Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different languages where the portions of the text narrated using the different voices associated with different languages are selected by a user.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices. Further disclosed are techniques and systems for generating an audible output in which different portions of a text are narrated using voice models associated with different characters.

Abstract: A food serving dispenser and protected food servings dispensed from the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a cylindrical container having a central stem that extends upward from the base of the container. The stem and container walls are dimensioned to receive a cylindrical protected food serving that comprises a food serving, such as a slice of cream cheese, that is sandwiched between two layers of film, preferably a plastic film such as cellophane or similar. The plastic film layers have tabs that are staggered within the cylindrical container to allow removal of a single protected food slice by grasping the tabs and pulling the protected food slice from the cylindrical container. The food servings are sealed within the plastic film, which is separable at perforations by pulling the tabs apart.

Abstract: An e-reader with a password protected supervisory account that controls various features and functions of the e-reader, and e-reader user profile accounts for reading users of the e-reader. The supervisory account permits the supervisor user to set up one or more e-reader user profiles that are each assigned its own customizable bookshelf for displaying the available electronic published content, such as, e-books. The electronic published content is assigned to each e-reader user profile through the supervisory account. The e-reader provides interactive content that reinforces development of reading skills and reading comprehension. The e-reader provides reading-level specific definitions and an audible pronunciation of the words. The e-reader has zooming and scrolling capabilities. The e-reader may also present suggestions and recommendations for further reading based on the aggregation of reading statistics for all readers by user profile.

Abstract: A beverage can cleaning apparatus for cleaning beverage cans before they are dispensed from vending machines. The apparatus has a can holder, a hinged platform, tubes, a first nozzle, a second nozzle and a sensing block that matches the profile of the can top periphery. The sensing block is depressed a compressed distance, the distance being dependent on the orientation of the can, and cleaning fluid or compressed air is selectively directed through the first or second nozzle. Subsequent to air or cleaning fluid being dispensed against the top of the beverage can, the can holder releases the hinged platform sending the beverage can into the vending machine's dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text. In some aspects, the techniques and systems described herein include generating a timing file that includes elapsed time information for expected portions of text that provides an elapsed time period from a reference time in an audio recording to each portion of text in recognized portions of text.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices where the portions of the text narrated using the different voices are selected by a user.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices. Further disclosed are techniques and systems for modifying a voice model associated with a selected character based on data received from a user.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices where the portions of the text narrated using the different voices are selected by a user. Also disclosed are techniques and systems for associating characters with portions of a sequence of words selected by a user. Different characters having different voice models can be associated with different portions of a sequence of words.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices. Further disclosed are techniques and systems for processing indicia in a document to determine a portion of words and associating a particular a voice model with the portion of words based on the indicia. During a readback process, an audible output corresponding to the words in the portion of words is generated using the voice model associated with the portion of words.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices. In some aspects, systems and methods described herein can include receiving a user-based selection of a first portion of words in a document where the document has a pre-associated first voice model and overwriting the association of the first voice model, by the one or more computers, with a second voice model for the first portion of words.

Abstract: A blood pump (20) includes a stator assembly comprising a motor stator (52), a fluid inlet (24), and a fluid outlet (26). A rotor assembly includes a motor rotor (54) and an impeller (40) rotatable about an axis (44) to move fluid from the inlet (24) to the outlet (26). An outflow sheath (300) directs the flow along the outside of the pump (20).

Abstract: A blood pump (26) includes a stator assembly (122) that includes a motor stator, a fluid inlet (24), and a fluid outlet (26). A rotor assembly (120) includes a motor rotor (54) and an impeller (40) rotatable about an axis (44) to move fluid from the inlet (24) to the outlet (26). A permanent magnet radial bearing (100) supports the rotor assembly for rotation about the axis (44). The radial bearing (100) includes a permanent magnet radial bearing stator (106) fixed to the stator assembly (122) and a permanent magnet radial bearing rotor (108) fixed to the rotor assembly (120). The radial bearing (100) is configured such that the radial bearing stator magnets (106) and the radial bearing rotor magnets (108) are axially offset from each other when the pump is at rest.

Abstract: A wireless remote cooking thermometer system includes a first unit positionable at a first location adjacent food being cooked, the first unit including a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit a temperature signal associated with temperature readings of the food being cooked. The system also includes at least one microprocessor operative to calibrate taste and choice preferences. The system also includes a temperature probe and a second unit that includes a noise generator or visual indicator and a radio frequency receiver for reception of the signal from the transmitter.

Abstract: A blood pump (26) includes a stator assembly including a fluid inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (26). A rotor assembly (120) includes an impeller (40) rotatable about an axis (44) to move fluid from the inlet (24) to the outlet (26). A motor (50) imparts rotation of the impeller (40) about the axis (44). The motor (50) includes a motor stator (52) fixed to the stator assembly (122), a motor rotor (54) fixed to the rotor assembly (120), and a radial motor gap (34) between the stator (52) and the rotor (54). The pump (20) is configured to direct a mixed blood flow from the fluid inlet (24) to the fluid outlet (26) and a wash flow through the motor gap (34).

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems for rendering pages or documents with both graphical and textual content.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, apparatus and computer program product are described that involve capturing images of a plurality of documents and performing specialized processing on the documents for generalized translation, menu translation, expense reporting, business card and social networking site updating, calendar updating and currency identification. Other specialized applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a scanned image in which a portion of the image is overlaid with OCR generated text corresponding to the text of the original scanned document.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices. Further disclosed are techniques and systems for providing a plurality of characters at least some of the characters having multiple associated moods for use in document narration.