Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a computer-assisted method for typing customers/prospects, including the activities of: refining a survey via bestfit clustering; refining survey results via composition analysis; and identifying clusters of customers/prospects from the survey results via champion/challenger cluster refinement and panel analysis.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for determining a plurality of clusters is disclosed. The disclosed method includes, for each of a plurality of observations, obtaining a data set containing no more than one proxy value for each of a plurality of variables, each variable having a plurality of possible values. The disclosed method also includes, assigning each of the plurality of observations to one of a plurality of clusters, and, for the plurality of observations and the plurality of variables, via cluster reassignment, maximizing a processor-determined fitness score representing a number of variables from the plurality of variables for which each observation's proxy value corresponds to a mode for that observation's assigned cluster.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method is disclosed for determining a potential effectiveness of a survey question. The disclosed method includes segregating a plurality of responses to a survey question into a plurality of categories, and determining a response distribution for each of the plurality of categories. The disclosed method also includes calculating a box score and a difference score for the survey question from the response distributions, and using the box score and the difference score to obtain an effectiveness score for the survey question.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for placing each of a plurality of observations into one of a predefined set of clusters is disclosed. The disclosed method includes, for each of a plurality of observations, obtaining a data set containing no more than one proxy value for each of a plurality of variables, each variable having a plurality of possible values, and obtaining a set of first dummy variables having a value indicative of an observation's membership or non-membership (i.e., membership status) in a particular cluster.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular piece of flexible web having a first end and a second end and an elastic portion therebetween, stretchable along a longitudinal axis of the piece of web. The piece of web has a length great enough to encircle a user's waist such that the first and second ends overlap. The first end has a reclosable fastening system for attaching the first end to the piece of web near the second end in order to hold the piece of web around the user's waist when the piece of web is stretched. The back wrap further comprises a plurality of individual thermal elements embedded in the piece of web. The plurality of thermal elements have a substantially planar diamond-shaped pattern which approximates the shape of erector muscles in the user's back. The pattern has a gap transverse to the longitudinal axis which corresponds to the user's spine.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular piece of flexible web having a first end and a second end and an elastic portion therebetween, stretchable along a longitudinal axis of the piece of web. The piece of web has a length great enough to encircle a user's waist such that the first and second ends overlap. The first end has a reclosable fastening system for attaching the first end to the piece of web near the second end in order to hold the piece of web around the user's waist when the piece of web is stretched. The back wrap further comprises a plurality of individual thermal elements embedded in the piece of web. The plurality of thermal elements have a substantially planar diamond-shaped pattern which approximates the shape of erector muscles in the user's back. The pattern has a gap transverse to the longitudinal axis which corresponds to the user's spine.

Abstract: A piece of flexible material forms a neck wrap having a first wing portion, a second wing portion, a central body portion therebetween, and a body-facing side. The neck wrap also has a plurality of individual thermal elements embedded therein. The plurality of thermal elements have a pattern which approximates the shape and location of muscles in the user's upper back, lower neck, and shoulders. The pattern has a gap bisecting the central portion corresponding to the user's spine. The neck wrap also has means for maintaining the piece of flexible material in a desired position once the piece of flexible material has been draped over the user's shoulders. The central portion is centered at the user's upper back and lower neck and the first and second wing portions lay across the user's shoulders and rest on the user's chest. One means for maintaining the piece of flexible material in position includes adhesive patches attached to the first and second wing portions on said body-facing side thereof.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular piece of flexible web having a first end and a second end and an elastic portion therebetween stretchable along a longitudinal axis of the piece of flexible web. The piece of flexible web has a length great enough to encircle a user's knee such that the first and second ends overlap. The first end has a reclosable fastening system for attaching the first end to the piece of flexible web near the second end in order to hold the piece of flexible web around the user's knee when the piece of web is stretched. The piece of flexible web also has an aperture therein. The aperture is aligned with the user's patella to establish a convenient locating point for wrapping the knee wrap around the user's knee. The piece of flexible web further includes a means for extending the piece of flexible web transverse to said longitudinal axis at the aperture in order to accommodate bending of the user's knee.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular piece of flexible web having a first end and a second end and an elastic portion therebetween stretchable along a longitudinal axis of the piece of flexible Web. The piece of flexible web has a length great enough to encircle a user's knee such that the first and second ends overlap. The first end has a reclosable fastening system for attaching the first end to the piece of flexible web near the second end in order to hold the piece of flexible web around the user's knee when the piece of web is stretched. The piece of flexible web also has an aperture therein. The aperture is aligned with the user's patella to establish a convenient locating point for wrapping the knee wrap around the user's knee. The piece of flexible web further includes a slit to enable stretching the piece of flexible web transverse to said longitudinal axis at the aperture in order to accommodate bending of the user's knee.

Abstract: A substantially triangular piece of flexible material, which has the appearance of a delta-winged aircraft when flattened. The piece of flexible material has a first wing portion, a second wing portion, a central body portion therebetween, and a body-facing side. The neck wrap also has a plurality of individual thermal elements embedded therein. The plurality of thermal elements have a pattern which approximates the shape and location of muscles in the user's upper back, lower neck, and shoulders. The pattern has a gap bisecting the central portion corresponding to the user's spine. The neck wrap maintains piece of flexible material in a desired position once the piece of flexible material has been draped over the user's shoulders. The central portion is centered at the user's upper back and lower neck and the first and second wing portions lay across the user's shoulders and rest on the user's chest.