Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-occluded vocal tract exercises comprises an elongated body having proximal and distal ends. A user can hold the proximal end between the lips. An inlet configured to receive air blown from the mouth of a user is disposed at the proximal end. An exit is disposed opposite to the inlet at the distal end. A channel extends from the inlet to the exit. Apertures of uniform or non-uniform dimensions are disposed over the elongated body. The apertures are located at different distances from the entry. The apertures and the exit are in fluid communication with the inlet. The user can adjust the resistance offered to a flow of air caused by the air blown to the required level by blocking one or more apertures or the exit. The same apparatus can offer a wide range of variable resistance as per the need of a user.

Abstract: A test controller submits testing phrases to a text classifier and receives, from the text classifier, classification labels each comprising one or more respective heatmap values each associated with a separate word. The test controller aligns each of the classification labels corresponding with a respective testing phrase. The test controller identifies one or more anomalies of a selection of one or more classification labels that are different from an expected classification label for the respective testing phrase. The test controller outputs a graphical representation in a user interface of the selection of one or more classification labels and one or more respective testing phrases with visual indicators based on one or more respective heatmap values.

Abstract: A test controller submits testing phrases to a text classifier and receives, from the text classifier, classification labels each comprising one or more respective heatmap values each associated with a separate word. The test controller aligns each of the classification labels corresponding with a respective testing phrase. The test controller identifies one or more anomalies of a selection of one or more classification labels that are different from an expected classification label for the respective testing phrase. The test controller outputs a graphical representation in a user interface of the selection of one or more classification labels and one or more respective testing phrases with visual indicators based on one or more respective heatmap values.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an adaptor for use in a surgical retractor system including a surgical retractor bar having a longitudinal extent between a first end and a second end and a self-retaining retractor device with arms moveable between spaced and proximate positions. The adaptor includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, optionally by one or more connecting elements. A slot is formed between the first plate and the second plate and is configured to either longitudinally receive either the first end or the second end of the surgical retractor bar or laterally receive a lateral edge of the surgical retractor bar such that the adaptor is positioned along the longitudinal extent between the first end and the second end of the surgical retractor bar during use. One or more retaining elements are located on a first surface of the first plate opposite the slot between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A surgical elevator device that can be used in the reduction of bone fractures, particularly facial bone fractures, and even more particularly zygomatic arch fractures. The elevator device enables accurate measurement of the depth of insertion of the device into tissue space and provides tactile control of fracture location and reduction. In one embodiment, the elevator device comprises a groove on an elevator element for receiving a bone structure. The groove can be formed by a pair of parallel ridges. A projection extending from the elevator provides a pivot point for applying a controlled force to the bone to reduce the fracture. A preferred embodiment further comprises a method of reducing a bone fracture, such as a zygomatic arch fracture.

Abstract: A method of auditory training for hearing impaired persons, wherein a trainee is prompted to arrange a set of melodies based on a musical feature shared by some of the melodies, a hearing aid system (100), and a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to carry out a method of auditory training.

Abstract: A vocal and/or instrumental training system can include a sound storage database having a plurality of model sound recordings, such as recordings of various wild game calls, stored therein. A user can select one of the model sound recordings to emulate, and provide audio input, such as the user's vocal performance of a wild game call, in an attempt to emulate the selected model sound recording. The audio input can be received by an audio input device, and recorded by a recording device. Audio characteristics, such as pitch, tone, timbre, cadence, rhythm, beat and/or amplitude, of the recorded audio input can be compared with the corresponding audio characteristics of the selected model sound recording. Results of the comparison can be graphically displayed on a sound graph.

Abstract: The present invention relates to direct voice and instrument monitoring systems and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A system for coding beatbox expressions. An expression including a series of elements that each represents a unique beatbox sound. Each element has an alphabetic portion relating to the enunciation of the element and a graphical portion relating to the musical category which the beatbox sound should imitate. An electronic game or teaching tool wherein a beatbox expression is visually displayed on a screen and the user provides input in the form of the beatbox sounds represented in the expression into a microphone. Using a CPU and custom software, feedback is provided regarding the quality of the user's performance.

Abstract: Speech or musical performance is electronically analyzed using DSP techniques and is compared to a stored text script or musical score, to enable display of and automated sequencing through multiple pages of the stored script or score. The performer can modify timing of sequencing if desired, for example dependent on performance speed or musical complexity. Automated highlighting or marking of measures or text assists the performer in keeping track of progress through the performance. During or after the performance, electronic comparison of the performance to the score or script provides feedback to the performer, highlighting differences between the actual performance and the desired performance as described by the score or script.

Abstract: A vocal pitch-training device that provides for the holistic integration of instantaneous auditory, visual and physical biofeedback response that involve recognition of an auditory target pitch, the attempted production of a matching vocalized pitch, sensing any discordant biofeedback between the auditory target pitch and the user's vocalized pitch via the visual, auditory, and tactile biofeedback sources, and adjusting the user's vocalized pitch to match the target pitch by minimizing the discordant biofeedback as accomplished by raising or lowering the frequency of the user's pitch until a seemingly corresponding diminishment in sensation of physical biofeedback is achieved.

Abstract: A new and improved sound reflector and a mouthpiece mount. The mouthpiece mount is secured to the sound reflector to position a mouthpiece adjacent to and generally perpendicular of the reflector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a real-time spectrum analyzer for monitoring acoustic energy, in particular a singer's formant, comprising a microphone element for converting the energy of a singer's voice to an electrical signal, band-pass filters for filtering the signal and selectively passing a portion thereof in a dedicated frequency range of from about 2500 to about 3500 Hz corresponding to singer's formant to a display meter responsive to the portion for visually displaying the magnitude of the total energy of said portion, the band-pass filters being connected in series and tuned to different center frequencies but overlapping from about 20% to about 60% of the total pass-band.

Abstract: The voice improving device comprises a means which generally takes the form of a soft glove-like arrangement which is mounted to depress an individual's diaphragm in a range of one to twelve and one half taps per second. Also support means which can take the form of a table may serve as a mount for the soft glove-like means which can be disposed horizontally or inclined upwardly towards the diaphragm or decline downwardly towards the diaphragm in order to depress it. The soft glove-like means may be reciprocated, via moving means which can take the form of a blower or motor connected to the glove-like means, to depress the diaphragm in a range between one to twelve and one half times a second, preferably this range would fall in the 3.5 to 10 times per second category.