Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests or from professionally administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels as at different sound frequencies, as an individualized audiological profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address as closely as possible an individual's hearing deficits. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a convenient personal apparatus, such as a smartphone. The system includes the ability for capturing an environment profile. The user's hearing is protected against harm in the enhanced audio setting while being provided with the option of a “enhanced hearing” experience. The invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired. Thus the system is useful as a hearing aid.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging and moving a ram block. In some embodiments, the apparatus, or ram block changer, includes a support bracket coupled to a blowout preventer and an articulated arm releasably coupled to the ram block. The ram block changer may further include a pivot coupling assembly having a first axis of rotation. The pivot coupling assembly extends through the support bracket and the articulated arm, wherein the articulated arm is rotatable about the first axis of rotation relative to the support bracket. The articulated arm may include a first member receiving the pivot coupling assembly therethrough, a second member coupled to the ram block, and a second pivot coupling assembly having a second axis of rotation spaced apart from the first axis of rotation and extending through the first and second members. The second member is rotatable about the second axis of rotation relative to the first member.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests or from professionally administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels as at different sound frequencies, as an individualized audiological profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address as closely as possible an individual's hearing deficits. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a convenient personal apparatus, such as a smartphone. The system includes the ability for capturing an environment profile. The user's hearing is protected against harm in the enhanced audio setting while being provided with the option of a “enhanced hearing” experience. The invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired. Thus the system is useful as a hearing aid.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the transmitters and detectors for an integrated optical touch panel (OTP) are mounted at right angles to the surface of the OTP. The transmitters and detectors are contained on a substrate which is an extension of the substrate containing the touch panel display itself. The sides of the substrate containing the transmitters and detectors are folded upward so that the transmitters and detectors are positioned above the plane of the substrate containing the display.