Abstract: A valve-actuated suction apparatus includes an anchor member made of a non-porous resilient material and having a flexible base seal member and an anchor member stem. The base seal member is arranged to seal against a reference surface. The anchor member stem includes a vent port extending therethrough. A plunger valve is operable to selectively seal and unseal the vent port. The plunger valve includes a plunger valve head and a plunger valve stem. The plunger valve stem is slidably disposed in the vent port and slidable between a closed position of the plunger valve wherein the vent port is sealed and an open position of the plunger valve wherein the vent port is unsealed. The plunger valve stem includes one or more protruding transverse flanges that sealably engage a sidewall of the vent port when the plunger valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: A technique for combining first and second images respectively depicting first and second subject matter to facilitate virtual presentation. The first image is processed to identify portions or regions of the first subject matter and determine an estimated depth location of each portion or region. A composite image is generated that depicts the second subject matter overlayed, inserted or otherwise combined with the first subject matter. One or more of the portions or regions of the first subject matter are added, removed, enhanced or modified in the composite image in order to generate a realistic appearance of the first subject matter combined with the second subject matter. The composite image is caused to be displayed as a virtual presentation.

Abstract: A quick-release anchoring apparatus includes an anchor member having a flexible base seal member that engages an external reference surface and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith to define a controlled pressure zone. The anchor member includes a central stem extending through an opening of a first auxiliary component. The anchor member is rigidly self-mounted to the first auxiliary component without discrete retainers or fasteners. A vent port extends through the anchor member. A vent port upper end is centered within a stem landing zone on the stem upper end. A second auxiliary component is slidably mounted to the first auxiliary component for guided movement between a vent port closure position wherein the second auxiliary component engages the stem landing zone and blocks the vent port, a vent port open position wherein the second auxiliary component is out of engagement with the stem landing zone and unblocks the vent port.

Abstract: A valve-actuated suction apparatus includes an anchor member having a base seal member and a stem formed with a vent port. A plunger valve is slidably disposed in the vent port and is slidable between closed and open positions. The plunger valve has a plunger head and first and second valve stem sections respectively disposed in first and second vent port sections when the plunger valve is closed. The first valve stem section includes a valve stem stabilizer and an air bypass neck. The valve stem stabilizer controls and limits plunger valve movement within the first vent port section and the valve stem air bypass neck channels air through the second vent port section. The second valve stem section includes a vent port stopper that may be configured in various ways to plug the second vent port section when the plunger valve is closed.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device case with quick-release anchoring capability includes a device case main body operable to engage a handheld electronic device and provide a protective cover therefor. A vacuum formation-and-release actuator is operable to establish a releasable vacuum connection between a rear surface of the handheld device, or a base of the case main body, or or an independent base of a universal vacuum connector incorporating the vacuum formation-and-release actuator, and a reference surface in order to detachably mount the handheld device to the reference surface. The releasable vacuum connection is provided by a controlled pressure zone that maintains a negative pressure differential relative to an external ambient pressure. The releasable vacuum connection is releasable by virtue of the vacuum formation-and-release actuator being movable in a manner that vents the controlled pressure zone.

Abstract: A universal quick-release vacuum connector includes a base removably attachable to an object. A vacuum formation-and-release actuator includes a movable anchor member that establishes a releasable vacuum connection with a reference surface. The anchor member includes a flexible outer seal member, a central hub integrally formed with the flexible outer seal member, and a vent port extending through the central hub. A vent port closure member closes or assists in closing a vent port inner end depending on the position of the anchor member relative to the base to establish a controlled pressure zone that maintains a negative pressure differential relative to an external ambient pressure. The releasable vacuum connection is releasable by virtue of the anchor member and the base being movable relative to each other in a manner that vents the controlled pressure zone while the base remains attached to the object.

Abstract: A quick-release anchoring apparatus with acceleration damping includes an anchor member configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone. A first auxiliary component carries the anchor member. A vent port provides fluid communication between the controlled pressure zone and an area of ambient pressure. A second auxiliary component moves relative to the first auxiliary component between a vent port closure position and a vent port open position. The second auxiliary component and the first auxiliary component are discrete components. One or more flexible members deform as the second auxiliary component moves in a venting direction away from the vent port closure position toward the vent port open position. The one or more flexible members resist accelerations of the second auxiliary component away from the vent port closure position but allow normal lifting of the anchoring apparatus.

Abstract: A technique for combining first and second images respectively depicting first and second subject matter to facilitate virtual presentation. The first image is processed to identify portions or regions of the first subject matter and determine an estimated depth location of each portion or region. A composite image is generated that depicts the second subject matter overlayed, inserted or otherwise combined with the first subject matter. One or more of the portions or regions of the first subject matter are added, removed, enhanced or modified in the composite image in order to generate a realistic appearance of the first subject matter combined with the second subject matter. The composite image is caused to be displayed as a virtual presentation.

Abstract: A universal quick-release anchor member includes a flexible base seal member comprising non-porous resilient material. The base seal member is configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone. A vent port extends through the anchor member. A vent port closure member is disposed proximate to a vent port upper end. The vent port closure member is biased to move from a closed position to an open position. The closed position includes the vent port closure member being arranged to block the vent port upper end and prevent the passage of air through the vent port. The open position includes the vent port closure member being arranged to unblock the vent port upper end and allow the passage of air through the vent port.

Abstract: A quick-release anchoring apparatus includes an anchor member having a flexible base seal member that engages an external reference surface and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith to define a controlled pressure zone. The anchor member includes a central stem extending through an opening of a first auxiliary component. The anchor member is rigidly self-mounted to the first auxiliary component without discrete retainers or fasteners. A vent port extends through the anchor member. A vent port upper end is centered within a stem landing zone on the stem upper end. A second auxiliary component is slidably mounted to the first auxiliary component for guided movement between a vent port closure position wherein the second auxiliary component engages the stem landing zone and blocks the vent port, a vent port open position wherein the second auxiliary component is out of engagement with the stem landing zone and unblocks the vent port.

Abstract: An object holder with quick-release anchoring capability includes an object carrier having an object carrier base. A vacuum release actuator on the object carrier base is displaceable to separate from the object. An anchor member carried by vacuum release actuator includes outer and inner seal members and an interconnecting vent port. The outer seal member is arranged to form a substantially airtight seal with the reference surface that defines an outer controlled pressure zone. The inner seal member is arranged to form a substantially airtight seal with the object that defines an inner controlled pressure zone. The vent port extends between the outer and inner controlled pressure zones. During operation, the controlled pressure zones can be vented by manipulating the object carrier away from the reference surface to separate the object and the vacuum release actuator until the inner seal member breaks its substantially airtight seal with the object.

Abstract: An object holder with quick-release anchoring capability includes an object carrier having an object carrier base. A vacuum release actuator on the object carrier base is displaceable to separate from the object. An anchor member carried by vacuum release actuator includes outer and inner seal members and an interconnecting vent port. The outer and inner seal members are arranged to form substantially airtight seals with the reference surface and the object, respectively, that define controlled pressure zones. The vent port extends between the outer and inner controlled pressure zones. The inner seal member has a substantially non-folding configuration that prevents excessive seal elongation prior to separation from the object. During operation, the controlled pressure zones can be vented by manipulating the object carrier away from the reference surface to separate the object and the vacuum release actuator until the inner seal member breaks its substantially airtight seal with the object.

Abstract: An object holder with quick-release anchoring capability includes an object carrier having an object carrier base. A vacuum release actuator on the object carrier base is displaceable to separate from the object. An anchor member carried by vacuum release actuator includes outer and inner seal members and an interconnecting vent port. The outer and inner seal members are arranged to form substantially airtight seals with the reference surface and the object, respectively, that define controlled pressure zones. The vent port extends between the outer and inner controlled pressure zones. The inner seal member has a substantially non-folding configuration that prevents excessive seal elongation prior to separation from the object. During operation, the controlled pressure zones can be vented by manipulating the object carrier away from the reference surface to separate the object and the vacuum release actuator until the inner seal member breaks its substantially airtight seal with the object.

Abstract: An object holder with quick-release anchoring capability includes an object carrier having an object carrier base. A vacuum release actuator on the object carrier base is displaceable to separate from the object. An anchor member carried by vacuum release actuator includes outer and inner seal members and an interconnecting vent port. The outer seal member is arranged to form a substantially airtight seal with the reference surface that defines an outer controlled pressure zone. The inner seal member is arranged to form a substantially airtight seal with the object that defines an inner controlled pressure zone. The vent port extends between the outer and inner controlled pressure zones. During operation, the controlled pressure zones can be vented by manipulating the object carrier away from the reference surface to separate the object and the vacuum release actuator until the inner seal member breaks its substantially airtight seal with the object.

Abstract: A quick-release anchoring apparatus includes an anchor member having a flexible base seal member that engages an external reference surface and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith to define a controlled pressure zone. The anchor member includes a central stem extending through an opening of the first auxiliary component. A mounting portion of the stem rigidly self-mounts the anchor member to the first auxiliary component opening. A vent port extends through the anchor member. A vent port upper end is centered within a stem landing zone on the stem upper end. A second auxiliary component is slidably mounted to the first auxiliary component and moves between a vent port closure position wherein the second auxiliary component engages the stem landing zone and blocks the vent port, a vent port open position wherein the second auxiliary component is out of engagement with the stem landing zone and unblocks the vent port.

Abstract: A technique for combining first and second images respectively depicting first and second subject matter to facilitate virtual presentation. The first image is processed to identify portions or regions of the first subject matter and determine an estimated depth location of each portion or region. A composite image is generated that depicts the second subject matter overlayed, inserted or otherwise combined with the first subject matter. One or more of the portions or regions of the first subject matter are added, removed, enhanced or modified in the composite image in order to generate a realistic appearance of the first subject matter combined with the second subject matter. The composite image is caused to be displayed as a virtual presentation.

Abstract: A universal quick-release anchor member includes a flexible base seal member comprising non-porous resilient material. The base seal member is configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone. A vent port extends through the anchor member. A vent port closure member is disposed proximate to a vent port upper end. The vent port closure member is biased to move from a closed position to an open position. The closed position includes the vent port closure member being arranged to block the vent port upper end and prevent the passage of air through the vent port. The open position includes the vent port closure member being arranged to unblock the vent port upper end and allow the passage of air through the vent port.

Abstract: A quick-release anchoring apparatus includes an anchor member having a flexible base seal member that engages an external reference surface and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith to define a controlled pressure zone. The anchor member includes a central stem extending through an opening of the first auxiliary component. A mounting portion of the stem rigidly self-mounts the anchor member to the first auxiliary component opening. A vent port extends through the anchor member. A vent port upper end is centered within a stem landing zone on the stem upper end. A second auxiliary component is slidably mounted to the first auxiliary component and moves between a vent port closure position wherein the second auxiliary component engages the stem landing zone and blocks the vent port, a vent port open position wherein the second auxiliary component is out of engagement with the stem landing zone and unblocks the vent port.

Abstract: A quick-release anchoring apparatus with acceleration damping includes an anchor member configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone. A first auxiliary component carries the anchor member. A vent port provides fluid communication between the controlled pressure zone and an area of ambient pressure. A second auxiliary component moves relative to the first auxiliary component between a vent port closure position and a vent port open position. The second auxiliary component and the first auxiliary component are discrete components. One or more flexible members deform as the second auxiliary component moves in a venting direction away from the vent port closure position toward the vent port open position. The one or more flexible members resist accelerations of the second auxiliary component away from the vent port closure position but allow normal lifting of the anchoring apparatus.

Abstract: A technique for transforming an image of an article for virtual presentation without transformation-induced distortion of a shape-invariant area of the article. In an embodiment, a first region of the article image may be identified using automated image processing. The first region may represent a shape-sensitive area of the article whose aspect ratio needs to be controlled when the article image is transformed for use in the virtual presentation. The article image may be transformed to provide a transformed article image for use in the virtual presentation. The transformation of the article image may include a differential transformation that transforms a shape or size of the first region of the article image differently than a shape or size of a second region of the article image representing an area of the article outside the shape-sensitive area. The differential transformation prevents distortion of the first region of the article image.