Abstract: A method of testing a hearing ability of a user using a portable sound source playing apparatus includes; outputting a signal indicating at least one phoneme, obtaining a response of a user regarding a degree of audibility of the output signal, and testing the hearing ability of a user based on hearing characteristics of the user showing the degree of audibility of a frequency band comprising a frequency of the at least one phoneme based on the obtained response.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for controlling a washing machine that automatically select a washing method when a user uses the washing machine and saves the user an effort to choose a washing method suitable for the laundry. The apparatus includes at least one sensor unit in the washing machine configured to measure a value of a natural frequency of laundry in the washing machine; a database unit storing information regarding a washing method of the laundry; a control unit that compares the value of the natural frequency from the sensor unit with value(s) of a natural frequency or frequencies stored in the database unit to determine the type of laundry, select a washing method corresponding to the determined type of laundry, and output a signal to perform the selected washing method; and a driving unit that receives the signal from the control unit and operates the washing machine in accordance with the signal.

Abstract: Provided is an error amplifier. The error amplifier includes: an amplifying unit receiving first and second input signals and amplifying a voltage difference between the received first and second input signals; a first voltage generating unit generating first and second driving voltages for driving the amplifying unit; a second voltage generating unit generating first and second body voltages to implement a body biasing method; a cascode current source including first to fourth PMOS transistors to provide a bias current to the amplifying unit and the first voltage generating unit; and an output unit outputting a signal of the voltage difference amplified by the amplifying unit, wherein the first and third PMOS transistors receive the first body voltage through a body terminal and the second and fourth PMOS transistors receive the second body voltage through a body terminal.

Abstract: A method of operating a data processing system includes compressing a first part of uncompressed data, and determining whether to compress a second part of the uncompressed data based on an expected data size of the compressed first part and an actual data size of the compressed first part. The method further includes transmitting one of first transmission data and second transmission data to an external memory device based on a result of the determining. The first transmission data includes the compressed first and second parts, and the second transmission data includes the first and second parts of the uncompressed data.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a microelectromechanical systems microphone which receives inputs of external sound signals, converting the sound signals to analog signals, and outputting the analog signals; a hearing aid processor chip which converts the analog signals to digital signals, performs gain correction and digital signal processing to the digital signals, and converts the processed digital signals to analog signals; and a microelectromechanical system receiver which outputs the analog signals converted from the processed digital signals as sound signals, wherein the microelectromechanical system microphone is attached to a first surface of the hearing aid processor chip, and the microelectromechanical system receiver is attached to a second surface of the hearing aid processor chip, so that the microelectromechanical system microphone, the hearing aid processor chip, and the microelectromechanical system receiver are integrated as a single body.

Abstract: Provided are a switching circuit and a small-size high-efficiency direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter for portable devices including the same. Using dynamic threshold-complementary metal oxide semiconductor (DT-CMOS) transistors having dynamic threshold voltages as a switching device, the switching circuit maintains a low threshold voltage in a normal mode to improve current drivability while reducing conduction loss, and maintains a high threshold voltage in a standby mode to minimize power consumption. When the switching circuit is employed in a DC-DC converter, power conversion efficiency can be improved by reducing conduction loss in the normal mode, and power consumption can be minimized in the standby mode. Consequently, the DC-DC converter can maximize a use time of a battery of a portable device and can be useful in power supplies of portable devices that are gradually being miniaturized.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for reproducing sound. A sound signal may be generated by receiving sound around the apparatus. An output signal may be generated by performing a process according to functions of the apparatus on a residual signal obtained by canceling a feedback signal from the sound signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sound output apparatus is provided. The method includes determining frequency bands respectively corresponding to an audible band and an inaudible band in relation to a sound that is received via the sound output apparatus by referring to hearing characteristics of a user using the sound output apparatus, compensating for a perception degree in relation to the inaudible band by emphasizing information regarding the audible band of the sound based on a result of the determining, and outputting a sound obtained by reflecting the compensating.

Abstract: A sound outputting apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. A method of controlling a sound outputting apparatus includes extracting a noise signal and a desired signal, estimating a direction of arrival (DoA) of the extracted desired signal, and outputting sound.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a microelectromechanical systems microphone which receives inputs of external sound signals, converting the sound signals to analog signals, and outputting the analog signals; a hearing aid processor chip which converts the analog signals to digital signals, performs gain correction and digital signal processing to the digital signals, and converts the processed digital signals to analog signals; and a microelectromechanical system receiver which outputs the analog signals converted from the processed digital signals as sound signals, wherein the microelectromechanical system microphone is attached to a first surface of the hearing aid processor chip, and the microelectromechanical system receiver is attached to a second surface of the hearing aid processor chip, so that the microelectromechanical system microphone, the hearing aid processor chip, and the microelectromechanical system receiver are integrated as a single body.

Abstract: A method of testing hearing ability using a sound source reproducing apparatus, the method comprises outputting at least one test sound representing at least one frequency band, acquiring a response of a testee to a degree of audibility of the at least one test sound, and testing hearing ability of the testee in the at least one frequency band corresponding to each of the at least one test sound, respectively, according to the response of the testee.

Abstract: A method of testing a hearing ability of a user using a portable sound source playing apparatus includes; outputting a signal indicating at least one phoneme, obtaining a response of a user regarding a degree of audibility of the output signal, and testing the hearing ability of a user based on hearing characteristics of the user showing the degree of audibility of a frequency band comprising a frequency of the at least one phoneme based on the obtained response.

Abstract: A method of transmitting biological information includes selecting a transmission mode from a plurality of transmission modes and transmitting biological information of a user to an external device using the selected transmission mode. Each of the transmission modes transmits different quantities of data to the external device based on a state of the biological information of the user.

Abstract: A method of displaying bio-information on a screen includes outputting basic bio-information of a plurality of bio-parameters indicating a condition of a patient on one display screen, determining an occurrence of an event related to the plurality of bio-parameters, converting the basic bio-information into detailed bio-information about one of the plurality of bio-parameters based on a result of the determining an occurrence of an event, and outputting the converted detailed bio-information on the one display screen.

Abstract: Provided are a switching circuit and a small-size high-efficiency direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter for portable devices including the same. Using dynamic threshold-complementary metal oxide semiconductor (DT-CMOS) transistors having dynamic threshold voltages as a switching device, the switching circuit maintains a low threshold voltage in a normal mode to improve current drivability while reducing conduction loss, and maintains a high threshold voltage in a standby mode to minimize power consumption. When the switching circuit is employed in a DC-DC converter, power conversion efficiency can be improved by reducing conduction loss in the normal mode, and power consumption can be minimized in the standby mode. Consequently, the DC-DC converter can maximize a use time of a battery of a portable device and can be useful in power supplies of portable devices that are gradually being miniaturized.

Abstract: A chair equipped with a lumbar support unit is disclosed. The lumbar support unit includes a lumbar plate attached to a lower portion of a tiltable backrest part, and an actuating connector comprising a connecting wire which is connected at one end to an upper end of the lumbar plate and is connected at the other end to a chair frame supporting the seat and back parts, and a connecting tube surrounding the connecting wire, which is positioned at one end at a location downwardly spaced from the one end of the connecting wire, and is connected at the other end to a movable frame. The lumbar plate is automatically protruded forward to snugly support a lumbar region of a user when the back part is tilted rearwardly. The chair can afford convenient operation and protection of a lumbar region of a user.

Abstract: A chair equipped with a lumbar support unit is disclosed. The lumbar support unit includes a lumbar plate attached to a lower portion of a tiltable backrest part, and an actuating connector comprising a connecting wire which is connected at one end to an upper end of the lumbar plate and is connected at the other end to a chair frame supporting the seat and back parts, and a connecting tube surrounding the connecting wire, which is positioned at one end at a location downwardly spaced from the one end of the connecting wire, and is connected at the other end to a movable frame. The lumbar plate is automatically protruded forward to snugly support a lumbar region of a user when the back part is tilted rearwardly. The chair can afford convenient operation and protection of a lumbar region of a user.

Abstract: Carborane substituted porphyrin compounds complexed with a metal or transition metal have a variety of therapeutic uses. These compounds have been found, for example, selectively to inhibit viral aspartyl proteases. The transition metal complexes are useful both therapeutically in BNCT (boron neutron capture therapy) as well as for MR contrast enhancement. Particularly preferred compounds in accordance with the invention use the dipotassium salt of 2,4-bis-[.alpha.,.beta.-(1,2-dicarbaclosododecaborane carboxy)ethyl]deuteroporphyrin, which is complexed with a metal or a transition metal. These compounds are well solubilized in water, and are suitable for oral administration.

Abstract: A compound is described having the structure ##STR1## where R preferably is ##STR2## and most preferably R.sup.3 is a closo-carborane and R.sup.2 is --H, an alkyl or aryl having 1 to about 7 carbon atoms,This invention was made with Government support under NIH Grant No. CA-37961 awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services and under the Associated Universities Inc. Contract No. De-AC02-76CH00016 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The Government has rights in this invention.