Abstract: Monitoring an audience member tuned to a broadcast program. A portable audience monitoring unit is adapted to be worn by the audience member, and it detects a signal corresponding to the broadcast program to which the audience member is tuned. The detected signal is stored in the audience monitoring unit, and then the detected signal stored in the audience monitoring unit is outputted. The outputted detected signal is communicated to a central processing station by a communication means for transmitting the outputted detected signal with Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) technology. In another embodiment, the communication means utilizes a ReFLEX protocol.

Abstract: Technique for billing viewers for use of pay TV based on duration of viewing rather than a flat fee. A code signal is broadcast together with a programming signal. The encoded programming signal is received while a viewer is tuned to a selected program and decoded to derive a code therefrom which is used for determining a duration of time during which the viewer was tuned to that program. The thusly determined duration of time is combined with a designated billing rate to derive a use-based billed amount.

Abstract: Providing a reward as an incentive for a person to become an audience member of at least one program being performed by reproduction equipment. A programming signal used for broadcasting the program with a programming signal source is encoded with discrete code signals, such that a preset number of the code signals occur within a given period of time, to produce an output signal which is broadcast. The broadcast output signal is received, and the code signals therein are detected. The number of the code signals detected while the person is an audience member of the at least one program is compared with predetermined reward issuance criteria. A reward is issued when the reward issuance criteria are met by the number of detected code signals.

Abstract: An interactive technique for generating a supplementary, program-related output. A programming signal and a supplementary, program-related data signal are combined into a broadcast signal which is then broadcast from a program signal source. The broadcast signal is received, and the programming signal of the received broadcast signal is performed with reproduction equipment for an audience. The supplementary, program-related data signal of the received broadcast signal is stored, and retrieval of the stored supplementary, program-related data signal is enabled interactively with the programming signal being performed. In response to a control signal being actuated by a member of the audience tuned to the programming signal being performed, the stored supplementary, program-related data signal is retrieved and used to generate the supplementary, program-related output.

Abstract: Purchase incentives are provided to consumers in the form of electronically-displayed reward coupons. No paper and ink is required. The consumer can make a real time selection of a coupon related to a product in a commercial being shown on television, for example. A code transmitted with that commercial is stored if the consumer makes a selection, and that code is used to retrieve coupon display data from a set of pre-stored coupons. The retrieved coupon data is displayed on a portable device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The displayed coupon is process by the merchant, such as by scanning a bar code displayed by the PDA with the coupon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for, interactively with a broadcast program that is being performed, enabling access to supplementary materials related to the program from a broadcast signal that is a combination of a programming signal and a supplementary materials signal. The broadcast output signal is received at a location of an audience. The programming signal of the received output signal is performed for the audience, with reproduction equipment. A signal related to the supplementary material signal is extracted from the received broadcast signal. Access to the supplementary material corresponding to the supplementary material signal is enabled in response to an interactive control signal actuated by a member of the audience tuned to the programming signal being performed, and based on the extracted signal.

Abstract: A daylight operable, scan-free, laser spot locating device for locating a laser spot pointed at an object.

Abstract: A monitoring technique for identifying users who access a particular data base. A unique code is precoded in each of the data bases being monitored. When access to a data base is designated by the user, the precoded portion therein is read to retrieve the code. If the retrieved code matches any of the codes stored in memory for data bases which are being monitored, the existence of a match actuates a trigger signal source which is part of a stationary unit. The source emits a trigger signal from the stationary unit which is received by a portable unit, such as a watch, worn by the user. The watch responds to the received trigger signal by emitting an ID signal unique to its associated user. That ID signal is detected and stored by the stationary unit.

Abstract: Ruthenium complexes with a chiral ligand of the general formula: ##STR1## are used for the enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus which is operable during muting, even though it relies on audio to monitor program signals transmitted by broadcast sources. The monitoring is performed by transmitting a combined signal derived by adding a code to an audio program signal. During muting, the audio is inhibited by actuating a switch. However, the code is separated from the combined signal and routed so as to bypass the switch in order to enable the monitoring to continue.

Abstract: For the production of a tubular woven fabric having a floats-including weave, by using a circular loom, at least two shuttles are moved through sheds formed by warp threads. The warp threads are guided through thread eyes of thread guiding organs and are lifted and lowered by the thread guiding organs to form the shed. In order to be able to produce tubular woven fabrics of different types of floats-including weaves, free warp threads, i.e., warp threads that are loosely guided through between thread guiding organs carrying neighboring warp threads, additionally run between warp threads guided by the thread guiding organs. These loose warp threads cross the opened shed approximately in the middle thereof and are lifted by a guide means arranged on at least one shuttle and, as the method proceeds, are lowered by a guide means arranged on at least one shuttle.