Abstract: A method of practicing precision farming wherein a ground launched, air breathing, powered, unmanned miniature aircraft overflies a field being surveyed to acquire aerial imagery of the same. The flight path of the aircraft is controlled at least partially by automated control apparatus carried aboard the aircraft, and preferably includes radio signal inputs from the GPS. The flight path includes alternating turns assuring that as much of the field as possible be overflown in one flight. Where necessary, plural complementary flights are conducted. The aircraft is preferably controlled to land at a predetermined site which may be outside of the field being surveyed and which may be its own launch site. Preferably, a redundant navigation system utilizing altitude, air speed, and pitch and roll sensors supplements the GPS inputs. Acquired images may be multispectral, hyperspectral, ultraspectral, thermal, synthetic aperture radar, or laser radar, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A system and method of utilizing aerial image capture technology such as digital cameras carried aboard satellites, processing digitized data derived therefrom, and rapidly disseminating the processed data to remote locations by existing commercial communications systems and radio telecommunication via commercial communications satellites for dissemination of processed data to a remote receiving site. Images obtained from imagery satellites are transmitted by radio to a receiver in communication with the Internet. A computer connected to the Internet receives and selectively modifies raw imagery data. Modified images are transmitted over the Internet either directly to a user for download, or alternatively to a radio transmitter which transmits corresponding signals to a commercial communications satellite. The satellite in turn transmits signals to a ground receiving station.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of locating a subject being monitored as to whereabouts. A beacon having a radio frequency transmitter and receiver is attached to the subject. At least three scanning platforms each having a radio receiver and transmitter and, optionally, an onboard microprocessor and an atomic clock, issue signals which will evoke response signals from the beacon. A central station having a microprocessor, radio receiver and transmitter, and preferably, a display or other output for annunciating location of the sought subject, manages the search. At least one scanning platform is a miniature, unmanned, remotely a piloted vehicle, preferably an aircraft, which passes over a predetermined search area. Response signals from the beacon, when received at a scanning platform, are processed to enable determination of location of the beacon and hence the sought subject by triangulation. Time and location data are acquired by interaction with the global positioning system by the scanning platforms.

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: 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 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 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 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 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: Apparatus for and method of locating a subject being monitored as to whereabouts. A beacon having a radio frequency transmitter and receiver is attached to the subject. At least three scanning platforms each having a radio receiver and transmitter and, optionally, an onboard microprocessor and an atomic clock, issue signals which will evoke response signals from the beacon. A central station having a microprocessor, radio receiver and transmitter, and preferably, a display or other output for annunciating location of the sought subject, manages the search. At least one scanning platform is a miniature, unmanned, remotely piloted vehicle, preferably an aircraft, which passes over a predetermined search area. Response signals from the beacon, when received at a scanning platform, are processed to enable determination of location of the beacon and hence the sought subject by triangulation. Time and location data are acquired by interaction with the global positioning system by the scanning platforms.

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 making geospatial imagery data available to the public over 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 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. The computer containing the resultant geospatial image and software controlling the same are connected to the internet so that internet users have access to the data.

Abstract: A three phase electric arc welding power supply using SCR rectifiers for output control which has improved output characteristics, fault protection and current and voltage controls. The main power transformer includes two secondaries connected in a double wye with the neutral points supplying power to one of the output terminals a pair of independent inductances are in series, one with each set of secondaries. Increased phaseback of the SCR's may be effected without the use of additional inductance in the output circuit. The fault protection circuit has a time-current trip curve closely approximating the time-current overload curve of the SCR's whereby the minimum size SCR's for a given maximum current output is obtained. The control circuit is fast responding and gives either: constant voltage output; or variable voltage, constant current output with both line voltage compensation and with increase of current when the arc is shorted and the arc voltage drops below a predetermined amount.