US 12102027

Here's a concise summary of US patent 12102027:

Title: System and method for prescriptive seed treatment
Assignee: Inflexion Point Technologies LLC
Inventors: Steven P. Smith, Nicholas M. Iwig, Mark M. Iwig, Pat Parks
Filing Date: June 23, 2015
Issue Date: October 1, 2024
Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a prescriptive seed treatment system and method. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to selecting and planting prescriptively treated seed (e.g., seed treated with a prescriptive type, amount, and/or mixture of substance(s) based at least in part on past, current, and/or predicted field and/or market conditions).

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent has 6 independent claims.

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a method for treating seeds that involves:

  • Having a planter with seed and at least one seed-applied substance.
  • Using a controller to decide the type and amount of seed-applied substance to apply to seeds during planting, based on one or more conditions (e.g., field or market conditions).
  • Transferring the selected amount of seed-applied substance from a storage unit through a pathway.
  • Moving seeds from a seed storage unit through a separate pathway.
  • Applying the chosen amount of substance to the seeds while they are in the seed pathway, before they are planted.

• Independent Claim 9: This claim focuses on a system for treating seeds, comprising:

  • A planter equipped with seed, at least one seed-applied substance, and one or more substance applicators.
  • A controller that determines the type and amount of seed-applied substance to apply during planting, based on one or more conditions.
  • A substance flow path that transfers the chosen substance from a storage unit to the applicator.
  • A seed flow path that moves seeds from a storage unit to where they will be planted.
  • The substance applicator applies the determined amount of substance to the seed while it's in the seed flow path, before planting.

• Independent Claim 17: This claim covers a method of planting prescriptively treated seed, which includes:

  • Selecting a combination of seed and seed treatment substances to be planted at a specific location, based on one or more conditions.
  • Generating this selected combination.
  • Planting the generated combination at the specific location.

• Independent Claim 18: This claim details a method similar to Claim 17, but specifies how the combination is generated when multiple types of pre-treated seeds are available:

  • Placing different combinations of seeds (already treated with substances) into various seed storage compartments on a planter.
  • Selecting a seed storage compartment that contains the desired combination of seed and substance based on one or more conditions for a specific planting location.
  • Delivering this selected combination from the chosen compartment to be planted.

• Independent Claim 19: This claim also describes a method for planting prescriptively treated seed, focusing on applying substances during planting:

  • Providing a planter with a seed, a seed-applied substance, and an applicator.
  • Selecting the type and amount of seed-applied substance to apply to the seed for planting at a specific location, based on one or more conditions.
  • Applying the selected type and amount of substance to the seed using the applicator during the planting operation.
  • Planting the treated seed at the specific location.

• Independent Claim 20: This claim outlines a method for treating seed during planting on a planter:

  • Providing a planter that has a seed compartment, a substance compartment with seed-applied substances, a substance pathway, a seed pathway, and a controller.
  • The controller determines the amount of seed-applied substances to apply to the seed during planting, based on one or more conditions.
  • The determined amount of substance is transferred from the substance compartment through the substance pathway.
  • Seeds are transferred from the seed compartment into the seed pathway.
  • The selected amount of substance is applied to the seed while it is in the seed pathway.

USPTO and CAFC Dockets Information:

USPTO:
The patent US12102027B2 was granted on October 1, 2024, from application number US15/739,606, which was filed on June 23, 2015. The legal status is "Active", and it is projected to expire on December 7, 2035.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A PTAB case, PGR2025-00045, has been filed but not instituted on the merits. The petitioner's identity is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, according to Unified Patents PTAB Data. There is also a record of "First worldwide family litigation filed" for this patent family.