Abstract: A method and apparatus, within a computer system, for rotating and scaling an image using a three step process. The amount of image rotation and scaling is user defined. The three step process precisely rotates an input image to rapidly produce an output image. Specifically, the three step process shears each pixel location in the input image along a first axis, then shears and scales the sheared pixel locations along a second axis, and lastly, the sheared and scaled pixel locations are scaled along the first axis to produce an output image that is precisely rotated and scaled relative the input image. The apparatus and method disclosed find applicability in video servers, medical imaging, special effects and animation and location based entertainment systems among other applications.

Abstract: Farnesyl derivatives, particularly farnesyl acetate, are used to reduce the level of protein farnesylation in a mammalian host. The activity of proteins which require farnesylation for function is thereby reduced. The compounds may be administered to patients to reduce the overall level of ras protein activity, either alone or in conjunction with other drugs which act as competitive inhibitors of farnesyl protein transferase.

Abstract: Electrical feedthroughs in printed circuit board support substrates for use in making double sided ceramic multilayer printed circuit boards are made by insulating the feedthrough openings with a first layer of nickel oxide and one or more layers of glass, and then filling the remainder of the feedthroughs with a conductive metal via fill ink. After firing, the resultant structure provides insulated electrical feedthroughs through the support substrate.

Abstract: A capacitive stud welding having an inductive-capacitive welding current supply circuit is provided with a stud and a tunable inductor. The stud is attachable to a workpiece and has an end portion shaped to retain in place on the workpiece at the weld point the flux from the stud to form an optimum weld. The tunable electrical inductor optimizes resonance of the inductive-capacitive welding current supply circuit and the flow of welding current through the stud and workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for deriving a composite video image by merging foreground and background video image data supplied from a plurality of separate video signal sources employing pattern-key insertion, rather than prior-art color-key insertion, for this purpose. Pattern-key insertion involves replacing a first pattern in a video scene with a second pattern. This is accomplished by first detecting the first pattern in the video scene and estimating the pose of this detected first pattern with respect to a reference object in the video scene. The second pattern is then geometrically transformed using the pose estimate of the detected first pattern. Finally, the detected first pattern is replaced with the geometrically-transformed second pattern.

Abstract: In an electric radiator having a frame in which an arranged heat output elements, which include PTC resistors, and heating elements including fins, which abut on these heat output elements. The heating elements are supported by two oppositely disposed frame bars in such a way that they apply pressure to the heat output elements, said frame bars including rails having a U-shaped cross-section with flat legs extending from a central leg which is provided with longitudinally extending bulging portions separated from the central leg to impart spring properties to said bulging portions which is applied to the heating elements.

Abstract: In certain image analysis applications, it is desirable to compress the image while emphasizing a selected region of the image. The invention is a means for to allocating more bits, and thus better quality in the decoded image, to the selected region at the expense of other regions of the image. This allows efficient compression of the image for storage or transmission with those regions deemed to be important preserved at high quality and other regions stored with minimal quality to preserve the context of the image.

Abstract: Multiresolution (pyramid) filtering is useful in image processing. An IC for implementing a variety of multiresolution filters includes a programmable, symmetric, and separable two-dimensional filter. The input signal to the filter can be an input signal applied to the IC or a combination of two such signals. Circuitry in the IC may be programmed to imply pixel values around the edges of the two-dimensional image signals processed by the filter. The filter provides an output signal as well as each of the unfiltered signals from a tapped delay line of a filter that combines successive lines of the image. The IC also includes an arithmetic and logic unit in which the filtered output signal may be combined with an unfiltered input signal or one of the unfiltered tap signals. If the filter is programmed to produce a Gaussian low-pass filtered image, this image, combined with image data from a center one of the filter taps produces a Laplacian function of the original image.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a plurality of arcuate pistons mounted to ends of pivotally moveable connecting rods. Each piston oscillates within an arcuate cylinder and a combustion chamber is provided at each end of the cylinder. Crankshafts are connected to the connecting rods and the crankshafts are caused to rotate when combustion occurs alternately in one combustion chamber and then in the other combustion chamber in each cylinder. An output shaft is associated with one of the crankshafts.

Abstract: A shaft 44, 144, 145 is conventionally driveably connected to a bore 46, 146 by a steel key of rectangular cross-section. Where the shaft is of smaller diameter than the bore, a slotted nylon sleeve is fitted between them and a tall steel key extends through the slot. Failure of both standard and tall keys can occur for various reasons. A unitary component 50, 162, 163 of suitable plastics material or non-ferrous metal is therefore proposed. This component essentially includes an integral key 56, 174 of curved cross-section adapted to engage in a mating keyway 176 formed in the bore. Where the shaft 44 and bore 46 are nominally of the same diameter, the component 50 consists also of an integral key 52 of rectangular cross-section adapted to engage in the conventional keyway 48 in the shaft.

Abstract: A nail clipping and collecting device for use with a conventional nail clipper is designed to be easily grasped and manipulated, particularly by persons with reduced or impaired manual dexterity. A conventional nail clipper is removably positioned within a base and within a handle of the device which are removably hingedly connected together, and the base is configured for receiving, storing and emptying nail clippings. The handle is configured for removably storing a nail file, and a magnifying lens is adjustably connected to the handle for positioning to magnify a nail to be cut.

Abstract: A waste container assembly (10) comprising a housing (11) adapted for engagement with a tipping apparatus capable of raising the housing to an elevated tipped position, and one or more mobile containers (12) located within the housing, the housing and mobile container(s) co-operating to hold the mobile container(s) captive within the housing, the mobile containers are emptied into a refine collecting vehicle.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for an integrated circuit formed of a plurality of individual circuit cells which are connected to form the desired circuit. A pair of buss lines, preferably in closely spaced relation, extend about the circuit formed by the circuit cells. A plurality of ESD protection circuits are electrically connected between the buss lines in a spaced apart relationship, preferably in a closed in a close relationship to the electrical connections of the circuit cells to be protected.

Abstract: A display is constructed from translucent fluorescent plastic sheet material providing an ambient light capturing and intensifying light conduit. Area dimensions are selected appropriate to a sign or other display and a thickness is selected for structural support of the display and for capturing, intensifying and conducting ambient light along the thickness of the light conduit to intensify captured light as in a wave guide. A substantially opaque reflective layer is formed on one side of the light conduit. A decorative layer is formed over the reflective layer and is selected to provide a desired sign decor. Grooves are formed in the light conduit through the reflective decorative coating in the pattern of the selected display. The grooves are formed to a depth to intercept light captured in the light conduit. The grooves provide angled surfaces which refract, capture and illuminate light out of the light conduit.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus is disclosed which provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a leg stretching component and an arm and back stretching component. The leg stretching component allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180.degree. or more using hand crank or motorized mechanisms. Sliding leg deck construction reduces the pressure on the user's knees during leg stretching exercises. The arm and back stretching component allows the user to maintain his or her arms and back muscles in a fully extended position without applying undue force during stretching. The arm and back stretching component includes a platform on which the user is seated and a stretching pole which can be selectively oriented in three dimensional space relative to the user's waist.

Abstract: A decorative ornament which can be mounted on an inside or outside wall of a house or other structure and which simulates the appearance of a column. The ornament comprises an upper section which simulates the capital of a column, a lower section which simulates the base of a column, and a folded wire strung between the upper and lower sections which has parallel segments simulating the fluting of a column. When mounted on a wall facing a garden or on an inside wall, the ornament can serve as a trellis with the wires supporting plants, flowers or vines.

Abstract: A brake assembly is universally mountable to any one of several different types and sizes of hand trucks. The complete brake assembly includes a brake control handle that is removably attached to the upper frame of the hand truck; a brake bar assembly having a base removably attached to the axle of the hand truck, and a horizontally extending brake bar with brake pads on its two ends adapted to engage the wheels; a cam mechanism for depressing the brake bar; and a cable coupling the brake control handle to the cam mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanism for cooling and accommodating user selected relative positioning of a device for manipulating threaded connectors and a drive powering the device is disclosed. The device includes a housing with a socket and a drive transfer assembly maintained therein. The mechanism includes first and second relatively rotatable coupling rings each at a different one of the housing of the device and the drive unit. Cooperative locating and securing structures are associated with each of the rings, one of the structures having apertures indexed around a circumference thereof for engagement by the other of the structures in selected ones thereof.

Abstract: A device for manipulating threaded connectors is disclosed, the device being particularly well suited for manipulating line fittings. The device includes a housing, a socket, a compact drive transfer assembly, and a mechanism for selectively locating the socket relative to the housing. The socket has a split side wall defining a gap and the housing has a gap at one part thereof, together to facilitate passage of the line into the socket for engagement of the fitting. The locating mechanism is actuatable by a user of the device to achieve correspondence of the gaps for engagement and/or disengagement of the device from the line.