Abstract: A hearing improvement system for use with a user's smart device and earpiece/headphones includes software stored on a memory device of the smart device, the software configured to be executed by a processor of the smart device to cause an audio signal received from a microphone of or operating with the smart device if containing two or more sound patterns to be separated into a plurality of individualized sound patterns; categorize the individualized sound patterns; display an icon representing each categorized sound pattern on a screen of the smart device; enable a user viewing the icons to at least one of deactivate or activate each of the individualized sound patterns; and enable each of the non-deactivated individualized sound patterns to be delivered to the user's earpiece/headphones.

Abstract: An ocular feedback system includes a first camera assembly including a first frame worn by a first user and at least one first camera supported by the first frame. The first camera produces a first camera output concerning the first user's eyes. A second camera assembly includes a second frame worn by a second user and at least one second camera supported by the second frame. The second camera produces a second camera output concerning the second user's eyes. At least one computer is configured to build an established outcome determiner based on an analysis of the at least one first and second camera outputs. The computer compares the established outcome determiner to at least one third camera output concerning a third user's eyes taken by at least one third camera supported by a third frame of a third camera assembly worn by the third user.

Abstract: In an embodiment a microwave oven includes (i) a housing including two surfaces upon which the microwave oven can be set for operation; (ii) a magnetron located inside the housing; a door hinged along a hinged surface of the housing; and (iii) a user interface located on a surface of the housing opposing the hinged surface.

Abstract: A hearing improvement system for use with a user's smart device and earpiece/headphones includes software stored on a memory device of the smart device, the software configured to be executed by a processor of the smart device to cause an audio signal received from a microphone of or operating with the smart device if containing two or more sound patterns to be separated into a plurality of individualized sound patterns; categorize the individualized sound patterns; display an icon representing each categorized sound pattern on a screen of the smart device; enable a user viewing the icons to at least one of deactivate or activate each of the individualized sound patterns; and enable each of the non-deactivated individualized sound patterns to be delivered to the user's earpiece/headphones.

Abstract: A navigational system and method includes an application provided on a user's communication and data transfer device (“cdd”), the cdd including a display device and a speaker, the application including logic configured to cause (i) the display device to display a map showing a current location of the user relative to a desired location, (ii) the speaker at certain times to automatically provide audible route instructions, and (iii) a selectable button to be displayed on the display device, wherein when selected by the user the button is configured to initiate an audible route instruction using the user's current location to be provided by the speaker.

Abstract: A navigational system and method includes an application provided on a user's communication and data transfer device (“cdd”), the cdd including a display device and a speaker, the application including logic configured to cause (i) the display device to display a map showing a current location of the user relative to a desired location, (ii) the speaker at certain times to automatically provide audible route instructions, and (iii) a selectable button to be displayed on the display device, wherein when selected by the user the button is configured to initiate an audible route instruction using the user's current location to be provided by the speaker.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a frame defining a location to place a mattress, and at least one side panel in mechanical communication with the frame, the at least one side panel selectively expandable so as to provide patient privacy when desired and contractible when privacy is not desired. The expandable panel may include expandable and contractible shells or an expandable and contractible plate that resides within or on the outside of the panel. In a further alternative embodiment, portable patient privacy apparatuses are provided in which a hood is manually expandable from the patient to cover the patient. The portable patient privacy apparatuses may be used to provide patient privacy to existing hospital beds and gurneys.

Abstract: A navigational system and method includes an application provided on a user's communication and data transfer device (“cdd”), the cdd including a display device and a speaker, the application including logic configured to cause (i) the display device to display a map showing a current location of the user relative to a desired location, (ii) the speaker at certain times to automatically provide audible route instructions, and (iii) a selectable button to be displayed on the display device, wherein when selected by the user the button is configured to initiate an audible route instruction using the user's current location to be provided by the speaker.

Abstract: A navigational system includes: a sender communication and data transfer device (“cdd”); a receiver cdd; a first cellular service having a first global positioning satellite (“GPS”) or multi-tower calculator (“MTC”) operating with the sender cdd; a second cellular service having a second GPS or MTC operating with receiver cdd; and an application server in operable communication with the first cellular service and the second cellular service, the application server including processing and memory operating with software programmed to enable a navigational route to be initiated by a user operating the sender cdd and, in cooperation with the first and second cellular services, generate and send the route to the receiver's cdd, wherein the route is selected from multiple route options, at least one of the route options using a location obtained by one of the first and second GPS's or MTC's.

Abstract: A liquid aerator in one embodiment includes an air deliverer having a bulb pump portion formed integrally with a stem portion; a one-way valve located in the bulb pump portion of the air deliverer; and a porous diffuser located at a distal end of the stem portion of the air deliverer. A liquid aerator in another embodiment includes an air deliverer having a bottle shape including a larger diameter base portion formed integrally with a narrower diameter neck portion; a one-way valve located in the base portion of the air deliverer; and a porous diffuser located at a distal end of the neck portion of the air deliverer.

Abstract: A sports practicing system includes: a lever arm including an aperture; at least one ball secured to the lever arm; a pivot about which the lever arm rotates; an upper member to which the pivot is connected, the upper member including first and second ends; a base for placement on a ground, the base supporting the upper member; and an elastic strap stretched from the first end of the upper member to the second end of the upper member, an inner portion of the strap intersecting the pivot so the strap deflects the lever arm and the ball when the lever arm rotates about the pivot due to the ball being struck.

Abstract: A liquid aerator includes a porous diffuser; a stem connected to the porous diffuser; and a manual air pump accepting an end of the stem, the manual air pump configured such that the aerator can be set onto a supporting structure with the stem and the porous diffuser extending upwardly from the manual air pump.

Abstract: A two-way fastener includes a first member threaded for being screwed into a first workpiece; a polygonal wall for receiving a tool to screw the first member into the first workpiece, the polygonal wall located at a base end of the first member; and a second member extending in an opposite fastening direction from the first member, the second member configured to be fastened to a second workpiece. A fastening method includes enabling the threading of a first member of a fastener into a first workpiece; and enabling the threading of a second workpiece to a second member extending outwardly from the first member and the first workpiece.

Abstract: A liquid aerator includes a porous diffuser; a stem connected to the porous diffuser; and a manual air pump accepting an end of the stem, the manual air pump configured such that the aerator can be set onto a supporting structure with the stem and the porous diffuser extending upwardly from the manual air pump.

Abstract: A navigational system includes: a sender communication and data transfer device (“cdd”); a receiver cdd; a first cellular service having a first global positioning satellite (“GPS”) or multi-tower calculator (“MTC”) operating with the sender cdd; a second cellular service having a second GPS or MTC operating with receiver cdd; and an application server in operable communication with the first cellular service and the second cellular service, the application server including processing and memory operating with software programmed to enable a navigational route to be initiated by a user operating the sender cdd and, in cooperation with the first and second cellular services, generate and send the route to the receiver's cdd, wherein the route is selected from multiple route options, at least one of the route options using a location obtained by one of the first and second GPS's or MTC's.

Abstract: A liquid aerator in one embodiment includes an air deliverer having a bulb pump portion formed integrally with a stem portion; a one-way valve located in the bulb pump portion of the air deliverer; and a porous diffuser located at a distal end of the stem portion of the air deliverer. A liquid aerator in another embodiment includes an air deliverer having a bottle shape including a larger diameter base portion formed integrally with a narrower diameter neck portion; a one-way valve located in the base portion of the air deliverer; and a porous diffuser located at a distal end of the neck portion of the air deliverer.

Abstract: A wine and spirit aerator includes a tube, a diffuser and an air pump attached to opposing ends of the tube. The aerator may include a stopper sized and shaped to be inserted into a lip of a wine or spirit bottle. The tube and diffuser can extend to the bottom of the bottle. The tube can have telescoping sections or be sized for single glass operation where the pump can be set on a structure between uses. The diffuser can be porous or sintered metal. The pump can be removed and replaced with a carbon dioxide injector to turn the aerator into a carbonated beverage preparation apparatus or a plant feeding apparatus. A method of marketing wine and spirits is also provided in which videos of same aerated by the disclosed aerators are posted to a website that offers both the aerators and the wine or spirit for purchase.

Abstract: A content changeable system for navigable venues includes (i) a software application folder for storage at a software application storage area, the software application folder including a plurality of software applications, each software application individually downloadable to a user's communication and data transfer device (“cdd”), each software application corresponding to a venue that can be physically navigated by the user, each application including at least one changeable content corresponding to a content station of the venue; and (ii) at least one server computer server configured to (a) upload the software applications to the software application storage area; and (b) receive information from at least one of the venues indicating that a particular changeable content corresponding to a particular content station of the at least one venue needs to be changed.