Abstract: A number of systems and methods, alone, or in combination, achieve various levels of protection against unauthorized modification and distribution of digital content. This encompasses at least unauthorized study, modification, monitoring, reconstruction, and any other means for subversion from the originally intended purpose and license model of the digital content. The invention combines a number of techniques that in whole, or in part, serve to protect such content from unauthorized modification, reconstructive engineering, or monitoring by third parties. This is accomplished by means of methods which protect against subversion by specific tools operating on specific platforms as well as general tools operating on general platforms. Specific time domain attacks are identified, code modification can be identified and reversed, and virtual and emulated systems are identified.

Abstract: A number of systems and methods, alone, or in combination, achieve various levels of protection against unauthorized modification and distribution of digital content. This encompasses at least unauthorized study, modification, monitoring, reconstruction, and any other means for subversion from the originally intended purpose and license model of the digital content. The invention combines a number of techniques that in whole, or in part, serve to protect such content from unauthorized modification, reconstructive engineering, or monitoring by third parties. This is accomplished by means of methods which protect against subversion by specific tools operating on specific platforms as well as general tools operating on general platforms. Specific time domain attacks are identified, code modification can be identified and reversed, and virtual and emulated systems are identified.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and system for efficient, high throughput, consistent cleaning of soil from the root system of a plant. In one embodiment, the method generally comprises positioning a plant adjacent a sprayer assembly having at least one nozzle angled so as to impact the root system at a predetermined position, providing a stream of water from a reservoir through the nozzle of the sprayer assembly, and rotating at least one of the root system and the nozzle relative to the other to remove the soil from the root system. The present invention further describes a recycling system adapted to recycle water expended during the cleaning process to minimize losses and to capture and return dislodged soil to the field from which the plant is extracted.

Abstract: An online game is provided in which game participants select videos to play to other game participants. The game presents a virtual social venue including a virtual video screen positioned in front of a virtual audience. The virtual audience is populated with representations of game participants visible to all, creating the ambience of a live event. Mechanisms are provided to incentivize the selection of entertaining and captivating videos. Game participants register their approval or disapproval of the video content through a social feedback tool. The game interface monitors the collective feedback of game participants and simulates a crowd response consistent with the participants' feedback.

Abstract: A method and social media platform are provided for hosting social media. A virtual social venue is provided comprising a virtual three-dimensional representation of a structure and a virtual representation of a screen, billboard, window, or other viewing surface within the structure. The viewing surface is operable to host, run and display a widget previously operating within an internet browser.

Abstract: A method is provided for sharing emotional reactions to social media. A virtual social venue is provided for sharing streaming media content with a plurality of users. Users are provided with a tool or tools to express emotional reactions, such as clapping, laughing, cheering, whistling, expressions of surprise, and booing, to the media content. The users' emotional reactions are stored in time association with the streaming media content. If and when other users subsequently view and/or listen to the shared media content, the stored emotional reactions of previous viewers and/or listeners are presented along and in time correlation with the shared media content.

Abstract: A method and social media platform are provided for sharing information and attracting attention within a social setting. A virtual social venue is provided for sharing a social experience. Users admitted to the virtual social venue are graphically represented within the virtual social venue. A selection tool—for example, a virtual laser pointer—is provided to enable admitted users to call the attention of other users to a particular portion of the social venue. A linear beam of light originating from the user's avatar and terminating at a selected point within the virtual social venue is superimposed on the virtual social venue and made visible to the other users.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a virtual social media experience. A virtual social venue is provided that comprises a virtual three-dimensional representation of a stadium, coliseum, arena, stage, or theater for congregating an audience of people in close proximity to each other. Users are invited to share a multimedia content experience comprising multiple simultaneously-fed video streams at the virtual social venue. Animated three-dimensional avatars are provided to represent participating users who accept those invitations, and the virtual social venue is populated with those avatars. The multimedia content experience is then displayed to the participating users in a three-dimensional setting that simultaneously displays the avatars of neighboring participating users within the context of the virtual social venue.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a personalized social setting for sharing streaming media content. A virtual social venue comprising a virtual three-dimensional setting for sharing streaming media content is created. Users from one or more social networks are invited to participate in the virtual social venue. Avatars are provided to each user who enters the virtual social venue. The users' profile images are extracted from the social network(s) from which they were invited, and mapped onto the avatars of the corresponding users. Alternatively, users designate video feeds that are mapped onto their corresponding avatars. Streaming media content is then presented to the users in the three dimensional setting of the virtual social venue. In this setting, users are able to see avatar representations of other users, along with their mapped profile images or video feeds, while viewing and/or listening to the streaming media content.

Abstract: A social media platform for sharing streaming media with a user's social network friends includes a user interface, a data interface to the user's social network, and a friends toolbar. The user interface includes a window displaying a virtual social venue comprising a virtual three-dimensional structure accommodating an audience of people. The friends toolbar is populated with selectable profile images of friends extracted from the social network. Selection of a profile image enables the data interface of the social media platform to send an invitation, through a messaging service of the social network, to the corresponding friend to join the virtual social venue.

Abstract: A social media platform is provided for sharing entertainment in an environment that simulates a live experience. The social media platform comprises a virtual social venue populated by an audience of animated avatars who express positive and negative responses (such as cheering, jeering, and gesturing) to the entertainment presented to them. The virtual social venue comprises a virtual three-dimensional representation of a gathering place (such as a theater, stadium, or arena) for presenting entertainment. The audience includes live avatars, ghost avatars, and/or programmed avatars. Live avatars represent users who control their avatars' expressions in real time. Ghost avatars represent past users who previously controlled their avatars' expressions in response to the same entertainment and whose expressions were recorded in time association with the entertainment.

Abstract: A method and social media platform is provided for instantiating browser media into a social setting, thereby transforming the browser media into social media. A virtual social venue is provided for sharing a streaming media experience with multiple users invited to participate in the virtual social venue. A browser plug-in is provided on the toolbar of the web browser. The plug-in enables a user with host privileges to instantiate streaming media content from an existing web portal of a third party streaming media content provider into the virtual social venue. In response to selection of the browser plug-in, the streaming media content is streamed—either immediately, or after being added to a queue—to multiple users participating in the virtual social venue.

Abstract: A 3D social media platform is provided that allows users to share and experience a realistic social viewing experience with members of their social network. More specifically, a user shares a virtual 3D social venue with one or more members within their social network (e.g., Facebook friends) for the purpose of experiencing the content (e.g., movie, television, video game) as if each of the members were physically together in the venue. The user selects 2D media content, such as a web page, from an external and independent source (such as a web browser) to instantiate onto a virtual screen, window, or other viewing surface inside the virtual 3D social venue. The instantiated media content is displayed to the user and any invited friends within the context of the virtual three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A method is provided for visualizing communications in a social setting. A graphical virtual social venue is provided. Users of one or more social networks are invited to enter the venue and to participate in and share a social experience. Users are graphically represented within the virtual social venue and are able to communicate with each other. When users communicate with each other, the communications are tracked and visually represented in the virtual social venue with visual overlays. The visual overlays signify communicatively active parts of the social venue while keeping private the contents of the communication.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus, method and system for a seed planter. The seed planter has a planting, dispensing and metering assembly operatively attached to a mobile supporting structure. The metering assembly has separated seed pre-staging and/or staging positions for staging pre-specified counts of seed separated from other counts in the batch and maintaining separation of the pre-specified counts of seed from other counts in the batch for planting. Alternatively, the metering assembly has separated seed staging positions for staging a batch of seed in singulated form for planting.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a seed planting system and method of the present invention are configured to receive a seed sample and split the seed sample into three or more substantially equal divisions for delivery to a seed planting device. In particular, the seed planting system and method of the present invention split the seed sample by first dividing the seed sample into a plurality of subsamples equal to a whole number multiple of the number of desired divisions and then symmetrically recombining the subsamples into the equal divisions. The divisions are then delivered to respective individual row planters of the seed planting device. By dividing the seed sample into a plurality of subsamples and then symmetrically recombining the subsamples, the seed planting system and method of the present invention may generate substantially equal divisions irrespective of the orientation or tilt of the seed planting device.

Abstract: An automated seed detection and planting synchronization apparatus, method and system is disclosed. The invention includes a seed detection protocol configured to monitor a derived metric equated to timing of movement of a seed carried by a seed metering unit from a seed pick-up to seed drop point. For controlling synchronization of planting of seed, a seed metering unit empty notification signal is provided if the derived metric is satisfied and sensor readings confirm the absence of seed in the seed metering unit.

Abstract: A package assembly for automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, wherein a pair of flexure channels are defined in opposing sides of at least one of the first or second portions, the flexure channels cooperating to define a flexure axis extending through the pair of flexure channels. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow at least one of first and second portions of the package assembly to flex about the flexure axis in response to a force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the force.

Abstract: An automated seed detection and planting synchronization apparatus, method and system is disclosed. The invention includes a seed detection protocol configured to monitor a derived metric equated to timing of movement of a seed carried by a seed metering unit from a seed pick-up to seed drop point. For controlling synchronization of planting of seed, a seed metering unit empty notification signal is provided if the derived metric is satisfied and sensor readings confirm the absence of seed in the seed metering unit.

Abstract: A high throughput apparatus and method for gaining access to and extracting internal tissue or structure of interest from a seed or plurality of seed is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus utilizes means to expose the internal tissue or structure and means to separate at least some of the exposed internal tissue or structure for collection and evaluation. In one aspect, a method utilizes some force or action to expose the internal tissue or structure and some force or action to separate the internal tissue or structure.