USPTO launches the Expanding Innovation Hub, a new online platform to encourage greater participation in the patent system

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The following post is republished from the USPTO Director’s Blog and is authored by USPTO Director Andrei Iancu and Deputy Director Laura Peter. 

“To maintain our technological leadership, the United States must broaden our innovation ecosphere demographically, geographically, and economically.”—USPTO Director Andrei Iancu

Today, as part of Women’s History Month, the USPTO has officially launched the Expanding Innovation Hub (“the Hub”), an online platform available on the USPTO website that provides resources for inventors and practitioners to encourage greater participation in the patent system. The new platform is yet another step the USPTO has taken to broaden the innovation ecosphere, to inspire novel inventions, to accelerate growth, and to drive America’s global competitive edge. It builds on our SUCCESS Act report to Congress of 2019, as well as our Progress and Potential report on women inventors.

“Expanding Innovation” is part of the USPTO’s effort to inspire more women, minorities, veterans, and geographically and socioeconomically diverse applicants to join the innovation economy. Important pillars of that effort include education and mentorship. On the Hub, you will find the new Demystifying the Patent System Toolkit, designed to help innovators understand the process of obtaining a patent. Additional resources on the Hub include the Mentoring Toolkit, intended to assist organizations in establishing an infrastructure to connect experienced innovators with the next generation in their organization; and Community Group Resources, designed to help organizations establish an infrastructure to connect groups of employees with shared characteristics, interests, and goals.

These new tools are in addition to many other efforts at the USPTO to help expand the innovation ecosystem. We will continue to host a wide variety of events to amplify this message, such as Invention-Con and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium. We have a pro se assistance program to help inventors who are not represented by counsel apply for patents. We have a pro bono network, and we also work with 60 participating law school clinics, all to help inventors and entrepreneurs secure free or discounted legal services. We provide a host of other online resources to help guide and educate inventors as well.

We also continue to expand our reach geographically. In addition to our headquarters in Alexandria, we have four regional offices in Detroit, Denver, San Jose, and Dallas, and 83 Patent and Trademark Resource Centers located in public, state, and academic libraries across the country. These centers not only offer a physical connection to valuable government resources, but they also offer regular programming, office hours, and staff trained to assist inventors and entrepreneurs with intellectual property (IP) research.

The USPTO also supports dozens of STEM-related programs that provide education about IP to young men and women. These include programs in partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, such as Camp Invention, which is offered in school districts in every state, and the Collegiate Inventors Competition, which takes place each year at the USPTO; the National Summer Teacher Institute, which brings invention and IP into the nation’s classrooms; collaborations with historically black colleges and universities; the Girl Scout IP patch, which is available to Girl Scout troops across the nation; and so much more.

Now, with the new Expanding Innovation Hub on our website, inventors will have a central location to find information about all of our programs and resources.

America’s economic prosperity and technological leadership depend on a strong and inclusive innovation ecosystem. That is why it is so important to make sure all Americans have the opportunity to develop and protect their inventions, build thriving businesses, and succeed. It is therefore critical that industry, academia, and government work together to broaden our innovation ecosphere demographically, geographically, and economically. Please visit the Expanding Innovation Hub and check back often to engage with us in this critical endeavor.

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via Patent Law Blog (Patently-O) https://patentlyo.com

March 24, 2020 at 01:02PM

Laravel Stock

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composer require appstract/laravel-stock

use Appstract\Stock\HasStock;  class Book extends Model {  use HasStock; }

$book->increaseStock(10); $book->decreaseStock(10); $book->mutateStock(10); $book->mutateStock(-10);

$book->clearStock(); $book->clearStock(10);

$book->inStock(); $book->inStock(10);

$book->stock; $book->stock(Carbon::now()->subDays(10));

$book->increaseStock(10, [  'description' => 'This is a description',  'reference' => $otherModel, ]);

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March 24, 2020 at 09:00AM

Comic for March 23, 2020

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fun

via Dilbert Daily Strip http://dilbert.com

March 23, 2020 at 03:06AM

Bad Logos: 31 Worst Logos Ever

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We can all use a good laugh these days, that’s why we prepared you a list of what not to do while designing a logo while working from home. Hopefully, these logos will put a smile on your faces.

Bad logos might be quite bad for your brand. Your logo is what the people remember you with after all.

There are many different ways you can go with your logo. you have probably identified a business by looking at its logo before, even if their name isn’t on the logo. There are some business logos that when you see them, you can immediately guess what that company does. 

Your logo is a huge part of your brand’s identity, it’s probably the first impact on public perception and having a bad logo design could affect your business. World’s multinational companies can spend millions of dollars on their logos – like UK-based oil group BP. They’ve spent £136m back in 2000 when they introduced their current sunflower design.

You probably have come across people posting a logo design job for incredibly low prices on freelancing websites or graphic design communities, and yes, there are people who will design your logo for those prices. It shouldn’t be too much of a shock to those people when they end up with bad logos. 

Okay, we understand that there are people who don’t have enough budget, and they are just starting out. You want to get the most out of your business, and logos play an important role, especially if you are just starting and trying to get your name out there. Before having your logo designed, it’s important to learn about the dos and don’t of logo design so you know more about what you are getting into.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s see the worst logos.

Top 31 Bad Logos

Locum

A Swedish property management company. You do you, Locum, no judgment here.

Bing

Typography masters at work, we see you Bing.

Megaflicks

This logo is self-explanatory. At least they know what’s up.

Mont-Sat

Your satellite will be working extra smooth in the mornings.

NYC Taxi

NYC is known as the cultural hub of the world, and it has a great design and art community. NYC Taxi is not.

A Style

We’ve never seen the “A” like this before. Freudians might have things to say to these guys.

MSN

Look, mom! There is a butterfly!

Arlington Pediatric Center

It doesn’t give the most trustable vibes for sure.

Kraft Foods

No comment.

Kudawara Pharmacy

What kind of an operation are you running here, sir? Sir?

2012 London Olympics Logo

You might remember the Lisa Simpson memes, can’t be unseen.

The Computer Doctors

They specialize in cooling systems, with their exclusive thermal paste.

Comprehensive Health Care

Isn’t that Channing Tatum posting up right before the dance-off?

The Bureau of Health Promotion, Taiwan

You gotta do what you gotta do to promote, I guess.

Catwear

Something is up with the “A”. We’re starting to see a pattern. 

Enron

This is a design by the legendary Paul Rand. Even though we like most of his work, we’re not sure about this one.

Dough Boys

They are definitely all about that dough, boy.

Kids Exchange

The importance of using space. Not the kind of “change” we are looking for, thank you.

Catholic Church’s Archdiocesan Youth Commission

No comment on this one…

Brazilian Institute of Oriental Studies

Uhm, sure oriental studies and the struggle for “power”.

Clinica Dental

They say how important it is to take care of your teeth. After your teeth are done, you’ll be taking.

Office of Government Commerce

Commerce is getting hard day by day folks.

Cleveland Browns

This is one of the creative ones, a football helmet for a football team. God, what’s next, just a football as a logo?

Hilton

That alignment though.

SafePlace

You’ll always be safe.

Pepsi

This can not be unseen either. Must. stop. drinking.

HASC Center

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.

Kostelecké Uzeniny Sausages

This one seems like it’s straight out of a 80’s flick.

Vermont Maple Syrup

Canadians love their maple syrup. We didn’t know it was in their system though.

Fully Erect Tents

Your tent won’t ever go flaccid.

Mama’s Baking

That mama is definitely baking something!

So these are the 31 bad logos we’ve got. Now you probably fully understand the importance of logo design and how a bad logo design might affect your business now you’ve seen the worst logos.

Let us know about the other bad logos you’ve seen out there!

via Noupe https://www.noupe.com

March 23, 2020 at 05:10AM

10 Must-Haves For Your Custom eCommerce Website

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Whether you are starting an eCommerce website or already have an existing one, it is crucial for you to provide quality service to your customers. Many people think that implementing cutting-edge features to the website can lead to conversions growth.

However, only an integrated approach is the key to converting your leads into customers. You should take into account all the details to provide an unforgettable customer journey for your user. Here are ten must-haves for your eCommerce website that can help you with it. Let’s get it started!

User-friendly interface

According to the research, you have up to 0-5 seconds to grab your customer’s attention. Take so much time and the customer decides to leave your website or not. Make sure that your website has a beautiful and modern design. However, more often than not, it is not enough to have a fresh look.

To engage with your customers, one has to think about usability and how easy it would be for a user to make their purchase quickly and effortlessly. Your website should be convenient and easy to use. Try to make it as simple as possible, avoiding unnecessary pages, buttons, or long business flows.

Moreover, following a “mobile-first” rule, your online shop should have a responsive design that works on all devices like tablets, mobiles, desktops, PC, or laptops and runs on all types of browsers.

Filtering and easy search

If you offer a wide assortment of products, it can be hard for customers to find products that meet their needs. The clear search capability is a must-have of every user-friendly eCommerce website. To make the customer experience better, provide the ability to filter products by categories, prices, sizes, colors, etc.

These things can help your visitors to find and purchase products in a few moments. The latest artificial intelligence technologies also allow you to render a tailored catalog using predictive algorithms based on previous purchases and views.

Informative pages

When customers get to your website, they expect to understand what you do and what kind of products or services you offer in a few minutes. No one wants to waste their time looking for the right information. The homepage should be the clearest and should be catchy, allowing your customers to feel like you know what they are looking for.

Besides, product pages should include all kinds of products you sell with photos. If you sell custom products, it is essential to have an interactive design tool that will provide your customers with a design proof. Also, include a short description of every product, size, colors, and prices.

It is also helpful to include information about available shipping methods — how long does it take and how much delivery costs. These are must-haves that come with any eCommerce platform.

Contact page

When we talk about an eCommerce business, it is essential for you to build trust with your customers. The contact page is one of the methods to create strong relationships with them. It is not necessary to create a separate page for the “contact us” feature.

You can place it in a visible part of your most visited page. It would be a good idea if you add not only your email or contact form but also your skype, phone number, and links to your business’ social media. The more ways to contact you, the faster customers will do it. Chat software where you can quickly contact your customers and even assist them with the choices on the site would work best.

See Also: Live Chat for Business: The Best Investment?

Web to print tool

Do you know that personalization is a trend nowadays? Web to print tool allows your customers to buy custom things like t-shirts, business cards, jewelry, stickers, and other promo items. Furthermore, the whole process becomes automated.

You do not need to make many calls or send emails to discuss the ordered goods. Thanks to the automation, you can save costs and get more satisfied clients. Moreover, using the web to print tool makes you more competitive in the market.

Advanced payment

A wide variety of payment methods is a must-have for modern online shops. Customers value this because it is straightforward. They can pay in a few clicks and save their time. You can provide payment via PayPal, Apple Pay, or Amazon Pay — the most common, but it would be better to know your audience and consider adding those payment methods that they use regularly.

See Also: The Top 4 Best Alternatives to Paypal for Business

FAQ

If your customers face the same problems every day, try to make their life more comfortable and provide them the list of answers to frequently asked questions. FAQs can be helpful to make them feel more comfortable during the buying process. Plus this will build your customers’ confidence towards your business

Do not forget to add answers about the return process, how to recover a lost password as well as available discounts, coupons, and promos. People always check on products with limited offer discounts.

Client reviews

More than 85% choose an online shop or a certain product after reading reviews. Would you agree to deal with an online store that doesn’t have any review or one that only has bad ones? Adding this feature to your website can build trust, but it also does not mean that all reviews must be positive.

Negative reviews are more valuable than positive ones as they can also give you feedback whether certain product builds overall customer satisfaction. It shows transparency to your prospects, and you will not seem like a fake. You can send emails and ask to add reviews or use ready plugins.

Good site speed

If your site loads more than 3 seconds, you are a risk-taker. People do not like to wait. Low website speed has an impact on your online shop visitors’ experience. Besides, it can harm your ranking factor, and your Google positions will leave much to be desired.

Pay attention to speed on mobiles. You can consider adding AMP to your website as well. It loads faster than the regular HTML page and can lead to sales increase by more than 20%. Moreover, AMP provides a better user experience due to being mobile-friendly.

Similar products

Adding “you might like this” feature to your eCommerce website can increase your sales. If you provide this to your customers, it will work like magic. They would think then, “Oh, this company really knows me and my preferences,” and get more excited. Hence, customers’ loyalty and engagement increase. In most cases, they click on the related products you offer and buy them. Isn’t that what you want so much?

Now it is time to try making some changes and adding innovation to your eCommerce website to create an unforgettable shopping experience. Imagine how your visitors will be shocked when they see a user-friendly, convenient, fast, and modern website. They will order once and get back for returning orders building a long-term commitment. It can be the beginning of your business prosperity!

The post 10 Must-Haves For Your Custom eCommerce Website appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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March 23, 2020 at 07:01AM

You Can Virtually Tour the Winchester Mystery House For Free While It’s Closed Due to COVID-19

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Like many other places around the country, the Winchester Mystery House is closed now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of physical tours, the house is offering a 40-minute video tour of the property for anyone that’s interested.

The house’s website says that it is offering free video access until April 7th, the day the Bay Area’s current “shelter in place” order is set to expire. For those that still want to visit, the house is also offering a ticket voucher that can be used anytime in the future, with no blackout dates or restrictions, so it can continue to pay its employees while its doors are closed.

The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion located in San Jose, California. Constructed in 1884, the property is said to be haunted by the ghosts of people killed with Winchester rifles, which were the creation of its original owner’s widow Sarah Winchester.

The house was under construction constantly from 1884 to 1922, some say without interruption 24 hours a day, until Sarah Winchester’s death in September of 1922. As you might imagine, the house has a rather unusual construction.

Before the 1906 earthquake, it was 7 stories high, but now it is only four. There are 1616 rooms, including 40 bedrooms, 2 ballrooms, 47 fireplaces, two basements, and three elevators and is made out of a variety of materials, some more unusual than others.

It’s definitely a peculiar thing to look at, especially in person, but if you’re looking for a way to kill a bit of time while you’re at home it can be a fun and odd piece of history to look at.

geeky,Tech,Database

via Lifehacker https://lifehacker.com

March 22, 2020 at 04:19PM

Episode 863 Scott Adams PART1: Let Me Tell You How We Beat the Virus and Get Back to Work Soon

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My new book LOSERTHINK, available now on Amazon https://tinyurl.com/rqmjc2a

Content:

• PART 1 OF 2

If you would like my channel to have a wider audience and higher production quality, please donate via my startup (Whenhub.com) at this link: 

I use donations to pay for the daily conversions of the original Periscope videos into Youtube and podcast form, and to improve my production quality and search results over time. 

The post Episode 863 Scott Adams PART1: Let Me Tell You How We Beat the Virus and Get Back to Work Soon appeared first on Scott Adams’ Blog.

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March 21, 2020 at 04:52PM

Episode 863 Scott Adams PART2: Let Me Tell You How We Beat the Virus and Get Back to Work Soon

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My new book LOSERTHINK, available now on Amazon https://tinyurl.com/rqmjc2a

Content:

• PART 2

If you would like my channel to have a wider audience and higher production quality, please donate via my startup (Whenhub.com) at this link: 

I use donations to pay for the daily conversions of the original Periscope videos into Youtube and podcast form, and to improve my production quality and search results over time. 

The post Episode 863 Scott Adams PART2: Let Me Tell You How We Beat the Virus and Get Back to Work Soon appeared first on Scott Adams’ Blog.

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March 21, 2020 at 04:52PM

Episode 859 Scott Adams: Humans Rule, Coronavirus is About to Drool. We Are Going Weapons Hot Soon

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My new book LOSERTHINK, available now on Amazon https://tinyurl.com/rqmjc2a

Content:

• Chloroquine study 100% CURE RATE, Gregory Rigano
• Julia Cheek, EverlyWell.com will have home test kit MONDAY
• Ian Hilgart-Martiszus serum therapy
• More good news

If you would like my channel to have a wider audience and higher production quality, please donate via my startup (Whenhub.com) at this link: 

I use donations to pay for the daily conversions of the original Periscope videos into Youtube and podcast form, and to improve my production quality and search results over time. 

The post Episode 859 Scott Adams: Humans Rule, Coronavirus is About to Drool. We Are Going Weapons Hot Soon appeared first on Scott Adams’ Blog.

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March 19, 2020 at 11:42AM

Laravel Online Migration Generator

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Generate laravel migration file from SQL table schema

Author: Harun

programming

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March 19, 2020 at 09:24AM