Abstract: A navigation system for one or more vehicles includes: a first camera configured to observe the vehicle(s) and first and second reference points within a first field of view, wherein the first and second reference points have first and second known spatial positions, respectively, the first camera being further configured to produce a first output signal from observation of the observed vehicle(s) and reference points; a second camera configured to observe the vehicle(s) and reference points within a second field of view, the second camera being further configured to produce a second output signal from observation of the observed vehicle(s) and reference points; and a processor operatively connected with the first and second cameras and configured to determine a respective spatial position for each vehicle(s) from the first and second output signals and from known first and second camera spatial positions of the first and second cameras.

Abstract: A navigation system for one or more vehicles located within a control volume includes: a first camera configured to observe the one or more vehicles and first, second and third reference points disposed within the control volume and having first, second and third known spatial positions, respectively, the first camera being further configured to produce a first output signal from observation of the observed vehicles and reference points; a second camera configured to observe the one or more vehicles and the first, second and third reference points, the second camera being further configured to produce a second output signal from observation of the observed vehicles and reference points; and a processor operatively connected with the first and second cameras and configured to determine a respective spatial position for each of the one or more vehicles from the first and second output signals.

Abstract: A navigation system for one or more vehicles located within a control volume includes: a first camera configured to observe the one or more vehicles and first, second and third reference points disposed within the control volume and having first, second and third known spatial positions, respectively, the first camera being further configured to produce a first output signal from observation of the observed vehicles and reference points; a second camera configured to observe the one or more vehicles and the first, second and third reference points, the second camera being further configured to produce a second output signal from observation of the observed vehicles and reference points; and a processor operatively connected with the first and second cameras and configured to determine a respective spatial position for each of the one or more vehicles from the first and second output signals.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a cable track that includes a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The apparatus further includes two or more spacers. The two or more spacers include respective first ends that are attached to the first side of the cable track and respective second ends that are opposite the respective first ends. The two or more spacers further include respective first surfaces between the respective first ends and the respective second ends and respective second surfaces that are opposite the respective first surfaces. The apparatus further includes two or more pins attached proximately to the respective second ends of the two or more spacers. The two or more pins protrude from the respective first surfaces of the two or more spacers and/or protrude from the respective second surfaces of the two or more spacers.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a cable track that includes a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The apparatus further includes two or more spacers. The two or more spacers include respective first ends that are attached to the first side of the cable track and respective second ends that are opposite the respective first ends. The two or more spacers further include respective first surfaces between the respective first ends and the respective second ends and respective second surfaces that are opposite the respective first surfaces. The apparatus further includes two or more pins attached proximately to the respective second ends of the two or more spacers. The two or more pins protrude from the respective first surfaces of the two or more spacers and/or protrude from the respective second surfaces of the two or more spacers.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a cable track that includes a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The apparatus further includes two or more spacers. The two or more spacers include respective first ends that are attached to the first side of the cable track and respective second ends that are opposite the respective first ends. The two or more spacers further include respective first surfaces between the respective first ends and the respective second ends and respective second surfaces that are opposite the respective first surfaces. The apparatus further includes two or more pins attached proximately to the respective second ends of the two or more spacers. The two or more pins protrude from the respective first surfaces of the two or more spacers and/or protrude from the respective second surfaces of the two or more spacers.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a cable track that includes a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The apparatus further includes two or more spacers. The two or more spacers include respective first ends that are attached to the first side of the cable track and respective second ends that are opposite the respective first ends. The two or more spacers further include respective first surfaces between the respective first ends and the respective second ends and respective second surfaces that are opposite the respective first surfaces. The apparatus further includes two or more pins attached proximately to the respective second ends of the two or more spacers. The two or more pins protrude from the respective first surfaces of the two or more spacers and/or protrude from the respective second surfaces of the two or more spacers.

Abstract: An interface system for interfacing to a first receiving device receiving a first plurality of signals and a second receiving device receives a second signal includes a microcontroller coupled to the first receiving device and the second receiving device. The interface has an output. The microcontroller couples a first portion of the first plurality of signals from the first receiving device and receives the second signal after the first portion. The second signal is coupled to the output. Thereafter, the second portion of the first plurality of signals is coupled to the output.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a mobile unit that generates mobile unit position signals and message signals. A base station is wireless two-way coupled to the mobile unit. The base station has a GPS receiver that generates base station position signals, a master wireless modem that receives the mobile unit position signals, and the mobile unit message signals. The base station includes a base display changing in response to the mobile unit position signals and the base station position signal.

Abstract: A method for a communication system includes generating a message inquiry signal, sending the message inquiry signal to a base station to determine if updated command messages are available from the base station. When updated command messages are available from the base station, the updated command messages are transmitted to the device. The device may then operate a text display using the updated command messages.

Abstract: A communication device and method for operating the same includes a GPS receiver that periodically generates a position signal, a wireless modem transmitting or receiving messages and a controller that is coupled to the receiver and the modem. The controller discontinues operating the wireless modem when the GPS signal generates the position signal and vice versa to reduce interference with the other device.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a mobile unit that generates mobile unit position signals and message signals. A base station is wireless two-way coupled to the mobile unit. The base station has a GPS receiver that generates base station position signals, a master wireless modem that receives the mobile unit position signals, and the mobile unit message signals. The base station includes a base display changing in response to the mobile unit position signals and the base station position signal.

Abstract: A method for a communication system includes generating a message inquiry signal, sending the message inquiry signal to a base station to determine if updated command messages are available from the base station. When updated command messages are available from the base station, the updated command messages are transmitted to the device. The device may then operate a text display using the updated command messages.

Abstract: A communication device and method for operating the same includes a GPS receiver that periodically generates a position signal, a wireless modem transmitting or receiving messages and a controller that is coupled to the receiver and the modem. The controller discontinues operating the wireless modem when the GPS signal generates the position signal and vice versa to reduce interference with the other device.

Abstract: A communication system includes a mobile unit that has a wireless modem that receives a base station message signal. The mobile unit further includes a text display, a single button interface and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is coupled to the wireless modem and the single button interface. The microcontroller generates an acknowledge signal in response to the activation of the single button interface. The single button interface may also be used to scroll menus and issue commands to the base station.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a mobile unit that generates mobile unit position signals and message signals. A base station is wireless two-way coupled to the mobile unit. The base station has a GPS receiver that generates base station position signals, a master wireless modem that receives the mobile unit position signals, and the mobile unit message signals. The base station includes a base display changing in response to the mobile unit position signals and the base station position signal.

Abstract: A method for initializing a system having a non-volatile memory includes supplying power to the system, running a program having an initialization portion and an operational portion. Upon an initial power application, the non-volatile memory is initialized by executing initialization portion. The program code is modified with the program so that the initialization portion is bypassed upon further applications of power to the system.

Abstract: An interface system for interfacing to a first receiving device receiving a first plurality of signals and a second receiving device receives a second signal includes a microcontroller coupled to the first receiving device and the second receiving device. The interface has an output. The microcontroller couples a first portion of the first plurality of signals from the first receiving device and receives the second signal after the first portion. The second signal is coupled to the output. Thereafter, the second portion of the first plurality of signals is coupled to the output.

Abstract: A free-space laser communication system and method for compensating for the atmospheric effects and target motion of a target that may occur during free-space laser communication between of a pair of the systems. Each system makes use of a plurality of narrow infrared (IR) laser beams, a means for pointing and tracking the laser, an adaptive optics system and a communications transceiver. Optionally turbo coding techniques may be used to encode data transmitted by each of the systems. The laser communication system is less susceptible to adverse weather effects that could otherwise negatively influence the operation of an optical communication system.