Abstract: Systems and methods for improved control and performance of cochlear implants are disclosed. In an embodiment, the audio environment is sampled, and a neural network determines suggested filter setting for the cochlear implant. The process is repeated such that, as the user moves through various audio environments having differing noise levels, satisfactory performance of the cochlear implant is maintained for the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved control and performance of cochlear implants are disclosed. In an embodiment, the audio environment is sampled, and a neural network determines suggested filter setting for the cochlear implant. The process is repeated such that, as the user moves through various audio environments having differing noise levels, satisfactory performance of the cochlear implant is maintained for the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: Self-aligning, durable quick connect strap end connector system that includes a pair of identical end connectors configured to slide together and interconnect. Each end connector includes a body with a strap bar and strap slot formed on the body's proximal end. The body includes a narrow section and a lip section that extends downward and rearward. The lip section includes an abutment surface transversely aligned with the body's longitudinal axis. Located adjacent to the abutment surface is a void area configured to receive the lip section on a second end connector longitudinally aligned with said first end connector. At least one projecting element extends from the abutment surface on said first end connector and fits into a hole formed on the abutment surface of the second end connector. Mounted on each abutment surface is at least one magnet that generate a magnetically attractive force between the two end connectors.

Abstract: Self-aligning, durable quick connect strap end connector system that includes a pair of identical end connectors configured to slide together and interconnect. Each end connector includes a body with a strap bar and strap slot formed on the body's proximal end. The body includes a narrow section and a lip section that extends downward and rearward. The lip section includes an abutment surface transversely aligned with the body's longitudinal axis. Located adjacent to the abutment surface is a vid area configured to receive the lip section on a second end connector longitudinally aligned with said first end connector. At least one projecting element extends from the abutment surface on said first end connector and fits into a hole formed on the abutment surface of the second end connector. Mounted on each abutment surface is at least one magnet that generate a magnetically attractive force between the two end connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: A three point connector system that includes a male and female slide connectors that selectively engage when pressed together. Each slide connector includes a flat body with a hole or slot formed near its distal end in which a strap or cord may attach. The male slide connector includes at least two elastic arms that fit into an end opening formed on the proximal end of the female slide connector. Attached or formed on the top surfaces of the male and female slide connectors are two perpendicularly aligned arc members each with a center opening. The arc members are complimentary in shape and extend upward from the proximal end of the flat body. Each arc member includes an outer flat surface. When the male and female slide connectors are connected together, the two arc members are parallel and adjacent to form a fully assembled, enclosed D-ring.

Abstract: A self-aligning buckle connecting system that includes two end connectors each having outward facing transverse surface with one or more magnetic elements. Each magnetic element is arranged or oriented on each transverse surface to produce opposite oriented magnetic fields on opposite sides of the transverse surface's center axis. The magnetic element of the opposite transverse surface is arranged in the same manner but with its magnetic fields in the opposite directions so the transverse surfaces attract when the end connectors are in close proximity. In one embodiment, the magnetic element is a single bar magnet located on or adjacent to the transverse surface with its magnetic poles oriented in opposite directions. In another embodiment, the magnetic elements are two sets of smaller magnets perpendicularly mounted on each half of the transverse surface with their magnetic poles in each set of magnets in opposite directions.

Abstract: An animal collar includes a neck strap with magnetic elements on the neck strap's two opposite ends. The magnetic elements are configured to self align during installation and hold an encircling neck strap around an animal's neck. In one embodiment, the magnetic elements are one or more pairs of magnets attached to the opposite ends of the neck strap. The poles of each magnet pair are aligned so the magnets in each pair attract. The neck strap also includes two perpendicularly and transversely aligned closed eyelets mounted on the opposite ends. When the opposite ends are placed side-by-side, the magnetic elements are aligned and forced together and the two eyelets are side by side and parallel. A leash clip can then be attached to the two eyelets to hold them together when walking. When the leash clip is disconnected, the magnetic elements are configured to separate when a light force is exerted on the neck strap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: An animal collar includes neck strap with magnetic elements located on the neck strap's two opposite ends. The magnetic elements are configured to self align during installation and hold an encircling neck strap around an animal's neck. In one embodiment, the magnetic elements are one or more pairs of magnets attached to the opposite ends of the neck strap. The poles of each magnet pair are aligned so that the magnets in each pair attract. The neck strap also includes two perpendicularly and transversely aligned closed eyelets mounted on the opposite ends. When the opposite ends are placed side-by-side, the magnetic elements are aligned and forced together and the two eyelets are side by side and parallel. A leash clip can then be attached to the two eyelets to hold them together when walking. When the leash clip is disconnected, the magnetic elements are configured to separate when a light force is exerted on the neck strap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: Data items of various data feeds (such as articles posted to a website or entries in an RSS feed) may be associated with various topics, but a user may be unable to monitor a large number of data feeds, and to avoid previously reviewed data items while searching for new data items. An aggregation service may monitor many data feeds, perform an automated topical evaluation of the data items, and generate a set of topical data feeds. Additional services may also be applied, such as filtering the topical data feeds by various criteria, translating data items from a native language into another language, and removing equivalent data items, such as articles redundantly covering the same news story. A centralized or cooperatively distributed service may scale for improved efficiency and value, since each data feed may be monitored and each data item received and evaluated on behalf of many users.

Abstract: A roofing and/or siding system having an improved average resulting reflectivity. The roofing and/or siding system is at least partially coated with a plurality of granules. At least one layer of paint is applied to the roofing and/or siding system to increase the resulting reflectivity of the roofing and/or siding system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: Data items of various data feeds (such as articles posted to a website or entries in an RSS feed) may be associated with various topics, but a user may be unable to monitor a large number of data feeds, and to avoid previously reviewed data items while searching for new data items. An aggregation service may monitor many data feeds, perform an automated topical evaluation of the data items, and generate a set of topical data feeds. Additional services may also be applied, such as filtering the topical data feeds by various criteria, translating data items from a native language into another language, and removing equivalent data items, such as articles redundantly covering the same news story. A centralized or cooperatively distributed service may scale for improved efficiency and value, since each data feed may be monitored and each data item received and evaluated on behalf of many users.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.

Abstract: A roofing and/or siding system having an improved average resulting reflectivity. The roofing and/or siding system is at least partially coated with a plurality of granules. At least one layer of paint is applied to the roofing and/or siding system to increase the resulting reflectivity of the roofing and/or siding system.