Abstract: A caliper jig for use with a caliper, the caliper having a fixed measuring blade and an opposed moveable measuring blade, includes a caliper jig body having a first blade engaging device, a second blade engaging device, and a biasing device, the first blade engaging device for selectively, fixedly engaging the caliper fixed measuring blade, the second blade engaging device for selectively, fixedly engaging the caliper moveable measuring blade, the second blade engaging device being translatable with respect to the first blade engaging device, and the biasing device for biasing the second blade engaging device to a disposition displaced from the first blade engaging device.

Abstract: A dual path implantable hearing assistance system transduces sound vibrations of the malleus in one or both ears into electrical signals, processes the electrical signals to provide one or more resulting output electrical signals, and transduces the output signals into mechanical vibrations provided to the stapes in one or both ears. Communication between an electronics device and at least one ear is either wireless or through subcutaneous lead wires. The system may have two input paths and two output paths, programmable to provide the function of two separate single path systems, but capable of combining the signals such as by weighted summing. The system may have also have two input paths and one output path; or, one input path and two output paths; or, one input path and one output path, each associated with a different ear.

Abstract: A portable stage platform includes a platform assembly having a mass and being shiftable between a stowed configuration and a performance configuration. The platform assembly has a platform that presents an upwardly directed performance surface when in the performance configuration and an opposed underside. The underside has a plurality of collapsible legs operably coupled thereto. The collapsible legs are shiftable between a collapsed configuration in which the collapsible legs are substantially flush with the underside and an extended configuration in which the collapsible legs are substantially transverse to the underside. The portable stage platform includes a platform base assembly that is shiftable between a stowed configuration and a performance configuration.

Abstract: A commutation controller for a switched reluctance machine has separate timer circuits for determining the firing signals for motoring and generating modes. Each timer circuit comprises a ramp generator and a pair of comparators which denote the ON- and OFF-angle as the ramp output passes preset thresholds applied to the comparators. A multiplexer selects the output from one of the motoring and generating timers according to the mode of machine operation. By producing timing signals for the motoring and generating modes separately and continuously, a transition between motoring and generating modes can be carried out smoothly without timing error.

Abstract: An RF based communication system includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal. The transmitter is powered by an external power source and has a transmitter counter for generating a count. The count is linearly incremented over time. The transmitted signal includes the count at the time that the signal is transmitted. A receiver is communicatively coupled to the transmitter for receiving the signal transmitted by the transmitter. The receiver has a receiver counter, the receiver counter being asynchronous with respect to the transmitter counter.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer for an implantable hearing aid, such as a partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI) or total middle ear implantable (T-MEI) hearing aid system. The invention comprises at least one piezoelectric element proportioned for mechanically coupling to a middle ear only through an auditory element in the middle ear, such as the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes, or in the inner ear, such as the oval window, round window, vestibule, or semicircular canals. The invention need not be secured to a temporal bone. Inertial masses and a carrier are optionally provided to assist in sensing or producing mechanical vibrations. The carrier is optionally hermetically sealed. Superpositioned individual frequency responses optimize an overall frequency bandwidth.

Abstract: A hybrid single-phase variable reluctance motor system has a stator (1) having a pair of oppositely disposed salient main poles (4) provided with main windings (12) and at least one pair of oppositely disposed salient auxiliary poles (5, 6) provided with auxiliary windings (13, 14) and disposed intermediate the main poles (4) on the stator (1). Furthermore the motor system has a rotor (2) having a pair of oppositely disposed salient poles (7) without windings. Additionally the motor system includes a control circuit (11) for rotating the rotor (2) during normal running by supplying current pulses to the main stator windings (12) in synchronism with rotation of the rotor (2) and for rotating the rotor (2) on starting by supplying current pulses to both the main and auxiliary stator windings (12, 13, 14) in synchronism with rotation of the rotor (2).

Abstract: A support for input and output transducers of a hearing aid is implanted in the middle ear. The support, which is attached to the mastoid bone, can be a single component or comprise two adjustable components. In one embodiment, an arm extends from the proximal end of the support towards an access hole created behind the outer ear, where the arm is attached for further stability. In another embodiment, the arm extends outside the access hole, where it is mounted subcutaneously to the mastoid bone with a mechanical fastener. The support provides positional adjustability, stability, and is invisible externally. The support can be a single bracket. The transducers are connected to an electronics unit. The electronics can be programmed or reprogrammed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling the amount of solar energy and heat transferred into and out of a building or other structure through a glazed opening using a system of pneumatically actuated, reflective shutters. The air discharged from the blower flows through a venturi. The venturi communicates with a system of inflatable, reflective shutter elements. A control valve downstream from the venturi regulates airflow through the venturi. A photoelectric sensing element is installed at the level of the growing plants. The electric current generated by the sensing element is proportional to the intensity of the sunlight entering through the glazed roof. The control valve is operated by an electrical control means which responds to the electric current generated by the photoelectric sensing element.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system includes electric response audiometry (ERA) functions for diagnostic, self-calibration, frequency-response parameter adjustment, feedback self-testing, and automatic gain control (AGC) purposes. The invention includes partial middle ear implantable (P-MEI), total middle ear implantable (T-MEI), cochlear implant, or other hearing assistance systems. Auditory response signals are obtained by auditory brain-stem response (ABR), cortical ERA, and electrocochleography. A mechanical vibration or electrical stimulus is introduced directly in the middle or inner ear, either in response to an input signal corresponding to sound, or in response to an independent calibration signal. Auditory response signals are obtained by surface electroencephalography (EEG) or by an implanted electrocochleographic sensor. Calibration stimuli have constant or adjustable amplitudes, frequencies, and repetition frequencies. Wide-band clicks, pure audio tones, and other calibration stimuli are included.

Abstract: A hysteresis current controller includes a hysteresis current control device which has an adjustable hysteresis band. A feedback signal indicative of current in the load is compared with a current demand signal to produce an error signal which is received by the hysteresis control device. The switching output of the hysteresis control device is monitored to derive a signal indicative of its frequency which is used in a control loop to vary the hysteresis band to maintain the switching frequency output substantially constant.

Abstract: A system for automatically synchronizing, isolated clocks is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the internal clock of an automated external defibrillator (AED) or an external defibrillator (ED) is integrated with a radio broadcast to receive standard time. The system may also include a mechanism for synchronizing the clock or a computer tracking the time of emergency calls such as 911. Further, the system enables synchronization between the AED or ED internal clock and the 911 clock such that response times can be accurately determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving a frequency response of a piezoelectric input or output transducer in an implantable hearing system. Multiple input or multiple output transducers obtain optimized mechanical-to-electrical or electrical-to-mechanical frequency response. Output mechanical coupling is directly to the inner ear, or through an ossicular element such as the malleus, stapes, or incus. Input mechanical vibrations are obtained from an auditory element such as the tympanic membrane, malleus, or incus. Substantially nonidentical frequency responses are obtained such as using transducers of different dimensions, different number of transducer elements, different material properties, different mounting techniques, or different auditory elements for coupling.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system senses sound vibrations of an auditory element in the middle ear and provides a stimulus to an auditory sensory element. The vibrations are received through the tympanic membrane, and sensed at the tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, or other auditory element. An electromagnetic sensor includes receiving and reference elements, e.g. a permanent magnet and a coil, having a time-varying magnetic flux linkage due to the vibrations. The magnet and coil are pivotably coupled to an auditory element and a carrier, or vice-versa, for self-alignment. A resulting electrical signal on the coil is processed, then provided to an output stimulator for mechanical or electrical stimulation of the cochlea.

Abstract: A word kit includes an assemblage of objects, each object presenting a plurality of surfaces. The assemblage includes a first set of objects having a first surface of the plurality surfaces. A word selected from an interchangeable part of speech is depicted on the first surface and each additional surface of the plurality surfaces depicts another word selected from the interchangeable part of speech. A second set of objects has each of the plurality of surfaces thereof depicting a noninterchangeable series of letters.

Abstract: A current limiter for a rectifier circuit includes a fixed resistor 50 and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor 100 connected in series across a control switch 70. The control switch is connected between a rectifier output and a smoothing capacitor 20. If the switch fails to operate, the PTC resistor heats up, increasing its resistance in the presence of an abnormal current. The increased resistance will limit the current supplied to the rectifier output terminals 40.

Abstract: An antitheft device includes a base member having an open top and a hole defined through the bottom thereof, a plurality of slots defined in the peripheral wall extending from the bottom and an annular flange extending radially and outwardly from the peripheral wall. A cap has an annular groove is defined in the inner periphery of the peripheral wall extending from the top so that the head portion of a bolt or a nut is received between the cap and the base member with the annular flange being engaged with the annular groove.

Abstract: An inflatable optical housing is adapted to provide a visual image and be used in connection with a separate computing device. The housing is sized by one or more bladders and at least one associated alignment member. Optical elements of the device provide an image of a display and/or an enhanced magnified image via lensing. The housing preferably is constructed of lightweight materials and is adapted for rapid inflation and deflation through a variety of mechanisms and with a variety of media. Embodiments of the invention are especially advantageous with wearable computing devices and methods.