Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining and registering the Electrical Cochlear Response (“ECR”). Particularly, the ECR refers to the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and the intracochlear residual tissue located in the neighborhood of an intracochlear stimulation electrode, when an external sound is presented to a Cochlear Implant user, human or animal. Applicants recognize that an ECR can be thought of as a far-field electrical potential registered on the scalp of an implanted patient. Applicants, through their method and apparatus, can extract that potential from the patient's spontaneous electroencephalographic activity (EEG) and measure it by using an averaging algorithm. The Electrical Cochlear Response can be applied for adaptation, calibration, performance evaluation and failure detection of the Cochlear Implant of the implanted patient.

Abstract: A hole punch device that reduces the force required to create a hole in papers or other sheet media. A punch element of the hole punch device includes a locally sloped or indented floor to create a bend in the sheet media as it is punched to create an enlarged, oval hole. The punch pin may include an expanding sleeve surround the pin that forms a larger diameter during the cutting stroke and springs back to a smaller diameter during a pull out stroke. A coiled torsion return spring is positioned remotely from and non-coaxially with the punch pin. A keyed pin and support frame arrangement ensures a predetermined rotational orientation of the pin for sequential cutting for reduced cutting force. A long lead-in surface in the frame helps installing sheet media into the feed slot of the punch element.

Abstract: A system for boosting the bass of an audio signal to closely match or mirrors a plurality of Robinson-Dadson loudness curves by interpolating coefficients from a table of values representing the Robinson-Dadson loudness. The system having a controller that interpolates the coefficients from the loudness curves and then uses the coefficients in a shelf filter that makes adjustments to the audio signal. The result of the adjustments to the audio signal is the introduction of bass boost slowly through a diminuendo or lowering of level through volume adjustment and to removes the bass boost rapidly during a crescendo or increase in level through user volume adjustment.

Abstract: A stapler selectively uses enhanced leverage to break a glue bond of a staple to separate the staple from a rack of staples in the stapler. The staple does not press a working surface during this operating stage. The extra leverage stage occurs through a minority of total handle travel, preferably via a pivoting lever linked to the striker at one end and the opposite end traversing between inner spaced apart ribs underneath the handle. A remaining non-leveraged handle travel stage ejects a staple out from the stapler body against a working surface. A track supports staples from an underside of the top of the staples. The track includes an outward extending bottom support for at least one staple on the track to prevent rotation of a short rack of staples.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for locking a removable data carrier in a support structure of an electronic device. The locking mechanism includes a movable locking element, indicating unit and a locking element control unit. The movable locking element is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, where the locking element, in its locked position, prevents the removal of the data carrier from the support structure.

Abstract: Hemostatic clip cartridge having a plurality of individual compartments for holding preformed hemostatic clips. Each individual compartment progressively increases in width from the centerline of the cartridge. Flexible retaining fingers extend into each individual compartment and secure the hemostatic clip to a pedestal. Harvesting the hemostatic clip from that particular individual compartment by a clip applicator moves at least one of the retaining fingers from a first position to a post-harvest position. Subsequent removal of the clip applicator with the harvested hemostatic clip from that particular individual compartment leaves at least one of the retaining fingers in the post-harvest position different from the first position so that the post-harvest position of the at least one of the retaining fingers indicates that the particular individual compartment has been accessed by the clip applicator.

Abstract: A driver for delivering an insert to a bone anchor, the bone anchor having an internal cavity with a set of internal threads, the driver adapted to rotate with respect to a bone anchor that is anchored in a vertebral body in order to engage external threads on the insert with the set of internal threads in the bone anchor and axially advance the threadedly engaged insert within the bone anchor while simultaneously preventing the bone anchor from rotating with respect to the vertebral body the driver having: 1) a threaded retention rod for engaging a bore in the insert; 2) a driver head to engage with the insert to apply torque to the insert and rotate the insert; and 3) an anchor stabilizer to engage with a proximal face of the bone anchor to prevent the bone anchor from rotating with respect to the vertebral body.

Abstract: A phasing plug for a compression driver includes a base portion and a hub portion. The base portion includes a first side, a second side, and a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second sides. The hub portion extends from the base portion along an axis. The hub portion includes an outer surface and a plurality of ribs disposed on the outer surface. A plurality of recesses are defined by the outer surface and respective pairs of adjacent ribs. At least one aperture fluidly communicates with at least one of the recesses.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a movable diaphragm, a resilient centering device for centering and guiding the movement of the diaphragm, and a magnet system for controlling the movement of the diaphragm, where the diaphragm is positioned between the magnet system and the resilient centering device.

Abstract: An apparatus for flame simulation in an electrical fireplace which improves the realism of leaping and flickering flames, comprising a fixed light source, simulated charcoal, and a flame display screen which is arranged above the fixed light source. The simulated charcoal is located in front of the flame display screen. A twisted-style light reflector is located behind the flame display screen and is driven by a motor mounted inside the wall of the electrical fireplace. By rotating the twisted-style light reflector, light emitted from the fixed light source is reflected onto the flame display screen so the simulated dynamic leaping and flickering flames can be seen. The fixed light source also illuminates the simulated charcoal to produce an effect of burning charcoals. A heater produces warm air that is expelled from the fireplace.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer includes a housing, a diaphragm, a conductive coil, and a magnetic assembly having a plurality of air passages. The coil communicates with the diaphragm such that a flexible portion of the diaphragm is movable in response to movement of the coil. The coil includes axially spaced first and second coil portions. The magnetic assembly is disposed in the housing and is axially spaced from the diaphragm by an interior region. The coil portions are at least partially disposed in an annular gap formed in the magnetic assembly. Each air passage communicates with the interior region and with a respective aperture of the housing. The air passages provide respective air flow paths between the diaphragm and the ambient environment. Air flow through the passages is affected by movement of the flexible diaphragm portion for transferring heat from the transducer to the ambient environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a low-noise source includes: a signal source; a variable amplifier adapted to amplify an output signal from the signal source to provide an amplified signal; a feed-forward amplifier adapted to amplify the amplified signal to provide an amplified output signal; a phase noise measurement system adapted to provide a first feedback signal responsive to phase noise in the amplified output signal; and a processor adapted to control the amplification provided by the variable amplifier responsive to the feedback signal so as to minimize phase noise in the amplified output signal.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a route from a starting point to a destination on a road network are provided, where an estimation function for vertices of the road network is employed, and where a tiling covers an area in which at least a portion of the road network is contained. A resistance value of each tile of the tiling is provided, and the values of the estimation function for vertices of the road network are determined in accordance with the resistance values of the tiles of the tiling. In an example implementation, the resistance value of a given tile is a lower bound on or the minimum of the costs associated with an optimum route connecting any pair of vertices located on the boundary of the given tile divided by an air-line distance of the pair of vertices.

Abstract: A door assist system for use in a motor vehicle, to aid the user in opening doors by providing a power assist and operative controls. The door assist system can be retrofitted to existing vehicles such as armored motor vehicles used in military operations, to aid the user in opening heavy armored doors. The door assist system includes a programmable central controller coupled to internal and external open and close switches and sensors for activating door movement.