Abstract: A request is received to book a flight on a private aircraft. A disruption cost associated with adding the flight to a previously optimized schedule of previously booked flights is determined. A price to be quoted to book the requested flight is computed based at least in part on the disruption cost.

Abstract: A reliability data is stored for each of at least a first subset of a plurality of aircraft comprising a fleet of aircraft. A plurality of feasible solutions to fulfill transportation requirements of a plurality of groups of one or more passengers using aircraft comprising the fleet is determined, each group having a requirement to travel starting location of that group to a destination location of that group. Based at least in part on the plurality of feasible solutions and the reliability data, a plurality of scenarios are generated, each of which would result in a delay or cancellation affecting at least a second subset of the plurality of feasible solutions. With respect to each feasible solution and for each scenario an additional cost component is computed for that feasible solution associated with occurrence of that scenario. A solution is selected from among the plurality of feasible solutions based at least in part on the additional cost component associated with occurrence of a respective scenario.

Abstract: A request is received to book a flight on a private aircraft. A disruption cost associated with adding the flight to a previously optimized schedule of previously booked flights is determined. A price to be quoted to book the requested flight is computed based at least in part on the disruption cost.

Abstract: A light detecting device, particularly one which indicates illumination by a laser, and methods for its use. The device includes at least two light detectors which each comprise a light sensor and a light control filter. The light control filter includes microlouvers arranged so that the microlouvers of the two different light detectors are at different angles. The light detecting device may be used to determine the direction to the source of the light detected. Further, two or more devices may be combined into a system that allows for a user to determine the distance to the source of light, particularly laser light emitted by a laser rangefinder. The system is designed to be functional under combat or other battlefield conditions and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A laser location system that allows for a user to determine the direction and/or distance to the source of light particularly laser light. The system is designed to be functional under combat or other battlefield conditions and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A method for effecting the desired optical characteristics of an optical system (10) using phase diffractive optics. Incident light (Bi) is directed onto a surface (12i) of a material (12) whose index of refraction (n) is variable over the material. Passage of the incident light through the material effects the phase and amplitude of the light waveform. An optical map (Om) is determined for the surface of the material. This map comprises variations in the index of refraction over the material surface, and the map, in effect, represents any of a range of refractive and diffractive optical elements such as a mirror (1), a lens (2,3,6,7), or a diffraction grating (100). The map is dynamically written onto the material to map the material such that the incident light's passage through the material corresponds to the passage of the light through the optical element currently emulated by the material.

Abstract: A non-imaging traffic sensing system (10) employs three separate detectors (D1-D3) each positioned above a roadway (R) and spatially separated along the roadway. The detectors detect light reflected off the roadway surface. Each detector has its own field of view (FOV) of the roadway surface and a separate footprint (F1-F3) is defined on the surface by intersection of the respective fields of view with the surface. A disturbance passing over the roadway changes the amount of reflected light sensed by the detectors and the detectors generate respective signals indicative of the amount of reflected light they receive. A first pair of the detectors (D1, D3) measure the speed of a passing disturbance. A second pair of the detectors (D1, D2) identify shadows so to eliminate their effects. The footprints defined by the fields of view of the second detector pair generally overlap. A processor (24) processes signals from the first detector pair to determine the speed of the disturbance.

Abstract: A bulk mail processing system (10) conveys bulk mail containers (C) from a receiving station (R) at which the container is placed on a conveyor (12) to an unloading station (D) at which the contents of the container are dumped. A video camera (22) obtains an image of the container which is transmitted to a processor (24). The image is processed to determine if residual mail (M) is left in the container after it is emptied. A mechanism (18) removes the container from the conveyor, empties the container, and then returns the container back to the conveyor. A controller (20) controls operation of the emptying mechanism. The controller is responsive to an input from the processor that all the contents of a container have been removed to replace the empty container on the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for monitoring vehicle (V) usage on a roadway (H). An AC light source (12) comprises either an incandescent or gas discharge light source. The light source has a detectable AC ripple in its output. The light source is mounted or installed above the roadway surface on a conventional light standard (16) or highway information standard (18) such that the light source directs its rumination downwardly onto the roadway. A light detector (34) detects light reflected from off the roadway. Light from the light source together with the collection optics of the light detector define a "footprint" (30) on the roadway surface and vehicles moving over the roadway pass over this footprint. The directed, reflected light has characteristics which are varied in response to passage of a vehicle over the roadway and through a path (X1, X2) of light between the source and detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a beam of light. A volume of electro-optic, light transmissive material has a predetermined geometric shape, such as a wedge, and is positioned to intersect the beam of light so that the beam of light is directed into the material. The material has a first surface on which the beam of light is incident and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first and second surfaces defining a portion of the material therebetween having a thickness which varies with the beam of light passing through the portion of the material. A voltage source applies a potential difference across the portion of the material. A control circuit varies the magnitude of the potential difference applied to the portion of the material. As a result, the beam of light is deflected by an angle which is a function of the varying thickness of the portion of the material and the refractive index of the portion of the material as determined by the magnitude of the potential difference.

Abstract: A system (10) for friend-or-foe identification (IFF) comprises an interrogator unit (18) carried on a first platform (T1) for generating and transmitting a laser beam. A control unit (22) selectively directs the transmitted laser beam toward a second platform (T2). A coding/decoding unit (28) encodes an IFF interrogator message with which a portion of the transmitted laser beam is modulated. A laser reflector (30) carried on the second platform receives the coded laser beam. The reflector is a normally passive reflector which is activated by receipt of the transmitted laser beam. The reflector responds to the IFF message contained in the received laser beam by modulating the unmodulated portion of the transmitted laser beam. This newly modulated portion of the laser beam is reflected back toward the first platform. The coding/encoding unit decodes on the first platform receives and the response, and determines if it corresponds to a predetermined response which identifies the second platform as a "friend".

Abstract: A friend-or-foe (IFF) identification system (10) comprises a laser generator (12) for generating and transmitting a laser beam (B). A beam splitter (16) divides the laser beam into two beams. One of the beams (B1) is directed along a reference path (P). This beam is reflected back along the path by a mirror (24) positioned at the end of the path. The other laser beam (B2) is directed at an object (T) to be identified as a friend or foe. This second beam reflects off the object and the return, reflected beam is detected. The reflected beam includes a vibration signature of the object under investigation. The return beam and reference beam are processed together to correct the vibration signature of the object for arty distortions. This allows an accurate target signature to be obtained. Next, the target signature is compared against other signatures. The results of the comparison provide the IFF identification.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided for detecting an object (B) such as a xenon beacon on a missile (M) located within a defined field of view (FOV). The field of view is defined by an array (A) of pixels (P). A sensor (14) includes a detector (16) which repetitively scans the field of view to detect the presence of an object therein. The output of the sensor is converted for use in activating pixels in the array in response to the detection of the object. A processor (22), in response to the presence of the object, defines a pixel matrix within the array. This matrix includes the pixel for the detected object signature. The processor searches all the pixels within the matrix to identify a signature which matches a predetermined characteristic of the object. Identification of such a signature, helps particularly identify the object in the field of view. The processor then focuses on this pixel set, during subsequent scans, to track the object.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided for designating a plurality of objects (E1-E3) within a field of view (FOV) and for thereafter simultaneously tracking each of the objects. A field of view is first defined in which one or more objects may be located. A laser beam generator (12) generates a laser beam (B) and directs it into the field of view. A beam steering mechanism (14) steers the laser beam throughout the field of view for it to strike each of the objects appearing therein. A coder unit (22) generates a code uniquely designating each object. A multiple target tracker (20) thereafter simultaneously tracks each separate object. The tracker controls the steering mechanism to sequentially steer the laser beam to each designated object. The laser, via the steering mechanism, illuminates all, or one or more, of the desginated, tracked targets within the field of view.

Abstract: A tracking system (10) is for use in a weapons system (W). The tracking system is used to assist a gunner (G) in designating and tracking a target which the gunner can fire upon using a weapon under his control. A laser (12) operating at a wavelength beyond the visible band (i.e., 70.7 um) projects a laser beam (B) at the target which illuminates a portion of the target struck by the beam. The laser is boresighted with the weapon and moves with it as the gunner tracks the target. A curved window is interposed between the laser and the target. The window (16) passes a portion of the incident laser beam on it for the laser beam to strike the target. The window also reflects a portion of the laser beam. The amount of the laser beam passing through the window is substantially greater than the portion reflected. The reflected portion of the laser beam reflects at an angle (.theta.) with respect to the incident beam.

Abstract: Fire control apparatus (30) comprises a gun (32) for firing a projectile at a target (T). The gun is mounted on a platform (36) which is subject to vibratory motion. A laser unit (40) generates a laser beam directable at the target. A gunner (G) directs a laser beam at the target and a return laser waveform reflected by the target is received back at the platform. A processor (44) is responsive to the return waveform to determine the target's range, speed, and direction of movement relative to the platform. Further, the processor determines a firing solution by which a projectile fired from the gun strikes the target. This solution includes a lead angle by which the gun should be directed ahead of the target for the projectile to strike it. A beam steering unit (62) is responsive to an output from the processor to realign the laser beam relative to the target. The degree of realignment is in accordance with the firing solution so the projectile fired from the gun strikes the target.