Abstract: Preprocessing audio data to generate parameters associated with time scaling reduces the processing power required for real-time time scaling of the audio data. An augmented audio data structure includes the audio data and the parameters. The parameters for a frame of the audio data can identify best match blocks for time scaling or represent a plot of offset versus time scale that can be interpolated to determine an offset. The real-time time scaling uses the blocks that the parameters identify instead of performing a search for the best matching blocks. The parameters can also indicate which of the frames represent silence and can be scaled differently from frames that do not represent silence.

Abstract: A time scaling process for a multi-channel (e.g., stereo) audio signal uses a common time offsets for all channels and thereby avoids fluctuation in the apparent location of a sound source. In the time scaling process, common time offsets correspond to respective time intervals of the audio signal. Data for each audio channel is partitioned into frames corresponding to the time intervals, and all frames corresponding to the same interval use the same common time offset in the time scaling process. The common time offset for an interval can be derived from channel data collectively or from separate time offsets independently calculated for the separate channels. Preprocessing can calculate the common time offsets for inclusion in an augmented audio data structure that a low-processing-power presentation system uses for real-time time scaling operations.

Abstract: Media encoding, transmission, and playback processes and structures employ a multi-channel architecture with different audio channels corresponding to different playback rates for a presentation to be transmitted over a network. Audio frames in the various audio channels all correspond to the same amount of time in the original presentation and have frame indexes that identify in the different audio channels the frames corresponding to the same time interval in the presentation. A user can make a real-time change in playback rate causing selection of a channel corresponding to the new playback rate and a frame required for prompt and smooth transition in the playback rate of the presentation. The architecture can additionally provide channels for graphics data such as image data that are displayed according to the index of the audio, and different audio channels with the same playback rate but different compression schemes for use according to available bandwidth on the network.

Abstract: A data acquisition unit for an EEG system includes pliant electrodes and/or a wireless transmitter that permit use of the EEG system without electrolyte gels or solutions and/or connecting wires. The electrodes can use a conductive fabric or a conductive rubber material that is dry or damp and mounted in a rigid structure that plugs into a socket on a headset. A feedback unit in the EEG system, which receives and processes the data from data acquisition unit, can be a high power, high performance processing system that implements complex feedback presentations and control functions based on analysis of the EEG data. In one embodiment, the feedback system controls a presentation player and adjusts a playback rate according to the sensed brain activity or synchrony between left and right brain activity. A PWM signal can control the time scale of the presentation.

Abstract: A method for time scale modification of a digital audio signal produces an output signal that is at a different playback rate, but at the same pitch, as the input signal. The method is an improved version of the synchronized overlap-and-add (SOLA) method, and overlaps sample blocks in the input signal with sample blocks in the output signal in order to compress the signal. Samples are overlapped at a location that produces the best possible output quality. A correlation function is calculated for each possible overlap lag, and the location producing the highest value of the function is chosen. The range of possible overlap lags is equal to the sum of the size of the two sample blocks. A computationally efficient method for calculating the correlation function computes a discrete frequency transform of the input and output sample blocks, calculates the correlation, and then performs an inverse frequency transform of the correlation function, which has a maximum at the optimal lag.

Abstract: A low maintenance, electrically controlled automatic spray bath employs a spray system to wash animals and subsequently deliver treatment and prevention products at a continuous, consistent dosage rate. The automatic spray bath comprises at least one component. Each component comprises four rails defining an enclosure through which animals are walked in one direction, one after the other. Each rail of each component has a plurality of nozzles. When one component is employed the nozzles are divided into sets. Each set of nozzles sprays either a cleaning fluid or a treatment fluid. When more than one component is employed, the nozzles of each component spray either a cleaning fluid or a treatment fluid. The components are modular and portable. As animals are led between a set of nozzles, an electric eye beam is broken, causing a check valve to allow liquid to flow from a remote reservoir.