Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft for acquiring digitized data, transmitting digitized data, or both, having an electrical supply system capable of sustained operation. The aircraft has a fuselage, a wing, a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, a propeller, control surfaces for controlling flight, each operated by a respective servomechanism, a microprocessor for managing flight control, a GPS receiver, a communications radio frequency transceiver, and data handling apparatus. The data handling apparatus is any one of a data acquisition device for gathering environmental data, a data acquisition device for sensing aircraft altitude or attitude or both, a data relay station, or any combination of these. The data handling apparatus is preferably part of an enclosed module which is readily mounted to and detachable from the aircraft.

Abstract: An abutment for mounting a restoration or crown to a dental implant, exhibiting ability to retain the restoration thereon and to prevent rotation of the restoration about the abutment. The abutment has a relatively wide base and a relatively slender tapered projection. A stepped hole passes through the abutment for receiving a screw which secures the abutment to the implant. The bottom of the stepped hole is hexagonal, for cooperatively receiving a hexagonal post of the dental implant. The base of the abutment has an inclined surface. The projection of the abutment has negative taper such that it is wider away from the base than where it joins the base. The projection has a groove formed therein, which groove extends along the abutment in a path which for at least part of the circumference of the abutment is neither purely horizontal nor purely vertical.

Abstract: A driving tool which slidingly penetrates and engages a rectangular socket formed in one end of a screw or the like. The screw is preferably a dental implant having a threaded and polygonal female socket. The tool has two opposed jaws dimensioned and configured to be received in close cooperation with the socket. The jaws are spaced apart by a gap and compress slightly as they penetrate the socket. The jaws frictionally and resiliently engage the socket, thus enabling the screw to be grasped, maneuvered, and rotatably threaded into place without requiring threaded engagement of tool and screw. The tool is slidably withdrawn after the screw is tightened.

Abstract: A supercharging system for supplying pressurized combustion air to a piston engine of an aircraft at high altitudes. The engine has an output shaft on which the propeller is supported, together with a small ducted centrifugal fan. The duct leads to the intake side of the engine. A diverter is movable to one position constraining pressurized air to enter the engine through the intake side, and a second position which diverts compressed air away from the intake side. Natural aspiration is employed at low altitudes and supercharging is employed at altitudes wherein there is an oxygen deficiency. Preferably, the centrifugal fan is located between the propeller and the engine block, has blades staggered from those of the propeller so as to be directly exposed to incoming air. The centrifugal fan blades are preferably of different pitch than the propeller blades.

Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft for acquiring and/or transmitting data, capable of automatically maintaining desired airframe stability while operating by remote directional commands. The aircraft comprises a fuselage and a wing, a piston engine and propeller, a fuel supply, at least one data sensor and/or radio transceiver, a microprocessor disposed to manage flight, a radio transceiver for receiving remotely generated flight direction commands, a GPS receiver, a plurality of control surfaces and associated servomechanisms, for controlling flight stabilization and direction, roll, pitch, yaw, velocity, and altitude sensors. The microprocessor uses roll, pitch, yaw, and altitude data to control attitude and altitude of the aircraft automatically, but controls flight direction solely based on external commands. The aircraft does not exceed fifty-five pounds.

Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft having interchangeable data handling modules, such as sensors for obtaining digital aerial imagery and other data, and radio transmitters and receivers for relaying data. The aircraft has a microprocessor for managing flight, remote control guidance system, and electrical supply system. The data handling modules have an aerodynamic housing and manual fasteners enabling ready installation and removal. One or more data acquiring sensors or data transferring apparatus and support equipment such as batteries and communications and power cables are contained within the module. A plurality of different modules are preferably provided. Each module, when attached in a preferred location below the wing, does not significantly alter the center of gravity of the airframe. Preferably, each module contains the supervisory microprocessor so that the microprocessor need not be part of the airframe.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for registering a single dimensional image to a two dimensional image, and for generating spectral two dimensional images, as practiced in aerial imagery. Raw data or primary images are acquired from a subject of interest and are passed through a camera type aperture and divided by passing the light beam through a beam splitter. One beam is recorded digitally as two dimensional images containing at least three recognizable geometric reference points. The second beam is passed through a slit to form single dimensional images, which are then preferably diffracted to produce plural spectral single dimensional images. The spectral single dimensional images are recorded digitally in a manner enabling each single dimensional image to be linked to its corresponding two dimensional reference image. The beam splitter and slit device may be replaced by a selectively reflective beam splitter which accomplishes the function of both deleted components.

Abstract: A method of shipping a disassembled miniature, unmanned aircraft capable of handling data, the aircraft having remote guidance, an onboard microprocessor for managing flight, wing area of at least eight hundred square inches, a wingspan of at least eight feet, and weighing under fifty-five pounds. The aircraft includes a data handling module. The aircraft is disassembled into separate components including at a minimum the wing, the fuselage, and the data handling module. The fuselage and possibly other lesser components are packed in a first shipping container. The wing is packed in a second shipping container. The data handling module is packed in a third shipping container. The first and second containers are shipped by overnight courier, while the third container is either shipped the same way or alternatively travels as unchecked luggage aboard a commercial airliner.

Abstract: A miniature unmanned aircraft which uses remotely controlled model aircraft components and technology, and has on-board automatic “on-the-fly” fuel and air mixture adjustment enabling high altitude flight. The aircraft, which may have conventional fuselage, wing, reciprocating piston engine and radio frequency operated controls, also has sensors for sensing atmospheric pressure, atmospheric temperature, engine crankshaft rotational speed, engine temperature, and exhaust temperature. A microprocessor aboard the aircraft receives inputs from the sensors and controls at least one servo to adjust fuel and air mixture according to preprogrammed look-up tables and equations to operate the engine at appropriate fuel-to-air ratios for the altitude and other operating conditions.

Abstract: A supercharging system for supplying pressurized combustion air to a reciprocating piston engine of an aircraft at high altitudes. The engine has an output shaft on which the propeller is supported, together with a small ducted centrifugal fan. The duct leads to the intake side of the engine. A diverter is movable to one position constraining pressurized air to enter the engine through the intake side, and a second position which diverts compressed air away from the intake side. Preferably, the diverter also opens the intake side to unpressurized atmospheric air in the first position, so that the engine is naturally aspirated. Natural aspiration is employed at low altitudes and supercharging is employed at altitudes wherein there is an oxygen deficiency. Preferably, the centrifugal fan is located between the propeller and the engine block, has blades staggered from those of the propeller so as to be directly exposed to incoming air.

Abstract: A driving tool capable of grasping and driving screw type devices having polygonal drive sockets. The tool comprises a body or shaft having an axis of rotation, an enlarged head textured to enhance grip by hand, and a driving bit for engaging the socket of a screw type device. The bit comprises two opposed jaws separated by a gap. The jaws project from the shaft and are longitudinally aligned with the axis of rotation. The jaws are tapered so that they can enter the socket of a screw type device. The jaws collectively have a polygonal external periphery, for example, hexagonal, that cooperates with the polygonal drive socket. The driving tool is fabricated from a material exhibiting spring characteristics such that the jaws resiliently resist being compressed upon insertion into the drive socket.

Abstract: An abutment for mounting a restoration or crown to a dental implant, exhibiting ability to retain the restoration thereon and to prevent rotation of the restoration about the abutment. The abutment has a relatively wide base and a relatively slender tapered projection. A stepped hole passes through the abutment for receiving a screw which secures the abutment to the implant. The bottom of the stepped hole is hexagonal, for cooperatively receiving a hexagonal post of the dental implant. The base of the abutment has an inclined surface. The projection of the abutment has negative taper such that it is wider away from the base than where it joins the base. The projection has a groove formed therein, which groove extends along the abutment in a path which for at least part of the circumference of the abutment is neither purely horizontal nor purely vertical.

Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.

Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.

Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft having a parachute which deploys automatically under certain conditions. The aircraft has a flight control system based on remotely generated signals, potentially achieves relatively high altitude flight for a remotely controlled aircraft, and can thus operate well beyond line-of-sight control. For safety, an automatically deployed parachute system is provided. The parachute deployment system includes a folded parachute and a propulsion system for expelling the parachute from the aircraft. Preferably, a microprocessor for flight management sends intermittent inhibitory signals to prevent unintended deployment. A deployment signal is generated, illustratively, when the microprocessor fails, when engine RPM fall below a predetermined threshold, and when the aircraft strays from predetermined altitude and course.

Abstract: A power and communications connection arrangement for a miniature, unmanned aircraft having data handling capability. The aircraft has a microprocessor for managing flight control, a GPS receiver, a communications radio frequency transceiver, and data handling apparatus. The latter may be any of a sensor for gathering environmental data, sensing aircraft altitude or attitude, a data relay station, or any combination of these. The data handling apparatus is part of a removable module mounted to and detachable from the aircraft. The connection arrangement includes stationary power and communications terminals fixed to the module, and corresponding free power and data cables completing respective power circuits and communications links within the aircraft. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor, at least one sensor, and a battery pack are located in the module, and a radio transceiver, a GPS receiver, controls such as rudder and elevator, and other sensors are located in the airframe.

Abstract: A miniature, unmanned aircraft for acquiring digitized data, transmitting digitized data, or both, having an electrical supply system capable of sustained operation. The aircraft has a fuselage, a wing, a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, a propeller, control surfaces for controlling flight, each operated by a respective servomechanism, a microprocessor for managing flight control, a GPS receiver, a communications radio frequency transceiver, and data handling apparatus. The data handling apparatus is any one of a data acquisition device for gathering environmental data, a data acquisition device for sensing aircraft altitude or attitude or both, a data relay station, or any combination of these. The data handling apparatus is preferably part of an enclosed module which is readily mounted to and detachable from the aircraft.

Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.

Abstract: A method of making geospatial imagery data available to the public over a wide ranging communications network such as the internet. Geospatial images are acquired, such as by aerial photography, and are digitized. Plural images are captured, each image covering a portion of the earth surface area of interest. Each image captures at least one characteristic of the portion of the area, such as by taking images in different frequency bands. Data from all images thus obtained is loaded into a common database, loaded into a computer, and integrated to create a single resultant collectively create geospatial image stored in the computer. The integration process is performed so that a nearly seamless mosaiced image covering the entire area of interest is generated. The mosaiced image is stored in mosaic sector form.