Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Abstract: A deformable membrane assembly comprising a fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a bendable supporting ring, a support for the envelope and at least three ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points for adjusting the shape of the membrane, with the ring bending to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. A control point is provided at or proximate each point on the ring where the profile of the ring that is needed to produce the predefined form of the membrane exhibits a turning point in the direction of the force applied at the control point between two adjacent points where the profile of the ring exhibits an inflection point or a turning point in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable feeding apparatus or bowl, more particularly to a travel feeding apparatus for pets having a collapsible bowl for holding food and water and legs that fold-in for easy storage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable feeding apparatus or bowl, more particularly to a travel feeding apparatus for pets having hinged, collapsible bowls for holding food and water.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound.

Abstract: A molybdenum based alloy composition including between 8.5% and 9.5% hafnium and 0.15% and 0.

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions, tools, methods and devices to culture microorganisms and, in particular, to compositions, tools, methods and devices for the detection of microorganisms in biological samples.

Abstract: A pet toy includes an inner layer or shell; an outer layer or shell; a noise producing center layer and a noise making element. When the outer shell is deflected or compressed by contact, the center layer is also deflected thereby producing a first sound. The noise making may be a squeaker supported within an interior chamber of the toy. When the outer shell is deflected or compressed by contact, the squeaker produces a second different sound.

Abstract: A pet toy incorporates distinct materials having differing elastomeric features and others. The pet toy has an inner member and an outer shell that covers selected portions of the inner member such that an exposed exterior surface of the toy includes both portions of the inner member and outer shell. The inner member is more elastic or compressible as compared to the outer shell that is stiffer or more resilient. Yet, the outer shell still maintains an elastomeric response to contact. A noise making device may be mounted within an interior chamber of the outer shell. The inner member has a central opening to receive the chamber housing that interlocks the inner member and outer shell. Exposed portions of the inner member may be flush with the outer surface of the outer shell or may protrude beyond the exterior surface.

Abstract: A device of the invention includes a plurality of modules interconnected by ribs or connectors. A module includes an inner layer or shell; an outer layer or shell; and a noise making element. One of the noise making elements may be an interior sleeve or center layer secured between the inner and outer shells of a selected module. When the outer shell is deflected or compressed by contact, the interior sleeve is also deflected thereby producing sound. Another noise making element may include a squeaker supported within an interior chamber of a selected module. Different combinations of modules can be provided in which the modules may be of different shapes and sizes, as well as how the modules are geometrically spaced from one another by the ribs. The module combinations may also differ in the type and number of noise making elements adopted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a template for automatic data capture are described. The method comprises determining locations of a plurality of data fields in a first document, wherein the plurality of data fields are identified based, at least in part, on structured data associated with the first document, identifying at least one second document that includes the plurality of data fields in locations similar to those determined for the first document to produce a set of documents, determining locations of a plurality of anchorboxes describing common text elements of the set of documents, and generating the template, wherein the template describes locations of the plurality of anchorboxes and locations of the plurality of data fields.

Abstract: A cobalt-nickel alloy composition comprising by weight (wt %): about 31 to 42 percent cobalt (Co); about 26 to 31 percent nickel (Ni); about 10 to 16 percent chromium (Cr); about 4 to 6 percent aluminium (Al); about 6 to 15 percent tungsten (W); the Co and Ni being present in an atomic ratio of about 1.

Abstract: A treat dispensing device and method are provided that enables treats to be dispensed for multiple different types of treats simultaneously, but at selected different rates. The treat dispensing device has a plurality of treat dispensing openings or holes, and a plurality of chambers within the device separated by respective internal partitions. Each chamber may be loaded with desired types of treats. The size, shape, and number of treat dispensing openings may differ between openings that communicate with respective chambers. The different sized and shaped treat dispensing openings, as well as the number of openings in the device, provide different levels of difficulty for treat extraction.

Abstract: This invention is about a sustained learning flow process making e-learning and advertising more efficient and effective by enabling the personalization narratives to be delivered to the user that combine e-learning and advertising content. The invention makes itself aware of the user and his or her needs, skills, interests, and many other aspects to present the user with advertisements and e-learning content blended together and delivered to the user according to the multiple narrative flows, telling the user a multi-faceted story which is relevant to both e-learning goals and advertising preferences, as opposed to traditonal online ads devoid of personalized e-learning content. This invention combines the recent developments in e-learning and online advertising space in a unique manner to implement this Sustained Learning Flow Process.

Abstract: A molybdenum based alloy composition including between 15% and 20% niobium and 0.05% and 0.25% carbon.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound.

Abstract: An image processing device, including an image receiver operable to receive a first image; an image converter operable to convert the first image to a second image, the second image being a smaller-sized representation of the first image; an image pre-processor operable to perform an imaging effect on the second image to form a third image, the imaging effect being defined by an imaging effect parameter; a first output device operable to output the third image for display; and a second output device operable to output the first image and the imaging effect parameter.