Abstract: A method of producing reduced-sugar fruit juice (with or without pulp) and reduced-sugar fruit must. The reduced-sugar fruit juice has similar nutrition, but with less sugar and calories than 100% fruit juice. Reduced-sugar grape must has similar nutrition and flavor profile, but with less sugars and calories than 100% grape must.

Abstract: An electronic acoustic collector is disclosed wherein a sealed column of air is created between a diaphragm and an electronic sound sensor. As applied to a stethoscope chestpiece, the device improves audio quality by conducting sound through the sealed column before it reaches the sound sensor.

Abstract: A method of producing a reduced-calorie fruit juice beverage may include passing a fruit juice stream including non-sugar fruit juice components (fruit juice components product) and sugars through a bed of resin. Due to the resin's specific affinity for the sugar, the fruit juice is chromatographically separated into concentrated bands of the fruit juice components product and sugars that move through the bed of resin at different speeds. The concentrated band of the sugar may be withdrawn as a sugar stream from a first extraction point in the bed of resin, while the concentrated band of the fruit juice components may be withdrawn as a fruit juice components product stream from a different, second extraction point in the bed of resin. The sugar stream includes a higher concentration of the fructose, glucose, and sucrose than the feed stream, while the fruit juice components product stream includes a higher concentration of endogenous fruit juice compounds than the feed stream or the sugar stream.

Abstract: A method for treating a sugar-containing natural consumable product for lowering its sugar content includes passing a stream of a sugar-containing natural consumable product into contact with a bed of ionic adsorbent material capable of chromatographically separating sugar from the natural consumable product; and chromatographically separating a sugar-diminished natural consumable product from the adsorbent bed. A high intensity natural and/or artificial sweetener can be added to the sugar-diminished beverage to produce a beverage product having similar flavor and nutritional content as the original beverage, but containing a lower amount of calories. The sugar-reduced beverage also can be used as a flavoring for the beverage and food industry; or as an ingredient component for reduced and full calorie foods (e.g., jellies, candies, etc.). The sugar-reduced beverage can be concentrated to a higher level using less energy as compared to standard juices.

Abstract: Peripheral devices having one or more pedals are provided, wherein the peripheral devices are slip resistant with respect to a surface, such as a floor, upon which the peripheral devices are placed or positioned. A user of such peripheral devices can use a heel against the floor surface through the peripheral device to anchor the peripheral device and can use the heel to correct the position of the peripheral device if it slips by applying a counterforce. The peripheral device(s) include multiple springs per pedal and associated software for accommodating a non-linear force response for a more realistic user experience.

Abstract: A link mechanism of a game controller connecting a user-activated control to an analogue input device located a distance away. The link mechanism is adapted to provide linear or near linear rotational characteristics between the user-activated control and the analogue input device. The link mechanism can be curved, or curved over a portion of its length. Or, a slot disposed in the link mechanism to slidably engage a post of the user-activated control can be curved to facilitate desired linearity. Or, the slot can be angled. Or, the slot can be aligned so that its longitudinal axis does not intersect a pivot point of the analogue input device. Or, a distance between a pivot point of the user-activated control and the post can equal a distance between the post and a rotational pivot point of the analogue input device. Or, any combination of the above characteristics could be employed.

Abstract: A universal temperature compensation circuit for use with a temperature sensor operative to generate an analog temperature signal based on the temperature thereof. The universal temperature compensation circuit comprises an analog to digital converter in electrical communication with the temperature sensor. The analog to digital converter is operative to generate a digital temperature signal from the analog temperature signal. In electrical communication with the analog to digital converter is an electronic storage device containing digital data correlated to temperatures of the temperature sensor. The universal temperature compensation circuit further includes a digital to analog converter in electrical communication with the electronic storage device. The digital to analog converter is operative to generate an analog voltage level from the digital data contained within the electronic storage device.

Abstract: A hand-held computer having a contoured housing with a head, a body, and a neck portion therebetween, the housing having a contoured protrusion positioned on the body portion substantially adjacent the hand-held computer's center of gravity. The contoured protrusion is sized and ergonomically shaped to correspond to a support portion of the person's hand between approximately the metacarpal-phalangeal joint ridge and the proximal phalangeal joints when the hand-held computer is carried by the person. The hand-held computer has a longitudinal axis and a display screen that is oriented at a positive angle relative to the longitudinal axis for improved viewing by the user of the display screen. The hand-held computer includes a scanning unit that scans along a scanning axis that is angled downwardly at a negative angle relative to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of computer keys define a keypad plane such that the tilted display screen is at a selected angle relative to the keypad plane.