Abstract: A leg protector sized to fold over the wearer's leg to cover the front side of the wearer's leg while leaving the backside of the wearer's leg exposed for easily placement and removal of the leg protector. Unlike conventional gaiters and half chaps that effectively operate as a second pant leg positioned over the pants, the adjustable strap of the insulated leg protector extends across the rear side of the wearer's leg to retain the leg protector without fully covering the backside of the wearer's leg. The arrangement allows the leg protector to be quickly put on by the wearer by draping the leg protector over the wearer's leg and secured with the adjustable strap. Similarly, the leg protector can also be removed by simply undoing the adjustable strap.

Abstract: A visual aid for assisting a driver backing a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle. The visual/audible display consists of a ten-segment bar graph, with various colors, an indicator lamp and a beeper. A sensor is placed on the ball hitch of the towing vehicle and an emitter is placed on the hitch of the towed vehicle. The sensor receives a signal from the emitter and processes it to be sent to the display. The display indicates the relative positions of the two vehicles. It also provides visual and audible signals to indicate approach of the devices and the proper alignment for hitching. Attachment is temporary and universal, enabling use with any hitch configuration. Data transmission is wireless eliminating the need for cables between the units. All units have enclosed batteries so no external power connection is required.

Abstract: A digital cartoon or animation creation process, alternately describable as digital rotoscoping. Images are obtained in digital format by set-up steps (32, 44), image capture steps (34-36 and 46), and image storage (38, 48). The rotoscoping process (10) includes an image to line art rendering sub-process (14) which optionally may be followed by a specialized line art rendering sub-process (16) or a coloring sub-process (18). The line art rendering sub-process (14) includes a series of filters, particularly including a high-pass filter (68) using a gaussian blur convolution matrix. The specialized rendering sub-process (16) has particular use for carrying image regions having particularized detail through into final images in a manner that such detail is not lost, and the coloring sub-process (18) permits creation of colorized final images.

Abstract: A digital cartoon or animation creation process, alternately describable as digital rotoscoping. Images are obtained in digital format by set-up steps (32, 44), image capture steps (34-36 and 46), and image storage (38, 48). The rotoscoping process (10) includes an image to line art rendering sub-process (14) which optionally may be followed by a specialized line art rendering sub-process (16) or a coloring sub-process (18). The line art rendering sub-process (14) includes a series of filters, particularly including a high-pass filter (68) using a gaussian blur convolution matrix. The specialized rendering sub-process (16) has particular use for carrying image regions having particularized detail through into final images in a manner that such detail is not lost, and the coloring sub-process (18) permits creation of colorized final images.

Abstract: A launching mechanism is provided for ejecting a small buoy from a high sd deep depth submersible. The buoy is held in place and constrained by a pair of latch levers that lock into a groove in the buoy tail piece. The latch levers are held in place by locking pins. On launch a solenoid valve is operated allowing ambient sea pressure to actuate a release system. The sea pressure retracts a release piston assembly to which the locking pins are attached. Upon withdrawal of the locking pins, the latch levers are released by the force of neg'ator ejection springs. The ejection springs accelerate an open ended cage containing the buoy through a four foot displacement. The buoy strikes a plunger actuating a muzzle plug release mechanism that permits ejection of the buoy from the launch cage.