Abstract: This invention is an advanced toilet/bidet with a remote pod that stores both the majority of the bidet hardware and an advanced software program, providing a toilet seat that is thinner and lighter than a traditional toilet/bidet combination. The toilet seat has a bidet nozzle, and an internal cavity in which additional hardware and software is stored. The toilet seat has sensors the record health-related data on each user and has a unique cleaning mechanism to ensures the highest sanitary standards.

Abstract: A system including a server and a wireless RF access node connected to a communication network is provided. The server provides a first publish-subscribe broker of one or more publish-subscribe brokers forming part of a publish-subscribe broker network. The server connects to the wireless RF access node. A first entity connects via the wireless RF access node to the first publish-subscribe broker using a unicast IP address and thereafter publishes data packets. A second entity connects to the publish-subscribe broker network via any of the one or more publish-subscribe brokers. The server provides packet distribution services via the first publish-subscribe broker for the first entity, the publish-subscribe broker network routes communications from the first entity to the second entity when the second entity is subscribed; and the data packets published by the first entity are routed through the publish-subscribe broker to which the second entity is connected.

Abstract: A visible light audio system is operable to enable free space optical communication of audio signals via transmission of modulated light intensity at a light source to a photo diode being operably engaged with a demodulator and audio output device. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable a plurality of visible light transmitting apparatuses being installed in a commercial or residential dwelling and operably engaged over a network to combine their microphone inputs via spatial, amplitude, spectral, and/or temporal filtering and physical and geometrical modeling methods to separate one or more acoustic sources using a visible light audio system comprising an array of light sources being operable to receive an audio source input.

Abstract: A wearable microphone array apparatus and system used as a directional audio system and as an assisted listening device. The present invention advances hearing aids and assisted listening devices to allow construction of a highly directional audio array that is wearable, natural sounding, and convenient to direct, as well as to provide directional cues to users who have partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears. The advantages of the invention include simultaneously providing high gain, high directivity, high side lobe attenuation, and consistent beam width; providing significant beam forming at lower frequencies where substantial noises are present, particularly in noisy, reverberant environments; and allowing construction of a cost effective body-worn or body-carried directional audio device.

Abstract: A spatial audio processing system operable to enable audio signals to be spatially extracted from, or transmitted to, discrete locations within an acoustic space. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable an array of transducers being installed in an acoustic space to combine their signals via inverting physical and environmental models that are measured, learned, tracked, calculated, or estimated. The models may be combined with a whitening filter to establish a cooperative or non-cooperative information-bearing channel between the array and one or more discrete, targeted physical locations in the acoustic space by applying the inverted models with whitening filter to the received or transmitted acoustical signals. The spatial audio processing system may utilize a model of the combination of direct and indirect reflections in the acoustic space to receive or transmit acoustic information, regardless of ambient noise levels, reverberation, and positioning of physical interferers.

Abstract: A first optimization server including a first publish-subscribe broker is configured to connect to a first cellular base transceiver station, where the first cellular base transceiver station is configured to communicatively connect to entities, including a first entity, in an RF coverage area of the first cellular base transceiver station. A second optimization server includes a second publish-subscribe broker, where the first publish-subscribe broker and the second publish-subscribe broker are part of a publish-subscribe broker network that is operable to distribute published data packets between entities that are connected to a publish-subscribe broker of the publish-subscribe broker network, where the publish-subscribe broker network is configured to route data packets published by the first entity to a second entity via the first publish-subscribe broker and the second publish-subscribe broker if the second entity has subscribed to receive the data packets published by the first entity.

Abstract: A pocket hole jig includes base with a base plate and first and second lateral side walls extending along the base plate, and a body disposed between the first and second lateral side walls and slidable along the base in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The body includes a drill bit aperture angled downward toward the base plate. The pocket hole jig also includes a fence movable between a raised position and a lowered position and having a contact surface engageable with an end of the workpiece when the fence is in the lowered position to position the base a predetermined distance from the end of the workpiece. The contact surface is in a first position when the fence is in the raised position and a second position when the fence is in the lowered position. The second position is forward of the first position.

Abstract: A wireless RF access node is connected to a communication network and is adapted to provide communication services to a plurality of mobile entities. A server is connected to the communication network, wherein the server comprises a first publish-subscribe broker communications facility as part of a publish-subscribe broker network including one or more publish-subscribe broker communications facilities. The publish-subscribe broker network is operable to distribute published data packets between entities that have published data packets and entities that have subscribed to receive the published data packets via the publish-subscribe broker network. A second entity connected to any of the publish-subscribe broker communications facilities in the publish-subscribe broker network accepts communications from a first mobile entity if the second entity subscribes to data published by the first mobile entity through the publish-subscribe broker communications facility to which the second entity is connected.

Abstract: A cellular base station connected to a communication network is adapted to provide communication services to a plurality of mobile devices. A server connected to the communication network includes a first publish-subscribe broker communications facility as part of a publish-subscribe broker network including one or more publish-subscribe broker communications facilities. The publish-subscribe broker network is operable to distribute published data packets between entities that have published data packets and entities that have subscribed to receive the published data packets via the publish-subscribe broker network. A second entity connected to any of the publish-subscribe broker communications facilities in the publish-subscribe broker network accepts communications from the mobile device if the second entity subscribes to data published by the mobile device through the publish-subscribe broker communications facility to which the second entity is connected.

Abstract: A pocket hole jig includes base with a base plate and first and second lateral side walls extending along the base plate, and a body disposed between the first and second lateral side walls and slidable along the base in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The body includes a drill bit aperture angled downward toward the base plate. The pocket hole jig also includes a fence movable between a raised position and a lowered position and having a contact surface engageable with an end of the workpiece when the fence is in the lowered position to position the base a predetermined distance from the end of the workpiece. The contact surface is in a first position when the fence is in the raised position and a second position when the fence is in the lowered position. The second position is forward of the first position.

Abstract: A wearable microphone array apparatus and system used as a directional audio system and as an assisted listening device. The present invention advances hearing aids and assisted listening devices to allow construction of a highly directional audio array that is wearable, natural sounding, and convenient to direct, as well as to provide directional cues to users who have partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears. The advantages of the invention include simultaneously providing high gain, high directivity, high side lobe attenuation, and consistent beam width; providing significant beam forming at lower frequencies where substantial noises are present, particularly in noisy, reverberant environments; and allowing construction of a cost effective body-worn or body-carried directional audio device.

Abstract: A visible light audio system is operable to enable free space optical communication of audio signals via transmission of modulated light intensity at a light source to a photo diode being operably engaged with a demodulator and audio output device. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable a plurality of visible light transmitting apparatuses being installed in a commercial or residential dwelling and operably engaged over a network to combine their microphone inputs via spatial, amplitude, spectral, and/or temporal filtering and physical and geometrical modeling methods to separate one or more acoustic sources using a visible light audio system comprising an array of light sources being operable to receive an audio source input.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a portable microphone array system comprising a computing device and a case having an array of microphones embedded or integrated into the case. A user may position the laptop and case facing the general direction of a target audio source to capture a target acoustic audio input at the microphone array. The microphone array may deliver a first stage of beamformed audio from the acoustic audio input to the computing device via a communications interface or bus. The computing device may comprise an audio processor configured to perform one or more successive audio processing steps to process the audio input and render a digital audio output. The digital audio output may be outputted from the computing device to an audio output device, such as headphones or an earpiece.

Abstract: A spatial audio processing system operable to enable audio signals to be spatially extracted from, or transmitted to, discrete locations within an acoustic space. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable an array of transducers being installed in an acoustic space to combine their signals via inverting physical and environmental models that are measured, learned, tracked, calculated, or estimated. The models may be combined with a whitening filter to establish a cooperative or non-cooperative information-bearing channel between the array and one or more discrete, targeted physical locations in the acoustic space by applying the inverted models with whitening filter to the received or transmitted acoustical signals. The spatial audio processing system may utilize a model of the combination of direct and indirect reflections in the acoustic space to receive or transmit acoustic information, regardless of ambient noise levels, reverberation, and positioning of physical interferers.

Abstract: A surgical safety system for use in connection with a powered surgical instrument can be a standalone device or can be incorporated into existing electrosurgical instruments and generators. The system employs a controller connected to one or more sensors that are monitoring an aspect of a patient undergoing surgery. The controller is also in electrical communication with the powered surgical instrument and is configured to disable the instrument if movement or impending movement is detected.

Abstract: A surgical safety device for use in connection with a powered surgical instrument has a controller in electrical communication with a powered surgical instrument. The controller is connected to sensors that can provide information to allow the controller to determine that a patient's limb is about to move or has started to move unexpectedly. Upon making this determination, the controller can shut off the powered surgical instrument so that the patient is not injured.

Abstract: A visible light audio system is operable to enable free space optical communication of audio signals via transmission of modulated light intensity at a light source to a photo diode being operably engaged with a demodulator and audio output device. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable a plurality of visible light transmitting apparatuses being installed in a commercial or residential dwelling and operably engaged over a network to combine their microphone inputs via spatial, amplitude, spectral, and/or temporal filtering and physical and geometrical modeling methods to separate one or more acoustic sources using a visible light audio system comprising an array of light sources being operable to receive an audio source input.

Abstract: A directional microphone array which can be integrated into a case for a portable computing device. A microphone array board connects to a surface of a laptop computer, tablet computer or smart phone, which can be steered in the direction of a target source. An audio processing module (APM) is operably engaged with the array board to receive a first staged beamformed audio input from the array board, and process a second beamformed stage audio output.

Abstract: A wearable microphone array apparatus and system used as a directional audio system and as an assisted listening device. The present invention advances hearing aids and assisted listening devices to allow construction of a highly directional audio array that is wearable, natural sounding, and convenient to direct, as well as to provide directional cues to users who have partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears. The advantages of the invention include simultaneously providing high gain, high directivity, high side lobe attenuation, and consistent beam width; providing significant beam forming at lower frequencies where substantial noises are present, particularly in noisy, reverberant environments; and allowing construction of a cost effective body-worn or body-carried directional audio device.

Abstract: An improved piston pin retention button device having a body portion comprised of both a generally cylindrical portion and a surface, such as a planar surface, for mating engagement with a corresponding surface formed in a piston device. The inclusion of both the surface on the body portion and the corresponding surface in said piston device prevent rotation of the button device in the piston device. Other embodiments of a piston pin retention button device are also disclosed and prevent the unwanted rotation of the button device in the piston device, and permit the oil ring to function as designed.