Abstract: A hearing application suite includes enhancement and training for listening and hearing of prerecorded speech, extemporaneous voice communication, and non-speech sound. Enhancement includes modification of audio according to audiometric data representing subjective hearing abilities of the user, display of textual captions contemporaneously with the display of the audiovisual content, user-initiated repeating of a most recently played portion of the audiovisual content, user-controlled adjustment of the rate of playback of the audiovisual content, user-controlled dynamic range compression/expansion, and user controlled noise reduction. Training includes testing the user's ability to discern speech and/or various other qualities of audio with varying degrees of quality.

Abstract: A split cylindrical clamp encloses inner ends of grip bars of a folding handlebar to hold the grip bars in a firm, stationary, and strong riding position. A single user gesture flips a clamp lever to loosen the split cylindrical clamp allows the grip bars to be slid outward and folded to a folded position. The split cylindrical clamp is then tightened with another single gesture, flipping the clamp lever in an opposite direction, locking the grip bars in the folded position. While locked in the folded position, the grip bars are entirely immobilized.

Abstract: Multiple instances of a single object are aggregated and submitted collectively to a graphics API for rendering. Vertices of the object are replicated into a large buffer and are modified so as to be bound to different transformation matrices in a matrix palette. An index buffer of the object is similarly replicated. Each replicated index buffer is modified to refer to vertices of a different, respective set of replicated vertices. Thus, the large vertex and index buffers are initialized to contain multiple, distinct, and independent copies of the object. Instancing logic aggregates matrix palettes of individual instances of the same object into an aggregated matrix palette and sends the aggregated vertex and index buffers of the object along with the accumulated aggregated matrix palette to the graphics API for rendering.

Abstract: A vacuum tube power amplifier with a user-operable switch and a single output transformer which selectively provides push-pull or single ended configurations for driving a loudspeaker.

Abstract: Data objects are gathered and organized through a computer system and stored for subsequent access through a computer network by a mobile device such as a wireless telephone. The data objects have attributes and can be acted upon using predefined actions and associated types to greatly simplify user accessibility to such data objects through the limited user interface and bandwidth capabilities of a mobile device.

Abstract: Data objects are organized into attributes and can be acted upon using predefined actions and associated types to greatly simplify user accessibility to such data objects through the limited user interface and bandwidth capabilities of a mobile device. Each data object is associated with a numerical identifier such that the user can easily identify a data object of interest using the limited data entry capabilities of the typical mobile device.

Abstract: A beverage reservoir for a personal hydration device is filled with a beverage, e.g., water, and sealed in a tamper-evident manner. As a result, the reservoir can be sold pre-filled and the user can use the reservoir confident that the beverage contains no mold, fungus, or residue from previously stored and consumed beverage. The reservoir can also include a port for re-filling such that the user can use the reservoir in a conventional manner after consumption of the previously sealed-in beverage.

Abstract: A programmable circuit detects drop in pressure of a supplied pressurized gas below a predetermined threshold pressure and automatically switches to a different supply of pressurized gas and automatically contacts a remotely located host computer. The circuit sends status data to the host computer and enters a server mode in which the circuit performs commands issued by the host computer. The commands include commands to change data of the programmable circuit and to download new programming. The predetermined threshold pressure is established by manually setting the supplied pressurized gas to a desired pressure and causing the programmable circuit to measure the pressure of supplied gas and to store the measured pressure as the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A hard disk drive docking adapter includes a rack and a slide with fans, a hinged door, a door-mounted air filter, and a hinged air filter cover. The door locks the slide to the rack and the air filter cover hinges to hold the air filter the door. The hinges of the cover oppose the hinges of the door to prevent the door from opening when the cover is removed for air filter replacement.

Abstract: A rack for receiving a memory storage device carrier having a periphery to blow air through the opening. The rack has a backplane, a first lateral rail and a second lateral rail for mounting a memory storage device extending perpendicularly from the backplane. At least one rail has a periphery defining an opening with a fan mounted with respect to the opening to blow air through the opening.

Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.

Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the trust worthiness of executable packets, e.g., internet applets, being transmitted within a computer network. The computer network includes both secured computers and unsecured computers, which are associated with secured nodes and unsecured nodes, respectively. Each executable packet has a source address and a destination address. In one embodiment, an intelligent firewall determines within a first degree of certainty whether the source address of an executable packet arriving at one of the secured computers is associated with anyone of the secured nodes, and also determines within a second degree of certainty whether the destination address of the executable packet is associated with anyone of the secured nodes.

Abstract: A docking adapter for reliably inserting and removing a memory storage device from a memory storage device bay includes a rack and a removable carrier. The rack has a pair of lateral rails for holding the carrier. The carrier slidably engages the rails to enable the carrier to slide into the rack. The carrier is adapted for holding a hard disk drive. The carrier has a face with cooling fans, a cantilever mounted on the face for engaging the rack and a cover with a cam. The cover is hinged to the face. The cover rotates from a closed position where the cover parallels the face to an open position where the cover opens, pressing the cam against the cantilever against the rack to smoothly extract the carrier from the rack.

Abstract: A programmable circuit detects drop in pressure of a supplied pressurized gas below a predetermined threshold pressure and automatically switches to a different supply of pressurized gas and automatically contacts a remotely located host computer. The circuit sends status data to the host computer and enters a server mode in which the circuit performs commands issued by the host computer. The commands include commands to change data of the programmable circuit and to download new programming. The predetermined threshold pressure is established by manually setting the supplied pressurized gas to a desired pressure and causing the programmable circuit to measure the pressure of supplied gas and to store the measured pressure as the threshold pressure.

Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators,also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.

Abstract: A multi-mode preamplifier for electric guitar comprising substantially parallel arrangement of at least two dissimilar channels of amplifying stages wherein one channel is dedicated to rhythm mode performance while the other is dedicated to one or more distortion producing modes.

Abstract: A docking adapter capable of cooling a memory storage device such as a hard disk drive includes a carrier and a rack. The carrier has a face with a vent, a backplane, a first lateral side and second lateral side extending perpendicularly from the face to the backplane. At least one lateral side of the carrier has a periphery defining an opening. The rack has a first lateral rail and a second lateral rail configured for receiving the carrier. The carrier includes a fan mounted on the lateral rail of the rack to blow air through the opening of the carrier. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the fan is mounted on the carrier and the rack has a lateral opening. In each case, air is vented directly from the carrier to cool the hard disk drive.

Abstract: Fields of smart forms include default logic and verification logic to simplify filling in of the smart form by an employee and reduce the likelihood that errors in data entry occur. In particular, the default logic determines a default value for a field in the form according to one or more data items in a comprehensive company database. Verification logic verifies that the employee has entered valid form data in a particular field. The verification logic can include references to data items stored in the comprehensive company database such that data entered by the employee can be verified with respect to data already stored in the database. Data entered by the employee is stored in the database and can be used by default logic and/or verification logic in subsequently used smart forms.

Abstract: Computer implemented training exercises present stimuli to a user and receive responses by the user to the stimuli. The stimuli are specifically selected to challenge and improve a cognitive ability of the user, e.g., the ability to perceive and understand spoken language. As a result, the stimuli cannot be changed or adapted to motivate the user through entertainment. Motivation is therefore provided by periodic reward animations which include persistent plots and characters. Progress indicators represent progress toward reward animations and represent such progression with smooth, entertaining progress animations. Randomly appearing animations and variations in rewards and immediate feedback add to the surprise and curiosity of the user and motivate further correct responses to see further random animations and variations. Progress indicators also represent a relation between the number of steps taking toward completion of a task and a maximum number of steps which should be needed to complete the task.