Abstract:
A multi-position sleeping structure includes a sheet material envelope defining a cavity with an opening. An inflatable mattress is received and substantially enclosed within the cavity of the sheet material envelope. A cover portion which, in conjunction with a top surface of the envelope, defines a sleeping area in which a person can lie and be supported by the mattress. The mattress has a plurality of transversely extending hinges that separate the mattress into a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The hinges allow the mattress to be moved between at least a substantially horizontal sleeping position and a seating position. The sheet material envelope has a retaining pouch to retain the mattress in the seating position. The retaining pouch is suitably sized and positioned to receive the mattress and sheet material envelope therein for storage purposes when the mattress is in the deflated storage condition.
Abstract:
An image processing application employs the concept of integral pre-multiplied alpha channel, and combines the techniques of multi-resolution representation, graph-structured representation, and automatic and intelligent data type conversion in order to permit a computer user to mix and manipulate both raster and vector based images in a single user interface while remaining unaware of the different data types underlying the images.
Abstract:
A perforated panel having a grid of perforations or holes formed at least partially therethrough for disposing hangers for holding objects thereon and having at least a black color pattern disposed on a surface thereof for camouflaging the perforations and for reducing the appearance of damage and/or stains occurring through use is provided. It is desired to have a base finish formed on the panel and a first color pattern and the black color pattern formed by spattering of paint on the panel, screen printing, or attaching a lamina having the first color pattern and the black color pattern thereon.
Abstract:
A speed cooking oven includes a combination of radiant cooking units and a microwave cooking unit manually controllable using a rotary dial input selector coupled to a control panel for user selection of desired oven features. An alphanumeric display displays prompts and information to guide users through a feature selection process. A microprocessor executes a cooking algorithm based upon user defined constants entered via the rotary dial according to prompts on the alphanumeric display.
Abstract:
A thermal compensation system for an oven including at least one visible light cooking element includes a thermistor in thermal communication with an oven cavity, and a microcomputer coupled to the thermistor and operatively connected to the cooking element from control thereof. When the oven cavity temperature exceeds a minimum threshold prior to cooking operation, the microcomputer reduces a power level of the cooking unit to compensate for latent heat in the oven cavity and avoid overcooking the food.
Abstract:
A method for pulling (extracting) a matte of an image of a foreground object from a composite image, using a computer. An image of the foreground object is recorded over at least two backgrounds having arbitrarily different coloring. Each point of one background must have a color that is different than the color of a corresponding point in the other backgrounds. The images may be recorded with an analog camera and digitized with a scanner or recorded with a digital camera. Images should be registered during recording and digitization to eliminate misalignment of corresponding points in each recorded image. A triangulation of corresponding points of each recorded image is performed so that an alpha value (opacity) and a set of color coordinates for each point of an uncomposited image of the foreground object may be determined using either a difference of sums technique or a least squares technique. To facilitate the triangulation, images are recorded of each background alone, without the foreground object. The lighting and distances between the camera and object, and between the object and backgrounds should remain constant during the image recording process.
Abstract:
A cabinet storage unit for maintaining electrical clippers and other tools used in the cutting and styling of hair is provided. The cabinet interior defines an air plenum which directs a stream of air across the front face of the cabinet. The cabinet front face defines a plurality of hangers which hold a variety of electric clippers and other hair styling accessories. The cabinet provides a power source and a retractable electric cord to facilitate the use of the clippers along a variable length of an electrical cord. A disinfectant is provided to the air stream and is used to disinfect the tools when the tools are in a storage position. The cabinet is optionally mounted on a wheeled cart to facilitate placement of the cart to and from adjacent barber work stations.
Abstract:
Apparatus for enclosing splices between two or more multiconductor cables is disclosed. The apparatus includes a unitary support member which has affixed thereto cable ground sheath bonding circuitry, cable support apparatus, and clamps for securing the apparatus to a messenger strand. Completed splice connections are sealed in a unitary, flexible, weatherproof cover.