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| 20080320139 | SOCIAL MOBILIZED CONTENT SHARING - A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards identifying and employing social agents within a social network for distribution of multimedia content virally over mobile devices. The social agent may identify one or more multimedia content items for distribution. The social agent may also identify recipients of the viral distributions, or the recipients may be automatically identified based on the social network. The recipients may receive a message that enables them to access a playlist of the social agent's multimedia content. The playlist may be associated with a card display that displays information about the social agent on one side. The recipient may then ‘flip’ the card to display the playlist. Playing of a selection in the playlist may then enable the social agent to receive a reward. The recipient may also distribute the social agent's playlist to another recipient, thus virally distributing multimedia content within the social network. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090011743 | MOBILE TRADING CARDS - A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards enabling users of a mobile device to exchange dynamic mobile trading cards. A first mobile device user may create an account with one or more profiles of sharable static and/or dynamic information. The first mobile device user may employ one of several available mechanisms, to communicate with a sharing service to identify a second mobile device user. The sharing service may then enable the second mobile device user to access and view the shared dynamic profile displayable within a multi-sided mobile trading card format. The shared profile may also be, downloadable into one or more applications onto the second mobile device user's mobile device. Changes to the shared profile by the first mobile device user may be viewed by the second mobile device user without the first mobile device user having to resend the profile to the second mobile device user. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090070700 | RANKING CONTENT BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORK CONNECTION STRENGTHS - In one embodiment, a method for presenting content to a user via a web page is provided which includes assigning a value to a connection between the user and an entity (such as a person, group, or organization) in their social network, whether explicitly representing a one-to-one relationship or by implication of a person to a group. Then a web page is delivered to the user, wherein the web page displays content based at least partially on the value of the connection between the user and the entity. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090099854 | SELF-MONITORING SYSTEM OF RECIPROCAL BENEFIT - In one embodiment, an indication that a first user of a social network has performed an action relating to helping a second user of the social network is received. Then a number of points is awarded to the first user based on the action performed. Then a web page is delivered to a third user, wherein the web page contains an identification of the first user and a representation of the number of points the first user has been awarded, wherein the number of points the first user has been awarded are delivered in a way that allows them to be used to benefit the first user. | 04-16-2009 |
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| 20090274329 | Passive Directional Acoustical Radiating - An acoustic apparatus, including an acoustic driver, acoustically coupled to a pipe to radiate acoustic energy into the pipe. The pipe includes an elongated opening along at least a portion of the length of the pipe through which acoustic energy is radiated to the environment. The radiating is characterized by a volume velocity. The pipe and the opening are configured so that the volume velocity is substantially constant along the length of the pipe. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20110026744 | Passive Directional Acoustic Radiating - An audio system for a television using a pipe type passive directional acoustic device mounted in a television cabinet. The slotted pipe type passive directional acoustic device includes a first acoustic driver, acoustically coupled to a pipe to radiate acoustic energy into the pipe. The first pipe includes an elongated opening along at least a portion of the length of the pipe;. Acoustically resistive material is in the opening. Pressure waves are radiated to the environment through the opening. The pressure waves are characterized by a volume velocity. The pipe, the opening, and the acoustically resistive material are configured so that the volume velocity is substantially constant along the length of the pipe. The passive directional acoustic devices directionally radiate sound waves laterally from the television cabinet. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20120039475 | Active and Passive Directional Acoustic Radiating - An three-way audio system that uses directional arrays for radiating mid-frequency acoustic energy and passive directional devices to radiate the high frequencies. the system includes a left channel, a right channel, and a center channel. A crossover network separates the left channel and the right channel into low frequency content, midrange frequency content, and high frequency content. An omnidirectional acoustical device radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the low frequency content of the combined left channel, right channel and center channel. A first directional array, comprising signal processing circuitry and more than one acoustic driver, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions. A first passive directional device, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions. | 02-16-2012 |
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| 20100245111 | END USER CONTROL OF MUSIC ON HOLD - In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless handset allows a user having a connection in an “on-hold” state to select one or more sources for play-out of media at a handset receiver while in the on-hold state, and then be signaled when the on-hold state is terminated. Such on-hold state might be indirectly detected, such as by detection of music-on-hold, or directly detected through on-hold notification. User selected media for play-out might be locally generated at the user's handset, or provided through a separate connection established between the wireless handset and the network. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110035318 | CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD TRANSACTION APPROVAL USING LOCATION VERIFICATION - In one embodiment, an online credit or debit card transaction is processed by transmitting purchase information, including price of the purchase item and card number, to the company that issued the card. In addition, the location from which the purchase is made is calculated, e.g., using a GPS device, and the location data is transmitted to the card issuer. The card issuer determines if the purchase meets certain specified approval requirements, such as whether the card holder has sufficient funds, the card has been reported missing, or card holder's personal information is correct. Further, the card issuer compares the location data to a number of predetermined purchase locations specified by the customer. If the location data matches one of the predetermined locations and the specified approval requirements are met, then the purchase is approved. | 02-10-2011 |
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| 20080203116 | METERING DISPENSER - A metering dispenser for flowable materials is provided having a reservoir defined in part by a pair of opposing, flexible side walls. The side walls are associated with at least one stop. The stop is structured to permit the side walls of the dispenser to be squeezed together for only a predetermined distance, so that a predetermined volume of flowable material is dispensed from the dispenser. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20090145305 | Two piece food tray - A tray is provided for retaining food stuffs or the like. The tray includes a dish portion and a rim portion. The dish includes a base portion and a sidewall portion surrounding the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom to define a retaining area. The rim includes an inner wall positioned around the perimeter of the dish sidewall. A retaining member engages the dish sidewall to the rim inner wall to removeably secure the dish to the rim. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20100243784 | DISPENSER FOR ELONGATE MATERIAL - A device is provided for dispensing a length of elongate material wound on the barrel of a spool. A support is provided for the spool including first and second end plates. The end plates are positioned in a spaced relationship. A support hub extends from each plate and is engaged within an opening in the spool on opposite sides thereof, such that the spool may rotate about the support hub. The support hub includes a peripheral dimension that permits a dynamic, pivoting motion of the spool about the contact with the hub. The support hub normally positions the spool in a radially offset position and engages a friction member formed adjacent the periphery of the flange of the spool. During unwinding, pulling of the end of the elongate material causes the spool to pivot in the direction of the pulling force and away from the friction member. Once the pulling force is removed, the spool pivots about the hub, back into frictional engagement with the friction member. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244438 | BARBED FITTING FOR HOSE CONNECTION - A fitting is provided for connecting and disconnecting a system or the like to a hose. The fitting includes a hollow. A barb is located proximate a first end. The barb includes a frusto-conical profile and a helical trailing edge. A rib connects an offset portion of the helical edge forming a sharp axial transition. The axial rib expands the diameter of the hose while the fitting is twisted to facilitate extraction. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110036934 | ADJUSTABLE METERED MATERIAL DISPENSER - A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a reservoir that retains granular material. The reservoir is supported in the dispenser with a passageway defined between opposing ends. A nozzle is provided for the outflow of material from the reservoir to a metering cup. A control plug is provided within the metering cup to adjust the controlled volume to be received within the cup from the reservoir. Once the metering cup is filled, the dispenser is inverted and the volume of material is directed from the cup, through the passageway and out of an opening adjacent a diffuser. The control plug is removable from the cup to vary the charge of material to be dispensed. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110219630 | CUTTING APPARATUS - A cutting apparatus is provided having a resilient handle, a guide on one end of the handle and a cutter body on the opposite end. The guide includes two spaced members forming an outwardly facing slot with a stop formed therein. The handle is flexed into an assembled position to form a close loop, with the cutter body positioned within the guide slot and in contact with the stop. A cutting edge is movable along with cutter body to an activated position, with the cutting edge extending outwardly of the slot and the guide. The movement of the cutter body is caused by an activation force applied to the closed loop of the resilient handle member. | 09-15-2011 |
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| 20090265002 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING A LIGAMENT - A method for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel is provided. The method includes looping a graft ligament through a graft hole in a graft ligament support block, advancing the graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel, withdrawing the graft ligament support block back down the bone tunnel, advancing a graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel, with a graft ligament being looped through a graft hole in the graft ligament support block, and forming a transverse tunnel in the host bone, with a transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block being aligned with the transverse tunnel in the host bone. The method further includes pinning the graft ligament support block within the bone tunnel by advancing a transverse fixation pin along the transverse tunnel in the host bone and into the transverse fixation pin hole in the graft ligament support block. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090265003 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING A LIGAMENT - A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block and an installation tool. The support block includes a body having a distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end being tapered so as to facilitate withdrawal of the support block through a bone tunnel, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The installation tool includes a holder having a shaft with distal and proximal ends and longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft including at least one finger for engagement in the opening and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the shaft. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20110144650 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING A LIGAMENT - A system for installation of a graft ligament support block is provided. The system includes an installation tool having a holder including a shaft having a handle at a proximal end and a distal end configured for selectively engaging the graft ligament support block. The installation tool further includes a drill guide including an outrigger having a bore formed on its distal end for selectively receiving a drill sleeve and a proximal end configured to selectively engage the holder. Also provided is a kit for use in reconstructing a ligament. The kit includes an installation tool including a holder and a drill guide, a drill sleeve, a guidewire, one or more drills, one or more graft ligament support blocks and one or more transverse fixation pins. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20120095556 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING A LIGAMENT - A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block for supporting a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The support block includes a body, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein, and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The system further includes a stepped transverse fixation pin having a first portion at a distal end, a second portion at a proximal end, and an annular shoulder configured between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion, the second portion and the annular shoulder form a given profile in a cross-section of a given plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fixation pin. | 04-19-2012 |
