Abstract: An automatic real time navigation communicator that communicates between vehicle mounted speed and heading sensors and the vehicle mounted satellite navigator. The communicator automatically and at predetermined intervals updates the satellite navigator with the most current vehicle speed and heading parameters during those periods when the satellite navigator is not in communication with a satellite. The communicator is particularly useful on ships for processing heading sensor information presented in a 3-bit binary format and presenting both heading and speed information to the satellite navigator in parallel BCD format.

Abstract: A universal modular controller for controlling remote events over short or long time periods. The controller includes a clock, a counter and one or more decoder and logic networks. The clock may have a pulse rate range of from a few microseconds to more than an hour. The counter preferably includes four counter stages. Each of the decoder and logic networks is connected to the data output of the counter stage s and each decoder and logic network includes a programmable switching and logic network. This makes it possible to provide long and short duration continuous signals as well as individual or repeating pulse signals for control of various types of devices or loads. The controller may control one or many devices, in a simple or complex manner and over short or long time periods.

Abstract: A magnetic tape translator for converting information on a magnetic tape ing a format of short pulses and long pulses into the more unusual format of 1's and 0's, respectively. This is achieved by the use of a unique logic circuit employing a plurality of flip-flop devices, multivibrators and AND gates. The circuit has the advantage of being relatively insensitive to noise and may be used for 10-bit words.

Abstract: A sediment sampling system that may be used for oceanographic sampling of trital and sedimentary sized particles in multiple sequences for up to a period of several months. The sampling device has the basic feature of exposing a plastic sheet of sediment collecting material for a predetermined period of time and rolling it up interleaved with a cover plastic sheet, with the sample sandwiched therebetween, for storage. The system includes a sampling bed and an elongated roller at one end of the bed for supplying the sheet of sample collecting material. At the opposite end of the sampling bed are a top elongated cover sheet supply roller and a bottom elongated storage roller. Both the sample collecting material and the cover material, with the sample sandwiched therebetween, and rolled onto the bottom storage roller for storage after each predetermined sample collection period. A honeycomb structure is positioned above the bed to prevent ocean currents from disturbing the sample.