Abstract: A holding apparatus includes an anchor plate including upper and lower sections and a core member sandwiched medially of the upper and lower sections. A bore passes through the upper and lower sections and the core member. A plurality of elongated support legs are connected to the anchor plate and are adaptable along opposing radial paths. An elongated support rod is included for axially receiving and supporting the filter. The support rod is engageable with the anchor plate such that the support rod becomes aligned along a vertical plane while extending away from the anchor plate. The apparatus further includes a locking wedge having an inverted conical shape and an elongated sleeve formed therein for attaching to the support rod. The locking wedge engages the filter such that the filter becomes positioned between the locking wedge and the anchor plate. The locking wedge includes threadably adjustable spherical gripping members.

Abstract: The gutter foam filter elements are generally triangular, four-foot lengths of flexible plastic open-cell foam material placed in and extending the full length of a conventional “K” type or similar roof gutter. The foam filter elements may be inserted within the gutter below gutter spikes. The foam material is an open-pore polyether foam of 10–20 cells per square inch which allows rainwater to travel through the filter while excluding leaves. The foam is generally in the form of a right triangle and so disposed in the gutter as to have one side extending along the back of the gutter and the other side of the triangle spanning the open space across the upper open portion of the gutter. The sloped wall defines a void in the lower front portion of the gutter for rainwater flow to a downspout. The lower corner of the element is truncated forming a lower support wall.

Abstract: An adaptive image tone mapping curve based on perceptual preference guidelines is generated as a sigmoidal function, in which the sigmoidal function parameters (slope and shift) are determined by original image statistics. Tone curves generated for different images each have a smooth sigmoidal shape, so that the tone mapping process does not change the image histogram shape drastically. The sigmoidal function has the form: t ? ( x ) = 100 1 + exp ? ( - ? ? ( x / 100 - ? ) ) , where ? is the slope parameter and ? is the shift parameter. The input value x in the sigmoidal function varies in the range [0, 100], because the tone curve is generated on an L* scale, which has values from 0 to 100.

Abstract: A technique for digitally capturing a high contrast color image involves simultaneously capturing image data from bright and dark areas using an image sensor with pixels of the same color that have different sensitivities to the bright and dark areas. The image data from the different sensitivity pixels is then used to generate a final image that includes features from both the bright and dark areas. An embodiment of a digital imaging system includes an image sensor with a first group of pixels that have a first sensitivity to a first color and a second group of pixels that have a second sensitivity to the same color. Image data that is captured by the two groups of pixels is brought to a common scale by a scaling unit before the image data is used to generate demosaiced image data. The scaled image data is used by a demosaic unit to determine intensity values for the first color at all of the pixel locations.

Abstract: Projection system. A projection apparatus is disclosed having a first vertical member and a second vertical member disposed parallel to the first vertical member, the second vertical member substantially the same length as the first vertical member. An upper crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto. An intermediate crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto and below the upper crossbar member to define a viewing area bounded by the first and second vertical members, the upper crossbar member and the intermediate crossbar member. A viewing screen is disposed over the viewing area.

Abstract: A document access and retrieval system for use in a hospital laboratory environment. The system permits users of a main application to obtain customized, user-specific access to various documents, internet addresses and other external links based on the application subparts or objects to which the user has authorized access. The access links appear as submenu items appearing under the Help menu associated with a selected application object. The system includes a links processor that is interconnected to a links map which correlates various software application objects with the security level of a system user. The system includes a security processor which evaluates user security data and then requests a list of available access link information from the main application. Users cannot access parts of the application to which they do not have specific access.

Abstract: A projection apparatus is disclosed having a first vertical member and a second vertical member disposed parallel to the first vertical member, the second vertical member substantially the same length as the first vertical member. An upper crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto. An intermediate crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto and below the upper crossbar member to define a viewing area bounded by the first and second vertical members, the upper crossbar member and the intermediate crossbar member. A viewing screen is disposed over the viewing area.

Abstract: Projection system. A projection apparatus is disclosed having a first vertical member and a second vertical member disposed parallel to the first vertical member, the second vertical member substantially the same length as the first vertical member. An upper crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto. An intermediate crossbar member is disposed between the first and second vertical members and perpendicular thereto and below the upper crossbar member to define a viewing area bounded by the first and second vertical members, the upper crossbar member and the intermediate crossbar member. A viewing screen is disposed over the viewing area.

Abstract: An adaptive image tone mapping curve based on perceptual preference guidelines is generated as a sigmoidal function, in which the sigmoidal function parameters (slope and shift) are determined by original image statistics. Tone curves generated for different images each have a smooth sigmoidal shape, so that the tone mapping process does not change the image histogram shape drastically.

Abstract: A technique for digitally capturing a high contrast color image involves simultaneously capturing image data from bright and dark areas using an image sensor with pixels of the same color that have different sensitivities to the bright and dark areas. The image data from the different sensitivity pixels is then used to generate a final image that includes features from both the bright and dark areas. An embodiment of a digital imaging system includes an image sensor with a first group of pixels that have a first sensitivity to a first color and a second group of pixels that have a second sensitivity to the same color. Image data that is captured by the two groups of pixels is brought to a common scale by a scaling unit before the image data is used to generate demosaiced image data. The scaled image data is used by a demosaic unit to determine intensity values for the first color at all of the pixel locations.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for cutting a traveling web of paper that is being spooled on a full spool and transferring the paper web to spool on an empty spool by driving turn-up tape into a nip between the empty spool and the paper web. The apparatuses and methods provide a more problem free way of transferring a traveling paper web to an empty spool.

Abstract: The invention is a memory card protective carrier for carrying memory cards and for protecting data transfer ports of the cards. The carrier includes a back frame secured adjacent a front frame having at least one memory card sleeve between the back and front frames. The card sleeve includes a top strut opposed to a bottom strut, an inside strut positioned between the top and bottom struts, wherein the top, bottom and inside struts cooperate to define a card slot dimensioned to house a memory card so that top and bottom edges of the card are adjacent the top and bottom struts. The front frame includes a window perimeter that defines a card window and includes a positioning guide adjacent the top strut in the shape of an asymmetrical corner dimensioned to correspond to an asymmetrical corner of the memory card. The back frame defines a compression tap aperture opposed to the card window, and includes at least one compression tab projecting into the card slot.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster for bucket type vehicle seats includes inboard and outboard track assemblies each including a fixed lower section, a movable upper or movable section and a precision sliding interface including roller bearings between the moving upper track and the fixed lower track, the surfaces of the tracks that are engaged by the roller bearings being crowned to provide a bearing surface that is slightly convex when the seat is unoccupied but which becomes nearly flat when the seat is occupied, and the bearing surfaces of the track being coated with a multi-layer dry film lubricant including a base coating of an anti-friction material and a top coating of an anti-stick material.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster for bucket type vehicle seats includes inboard and outboard track assemblies each including a fixed lower section, a movable upper or movable section and a precision sliding interface including roller bearings between the moving upper track and the fixed lower track, the surfaces of the tracks that are engaged by the roller bearings being crowned to provide a bearing surface that is slightly convex when the seat is unoccupied but which becomes nearly flat when the seat is occupied, and the bearing surfaces of the track being coated with a multi-layer dry film lubricant including a base coating of an anti-friction material and a top coating of an anti-stick material.

Abstract: The present invention is a container for containing a PCMCIA card, or an electronic card similar thereto. The container comprises a box that has a bottom portion for holding the card, and a cover portion that is rotatably connected with the bottom portion in order to fit over the bottom portion in the closed position. In the closed position, the cover and bottom portions form a box compartment. The bottom portion comprises opposite side walls that have flexible arms, wherein each arm has a clasp and a cam member, as a single unit and integral with each arm's distal end. A PCMCIA card fits within the area defined by the bottom portion's side walls. The area within which the PCMCIA card fits is slightly smaller than the area of the compartment in order to allow flex spaces for the arms to flex when a PCMCIA card has been fitted between the arms.

Abstract: A waterjet machining process and system applied to a heat-treated hollow device for cutting a predetermined pattern therein. The hollow device is mounted in the holder that applies rotational, axial, and transverse movements to the hollow metal device as needed in relation to an abrasive water cutting jet stream to cut a predetermined pattern therein. The pattern may be digitized and stored in a computerized numerical controller for moving the holder as necessary to cut the predetermined pattern therein. Inserts may be provided within the hollow device when cutting asymmetrical patterns to protect the inside diameter wall opposite the waterjet from erosion.