Abstract: At least one electrical value for a plurality of frequencies is measured over a range of frequencies. An impedance is calculated based upon the at least one electrical value for each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range, the calculating producing a plurality of impedances. A maximum impedance from the plurality of impedances and a frequency associated with the maximum impedance are determined. The frequency is compared to a predetermined threshold, and based upon the comparing it is determined whether an earphone has been removed from the ear of a wearer.

Abstract: A gas adsorbing material is provided. Specifically, there is provided a molded matrix of a plurality of spherically-shaped gas adsorbing material. The individual spheres comprise particles of a highly porous gas adsorbing material and a binder. The plurality of spheres are mixed with a second binder material and molded into a desired shape for use in the back volume of an acoustic transducer such as a loudspeaker device, a microphone or a balanced armature receiver.

Abstract: A gas adsorbing material is provided. Specifically, there is provided a molded matrix of a plurality of spherically-shaped gas adsorbing material. The individual spheres comprise particles of a highly porous gas adsorbing material and a binder. The plurality of spheres are mixed with a second binder material and molded into a desired shape for use in the back volume of an acoustic transducer such as a loudspeaker device, a microphone or a balanced armature receiver.

Abstract: At least one electrical value for a plurality of frequencies is measured over a range of frequencies. An impedance is calculated based upon the at least one electrical value for each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range, the calculating producing a plurality of impedances. A maximum impedance from the plurality of impedances and a frequency associated with the maximum impedance are determined. The frequency is compared to a predetermined threshold, and based upon the comparing it is determined whether an earphone has been removed from the ear of a wearer.

Abstract: An apparatus, the apparatus include a housing, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) microphone, and a speaker. The MEMS microphone is disposed within the housing. The MEMS microphone has a first diaphragm that separates a first front volume from a first back volume and is configured to receive first sound energy at the first front volume and convert the first sound energy into a first electrical signal. The first back volume is contained within the housing. The speaker is disposed within the housing and has a second diaphragm that separates a second front volume from a second back volume. The speaker is configured to receive a second electrical signal and convert the second electrical signal into second sound energy. The second back volume is contained within the housing. The first back volume and the second back volume are separated by a divider and do not overlap.

Abstract: The invention embodies a method, and computer software, that automates comprehensive surveys of forward-looking numeric estimates, in financial valuation models, of companies that report period financial results to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC). The method provides an immediate, in-kind exchange of financial information, so that a participant may compare his or her individual estimates, to an aggregation of peer estimates, in the same categories. The method specifies survey categories as: (i) the exact accounting categories used by the company in its period financial reports to the US SEC, or, (ii) the exact adjustments used to convert “accrual accounting” values to the “cash accounting” values used in the valuation method of “discounting free cash flows to the firm”. The claim specifies test criteria for: fidelity to the accounting categories of the reporting company; comprehensiveness of the survey; and, an immediate feed-back of in-kind information to participants.

Abstract: A valve for a personal auditory system is described. The auditory system is capable of converting between an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The auditory system has an acoustic pathway through which an acoustic signal may travel between a first point exterior to the auditory system and a second point interior to the auditory system. The valve includes a free floating electrode and a second electrode adjacent to free floating electrode. An electric signal that is generated by the second electrode moves the free floating electrode to substantially open or close the acoustic pathway.

Abstract: A microphone is provided. The microphone has a housing; an acoustic port located in the housing; a substrate coupled with the housing; an integrated circuit positioned onto the substrate; and two or more MEMS transducers mounted on the substrate wherein the transducers are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A microphone is provided. The microphone has a housing; an acoustic port located in the housing; a substrate coupled with the housing; an integrated circuit positioned onto the substrate; and two or more MEMS transducers mounted on the substrate wherein the transducers are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A microphone is provided. The microphone has a housing; an acoustic port located in the housing; a substrate coupled with the housing; an integrated circuit positioned onto the substrate; and two or more MEMS transducers mounted on the substrate wherein the transducers are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A valve for a personal auditory system is described. The auditory system is capable of converting between an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The auditory system has an acoustic pathway through which an acoustic signal may travel between a first point exterior to the auditory system and a second point interior to the auditory system. The valve includes a free floating electrode and a second electrode adjacent to free floating electrode. An electric signal that is generated by the second electrode moves the free floating electrode to substantially open or close the acoustic pathway.

Abstract: A valve for a personal auditory system is described. The auditory system is capable of converting between an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The auditory system has an acoustic pathway through which an acoustic signal may travel between a first point exterior to the auditory system and a second point interior to the auditory system. The valve includes a free floating electrode and a second electrode adjacent to free floating electrode. An electric signal that is generated by the second electrode moves the free floating electrode to substantially open or close the acoustic pathway.

Abstract: A microphone is provided. The microphone has a housing; an acoustic port located in the housing; a substrate coupled with the housing; an integrated circuit positioned onto the substrate; and two or more MEMS transducers mounted on the substrate wherein the transducers are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus is disclosed. The invention includes a bifurcated training apparatus having two operative elements, including an upper grip portion and a lower slide portion, the portions configured to be cooperatively engaged both with a golf club and each other in a defined cooperative manner. When assembled in the preferred truncated frustoconical structure, the lower slide portion is axially slidable along a length of golf club handle to assist the golfer to learn a desired swing position.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus is disclosed. The invention includes a bifurcated training apparatus having two operative elements, including an upper grip portion and a lower slide portion, the portions configured to be cooperatively engaged both with a golf club and each other in a defined cooperative manner. When assembled in the preferred truncated frustoconical structure, the lower slide portion is axially slidable along a length of golf club handle to assist the golfer to learn a desired swing position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for multi-stage sorption and desorption of process gas using a multiple concentric tube apparatus having a thermal supply gas pass through the central conduit creating a thermal wave passing through a high temperature sorption/desorption salt in the innermost annular compartment desorbing prior sorbed process gas followed by passing the thermal wave to an outer annular compartment which together with heat of sorption of process gas in an inner annular compartment desorbs process gas in the outer annular compartment. The process is useful in heat pumps and gas evaporative cooling cycles.

Abstract: An absorption system and process that operates around a crystallization curve of a solution with a crystallization limitation. At least a portion of dilute solution discharged from an absorber is mixed with relatively strong absorbent flowing from a generator. The mixture is controlled so that the cycle steps around the crystallization curve of the solution. One preferred solution is water-lithium bromide. One preferred strong/weak concentration of the water-lithium bromide solution is approximately 66%/62%. A preferred operating concentration bandwith of the water-lithium bromide solution is approximately 4%. A solution heat exchanger independent from the absorber is positioned upstream from the absorber and is used to transfer heat from the mixture of the relatively strong absorbent and the diluted solution to either a heat rejection mechanism or a heat collection mechanism. Two preferred absorber mechanisms include a spray absorber and a rotating disk distribution absorber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating in an absorption cooling and heating system in which a refrigerant vapor and a concentrated absorbent solution are generated in a generator, the refrigerant vapor is condensed in an evaporator functioning as a condenser to form a condensed refrigerant, the condensed refrigerant is mixed with concentrated absorbent solution in the evaporator producing a dilute absorbent solution, the dilute absorbent solution is cooled, and the cooled dilute absorbent solution is circulated from the evaporator back to the generator.

Abstract: A dispenser for conductive liquids which includes appropriate circuit elements to measure the volume of liquid dispensed therethrough, and particularly useful in the bar and restaurant trade. The dispenser also includes circuitry to record the number of times it is removed from a container. Probes are provided for actuating a display and for remote recording and reading.