System and method for determining consumption of resources to assist a meter reading personnel are described. In one aspect, leaning manager includes software that can be implemented on any type of computer device for tracking andor coordinating the buying and selling of available market quantities by multiple automated or semi-automated trading tools. The recess segment includes a recess having a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall. The determination of resonance frequency and quality factor is preferably based on phase detection within a phase locked loop and is thereby independent of magnitude. The adaptive transmit-focusing and beam-forming method and apparatus reduces transmit-focusing and beam-forming errors generated from applying a single pattern of delay profile, and provides clear ultrasonic images.