Abstract: An electrical receptacle includes at least one motion sensor for detecting movement of a blade of an electrical plug in the receptacle, an extraction detector operatively connected to the motion sensor for generating a signal in response to movement of the blade at a predetermined rate, a position detector operatively connected to the motion sensor for determining the position of the blade in the receptacle, a switch operatively connected to the extraction detector and the position detector for de-energizing the receptacle when the extraction detector detects extraction of the blade from the receptacle at a rate equal to or greater than the predetermined and wherein the extraction detector and switch are operative to de-energize the receptacle in less than six milliseconds when the extraction detector detects extraction of the blade from the receptacle at a rate equal to or greater than the predetermined rate.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle includes at least one motion sensor for detecting movement of a blade of an electrical plug in the receptacle, an extraction detector operatively connected to the motion sensor for generating a signal in response to movement of the blade at a predetermined rate, a position detector operatively connected to the motion sensor for determining the position of the blade in the receptacle, a switch operatively connected to the extraction detector and the position detector for de-energizing the receptacle when the extraction detector detects extraction of the blade from the receptacle at a rate equal to or greater than the predetermined and wherein the extraction detector and switch are operative to de-energize the receptacle in less than six milliseconds when the extraction detector detects extraction of the blade from the receptacle at a rate equal to or greater than the predetermined rate.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing the contents of an input audio signal and for suppressing noise components of the input audio signal are described. The audio signal is divided into a number of frequency domain input signals. Each frequency domain input signal can be processed separately to determine its intensity change, modulation frequency, and time duration characteristics to characterize the frequency domain input signal as containing a desirable signal or as a type of noise. An index signal is calculated based on a combination of the determined characteristics and signals identified as noise are suppressed in comparison to signals identified as desirable to produce a set of frequency domain output signals with reduced noise. The frequency domain output signals are combined to provide an output audio signal corresponding to the input audio signal but having suppressed noise components and comparatively enhanced desirable signal components.

Abstract: An electronic filter device for the reception of TV-signals, comprising a plurality of frequency determining elements settable by means of an analog setting voltage, a memory (2) for storing digital values representative of the analog setting voltages and conversion circuitry (11-14) for converting the digital values into the analog setting voltages. The conversion circuitry comprises a first part (11-13) for generating a digitally modulated signal for each digital value, the digitally modulated signal having a modulated characteristic representative of the digital value, and a second part (14) for converting each of the digitally modulated signals into the analog setting voltages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for implementing logic control in programmable controllers in distributed control systems using a wired or wireless network. A software application is used to define the configuration of the network. Based on the network configuration, a compiler engine automatically assigns each statement of the control program to at least one programmable logic controller in the network. Each statement is then transmitted over a data transmission medium to the programmable logic controller assigned to the statement.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptively removing feedback in audio systems and, more particularly, hearing aid systems. The audio system comprises an analysis unit, for receiving an input signal and providing N bandpass input signals, and an adaptive feedback cancellation unit for removing a feedback condition in one or more of the N bandpass input signals. The adaptive feedback cancellation unit comprises N sub-units with at least one of the sub-units including: (i) a feedback detector for indicating the presence of the feedback condition in one of the bandpass input signals, (ii) an adaptive feedback canceller for providing an adaptive gain modification factor for adjusting gain when the feedback condition is detected within one of the bandpass input signals, and (iii) a multiplier coupled to the adaptive feedback canceller and the analysis unit for providing a bandpass output signal based on one of the bandpass input signals and the corresponding adaptive gain modification factor.

Abstract: A hearing aid system and method for processing one of an input magnetic signal, having magnetic information, and at least one acoustic input signal having acoustic information. The system comprises an acoustic sensor for providing the input acoustic signal, a magnetic sensor for providing the input magnetic signal, and a magnetic signal detector for selecting one of the input acoustic signal and the input magnetic signal as an information signal. The magnetic signal detector selects the input magnetic signal as the information signal when a magnetic signal detection process has at least partially analyzed the input magnetic signal to determine if audio information may be present. The hearing aid system further comprises a hearing aid module for processing the information signal and providing an output signal to a user of the hearing aid system.

Abstract: A hearing aid that is capable of automatically switching between a full-function mode and a sleep mode depending on the location of the hearing aid. The hearing aid comprises a hearing aid module for processing an input signal and generating a compensated output signal and, a location sensor module for providing a location information signal to indicate one of an in-the-ear case and an out-of-the-ear case. The hearing aid module automatically switches to the full-function mode when the location information signal indicates the in-the-ear case and the hearing aid module automatically switches to the sleep mode when the location information signal indicates the out-of-the-ear case.

Abstract: An improved hearing aid, and processes for adaptively processing signals therein to improve the perception of desired sounds by a user thereof. In one broad aspect, the present invention relates to a process in which one or more signal processing methods are applied to frequency band signals derived from an input digital signal. The level of each frequency band signal is computed and compared to at least one plurality of threshold values to determine which signal processing schemes are to be applied. In one embodiment of the invention, each plurality of threshold values to which levels of the frequency band signals are compared, is derived from a speech-shaped spectrum. Additional measures such as amplitude modulation or a signal index may also be employed and compared to corresponding threshold values in the determination.

Abstract: An improved hearing aid, and processes for adaptively processing signals therein to improve the perception of desired sounds by a user thereof. In one broad aspect, the present invention relates to a process in which one or more signal processing methods are applied to frequency band signals derived from an input digital signal. The level of each frequency band signal is computed and compared to at least one plurality of threshold values to determine which signal processing schemes are to be applied. In one embodiment of the invention, each plurality of threshold values to which levels of the frequency band signals are compared, is derived from a speech-shaped spectrum. Additional measures such as amplitude modulation or a signal index may also be employed and compared to corresponding threshold values in the determination.

Abstract: A hearing aid system and method for processing one of an input magnetic signal, having magnetic information, and at least one acoustic input signal having acoustic information. The system comprises an acoustic sensor for providing the input acoustic signal, a magnetic sensor for providing the input magnetic signal, and a magnetic signal detector for selecting one of the input acoustic signal and the input magnetic signal as an information signal. The magnetic signal detector selects the input magnetic signal as the information signal when an magnetic signal detection process has at least partially analyzed the input magnetic signal to determine if audio information may be present. The hearing aid system further comprises a hearing aid module for processing the information signal and providing an output signal to a user of the hearing aid system.

Abstract: An audio amplification device such as a hearing aid equipped with a user-operable volume control that provides users with the facility to return the volume of the device to a specific level after having been adjusted to a different level by the user. The device includes an electronic module adapted to detect when the volume control reaches a pre-determined volume reserve position from a second volume position, and to emit a reference signal when the volume reserve position is reached. The reference signal may be an audible tone, or another type of distinct signal. The present invention may be adapted for use with binaural hearing aid fittings.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptively removing feedback in audio systems and, more particularly, hearing aid systems. The audio system comprises an analysis unit, for receiving an input signal and providing N bandpass input signals, and an adaptive feedback cancellation unit for removing a feedback condition in one or more of the N bandpass input signals. The adaptive feedback cancellation unit comprises N sub-units with at least one of the sub-units including: (i) a feedback detector for indicating the presence of the feedback condition in one of the bandpass input signals, (ii) an adaptive feedback canceller for providing an adaptive gain modification factor for adjusting gain when the feedback condition is detected within one of the bandpass input signals, and (iii) a multiplier coupled to the adaptive feedback canceller and the analysis unit for providing a bandpass output signal based on one of the bandpass input signals and the corresponding adaptive gain modification factor.

Abstract: A power supply provides a regulated power factor load to a primary power source, and thus low input current distortion, by monitoring: (A) The input voltage; (B) The power source current, not at the input to the power supply, but rather at a point downstream of an EMI filter and a shunt capacitance in the power supply; and (C) The output DC voltage. The power supply uses these inputs to control the power switching transistors to regulate the phase and amplitude of the monitored current. The phase of the monitored current is controlled primarily by the phase of the input voltage. A differentiating circuit in the feedback loop of the power supply control circuitry causes the monitored current to lag the input voltage by an amount equal to the lead induced in the phase of the input current by the EMI filter and shunt capacitor so that the actual input current to the power supply is in phase with the input voltage.

Abstract: An outpatient care data system dedicated to the transmission, storage and retrieval of outpatient data relating to care of outpatients is provided with a regional data system located at a regional location, a plurality of metropolitan area data systems operatively connected to the regional data system, each of the metropolitan area data systems being located at a different metropolitan location. Each metropolitan area data system may be provided with an electronic nursing station located within a hospital and first and second types of outpatient systems operatively coupled to the electronic nursing station on a real-time basis.

Abstract: An in-the-canal hearing aid has a shell having an inner end to be positioned in the canal adjacent the user's eardrum, and a faceplate located outwardly of the inner end but still adapted to be recessed within the ear canal in use. A protruding portion of the shell extends outwardly past the faceplate into the concha bowl and serves the dual purpose of both anchoring the hearing aid in the ear so that it cannot work its way down the ear canal, and providing a grip to facilitate insertion and removal of the hearing aid. The protruding portion is preferably cut back close to the faceplate at one side of the faceplate to facilitate battery insertion and removal, and may contain an aperture or a hook-like portion to facilitate gripping. A vent to vent the hearing aid may extend outwardly on the protruding portion to a position adjacent the rim of the protruding portion, to space the outer vent opening away from the microphone opening on the faceplate, to reduce the likelihood of feedback.

Abstract: A wax guard system, for use with an in-the-ear hearing aid, has a housing secured to the hearing aid shell and an insert which screws into the housing. The insert has a body having an internal passage therethrough, and a bridge extending across the exterior opening of the passage. The bridge is higher at its centre than at its ends and carries a thin domed disk which shields the opening and deters wax from entering the passage.

Abstract: A modular hearing aid having separate microphone, receiver, amplifier and battery modules. The microphone module is connected to the receiver module by two dovetails. The receiver module is connected to the amplifier module by one dovetail and to a forwardly projecting plate of the battery module by another dovetail. The amplifier module is connected to the battery module by another dovetail. A flexible circuit board of the amplifier module has a flap which extends over part of the receiver module and is soldered to pins projecting therefrom. The pins extend within the receiver housing and are connected to the receiver therein. Another flap of the circuit board extends over part of the battery module and is soldered to connections on the battery module. Another flexible circuit board extends from the amplifier module over the receiver module and is connected to pins on the microphone module housing. Cover plates cover the top and bottom of the assembled modules to provide a cosmetically attractive appearance.