Examples of an aiding device for singers are described. The aiding device comprises a body that has a periphery edge, a top wall and a smooth inner wall. The top wall curves away from the periphery edge thus forming a cup-like cavity which is shaped to define a first chamber and a second chamber that are interconnected together. The first chamber is shaped and sized to fit over an earlobe of a singer while the second chamber has a distal end that is designed and configured to be positioned in proximity to a user's mouth. When in use the first chamber encloses one of user's ears and the distal end of the second chamber is positioned in proximity to user's mouth with the periphery edge pressed against user's face such that a sound produced by the user is captured and travels into the second and first chamber and is reflected back from the smooth inner wall producing echo within the cavity. Thus, the unfiltered sound coming out from the singer's mouth is provided to one of the singer's ear in real time and hear the original sound or key in the other ear so that the singer can match his/her pitch to the original sound.

Examples of an aiding device for singers are described. The aiding device comprises a body that has a periphery edge, a top wall and a smooth inner wall. The top wall curves away from the periphery edge thus forming a cup-like cavity which is shaped to define a first chamber and a second chamber that are interconnected together. The first chamber is shaped and sized to fit over an earlobe of a singer while the second chamber has a distal end that is designed and configured to be positioned in proximity to a user's mouth. When in use the first chamber encloses one of user's ears and the distal end of the second chamber is positioned in proximity to user's mouth with the periphery edge pressed against user's face such that a sound produced by the user is captured and travels into the second and first chamber and is reflected back from the smooth inner wall producing echo within the cavity. Thus, the unfiltered sound coming out from the singer's mouth is provided to one of the singer's ear in real time and hear the original sound or key in the other ear so that the singer can match his/her pitch to the original sound.

Methods for obtaining a sample from a subject include providing a sample collection room. Samples may be small, e.g., a finger-stick. A method is provided for sample collection comprising: obtaining, in a sample collection room, a sample from said body part of said subject; monitoring activity in the sample collection room using at least two motion capture devices positioned to view a field of interest in the sample collection room; and alerting a technician performing the sample collection if a non-conforming action by the technician is detected by at least one of the motion capture devices.

Methods for obtaining a sample from a subject include providing a sample collection room. Samples may be small, e.g., a finger-stick. A method is provided for sample collection comprising: obtaining, in a sample collection room, a sample from said body part of said subject; monitoring activity in the sample collection room using at least two motion capture devices positioned to view a field of interest in the sample collection room; and alerting a technician performing the sample collection if a non-conforming action by the technician is detected by at least one of the motion capture devices.

An audio learning system, which is applied to a vehicle and provides a learning content to a user staying in the vehicle in audio manner, includes: a learning element storage unit storing multiple learning elements; an in-vehicle duration estimation unit estimating an in-vehicle duration during which the user is in the vehicle; a learning program generation unit generating one batch of a learning program to be completed within the in-vehicle duration estimated by the in-vehicle duration estimation unit by combining the plurality of learning elements; and an execution unit executing the learning program. When a driving load estimated by a driving load estimation unit is higher than a predetermined load, the learning program generation unit generates the learning program to mainly include the learning elements that have been executed.

An audio learning system, which is applied to a vehicle and provides a learning content to a user staying in the vehicle in audio manner, includes: a learning element storage unit storing multiple learning elements; an in-vehicle duration estimation unit estimating an in-vehicle duration during which the user is in the vehicle; a learning program generation unit generating one batch of a learning program to be completed within the in-vehicle duration estimated by the in-vehicle duration estimation unit by combining the plurality of learning elements; and an execution unit executing the learning program. When a driving load estimated by a driving load estimation unit is higher than a predetermined load, the learning program generation unit generates the learning program to mainly include the learning elements that have been executed.

An apparatus comprises training means to provide training with respect to behavior modification, stimulus means to provide an association with the training means, and stimulus generating means to generate a stimulus post presentation of the training means. The stimulus generating means has a plurality of potential different stimuli types with at least two stimuli in time-spaced-apart relationship to each other to create a distinct trigger as a stimulus phrase for an individual to recall the training or therapy. The stimulus generating means makes available a number of stimulus phrases to an individual user for different environments expected by an individual user so one stimulus phrase is adopted by an individual user as their distinct trigger in an environment expected by the user. The stimulus means is arranged to provide at least a part of the distinct trigger during association with the training sufficient for recall of the training or therapy.

An apparatus comprises training means to provide training with respect to behavior modification, stimulus means to provide an association with the training means, and stimulus generating means to generate a stimulus post presentation of the training means. The stimulus generating means has a plurality of potential different stimuli types with at least two stimuli in time-spaced-apart relationship to each other to create a distinct trigger as a stimulus phrase for an individual to recall the training or therapy. The stimulus generating means makes available a number of stimulus phrases to an individual user for different environments expected by an individual user so one stimulus phrase is adopted by an individual user as their distinct trigger in an environment expected by the user. The stimulus means is arranged to provide at least a part of the distinct trigger during association with the training sufficient for recall of the training or therapy.

A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training.

A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training.