Abstract: A solar power system includes a plurality of solar power cells mounted on an outer surface of a spherical frame, the spherical frame including an inner surface that defines an interior volume; at least one magnet mounted adjacent the outer surface of the spherical frame or within the interior volume of the spherical frame and configured to generate a magnetic field within the interior volume; and a magnetized heat transfer fluid disposed and flowable within the interior volume of the spherical frame based, at least in part, on an amount of heat transferred from the outer surface of the spherical frame into the magnetized heat transfer fluid and the magnetic field.

Abstract: A spherical object is disclosed provided with a map substantial covering its entire surface wherein the map represents only a portion of the Earth such as a town, city, district, county, state or country. A label is also disclosed provided comprising a series of biconvex shapes which collectively describe such a map.

Abstract: A spherical world globe with geographic features imprinted on its surface rotates on an axis through the poles. The sphere is not large enough to carry legible details of all areas. Greater details are stored in a memory such as a compact disc. An indicator on the sphere is positionable north and south or the sphere is positionable relative to a fixed indicator to position the indicator along a north/south meridian. A sensor senses the north/south position of the indicator and sends a signal to a control circuit connected to the memory. Another sensor connected to the rotation of the sphere sends an east/west signal to the control circuit. Using the two signals, the circuit finds the area corresponding to the area selected on the sphere in the memory and displays it on a display in greater detail than is visible on the sphere.

Abstract: A spherical world globe with geographic features imprinted on its surface rotates on and axis through the poles. The sphere is not large enough to carry legible details of all areas. Greater details are stored in a memory such as a compact disc. An indicator on the sphere slides north and south. A sensor senses the north south position of the indicator and sends a signal to a selection circuit connected to the memory. Another sensor connected to the rotation of the sphere sends an east/west signal to the memory. Using the two signals, the circuit find the area corresponding to the area selected on the sphere and displays it on a display in greater detail than is visible on the sphere.

Abstract: A system and a method for retrieving geographic information stored in geodetic coordinates based on one or more input positions based on nongeodetic coordinates includes a programmable processor in combination with a previously loaded database defined in geodetic coordinates. The processor is coupled to a display device and converts the received query position or positions into geodetic coordinates which are then used to retrieve associated geographic or structural information from the database for display.

Abstract: A plurality of three-dimensional puzzle pieces will create model atmospheres for model globes and flat puzzles, having a thickness suitable to comprise of all types of subject matter to be embedded within the pieces displaying the subject matter in three-dimensional forms. The subject matter will include the geography of a world, all elements of an atmosphere such as cloud formations and storm systems, and make possible to represent events that were and are being effected by nature and man, such as objects in flight, volcanic eruptions, nuclear explosions, and events of historical importance. Descriptive indicia may appear at any level of the atmosphere adding many areas whereon a great many more listings of significant information can be included, compared to standard globes and maps that have one surface of indicia where crowded confusion can exist when heavily referenced.

Abstract: A computer controlled illuminated globe almanac is disclosed for rotating the globe to a selected viewing position and illuminating selected points, lines and areas on the globe. The system also displays and/or prints associated almanac-type data such as, for example, city or country name and population, river name an length, etc.

Abstract: An aviation training aid to facilitate the learning of instrument flying techniques. Primarily designed for the application of wind drift problems associated with tracking a straight course over the ground which making an NDB (non-directional beacon) instrument landing approach. This device includes a model airplane that rotates freely through 360 degrees with a compass azimuth card pointer and ADF (automatic direction finding) card rotating on the same axis. The compass azimuth card is controlled by a vertical shaft or handle placed through the center axis, enabling the user to keep the pointer oriented to designated north while reading the airplane's heading in the cutout provided in the airplane's nose (this is the simulated magnetic heading of the aircraft). The wingtip and reciprocal bearings are also provided through cutouts string, simulating the direct bearing to the NDB radio station is also connected from the center post to the designated NDB radio station (push pin).

Abstract: A system for displaying educational material relating to environmental matters comprises a computer, a laserdisc player for extracting video and audio signals and a globe which comprises a representation of the earth with an array of constantly spaced light emitting elements arranged on the surface of the globe so they can illuminate various patterns across the earth. The computer can control the patterns in stationary or moving format to illustrate various effects for example holes in the ozone layer, movement of pollution across the earth, the depletion or tropical rain forest. The array of illuminated lights in one preferred arrangement is formed by a plurality of optical fibers which are buried in an outer surface of the globe and which are connected together at an input end receiving light from a monitor screen on which the patterns are formed. A number of different monitors are provided each for generating illumination of a portion of the globe.

Abstract: A cartographic device consists in particular of a globe inside which is placed a driving and controlling mechanism able to move a point radiator (42) along the inner wall of the globe in such a way that a point of light visible from the outside and movable at will in the horizontal and vertical directions indicates the geographical location of a place the name of which has been entered in the computer arranged in the base of the globe. The device is controlled by a permanently programmed micro-computer connected to the stepping motors (31, 41) of the mechanism.

Abstract: An educational toy for familiarizing young people or children with different geographic areas of the world. The educational toy comprises a rotatable world globe on which is mounted a carrier at least partially encircling the globe along a meridian thereof. The carrier supports a film strip containing longitudinally spaced images of selected geographic areas of the globe. In addition, a viewer is slidably mounted on the carrier, and is slidably movable thereon to a selected position of latitude on the globe in which the viewer is substantially in register with a plurality of images on the carrier of a selected geographic area. Indicia on a light transmitting spot on a geographic area of the globe that corresponds to the images of the selected geographic area is movable by manual rotation of the globe into register with the viewer. The viewer is adjusted to view the indicia and then images of the selected geographic area on the film strip are moved into register with the viewer.

Abstract: This Earth Photo Globe is characterized in that LANDSAT or other remote sensing geographical indicia is reproduced on the globe sphere with a definition smaller than that resolvable by the unaided human eye. An optical magnifier is mounted above the globe sphere to enable resolution of the full globe definition. A "cloud cover" spherical overlay may surround the sphere and contain a representation of the earth's cloud cover. The magnifier may be supported by this overlay.Various systems are disclosed for making the Earth Photo Globe. One uses a laser beam that is raster scanned across a photosensitized sphere, and is modulated by LANDSAT pixel data. In another system the LANDSAT data is used to prepare a set of photographic negative images each covering a section of the globe, and each containing alignment and positioning information. These images are projected onto a photosensitized sphere to make the globe.

Abstract: This Earth Photo Globe is characterized in that LANDSAT or other remote sensing geographical indicia is reproduced on the globe sphere with a definition smaller than that resolvable by the unaided human eye. An optical magnifier is mounted above the globe sphere to enable resolution of the full globe definition. A "cloud cover" spherical overlay may surround the sphere and contain a representation of the earth's cloud cover. The magnifier may be supported by this overlay.Various systems are disclosed for making the Earth Photo Globe. One uses a laser beam that is raster scanned across a photosensitized sphere, and is modulated by LANDSAT pixel data. In another system the LANDSAT data is used to prepare a set of photographic negative images each covering a section of the globe, and each containing alignment and positioning information. These images are projected onto a photosensitized sphere to make the globe.