Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for generating a planting profile for seeds planted in a field using a seed planter that includes a seed transfer device. In various embodiments, the planting profile may be generated via a processor that communicates with a timing device and a seed sensor. The timing device is configured to provide timestamps associated with the presence of one or more seeds on a seed carrying feature of the seed transfer device as indicated by the seed sensor. Some embodiments further comprise a speed measuring device that is configured to measure and provide to the processor a speed of the seed planter as it travels through the field. Other embodiments further comprise a second seed sensor that senses seeds after exiting from the drop tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to isolate at least a part of a plant from passage of things or materials of certain size or characteristics. In one aspect, a shroud or sock (10) of material can be removably placed over at least a part of the plant (3) with a releasable closure (13). The material is highly permeable to air and moisture and is substantially light transmissive. However, it has a pore size which blocks the undesirable materials or things (e.g., pollen or insects). The material can have a relatively light weight so that it can be optionally suspended by the plant (3) without significant effect on the growth or health of the plant. The material can have substantial tensile strength to resist deformation, tearing, or puncture during normal handling or in moderate to high winds. It can be utilized to provide a barrier over a part of a plant, substantially an entire plant, or a plurality of plants.

Abstract: Theft, distribution, and piracy of digital content (software, video, audio, e-books, any content of any kind that is digitally stored and distributed) is generally accomplished by copying it, if possible, or, if it is protected from being copied in any fashion, such piracy is based upon a number of reverse engineering techniques. Aside from the straightforward copying of unprotected content, all of these other methods require first an understanding of the protective mechanism(s) guarding the content, and finally an unauthorized modification of that protection in order to disable or subvert it. Methods that prevent a skilled individual from using reverse engineering tools and techniques to attain that level of understanding and/or prevent anyone from performing such modifications can offer significant advantages to content creators who wish to protect their products.

Abstract: A package assembly handling system for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a package assembly handling system for handling a package assembly comprising first and second portions that cooperate to contain a particulate aliquot, the system including a package assembly handling device configured for applying a force to the package assembly so that the first and second portions at least partially separate, thus releasing at least a portion of the particulate aliquot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dimensionally characterizing a target structure. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a pole having a bottom end and a top end, an indicator system adapted to apprise an operator of the position of a dimension determination system relative to the target structure, and a measurement system adapted to apprise the operator of a dimension of one or more features of the target structure. In another example, the method includes taking a pole having a bottom and top end with a height determination system, a height indicator system and a height measurement system, orienting the pole relative to the plant structure, raising the height determination system to the height of the target plant structure, and determining the height of the target plant structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated research seed planting system, method, and apparatus. The system, method, and apparatus may include a planter configured for planting a research plot and comprising a seed package assembly handling device configured to receive a seed package assembly containing a research seed sample, and a controller configured to communicate with the seed package assembly handling device. The controller is configured to automatically control the seed package assembly handling device to release the research seed sample. In various embodiments, the research seed planter may include a positional data acquisition system configured to acquire position data associated with one or more research seed planting events.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for relatively high throughput counting of elongated strands including silks of a plant are disclosed. One apparatus or system includes segregating similar sized pieces of silks from a section of the plant's silk brush using a tool adapted to obtain uniform samples and system quantitatively counting the pieces by automation. The automated system can be a digital image of the pieces distributed across or above a surface, and image analysis to derive a count of individual pieces. An alternative automated system moves the pieces sequentially and substantially singulated past a detector.

Abstract: Methods for relatively high throughput counting of elongated strands including silks of a plant. One method includes segregating similar sized pieces of silks from a section of the plant's silk brush and quantitatively counting the pieces using an automated method. The automated method can be a digital image of the pieces distributed across or above a surface, and image analysis to derive a count of individual pieces. An alternative automated method is to move the pieces sequentially and substantially singulated past a detector.

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: Apparatus and methods for article introduction, storage and dispensing from a reusable container in an efficient and high throughput manner are provided. The apparatus for storing and recovering content therefrom includes a plurality of arranged cells having a content ingress-egress point. The content ingress-egress point is pierceable to introduce content into the cell, self-closing and resealing to capture and seal content within the cell, and rupturable to discharge and recover content from the cell. Methods include piercing, capturing and discharging articles by providing a plurality of arranged cells having at least one article ingress-egress point, piercing the article ingress-egress point to introduce articles into the cell where the article ingress-egress point is adapted to self-close and self-seal to capture articles within the cell, and rupturing the article ingress-egress point to discharge and recover articles from the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to isolate at least a part of a plant from passage of things or materials of certain size or characteristics. In one aspect, a shroud or sock (10) of material can be removably placed over at least a part of the plant (3) with a releasable closure (13). The material is highly permeable to air and moisture and is substantially light transmissive. However, it has a pore size which blocks the undesirable materials or things (e.g., pollen or insects). The material can have a relatively light weight so that it can be optionally suspended by the plant (3) without significant effect on the growth or health of the plant. The material can have substantial tensile strength to resist deformation, tearing, or puncture during normal handling or in moderate to high winds. It can be utilized to provide a barrier over a part of a plant, substantially an entire plant, or a plurality of plants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to isolate at least a part of a plant from passage of things or materials of certain size or characteristics. In one aspect, a shroud or sock (10) of material can be removably placed over at least a part of the plant (3) with a releasable closure (13). The material is highly permeable to air and moisture and is substantially light transmissive. However, it has a pore size which blocks the undesirable materials or things (e.g., pollen or insects). The material can have a relatively light weight so that it can be optionally suspended by the plant (3) without significant effect on the growth or health of the plant. The material can have substantial tensile strength to resist deformation, tearing, or puncture during normal handling or in moderate to high winds. It can be utilized to provide a barrier over a part of a plant, substantially an entire plant, or a plurality of plants.

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 flexure channel is defined in each of opposite 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 an opening force exerted on the package assembly such that the first and second portions separate in response to the opening force.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to isolate at least a part of a plant from passage of things or materials of certain size or characteristics. In one aspect, a shroud or sock (10) of material can be removably placed over at least a part of the plant (3) with a releasable closure (13). The material is highly permeable to air and moisture and is substantially light transmissive. However, it has a pore size which blocks the undesirable materials or things (e.g., pollen or insects). The material can have a relatively light weight so that it can be optionally suspended by the plant (3) without significant effect on the growth or health of the plant. The material can have substantial tensile strength to resist deformation, tearing, or puncture during normal handling or in moderate to high winds. It can be utilized to provide a barrier over a part of a plant, substantially an entire plant, or a plurality of plants.

Abstract: A method for handling package assemblies in an automated aliquot and/or dispersal processes is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a method of handling a package assembly containing a particulate aliquot (such as a selected type of agricultural seed) that includes first and second portions which cooperate to contain the aliquot, the method including receiving the package assembly in a package assembly handling device, and applying a force to the package assembly using the package assembly handling device so that the first and second portions at least partially separate in response to the force.

Abstract: Creation and manipulation of a media presentation. A user may answer one or more questions in a questionnaire. A media presentation may be generated based on the questionnaire. Alternatively, a media presentation template or wizard may be presented to the user for completion of the media presentation (independent of or in response to completion of the questionnaire). The user may choose from one or more media assets associated with segments of the media presentation. The media assets may be presented for display as icons which represent the media assets. The media presentation may be created and provided to the user.

Abstract: Creation and manipulation of a media presentation. A user may answer one or more questions in a questionnaire. A media presentation may be generated based on the questionnaire. Alternatively, a media presentation template or wizard may be presented to the user for completion of the media presentation (independent of or in response to completion of the questionnaire). The user may choose from one or more media assets associated with segments of the media presentation. The media assets may be presented for display as icons which represent the media assets. The media presentation may be created and provided to the user.

Abstract: A device and method for applying a wind force to a plurality of plants in an agricultural environment is provided to screen for selected wind-resistance traits in the plurality of plants. In one embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided including a generating device for creating a moving fluid stream to provide the wind force, a directing device, such as a duct and/or movable vane, for precisely and selectively directing the wind force towards a portion of at least one plant, and a controller for adjusting one or more parameters of the fluid stream. The device and/or method embodiments of the present invention may thus be used to selectively apply the wind force to one or more plants (or portions thereof) such that the plants may be evaluated with respect to one or more wind-resistant physical characteristics.

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.