Abstract: Methods and systems for performing auto-recovery for an aircraft. An example system includes position and information systems, an automatic flight control system, a database, and a processor. The database includes terrain data, airport data, obstacle data, and protected airspace data. The processor determines if one of a caution alert or a warning alert exists based on data stored in the database and information received from the position and information systems. Auto-recovery instructions are generated and sent to the automatic flight control system if no positive flight control input has been performed at time of expiration of a waiting period. Auto-recovery instructions are generated based on an analysis of two or more auto-recovery routes. The system does not perform auto-recovery if components of the system fail to meet a predefined validity or integrity level.

Abstract: A system of networked computers and peripherals and document delivery software which provides a user with a familiar simple user interface to deliver documents to a variety of different destinations. Each document generation device participating in the system is provided with a unified print driver which translates an electronic document into a non-specific or printer independent printer language file and appends to this file a job ticket containing any other rendering characteristics which may not be supported by the printer independent language. This entire file is then transmitted to the system server which analyzes the file, including the rendering characteristics; determines the best output device(s); appends output device specific commands to the general printer language file; and transmits this file to the device(s) for final output.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for assisting the pilot of an aircraft in making a go-around decision. Various aircraft parameters are monitored during the approach to land and a risk level assessed. When the risk level exceeds a specified threshold, an alert is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for erasing a high-density non-volatile fast memory is presented. In one embodiment the high-density non-volatile fast memory is a modified flash memory having modified flash cells. One embodiment of the system comprises ultra-violet (UV) light windows that permit exposure of the modified flash cells to UV light. The exposure of UV light onto the modified flash cells erases the modified flash cells.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a data processing system that includes an electrical detection circuit to determine whether the electrical power is going from “on” to “off,” or changing from “off” to “on;” a peripheral device, including a processor to calculate the amount of electrical energy required for the peripheral device to perform a task; a task queue for the peripheral device that can be read to find a task if the electrical power is going from “on” to “off;” and a non-volatile memory, including a task queue to store data describing the task if insufficient electrical energy remains available to the peripheral device to complete the task.

Abstract: An Internet print device font distribution method and web site. Font users are visitors to a web site that allows browsing and obtaining of fonts, either individually or in groups. Preferably, purchases are made through the web site, but the method may allow installation of fonts through the web site as a result of other authorizations, e.g., an electronic coupon for visitors or a tie-in to other products, services, and web sites. Web site functions include operating system compatibility matching. The web site obtains configuration information to insure compatibility of a font to a visitor's configuration. Software on the web site downloads, installs and configures fonts on the visitor's print device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for measuring values of a plurality of memory elements, where the measured values may be indicative of the digital state of a memory element. Calculations may be performed on a plurality of transition-terms associated with the possible transitions in the values between proximate memory elements. The digital state of memory elements may be determined using the calculations performed on the plurality of transition-terms.

Abstract: A ground proximity warning system, method and computer program product are provided that controllably alter the base width of the alert envelope in order to accommodate uncertainties associated with the current position of the aircraft. In one embodiment, the ground proximity warning system, method and computer program product controllably alter the base width of the alert envelope depending upon an error value, i.e., an uncertainty, associated with the current position of the aircraft. Since the error value associated with the current position of the aircraft is largely dependent upon the type of navigation equipment onboard the aircraft, the ground proximity warning system, method and computer program product of another embodiment controllably alter the base width of the alert envelope depending upon the type of navigation equipment that provides the current position of the aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing auto-recovery for an aircraft. An example system includes position and information systems, an automatic flight control system, a database, and a processor. The database includes terrain data, airport data, obstacle data, and protected airspace data. The processor determines if one of a caution alert or a warning alert exists based on data stored in the database and information received from the position and information systems. Auto-recovery instructions are generated and sent to the automatic flight control system if no positive flight control input has been performed at time of expiration of a waiting period. Auto-recovery instructions are generated based on an analysis of two or more auto-recovery routes. The system does not perform auto-recovery if components of the system fail to meet a predefined validity or integrity level.

Abstract: A document formatting system receives an electronic document and processing instructions from a device. The processing instructions contain information regarding how to process the electronic document. The electronic document is reformatted based on the information contained in the processing instructions. The reformatted document is then provided to a destination device, such as a printer or display device, which renders or otherwise processes the reformatted document.

Abstract: Expandable capacity storage devices are disclosed. In one arrangement, a storage device includes a memory module and a controller that is in communication with the memory module, the controller being configured to selectively enable previously inaccessible free space of storage device memory to increase the available storage capacity of the storage device. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the available storage capacity of a storage device having an initial available storage capacity. In one arrangement, a method includes providing identification of the amount of storage capacity that is needed, receiving a memory enablement code that identifies how much free space to enable on the storage device, and enabling additional free space of the storage device based upon the amount of memory identified by the memory enablement code so as to increase the available storage capacity of the storage device.

Abstract: The ground proximity warning system and method provide a number of alerts based upon a substantially reduced list of input parameters relative to a conventional ground proximity warning system and method. The ground proximity warning system and method generally constructs alert envelopes and generates alerts if the upcoming terrain or other obstacles pierce the alert envelopes. The ground proximity warning system and method can also generate alerts if the aircraft has an excessive descent rate at a relatively low altitude and if the aircraft descends immediately following takeoff in a similar fashion to Mode 1 and Mode 3 alerts. Further, the ground proximity warning system and method can provide altitude call outs at predefined altitudes above a target runway and can provide alerts if the aircraft appears to be landing short of a runway.

Abstract: An exemplar method for making a resistive memory element generally includes providing a generally plateau-shaped insulating structure, the insulating structure having a first side wall, a second side wall and a central region disposed between the side walls, depositing a first conductive material on the insulating structure, removing the first conductive material from the central region of the insulating structure to form a first conductor on the first side wall of the insulating structure and a second conductor on the second side wall of the insulating structure, depositing anti-fuse material on the first conductive material and on the central region of the insulating structure, and depositing a second conductive material on the anti-fuse material.

Abstract: Resistive memory elements and arrays for data storage devices are disclosed. An exemplar resistive memory element generally comprises a first conductive structure and a second conductive structure, each of the conductive structures having a width of less than 1&lgr;, anti-fuse material on each conductive structure, and conductive material on the anti-fuse material such that anti-fuse material is interposed between each conductive structure and the conductive material.

Abstract: Magnetic memory devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a memory cell having an easy axis aligned along a first direction, the memory cell being configured so as to be most easily switched from one logic state to another when only receiving a magnetic field along the first direction, and a magnetic biasing element associated with the memory cell, the magnetic biasing element having a magnetic orientation aligned along a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to handle power supply failures to a peripheral device in a data processing system. One embodiment of the invention involves a method to handle a power failure during the performance of a task, wherein the peripheral device receives electrical power from a power supply, and the peripheral device is part of a data processing system that also contains a non-volatile memory. The method includes monitoring the power supply to determine whether the electrical power is going from “on” to “off,” or going from “off” to “on.

Abstract: Resistive memory elements and arrays for data storage devices are disclosed. An exemplar resistive memory element generally has a first conductive structure and a second conductive structure, each of the conductive structures having a width of less than 1&lgr;, anti-fuse material on each conductive structure, and conductive material on the anti-fuse material such that anti-fuse material is interposed between each conductive structure and the conductive material.

Abstract: A terrain-awareness system (TAS) provides LOOK-AHEAD/LOOK-DOWN as well as LOOK-UP terrain advisory and warning indications to the pilot of an aircraft of a hazardous flight condition. The TAS includes an airport data base as well as a terrain data base that is structured to provide various resolutions depending on the topography of the particular geographic area of interest. Navigational data from a satellite-based navigational system, such as a global positioning system (GPS), is used to provide a LOOK-AHEAD/LOOK-DOWN and LOOK-UP terrain advisory and terrain warning indications based upon the current position and projected flight path of the aircraft. Since the terrain advisory and the warning signals are a function of the flight path of the aircraft, nuisance warnings are minimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides several apparatus, methods, and computer program products for generating a terrain clearance floor envelope for use in a ground proximity warning system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor that defines a terrain clearance floor envelope having at least two boundaries. In this embodiment, the processor defines at least one of the boundaries based on a runway position quality factor, an altitude data quality factor, and an aircraft position quality factor. Using these factors, the processor of the present invention can more precisely define the boundaries of the envelope about the selected runway. Further, the processor of the present invention does not unnecessarily increase the region between the envelope and runway where no ground proximity alarms are generated.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a data processing system that includes an electrical detection circuit to determine whether the electrical power is going from “on” to “off,” or changing from “off” to “on;” a peripheral device, including a processor to calculate the amount of electrical energy required for the peripheral device to perform a task; a task queue for the peripheral device that can be read to find a task if the electrical power is going from “on” to “off;” and a non-volatile memory, including a task queue to store data describing the task if insufficient electrical energy remains available to the peripheral device to complete the task.