Abstract: A carrying assembly (10,110) having an easy release clip for carrying of an electronic device (12,112) is disclosed. In both a first and a second preferred embodiment, the easy release clip of the carrying assembly (10,110) allows a user to insert and remove the electronic device (12,112) in one step and without having to depress a release key. In the first preferred embodiment, the carrying assembly (10) is adjustable so that the electronic device (12) may be positioned in a horizontal position, a vertical position, or any position between horizontal and vertical. The carrying assembly (10) broadly comprises a rear panel (14), a spring component (16) including an integral leaf spring (46), a retainer button (18), and a base (20). In a second preferred embodiment, the carrying assembly (110) is fitted to a lanyard so that the electronic device (112) may be worn around the user's neck.

Abstract: An audio panel (10) with enhanced intercom isolation modes. The audio panel (10) has four intercom isolation modes, including a Co-pilot isolation mode that enables a co-pilot to make private communications via a wireless telephone interface (54). The audio panel (10) also provides improved intercom switching circuitry and control devices that more effectively switch between the four intercom isolation modes.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. A PDA 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 PDA is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the PDA is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the PDA is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The PDA processes travel along the route, recognizes when the PDA has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.

Abstract: A computer program, method, and device for controlling the brightness of a display (10) by proportionally varying the voltage delivered to each pixel in the display (10) after the back light (12) for the display (10) has been dimmed to its approximate lowest level. The display (10) includes a back light (12); a display module (16) having an array of pixels that may be individually controlled to selectively block or pass light from the back light (12) to create a desired image; a user interface (24) for selectively adjusting brightness of the back light (12) to vary the amount of light passing through the pixels to control the brightness of the image; and a controller (22) for proportionally adjusting the luminosity of the pixels to further control the amount of light passing through the pixels to control the brightness of the image.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for monitoring water temperature. One method includes receiving water temperature data and graphically presenting the data. The data is presented having the water temperature data graphically differentiated to indicate when the water temperature data crosses a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly linking electronic marine components (14) to associated displays (16) to reduce or eliminate the need for application-specific wiring between the components (14) and the displays (16). The system includes an electronic component (14) adapted for mounting on a marine vessel (12) and operable for generating data representative of a function of the electronic component (14); a wireless transmitter (20) coupled with the electronic component (14) for wirelessly transmitting the data; a display (16) adapted for mounting on the marine vessel (12) remotely from the electronic component (14) and operable for displaying information corresponding to the data; and a wireless receiver (24) coupled with the display (16) and operable for wirelessly receiving the data from the wireless transmitter (20). The wireless transmitter (20) and the wireless receiver (24) transmit and receive the data via BlueTooth or WiFi communication protocols.

Abstract: A method for organizing roadway network data in a memory storage device is provided. A data set indicative of a roadway network is provided. Proximity criteria for intersection nodes between the roads in the roadway network is identified. The intersection nodes are grouped into a node block based on the proximity criteria. Node records which contain data indicative of the nodes are stored as a group in the node block in contiguous memory.

Abstract: A universal transducer mounting bracket (10) that may be used to mount a transducer (12) to either a transom (14) or a trolling motor (16). A mounting body (18) broadly comprises a transom attachment (36) for mating to the transom (14), at least one hole (20) through the transom attachment (36) for accepting one or more fasteners therethrough in order to secure the bracket (10) to the transom (14), and an arcuate top wall (22) for mating to the trolling motor (16). The mounting body (18) preferably further includes two side walls (26) and a bottom wall (30) forming the transom attachment (36) for rigidly securing the bracket (10) to the transom (14). The transom attachment (36) may be defined by the walls (22,26,30,34) forming a perimeter around an opening, thereby making the bracket (10) hollow.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides clear and concise guidance through decision points along a route by providing assistance that is more understandable, accurate and timely. One aspect provided herein is an electronic navigational aid device with voice guidance. The device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate to the processor. The memory is adapted to store cartographic data and a route to a desired destination. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route, and provides voice guidance for the decision point. According to one embodiment, the voice guidance includes an initial voice guidance, an advance voice guidance, and a confirmation voice guidance. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for more efficient use of RAM and other resources in connection with a route calculation algorithm which quickly obtains a best or reasonable best path between two locations. The navigational aid device includes forced layer switching capabilities. The navigational aid device includes a processor and a memory adapted to communicate with the processor. The memory has cartographic data including any number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The plurality of thoroughfares are organized in a hierarchy of detail levels. The processor operates on a route calculation algorithm to find a path between any two of the number of locations and the route calculation algorithm dynamically forces switching between different levels in the hierarchy of detail levels based on a set of criteria.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided which include a rugged, waterproof, navigation device having a touch panel. The device includes a portable, and/or handheld navigation device. The navigation device 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 including cartographic data including a number of locations and data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types connecting certain ones of the locations. The device includes a housing having an opening. A touch panel is mounted in the opening of the housing. The touch panel and housing forming a substantially waterproof enclosure. A navigation component is located within the substantially waterproof enclosure.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The navigational aid device includes a processor adapted to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device processes travel along the route. The device recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.

Abstract: PDA systems, devices and methods are provided for improved navigational route planning. The PDA provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The PDA includes a processor operable to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The PDA processes travel along the route. The PDA recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.

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: A portable GPS unit (10) communicates over a wireless radio network (12) with at least one other such unit (10A-10E). The unit (10) may transmit radio signals over the network (12) indicative of the unit's location and receive similar radio signals from the other units (10A-10E). The unit (10) is operable to calculate and display a route that may be followed to go to a moving waypoint such as one of the other units (10A-10E).

Abstract: An 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 a touch panel positioned on a surface of the housing. The display is viewable through a touch panel mounted to an opening in the housing. The housing includes a flange around the opening which has a fluid seal to prevent fluid flow past the touch panel and into the housing. A shock mount may also be included within the housing to make the touch panel drop-resistant.

Abstract: System, 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 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.