Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a television is on and in near proximity are provided. An example system includes a sensor, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor processes a set of digital audio samples detected by the sensor to determine if the sensor is in near proximity to a television in an on state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to count people appearing in an image are disclosed. One disclosed method reduces objects appearing in a series of images to one or more blobs; for each individual image in a set of the images of the series of images, represents the one or more blobs in the individual image by one or more symbols in a histogram; and analyzes the symbols appearing in the histogram to count the people in the image.

Abstract: A container is provided with a main cavity partitioned into several compartments by dividing walls bridging the main cavity. The container and dividing walls are constructed by providing a single blank and forming the container out of the blank using folds and attachments. The compartments are adapted for holding and dispensing objects having different characteristics from each other, including different dimensions. Under the present invention, a single container allows for customized dispensing means for several types of items.

Abstract: A container is provided with a removable lid which allows for corner reinforcement structures to remain attached to the container after lid removal. According to one embodiment, the lid is removable via a combination of tear-away strips and reverse cuts. The container is preferably manufactured using a unitary blank and designed for easy construction and filling, convenient storage and display, and simple conversion into cooking and serving conformations.

Abstract: A container is provided with a main cavity partitioned into several compartments by dividing walls bridging the main cavity. The container and dividing walls are constructed by providing a single blank and forming the container out of the blank using folds and attachments. The compartments are adapted for holding and dispensing objects having different characteristics from each other, including different dimensions. Under the present invention, a single container allows for customized dispensing means for several types of items.

Abstract: A container is provided with a removable lid which allows for corner reinforcement structures to remain attached to the container after lid removal. According to one embodiment, the lid is removable via a combination of tear-away strips and reverse cuts. The container is preferably manufactured using a unitary blank and designed for easy construction and filling, convenient storage and display, and simple conversion into cooking and serving conformations.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool including a plurality of tools useful to have available in an automobile, such as a flashlight, a tire pressure gauge, a scraper, and a fuse puller. The scraper preferably is pivotably mounted to a handle of the multi-purpose tool in a manner which permits the scraper to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the tool handles to permit scraping force to be applied to the scraper in an efficient manner. The multi-purpose tool preferably also includes a tool with pivotable jaws, such as a pair of foldable pliers, as well as a variety of pivotably mounted tools such as a cutting blade, a screwdriver, and a cap lifter. The tool preferably has two handles, each handle having storage channels for the tools coupled thereto. The tool jaws are pivotably mounted to the handles for selective movement between a storage position in the handles and a working position in which the jaws work together.