Abstract: An enhanced video conferencing system and method includes at least two conference rooms, the conference rooms connected together electronically to permit the transmission of images and sound from one room to the other room. Each room has a large format display system for projecting images and a camera positioned with respect to the large format display system to capture images of the conference room and its participants while the participants are looking at the large format display system, without obscuring the participants' view of the display system, so as to provide the perception that the participants in one conference room are looking directly at the participants in the other conference room. The enhanced video conferencing system may also include an additional camera for capturing an image of an item located at a pre-determined location within the conference room for ultimate transmission to the other conference room for viewing.

Abstract: A room designed for collaboration and personal interaction during the editing process by parties situated in different locations. At a source location, an operator transmits media content from an editing system to a target location. At the target location, another operator uses a remote control to control the editing system's playback of the media content. The target operator can overlay graphics, text and other information on the media content. This commentary overlay is then sent back to the source location. A high-resolution video teleconferencing system allows personal real-time interaction between the source operator and target operator. The video teleconferencing system provides for direct eye-to-eye contact as well as control of audio levels for realistic conversation between the source and target operators.

Abstract: A device for stopping a door of any piece of equipment in the open position is provided with a door check mechanism tending to hold the door in any open position. The device comprises a hollow tube (9) whose diameter is greater than the external diameter of the body (7) of the check mechanism. This tube is positioned coaxially to the check mechanism and is hinged on the axis of the mobile rod (8) of the check mechanism. Its length corresponds to the length of the rod when the door (8) is in the desired open position.

Abstract: A pair of locking rods are pivotally interconnected to opposite sides of a handle manipulated swivel plate and have end portions that extend, respectively, outwardly through openings in end walls of a tailgate housing. Locking plates fixedly mounted to a truck bed adjacent each side of the tailgate housing include openings for receiving the outer end portions of the locking rods and, in this manner, lock the tailgate in closed position. Coil springs serve to resiliently maintain the locking rods in an outwardly extending relation and simultaneously cause the end portions of the rods to ride up and over a locking entrance camming surface on the locking plates before being fully received within the openings of the locking plates. This latter feature permits slamming or closing of the tailgate without handle manipulation.