Abstract: A method of displaying an image representative of a weather condition near an aircraft includes receiving weather data representative of the weather condition from a plurality of weather data sources. The weather data includes location data for the weather condition. The method also includes mapping the weather data received from each source to a common locational reference frame based on the location data, adjusting the weather data received from each source to a common hazard scale, determining a hazard level associated with the weather condition for a reference point in the reference frame based on the adjusted weather data for each source, and displaying the image representative of the weather condition near the aircraft based on the hazard level for the reference point.

Abstract: A method determines an efficient route between a source node and a destination node in a mobile ad-hoc network. The source node and the destination node communicate over a control channel until a link event occurs, such as congestion or a link failure in the control channel. In response to the link event, the method begins probing the network for at least one alternative route between the source node and the destination node. The probing of the network, however, is limited based on a route metric, which includes information regarding the number of network nodes between the source node and the destination node and information regarding a required bandwidth necessary for the efficient route.

Abstract: A device for automatically closing an open toilet seat after an adjustable low-speed phase to permit the user to finish using the toilet. The seat then closes at a speed which is adjustable by the user separately from the initial low speed. A biasing member is used to urge the open seat toward the closed position. A pneumatic or hydraulic dampener is mechanically linked to the seat and slows the seat's descent. As the seat rotates toward the closed position it causes a reciprocating member to move inside the dampener. As the reciprocating member moves it forces a dampening fluid to flow from the main chamber of the dampener, through one or both of two openings, to a low pressure area within the dampener. During the low-speed phase, the reciprocating member blocks and prevents the flow of the dampening fluid through one of the openings. This heavily restricted flow allows the seat to move very slowly at first.

Abstract: An improved latching-type comparator operative in a selected one of two exclusive states is disclosed. In one state, the operational state, a gain stage is rendered operative to amplify at least one intermediate current signal generated by an input stage in response to the comparison of a pair of input signals. At least one drive current signal is generated by the gain stage in response to the comparison and is buffered by a corresponding buffer stage to render both an output signal and a signal representative thereof. In the other state, a latch stage is rendered operative unresponsive to the comparison and governed by the signal representative of the output signal to sustain the drive current signal in a state to latch the output signal. A switching stage governed by at least one latch signal effects the selection between the gain and latch stages by conducting operating current exclusively from the selected stage to a constant current stage.