Abstract: A head support includes a chin member, a chest member, a multi-position connection, and a strap. The chin member includes a chin engagement surface. The chest member includes a chest engagement surface. The multi-position connection is located between the chest member and the chin member, and is adapted to maintain an angle between the chest member and the chin member in a collapsed angle of a collapsed configuration and in a plurality of expanded angles greater than the collapsed angle. The multi-position connection includes an angle adjustment actuator adapted to permit the angle between the chest member and the chin member to be changed or maintained. The strap is configured to extend from first and second sides of the chest support and around the user's neck or head when the chest member is engaged with the user's chest.

Abstract: The method enables automatic triggering of pattern recognition tasks. A histogram of the frequency distribution of the gray-scale values of the image is determined periodically and repeatedly from the available image information. The characteristics of the histogram are determined, and the characteristics are used as the basis for establishing whether a relevant pattern is present. If the relevant pattern is found to be present, the pattern recognition process is initiated.

Abstract: An ergonomic handgrip with medical benefits for improving the design of handgrips such that they reduce fatigue and offer other features that are of real medical benefit to the user. Our invention reduces this to practice with an ergonomic handgrip that offers motorcycle riders improved control over the steering/throttle mechanism, and that mitigates ulnar neuropathy, including related numbness. In addition, it allows the rider additional hand leverage on the throttle, thereby reducing the pressure required to operate it. This invention can be applied to a broad range of products, improving handgrips in fields such as recreation, machine operation and, as in the motorcycle handgrip, transportation. The inventive device includes novel features that are not found in the prior art. The first component is an outward protrusion of the rear portion of the grip, that is positioned towards the portion of the palm that lies under the fourth and fifth (ring and pinkie) fingers.