Abstract: A method for analyzing an acoustic signal having a time period and having a plurality of repeated audio patterns, has the following steps: receiving an audio signal having the acoustic signal; determining the audio patterns repeated within the acoustic signal; determining a window length for a plurality of windows, wherein the window length divides the time period of the acoustic signal into the plurality of windows; and windowing the acoustic signal to obtain the plurality of windows.

Abstract: An embodiment of a portable veterinary medical record system includes a portable memory storage device that contains both a data structure for medical records and a set of processing instructions related to use of the device. The set of instructions may include authentication instructions for user authentication; instructions for data storage; instructions for updating medical record information; instructions for recognizing host veterinary patient information management software; and instructions for displaying medical record information, for example. According to the embodiment, the set of instructions are automatically executed by a computer that couples with the device. An embodiment provides for authentication cards and authentication PINs to facilitate double-key authentication. The device may be retained by an animal owner. Such retention makes records more readily available in an emergency or during travel.