Abstract: Various embodiments provide a wellness tracking device with a base plate that may be utilized as a combination electrode by a variety of sensors. The base plate may be a multi-material electrode that includes a conductor and a transparent or semi-transparent material to enable optical sensing. In certain embodiments, the base plate supports a plurality of different sensors, which may selectively utilize the base plate as an electrode.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing audio, the method including receiving audio input tracks, with at least one audio input track including a restriction parameter, determining a restricted audio input track, where the restricted audio input track is the audio input track including the restriction parameter, manipulating another audio input track based on musical properties of the restricted audio input track, and combining the restricted audio input track and the manipulated audio input track into a single output audio track.

Abstract: A system and method of creating harmonizing tracks for an audio input. Audio input is received and a plurality of harmonizing tracks are created based on the received audio input. Each of the plurality of harmonizing tracks are transposed based on a transposition value for each respective track. Individual notes of the harmonizing tracks are manipulated based on a chord strictness threshold and an audio output is provided based on the audio input and the manipulated plurality of harmonizing tracks.

Abstract: A system and method for conforming an audio input to a musical key. Audio input is received and the musical key is determined. Sequentially for each consecutive note, a pitch value for each note and an interval between each preceding and subsequent note is determined; alternative subsequent notes based on the musical key and the pitch value of the subsequent note are determined; each interval between each alternative subsequent note and each respective note of the alternative subsequent notes corresponding to the preceding note is scored based on the interval between the preceding note and the subsequent note of the audio input; and a best interval is selected for each alternative subsequent note. A best-match note is selected for each note of the audio input based on the best intervals of all the notes, and each audio input note is conformed to a frequency of the best-match note.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing audio, the method including receiving audio input tracks, with at least one audio input track including a restriction parameter, determining a restricted audio input track, where the restricted audio input track is the audio input track including the restriction parameter, manipulating another audio input track based on musical properties of the restricted audio input track, and combining the restricted audio input track and the manipulated audio input track into a single output audio track.

Abstract: A system and method of creating harmonizing tracks for an audio input. Audio input is received and a plurality of harmonizing tracks are created based on the received audio input. Each of the plurality of harmonizing tracks are transposed based on a transposition value for each respective track. Individual notes of the harmonizing tracks are manipulated based on a chord strictness threshold and an audio output is provided based on the audio input and the manipulated plurality of harmonizing tracks.

Abstract: A system and method for conforming an audio input to a musical key. Audio input is received and the musical key is determined. Sequentially for each consecutive note, a pitch value for each note and an interval between each preceding and subsequent note is determined; alternative subsequent notes based on the musical key and the pitch value of the subsequent note are determined; each interval between each alternative subsequent note and each respective note of the alternative subsequent notes corresponding to the preceding note is scored based on the interval between the preceding note and the subsequent note of the audio input; and a best interval is selected for each alternative subsequent note. A best-match note is selected for each note of the audio input based on the best intervals of all the notes, and each audio input note is conformed to a frequency of the best-match note.

Abstract: A device and method for diagnosing shorts and fault conditions in electrical circuits such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control circuits. The device includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) member to protect the electrical circuit from overcurrent conditions during diagnosis. The device also includes a light emitting diode (LED) and resistor electrically connected in parallel across the PTC member. An overcurrent condition causes the resistance of the PTC member to rise dramatically, creating a potential difference across the PTC member and lighting the LED. The invention also includes a method for locating a short in an HVAC control circuit using the short locating device.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for automatically removing tips from a pipette nozzle and/or for detecting the type of tip mounted to the nozzle. For detipping, mechanical energy is stored when the tip is mounted to the nozzle and is released when the tip is to be removed to facilitate removal thereof. A mechanism is preferably provided which limits the force with which the tip is mounted to the nozzle and an overforce mechanism may be provided to facilitate removal of a stuck tip. For detecting tip type, each tip type has a different base configuration which results in a different relative displacement between the nozzle and a surrounding component as a result of the tip contacting both during tip mounting, the difference in relative displacement being detected to identify tip type.

Abstract: Robust, multi-faceted sub-word method for rapidly and reliably detecting a barge-in condition of a speaker talking while an automated audio prompt is being played. This sub-word method allows for rapid stopping of the prompt to improve automatic speech recognition and reduce speaker confusion and/or frustration. An automatic speech recognition system (ASR) that practices such a method is also presented.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for automatically removing tips from a pipette nozzle and/or for detecting the type of tip mounted to the nozzle. For detipping, mechanical energy is stored when the tip is mounted to the nozzle and is released when the tip is to be removed to facilitate removal thereof. A mechanism is preferably provided which limits the force with which the tip is mounted to the nozzle and an overforce mechanism may be provided to facilitate removal of a stuck tip. For detecting tip type, each tip type has a different base configuration which results in a different relative displacement between the nozzle and a surrounding component as a result of the tip contacting both during tip mounting, the difference in relative displacement being detected to identify tip type.

Abstract: A device and method for protection of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control circuits. The device includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) member which is a multi-use, non-bulky, element which will reset after tripping without requiring the user to access the device. The device also includes a pair of connective members to provide the external electrical interface for the device, such that the PTC member is disposed between and in electrical contact with the connective members. Each embodiment also includes a protective member covering portions of the PTC member and connective members chosen or formed sufficient to insulate a user from contact with electrical hazard and sufficient to protect the device from electrical and physical contact which would affect its performance or the performance of the HVAC control circuit to be protected.

Abstract: A portable biofeedback apparatus and method for simultaneously gathering information regarding more than one type of musculoskeletal stress. The apparatus has at least two different types of user-selectable sensors for converting different kinds of musculoskeletal activities into electrical signals. An analog-to-digital converter samples the electrical signals at predetermined rates. A memory receives and stores the digital signals. A processor centrally controls the collection, sampling, display and transmittal of the digital data. Magnitudes of the digital signals are simultaneously and in real-time graphically portrayed as a function of time.

Abstract: A voltage surge suppression system for the protection of electronic equipment from damage from voltage surges and voltage transients has at least one metal oxide varistor electrically connected to a primary power source; a transformer; at least one second metal oxide varistor electronically connected between said transmission interceptor and a power circuit board; and a circuit opener electronically connected between the a transformer and power circuit board; wherein the a transformer is connected between the primary power source and second metal oxide varistor. The circuit opener is a resettable breaker for protecting the transformer from surges greater than the rated value of the second metal oxide varistor by opening in order to close off current flow.

Abstract: A portable biofeedback apparatus and method for simultaneously gathering information regarding more than one type of musculoskeletal stress. The apparatus has at least two different types of user-selectable sensors for converting different kinds of musculoskeletal activities into electrical signals. An analog-to-digital converter samples the electrical signals at predetermined rates. A memory receives and stores the digital signals. A processor centrally controls the collection, sampling, display and transmittal of the digital data. Magnitudes of the digital signals are simultaneously and in real-time graphically portrayed as a function of time.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a treated clay product, clay is heated such that kalinite in the clay is converted to metakaolin, substantially no mullite being formed. The treated product may be combined with raw ball clay and/or china clay to provide compositions suitable for use in manufacturing china articles. The casting compositions enable the casting step to be accelerated and are particularly suitable for use in pressurized casting methods.

Abstract: An abrasive body comprising a diamond compact bonded to a cemented carbide backing by means of a continuous zirconium layer, the thickness of which is less than 0.5 mm, the diamond compact being substantially free of graphite and having a bonding matrix selected from a metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table or an alloy containing one or more such metals and at least 70 percent by volume of diamond particles, and the cemented carbide backing being selected from cemented tantalum carbide, cemented tungsten carbide and cemented titanium carbide and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An abrasive compact comprising diamond or cubic boron nitride abrasive particles or a mixture thereof, present in an amount of at least 50 volume percent, bonded into a hard conglomerate, preferably by means of a bonding matrix, and having a metal layer bonded to at least one surface thereof, is characterized by the metal being a high temperature braze metal capable of wetting the abrasive compact, preferably titanium or a titanium alloy, and the compact being substantially free of deteriorated abrasive particles.