Abstract: An earpiece (100) and a method (300) for evaluating auditory health can include embedding (302) at least one excitation signal (402) in an audio clip (404) to produce an embedded excitation signal (406), emitting (304) the embedded excitation signal to an ear canal (131) at least partially occluded by the earpiece, analyzing (312) a recorded sound field within the ear canal during a continuous delivery of the embedded excitation signal to assess auditory health, and adjusting (314) the excitation signal within the audio clip during the emitting based on comparative (404) differences with a reference otoacoustic emission (OAE).

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment so directed to an earpiece (100). The earpiece can include an Ambient Sound Microphone (111) configured to capture ambient sound, an Ear Canal Microphone (123) configured to capture internal sound in the ear canal, a memory (208) configured to record at least a portion of the history of the ambient sound and the internal sound, and a processor (121) configured to save a recent portion of the history responsive to an event.

Abstract: A method for acute sound detection and reproduction is provided that can include measuring an ambient sound level external to an ear canal at least partially occluded by the earpiece, monitoring a change in the ambient sound level for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and reproducing the acute sound within the ear canal responsive to detecting the acute sound and the proximity. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a lawn cutting device utilizing high-tech, lightweight bicycle parts, low-friction bearing assemblies, air-filled bicycle-type tires and a double-overdrive gearing system. The device has a body portion, handlebar, a blade assembly, and a variety of combination of wheel gears, gear rings, and chains, which result in a device which a blade assembly which moves at extremely rapid speeds, powered by the rotation of the wheels. Because of its reliance on low-friction bearings, a minimal amount of force exerted on the wheels is transformed in an extremely efficient manner into the rotation of the blade assembly, resulting in an environmentally friendly, energy efficient cutting device that avoids the pollution, inefficiency, and strain associated with traditional gas, electric, and human-powered lawnmowers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that enable one or more work machines to control operations of one or more remote work machines. In one embodiment, the systems and methods perform a process including determining a first type of first work machine performing first operations in a work environment and determining a second type of second work machine performing second operations in the work environment. Based on the first and second type of the first and second work machines, a selected second operation that the first work machine can control is determined. Subsequently, the first work machine may adjust the selected second operation while the first work machine performs the first operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chitin degradative systems, in particular to systems containing enzymes that bind to and depolymerize chitin. These systems have a number of applications. The present invention also describes enzymes with at least two catalytic domains in which the domains are separated by poly-amino acid linkers.

Abstract: Automatic pricing of remotely hosted applications permits users to enter customer data and flexibly prices various product offerings, product lines, and applications. An initial build of a computer system, modifications to an existing computer system configuration, extended services, and enhancements are incorporated. Errors are checked for and can be corrected. Using the invention, a sales team can quickly and efficiently price products and services at the inception of a business relationship, and can easily modify prices during the business relationship.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel crystalline forms of {2-[1-(3,5-bistrifluoromethylbenzyl)-5-pyridin-4-yl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-(2-chlorophenyl)-methanone, compositions thereof, intermediates thereof, methods of using the same, processes for making the same, and processes for making intermediates thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft tire with a tread having a running surface of a rubber composition which contains elastomers of which a major portion is a specialized cis 1,4-polybutadiene elastomer and a minor portion is cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber and which contains reinforcement filler comprised of a combination of precipitated silica and defined rubber reinforcing carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell wall degradative systems, in particular to systems containing enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose. These systems have a number of applications.

Abstract: A container having a compartment for retaining personal objects such as eyeglasses comprises a transducer which activates the container in response to a specified user action in proximity to the container. In some embodiments, the transducer is a motion detector and is activated in response to user motion. In other embodiments, the transducer comprises a speech recognition module and is activated in response to the user's voicing a specified utterance. Some embodiments become illuminated upon activation. Some embodiments produce a sound upon activation, enabling the user to locate the container. Some embodiments have a normally closed lid which opens upon activation. Some lidded embodiments are normally locked and become unlocked upon activation. Some embodiments of the container further normally provide low level lighting, thereby enabling the container to serve as a night light.

Abstract: This invention relates to preparation of nanocomposites comprised of elastomer and a dispersion of an at least partially exfoliated water swellable clay and to rubber compositions containing such nanocomposite and articles of manufacture which contain at least one component thereof. The nanocomposite is prepared by addition of a water suspension of water swellable clay particles to an anionic aqueous emulsion of elastomer particles to form a mixture to which an amine having at least two amine centers is added to intercalate and at least partially exfoliate the water swelled clay particles by an ion exchange within the galleries of the multilayered clay with cation exchangeable ion(s) and to aid in coagulating the elastomer and resultant clay particles to form said nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method for associating a customer accessible supply item of a first type with an imaging apparatus includes communicating identification information between the customer accessible supply item of the first type and the imaging apparatus; and operationally locking the customer accessible supply item of the first type with only the imaging apparatus based on the identification information, to the exclusion of other imaging apparatuses and other customer accessible supply items of the first type.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes an actuator chip for delivering ink from the printhead. The actuator chip has a plurality of bond pads for electrically connecting to a controller of an external device. A plurality of temperature sense resistors (TSRs) of the actuator chip each has an output provided as a current proportional to temperature of nearby vicinities and such connect to only a single one of the bond pads. On-chip circuitry also scales the outputs on the actuator chip which avoid scaling at the controller of the external device. Representative arrangements of the TSRs include transistor drivers in or out of feedback loop circuits. Attendant circuitry representatively includes switching logic, current mirrors, and amplifiers. Functionality of the circuitry includes actuator chip temperature averaging, actuator chip temperature zones, current scaling and gain, and point source TSRs. Inkjet printers and other external devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a work machine having a radio frequency device. The system includes a radio frequency reader that transmits a radio frequency signal over a first communication channel to the radio frequency device when the work machine travels within range of the radio frequency reader. The radio frequency device generates a trigger signal in response to the radio frequency signal, and an interface control system receives the trigger signal from the radio frequency device and performs a predetermined programmed function associated with the work machine based on information included in the trigger signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: The inventions relate to methods for trimming integrated circuits. Various embodiments include providing a method to trim an integrated circuit wherein trim data is stored in an on-board memory and then sent off of the circuit to be operated on by an external device. Corresponding trim data is then sent back to the integrated circuit in order to potentially modify the function of one or more analog devices along the circuit. Other embodiments include methods for trimming integrated circuits wherein trim data is stored in an on-board memory and retrieved using an on-board sequencer. The retrieved data is used to modify a function of one or more analog devices on the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting methane gas from methane hydrate. The method includes heating the methane hydrate with a laser apparatus. The laser apparatus includes a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser. The laser is guided to a working end of a tool with a fiber optic bundle. The tool is guided to heat the methane hydrate with the laser, which emanates from a beam expander at the working end of the tool. The tool can be modified for removing obstructions of methane hydrate in pipelines. Also, the tool can be modified for extracting methane from mined methane hydrate, which is in a container. The characteristics of diode lasers or diode-pumped solid state lasers such as efficiency, size, nature of operation, environmental impact and durability, make methane gas extraction from methane hydrate economically feasible.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) having at least one inlet tube (12) that ducts a heat exchange fluid (14). At least some of the inlet tubes (12) are characterized by a first cross-sectional profile (16). A core (18) is in fluid communication with the at least one inlet tube (12). The core (18) has one or more rows of core tubes that also duct the fluid. At least some of the core tubes (20) are characterized by a second cross-sectional profile (22). The first cross-sectional profile (16) is different from the second cross-sectional profile (22). A first endplate assembly (26) is positioned between the at least one inlet tube (12) and the core (18). The first endplate assembly (26) has a first section (28) that defines an inlet orifice (30) that is sized to sealingly engage the first cross-sectional profile (16). A second section (32) defines an outlet orifice (34) that is sized to sealingly engage the second cross-sectional profile (22).

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for creating a static dictionary in which longer byte-strings are preferred. To that end, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, a new heuristic is defined to replace the aforementioned frequency count metric used to record the number of times a particular node in a data tree is visited. The new heuristic is based on counting the number of times an end-node of a particular byte-string is visited, while not incrementing a count for nodes storing characters in the middle of the byte-string as often as each time such nodes are visited. The result is an occurrence count metric that favours longer byte-strings, by being biased towards not incrementing the respective occurrence count values for nodes storing characters in the middle of a byte-string.