Abstract: An interface unit or connecting between an ultrasound sensing apparatus and a patient monitor for providing ultrasound monitoring functionality of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters based on processing of ultrasound data. The interface unit includes means for processing acquired ultrasound data to derive measurements of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters and is configured for outputting said derived measurements to a coupled patient monitor unit, e.g. for display and/or trending by the patient monitor.

Abstract: A communication system for hearing device users is disclosed. The communication system includes a communication device configured to convert sound to an electrical audio signal combined with other electrical audio signals from other communication devices; a communication module to receive the electrical audio signal to generate a communication signal and transmit the communication signal using a communication protocol; and one or more hearing devices configured to receive the communication signal using the communication protocol. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for underwater coaching systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a receiver system including a receive antenna configured to receive a radio frequency signal, at least two impedance matching networks, a first water-adapted impedance matching network adapted for reception in a water environment and a second air-adapted impedance matching network adapted for reception in an air environment, a switch configured to select between the at least two impedance matching networks, a signal decoding circuit configured to decode a received radio frequency signal, an amplifier configured to amplify a decoded signal, and a user output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for underwater coaching systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a receiver system including a receive antenna configured to receive a radio frequency signal, at least two impedance matching networks, a first water-adapted impedance matching network adapted for reception in a water environment and a second air-adapted impedance matching network adapted for reception in an air environment, a switch configured to select between the at least two impedance matching networks, a signal decoding circuit configured to decode a received radio frequency signal, an amplifier configured to amplify a decoded signal, and a user output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a media item from a bunch of media items. The apparatus comprises at least one first roller located on a first side of a transport path along which a media item is transported and at least two further rollers located on a further side of the transport path opposite the first side, said at least two further rollers being spaced apart to receive a portion of said at least one first roller therebetween, wherein in an advance mode of operation said first and further rollers rotate in the same direction and in a reject mode of operation said first and further rollers rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A conditioning system includes a sample chamber capable of receiving a specimen as well as first and second specimen-holding fixtures positioned within the sample chamber and configured to apply mechanical stimulation to a specimen held by the fixtures. The system has at least one port capable of providing a fluid to the sample chamber. The chamber is sized and shaped so that it can be inserted into an imaging device which can record images of a specimen held by the fixtures.

Abstract: A conditioning system includes a sample chamber capable of receiving a specimen as well as first and second specimen-holding fixtures positioned within the sample chamber and configured to apply mechanical stimulation to a specimen held by the fixtures. The system has at least one port capable of providing a fluid to the sample chamber. The chamber is sized and shaped so that it can be inserted into an imaging device which can record images of a specimen held by the fixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting items of media along a transport path. The apparatus comprises a first transport member having a first end region and a further transport member having a further end region, wherein the first end region is spaced apart from the further end region, and a bridge member extending between the first end region and the further end region, wherein a length of the bridge member is adjustable responsive to a one of the first and further end regions being moved with respect to a remainder one of the first and further end regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing speech intelligibility using a companion microphone system can include microphones, a position sensor and a microcontroller. In certain embodiments, the position sensor is configured to generate position data corresponding to a position of the companion microphone system. In various embodiments, the microphones and the position sensor include a fixed relationship in three-dimensional space. In certain embodiments, the microcontroller is configured to receive the position data from the position sensor and select one or more of the microphones to receive an audio input based on the received position data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a media item from a bunch of media items. The apparatus comprises at least one first roller located on a first side of a transport path along which a media item is transported and at least two further rollers located on a further side of the transport path opposite the first side, said at least two further rollers being spaced apart to receive a portion of said at least one first roller therebetween, wherein in an advance mode of operation said first and further rollers rotate in the same direction and in a reject mode of operation said first and further rollers rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting items of media along a transport path. The apparatus comprises a first transport member having a first end region and a further transport member having a further end region, wherein the first end region is spaced apart from the further end region, and a bridge member extending between the first end region and the further end region, wherein a length of the bridge member is adjustable responsive to a one of the first and further end regions being moved with respect to a remainder one of the first and further end regions.

Abstract: A universal power management system is described, consisting of interchangeable, easy to remove, and connectable Universal Power Modules (UPMs), smartphone skins and doors, and applications to automatically manage the power charging of multiple devices. The system is compatible with various portable electronic devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing speech intelligibility using a companion microphone system can include microphones, a position sensor and a microcontroller. In certain embodiments, the position sensor is configured to generate position data corresponding to a position of the companion microphone system. In various embodiments, the microphones and the position sensor include a fixed relationship in three-dimensional space. In certain embodiments, the microcontroller is configured to receive the position data from the position sensor and select one or more of the microphones to receive an audio input based on the received position data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless communication can include a first unit configured to synchronously transmit a first digital audio packet redundantly in at least a first dedicated slot and a second dedicated slot over a time period, and a second unit configured to receive wireless transmissions from the first unit. In certain embodiments, the second unit does not listen for a transmission in the second dedicated slot if the first digital audio packet is received in the first dedicated slot. In certain embodiments, the units are encoded with a group code that identifies group members, such that the units only receive data packets transmitted by group members with the same group code.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide improved two-way communication devices, such as wireless headsets, including a port configured to deliver sound, a circuit board operatively connected to the port, an antenna configured to receive wireless transmissions, the antenna operatively connected to the circuit board and positioned at a first end of the circuit board and a boom including a microphone configured to receive sound, the boom operatively connected to the circuit board via a wire configured to run across a ground plane of the antenna. Certain embodiments provide fixed booms, other embodiments provide removable booms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless communication can include a first unit configured to synchronously transmit a first digital audio packet redundantly in at least a first dedicated slot and a second dedicated slot over a time period, and a second unit configured to receive wireless transmissions from the first unit. In certain embodiments, the second unit does not listen for a transmission in the second dedicated slot if the first digital audio packet is received in the first dedicated slot. In certain embodiments, the units are encoded with a group code that identifies group members, such that the units only receive data packets transmitted by group members with the same group code.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a two-way communication device that includes: a housing; a first microphone disposed on a boom that is removably attached to the housing; and a second microphone mounted with the housing, wherein when the boom is attached to the housing, the first microphone is operational and the second microphone is not operational, and when the boom is not attached to the housing, the second microphone is operational and the first microphone is not operational. Certain embodiments provide, a two-way communication device that includes a charging jack for providing power to a battery mounted with a housing, wherein the charging jack is only accessible when a boom/microphone assembly is not attached to the housing.

Abstract: Wireless earphone systems provide earphones configured to be supported entirely by the ear canals of the wearer and to provide stereophonic reproduction of sound to the wearer based on a two-channel stereophonic signal from a transceiver that is attachable to a device. Certain systems include earphones configured such that channel reception can be switched between the earphones. Certain systems include an earphone that includes: a housing; a ground plane comprising circuitry; and a multi-segmented antenna configured to receive a signal from a transceiver, wherein the antenna and the ground plane are disposed within the housing, wherein the antenna is substantially parallel to the ground plane, and wherein the antenna and the ground plane are separated by a distance.

Abstract: A plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position to engage a document which is on a receiving platform to push the document through an opening in the receiving platform and towards a stacking platform to stack the document on the stacking platform. The plunger moves from the extended position back to the retracted position to allow a biasing force which is acting on the stacking platform to press the document which has just been stacked on the stacking platform against the receiving platform.

Abstract: A plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position to engage a document which is on a receiving platform to push the document through an opening in the receiving platform and towards a stacking platform to stack the document on the stacking platform. The plunger moves from the extended position back to the retracted position to allow a biasing force which is acting on the stacking platform to press the document which has just been stacked on the stacking platform against the receiving platform.