Abstract: A combined global positioning system receiver and two-way radio communications unit (GPS/radio unit) that is configured for wirelessly communicating with one or more other such units and that includes a substantially waterproof enclosure for protection of the electronic components contained therein is provided. The substantially waterproof enclosure includes first and second cooperatively mated housing sections which, when mated, form an internal compartment or chamber for enclosing electronic components of the GPS/radio unit. The waterproof enclosure may further include a cover positioned over a plurality of tubular structures which protrude from a top end wall of the second housing section. Also provided is a method of waterproofing a GPS/radio unit including a number of different techniques for waterproofing different features and elements of the enclosure.

Abstract: Methods, data structures, and systems provide techniques for processing track logs. A track log is represented as a plurality of track points. The track points represent geographic positions previously traversed. The track log and the track points are overlaid on a map and presented on a display in communication with a portable navigation device. Track points are graphically selected and identified via the display. Any graphically selected track point is also associated with a selectable operation for immediate, automatic, and/or subsequent execution on the portable navigation device.

Abstract: A portable, handheld electronic navigation device includes an altimeter, a compass, 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, heading information as determined by the compass, and altitude information as determined by the altimeter. Additionally, through operation of an input, a user can cause the display to move, and thus display additional cartographic information, in the direction of the compass heading even when the user of the device is standing still. Furthermore, through utilization of a clock, such as the GPS clock, a user can determine altitude changes over time. Also, the altimeter of the navigation may be calibrated with altitude information entered by a user, with altitude information obtained from the cartographic or with altitude information derived from GPS.

Abstract: Devices, systems, functional data and methods are provided for biasing an active location to an acceptable location within a planned route of a map. The navigational device with map biasing capabilities includes a processor communicating with a memory. In biasing a map, an active position and a planned position are received, and an active score and a planned score are associated with each position, respectively. The active position is checked to ensure it falls within a second range, and if it does the active score is made to fall within a first range associated with the planned score, such that the active position is biased to appear as if it were the planned position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and presentation of flight information within the cockpit. Cockpit instrument systems and methods are provided which include a first cockpit instrument panel which has a first display proximately located to a first bezel. The first display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including airspeed, attitude, and altitude. The systems and methods further include a second cockpit instrument panel located adjacent to the first cockpit instrument panel. The second cockpit instrument panel has a second display proximately located to a second bezel. The second display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including detailed engine parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods for dimming a LED matrix functioning as a backlight to an avionics display. A system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a processor for receiving inputs of ambient lighting and temperature, as well as light generated by the LED matrix. The processor provides modulated pulse wave signals (square waves) to two control circuits for controlling the LED matrix in two modes. At low dimming levels, the processor modulates the duty cycle of a first square wave for affecting the light level and maintains a minimal duty cycle of a second square wave. Once the highest light level is obtained by increasing the duty cycle of the first square wave, the processor then modulates a second square wave by increasing its duty cycle. The duty cycle of the second square wave is modified by a circuit to produce a voltage level which is provided as an input to control light level of the LED matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for customized displays and customized presentations of cockpit data. Configurable soft keys or controls located in close proximity to a cockpit display are provided. Each key is configured to perform a desired display function or other function. Labels are displayed adjacent to each of the soft keys to identify each of the soft keys. A display is operable to provide multiple views, each view within the display is adapted to be overlaid with additional cockpit data if so configured. Furthermore, each view is capable of being presented from one or more selectable perspectives as desired.

Abstract: A personal training device (10) adapted to assist a user in reaching performance goals, navigating, and accumulating performance statistics. In a preferred embodiment, the device broadly comprises a housing (10); an attachment mechanism (30); a GPS component (40); a user interface (50), including an input portion (52) and an output portion (54); a processor (60), including a timer (62) and a memory element (64); a data interface (70), including an input portion (72) and an output portion (74); an audio component (80); and a power supply (90). The device (10) is adapted to store goal information, monitor performance using GPS-derived data, and communicate performance information.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to compress data, and in particular to code and decode data. One aspect of the present subject matter is a data structure. The data structure includes a field representing a decoding structure to decode canonical Huffman encoded data, and a field representing a symbol table. The decoding structure includes a field representing an accelerator table to provide a 2N-deep direct-index lookup to provide high-frequency symbols for high-frequency data and to provide bracketing indices for low-frequency data. The decoding structure also includes a field for a binary search table to provide a low-frequency symbol index using a binary search bounded by the bracketing indices provided by the accelerator table. The symbol table is adapted to provide a symbol associated with the low-frequency index.

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: PDA systems, devices and methods are provided to account for insignificant route segments to enhance a route guidance experience. A PDA is provided according to one aspect. The PDA includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The processor and memory are adapted to cooperate to provide route guidance that accounts for insignificant route segments. According to various embodiments, insignificant route segments are accounted for by nullifying and/or modifying route guidance maneuvers associated with the insignificant route segments. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and presentation of flight information within the cockpit. Cockpit instrument systems and methods are provided which include a first cockpit instrument panel which has a first display proximately located to a first bezel. The first display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including airspeed, attitude, and altitude. The systems and methods further include a second cockpit instrument panel located adjacent to the first cockpit instrument panel. The second cockpit instrument panel has a second display proximately located to a second bezel. The second display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including detailed engine parameters.

Abstract: A system for graphically displaying on a cockpit display an indication of closure (i.e. a “closure indictor”) with a selected target aircraft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system only displays a closure indicator if: (1) the selected target aircraft is within a predetermined monitoring zone; and (2) the track of the selected target aircraft is within a pre-determined variation angle of the track of the Own Ship aircraft. If the rate of closure between the selected target aircraft and the Own Ship aircraft is within a predetermined range of values, the closure indicator includes a closing/receding indicia (such as an upwardly or downwardly directed arrow) that indicates whether the Own Ship aircraft is closing in on or receding from the selected target aircraft. The system preferably removes the closure indicator from display when the Own Ship aircraft or the selected target aircraft ceases to be airborne.

Abstract: Several synchronization circuits, a computer, a method of adjusting the operation of an oscillator, and method of operating a power converter are disclosed. The circuits and computer include a switch coupled to a current path. The switch receives a synchronizing signal, and is turned on by an active state of the synchronizing signal, and turned off by an inactive state of the synchronizing signal. The current path is configured to pass a current when the switch is off, and the switch is configured to pass the current when turned on. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that allow any reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Protective cover assemblies for portable electronic devices, e.g., Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), are provided. The protective cover assemblies include a substantially planar cover portion and a flexible bridge member pivotally coupled with one another by a pair of brackets. The substantially planar cover portion is rotatable in a dual-pivot arrangement provided by the brackets with respect to the portable electronic device between an open position exposing a display screen, wherein the substantially planar cover portion lies adjacent a back surface of the portable electronic device, and a closed position wherein the display screen is covered and protected. The flexible bridge member may be coupled with the electronic device by engagement of a pair of posts within recesses on a surface of the electronic device. Such recesses are sized and shaped for receiving connection/alignment posts on a storage cradle or the like and are commonly found on electronic devices such as PDAs.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for navigation data transfer between portable devices are provided. A handheld electronic device is provided which includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The memory is adapted to store navigation related data. The navigation related data includes cartographic data including a number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The memory is further adapted to store software including software operable to perform navigation applications such as routing algorithms. The handheld electronic device includes a transceiver. The transceiver is adapted to transmit and receive the navigation related data and applications wirelessly between an other portable electronic device and/or larger clients such as a remote server.

Abstract: A course deviation indicator with a unique display utilizes at least one deviation bar, to indicate when a craft or vessel in which the course deviation indicator is utilized has deviated from a pre-established course. In one embodiment, the course deviation indicator has a lateral deviation bar, for indicating lateral deviation from a pre-established course, and a vertical deviation bar, for indicating vertical deviation from a pre-established course. A first, vertical, flag is associated with the vertical deviation bar, while a second, lateral flag is associated with the lateral deviation bar. When a determination is made that a particular deviation bar is providing inaccurate information, the appropriate flag is displayed, thereby indicating that the associated deviation bar is indeed providing inaccurate information. In one embodiment, the flags are displayed mechanically. In a second embodiment, the display is an LCD display, and flags are displayed by drawing the flags on the LCD display.

Abstract: An improved method for correlating between targets in an air traffic control system. A methods or systems according to the invention compare selected components of a first target report to the components of a second target report, produce a confidence level on each component comparison, and determine whether to declare the targets similar based on the confidence level on each component compared. The first and second target reports may include ADS-B target reports and TIS target reports. The individual components of the reports may be range, bearing, track angle, and relative altitude. The methods or systems may use a fuzzy logic probability model to produce a continuous confidence level on each component comparison.

Abstract: Several synchronization circuits, a computer, a method of adjusting the operation of an oscillator, and method of operating a power converter are disclosed. The circuits and computer include a switch coupled to a current path. The switch receives a synchronizing signal, and is turned on by an active state of the synchronizing signal, and turned off by an inactive state of the synchronizing signal. The current path is configured to pass a current when the switch is off, and the switch is configured to pass the current when turned on. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that allow any reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cockpit control systems are provided. A sensor associated with a first display is adjustable and a first setting associated with the sensor is simultaneously displayed on the first display and a second display as the sensor is adjusted. Furthermore, a second sensor associated with the second display is adjusted and a second setting associated with the second sensor is simultaneously displayed on the second display and the first display. The first setting is adjustable from the second display, and the second setting is adjustable from the first display. Moreover, the first display provides backup should the second display fail, and the first sensor provides backup to the second sensor in event the second sensor fails.