Abstract: A portable electronic navigation apparatus and method utilizes universal latitude and longitude coordinates of geographic points and landmarks for determining current location or a specific destination and the distance and bearing thereof relative to landmark data input by the user. Latitude and longitude of population centers (e.g., cities, towns), major buildings, airports, and other landmarks in a geographical area are stored in a first memory. Latitudinal and longitudinal data for roadways in the area are stored in a second memory. A third permanent memory stores programs to; calculate the distance between two known points; look up and retrieve stored information; store and erase data upon the user's instruction; accept corrections to stored data; and to display the data on a screen in relation to its latitude and longitude along with name, mileage, and bearing or destination data corresponding to the related geographical feature or landmark.

Abstract: An aircraft navigational system which provides flight data information for an aircraft to travel along a first airway to a point of intersection with a second airway and then along said second airway. The system determines whether the point of intersection is at a named waypoint common to both said first and second airways, or if the point of intersection is unnamed. If unnamed, the system computes the location of the unnamed point of intersection and provides flight path data to said unnamed point of intersection and then along said second airway.

Abstract: A vehicular navigation apparatus includes a distance sensor (1), a steering angle sensor (3), a curve detecting unit (9) provided with inputs of a distance signal and steering-angle signal for calculating a change in vehicle travelling direction by referring to a steering angle - travelling direction conversion table (17), a course exploration unit (13) provided with inputs of present position and destination for performing course exploration based on intersection data, road data and node data, a comparison-decision unit (11) for comparing retrieved course data and results of curve detection, and a guidance processor (15) for executing predetermined guidance processing based on the results of comparison. Thus, it is determined whether the vehicle has turned at a guidance intersection or node on a predetermined course and whether the vehicle is on the predetermined course.

Abstract: A road path searching apparatus applicable to a car navigation system is disclosed. Road map data with different level of detail for defining a predetermined area is stored previously in a memory device. First, nodes Nai and Nbj adjacent to each of the search nodes Pa and PB are detected based on map data having a high level of detail. When nodes Nai and Nbj exist on a map of a lower level of detail, a map of one lower level of detail is selected as a map to be used in the searching process. Accordingly, as following searching process is performed based on the map data of lower level of detail, required processing time is reduced.

Abstract: A data processing device for providing data related to the categories of services available at locations along a highway in response to operator input is disclosed. The device includes a memory, a keyboard for entering input data identifying a desired service and an origin position into the memory. The input data is compressed before it is stored in the memory. The memory stores predetermined data in a compressed form related to the categories of services available at locations along the highway. The device also includes a microprocessor for retrieving from the memory the predetermined data which is a function of the input data. The microprocessor expands the retrieved compressed data into an operator readable form and provides the expanded data to a display for displaying the expanded retrieved data such as restaurants, gas stations, motels, or other services along the highway.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a travel path of a running body, such as a vehicle in which a constantly changing location of the running body is successively computed and the current location of said running body is displayed successively, in accordance with the data thus computed, on a display screen having a map previously displayed thereon, which comprises means for dividing patterns of roads on said map and the path of travel of the running body into line segments to effect pattern recognition according to the polygonal approximation and means for producing a display of the travel path in accordance with the line segments of the road to which the matching of the pattern recognition has been attained.

Abstract: A device and method of back-up fly by wire control, especially useful in fly by wire systems when a failure mode is encountered. The problem of back-up system controllability with the type of compliant sidestick which has minimal displacement and returns to zero upon release of the control force is solved by reducing the authority of the sidestick to a fraction of full authority actuator position capability, to provide good control sensitivity. Full authority actuator position control is provided by automatically activating a trim integrator when the sidestick reaches its displacement stops.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for displaying a current location of a running body in which a constantly changing location of the running body on a two-dimensional coordinates is successively computed, while detecting a running distance of the running body and a running direction of the same, and the current location of said running body is displayed renewally, in accordance with the data thus computed, on a display screen having a map previously displayed thereon.

Abstract: A location detecting method for detecting the location of a vehicle within a predetermined area, comprising the steps of: outputting distance data at every predetermined interval, the distance data being representative of the distance that a vehicle has travelled; outputting heading angle data at every predetermined interval, the heading angle data being representative of the heading angle change of vehicle travel; storing road map data representative of roads; computing a present location data from the distance data and the heading angle data; computing a first limit error (E1) and a second limit error (E2) of the present location data which are determined on the basis of errors in the distance data, in the heading angle data and in the road map data; registering locations on the roads, which roads are located within the first limit error (E1) of the present location data, as estimate locations; computing correlation coefficients respectively corresponding to the registered estimate locations; selecting a co

Abstract: A system for measuring a force applied to a mass so that the magnitude and direction of the force can be determined as well as the torque about three orthogonal axes. The system comprises an electromagnetic bearing support system for electromagnetically suspending the mass in a predetermined position and orientation relative to a three-dimensional coordinate system defining three mutually perpendicular axes. The forces applied to the mass are measured by measuring the force components of each applied force along one of the axes so that the one axis defines a reference axis. The force components in the direction of the two remaining force components are each measured at two locations along the reference axis. The roll of the mass about the reference axis is measured and the yaw and pitch of the mass about the two remaining axes is determined as a function of the two components in the direction of the of each of the two remaining axes.

Abstract: A vehicular navigation apparatus, which is equipped with a help function, for outputting guidance information for travel to a desired destination includes an input unit having desired destination input means, present position input means and help function input means, a memory unit for storing desired destination information, and a display unit for outputting the guidance information in response to input information from the input unit, wherein the memory unit is provided with a non-volatile RAM, with necessary information being saved in an area of the non-volatile RAM when a help function is called by the help function input means.

Abstract: A display system in a marine vessel or other vehicle which includes various means or sensors for detecting various operating and navigating conditions of the vessel or vehicle and a single displaying device for displaying information regarding one or more of these conditions. When the display system is used in a marine vessel, the system also includes a fish detection sensor and information regarding the detection of fish is displayed on the single displaying device. The single displaying device has a fixed display which displays information regarding particular operating and navigating conditions and a variable display. The variable display has three displays: a first display of information, a second display of information and a warning display of warning information. The first and second displays can be displayed alternately by the operator.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus, which is carried on a vehicle, computes the present positions of the vehicle by using the data collected by various types of sensors, and visually presents the computed present positions on a display. An absolute position data membory stores the surveyed data of the previously surveyed reference points in correspondence with the reference points. A key input device generates a passing signal indicating that the vehicle has actually passed on the the reference points. is response to the operationm of a matching key. When receiving the passing signal, a CPU compares the survey data of the reference points stored in the map data storing means with the present position data calculated by using the data derived from the sensors, selects the surveyed data of a reference point of which surveyed data provides the smallest difference between the reference point and the present position data, and corrects the present position data so that is becomes the selected surveyed data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the vertical motion of a floating platform e.g. a survey vessel, caused by wave action. The apparatus includes a sensor having three accelerometers (11,12,13) arranged on mutually perpendicular axes (Ax,Ay,Az) so that one accelerometer acts in a vertical plane and the other two act in a horizontal plane. Output signals (S1,S2,S3) from the accelerometers are continually sampled through a multiplexer (14) and are passed through an ADC (19) and a shift register (21) to provide output signals for a data processor (D) which provides a signal A indicative of the vertical position of the platform. In the method, the accelerometer output signals (S1,S2,S3) are corrected for offsets by use of a reference signal (So) and the corrected signals are used to derive the signal (A) which may be double integrated to obtain the final signal (A3) relating to vertical displacement.

Abstract: Rate of turn indicator for a nautical vessel, aircraft and the like indicating the rate of turn or swing in units such as degrees per unit of time from a particular course of travel. The indicator includes a magnetic gyro wheel including a flexible hub rotating about an axis in the same plane as the course of travel and electromagnetic sensing coils receiving the deviations of strength of the electromagnetic field of the magnetic gyro wheel from an axis on turning from the course of travel. The magnetic gyro wheel includes a plurality of permanent magnets of alternating poles positioned about a circumferential axis of a circular member, and a flexible hub material affixed to the interior diameter of the circular member. The hub is affixed to an axially support shaft. The magnetic gyro wheel is in close proximity to a motor driven nonferrous metallic plate and is driven by eddy currents being induced into the non-ferrous magnetic plate, thus produced.

Abstract: A system and method for recognizing an elevated vehicle running environment are disclosed in which, when a detected vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed and is continued for a predetermined time, the system and method determine that a predetermined running condition is satisfied, then, the system and method detect the steering angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle and determine whether the accumulated value of the steering angle data exceeds a predetermined value, if yes, the system and method determine that the vehicle is running on an elevated freeway. Thus the reliability of recognition for elevated running environments can be remarkably improved for vehicular navigation systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a travel path displaying apparatus for indicating the current position of an automobile running on a selected road in a road map appearing on an associated screen. A cumulation of errors in estimating sequential current positions will cause an incorrect indication of the automobile's position on the screen and the automobile will depart from all the roads appearing on the screen. In order to find the correct road on which the automobile is traveling it is necessary to carry out pattern matching between the travel trace and each of a number of selected roads, thereby determining which road is closest to the travel trace in shape. The apparatus permits selection of the least possible number of roads for pattern matching, thus permitting quick determination as to the road on which the automobile is traveling and as to the direction in which it is traveling.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for displaying a travel path of a running body in which a constantly changing location of the running body on a two-dimensional coordinates is successively computed and the current location of said running body is displayed successively, in accordance with the data thus computed, on a display screen having a map previously displayed thereon. According to this apparatus, longitude and latitude values of a reference point in a mesh consisting of lines of longitude and latitude in each map of divided areas are registered as known factors and the current location of the running body on the two-dimensional coordinates thus computed is converted to a location on longitude-latitude coordinates, whereby the current location on the map is calculated from the known longitude and latitude values of the reference point displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A route planner comprises a control unit, a working memory and a storage memory in which a topological road network is stored in the form of at least one n-cell table. For the planning of a route between a starting point and a destination point a set of candidate cells is searched each time on the basis of an expansion index which indicates and n-cell, a further expansion index being derived from said set of candidate cells. For the storage of information blocks for each of the candidate cells found, a memory location is reserved in the memory working memory for each n-cell associated with an n-cell table used for the planning of the route. The information block of a candidate cell comprises inter alia the expansion index used to find the candidate cell and is stored at the memory location reserved for the relevant candidate cell. The sequence of the reserved memory locations preferably correspond to the sequence used to represent the n-cells in the table.

Abstract: A method for passive relative ranging between a position of a moving observer and a stationary remote object includes measuring a plurality of angles at the observer's position to the object from a reference direction at selected or arbitrary time intervals. From the measured angles, calculating the current relative location of the observer with respect to the object, using a non-recursive least square technique employing a Moore-Penrose pseudo-matrix-inverse. The technique is carried out in a general or special purpose digital computer by a program using a predetermined number of variables in which products derived from the measured angles are accumulated, without growth in the number or complexity of calculations with an increasing number of measured angles.

Abstract: In order to provide information for searching for a desired destination on the basis of the purpose of use of a facility at that destination and for selecting an optimum destination out of several candidates for a distination at which are located facilities having the same purpose of use an automobile driving guide apparatus is so configured that search information indicating the relations between the purposes of use and various destinations which satisfy that purpose is memorized in memory means, and candidates for a desired destination are indicated on a display when the driver inputs a purpose of use and a destination is indicated on the display when the driver selects and inputs a selected destination.

Abstract: Apparatus for a video navigation plotter with electronic charting, specifically such a plotter designed for marine use, and various methods for processing navigational data therein and displaying resulting navigational data thereon are disclosed herein. Specifically, this plotter stores coastline data only for those cells which contain coastline data within a given geographic region of a pre-defined chart. The data for each of these cells is stored in a unique data structure that stores data for a plurality of line segments that, when drawn, collectively depicts the geographic data stored within that cell. Each segment is stored in terms of coordinate locations for a starting point followed by coordinate offset values for each successive point in that cell. Only those cells and their constituent segments are drawn for coastline data that exists within a specific region to be displayed.

Abstract: An array of light emitting diodes in a circular arrangment are illuminated to indicate the discrete magnitude of rate-of-turn and the direction of turn. The number of diodes illuminated is indicative of the discrete magnitude of turn and the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of illumination of the diodes is indicative of the turn direction. The current and preceding samples of the gray coded step data compass heading output are compared to detect incremental changes in heading. The incremental changes are counted over a predetermined time interval to provide a count signal representative of turn rate. Logic responsive to the count signal illuminates the appropriate number of light emitting diodes. Further logic responsive to the gray code heading data sequence provides a direction of turn signal to illuminate the light emitting diode in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A method position measurement in which position about satellite orbits and information about time are received from satellites to determine a position of a point. The method includes a step to calculate a direction in which an error occurs based on positional information of a satellite and a step to determine the position of the point by use of road map information in the direction of the error.

Abstract: An automotive navigation system has a receiver for receiving data signals on present position of the vehicle transmitted from satellites. A present position detecting system detects the present position of the vehicle on the basis of the data signals. A display device shows the present position of the vehicle on the basis of the output of the present position detecting system. Change of the output of the present position detecting system to be given to the display device is inhibited when the vehicle is at a stop.

Abstract: A strapdown measuring unit for measuring the angular velocities about the three axes of a flying body rotating relatively fast about its first axis is disclosed. The unit combines a Sagnac effect sensor for roll rate determination and two micro-mechanical acceleration sensors whose output, combined mathematically with the output of the Sagnac effect sensor, determines the angular velocity of the remaining two axes. The mathematical calculations are performed by a dedicated microprocessor which is integrated with the three sensors into a single small unit.

Abstract: A display device for use as an attitude display in an aircraft comprising a circular array (5) of selectively activatable display elements, the elements being disposed in equally angularly spaced radially extending lines, each line having the same number of elements with corresponding elements in the different lines at the same radial distance from the center of the array (5); and a controller (3) for selectively activating said display elements in accordance with aircraft attitude whereby the selected elements form a visible pattern indicative of the aircraft attitude.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a travel path of a running body which apparatus includes sensors and a central processing unit (a) for calculating a distance of approach of the running body relative to a target to produce data concerning the approach, (b) for comparing the old and new data and thus successively, renewing the data concerning the approach, thereby obtaining a closest distance of the running body relative to the target, and (c) for deciding that the running body has passed the target when said closest distance is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention provides various methods for detecting the bearing of a moving vehicle and of processing data in a vehicular navigation system. Provided there is carried out a process of recognizing the present position of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving at a predetermined speed, bearing data obtained from a prestored map is utilized to determine the present position of the vehicle. At that time, the data output from a terrestrial magnetism sensor, which would otherwise be used, is discarded.

Abstract: An electronic map display system for use on a vehicle comprises a display unit for displaying one of a map or a menu of the names of a plurality of particular regions, a map data storage medium for storing map data on the particular regions and name information on the particular regions, a manual controller having a name retrieval key, a setting key, and cursor keys, and an electronic control unit for controlling the display on the display unit in response to instructions from the manual controller. Upon reception of an instruction produced by the name retrieval key of the manual controller, the electronic control unit reads the name information on the particular regions from the map data storage medium, displays the region names as the menu on the display unit, and selects one of the displayed region names through operation of the cursor keys.

Abstract: A system of navigation for vehicles is proposed, which is provided with a device (14) for representing a road map as well as with a composite navigation apparatus (10, 11, 12) for the continuous instantaneous determination of the location of the vehicle and with a location display (16) on the representation of the road map. Deviations of the location from the course of the roads on the road map are detected and corrected. In order to be able to input a desired trip route (21) into the navigation system without an additional representation of the road map, prior to the beginning of the trip the desired trip route is traced by hand, using an input device (17, 18) connected to a trip route memory, with a wand (19) on the existing representation (14) of the road map, and thereby stored in the trip route memory (13). (Fig. 1).

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a travel path of a running body in which a direction detector includes a geomagnetism sensor as well as a rate-type sensor, such as a gyroscope or gas rate sensor (which includes a flow sensor for detecting a degree of displacement of a gas flow produced by an angular velocity applied thereto) for detecting an angular volocity of change of yawing direction of the moving body, in which a difference in angle between directions detected by the rate-type sensor and the geomagnetism sensor is found and temporarily stored when a power source is temporarily turned OFF during operation of the running path displaying apparatus, and then a declination of the direction detected by the geomagnetism sensor is corrected, depending upon the stored difference in angle, when the power source is turned ON again.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for navigating a vehicle in accordance with a preset course while measuring distance travelled and steering angle has voice track indication means in which voice track indications corresponding to the distance remaining to an intersection at which the next turn is to be made are outputted as the intersection is approached. When the distance from this intersection to the next intersection requiring a turn is less than a predetermined value, a voice track indication pointing out a lane into which the vehicle should be steered following the turn at the former intersection is outputted after the final voice track indication given just before the vehicle reaches this intersection. When it is required that a turn be made at the latter intersection immediately after the turn at the former intersection, the lane information for the turn at the latter intersection is outputted before the vehicle is turned at the former intersection.

Abstract: In a navigation system by which vehicle travel locations are detected by an angular rate sensor and a distance sensor and the detected vehicle travel locations are corrected so as to be displayed along a map road, when a detected vehicle travel angle exceeds a predetermined value under the condition that the vehicle is out of a route judge area set at each branch point, an abnormal travel is detected and alarmed while displaying an abnormal vehicle location. Further, when a travel route change cannot be determined after the vehicle has passed through the set route judge area, an abnormal location is also displayed and alarmed.

Abstract: In a navigation system by which vehicle travel locations are detected by an angular rate sensor and a distance sensor and the detected vehicle travel locations are corrected so as to be displayed along a map road, the display errors are improved by matching a vehicle turn point behind a route judge area to a map branch point; a route judge area is adjusted according to route conditions to an adjacent branch point or detected travel angles or a distance between two adjacent branch points. Further, non-corrected vehicle location data are displayed only within the route judge area to remove unnatural vehicle location display.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system is provided wherein a preselected route is established in terms of a sequence data and processing means computes sequence action data based on lineal distances between landmarks, such as junctions, and movement detecting means, such as a turn detection, for detecting movement only around an approached landmark in order to synchronize position with the landmark. In accordance with the invention, it is unnecessary to store all geographic data about a region to be traversed during a journey and further computation can be extremely efficient without reliance at any time on detection of direction with respect to magnetic north or other fixed, remote reference. All needed information is incorporated into data related only to distance travelled by the vehicle between landmarks and movement around (e.g., turns) an approached landmark.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for processing signals supplied by accelerometer assemblies in which one or more accelerometers are cyclically displaced in a predetermined manner so that signals representing the specific force experienced by the accelerometers and the angular rate experienced by the accelerometers are produced. The signal processor separately estimates the signal components of the signal being processed and provides an error signal by subtracting the estimated signal components from the signal being processed. The error signal is fed back through circuitry that controls the magnitude of the estimated signal components so that the value of each estimated signal component rapidly converges to the value of the signal components of the signal being processed.

Abstract: Device for visualizing failures for gyroscopic instruments comprising, inendently of the size of the indicator which incorporates it, an intuitive warning means accounting simultaneously for the supply of the liability and for the speed conformity of the gyroscope to the required values. It comprises two complementary display zones in the rolling dial (5 and 6) made up by means of elements of liquid crystals presenting an opaque appearance in the presence of a supply voltage and showing a color required in the absence of a supply voltage. One of the zones (5) is comprised of a single active element informing of the disappearance of the supply while the other zone (6) is comprised of a plurality of juxtaposed active elements, which are progressively switched and which give a synoptic perception of the speed reduction of the gyroscopic top of the instrument.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for a vehicle comprising means for previously introducing and storing the coordinate data and place names of a plurality of spots and means for computing the present location of the vehicle, so that the position and place name of a spot close to the present location of the vehicle are displayed, and the present location of the vehicle may be set by introducing the place name when the vehicle is positioned at any one of the close spots, and a spot, such as a garage, where the vehicle usually parks for along time is pre-registered, so that, when the vehicle is positioned at the registered spot, a switch is operated, and, when the vehicle stops at the spot for a predetermined duration or more or over a duration including a predetermined interval, the locational data of the registered spot is taken as the present location of the vehicle, thereby correcting accumulated errors at the present location of the vehicle.

Abstract: Air data measurement apparatus for use on an aircraft, comprises a housing (1) open at both ends (2, 3) and divided into two chambers (8, 9) by a transverse wall (7). The leading end chamber (8) contains a total pressure sensor (11) and the trailing end chamber (9) contains a total temperature sensor assembly (15) whereby the apparatus functions to measure total temperature and pressure at a common point on an aircraft.

Abstract: An in flight damage assessment and surveillance system for aircraft using imaging apparatus for capturing optical images of predetermined portions of the aircraft disposed along the exterior of said aircraft in a manner such that the flight characteristics of the aircraft remain substantially unaltered. The images captured are recorded on a storage media mounted within the aircraft and having an enclosure which provides for the survival of the storage media even when subjected to the harsh environment of an aircraft crash. A display for displaying the captured optical images to aircraft crew members is also positioned within the aircraft along with apparatus for interfacing the imaging apparatus to recording apparatus and the display. The system can also include second imaging apparatus for capturing optical images of selected portions of the interior of the aircraft as well as a telemetry device for transmitting images to or from ground based stations.

Abstract: A navigation method for motor vehicles having a display device (10) for representing trip destinations is proposed, in which prior to the beginning of a trip the destination data are input into a memory (12) and during the trip, by means of a composite navigation system (11-14) the instantaneous location of the vehicle with respect to the trip destination is displayed continuously. The navigation method provides that upon attaining the trip destination, the deviations of the input destination from the location, ascertained via the composite navigation, are processed for the calculation of correction values. The correction values are stored in memory, and they serve to update code numbers for distance and direction of the composite navigation system, for subsequent trips.

Abstract: A running guide system for an automotive vehicle planned for running in a sightseeing area or the like. Special running data including right or left turn, passage through a tunnel, running in a predetermined direction and passage on a slope are stored in a cassette tape together with distance data representing the distance from a start point in the form of a plurality of check point data. By collation of the running distance data actually measured and the special running condition data with the stored data, the automobile is guided audibly or visually. Geographical data or sightseeing data are also recorded in the cassette tape and reproduced in voice from time to time. When the automobile is displaced from the planned running route, an alarm is issued. When the automobile is restored to the planned running route, the planned running guide is restored.

Abstract: A navigation system has a map memory storing map data. The road map stored in the map memory is divided into a plurality of pages further subdivided into continuous blocks. The map memory also stores identification data for the blocks and index data for various points within the map blocks. The index data includes position data for a plurality of known points. The navigation system also includes an input unit for entry of the identification data for a map memory block and/or the index data for known points, and a display unit for displaying a map block on a display monitor. A processor of the navigation system accepts entry of the index data for a travel starting point and a destination through the input unit. Based on the entered data, the processor searches for the map blocks containing the designated known points. The processor progressively expands the search area along a vector between the travel starting point and the destination.

Abstract: A vehicle navigational system and method for tracking a vehicle, including a programmed computer, sensors for sensing the distance traveled and heading of the vehicle, and a stored map data base identifying a map of an area over which the vehicle is moving, in which the computer calculates and advances dead reckoned positions of the vehicle in response to distance and heading data, provides data identifying a contour of equal probability containing the dead reckoned positions and having a probability of containing the actual location of the vehicle, derives multiparameters from the map data base, and updates a given dead reckoned position and the contour using a highly developed vehicle navigational algorithm if a more probable dead reckoned position exists based upon the given dead reckoned position, the contour and the derived multi-parameters.

Abstract: Traveling conditions of a vehicle are detected. A present position of the vehicle is calculated on the basis of the detected vehicle traveling conditions. A memory holds data representing preset reference points located at intersections and at unforked straight roads, data representing whether the respective preset reference points are located at the intersections or at the unforked straight roads, and other data. A target reference point toward which a vehicle is traveling is selected from the preset reference points. When the vehicle passes the target reference point, the calculated vehicle position is forcedly set to the target reference point. A decision is made as to whether or not the target reference point is located at an intersection or at an unforked straight road.

Abstract: A ground proximity warning system especially adapted for a tactical aircraft provides the pilot with a warning in the event that the closure rate is excessive for the altitude above ground at which the aircraft is flying. The descent rate of the aircraft is monitored and used to bias the closure rate warning signal to reduce nuisance warnings when the excessive closure rate is part of an intentional maneuver such as a dive during a tactical mission.

Abstract: An aircraft automatic fault reporting system having a plurality of ARINC 429 low-speed data buses between the aircraft maintenance control panel and the aircraft communications addressing and reporting system provides two-way communication therebetween. Detected faults through an eight-digit fault code are by means of a transient logic circuit under certain conditions of the aircraft communications and addressing systems provided to maintenance personnel thereby eliminating flight crew use of FRM's.

Abstract: A vessel wave heading control apparatus is disclosed for use on a floating vessel. Linear acceleration signals from two accelerometers, which sense the rotational acceleration of the vessel due to waves which impact the vessel from a particular direction, are processed by a computer which subsequently produces vessel heading change signals to the steering and propulsion means of the vessel. These signals indicate the required heading and required rate of change of vessel heading necessary to turn the vessel into the direction of the oncoming waves in a timely manner.

Abstract: A solar reference flight roll position sensor is mounted on a flight vehi having a longitudinal flight axis. The sensor, a photodetector, senses the angular position of the vehicle with respect to the sun about the flight axis. The sensor includes a lateral effect photodiode for generating first and second photocurrents in response to the position of a beam of sunlight illuminating the active surface of the photodetector. An opaque screen having an aperture is superimposed above the surface of the photodetector such that a different section of the surface is illuminated by sunlight passing through the aperture for different roll angles of the vehicle. The photocurrents are processed to form a discriminant that is a function of roll position. Roll rate is determined by measuring the rate of change of the roll position.