Abstract: A portable, handheld GPS unit (10) is operable to generate a track log corresponding a track traversed by a user and display a track display representative of the track traversed. The track display includes at least one track characteristic indicative of a feature sensed by at least one sensor (26) coupled with the GPS unit (10). The track characteristic of the track display varies in response to a change in the feature sensed by the sensor. For example, the track display may display a track of varying width, such that an increase in the track's width corresponds to an increase in the feature, and a decrease in the track's width corresponds to a decrease in the feature. Alternatively, the characteristic may be a track color change or a symbol indicating a predetermined amount change in the feature. The sensed feature may include altitude, distance, heart rate, temperature, light intensity, and oxygen content.

Abstract: A multi-function, portable, electronic device includes a housing, a processor located within the housing and a memory in communication with the processor. The electronic device includes a display in communication with the processor and positioned on a surface of the housing. The electronic device includes an apparatus for performing a first function, and an apparatus for performing a second function. One of the functions includes a navigational component. The navigational component includes an antenna attached to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a signal acquisition position. A deployment indicator indicates the antenna is in the signal acquisition position. An operational component of the navigational component is activated in response to the deployment indicator indicating the antenna is in the signal acquisition position.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the device is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly linking a GPS device (12) with a portable electronic device (14) to provide the portable electronic device (14) with GPS functions. The GPS device (12) includes a GPS receiver or sensor (16) operable for receiving GPS satellite signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and a transmitter (18) coupled with the GPS receiver for wirelessly transmitting information corresponding to the GPS satellite signals. The portable electronic device (14) includes a receiver for wirelessly receiving the information transmitted by the GPS device (12) and a display for displaying data corresponding to the GPS satellite signals. The transmitter (18) of the GPS device (12) and the receiver of the portable electronic device (14) preferably wirelessly transmit and receive information via a short range wireless local area network (LAN) using infrared, unlicensed radio, or optical transmission methods.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for interfacing to navigation operations. An application programming interface (API) library is provided having navigation modules, guidance modules, routing modules, and mapping modules. The API is accessible to customized modules operating on a portable electronic device. The customized modules are operable to selectively access and process a number of the modules using the API library while the customized modules are processing on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus (10) configured for removably coupling with and providing navigational capabilities to a portable, handheld computing device (12). The navigation apparatus (10) includes a navigation receiver (26) for receiving navigation signals from a plurality of sources; a processor (24) coupled with the navigation receiver (26) for determining a location of the navigation apparatus (10) as a function of the received navigation signals; and an interface/connector (44). The interface/connector (44) is either a Secure Digital slot connector or a Compact Flash slot connector. Location data stored in the navigation apparatus (10) and data representative of the location determined by the navigation apparatus (10) may be delivered from the processor (24) to the handheld computing device (12) so that it may be displayed and used by a user of the device (12).

Abstract: Novel material for chromatographic separations, processes for its preparation, and separations devices containing the chromatographic material. In particular, the disclosure describes porous inorganic/organic hybrid particles having a chromatographically-enhancing pore geometry, which desirably may be surface modified, and that offer more efficient chromatographic separations than that known in the art.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the device is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.

Abstract: Novel materials for chromatographic separations, processes for their preparation, and separation devices containing the chromatographic materials. In particular, the novel materials are porous inorganic/organic hybrid monolith materials, which desirably may be surface modified, and which offer more efficient chromatographic separations than that known in the art.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the device is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The device processes travel along the route, recognizes when the device has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.

Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.

Abstract: Novel material for chromatographic separations, processes for its preparation, and separations devices containing the chromatographic material. In particular, the disclosure describes porous inorganic/organic hybrid particles having a chromatographically-enhancing pore geometry, which desirably may be surface modified, and that offer more efficient chromatographic separations than that known in the art.

Abstract: A portable GPS/radio unit communicates over a wireless radio network with at least one other unit which is transmitting radio signals over the network indicative of that unit's location. The GPS/radio unit comprises a GPS receiver for receiving satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, a radio receiver for receiving the radio signals transmitted by the other unit, a processor for calculating the unit's location as a function of the received satellite signals and for identifying the location of the other unit based on the received radio signals, and a display for indicating the location of the other unit. The display may indicate the respective locations of multiple units and may also display unique identifiers for each of the units. A system and method for indicating the location of one portable GPS/radio unit on the display of another portable GPS/radio unit involves at least two such units communicating with one another over a wireless radio network.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing an R-Tree index structure, and packing spatial data in the structure to permit parameters of the R-Tree to be constructed to be selected, within provided ranges, by an operator of the system. The spatial data features to be packed into the R-Tree constructed, are sorted, according to fractal geometry, and placed in a table of records. Each record is individually selected from the table, and data associated with each record is temporarily stored in one of a plurality of buffer storage locations according to a plurality of packing algorithms. The data in a buffer storage location is split, into first and second groups of data, upon the occurrence of one of a plurality of predetermined conditions. Data is selectively removed from the buffer for placement in the R-Tree being packed, such that data representing nearby geographical areas is most optimally clustered together.

Abstract: A electronic navigation device utilizing a desired orientation to adjust an electronic map displayed on the device. Acquiring global positioning system data, a processor calculates the current position of the navigation device. Scanning into cartographic memory located in memory, the processor locates a predefined thoroughfare containing or most adjacent the calculated position. Utilizing points located nearest the calculated position, the processor establishes the heading of the thoroughfare at that location. The processor adjusts the orientation of the map display to reflect the calculated heading of the adjacent thoroughfare. The processor continues to update the current position and the heading of the map display on a real time basis.

Abstract: A method and device implementing a three-level hierarchy for storing, recalling and processing navigational and graphical data. A vehicle is equipped with an electronic navigation thoroughfare planning device capable of calculating the distance to a desired thoroughfare. To calculate a distance, a driver inputs a plurality of variables, including cartographic data and a final desired destination, as well as several potential additional variables. Upon receiving the driver inputs, the navigation device implements a three-level hierarchy for storing, recalling and processing cartographic data. After the cartographic data is stored in memory, the navigation unit can calculate distance to a thoroughfare utilizing a cascading search method beginning with searching the most specific first level and progressing to the broader second and third levels until a common network between the two locations is established.

Abstract: A navigation device for selectively displaying thoroughfare names utilizes a processor, memory, display, input and antenna/receiver. The navigation device, incorporated within a vehicle receives GPS satellite signals from a plurality of satellites orbiting the earth and calculates its position, velocity and direction. Cartographic data, including data indicative of thoroughfares and their corresponding names is stored in the memory and displayed on the display along with an icon indicative of the location of the vehicle. As the vehicle is navigated along a thoroughfare displayed on the display, the processor causes the display to display the names of thoroughfares which, in one embodiment, intersect with the thoroughfare being navigated; in another embodiment are crosswise with the thoroughfare being navigated.

Abstract: A portable electronic navigational aid device and method calculates estimated time en route and estimated time of arrival. A user inputs a plurality of variables, including identity, cartographic data, final destination. Upon receiving the inputs, the device determines from cartographic data the estimated distance to the final destination and the type of thoroughfare the inputted trip will traverse. During operation, the device recalls the average driving velocity for the inputted driver over each different type of thoroughfare traversed. Using prestored average velocity data, the device calculates an initial estimated time en route and an estimated time of arrival for a desired route. The device continues to receive GPS data as to the driver's position and velocity and updates the average velocity record for that driver on the specific type of thoroughfare. As the average velocity fluctuates, the device adjusts the estimated time en route and the estimated time of arrival.

Abstract: A method and navigation device for abbreviating names of cartographic markers. A navigation device has a processor, a display, an input, and a memory having cartographic data stored therein. The cartographic data includes names of geographical locations. Using the input, an operator of the navigation device enters a waypoint by selecting a desired geographical location. The processor retrieves from memory the geographic name associated with the selected location, and when the geographic name exceeds a desired number of characters, processes the name to abbreviate it to fit within the desired number of spaces. The abbreviation process involves eliminating spaces, vowels, one consonant of a pair of double consonants, one vowel of a pair of double vowels, and/or one or more special characters (e.g., colons, commas, apostrophes, slashes, symbols, or other punctuation marks) as necessary, to reduce the geographic name to the desired number of characters.

Abstract: A system for buffering data has a processor connected to a memory for storing mass data, connected to a single buffer having a plurality of buffer storage locations in a chain, and connected to a plurality of counters, wherein each counter corresponds to one of the buffer storage locations. The processor selects a sector of memory containing desired data associated with an open file, scans the buffer storage locations to determine whether the data is in the buffer and, when the data is not within the buffer, reads the data from the selected sector of memory into a selected buffer storage location that is unallocated to an open file. The processor then points to that allocated buffer storage location, so that the data can be retrieved from the buffer for processing. As additional data is desired that is not found in the buffer, the buffer storage location allocated to the open file is de-allocated and, if not allocated to any other open files, moved to the beginning of the chain of buffers.