Abstract: A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A handheld lighting device is provided with a detachable knife assembly. In one example, the handheld lighting device may include a light source that generates a light beam to illuminate a scene, such as a work area. The knife assembly may be coupled to the lighting device using an attachment mechanism. The lighting device may include a slot that may receive a sleeve of the knife assembly such that the knife assembly may be secured to the lighting device. The lighting device may illuminate the work area such that a user may readily see the area that a knife of the knife assembly may cut. The light source of the lighting device may be activated using a multi-access user control that may be L-shaped and actuated from one or more locations on the user control. Additional features and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Adaptive communications focal plane arrays that may be implemented in, e.g., a specially-configured camera that can be utilized to receive and/or process information in the form of optical beams are presented. A specialized focal plane array (FPA) having a plurality of optical detectors is utilized, where one or more optical detectors are suppressed such that data is not allowed to be output from the one or more suppressed optical detectors, and only a significantly smaller number or subset of optical detectors receiving optical beams are allowed to output data. In this way, the rate at which data is to be output by an adaptive communications FPA (ACFPA) can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided to implement an attachment for a firearm that operates as a flash hider, a muzzle brake, and/or to mount, e.g., a sound suppressor, to the firearm. In one example, a firearm attachment includes a base adapted to couple to a muzzle end of a barrel of a firearm. The firearm attachment includes a plurality of longitudinal tines that extend forward from the base. The base includes a plurality of apertures disposed rearward of the tines and that extend from a bore within the base through an outer circumfery of the firearm attachment. The apertures exhibit a first diameter at the bore and a second larger diameter at the outer circumfery. The apertures are adapted to impart thrust to the firearm attachment in response to combustion gases passed from the bore through the apertures to compensate for muzzle rise associated with the firearm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using optical narrowcasting with social media applications are described herein. One system may include an optical receiver to receive optically narrowcast content extracted from an optical beam transmitted by an optical transmitter; and a first user device to capture a media representation of a real-world environment in which the optical beam is detected. The system may be configured to create an enhanced media dataset including the optically narrowcast content and the media representation; and post the enhanced media dataset on a social media platform. The system may set one or more filters to be applied to optically narrowcast content posted on the social media platform; and apply the one or more filters to the optically narrowcast content of the enhanced media dataset that is posted on the social media platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. At such far-field distances, light beams emitted from the optical transmitters can be combined in a tiled fashion to create energy efficient and directable optical transmissions.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to implement and use an earpiece having an attachment mount. In one example, an earpiece includes an arcuate rib having a lobe disposed on an upper end thereof and configured to engage with a crus of a helix and an antihelix of a user's ear. The earpiece also includes a mount extending from the arcuate rib and comprising a snap clip configured to engage and position an audio device in contact with the user's ear. Other implementations and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. Moreover, the elements can be implemented on a miniaturized scale in conjunction with small, user devices such as smartphones, thereby also realizing optical ad-hoc networking, as well as interoperability with other types of data networks. Optically narrowcast content can be used to augment a real-world experience, enhance and/or spawn new forms of social-media and media content.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to assemble, manufacture, and operate firearm sound suppressors. In one example, a sound suppressor for a firearm includes a baffle; a spacer abutted to the baffle; and a circumferential laser weld joining the baffle and the spacer. In another example, a sound suppressor for a firearm includes a plurality of baffles; a plurality of spacers; a substantially tubular housing surrounding the baffles and the spacers; wherein the housing and the spacers define an annular volume surrounding the spacers; an aperture in a circumfery of at least one of the spacers; and wherein the aperture is adapted to direct combustion gases in a radial direction from within the spacer into the annular volume to reduce ejection port flash of the firearm. Additional suppressor embodiments and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. Moreover, the elements can be implemented on a miniaturized scale in conjunction with small, user devices such as smartphones, thereby also realizing optical ad-hoc networking, as well as interoperability with other types of data networks. Optically narrowcast content can be used to augment a real-world experience, enhance and/or spawn new forms of social-media and media content.

Abstract: Adaptive communications focal plane arrays that may be implemented in, e.g., a specially-configured camera that can be utilized to receive and/or process information in the form of optical beams are presented. A specialized focal plane array (FPA) having a plurality of optical detectors is utilized, where one or more optical detectors are suppressed such that data is not allowed to be output from the one or more suppressed optical detectors, and only a significantly smaller number or subset of optical detectors receiving optical beams are allowed to output data. In this way, the rate at which data is to be output by an adaptive communications FPA (ACFPA) can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. Moreover, the elements can be implemented on a miniaturized scale in conjunction with small, user devices such as smartphones, thereby also realizing optical ad-hoc networking, as well as interoperability with other types of data networks. Optically narrowcast content can be used to augment a real-world experience, enhance and/or spawn new forms of social-media and media content.

Abstract: Adaptive communications focal plane arrays that may be implemented in, e.g., a specially-configured camera that can be utilized to receive and/or process information in the form of optical beams are presented. A specialized focal plane array (FPA) having a plurality of optical detectors is utilized, where one or more optical detectors are suppressed such that data is not allowed to be output from the one or more suppressed optical detectors, and only a significantly smaller number or subset of optical detectors receiving optical beams are allowed to output data. In this way, the rate at which data is to be output by an adaptive communications FPA (ACFPA) can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. Moreover, the elements can be implemented on a miniaturized scale in conjunction with small, user devices such as smartphones, thereby also realizing optical ad-hoc networking, as well as interoperability with other types of data networks. Optically narrowcast content can be used to augment a real-world experience, enhance and/or spawn new forms of social-media and media content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. Moreover, the elements can be implemented on a miniaturized scale in conjunction with small, user devices such as smartphones, thereby also realizing optical ad-hoc networking, as well as interoperability with other types of data networks. Optically narrowcast content can be used to augment a real-world experience, enhance and/or spawn new forms of social-media and media content.