provided for also determining the step size of the user.

Abstract: A navigation device for navigating a vehicle to a point comprises a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals, a processor connected with the receiver for processing the GPS signals, navigation data created by the processor, and a display page. The navigation data includes ground speed, altitude, vertical speed and rate of turn information, and the display page presents this information in individual graphic, circular displays representative of an aircraft instrument panel.

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: Systems, devices and methods are provided for integrating GPS receiver technology into a PDA. The systems, devices and methods of the present invention integrate GPS capabilities with PDA functions, and in particular integrate a PDA address book function with an electronic map and GPS capabilities. One aspect provided herein is a method. In one embodiment, a location or feature is identified, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) address book entry is associated with the location or feature. In one embodiment, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) address book entry is selected, and a location or feature is associated with the PDA address book entry. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly linking a GPS device (12) with a portable electronic device (14) to provide the portable electronic device (14) with GPS functions. The GPS device (12) includes a GPS receiver or sensor (16) operable for receiving OPS satellite signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and a transmitter (18) coupled with the GPS receiver for wirelessly transmitting information corresponding to the GPS satellite signals. The portable electronic device (14) includes a receiver for wirelessly receiving the information transmitted by the GPS device (12) and a display for displaying data corresponding to the GPS satellite signals. The transmitter (18) of the GPS device (12) and the receiver of the portable electronic device (14) 10 preferably wirelessly transmit and receive information via a short range wireless local area network (LAN) using infrared, unlicensed radio, or optical transmission methods.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for minimizing storage and processing of ionospheric grid point corrections transmitted from WAAS satellites in a global positioning system. Based upon a current location, the system creates a boundary around the current location and collects ionospheric grid point corrections within the boundary. The collected correction points are used to correct the position initially determined by a global positioning system.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus (10) configured for removably coupling with and providing navigational capabilities to a portable, handheld computing device (12). The navigation apparatus (10) includes a navigation receiver (26) for receiving navigation signals from a plurality of sources; a processor (24) coupled with the navigation receiver (26) for determining a location of the navigation apparatus (10) as a function of the received navigation signals; and an interface/connector (44). The interface/connector (44) is either a Secure Digital slot connector or a Compact Flash slot connector. Location data stored in the navigation apparatus (10) and data representative of the location determined by the navigation apparatus (10) may be delivered from the processor (24) to the handheld computing device (12) so that it may be displayed and used by a user of the device (12).

Abstract: A Mode-S transponder is provided for detecting synchronization phase reversal (SPR) signals. The transponder includes a receiver for receiving a Mode-S signal that contains a P6 pulse having a Mode-S data segment and an SPR signal therein. The transponder also includes a phase detector that detects a phase change between first and second states in the received Mode-S signal. The phase detector includes an SPR qualifier that determine whether, following a state change, the Mode-S signal remains at one of the first and second states for at least a predetermined minimum time sufficient to qualify as a detector enable signal.

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 device and method for mounting and wiring avionic equipment such as modules and display units in an aircraft is provided. The novel configuration utilizes a flexible guide that routes communication lines from a device such as a display unit to other devices such as avionic modules. Because the flexible guide is only allowed motion in substantially a two dimensional plane, the communication lines routed by the flexible guide are held securely in place before, during, and after any access procedure. Damage or failure of communication lines is prevented by the structural support of the flexible guide, while at the same time, the display unit may be easily removed to allow access to devices such as modules located behind.

Abstract: Communication devices, such as a radio and a cockpit communication panel, digitally communicate audio signals as digital data without use of a synchronizing clock signal between the devices. The communication panel and the radio function as both a receiver and as a transmitter of digital audio signals. In one embodiment, an analog audio signal is received by the transmitting device and transformed by a coder/decoder (CODEC) into a plurality of signals. The plurality of signals is received and transformed by a field programmable gate array (FPGA) into a digital signal that includes framing pulse and stop bits. The digital signal is transmitted to a FPGA in a receiving device, which transforms the signal into a second plurality of signals. A CODEC in the receiving device transforms the second plurality of signals into an analog audio signal.

Abstract: An avionics system and method is employed for alerting pilots of low premature descent during final landing approach. The method involves determining Final Approach Flight Safety Altitudes for a plurality of runways, identifying which runway an aircraft is likely to land on, and alerting the pilot if the aircraft altitude is lower than the final approach flight safety altitude. The method takes into account terrain information, airport and runway information, and aircraft reference data to make its determination. Particular embodiments reference the Final Approach Fix, one or more step down fix values, the Minimum Descent Altitude and the Missed Approach Point in calculating the Final Approach Flight Safety Altitudes. The system and method have particular utility with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (“TAWS”) and display in an aircraft.