Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for acquiring demographic data at the point of sale. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes use of a bar code scanner for two purposes: identification of the product by reading the bar code it carries and for scanning bar-coded demographic selections corresponding to assessments of demographic information made by the sales clerk about the purchaser. The selections are printed onto a chart in words and associated bar code and kept at the check out counter for scanning when the goods are purchased. The two components of data: product identification data and demographic data are associated with each other and stored by a computer until transmitted for evaluation. In an embodiment alternative to the dual use of a scanner, a key pad can be used to make the demographic selections and input them to the computer along with the product identification data.

Abstract: A novelty clock, watch, and the like for keeping time at an animal's rate, defined in terms of a multiple of human rate by dividing the average lifetime of a particular animal into the average lifetime of a human being. The multiple for dogs is seven, for example. The device comprises a housing, a source of reference frequency for producing pulses, means for producing 60 pulses per second times the multiple for the particular animal, means for accumulating time, and means for displaying time. The display is the usual clock face with the speed of the hands altered, preferably also with the data indicated as the number of days since the last "new year" in animal days. A digital display of time in human terms may be provided with an analog display of time in animal terms or, alternatively, a capability to switch from one to the other may be provided. Preferably, a variable resistor, between the frequency source and producing means allows the user to change the multiple for diferent types of animals.