Abstract: An aquatic rescue vehicle formed by adding directional and speed controls to a watercraft along with an autonomous control system to guide the vehicle to specified waypoints is disclosed. The rescue vehicle includes search devices such as a radio direction finder (RDF) and an infrared sensor (or camera) to be used to narrow the search for an isolated person (IP). The rescue vehicle may be discharged from a larger watercraft or an airplane and autonomously set out on its rescue mission. The vehicle may first navigate to a designated waypoint near an IP, and then use signals gathered from the RDF and infrared sensor to finally locate, assist, and retrieve the IP. The vehicle also includes a self-righting mechanism so that the vehicle can complete its mission even under the most adverse conditions.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of an object in a camera field of view is disclosed. The method may utilize a camera system that includes a digital video camera and a computer that runs image analysis software for analyzing images received from the camera. The image analysis software is configured to isolate pixel groups in each image. The method includes the steps of locating an object in the camera's field of view in which the object is represented by a set of pixels; identifying the centroid of the set of pixels representing the object; and calculating the location of the object relative to the camera based upon known parameters including the focal plane and camera lens location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of strategically cutting a bird leg quarter to establish relative uniformity in the sizing, and resulting in a food product that is convenient and useful in commercial food and retail settings.

Abstract: A boat trailer that includes a first front sidewall and a second front sidewall connected to a frame. The front sidewalls include at least one compartment to store equipment, tools, gear, or other items. The front sidewalls may be comprised of fiberglass and may include at least one toe socket. The boat trailer may include a rear sidewalls connected to the frame. The first front sidewall and the second front sidewall may be substantially contoured to the hull of a boat. An adapter sidewall may be attachable to the front sidewalls so that the front sidewalls are substantially contoured to the hull of a second boat. The boat trailer may include a nose cone with a recessed step connected to each front sidewall. The boat trailer may include means to selectively connect the boat trailer to the motorized vehicle in addition to a typical tongue and hitch.

Abstract: A spin-on oil filter comprising a generally tubular body housing a filtering element and a retractable, external handle that can be manually gripped and twisted for filter installation and removal. The handle comprises a pair of spaced apart, elongated legs and an integral grip extending between the legs for grasping by a user. A pair of elongated, spaced apart sleeves diametrically extending from the body frictionally slidably captivate the legs. A stop is disposed on the distal end of each leg to limit displacement of the handle. The arched legs yieldably maintain said handle in either a semipermanent retracted state or a semipermanent deployed state, as they snappingly frictionally react with the surrounding sleeves. The distal and top portions of the legs are arched more that the intermediate portion, so that the handle may relatively easily slide between the semipermanent retracted or deployed states. The preferred embodiment employs round bar stock to form the handle.