Abstract: A device working in conjunction with commercial-grade radar equipment for accurately pinpointing the location of a target or a topological feature with a precision greatly superior to the specified resolution of the radar equipment.This high precision is obtained through on-line treatment of the radar echo signals as the radar scans the target area.In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is used for assisting a pilot in steering a ship navigating through coastal or inland waterways. The device provides statistically weighted data relative to the location of a plurality of landmarks in the vicinity of the ship to a KALMAN filter-type circuit which in turn generates an accurate state vector reflecting the ship's present and near future movement.In the course of an initial surveying pass through the waterway, the device can also generate reference charts of the area to be traveled.

Abstract: A method for regulating vehicular traffic over a network of itineraries travelled by various vehicles such as railroad trains, or other public modes of transportation. On board, computer assisted vehicle control processes are advantageously combined with traditional time-table scheduling and modern centralized traffic control concepts. Simplified audio radio communications alleviate the need for intensive track equipment. Monitoring and signaling devices are limited to those dictated by safety rules and regulations. In order to limit to a minimum the exchange of data between each vehicle and the traffic control, a set of predetermined timetables are stored on board each vehicle. Traffic instructions are reduced to two elements, the identification of the assigned timetable and a time lag constant to be uniformly added to the time entries of the assigned time-table.

Abstract: Procedure and system for driving a vehicle required to travel repeatedly over the same path, in which procedure at least some elements of the vehicle are operated in accordance with prerecorded information.According to the invention, the information relates to the operations to be performed on or by such elements in relation to the position of the vehicle on its path; and the elements are operated on the basis of such information in the light of the vehicle's instantaneous position with a correction for instantaneous vehicle speed and the response time of the elements.