Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for providing persistent mission data to a fleet of vehicles. In some implementations, the system receives (i) information related to a first vehicle's location, the altitude of the first vehicle, and the first vehicle's orientation from the one or more first sensors and (ii) imagery data from one or more second sensors disposed on the first vehicle, wherein the imagery data includes instantaneous imagery and previously recorded imagery. The system geolocates the imagery data based on the first vehicle's altitude and the first vehicle's orientation relative to the terrain. The system transmits one or both of the instantaneous imagery or the previously recorded imagery to a fleet of vehicles. The system effectuates presentation of the imagery data on a three dimensional topographical map of the terrain.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for effectuating presentation of a terrain around a vehicle on a display in the vehicle. In some implementations, the system receives information related to the vehicle's location, the height above the ground surface of the terrain, and the vehicle's orientation from one or more first sensors coupled to the vehicle; obtains a three dimensional topographical map of a terrain around the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle; and receives imagery data from one or more second sensors coupled to the vehicle, the imagery data corresponding to the terrain, wherein the imagery data comprises instantaneous imagery and previously recorded imagery. The system effectuates presentation of the imagery data corresponding to the terrain on the three dimensional topographical map based on the location, the height above the ground surface of the terrain, and the orientation of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for determining a synthesized position of a vehicle. In some implementations, the system receives information related to the vehicle's location, the height above the ground surface of the terrain, and the vehicle's orientation from one or more first sensors; obtains a three dimensional topographical map of the terrain based on the location of the vehicle; and receives imagery data from one or more second sensors. The system determines a synthesized position of the vehicle relative to the terrain on the three dimensional topographical map by correlating a first pixel in the imagery data to a first vertex in the map, wherein the correlation is based on (i) pixel calibration information, the pixel calibration information comprising an angular relationship between the first pixel and the first vertex, (ii) the vehicle's height, and (iii) the vehicle's orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for effectuating presentation of a terrain around a vehicle on a display in the vehicle. In some implementations, the system receives information related to the vehicle's location, the height above the ground surface of the terrain, and the vehicle's orientation from one or more first sensors coupled to the vehicle; obtains a three dimensional topographical map of a terrain around the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle; and receives imagery data from one or more second sensors coupled to the vehicle, the imagery data corresponding to the terrain, wherein the imagery data comprises instantaneous imagery and previously recorded imagery. The system effectuates presentation of the imagery data corresponding to the terrain on the three dimensional topographical map based on the location, the height above the ground surface of the terrain, and the orientation of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for providing terrain imagery during low visibility conditions. In some implementations, the system receives information related to meteorological conditions for the environment around a vehicle; obtains a three dimensional topographical map of the terrain around the vehicle based on a location of the vehicle; and responsive to the information related to the meteorological conditions around the vehicle indicating low visibility conditions for a vehicle operator effectuates, based on the information related to imagery data in the output signals, a location of the vehicle, and the topographical map, presentation of one or both of simulated views of the terrain around the vehicle and a position of the vehicle on the three dimensional topographical map to the vehicle operator.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system for providing persistent mission data to a fleet of vehicles. In some implementations, the system receives (i) information related to a first vehicle's location, the altitude of the first vehicle, and the first vehicle's orientation from the one or more first sensors and (ii) imagery data from one or more second sensors disposed on the first vehicle, wherein the imagery data includes instantaneous imagery and previously recorded imagery. The system geolocates the imagery data based on the first vehicle's altitude and the first vehicle's orientation relative to the terrain. The system transmits one or both of the instantaneous imagery or the previously recorded imagery to a fleet of vehicles. The system effectuates presentation of the imagery data on a three dimensional topographical map of the terrain.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatus and methods of photovoltaic or solar module design and fabrication. A photovoltaic module includes one or more photovoltaic (PV) cells arranged in an array and sandwiched between a support and a top layer, one or more junction insulation structures laminated and integrated within the PC module between the support and the top layer. The one or more junction insulation structures are configured to protect at least one electrical connections formed between an output wire and a busbar electrically connected to at least one of the one or more PC cells. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for editing network parts present a computer-aided design (CAD) model of a utility network using grips. The network parts may represent elements present in a real-world utility network. Among others, the grips may include a part size grip and a structure rotation grip. When a user selects a part size grip, a graphical user interface may display hash marks to indicate a variety of sizes of the network part provided by a network parts catalog. Dragging the resize grip may cause it to jump from one hash mark to the next, allowing the user to easily select one of the available part sizes. A structure rotation grip may be used to rotate a network part representing a utility network structure about an asymmetric axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for generating labels for drawing elements of a computer aided design (CAD) drawing that may include some unknown number of associated or related drawing elements. The method includes receiving a selection of a set of drawing elements in the CAD drawing that are associated with the first drawing element, receiving a selection of fields specifying attributes of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements to use in generating label content for a label of the first drawing element, and defining a label style based on the selection of the set of drawing elements and the selection of attributes of the of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for generating a curved pipe object in a computer-aided design drawing where the geometry of a curved pipe object is generally represented as a segment of a helix. A user selects a curved pipe creation method and a set of geometric attributes from which the helix parameters may be determined. From the helix parameters, a display representation of the curved pipe object may then be generated and displayed in the CAD drawing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual parts. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part may be associated one or more design rules. When a part is placed within the model, the rules corresponding to the part may be applied. The network part rules may be configured to adjust the position, properties or attributes associated with a network part to comply with a rule. Alternatively, a user interface display may provide an indication of any network parts of a 3D model that violate a particular network part rule.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual network part elements. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part is selected from a pipe and structure list. Connectivity among parts is established through part placement. Structure and connected pipe properties may be managed as a single property set. As parts are placed in the utility network, auto-sizing logic resizes existing structures to connected pipes. Pipes and structures are represented by part model data that defines a set of common behavior and properties. When a user modifies part model data or property sets or moves inter-connected parts, a logic component resizes and automatically updates any associated two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of the utility network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented graphics system for creating and editing interactive constraint-based alignment objects. One or more drawing entities are created in the graphics system, wherein the drawing entities are linked together as an alignment object, and one or more of the entities includes a persistent tangency rule. The drawing entities comprise lines, arcs and/or spirals, although other entities are possible. The drawing entities are then edited in the graphics system, wherein the persistent tangency rules affect the drawing entities' geometry while the drawing entities are being edited. The persistent tangency rule comprises: (1) no tangency, (2) tangency to an entity before or after, or (3) tangency to an entity before and after.

Abstract: An aircraft communication distribution system and comprising a media controller to control the system, a media server in communication with the media controller and configured to store media information in a digital format, a web server to access the worldwide web in communication with the media controller, at least one Ethernet tapping unit in communication with the media, at least one Ethernet area distribution box in communication with the media server, at least one display unit in communication with at least one of the Ethernet tapping unit and the Ethernet area distribution box.

Abstract: In-flight passenger entertainment system for an aircraft or other vehicle, utilizes a distributed network server architecture to host and support a variety of audio/visual content providing applications. A communications management unit provides connectivity between the distributed network architecture and various satellite, wireless, or ground broadband signal sources. A distributed server architecture implemented in a wireless LAN configuration, allows passengers to access World Wide Web functionality, e-mail functionality as well as multimedia content, broadcast television, cellular telephone communication, and the like. Individual nodes of the distributed network architecture host individual ones of the various communication applications such that a central server and centralized distribution network is no longer necessary.