Abstract: An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver.

Abstract: An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver.

Abstract: An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver.

Abstract: A system may include a spherical retroreflector that reflects incident light back in substantially the same direction as a light source; and a surface of the spherical retroreflector including a light modulator that modulates incident light from the light source in response to a stimulus and reflects a modulated light, wherein the light modulator is a variably reflecting backing of the spherical retroreflector.

Abstract: A system may include a spherical retroreflector that reflects incident light back in substantially the same direction as a light source; and a surface of the spherical retroreflector including a light modulator that modulates incident light from the light source in response to a stimulus and reflects a modulated light, wherein the light modulator is a variably reflecting backing of the spherical retroreflector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image of terrain obtained from a position above the terrain. An image of an object is detected in the image of the terrain for an object that is positioned between the terrain and the position above the terrain. The detected image of the object is replaced in the image of the terrain with replacement image data. For example, the replacement image data may be image data for the terrain below the object. The image of the terrain with the replacement image data may be displayed. The method and apparatus may be used to replace images of clouds in images of the surface of the earth below an aircraft with image data for the surface of the earth below the clouds.

Abstract: An interactive switch system for a stowage compartment system for a mobile platform (for example, commercial aircraft) is provided. The switch system is mounted to a moveable structure, such as an overhead stowage bin, and is responsive to a local input from a user, as well as to a remote input from an external control/monitoring panel. The switch system has at least one indicator surface responsive to the local input and the remote input to display indicator data. The indicator surface has a portion that forms at least one user input device for enabling the local input. The switch system further comprises a control system disposed behind the indicator surface. The control system is responsive to the local input and the remote input to transmit the indicator data to the indicator surface.

Abstract: Presented is a low-power retro-reflective communication system that reflects modulated light back in substantially the same direction as the light source using a retro-reflector. The light modulator in the retro-reflector modulates the light in response to a stimulus, such as an electrical communications stimulus or an environmental stimulus. In embodiments, the retro-reflector is a corner-cube retro-reflector and the modulator is one of the reflecting surfaces, or a spherical retro-reflector and the light modulator is a variably reflecting backing.

Abstract: An insulative material and a method of forming the insulative material are provided. The insulative material is configured to change shape in response to temperature and thus, for example, the insulative material may become more insulative as the temperature decreases. For example, the insulative material may include a plurality of fibers that change shape, such as by curling, in response to decreases in temperature, thereby correspondingly changing the insulative properties.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multifunctional shielding mat for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The method includes providing at least one sheet of dampening material, coupling at least one sheet of electromagnetic shielding material to the at least one sheet of dampening material, and configuring the multifunctional shielding mat to cover a predetermined area of the vehicle.

Abstract: Presented is a low-power retro-reflective communication system that reflects modulated light back in substantially the same direction as the light source using a retro-reflector. The light modulator in the retro-reflector modulates the light in response to a stimulus, such as an electrical communications stimulus or an environmental stimulus. In embodiments, the retro-reflector is a corner-cube retro-reflector and the modulator is one of the reflecting surfaces, or a spherical retro-reflector and the light modulator is a variably reflecting backing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image of terrain obtained from a position above the terrain. An image of an object is detected in the image of the terrain for an object that is positioned between the terrain and the position above the terrain. The detected image of the object is replaced in the image of the terrain with replacement image data. For example, the replacement image data may be image data for the terrain below the object. The image of the terrain with the replacement image data may be displayed. The method and apparatus may be used to replace images of clouds in images of the surface of the earth below an aircraft with image data for the surface of the earth below the clouds.

Abstract: A system for loading cargo containers into a storage hold, and offloading cargo containers from the storage hold, especially of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The system includes at least one guide rail and a motorized platform, onto which cargo containers are loaded, cooperating mechanically with the guide rail. The guide rail guides the cargo laden motorized platform into the storage hold, and the motorized platform deposits the cargo upon remote command. The motorized platform has a chassis; a power source; a control module controlling drive motors of the wheels of the platform; and a device for reciprocating at least a portion of an upper surface of the platform sufficient to elevate a load placed thereon above the guide rail height.

Abstract: A flight portal apparatus for displaying a virtual view of a surface of the earth below an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a data processing system and a display device, connected to the data processing system, wherein the display device is positioned to generate a display that is substantially horizontal relative to a floor of an aircraft in a manner that simulates a portal in the aircraft. A camera system is connected to the data processing system, wherein the camera system generates video data of the surface of the earth below the aircraft. A user input system is connected to the data processing system.

Abstract: An interactive switch system for a stowage compartment system for a mobile platform (for example, commercial aircraft) is provided. The switch system is mounted to a moveable structure, such as an overhead stowage bin, and is responsive to a local input from a user, as well as to a remote input from an external control/monitoring panel. The switch system has at least one indicator surface responsive to the local input and the remote input to display indicator data. The indicator surface has a portion that forms at least one user input device for enabling the local input. The switch system further comprises a control system disposed behind the indicator surface. The control system is responsive to the local input and the remote input to transmit the indicator data to the indicator surface.

Abstract: A photoelectric switch is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the photoelectric switch includes at least one light source, a reflective surface provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to the at least one light source, a release button engaging the reflective surface and positional between first and second positions, a photocell provided in light-receiving relationship with respect to the reflective surface when the release button is disposed in the first position, a latch control circuit connected to the photocell and a latch connected to the latch control circuit. The light path incorporates a collimator to restrict operation of the system to the relationship of the light source and the retroreflector.

Abstract: A system for loading cargo containers into a storage hold, and offloading cargo containers from the storage hold, especially of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The system includes at least one guide rail and a motorized platform, onto which cargo containers are loaded, cooperating mechanically with the guide rail. The guide rail guides the cargo laden motorized platform into the storage hold, and the motorized platform deposits the cargo upon remote command. The motorized platform has a chassis; a power source; a control module controlling drive motors of the wheels of the platform; and means for reciprocating at least a portion of an upper surface of the platform sufficient to elevate a load placed thereon above the guide rail height.

Abstract: An insulative material and a method of forming the insulative material are provided. The insulative material is configured to change shape in response to temperature and thus, for example, the insulative material may become more insulative as the temperature decreases. For example, the insulative material may include a plurality of fibers that change shape, such as by curling, in response to decreases in temperature, thereby correspondingly changing the insulative properties.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multifunctional shielding mat for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The method includes providing at least one sheet of dampening material, coupling at least one sheet of electromagnetic shielding material to the at least one sheet of dampening material, and configuring the multifunctional shielding mat to cover a predetermined area of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver.