Abstract: An electronic headset for a user, the headset including a housing; a first microphone to receive a first audio input provided by the user; a second microphone to receive a second audio input provided by one or more audio sources other than the user; a controller converting the first audio input into a first electronic signal when the controller operates in a first operational mode and converting the second audio input into a second electronic signal when the controller operates in a second operational mode; a first output system active in the first operational mode to communicate the first electronic signal to a second electronic device; a second output system active in the second operational mode and including a sound generator to convert the second electronic signal into an audio signal; and a mode control for setting the controller into one of the operational modes.

Abstract: An electronic headset and audio enhancement method that improves remote and direct conversations conducted in a noisy environment.

Abstract: A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium carrying program instructions for verifying a fingerprint when executed using a computing system, the executed program instructions executing a method, the method: producing a test image of a fingerprint-under-test; producing a test ridge map from the test image and a reference ridge map from each of one or more reference fingerprint images; extracting fingerprint points of interest from the ridge maps; screening candidate reference ridge maps based upon a correspondence between the points of interest from the reference ridge maps and the points of interest from the test ridge map wherein the correspondence includes a first threshold and one or more candidate ridge maps having the correspondence within the first threshold are included in a set of candidate ridge maps; comparing local ridge data surrounding one or more points of interest of the test ridge map within a second threshold with local ridge data surrounding corresponding one or more po

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and computer program product for ridge map formation. The method for processing an image data structure to extract a feature defined by a plurality of contiguous data elements includes identifying a set of candidate image feature pixels, the set including one or more pixels from the image data structure; examining local image data surrounding one or more pixels of the set of candidate image feature pixels to identify a set of potential image feature pixels with each of the potential image feature pixels having a characteristic consistent with being associated with the feature; and identifying the feature in the image data using the set of potential image feature pixels by locating one or more of the plurality of contiguous data elements neighboring one or more pixels of the set of potential image feature pixels. The computer program product includes instructions executable by a processing unit, and those instructions perform the feature extraction as described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a universal wireless security device that provides multiple access control functions in one device without subjecting an owner to increased risk arising from unauthorized use. Authorization is established via one or more biometric characteristics of a user attempting to operate the device.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for a biometric power tool.

Abstract: A method including attempting a match of a series of sample biometric signatures into a database having one or more valid biometric signatures; accumulating a first number N1 of consecutive failed match attempts prior to a successful match wherein a failed match attempt occurs when one of the sample biometric signatures does not match any of the valid biometric signatures; comparing the first number N1 and the second number N2 to a predetermined threshold value M for a match comparison; validating a successful match when the comparing feat determines the first number N1 and the second number N2 both have a particular relationship to the predetermined threshold value M; and recording a second number N2 equal to the value of the first number N1 when a sample biometric signature matches one of the valid biometric signatures.