Abstract: A miniature transducer such as for an in-the-canal hearing aid, is disclosed. The transducer comprises a housing formed of a top cup joined to a bottom cup and defines an interior and an exterior. The bottom cup includes a base surface and a plurality of interconnected walls. The transducer further comprises a motor including a coil, a stack and an armature disposed substantially within the bottom cup. The housing includes an opening and a portion of the stack extends outwardly through the opening. Because the stack extends outwardly through the opening, the overall thickness of the transducer is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for evaluating the efficacy of a therapy associated with cell death in a patient undergoing such a therapy. The method involves providing at least two body fluid samples drawn from the patient, wherein a second sample is drawn from the patient after a first sample, and measuring the quantity per unit volume of a body-fluid soluble interior nuclear matrix protein in each of the samples. By comparing the quantity per unit volume of the body fluid-soluble interior nuclear matrix protein in the first sample with the quantity per unit volume of the body fluid-soluble interior nuclear matrix protein in the second sample, it is possible to determine whether there has been an increase or decrease of cell death in the patient during therapy.

Abstract: This invention comprises a system to compensate for the noise level inside a vehicle by measuring the music level and the noise level in the vehicle through the use of analog to digital conversion and adaptive digital filtering, including a sensing microphone in the vehicle cabin to measure both music and noise; preamplification and analog to digital (A/D) conversion of the microphone signal; A/D conversion of a stereo music signal; a pair of filters that use an adaptive algorithm such as the known Least Mean Squares ("LMS") method to extract the noise from the total cabin sound; an estimation of the masking effect of the noise on the music; an adaptive correction of the music loudness and, optionally, equalization to overcome the masking effect; digital to analog (D/A) conversion of the corrected music signal; and transmission of the corrected music signal to the audio system.

Abstract: This invention comprises a system to compensate for the noise level inside a vehicle by measuring the music level and the noise level in the vehicle through the use of analog to digital conversion and adaptive digital filtering, including a sensing microphone in the vehicle cabin to measure both music and noise; preamplification and analog to digital (A/D) conversion of the microphone signal; A/D conversion of a stereo music signal; a pair of filters that use an adaptive algorithm such as the known Least Mean Squares ("LMS") method to extract the noise from the total cabin sound; an estimation of the masking effect of the noise on the music; an adaptive correction of the music loudness and, optionally, equalization to overcome the masking effect; digital to analog (D/A) conversion of the corrected music signal; and transmission of the corrected music signal to the audio system.

Abstract: A telephone call is made by a calling party. The telephone call is routed through a telephone network to a piece of terminal equipment. The terminal equipment analyzes call information associated with the telephone call. The call information is divided into separate call attributes, such as calling telephone number and called telephone number. One or more number lists, stored in the terminal equipment, are then searched to see if they contain an entry that matches the call attributes. If a match is not found, the call is rejected. If one or more matches is found, the call is routed as specified by the number list entry having the most optimal match. The number lists can be easily user-modified.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing checks and deposit tickets. The deposit ticket and its corresponding checks are transported through a portion of the apparatus where data representing the monetary amounts displayed on the documents is entered into a computer. The checks are held in a buffer area until all of the checks in the group corresponding to the deposit ticket have had their amounts entered. When the computer indicates that the total of the entered amounts equals the amount on the deposit ticket, the checks are individually withdrawn from the buffer and delivered to an inscriber which encodes or prints monetary data on the checks. By inscribing the checks only after balancing, the need to make corrections to inscribed checks is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the chemiluminescent signal of an acridinium ester in a chemiluminescent reaction which comprises oxidizing the acridinium ester in the presence of an enhancer selected from the group consisting of: (a) a cationic surfactant; (b) a nonionic surfactant; and (c) a sulfated primary alcohol.

Abstract: A method for determining thyroxine uptake of a sample serum comprising: (a) incubating the sample serum with solid phase thyroxine and labeled anti-TBG antibody; (b) separating the solid phase from the unbound labeled antibody; (c) measuring the amount of label associated with the solid phase; and (d) calculating the thyroxide uptake ratio of the sample serum by relating the measurement of step (c) to a measurement of a reference serum.

Abstract: A portable tree stand includes a rigid, substantially rectangular lightweight platform having a flexible chain secured thereto for use in attaching and locking the platform to a tree trunk. A pair of elongate brace members are pivotally connected to the lower surface of the platform and are fixedly connected to a penetrating member, which penetrates the tree trunk when the tree stand is mounted on a tree. The platform has a recessed end and a pair of penetrating elements projecting therefrom, which facilitate positioning and stability of the platform. Carrying straps are provided to permit easy transport of the portable deer stand as a backpack.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved waterproof quick match and apparatus and method of making same in which the loose fitting central core (fuse) covering is made of a plastic coated paper and heat sealed at the seams in a waterproof relationship.

Abstract: A device for screeding and finishing concrete pavements having an elongate sectional framework, turnbuckles between framework sections to provide a crown or sag, a rotating shaft with eccentric weights driven by an internal combustion engine to impart vibration, hydraulic pumps and motors driving winches for self-propulsion of the device across the concrete. The screed bars are hollow rectangular members having two useable wearing surfaces. The screed bars may be rotated to bring their second wearing surfaces into contact with the concrete.