Abstract: Various embodiments provide a multi-audio input, stereo audio output, push-to-talk (PTT) switch device. The device may include an audio processing unit configured to perform spatial separation/positioning for one or a plurality of audio sources. The audio processing unit of the device may apply unique head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) to produce left and right audio outputs that correspond to predetermined or dynamically positioned spatial locations for each of the incoming audio streams.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a directional awareness audio communication system and method. The system may include remote speaker/transmitting device(s) and listener/receiving device(s). The speaker/transmitting device(s) may send real-time location information with audio or separate from the audio to the listener/receiving device(s). The listener/receiving device(s) use the speaker/transmitting device(s) location information relative to the listener/receiving device location and orientation to perform audio processing on the transmitted audio signal. The listener/receiving device(s) provide the processed audio signal in stereo (i.e., at least two speakers such as left and right headphones, vehicle speakers, control center speakers, surround sound speakers, etc.) to a user of the listener/receiving device. The listener/receiving device(s) provides a warning and outputs standard audio if the real-time location information of the speaker/transmitting device(s) is unavailable or unreliable.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a directional awareness audio communication system and method. The system may include remote speaker/transmitting device(s) and listener/receiving device(s). The speaker/transmitting device(s) may send real-time location information with audio or separate from the audio to the listener/receiving device(s). The listener/receiving device(s) use the speaker/transmitting device(s) location information relative to the listener/receiving device location and orientation to perform audio processing on the transmitted audio signal. The listener/receiving device(s) provide the processed audio signal in stereo (i.e., at least two speakers such as left and right headphones, vehicle speakers, control center speakers, surround sound speakers, etc.) to a user of the listener/receiving device. The listener/receiving device(s) provides a warning and outputs standard audio if the real-time location information of the speaker/transmitting device(s) is unavailable or unreliable.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system and method that automatically communicate data using a nonlinear, time-varying voice channel. The system may include one or more sensors, a controller, and a radio transmitter. The one or more sensors may be operable to detect a condition. The controller may be configured to receive an indication of the detected condition from the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to generate a message including information of the detected condition based on the received indication of the detected condition. The radio transmitter may be configured to wirelessly transmit the generated message on the voice channel.

Abstract: A remote speaker microphone having a directional microphone, a speaker, and a housing. The housing has a first portion sized to contain the speaker and a second portion sized to contain the directional microphone. The second portion defines a front port positioned adjacent the front surface of the directional microphone and a rear port positioned adjacent the rear surface of the directional microphone. The housing is configured to minimize the distance that sound waves travel within the housing before impacting on the sound receiving surfaces of the microphone.

Abstract: A hand grip for use in controlling machinery. The grip includes a grip body and a hand rest connected to the grip body. The hand rest adjustably slides and rotates with respect the grip body grip. The hand rest includes a first locking part that is configured to engage the grip body to lock the hand rest in a locked position with respect to the grip body such that the hand rest does not slide with respect to the grip body and configured to disengage from the grip body such that the hand rest slidably moves with respect to the grip body. The hand rest includes a second locking part that, when unlocked, allows the hand rest to rotate with respect to the grip body, and that, when locked, prevents the hand rest from rotating with respect to the grip body.

Abstract: A lightweight communications headset includes a headband adapted to be worn on user's head. A speaker housing is carried by the headband and defines an acoustic chamber. A speaker mounted within projects sound waves into the acoustic chamber. The headband carries a pair of earpieces which are positionable adjacent to the user's ears for delivering sound thereto. The acoustic chamber is coupled to earpieces through acoustic passages which transmit sound waves produced in the acoustic chamber to the earpieces. The earpieces preferably include removable in-ear inserts, which may be constructed for insertion into the auditory canals of the user's ears. Since the in-ear inserts are removable, the headset can readily be configured for a variety of applications.

Abstract: A dual magnet Hall effect switch for contactless switching is provided. The Hall effect switch includes a magnet carriage and a Hall effect sensor positioned inside a switch housing. The magnet carriage includes two magnets positioned with opposite polarities facing the Hall effect sensor and in contact. When the switch is actuated, the magnet carriage is displaced within the switch housing and relative to the Hall effect sensor. The two magnets positioned inside the magnet carriage are also displaced. The positional displacement of the magnets relative to the Hall effect sensor alters the magnetic field detected by the Hall effect sensor. When the magnetic field detected by the Hall effect sensor reaches a predetermined level, the switch is actuated. The Hall effect switch also includes a boot seal sealing the switch and an internal clicker ball to provide an audible or tactile indication of the switch's actuation.

Abstract: An ear receiver positions a transducer in close proximity to the human ear. A housing carries a transducer and has an exterior opening through which audible sound from the transducer radiates. A support arm member has a first end connected to the housing and a second end extending from the housing in a direction substantially parallel to the housing exterior opening. An ear piece is formed to fit around the pinna of a human ear. The ear piece has one end movably connected to the second end of the support arm for rotation about at least two axes. Preferably the ear piece rotates about a first axis which is perpendicular to the support arm and a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. A signal delivery mechanism, such as an electrical conductor, is provided for delivering an input signal to the transducer.

Abstract: A sealed rocker switch includes a button having a lever. A coil spring coaxial with the lever and enclosing a portion of the lever forces a plunger against an actuator that rocks to place a spring blade in contact with blade contacts to operate the switch. The blade contacts are snapped into the case of the switch to maintain the blade contacts in a desired position, and are potted with a potting compound to make a seal. The actuator may be shaped in one of several ways to provide maintained contact, momentary contact, or a combination of these. A groove in the lever supports an O-ring against the case to seal the switch at the button end.

Abstract: A toggle switch includes a toggle lever with a spherical portion that is held against a partially spherical surface by a retaining ring or a pin to permit the toggle lever to swivel. A coil spring coaxial with the toggle lever and enclosing a portion of the lever forces a plunger against an actuator that rocks to place a blade in contact with a terminal to operate the switch. Terminals are molded into the case of the switch to maintain the terminals in a desired position. The actuator may be shaped in one of several ways to provide maintained contact, momentary contact, or a combination of these. Electrical contacts are formed by placing spherical balls or similar shapes made of a contact material into holes in the terminals and then forming the balls or other shapes to produce a contact surface.

Abstract: Presented is a slide roller apparatus of elegant simplicity, high precision/cost ratio and few parts where the car/track/rollers are relatively movable and the only needed parts (excepting for attachment means). The car is unitary without end caps for the roller groove, the roller groove being machined or otherwise formed into the car with great precision. The ends of the rollers have a sliding engagement with a rail track surface. The tracks and cars may be made of high precision extruded aluminum hard coated and impregnated with a high lubricity material. The rollers preferably are softer than the tracks and may be made of plastic material. The slide roller apparatus has far ranging applications from sail boats to machine tools.

Abstract: A precision switch and a switch blade/contact formed from uniform thickness sheet stock bent into U-shaped form wherein the edge surfaces after bending become the movable contacts of the high performance rugged tiny subminiature switch. The switch per se utilizes a configuration of pivotal rigid legs of the U-shaped blade/contact arranged to be spaced apart to maximum extent to allow a large diameter long coil spring located between the legs to be used for giving the blade/contact means precision high contact force operating characteristics which will withstand high G forces and will carry relatively large currents given the absolute size of the switch.

Abstract: A precision subminiature, snap action switch and an externally actuated, heavy duty, spring loaded self-return type operator therefor are enclosed within an hermetically sealed housing. The operator employs a switch actuating cam having shoulders cooperable with shoulders on the interior of the housing to define the limits of cam movement, said cam also having a shoulder cooperable with a shoulder on a switch lever to trip the switch upon movement of the externally actuated operator shaft a precise amount away from its at rest position. A connector/switch subassembly sealingly closes a housing opening, provides a rigid, precision mounting for the switch, and also provides external electrical connections for the switch.

Abstract: A multiposition precision joystick type control device having a transducer mode in which an actuator button is movable in any lateral direction away from a neutral position to cause flexure of flexible bar mechanism along one or both of two orthogonally related axes, there being a set of transducers for sensing such flexure and providing a coordinate-related signal to apparatus to be controlled, the control device having a depress mode in which the actuator button is axially depressed for actuation of a switch and thereby providing an alternate controlling function. Overload mechanism including a spring loaded articulated connection between the actuator button and the flexible bar mechanism limits the degree of flexure which can be imparted to the flexible bar mechanism by movement of the actuator button in any lateral direction from its neutral position to prevent damage to the sets of transducers.