Abstract: In one embodiment, a navigation system may include at least one self-describing fiducial with a communication element to communicate navigation state estimation aiding information comprising a geographic position of the self-describing fiducial with respect to one or more coordinate systems and a first navigating object to receive navigation information from an exterior system, receive navigation state estimation aiding information from the self-describing fiducial, and compare the navigation information received from the exterior system to the navigation state estimation aiding information to improve navigation parameters of the first navigating object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a navigation system may include at least one self-describing fiducial with a communication element to communicate navigation state estimation aiding information comprising a geographic position of the self-describing fiducial with respect to one or more coordinate systems and a first navigating object to receive navigation information from an exterior system, receive navigation state estimation aiding information from the self-describing fiducial, and compare the navigation information received from the exterior system to the navigation state estimation aiding information to improve navigation parameters of the first navigating object.

Abstract: A spring lock includes a sinusoidal spring that has one or more crests and troughs formed along a length of the sinusoidal spring, the length extending along a sliding axis, the one or more crests and troughs forming a sinusoidal spring profile. The spring lock further includes a lock bar that has a track extending along the sliding axis, the track being configured to hold the sinusoidal spring and allow the sinusoidal spring to move along the sliding axis, the track further including one or more depressions and plateaus with the depressions and plateaus forming a lock bar profile, wherein the spring lock is locked when the sinusoidal spring profile and the lock bar profile are out-of-phase and the spring lock is unlocked when the sinusoidal spring profile and the lock bar profile are in-phase.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a navigation system may include at least one self-describing fiducial with a communication element to communicate navigation state estimation aiding information comprising a geographic position of the self-describing fiducial with respect to one or more coordinate systems and a first navigating object to receive navigation information from an exterior system, receive navigation state estimation aiding information from the self-describing fiducial, and compare the navigation information received from the exterior system to the navigation state estimation aiding information to improve navigation parameters of the first navigating object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-describing fiducial includes a communication element that optically communicates navigation-aiding information. The navigation-aiding information may include a position of the self-describing fiducial with respect to one or more coordinate systems and the communication element communicates the navigation-aiding information to one or more navigating objects in the vicinity of the self-describing fiducial. In another embodiment, the communication element is further configured to communicate supplementary information describing a spatial relationship between the self-describing fiducial and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-describing fiducial includes a communication element that optically communicates navigation-aiding information. The navigation-aiding information may include a position of the self-describing fiducial with respect to one or more coordinate systems and the communication element communicates the navigation-aiding information to one or more navigating objects in the vicinity of the self-describing fiducial. In another embodiment, the communication element is further configured to communicate supplementary information describing a spatial relationship between the self-describing fiducial and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-describing fiducial includes a communication element that optically communicates navigation-aiding information. The navigation-aiding information may include a position of the self-describing fiducial with respect to one or more coordinate systems and the communication element communicates the navigation-aiding information to one or more navigating objects in the vicinity of the self-describing fiducial.

Abstract: A spring lock includes a sinusoidal spring that has one or more crests and troughs formed along a length of the sinusoidal spring, the length extending along a sliding axis, the one or more crests and troughs forming a sinusoidal spring profile. The spring lock further includes a lock bar that has a track extending along the sliding axis, the track being configured to hold the sinusoidal spring and allow the sinusoidal spring to move along the sliding axis, the track further including one or more depressions and plateaus with the depressions and plateaus forming a lock bar profile, wherein the spring lock is locked when the sinusoidal spring profile and the lock bar profile are out-of-phase and the spring lock is unlocked when the sinusoidal spring profile and the lock bar profile are in-phase.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-describing fiducial includes a communication element that optically communicates navigation-aiding information. The navigation-aiding information may include a position of the self-describing fiducial with respect to one or more coordinate systems and the communication element communicates the navigation-aiding information to one or more navigating objects in the vicinity of the self-describing fiducial.

Abstract: A spring lock includes a sinusoidal spring that has one or more crests and troughs formed along a length of the sinusodial spring, the length extending along a sliding axis, the one or more crests and troughs forming a sinusoidal spring profile. The spring lock further includes a lock bar that has a track extending along the sliding axis, the track being configured to hold the sinusodial spring and allow the sinusoidal spring to move along the sliding axis, the track further including one or more depressions and plateaus with the depressions and plateaus forming a lock bar profile, wherein the spring lock is locked when the sinusoidal spring profile and the lock bar profile are out-of-phase and the spring lock is unlocked when the sinusoidal spring profile and the lock bar profile are in-phase.