Abstract: To assess the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and channels, a portable user appliance is provided to each of a plurality of panel members. Each device includes a scanning module for scanning and storing a UPC code for each product purchased by a corresponding panel member, a processor, a memory, a user-interface, and a communication interface operative to transfer information stored in memory to a central facility. Each device further includes a microphone and is operative to monitor an audio portion of at least one of a radio broadcast and a television broadcast. UPC codes and information corresponding to purchases made by each respective panel member are received from the portable user appliances, as are transmissions from which the identities of advertisements included in monitored audio portions can be determined.

Abstract: A stand allows a user to quickly and easily set the angular orientation of a telephone or other piece of equipment relative to a support surface (e.g. a desktop). The stand is fastened to, and removed from, the equipment without the use of tools by a magnetic attraction. The stand allows a user to tilt the equipment at one of two user-selected angles, to improve access to keys of the equipment and/or to reduce glare on the equipment's display. The display may also be tiltable. The stand provides for at least two course angle adjustments of the tilt of the equipment by the selected orientation of the stand and/or the selected attachment position of the stand relative to the equipment.

Abstract: A stand allows a user to quickly and easily set the angular orientation of a telephone or other piece of equipment relative to a support surface (e.g. a desktop). The stand is fastened to, and removed from, the equipment without the use of tools by a magnetic attraction. The stand allows a user to tilt the equipment at one of two user-selected angles, to improve access to keys of the equipment and/or to reduce glare on the equipment's display. The display may also be tiltable. The stand provides for at least two course angle adjustments of the tilt of the equipment by the selected orientation of the stand and/or the selected attachment position of the stand relative to the equipment.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed that enable the offloading of some of the signal processing that has often been centralized in a telecommunications network, to one or more telecommunications endpoints. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a packet-based telecommunications endpoint that comprises processing and memory resources determines the resource availability of one or more of its resources. The endpoint transmits the resource availability information to a data-processing system, which then transmits a signal-processing computer program back to the endpoint. The computer program is based on the resources that are available at the endpoint. The endpoint then proceeds to use the computer program to process the signals that are received-for example, during the course of a phone call that involves the endpoint. The signal processing that is performed can include noise reduction, echo cancellation, muting, automatic gain control, and so forth.

Abstract: A temporary visible image, such as a first down reference line, corporate logo, or text is projected onto a target surface by an orientation-stabilized, fiber-fed laser projector. The projector may include at least one cylindrical lens or at least one pair of X-Y scanners. One or more remotely located lasers, supplying optical energy at a single wavelength to the projector, accommodate projection of a monochromatic line pattern. Multi-colored images are accommodated by supplying, to the projector, the output of a plurality of lasers operating at different wavelengths within the visible band. The projector is suspended and conveyed as a unitary assembly by a suspension system adapted to maintain the projectors angular orientation and dynamically stabilize the image. If desired, two or more independently-suspended projection modules or groups of modules adapted to move in unison or independently over the length of the field may be employed.