Abstract: A packaged product and a method for monitoring usage in a consumer test is reported herein. The packaged product includes a bottle having a container body with an open end and a closed end, the open end being formed with a neck and a mouth at a terminus of the neck. A flowable material is held within the container body. A monitoring unit immersed at least partially within the flowable material includes: (1) at least one support rod, the rod contacting the neck thereby inhibiting movement of the monitoring unit; (2) a logger device to sense and record motion of the bottle, the device including a circuit board fitted with at least one computer chip; (3) a retention unit arranged on the support rod inhibiting travel of the logger device relative to the support rod. According to the method of the invention, compliance to a test protocol can be certified through records extracted from the logger unit after evaluation is completed by the consumer.

Abstract: A laser device for treating skin is provided which includes a handholdable housing; a laser member arranged within the housing emitting an output beam; a capacitance sensor arranged at the first end of the housing which includes a plate surrounding and defining a window through which the output beam exits, the plate having at least three segments with each flexibly movable in and out of a common plane, each of the segments being connected to an electrode, the electrodes operating to determine dielectric constants of a skin surface; a signal and control storage device communicating with the sensor comparing input signals of measured dielectric constant values to a stored standard dielectric constant value, and wherein emission of the output beam is activated to fire only when all of the at least three segments align in a plane and sense the stored standard dielectric constant value.

Abstract: A hand-held device for evaluating skin or hair condition which includes a housing, a hydration meter, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The hydration meter is supported within the housing and has an external surface portion contactable against skin or hair to measure moisture content. At least one of the LEDs both emits and absorbs light. Advantageously the LEDs include a red, a blue, a green and two infrared wavelength light emitters.

Abstract: A hand-held device for evaluating skin or hair condition which includes a housing, a hydration meter, and a camera supported within the housing. The hydration meter has a surface portion contactable against skin or hair to measure moisture content. The camera receives images through a tunnel terminating at a light transparent window at a front end of the housing. The window is surrounded by the external surface of the hydration meter.

Abstract: A system configures a medical imaging system using utilization information. The system includes at least one repository storing records indicating usage and an associated time of usage, of particular features of a medical imaging system. A processor coupled to the at least one repository analyzes the records to determine, (a) frequency of usage of particular features of the medical imaging system and (b) a sequence of usage of the particular features of the medical imaging system and provide utilization data, by identifying in the records particular text strings using predetermined information associating predetermined text strings with corresponding features. An adaptation processor uses the utilization data to modify, delete or add a task to a task sequence employing the particular features. A display processor generates data representing at least one display image enabling a user to perform an adapted task sequence.

Abstract: A packaged product and a method for monitoring usage in a consumer test is reported herein. The packaged product includes a bottle having a container body with an open end and a closed end, the open end being formed with a neck and a mouth at a terminus of the neck. A flowable material is held within the container body. A monitoring unit immersed at least partially within the flowable material includes: (1) at least one support rod, the rod contacting the neck thereby inhibiting movement of the monitoring unit; (2) a logger device to sense and record motion of the bottle, the device including a circuit board fitted with at least one computer chip; (3) a retention unit arranged on the support rod inhibiting travel of the logger device relative to the support rod. According to the method of the invention, compliance to a test protocol can be certified through records extracted from the logger unit after evaluation is completed by the consumer.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a connection between a sales agent and a user. A telephone connection is established by a lead generator. The sales agent is selected by the lead generator on the basis of a bid price method and is connected to the user on the basis of the user's services of interest. A unique billing system is also provided for billing the sales agent. The invention may be implemented on a stored program computer under the control of programmed software.

Abstract: A process for measuring skin ashing is provided. The process comprises selecting a desired skin testing area and acguiring an image of the area using x-polarization technique. The image is analyzed by obtaining a light distributing image, storing the difference between this image and the original image and using a differential in intensity to define ashing.

Abstract: A pore ruler for objectively measuring attributes of facial skin pores and methods of using same.

Abstract: A color ruler for objectively measuring skin color and methods of using same.

Abstract: The invention provides a website based method for comparing product or product concepts or for comparing single product or concept over two or more time intervals. The novelty of the invention is making such forced choice testing over a website made accessible to selected panelists.

Abstract: The invention relates to process for measuring skin ashing using a cross-polarized imaging method.