Provided is an ink jet printer including: an electromagnetic wave generator that includes an electromagnetic wave generation section, a high-frequency voltage generation section generating a voltage applied to the electromagnetic wave generation section, and a transmission line coupling the electromagnetic wave generation section and the high-frequency voltage generation section to each other in which the electromagnetic wave generation section includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first conductor that couples the first electrode and the transmission line to each other, and a second conductor that couples the second electrode and the transmission line to each other, a minimum separation distance between the first conductor and the second conductor is 1/10 or less of a wavelength of an output electromagnetic wave, and the first conductor includes a coil, and the coil is disposed at a position closer to the first electrode than the transmission line; a carriage that reciprocates in a width direction of a recording medium; and an ink jet head, in which a thin ink film of the ink discharged from the ink jet head and attached to the recording medium is dried by the electromagnetic wave generator.

An earpiece module includes a housing configured to be attached to an ear of a person, a first audio sensor within the housing configured to detect auscultatory sounds from an ear canal of the ear and generate a physiological information signal from the auscultatory sounds, and a second audio sensor within the housing and oriented in a direction towards an outside environment of the person. The second audio sensor is configured to detect sounds external to the person including voice sounds and footstep sounds, and to generate an environmental information signal from the external sounds. A processor is configured to receive the physiological information signal and the environmental information signal, process the external sounds in the physiological information signal and the environmental information signal to reduce the voice sounds and the footstep sounds from the physiological information signal and generate a cleaner physiological information signal.

An earpiece module includes a housing configured to be attached to an ear of a person, a first audio sensor within the housing configured to detect auscultatory sounds from an ear canal of the ear and generate a physiological information signal from the auscultatory sounds, and a second audio sensor within the housing and oriented in a direction towards an outside environment of the person. The second audio sensor is configured to detect sounds external to the person including voice sounds and footstep sounds, and to generate an environmental information signal from the external sounds. A processor is configured to receive the physiological information signal and the environmental information signal, process the external sounds in the physiological information signal and the environmental information signal to reduce the voice sounds and the footstep sounds from the physiological information signal and generate a cleaner physiological information signal.

A system includes an earpiece and a telecommunications device in communication with the earpiece. The earpiece includes a power source, a processor configured to process at least one algorithm stored within the earpiece, and an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes at least one optical emitter configured to direct optical energy to a region of an ear of a subject wearing the earpiece and at least one optical detector configured to sense absorbed, scattered, and/or reflected optical energy emanating from the ear region. The telecommunications device is configured to modify the at least one algorithm, to download additional algorithms to the earpiece, and to activate and deactivate the optical sensor.

A system includes an earpiece and a telecommunications device in communication with the earpiece. The earpiece includes a power source, a processor configured to process at least one algorithm stored within the earpiece, and an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes at least one optical emitter configured to direct optical energy to a region of an ear of a subject wearing the earpiece and at least one optical detector configured to sense absorbed, scattered, and/or reflected optical energy emanating from the ear region. The telecommunications device is configured to modify the at least one algorithm, to download additional algorithms to the earpiece, and to activate and deactivate the optical sensor.

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

A technique for monitoring the quality of objects is disclosed. A container includes a multiple sensors and is configured to receive an object. The sensors monitor various metrics associated with the quality of the object, and a display is affixed to the container for displaying a visual indication of the quality of the object. The visual indication is based on data collected from the sensors. A quality monitoring module is executed by a processor to control the sensors to switch operation between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on a detected change in one of the metrics monitored by the sensors.

A technique for monitoring the quality of objects is disclosed. A container includes a multiple sensors and is configured to receive an object. The sensors monitor various metrics associated with the quality of the object, and a display is affixed to the container for displaying a visual indication of the quality of the object. The visual indication is based on data collected from the sensors. A quality monitoring module is executed by a processor to control the sensors to switch operation between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on a detected change in one of the metrics monitored by the sensors.

Capacitively isolated current-loaded or current-driven charge pump circuits and related methods transfer electrical energy from a primary side to a secondary side over a capacitive isolation boundary, using a controlled current source to charge isolation capacitors with constant current, as opposed to current impulses, while maintaining output voltage within tolerance. The charge pump circuits provide DC-to-DC converters that can be used in isolated power supplies, particularly in low-power applications and in such devices as sensor transmitters that have separate electrical ground planes. The devices and methods transfer electrical energy over an isolated capacitive barrier in a manner that is efficient, inexpensive, and reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI).