Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120239466 | OFFERING SOCIAL DEALS BASED ON ACTIVITIES OF CONNECTIONS IN A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM - Social networking systems allow deal providers to provide social deals that require participation by users connected via the social networking system for activation. A social deal is activated for a user based on actions performed by other users connected to the user. The actions performed by a participant of the social deal include actions related to the social deal as well as actions related to objects associated with the social deal, for example, purchasing an item, associated, checking in to a location associated with the social deal, or recommending the social deal. The social networking system may suggest potential participants in the social deal for a user. The deal may be activated by performing actions of one or more type. A threshold number of actions of each type may be required for activating the deal. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239467 | PLATFORM FOR DISTRIBUTING DEALS VIA A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM - A social networking system acts as a platform for distributing deals from one or more deal providers. The users of the social networking system can interact with information describing the deals via a dashboard user interface provided by the social networking system. When users purchase deals on the social networking system's platform, the social networking system receives a portion of the deal price called the platform share and compensates the users for purchasing deals via the social networking system. The compensation may be funded from the revenue received by the social networking system for the purchases (the platform share). The compensation provided to a user may depend on social information associated with the user, such as the number of the user's connections also participating in the deal. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239494 | PRICING DEALS FOR A USER BASED ON SOCIAL INFORMATION - Social networking systems determine price of a deal for a user based on social information associated with the user. For example, multiple users connected via the social networking system may participate in a deal. The price of a deal for a particular user may be determined based on the actions of that user to promote the deal and/or the deal's provider. A user may promote the deal or its provider, for example, by sending explicit messages describing the deal to the user's connections or by posting to a newsfeed that is sent by the social networking system on behalf of the user to the user's connections. Factors considered in determining a price of a deal may include information describing the connections of the user, the actions associated with the deal performed by the user, the connections of the user participating in the deal, and the locations of the user's connections. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239505 | USER INITIATED DEALS IN A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM - Social networking systems allow users to initiate a deal associated with a provider. A user sends a deal proposal to the social networking system and provides information describing connections of the user that are potential participants of the deal. The social networking system may propose potential participants of the deal to the user. The social networking system determines whether the proposal is acceptable to the provider. The social networking system may send a request to the provider to determine whether the deal is acceptable to the provider. If the proposal is acceptable to the provider, information indicating acceptance of the proposal is sent to the user. If the proposal is not acceptable to the provider, a modified deal proposal may be sent to the user. | 09-20-2012 |
20120259790 | FOLLOWING DEALS IN A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM - Social networking systems allow users to track deals offered by deal providers. A user can send a request to follow a deal to the social networking system. The social networking system sends information describing actions associated with the deal performed by other users connected to the user via the social networking system. The actions associated with the deals can be interactions of users with the deal or interactions of users with objects associated with the deal. Examples of interactions with a deal include liking the deal, commenting on the deal, and recommending the deal. Examples of interactions with objects associated with the deal include commenting on a business profile associated with the deal and being tagged in an image of a location associated with the deal. The social networking system may provide information describing these interactions via a channel used for reporting information, for example, newsfeed. | 10-11-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100283993 | Automated Soil Measurement Device - A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283994 | Measurement of Nitrate-Nitrogen Concentration in Soil based on Absorption Spectroscopy - The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum. | 11-11-2010 |
20110299085 | Rapid Tissue Analysis Technique - A tissue measurement device can provide for rapid, robust analysis of large volumes of plant tissue samples in the field. The tissue measurement device measures tissue samples in a liquid state. The tissue measurement device uses a spectrometer to determine an absorbance spectrum over a range of wavelengths. The absorbance spectrum provides information about the properties of the tissue sample. Tissue samples may be mixed with various extractants or reagents to further improve the accuracy of measurements or allow measurement of a wider variety of nutrients or properties. The tissue measurement device may also take calibration measurements to improve the measurement of tissue sample properties. | 12-08-2011 |
20120002192 | Automated Soil Measurement Device - A soil analysis device and a method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of a soil sample. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. A filtration system receives and filters the liquid mixture. The filtered liquid mixture is transmitted through a pipe with a slope to a measurement cell. The measurement cell is coupled to a light source so that light propagating from the light source is attenuated by the liquid mixture and is measured by an optical detector that is also coupled to the measurement cell. The optical detector generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The attenuation spectrum is used to determine the characteristics of the soil sample. | 01-05-2012 |
20120103077 | Microsampling Nutrient Measurement - A device and method for measuring field samples in a liquid form removes the need for dry-and-grind type testing. A field sample is received taken from a location in a field. A soil subsample is separated from the field sample. The soil subsample is mixed with water, and a soil-water subsample is selected and transferred for testing. The soil-water subsample is measured to determine attributes of the field sample. The field sample may be measured in the field where it was taken, at a local field office located close to the field, or at a remote laboratory. To test remotely, a test well device is prepared which stores a number of soil-water subsamples. Time and cost savings allow for area-based pricing of soil analysis, largely independent of the density at which field samples are tested. | 05-03-2012 |
20120147368 | Automated Soil Measurement Device - A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell. | 06-14-2012 |
20130019664 | AUTOMATED SOIL MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell. | 01-24-2013 |
20130247655 | AUTOMATED SOIL MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A soil analysis device and a method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of a soil sample. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. A filtration system receives and filters the liquid mixture. The filtered liquid mixture is transmitted to a measurement cell. The measurement cell is coupled to a light source so that light propagating from the light source is attenuated and/or reflected by the liquid mixture and is measured by one or more optical detectors that are also coupled to the measurement cell. The optical detector generates an attenuation spectrum and/or a reflection spectrum indicating light received by the one or more detectors at different wavelengths. The attenuation and/or reflection spectrum is used to determine the characteristics of the soil sample. | 09-26-2013 |
20130258317 | Measurement of Nitrate-Nitrogen Concentration in Soil based on Absorption Spectroscopy - The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum. | 10-03-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100069934 | Anastomosis Method Utilizing Tool with Fluid-Driven Actuator - A method of performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, each having a circumferential wall and a lumen therethrough, may include providing an anastomosis tool including a tissue effector and a fluid-driven actuator operationally connected to that tissue effector; connecting the fluid-driven actuator to an energy source; placing an end of the graft vessel in proximity to the side of the target vessel; and actuating the fluid-driven actuator to connect the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel. | 03-18-2010 |
20110101069 | Surgical Stapler with Direct Sled to Staple Contact - An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder, and at least one structure slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact deploys at least one staple from the staple holder. Another exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, an anvil movably connected to the staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder; and a sled slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact urges at least one staple out of the staple holder and against the anvil. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106150 | Surgical Method Utilizing a Soft-Tipped Anvil - A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure. | 05-05-2011 |
20120061446 | Method for Treating Tissue With an Articulated Surgical Instrument - One example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing a surgical instrument that includes a handle; a shaft extending from the handle, an end effector connected to the shaft, where the shaft includes a lumen defined therethrough and an articulated region; and at least one feeder belt extending through the lumen of the shaft into the end effector, where the feeder belt includes at least one staple frangibly united therewith; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient; orienting the end effector relative to tissue to be treated within the body of the patient and relative to a remainder of the shaft; actuating the end effector to staple tissue; and removing the end effector from the body of the patient. | 03-15-2012 |