Abstract:
A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor. In preferred embodiments, the housing is substantially spherical and the reel further comprises one or more support structures that include handles and are configured to prevent the housing from contacting a flat surface such as a floor or wall. In preferred embodiments, one or more temperature-sensitive switches are configured to shut off power to a spooled electrical cord in the event that a temperature of the reel exceeds a given threshold. In preferred embodiments, a solenoid is provided for locking the middle housing portion with respect to the first and second housing portions while the motor is rotating in a direction to spool the linear material onto the drum.
Abstract:
A fluid system has a fluid control device that can receive a gas hose and fluid hose. The fluid control device can also have a gas source and can be configured to receive the liquid hose. The fluid control device is provided to output a fluid flow into an output hose. The fluid control device can be positioned near a liquid source or a nozzle of the output hose. In another arrangement, the fluid control device can receive low pressure fluid and deliver high pressure fluid to a high pressure device. The fluid system can have a hose reel apparatus for spooling a hose connected to the fluid control device and the high pressure device.
Abstract:
An audio adjustment system is provided that can output a user interface customized by the provider of the audio system instead of the electronic device manufacturer. Such an arrangement can save both field engineers and manufacturers a significant amount of time. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, such an audio adjustment system can be provided without knowledge of the electronic device's firmware. Instead, the audio adjustment system can communicate with the electronic device through an existing audio interface in the electronic device to enable a user to control audio enhancement parameters in the electronic device. For instance, the audio adjustment system can control the electronic device via an audio input jack on the electronic device.
Abstract:
A method of adjusting a loudness of an audio signal in real time may include receiving an electronic audio signal and dividing the audio signal into a plurality of frames. Processing of the frames may be performed in real time. The processing may include measuring initial loudness values for blocks of samples in a frame to produce a plurality of initial loudness values, and computing a weighted average of at least some of the initial loudness values. The weights may be selected based on one or more of the recency of the initial loudness values, variation of the initial loudness values, and estimated information content of the audio signal. The processing may further include selectively discarding at least some of the loudness values that reach an adaptive loudness threshold. Weights can be adjusted based on the variation of the loudness values of the audio signal.
Abstract:
A method for assessing mechanical properties of a selected tissue includes defining an expansion chamber adjacent to the selected tissue and passing pressurized air into the expansion chamber. The method also includes providing an opening through which the pressurized air can escape the expansion chamber, the opening being disposed such that, while escaping from the expansion chamber, air passes by the selected tissue, thereby causing the selected tissue to vibrate.
Abstract:
An audio adjustment system is provided that can output a user interface customized by the provider of the audio system instead of the electronic device manufacturer. Such an arrangement can save both field engineers and manufacturers a significant amount of time. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, such an audio adjustment system can be provided without knowledge of the electronic device's firmware. Instead, the audio adjustment system can communicate with the electronic device through an existing audio interface in the electronic device to enable a user to control audio enhancement parameters in the electronic device. For instance, the audio adjustment system can control the electronic device via an audio input jack on the electronic device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing object-oriented audio are described. Audio objects can be created by associating sound sources with attributes of those sound sources, such as location, velocity, directivity, and the like. Audio objects can be used in place of or in addition to channels to distribute sound, for example, by streaming the audio objects over a network to a client device. The objects can define their locations in space with associated two or three dimensional coordinates. The objects can be adaptively streamed to the client device based on available network or client device resources. A renderer on the client device can use the attributes of the objects to determine how to render the objects. The renderer can further adapt the playback of the objects based on information about a rendering environment of the client device. Various examples of audio object creation techniques are also described.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing object-oriented audio are described. Audio objects can be created by associating sound sources with attributes of those sound sources, such as location, velocity, directivity, and the like. Audio objects can be used in place of or in addition to channels to distribute sound, for example, by streaming the audio objects over a network to a client device. The objects can define their locations in space with associated two or three dimensional coordinates. The objects can be adaptively streamed to the client device based on available network or client device resources. A renderer on the client device can use the attributes of the objects to determine how to render the objects. The renderer can further adapt the playback of the objects based on information about a rendering environment of the client device. Various examples of audio object creation techniques are also described.
Abstract:
A depth processing system can employ stereo speakers to achieve immersive effects. The depth processing system can advantageously manipulate phase and/or amplitude information to render audio along a listener's median plane, thereby rendering audio along varying depths. In one embodiment, the depth processing system analyzes left and right stereo input signals to infer depth, which may change over time. The depth processing system can then vary the phase and/or amplitude decorrelation between the audio signals over time to enhance the sense of depth already present in the audio signals, thereby creating an immersive depth effect.
Abstract:
An adaptive audio system can be implemented in a communication device. The adaptive audio system can enhance voice in an audio signal received by the communication device to increase intelligibility of the voice. The audio system can adapt the audio enhancement based at least in part on levels of environmental content, such as noise, that are received by the communication device. For higher levels of environmental content, for example, the audio system might apply the audio enhancement more aggressively. Additionally, the adaptive audio system can detect substantially periodic content in the environmental content. The adaptive audio system can further adapt the audio enhancement responsive to the environmental content.