Abstract: A dictation computer that includes a fan speed regulator is described. The fan speed regulator monitors a speech recognition unit to determine when the speech recognition unit is activated. Upon detection that the speech recognition unit is activated, the fan speed regulator ducks the speed of a cooling fan embedded within the dictation computer to an optimized speed of rotation over a delay time interval. The fan speed regulator may include components to adapt the optimized speed and delay time to the characteristics of the dictation computer and the user. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A swimming flipper has a flipper blade integral with a shoe pocket with a rear entry opening, a heel strap for retaining the swimmers's foot in the foot pocket. An ankle strap attached to the heel strap loops around the ankle of the swimmers's foot above the heel strap and prevents loss of the flipper in the event the heel strap slips from the foot. Both heel and ankle straps have hook and loop fasteners which cooperate to secure the straps around the user's heel and ankle. The heel and ankle straps constitute a unit which can be easily retrofitted as an upgrade for many existing swimming flippers having conventional heel straps.