Abstract: An example system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions that are executable to cause the system to perform various functions. The functions include: (i) acquiring an image of a first aerial vehicle, the image depicting an object of a second aerial vehicle prior to contact between the object and a surface of the first aerial vehicle; (ii) providing the image as input to a data-driven analyzer that is trained in a supervised setting with example images for determining a predetermined point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; (iii) determining, based on an output of the data-driven analyzer corresponding to the input, an estimated point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; and (iv) providing the estimated point of contact to a display system.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide solutions for automated air-to-air refueling (A3R) and assisted air-to-air refueling. Examples include: receiving a video frame; generating, from the video frame, a plurality of images having differing decreasing resolutions; detecting, within each of the plurality of images, a set of aircraft keypoints for an aircraft to be refueled; merging the sets of aircraft keypoints into a set of merged aircraft keypoints; based on at least the merged aircraft keypoints, determining a position of a fuel receptacle on the aircraft; and determining a position of a boom tip of an aerial refueling boom. Some examples include, based on at least the position of the fuel receptacle and the position of the boom tip, controlling the aerial refueling boom to engage the fuel receptacle, and for some examples, the video frame is monocular (e.g., provided by a single camera).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide fuel receptacle and boom tip position and pose estimation for aerial refueling. A video frame is received and within the video frame, aircraft keypoints for an aircraft to be refueled are determined. Based on at least the aircraft keypoints, a position and pose of a fuel receptacle on the aircraft is determined. Within the video frame, a boom tip keypoint for a boom tip of an aerial refueling boom is also determined. Based on at least the boom tip keypoint, a position and pose of the boom tip is determined. Based on at least the position and pose of the fuel receptacle and the position and pose of the boom tip, the aerial refueling boom is controlled to engage the fuel receptacle. Some examples overlay projections of an aircraft model on displayed video for a human observer.

Abstract: An example system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions that are executable to cause the system to perform various functions. The functions include: (i) acquiring an image of a first aerial vehicle, the image depicting an object of a second aerial vehicle prior to contact between the object and a surface of the first aerial vehicle; (ii) providing the image as input to a data-driven analyzer that is trained in a supervised setting with example images for determining a predetermined point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; (iii) determining, based on an output of the data-driven analyzer corresponding to the input, an estimated point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; and (iv) providing the estimated point of contact to a display system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for intelligently providing suggestions for solving problems encountered during installation and testing of complex electronic circuitry. A plurality of first outputs provide indications of non-selectable conditions of the system, such as conditions related to power supplies. A plurality of second outputs provide indications of conditions of signals coupled to the system, and a plurality of third outputs provide indications of selectable parameters, such as switch positions. These indications and conditions are monitored for incorrect conditions and are polled in an order determined by importance of the condition with respect to operation of the system. Responsive to an incorrect condition or indication being polled, the polling process is halted and a message is generated indicating how the incorrect condition or indication may be corrected.

Abstract: A sample of a normal data communications stream producing an error is thereafter employed via a loop back arrangement as a test sample data stream for error detection.

Abstract: An improved fire-safe waste disposal system uniquely suitable for use in the aft bulk cargo hold (22) of a large capacity passenger aircraft which is compatible with, and can be readily interfaced with, FAA approved waste disposal chutes (39) extending through the passenger deck (25) from the aft galley into the bulk cargo hold (22) and comprising a standardized aircraft cargo container base (40), a floor (45) mounted on the base (40) and parallel therewith, a first pair of vertically extending walls (46, 49) secured to the floor (45) with one of the walls (49) being normal to the floor (45), the other of the walls (46) defining an included obtuse angle with the floor (45) and with the wall (49) having a greater height than the wall (46), and with a second pair of walls (50) rigidly secured to the first pair of walls (46, 49) and to the floor (45) in airtight fire-safe relation, a top (44) secured to the walls (46, 49, 50) in airtight fire-safe relation with the top (44) being normal to the wall (46) and defi