Abstract: The present invention is directed to lighting and safety switch systems for use with high pressure hoses. One embodiment comprises a multipoint light source disposed around the high pressure hose and located proximate the discharge port for uniformly illuminating the application surface without casting a shadow. Another embodiment comprises at least one low profile, elongated switching element for activating and deactivating dispensing of pressurized medium through the high pressure hose. The at least one switching element is substantially equally responsive to touch along its length and runs parallel to the high pressure hose.

Abstract: An improved hearing aid is disclosed having a switched release automatic gain control. In one embodiment, an input signal is presented to a comparator with a reference typically around, for example, 65 dB SPL instantaneous. The output of the comparator controls a switch in a release circuit of an automatic gain control. While the instantaneous input level exceeds the threshold, the release circuit is enabled and the automatic gain control behaves normally. While the instantaneous input level does not exceed the threshold, the release circuit is disabled and the automatic gain control maintains its current gain setting, essentially indefinitely. Because speech, even soft speech, has a very high positive peak content, this circuit will recover any needed gain in the presence of speech (assuming an appropriate threshold) but not recover gain to background noise whose positive peak content is below the threshold.

Abstract: A hearing aid system is disclosed that enables a two-wire configuration for power, data and ground, and two-way communication between a hearing aid and an external programming device or system. In one embodiment, the hearing aid includes a receiver and a bypass capacitor, such as commonly found with Class D receivers. Circuitry is included that switches between a normal hearing aid operating mode in which the bypass capacitor is connected, and a programming mode in which at least the bypass capacitor is disconnected. Switching may occur in response to the input voltage of the hearing aid rising above and falling below a predetermined threshold. The hearing aid may operate using three different voltages, one for normal operation and two others representative of logic signals during the programming mode.

Abstract: An improved Pinewood Derby (and derivatives) Track is disclosed being composed of plastic. In the preferred embodiment a plastic extrusion two lanes wide and eight feet long is joined to additional similar sections by shorter identical extrusions to make a track of virtually any width and length. The result is a very low weight, very uniform, very low maintenance track that can be assembled without tools.

Abstract: A hearing aid system is disclosed that enables a two-wire configuration for power, data and ground, and two-way communication between a hearing aid and an external programming device or system. In one embodiment, the hearing aid includes a receiver and a bypass capacitor, such as commonly found with Class D receivers. Circuitry is included that switches between a normal hearing aid operating mode in which the bypass capacitor is connected, and a programming mode in which at least the bypass capacitor is disconnected. Switching may occur in response to the input voltage of the hearing aid rising above and falling below a predetermined threshold. The hearing aid may operate using three different voltages, one for normal operation and two others representative of logic signals during the programming mode.

Abstract: A programming apparatus combination for programming an auditory prosthesis comprises a computer system and a portable programming device. The computer system comprises a general purpose operating system, a user interface for accepting auditory prosthesis programming information from a user, and a communications interface for communicating the programming information from the personal computer.