Abstract: A circuit includes an input for receiving power from an external power supply, a voltage regulator coupled to the power input and providing regulated voltage to an external circuit and to the power supply control circuit itself, and a first switch coupled between ground and an Enable input of the voltage regulator. A control input of the first switch is coupled to the regulated voltage, such that when the voltage regulator provides regulated voltage, the first switch is closed, coupling the Enable input to ground, keeping the voltage regulator active. A first switching circuit provides manual activation and deactivation of the voltage regulator; a second switching circuit provides automatic activation of the voltage regulator whenever the power input becomes powered. An intervening circuit prevents the second switching circuit from activating the voltage regulator when the first switching circuit has deactivated it, despite the continued presence of the external power supply.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method that includes receiving a first signal representative of audio captured using a microphone in communication with an analog communication module. The method also includes determining that a first feedback signal from the analog communication module includes a sidetone associated with the audio captured by the microphone, and responsive to determining that the first feedback signal includes the sidetone, generating, by one or more processing devices, at least one control signal that affects operations of a digital communication module.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method that includes receiving a first signal representative of audio captured using a microphone in communication with an analog communication module. The method also includes determining that a first feedback signal from the analog communication module includes a sidetone associated with the audio captured by the microphone, and responsive to determining that the first feedback signal includes the sidetone, generating, by one or more processing devices, at least one control signal that affects operations of a digital communication module.

Abstract: Techniques to control arrangement of items in a user interface is described. In one or more implementations, intuitive rearrangement of items in a user interface is caused by a computing device. A priority ordering of items, one to another, is determined that is specified for display of the items in a first layout in a user interface of the computing device. The items are assigned into respective ones of a plurality of groups that together compose one or more linear arrangements of the groups. Arrangement of the items is controlled by the computing device for display in a second layout in the user interface that is different from the first layout by an amount of display area available in the user interface along one or more dimensions.

Abstract: Techniques to control arrangement of items in a user interface is described. In one or more implementations, intuitive rearrangement of items in a user interface is caused by a computing device. A priority ordering of items, one to another, is determined that is specified for display of the items in a first layout in a user interface of the computing device. The items are assigned into respective ones of a plurality of groups that together compose one or more linear arrangements of the groups. Arrangement of the items is controlled by the computing device for display in a second layout in the user interface that is different from the first layout by an amount of display area available in the user interface along one or more dimensions.

Abstract: A microphone pivot device of a headphone comprises at least one magnet in communication with a movable microphone, the at least one magnet having a plurality of segments, each segment having a magnet characteristic; a sensor that detects a magnet characteristic of a magnet segment when the segment is moved in response to a movement of the microphone so that the segment is in proximity of the sensor; and a controller that receives a signal from the sensor in response to the detected magnet characteristic, and that controls an operation of the microphone in response to the received signal.

Abstract: A positionable lighting unit for tools may have an LED light source powered by a battery with a control switch, all mounted upon a circuit board encased within a translucent and flexible casing. The control switch may then be activated though the casing without breaching the same so that a more sterile unit may be presented in those situations requiring sterility. The tool light also may have an adhesive, so it may be temporarily positioned according to a user's liking on a given tool. Emphasis is given to medical devices where a small field of vision and little room for movement may be prohibitive of desired lighting placement, but the light may be used on any suitable tool in any suitable medical or non-medical situation.

Abstract: A microphone pivot device of a headphone comprises at least one magnet in communication with a movable microphone, the at least one magnet having a plurality of segments, each segment having a magnet characteristic; a sensor that detects a magnet characteristic of a magnet segment when the segment is moved in response to a movement of the microphone so that the segment is in proximity of the sensor; and a controller that receives a signal from the sensor in response to the detected magnet characteristic, and that controls an operation of the microphone in response to the received signal.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring system comprising a sensor device for attachment to the skin of a subject, the sensor device comprising at least a first sensor for sensing a physiological parameter of the subject and a processing device configured for analysing data sensed by the sensor by means of a predetermined algorithm to estimate whether the data is indicative of a disease condition, and on detecting such a condition to generate an alert. It is further described a method for monitoring a plurality of subjects comprising the step of providing each subject with a sensor device as referred to above and then analysing data sensed by the sensors such as to preferentially generate an alert if the data received from multiple ones of the sensors demonstrate a contemporaneous trend indicative of a disease condition.

Abstract: A positionable lighting unit for tools may have an LED light source powered by a battery with a control switch, all mounted upon a circuit board encased within a translucent and flexible casing. The control switch may then be activated though the casing without breaching the same so that a more sterile unit may be presented in those situations requiring sterility. The tool light also may have an adhesive, so it may be temporarily positioned according to a user's liking on a given tool. Emphasis is given to medical devices where a small field of vision and little room for movement may be prohibitive of desired lighting placement, but the light may be used on any suitable tool in any suitable medical or non-medical situation.

Abstract: A circuit includes an input for receiving power from an external power supply, a voltage regulator coupled to the power input and providing regulated voltage to an external circuit and to the power supply control circuit itself, and a first switch coupled between ground and an Enable input of the voltage regulator. A control input of the first switch is coupled to the regulated voltage, such that when the voltage regulator provides regulated voltage, the first switch is closed, coupling the Enable input to ground, keeping the voltage regulator active. A first switching circuit provides manual activation and deactivation of the voltage regulator; a second switching circuit provides automatic activation of the voltage regulator whenever the power input becomes powered. An intervening circuit prevents the second switching circuit from activating the voltage regulator when the first switching circuit has deactivated it, despite the continued presence of the external power supply.

Abstract: A circuit includes an input for receiving power from an external power supply, a voltage regulator coupled to the power input and providing regulated voltage to an external circuit and to the power supply control circuit itself, and a first switch coupled between ground and an Enable input of the voltage regulator. A control input of the first switch is coupled to the regulated voltage, such that when the voltage regulator provides regulated voltage, the first switch is closed, coupling the Enable input to ground, keeping the voltage regulator active. A first switching circuit provides manual activation and deactivation of the voltage regulator; a second switching circuit provides automatic activation of the voltage regulator whenever the power input becomes powered. An intervening circuit prevents the second switching circuit from activating the voltage regulator when the first switching circuit has deactivated it, despite the continued presence of the external power supply.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method that includes receiving a first signal representative of audio captured using a microphone in communication with an analog communication module. The method also includes determining that a first feedback signal from the analog communication module includes a sidetone associated with the audio captured by the microphone, and responsive to determining that the first feedback signal includes the sidetone, generating, by one or more processing devices, at least one control signal that affects operations of a digital communication module.

Abstract: A circuit includes an input for receiving power from an external power supply, a voltage regulator coupled to the power input and providing regulated voltage to an external circuit and to the power supply control circuit itself, and a first switch coupled between ground and an Enable input of the voltage regulator. A control input of the first switch is coupled to the regulated voltage, such that when the voltage regulator provides regulated voltage, the first switch is closed, coupling the Enable input to ground, keeping the voltage regulator active. A first switching circuit provides manual activation and deactivation of the voltage regulator; a second switching circuit provides automatic activation of the voltage regulator whenever the power input becomes powered. An intervening circuit prevents the second switching circuit from activating the voltage regulator when the first switching circuit has deactivated it, despite the continued presence of the external power supply.

Abstract: Techniques to control arrangement of items in a user interface is described. In one or more implementations, intuitive rearrangement of items in a user interface is caused by a computing device. A priority ordering of items, one to another, is determined that is specified for display of the items in a first layout in a user interface of the computing device. The items are assigned into respective ones of a plurality of groups that together compose one or more linear arrangements of the groups. Arrangement of the items is controlled by the computing device for display in a second layout in the user interface that is different from the first layout by an amount of display area available in the user interface along one or more dimensions.

Abstract: A passive inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is proposed. The inhaler includes an impaction element onto which the air stream can impact together with entrained inhalation formulation for better deagglomeration. Alternatively, the inhaler includes an oscillating and/or vibrating device for better de-agglomeration of the inhalation formulation. Alternatively or additionally, the inhaler includes one or two mixing means for generating swirls, preferably with opposite rotation directions.

Abstract: An inhaler for producing an inhalable aerosol of powdered medicament is disclosed. The inhaler includes an aerosolizing device having a chamber of substantially circular cross-section, inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of the chamber for the flow of drug laden air through the chamber between said ports and, a bypass air inlet for the flow of clean air into the chamber. The bypass air inlet is configured so that air entering the chamber through said inlet forms a cyclone in the chamber that interacts with the drug laden air flowing between the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A device for coupling to a connector on an ear cup of a headset includes a mating connector corresponding to the connector of the headset. The mating connector includes a crossover conductor coupled to a first and a second terminal within the mating connector, a position sensor for determining a position of the device, and a data connection outputting data from the position sensor. The position data is usable to adjust three-dimensional audio signals to account for the direction the user is looking.

Abstract: A device for coupling to a connector on an ear cup of a headset includes a mating connector corresponding to the connector of the headset. The mating connector includes a crossover conductor coupled to a first and a second terminal within the mating connector. One or more accessory circuits is provided by the device, including a lamp configured to direct light onto a surface external to the device or a position detection circuit usable to adjust three-dimensional audio signals to account for the direction the user is looking.

Abstract: In an inhaler for administering a powdery medicament in the form of an inhalable substance, substance formulation or mixture, a blister cavity to be opened by piercing elements (11) is mounted in the lower part (1) of a housing (2), which has an upper part (6), designed as mouthpiece and with an inhalation channel (16), and of the lower part (1), which has an air inlet opening (9). The inhalation channel (16) of the upper part (6) of the housing has a unit (15) for dispersing the powdery medicament, said unit (15) being connected to the piercing elements (11), wherein the upper part (6) of the housing can be moved relative to the lower part (1) of the housing in order to open the blister cavity.