Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: A computer-based learning system uses knowledge points organized with a predefined multilevel arrangement. Each knowledge point has an information set which may include a knowledge content, an evaluation content and a solution content. For a given knowledge point, the learning system provides the knowledge content and evaluation content, analyzes the user's answers to the evaluation content and determines the next knowledge point to be studied by the user based on the user's answers and the predefined multilevel arrangement of the knowledge points. The learning system thus provides a different learning course for different users to achieve individualized learning. User's learning history may be recorded to facilitate reviews by the user and improve the selection of the next knowledge point. Users may provide feedbacks on knowledge contents and evaluation contents, and may even suggest their own knowledge contents and evaluation contents to improve the learning system and user participation.

Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: Creative energy of consumers is captured and incentivized by businesses when the businesses provide personal incentives that reflect the extent to which the consumers make productive contributions to a socially networked business and consumer space. The personal incentives provide consumers lower prices through coupons, rebates, or other discounts for various items sold or distributed by the businesses. Consumers that are more productive or active in the social space can receive lower pricing on items. The personalized incentive for a particular consumer may be based on the quantity and quality of product reviews provided by the consumer as well as other factors such as consumer loyalty to a particular merchant or business. This business and consumer space spans the brick-and-mortar as well as the online retail spaces allowing consumers to use a mobile device to make online purchases by scanning a tag on a tangible object in a brick-and-mortar store.

Abstract: Creative energy of consumers is captured and incentivized by businesses when the businesses provide personal incentives that reflect the extent to which the consumers make productive contributions to a socially networked business and consumer space. The personal incentives provide consumers lower prices through coupons, rebates, or other discounts for various items sold or distributed by the businesses. Consumers that are more productive or active in the social space can receive lower pricing on items. The personalized incentive for a particular consumer may be based on the quantity and quality of product reviews provided by the consumer as well as other factors such as consumer loyalty to a particular merchant or business. This business and consumer space spans the brick-and-mortar as well as the online retail spaces allowing consumers to use a mobile device to make online purchases by scanning a tag on a tangible object in a brick-and-mortar store.

Abstract: Creative energy of consumers is captured and incentivized by businesses when the businesses provide personal incentives that reflect the extent to which the consumers make productive contributions to a socially networked business and consumer space. The personal incentives provide consumers lower prices through coupons, rebates, or other discounts for various items sold or distributed by the businesses. Consumers that are more productive or active in the social space can receive lower pricing on items. The personalized incentive for a particular consumer may be based on the quantity and quality of product reviews provided by the consumer as well as other factors such as consumer loyalty to a particular merchant or business. This business and consumer space spans the brick-and-mortar as well as the online retail spaces allowing consumers to use a mobile device to make online purchases by scanning a tag on a tangible object in a brick-and-mortar store.

Abstract: A networked business and consumer space is created in which consumers can interact with businesses. A verifiable identifier for each commercial item is used to create an actionable link between a consumer and a business, which can be a manufacturer, a marketer, or a retailer of the commercial item. The actionable link provides the basis for a complete loop of information during a transaction in which an incentive may be quickly and electronically verifiable. The method and the system reduce paperwork, increase transparency and efficiency, and further reduce error and fraud.

Abstract: Creative energy of consumers is captured and incentivized by businesses when the businesses provide personal incentives that reflect the extent to which the consumers make productive contributions to a socially networked business and consumer space. The personal incentives provide consumers lower prices through coupons, rebates, or other discounts for various items sold or distributed by the businesses. Consumers that are more productive or active in the social space can receive lower pricing on items. The personalized incentive for a particular consumer may be based on the quantity and quality of product reviews provided by the consumer as well as other factors such as consumer loyalty to a particular merchant or business. This business and consumer space spans the brick-and-mortar as well as the online retail spaces allowing consumers to use a mobile device to make online purchases by scanning a tag on a tangible object in a brick-and-mortar store.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of array reading and readers of assay result arrays wherein light can be scanned onto analytical region array members from a light source and/or light can be scanned from array members to a detector. One or more mirrors can have one of more pivotable axes enabling scanning light paths to be established between assay result arrays and other components of an analytical device.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting method associates the first code with an article to be authenticated to identify the article, and associates a second code with the first code as a verification code to verify the first code. Both the first code and the second code are reproduced on the article. The reproduced first code is machine-readable (e.g., contained in a RFID tag), while the reproduced second code is covert and concealed from normal viewing by a concealment means such as a scratch-off material. An authorized person (e.g., a consumer) is allowed to conditionally remove the concealment to reveal the covert code. The first code and the revealed second code are used to verify the authenticity of the product with a verification center. During the verification, the first code identifies the article, while the second code verifies the first code and thus the authenticity of the associated article.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting method associates the first code with an article to be authenticated to identify the article, and associates a second code with the first code as a confirmation code to verify the first code. Both the first code and the second code are reproduced on the article. The reproduced first code is overt code while the reproduced second code is covert and concealed from normal viewing by a concealment means such as a scratch-off material. An authorized person (e.g., a consumer) is allowed to conditionally remove the concealment to reveal the covert code. The first code and the revealed second code are used to verify the authenticity of the product with a verification center. During the verification, the first code identifies the article, while the second code verifies the first code to test the authenticity of the associated article.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting method assigns a product code to a product, and reproduces the product code on the product. The reproduced product code has at least an overt code and a covert code. At normal conditions, the overt code is visible but the covert code is concealed from viewing by a concealment means such as a scratch-off material. A consumer is allowed to conditionally remove the concealment means to reveal the covert code, and send the overt code and the revealed covert code to a verification center to verify the authenticity of the product. At least the complete product code is large enough to identify the product, while the covert code is just large enough to discourage counterfeiting yet at the same time small enough to make it easy for the consumer to uncover.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of array reading and readers of assay result arrays wherein light can be scanned onto analytical region array members from a light source and/or light can be scanned from array members to a detector. One or more mirrors can have one of more pivotable axes enabling scanning light paths to be established between assay result arrays and other components of an analytical device.

Abstract: A study evaluation system used for computer-based learning uses evaluation contents arranged in a multilevel arrangement for self-adaptive study evaluation. The study evaluation system provides a present evaluation content to a user through user interaction, and determines a subsequent evaluation content or a subsequent knowledge point to be studied by the user at least partially based on the user feedback on the present evaluation content, the multilevel arrangement of the evaluation contents, and a characteristic information of the user. The study evaluation system may further establish a data set for each user to record the user feedbacks on the evaluation contents, and use the data set in combination with certain basic user information to realize individualized study evaluation.

Abstract: A computer-based learning system uses knowledge points organized with a predefined multilevel arrangement. Each knowledge point has an information set which may include a knowledge content, an evaluation content and a solution content. For a given knowledge point, the learning system provides the knowledge content and evaluation content, analyzes the user's answers to the evaluation content and determines the next knowledge point to be studied by the user based on the user's answers and the predefined multilevel arrangement of the knowledge points. The learning system thus provides a different learning course for different users to achieve individualized learning. User's learning history may be recorded to facilitate reviews by the user and improve the selection of the next knowledge point. Users may provide feedbacks on knowledge contents and evaluation contents, and may even suggest their own knowledge contents and evaluation contents to improve the learning system and user participation.