Abstract: A fixation component includes tines extending from a base portion of the fixation component. Each tine is elastically deformable between a pre-set position and an open position. Each tine includes a hook segment extending from a proximal end near the base portion to a distal end. Each tine also includes a distal segment extending from the distal end of the hook segment to a tissue-piercing tip. When positioned in the pre-set position, the hook segment extends along a pre-set curvature that encloses an angle between 135 degrees and 270 degrees, and the distal segment extends away from a longitudinal axis of the fixation component.

Abstract: A wireless mobile unit includes a voice encoder circuit that receives an analog voice signal and creates digital voice data representing a user's voice. The mobile unit receives an encryption key entered by the user, typically on the keypad or through a voice recognition circuit, and stores the encryption key in a storage device. An encryption circuit encrypts the digital voice data using the encryption key. A transmitter then modulates the encrypted voice data onto an RF signal and transmits the RF signal to a base station in a wireless network. The base station uses the same encryption key to decrypt the signal before transmitting it to another base station or mobile unit. Signals transmitted from the base station to the mobile unit are encrypted and decrypted using a user-selected encryption key in a similar manner.

Abstract: An audio positioning mechanism for a display assigning each position on the display with an audio signal that allows a user to identify positions on the display by hearing.

Abstract: The vocoder in a digital cellular phone is used to create a status message indicating something that is happening in the cellular phone. That message can be noise, beeps, voice or other information. That information is played to the user to indicate the condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an ultrasonically-calibrated fast-start adaptive echo canceller system. The system consists of at least one ultrasonic transducer for transmitting ultrasound signal and at least one ultrasonic receiver for receiving reflected ultrasound echo. The system also includes an echo pulse counter that operates constantly when the phone is on. The counter processes the reflected ultrasound echo from the ultrasonic receiver to determine optimum sets of ultrasonic delay and attenuation coefficients. A fast-start adaptive controller adaptively controls an algorithm stored in a random access memory to correlate sets of audio-frequency coefficients for transversal filter with predetermined sets of ultrasonic coefficients by using an ultrasound to audio-frequency conversion table. The resultant sets of audio-frequency coefficients are held on a stack.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for producing an audio output customized to a listener's hearing impairment through a digital telephone. A user initially sets user parameters to represent the user's hearing spectrum. In receiving a call, the digital telephone receives an input signal. The digital telephone adjusts the input signal according to the user parameters and generates an output signal based upon the adjusted input signal.