Abstract: A hanger assembly includes: a main body; a lock ring coupled to the main body and configured to expand radially outward into a profile on an inner diameter of the wellhead; and an actuator, wherein the actuator is capable of transferring an axial force from the actuator into outward radial expansion of the lock ring toward the profile on the inner diameter of the wellhead. An interface between the actuator and the lock ring is shaped such that: axially downward movement of the actuator from a starting position to an intermediate position actuates the lock ring into the profile; and axially downward movement of the actuator from the intermediate position to a pre-load position applies a pre-load to the hanger assembly.

Abstract: A categorized virtual currency tracking, purchasing, and redemption system, method of use, and method of doing business. The method includes providing an automated wallet interface over a communication network, receiving payments from a user for bought-coin virtual currency, providing a tally of the user's bought-coin virtual currency, providing a game in response to a request from the user, providing a tally of any earned-coin virtual currency acquired in the game, debiting at least one of the tallies of bought-coin and earned-coin virtual currency for any payment for the game, and providing through the automated wallet interface a combined tally of the first user's bought-coin and earned-coin virtual currencies.

Abstract: A prediction processing system, method, and method for doing business is disclosed. The prediction processing system can collect, process and publish event-outcome information. The prediction processing system can dynamically filter participants into groupings and iteratively optimize odds calculations over time. A proposal framework consisting of a various abstract proposal types can model and settle propositions. Game propositions can be automatically generated based on event categorization relationships. The prediction processing system can provide game players or others with access to collective intelligence, including prediction information and information derived from prediction information. The prediction processing system can create groupings of better-performing predictors and provide them with additional information not generally available. Better-performing predictors can be provided with additional stakes to increase the weight of their predictions in odds calculations.

Abstract: A prediction processing system, method, and method for doing business is disclosed. The prediction processing system can collect, process and publish event-outcome information. The prediction processing system can dynamically filter participants into groupings and iteratively optimize odds calculations over time. A proposal framework consisting of a various abstract proposal types can model and settle propositions. Game propositions can be automatically generated based on event categorization relationships. The prediction processing system can provide game players or others with access to collective intelligence, including prediction information and information derived from prediction information. The prediction processing system can create groupings of better-performing predictors and provide them with additional information not generally available. Better-performing predictors can be provided with additional stakes to increase the weight of their predictions in odds calculations.

Abstract: A categorized virtual currency tracking, purchasing, and redemption system, method of use, and method of doing business. The method includes providing an automated wallet interface over a communication network, receiving payments from a user for bought-coin virtual currency, providing a tally of the user's bought-coin virtual currency, providing a game in response to a request from the user, providing a tally of any earned-coin virtual currency acquired in the game, debiting at least one of the tallies of bought-coin and earned-coin virtual currency for any payment for the game, and providing through the automated wallet interface a combined tally of the first user's bought-coin and earned-coin virtual currencies.

Abstract: A prediction processing system, method, and method for doing business is disclosed. The prediction processing system can collect, process and publish event-outcome information. The prediction processing system can dynamically filter participants into groupings and iteratively optimize odds calculations over time. A proposal framework consisting of a various abstract proposal types can model and settle propositions. Game propositions can be automatically generated based on event categorization relationships. The prediction processing system can provide game players or others with access to collective intelligence, including prediction information and information derived from prediction information. The prediction processing system can create groupings of better-performing predictors and provide them with additional information not generally available. Better-performing predictors can be provided with additional stakes to increase the weight of their predictions in odds calculations.

Abstract: A categorized virtual currency tracking, purchasing, and redemption system, method of use, and method of doing business. The method includes providing an automated wallet interface over a communication network, receiving payments from a user for bought-coin virtual currency, providing a tally of the user's bought-coin virtual currency, providing a game in response to a request from the user, providing a tally of any earned-coin virtual currency acquired in the game, debiting at least one of the tallies of bought-coin and earned-coin virtual currency for any payment for the game, and providing through the automated wallet interface a combined tally of the first user's bought-coin and earned-coin virtual currencies.

Abstract: A prediction processing system, method, and method for doing business is disclosed. The prediction processing system can collect, process, and publish event-outcome information. The prediction processing system can dynamically filter participants into groupings and iteratively optimize odds calculations over time. A proposal framework consisting of a various abstract proposal types can model and settle propositions. Game propositions can be automatically generated based on event categorization relationships, and users can themselves automatically establish their own game proposition and programs. The prediction processing system can provide game players or others with access to collective intelligence, including prediction information and information derived from prediction information.

Abstract: A prediction processing system, method, and method for doing business is disclosed. The prediction processing system can collect, process, and publish event-outcome information. The prediction processing system can dynamically filter participants into groupings and iteratively optimize odds calculations over time. A proposal framework consisting of a various abstract proposal types can model and settle propositions. Game propositions can be automatically generated based on event categorization relationships, and users can themselves automatically establish their own game proposition and programs. The prediction processing system can provide game players or others with access to collective intelligence, including prediction information and information derived from prediction information.

Abstract: A prediction processing system, method, and method for doing business is disclosed. The prediction processing system can collect, process, and publish event-outcome information. The prediction processing system can dynamically filter participants into groupings and iteratively optimize odds calculations over time. A proposal framework consisting of a various abstract proposal types can model and settle propositions. Game propositions can be automatically generated based on event categorization relationships, and users can themselves automatically establish their own game proposition and programs. The prediction processing system can provide game players or others with access to collective intelligence, including prediction information and information derived from prediction information.

Abstract: A prediction processing system, method, and method for doing business is disclosed. The prediction processing system can collect, process and publish event-outcome information. The prediction processing system can dynamically filter participants into groupings and iteratively optimize odds calculations over time. A proposal framework consisting of a various abstract proposal types can model and settle propositions. Game propositions can be automatically generated based on event categorization relationships. The prediction processing system can provide game players or others with access to collective intelligence, including prediction information and information derived from prediction information. The prediction processing system can create groupings of better-performing predictors and provide them with additional information not generally available. Better-performing predictors can be provided with additional stakes to increase the weight of their predictions in odds calculations.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering clock pulses of wavelength division multiplexed optical signals passed therethrough. The apparatus comprises an optically-pumped laser cavity defining a cavity length and comprising a nonlinear medium pumped at a wavelength selected to give efficient parametric amplification within said medium. The cavity length corresponds to an integer multiple of bit periods of at least one of the multiplexed optical signals. The optical signals copropagate through the medium with the pump radiation. The apparatus further comprises an optical path for recirculating a proportion of the output from the laser cavity back through the laser cavity. In this way, idler waves are generated symmetrically about the pump wavelength by four wave mixing with the at least one of the multiplexed optical signals and recirculated through the laser cavity to be amplified by parametric amplification in order to recover wavelength division multiplexed clock pulses.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering clock pulses of wavelength division multiplexed optical signals passed therethrough. The apparatus comprises an optically-pumped laser cavity defining a cavity length and comprising a nonlinear medium pumped at a wavelength selected to give efficient parametric amplification within said medium. The cavity length corresponds to an integer multiple of bit periods of at least one of the multiplexed optical signals. The optical signals copropagate through the medium with the pump radiation. The apparatus further comprises an optical path for recirculating a proportion of the output from the laser cavity back through the laser cavity. In this way, idler waves are generated symmetrically about the pump wavelength by four wave mixing with the at least one of the multiplexed optical signals and recirculated through the laser cavity to be amplified by parametric amplification in order to recover wavelength division multiplexed clock pulses.

Abstract: A number of optically cascaded electroabsorption modulators (EAM) are electrically biased to provide an optical time division multiplexed (OTDM) signal. The optical input into the first of the cascaded EAMs is a substantially cw light beam In operation, each EAM is normally biased to allow transmission of light, and data is represented by blocking transmission of light for a short period, thereby imposing dark pulses onto the light. Thus, light between dark pulses remains unperturbed and is available for further modulation by subsequent EAMs. In this way, each EAM can be arranged to rpovide a single data channel of the overall OTDM signal.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexed transmission line functions of chromatic dispersion compensation and channel drop are performed by a node having a concatenated series of wavelength selective dispersion compensating elements and switches. The switches are arranged to selector or bypass each wavelength selective dispersion compensating element. If a wavelength selective dispersion compensating element is appropriately selected, the corresponding channel is dispersion compensated and reflected to a drop port. Any remaining channels are circulated by the switches to the remaining dispersion compensating elements where they are dispersion compensated and reflected to an optical output. In the preferred examples, the node includes an insert port to allow multiplexing of additional channels. This allows the node to perform both drop and insert functions in addition to dispersion compensation and so forms a dispersion compensating drop and insert node.

Abstract: A non-linear optical switch includes a semiconductor optical gain medium. The switch is arranged to switch a signal at a first wavelength in response to a control signal at a second wavelength applied to the optical gain medium. The refractive index of the gain medium is modified in response to the control signal. An optical holding signal at a third wavelength is applied to the gain medium. The optical holding signal pumps the optical gain medium and thereby fixes the Fermi level. The switch may be embodied in OTDM demultiplexers, clock recovery circuits, wavelength converters and other devices.

Abstract: An AGC for a laser amplifier uses a control tone modulated onto the optical signals. During use the modulation on the optical signals is superimposed on the drive current for the laser. The AGC derives a control signal by detecting the modulation in the drive current, multiplying it by the drive current. The drive current for the laser is adjusted to keep the control signal constant. In a preferred embodiment a low level sensor detects when the control tone falls below a threshold level and switches the circuit to a default configuration. The default configuration provides a distress signal to indicate a fault and to identify the affected amplifier. This preferred embodiment is particularly suitable for submarine telecommunications capable which include a plurality of inaccessible amplifiers.