Abstract: An environment-transforming system transforms a user's environmental information in ways that allow the user to better perceive her environment. For example, the system transforms some aspects of a visual scene into a sound space for a visually impaired user. Once the user learns to interpret the sound space, she avoids walking into an object because a sound cue tells her that the object is in her near environment and roughly where it is. Various types of transformations are possible depending upon the user's needs and preferences. As all people are different, each user has a personalized profile that directs the transformation process. More generally, the environment to be transformed may include aspects of artificial or enhanced reality. The transformed environmental information can be presented to the user in a number of ways, such as in haptic feedback, as directional audio, through oral stimulation, or through modified visual display.

Abstract: A transceiver for a portable radio communication apparatus comprising a receiver for receiving a signal at a received frequency and including a local oscillator, a transmitter being operable to transmit at a transmission frequency, said transmission frequency being offset from, and aligned to, the received frequency by a predetermined frequency spacing, the transmitter including a mixer having a first port for inputting said transmission frequency signal and a second port for inputting the local oscillator signal, and comprising means for rectifying the input local oscillator signal to provide a conductance waveform at a multiple of the local oscillator signal and means for mixing said transmission frequency signal with the conductance waveform at said multiple of the local oscillator signal frequency for down-converting the transmission frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal.

Abstract: A shock absorbing assembly for coupling to a pedestal for mounting a seat of a boat, the shock absorbing assembly including a shock absorber mounted in a housing, a pair of guide shafts being provided and being slidably mounted through the housing.