Abstract: The present invention is directed to an audience response communication system that reduces transmission traffic by utilizing a beacon transmission as a vehicle to transmit additional data. A typical system comprises a base unit and a plurality of remote input devices. The base unit and the remote input devices include processing units and communication devices such that data is transmitted between the base unit and the remote input devices. The beacon, which serves the typical uses of a beacon, further serves to deliver information such as vote acknowledgements, welcome messages, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an audience response communication system comprising a base unit and a plurality of remote input devices. The audience response and communication system lowers the risk of undelivered data transmissions by enabling the remote input devices to sequentially transmit responses via multiple transmission channels until a vote acknowledgement message is received, or a predetermined number of attempts is made.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an audience response communication system that enables a user to submit multiple responses to a single question from a presenter. The system comprises a base unit and a plurality of remove input devices. The base unit and the remote input devices include processing units and communication devices such that data is transmitted between the base unit and the input devices. A user is provided with a plurality of input options via the remote input device. Responses are generated by the remote units by receiving an input indicator from the user based on user selection, which are then transmitted to the base unit. While a polling period is open, the input devices may receive additional selections from the user, and generate further response messages that include the user's previous responses as well as any additional selections, which are then transmitted to the base unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an audience response communication system comprising a base unit and a plurality of remote input devices. The audience response and communication system lowers the risk of undelivered data transmissions by enabling the remote input devices to sequentially transmit responses via multiple transmission channels until a vote acknowledgement message is received, or a predetermined number of attempts is made.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an audience response communication system that reduces transmission traffic by utilizing a beacon transmission as a vehicle to transmit additional data. A typical system comprises a base unit and a plurality of remote input devices. The base unit and the remote input devices include processing units and communication devices such that data is transmitted between the base unit and the remote input devices. The beacon, which serves the typical uses of a beacon, further serves to deliver information such as vote acknowledgements, welcome messages, or the like.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in drying biomass particles provide a dryer having a chamber for a predetermined volume of biomass particles with apertures distributed throughout one boundary of the chamber enabling hot gas to be introduced and forced through the particles to exit from the opposite boundary. The gas stream to the chamber is so regulated that a layer of particles adjacent the opposite boundary functions as a relatively cool filter bed operable to prevent, to a desired extent, noxious liquids, gaseous, or particulate emissions from exiting from the dryer.

Abstract: Biomass is prepared for use as a fuel or chemical feed stock either by processing biomass to provide particles or by utilizing such particles that have been independently produced, in either case at a location remote from consuming sites. At a thus situated location, particles are delivered to at least one gas producing section and to a drying section with hot producer gas utilized in the drying section in a manner to so reduce the moisture content of the particles as to render the particles a more efficient fuel or chemical feed stock.