A hearing aid system comprises a hearing aid, and a portable auxiliary device’ adapted to establish a communication link between them. The hearing aid comprises a microphone providing an electric input signal, a signal processor, and an output unit. The auxiliary device comprises a microphone providing an auxiliary electric input signal, and a user control interface allowing a user to initiate a specific calibration mode of operation of the hearing aid system. The signal processor of the hearing aid is configured to receive corresponding time segments of said electric input signal and said auxiliary electric input signal to provide an estimate of an acoustic transfer function from said microphone of said auxiliary device to said microphone of said hearing aid. A method of operating a hearing aid system is further disclosed. The invention may e.g. be used in various applications related to own voice detection and estimation.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring windlass rotation are provided to determine the real time rate and length of rode release when anchoring a boat. The rotation can be monitored in real time using directional sound and/or electromagnetic radiation receivers and/or transmitter in a module attached to the windlass. Another windlass module can monitor windlass rotation using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) components such as accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units (IMU) to sense motion and/or position.

A method to test a size of a hole includes causing a test probe to vibrate and contact multiple portions of an edge of the hole for a testing cycle when the test probe is inserted into the hole, measuring displacement of the test probe, by a sensor coupled to the test probe, as the test probe makes contact with the multiple portions of the edge of the hole, estimating a measurement of the size of the hole based on the displacement of the test probe and reference to calibrated measurements of reference holes, and outputting a notification indicative of an estimation of the measurement.

A method to test a size of a hole includes causing a test probe to vibrate and contact multiple portions of an edge of the hole for a testing cycle when the test probe is inserted into the hole, measuring displacement of the test probe, by a sensor coupled to the test probe, as the test probe makes contact with the multiple portions of the edge of the hole, estimating a measurement of the size of the hole based on the displacement of the test probe and reference to calibrated measurements of reference holes, and outputting a notification indicative of an estimation of the measurement.

An ultrasound transmitting and receiving device that can determine whether a contact state between a probe and a bolt is normal without relying on the skill of an operator is provided. The ultrasound transmitting and receiving device includes a probe control unit, an auxiliary storage device, and a contact state determination unit. The probe control unit causes a probe to transmit ultrasound to a bolt, and causes the probe to receive an echo of the transmitted ultrasound. The auxiliary storage device stores one or more pieces of comparison data to be compared with echo data indicating the echo received by the probe. The contact state determination unit compares the echo data with the comparison data, and determines a contact state between the probe and the bolt based on a comparison result.

An ultrasound transmitting and receiving device that can determine whether a contact state between a probe and a bolt is normal without relying on the skill of an operator is provided. The ultrasound transmitting and receiving device includes a probe control unit, an auxiliary storage device, and a contact state determination unit. The probe control unit causes a probe to transmit ultrasound to a bolt, and causes the probe to receive an echo of the transmitted ultrasound. The auxiliary storage device stores one or more pieces of comparison data to be compared with echo data indicating the echo received by the probe. The contact state determination unit compares the echo data with the comparison data, and determines a contact state between the probe and the bolt based on a comparison result.

Disclosed is a digital measurement apparatus including a mounting part on which a measurement object is placed; and a measuring part for measuring the length of the measurement object and providing the measurement value of the measured measurement object as a reference value for adjusting the length of a new measurement object, wherein the measuring part measures the length of the measurement object using any one selected from among a moving method of converting a distance moved due to interference with the measurement object placed on the mounting part; a radiation method of radiating a measurement signal toward the measurement object and converting information of the detected measurement signal into the length of the measurement object; and a scanning method of scanning the measurement object. With this configuration, accuracy in measuring the length of a measurement object may be improved using a simple structure.

Disclosed is a digital measurement apparatus including a mounting part on which a measurement object is placed; and a measuring part for measuring the length of the measurement object and providing the measurement value of the measured measurement object as a reference value for adjusting the length of a new measurement object, wherein the measuring part measures the length of the measurement object using any one selected from among a moving method of converting a distance moved due to interference with the measurement object placed on the mounting part; a radiation method of radiating a measurement signal toward the measurement object and converting information of the detected measurement signal into the length of the measurement object; and a scanning method of scanning the measurement object. With this configuration, accuracy in measuring the length of a measurement object may be improved using a simple structure.

An affixable device can include a locking mechanism, a force-limiting mechanism, and a sensing mechanism. The locking mechanism can include an engagement component configured to disable the locking mechanism. The force-limiting mechanism can be configured to limit a locking force of the locking mechanism. The sensing mechanism can be coupled to the engagement component, and can be configured to determine that the force-limiting mechanism has limited the locking force of the locking mechanism. In response to determining the force-limiting mechanism limiting the locking force, the sensing mechanism can cause the engagement component to disable the locking mechanism.

An affixable device can include a locking mechanism, a force-limiting mechanism, and a sensing mechanism. The locking mechanism can include an engagement component configured to disable the locking mechanism. The force-limiting mechanism can be configured to limit a locking force of the locking mechanism. The sensing mechanism can be coupled to the engagement component, and can be configured to determine that the force-limiting mechanism has limited the locking force of the locking mechanism. In response to determining the force-limiting mechanism limiting the locking force, the sensing mechanism can cause the engagement component to disable the locking mechanism.