Abstract: A method and system is described to improve the reproduction of sound of an acoustic musical instrument. According to one embodiment, a first microphone is placed at a proximate location to the musical instrument to pick up the sound of the musical instrument. The sound as picked up by the first microphone is compared to a reference sound of the instrument (e.g., the sound of the instrument as perceived at a normal listening position). Based on this comparison, a tailor-made equalizer is designed to compensate for the differences between the sounds as picked up by the first microphone and the reference sounds of the musical instrument. Accordingly, using the tailor-made equalizer allows the reproduction of sound from the first microphone to have a quality similar to that of the reference sound of the musical instrument. In an implementation of the above system, a filter arrangement is provided having a low-pass and a high-pass filter that allows separate control of the frequency and/or gain for each filter.

Abstract: A system for enabling client software applications to interface with peripheral devices over a network. An application connection layer interfaces with a programming language of a client software application. A simple object access protocol (SOAP) client processor communicates with the application connection layer and a client software application using the application connection layer. The SOAP client processor includes an eXtensible mark-up language (XML) processor for converting data provided in XML format to a form usable by the client software application. A transport layer for interfaces with the SOAP processor and peripheral devices connected to the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described which reduce the presence of an unwanted signal. According to one embodiment, a first signal is provided from a desired location that includes an unwanted signal while a second signal is provided from an alternate location (e.g., one where the unwanted signal is less of a proportion of the total signal). The first and alternate signals are provided to respective signal processors. A level for a selected frequency band of the first and alternate signals is adjusted so that an increase in one results in a decrease in the other. Doing so allows the frequency band that includes the unwanted signal to be reduced in the desired first signal and filled in with a similar frequency band from the alternate signal.

Abstract: A dental apparatus is provided with an ozone irrigation system. Ozonated water is produced in the irrigation system and supplied to the dental apparatus. The dental apparatus can have a handpiece that drives a cannulated instrument, such as a cannulated file. The ozonated water can be supplied to an axial passage formed in the instrument. Radial ports are provided through the instrument such that the ozonated water can spray radially outward into a treatment zone during movement of the instrument. The ozonated water thereby can lubricate and cool the treatment zone while also providing advantageous cleaning of the zone.

Abstract: A method and system which a) analyzes data to be printed, as well as the capabilities, characteristics, and resources available taking into account initial processing performed on a “host” system, transferring of the data stream to the printer over a communications link, and receiving of the data and performing additional processing as required to deliver the data to a print engine for printing; and b) distributes the processing in an optimal way between the host and the printer so as to best achieve the desired result. By moving processing to the host or to the printer, a page can be processed and printed faster. Further, an entire document can be printed faster by such distribution on a page by page, or selected portions of a page basis.

Abstract: A pore plugging material, for pH dependent membrane diffusion, in which cyclic olefins having phosphazene-functional moieties provide predictable erosion properties when used to plug pores in separation barriers and other porous membranes. Specific properties of the polymers are dependent on several factors, including molecular weight and identity of side groups attached to the phosphazene moiety. However, as a class, phosphazene-functional cyclic olefins provide both predictable erodibility and uniformly benign hydrolysis products and are, therefore, uniquely suitable as pore plugging polymers for separation barriers and membranes of all kinds. The invention, therefore, embraces the provision of a pH-sensitive erodible pore plugging material for pores in separation barriers and membranes of all kinds.

Abstract: A pore plugging material, for pH dependent membrane diffusion, in which cyclic olefins having phosphazene-functional moieties provide predictable erosion properties when used to plug pores is separation barriers and other porous membranes. Specific properties of the polymers are dependent on several factors, including molecular weight and identity of side groups attached to the phosphazene moiety. However, as a class, phosphazene-functional cyclic olefins provide both predictable erodibility and uniformly benign hydrolysis products and are, therefore, uniquely suitable as pore plugging polymers for separation barriers and membranes of all kinds. The invention, therefore, embraces the provision of a pH-sensitive erodible pore plugging material to pores in separation barriers and membranes of all kinds.

Abstract: A method and system which a) analyzes data to be printed, as well as the capabilities, characteristics, and resources available taking into account initial processing performed on a “host” system, transferring of the data stream to the printer over a communications link , and receiving of the data and performing additional processing as required to deliver the data to a print engine for printing; and b) distributes the processing in an optimal way between the host and the printer so as to best achieve the desired result. By moving processing to the host or to the printer, a page can be processed and printed faster. Further, an entire document can be printed faster by such distribution on a page by page, or selected portions of a page basis.

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 multimedia enhancement for an amusement device includes a sound synthesizer for creating a user perceptible signal, such as an audio signal, in response to selective actuation of the controls of the amusement device. The amusement device includes a screen for displaying a viewer perceptible image and a pair of rotary control knobs operatively associated with rotary switches and a selectably actuable on-off switch to provide amusing sounds and feedback indicative of the operator's use of the control knobs. The sound synthesizer is programmed to also create one of a series of sounds from a plurality of families of sounds in a predetermined sequence in response to actuation of the control elements by the user or randomly.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a sound generating mechanism for generating realistic vehicle engine sound and a smoke generating mechanism for generating simulated smoke vapors. The sound generating mechanism and the smoke generating mechanism are simultaneously actuatable by moving an accessory, such as a spoiler, on a cab portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A random play indicator includes a base portion having a light station thereon, a light source in the base portion for illuminating the light station, a manually rotatable randomizer wheel including a plurality of different colored light segments, and a diffuser dome. The randomizer wheel is rotatably mounted on the base portion so that sequential different colored segments thereof sequentially pass over-the light station as the randomizer wheel is rotated, and the diffuser dome is mounted on the base portion over the randomizer wheel for diffusing light passing through the segment of the randomizer wheel aligned with the light station at any given time.