Abstract: The present invention provides a goalie blocking glove that features a non-binding front blocking board surface that incorporates a carbon fiber front layer over the ultra-high density internal foam core, for lighter weight and added protection under extreme impacts. An adjustment mechanism is also included in the blocker glove, to allow the goalie to customize the fit of the inner glove to his or her individual hand size.

Abstract: The present invention provides a goalie blocking glove that features a non-binding front blocking board surface that incorporates a carbon fiber front layer over the ultra-high density internal foam core, for lighter weight and added protection under extreme impacts. An adjustment mechanism is also included in the blocker glove, to allow the goalie to customize the fit of the inner glove to his or her individual hand size.

Abstract: An inventive hockey pad with a recoil plate added to the pad to protect the internal padding by spreading impact loads, giving the pad longer performance life. In the preferred embodiment, the recoil plate is constructed of flexible carbon fiber that returns to its original shape. This property of the recoil plate effectively forces the pad back into its original shape after it is flexed.

Abstract: The inventive skate consists of an upper that is designed to accept the foot of the user. Other portions of the upper are preferably constructed using a semi-rigid material, such as fiberglass, nylon, plastic, etc. These semi-rigid portions of the upper decrease the flexibility of the upper in certain sections, thus increasing performance. The inventive skate also includes a blade chassis. The chassis includes a lower portion that is adapted to hold the skate's blade and an upper portion that is adapted to cover a portion of the upper. The inventive skate is configured so that the center of gravity of the skater is disposed generally centrally along the length of the skate chassis. This skate configuration is generally referred to as neutral pitch.

Abstract: An inventive hockey pad with a recoil plate added to the pad to protect the internal padding by spreading impact loads, giving the pad longer performance life. In the preferred embodiment, the recoil plate is constructed of flexible carbon fiber that returns to its original shape. This property of the recoil plate effectively forces the pad back into its original shape after it is flexed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for an image processing device to receive image data from a remotely positioned sensor. Spectral bands within the image data are equalized. High and low resolution images are obtained from the equalized image and are used to ultimately generate a color separation space. The color separation space is used to determine balance positions or spatial locations on the axes of the color separation space. The balance positions are converted to a red-green-blue (RGB) triplet that is used to calculate band or channel balance gains. The channel balance gains are then applied to an original image obtained from the image data.

Abstract: The inventive skate consists of an upper that is designed to accept the foot of the user. Other portions of the upper are preferably constructed using a semi-rigid material, such as fiberglass, nylon, plastic, etc. These semi-rigid portions of the upper decrease the flexibility of the upper in certain sections, thus increasing performance. The inventive skate also includes a blade chassis. The chassis includes a lower portion that is adapted to hold the skate's blade and an upper portion that is adapted to cover a portion of the upper. The inventive skate is configured so that the center of gravity of the skater is disposed generally centrally along the length of the skate chassis. This skate configuration is generally referred to as neutral pitch.

Abstract: Hydroswellable, absorbable and non-absorbable, aliphatic, segmented polyurethanes and polyurethane-urea capable of swelling in the biological environment with associated increase in volume of at least 3 percent have more than one type of segments, including those derived from polyethylene glycol and the molecular chains are structurally tailored to allow the use of corresponding formulations and medical devices as carriers for bioactive agents, rheological modifiers of cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesives, as protective devices for repairing defective or diseased components of articulating joints and their cartilage, and scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

Abstract: A method of improving a digital image captured by a digital camera comprising: providing a digital camera having a memory for storing known values of a color chart having a plurality of color patches of different colors and a digital image processor, using the digital camera to capture an image of the color chart to produce image values of the color patches of the color chart; operating the digital image processor to process at least some of the color patch imaged values and the stored known values of the color patches to produce a color correction matrix or profile; and storing the color correction matrix or profile to correct color images subsequently acquired by the digital camera.

Abstract: A method of improving a digital image captured by a digital camera includes using the digital camera to capture a first image of a scene and having a display to display the first captured image; identifying a portion of the displayed image of the first captured image, which has exposure critical scene content; producing exposure information from such portion and displaying such information on the display which will permit a camera user to adjust the exposure of the image; and adjusting the exposure of the camera based on such exposure information and capturing a second image of the scene.

Abstract: A method of improving a digital image captured by a digital camera comprising: providing a digital camera having a memory for storing known values of a color chart having a plurality of color patches of different colors and a digital image processor, using the digital camera to capture an image of the color chart to produce image values of the color patches of the color chart; operating the digital image processor to process at least some of the color patch imaged values and the stored known values of the color patches to produce a color correction matrix or profile; and storing the color correction matrix or profile to correct color images subsequently acquired by the digital camera.

Abstract: A method of improving a digital image captured by a digital camera includes using the digital camera to capture a first image of a scene and having a display to display the first captured image; identifying a portion of the displayed image of the first captured image, which has exposure critical scene content; producing exposure information from such portion and displaying such information on the display which will permit a camera user to adjust the exposure of the image; and adjusting the exposure of the camera based on such exposure information and capturing a second image of the scene.