Abstract: A bird feeder and method of feeding wild birds are disclosed herein which thwarts squirrels, rodents, and other pests from accessing the bird feed. The bird feeder comprises a shutter mechanism which slides down a seed container to block access to the bird feed in an implementation. The shutter mechanism secures to the bottom of the seed container to maximize the containment volume of the feeder and to make cleaning the feeder easier. The shutter mechanism has adjustable spring force settings so that a user can set the spring force according to the type of predator. In an implementation, the shutter mechanism is rigged with a constant force spring which prevents partial deployment of the shutter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an enteral feeding pump system. A method of directing flow for a coil includes drawing fluid from a source and delivering fluid, the coil including input and output check valves to prevent a back flow of fluid.

Abstract: An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an enteral feeding pump system. A method of directing flow for a coil includes drawing fluid from a source and delivering fluid, the coil including input and output check valves to prevent a back flow of fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring compliance with medication regimens. The system is integrated onto the back or side of a medication dispensing package for monitoring and compliance tracking of medication regimens. The system includes a camera that is web enabled to upload photo and/or video content to a cloud based tracking database for analysis, tracking and further processing as desired. When a user approaches the medication box, the camera preferably captures an image of the pill package being dispensed and an image of the face of the person removing the pill package. This information is streamed to an algorithm/database housed in the cloud wherein the data is processed using predetermined rule sets. The rule sets may include a determination that the correct person took the medication via a facial recognition process, the time and day the medication was taken, the package dispense, etc.

Abstract: An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, a user input device (keypad) and at least one memory device for storing programming settings and data. Specifically, the invention focuses on a memory buffer within the DSP device, and configuration of the device to buffer an incoming audio signal, to enhance the audio for replay, and to replay that audio. The device is further configured to convert the audio signal to text for display on the handheld DSP device. The device enhances the audio and then buffers the enhanced audio stream prior to output.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing device. The hearing aid includes a microphone, a digital signal processor, a speaker, a power source, an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver, and a control system configured and arranged to monitor a status of the power source and a status of the UWB transceiver, to receive an input signal from the microphone, to selectively route the input signal for processing responsive to the status of the power source and of the UWB transceiver, and to deliver an output signal to the speaker. The handheld digital signal processing apparatus includes a UWB transceiver, and a digital audio signal processor configured and arranged to receive the input signal from the earpiece control system, to process the input signal to enhance the input signal and to output the enhanced signal to the hearing aid control system.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device and a unique method of processing incoming audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different sound enhancement algorithms for enhancing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective enhancement of sound.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The invention focuses on a handheld DSP device that provides a visual cue to the user representing the source of an intermittent incoming sound. It is known that it is easier to distinguish and recognize sounds when the user has knowledge of the sound source. The system provides for various wired and/or wireless audio inputs from, for example, a television, a wireless microphone on a person, a doorbell, a telephone, a smoke alarm, etc. The wireless audio sources are linked to the DSP and can be identified as a particular type of source. For example, the telephone input is associated with a graphical image of a telephone, and the smoke alarm is associated with a graphical image of a smoke alarm.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device and a unique method of processing incoming audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different sound enhancement algorithms for enhancing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective enhancement of sound.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the embodiments is directed to the handheld DSP device and a method of processing audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different sound processing algorithms for processing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective processing of audio.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device and a unique method of processing incoming audio signals. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different audio processing algorithms for processing sound signals received from the hearing aid and/or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sound sources and selective processing of sound.

Abstract: A portable assistive listening system for enhancing sound for hearing impaired individuals includes a fully functional hearing aid and a separate handheld digital signal processing (DSP) device. The focus of the present invention is directed to the handheld DSP device. The DSP device includes a programmable digital signal processor, a UWB transceiver for communicating with the hearing aid and/or other wireless audio sources, an LCD display, and a user input device (keypad). The handheld device is user programmable to apply different processing algorithms for processing sound signals received from the hearing aid or other audio source. The handheld device is capable of receiving audio signals from multiple sources, and gives the user control over selection of incoming sources and selective processing of sound.

Abstract: A toy figure has a movable mouth coupled to an actuator in the belly area. A speech generator stores sound elements for an entire song, verse, or nursery rhyme. The speech generator is provided with a first track of sequenced sound elements (singing version) that form a song when sequentially generated, and a related second track of a like number of sequenced sound elements (humming version). Sound elements from the first and second tracks are interchangeable at any given point during sequential output thereof. A switch located in the mouth is connected to the speech generator to provide input as to the mouth position, i.e. open or closed. Squeezing the belly of the figure opens the mouth, changing the state of the switch and initiating an output sequence from the speech generator. When the mouth is open, the child is able to easily control the mouth position by varying the pressure on the belly actuator. The speech generator checks the state of the mouth switch at given intervals.

Abstract: A toy figure has a movable mouth coupled to an actuator in the belly area. A speech generator stores sound elements for an entire song, verse, or nursery rhyme. The speech generator is provided with a first track of sequenced sound elements (singing version) that form a song when sequentially generated, and a related second track of a like number of sequenced sound elements (humming version). Sound elements from the first and second tracks are interchangeable at any given point during sequential output thereof A switch located in the mouth is connected to the speech generator to provide input as to the mouth position, i.e. open or closed. Squeezing the belly of the figure opens the mouth, changing the state of the switch and initiating an output sequence from the speech generator. When the mouth is open, the child is able to easily control the mouth position by varying the pressure on the belly actuator. The speech generator checks the state of the mouth switch at given intervals.

Abstract: A toy includes a housing with pressure sensitive sensors on each face of the housing. The toy instructs players as to which parts of their body they should use in pressing one or more of the sensors on the toy. A number of games can be played with the toy. Players can pass the toy from one player to another using the body parts the toy calls out and try to set records for the number of passes possible without mistake, or can try to set records for the number of passes that can be made within a two minute time period. A third game involves three or four players trying to cover five or six of the sensors in accordance with the toy's instructions. The players maneuver their bodies to maintain pressure on the sensors being held while pressing holding a new sensor called out by the toy. The voice used in the toy also tries to challenge the players to improve on their previous scores.