Abstract: Technologies are described for a segment eraser, where predefined graphical shapes or ink entries (hand drawn shapes through touch, gesture, or similar input) are modified through deletion of one or more segments, rotation, resizing, color changes, and comparable ones. Binary shape operations such as union combination, fragmenting intersection, and subtraction are performed on underlying shapes to create new shapes in predictable ways. A segment eraser according to embodiments works from endpoint to endpoint of the underlying shape outlines, on dosed shape areas when the shapes have no outline, and on dry ink strokes up to intersections with other ink entries.

Abstract: A shape expressed using digital ink is recognized and a beautified shape is inserted into a document in a native document format. A user interface (“UI”) control is displayed adjacent to the beautified shape which, when selected, will display selectable items for modifying the beautified shape. Insertion of the beautified shape may be undone, the beautified shape may be deleted, and the format of the beautified shape may be modified. Digital ink may also be received that corresponds to text. The digital ink is inserted into a document, displayed, and the text represented by the digital ink is recognized. A UI control is displayed adjacent to the digital ink that will display one or more selectable UI items corresponding to recognition alternates. When selected, the selectable items will cause the text of the corresponding recognition alternate to be inserted into the document.

Abstract: A request is received to enter a background removal mode. A marquee is displayed for specifying a portion of an image to be provided to a foreground extraction engine (“FEA”). The portion of the image defined by the marquee is provided to the FEA. The FEA identifies the foreground and returns it to the application program. The image is displayed with the foreground distinguished from the background. If the marquee is re-sized or re-positioned, the portion of the image defined by the marquee is provided to the FEA. A line segment may be drawn over the background to define a portion of the image for inclusion in the foreground. A line segment may also be drawn over the foreground to define a portion of the image for inclusion in the background. Upon exit of the background removal mode, only the foreground of the image is displayed.

Abstract: A blister fabric of a knit or woven construction may be needle punched to produce internal connections of filaments or fibers from yarns extending into, and/or between, the yarns of an adjacent layer. Interconnections of fibers among separate layers are produced by needles which enter a first layer and then carry fibers from the first layer to a second adjacent layer within the blister of the fabric. Such interconnected fibers which bridge or span multiple layers in the fabric serve to strengthen the blister fabric, making the fabric more resistant to abrasive forces.

Abstract: A base plate comprising a hub, a flange having an outer flange region at an outer periphery of the flange and a clamping region that surrounds and is contiguous with the hub. A strain isolation region of the flange surrounds and is contiguous with the clamping region. The strain isolation region has a stress-reducing configuration that provides alternately patterned continuity areas and discontinuity areas between the modified region and adjacent areas of the outer flange region and the clamping region. The strain isolation region may be either a series of holes in the flange surrounding the clamping region, or a number of arcuate slots cut completely through the flange surrounding the clamping region.

Abstract: A base plate having a hub, a flange having an outer flange region at an outer periphery of the flange and a clamping region at an inner periphery of the flange that is contiguous with the hub. The flange has a modified region that at least partially surrounds and is contiguous with the clamping region, the modified region having a stress reducing configuration such that the clamping region is thicker than the outer flange region. The modified region may be a circular or linear step, and can be on either side of the flange. The step fits the contour of a load beam and the flange is welded to the load beam. The load beam thickness is the same as or less than the thickness of the step.