Abstract: A lab automation system receives an instruction from a user to perform a protocol within a lab via an interface including a graphical representation of the lab. The lab includes a robot and set of equipment rendered within the graphical representation of the lab. The lab automation system identifies an ambiguous term of the instruction and pieces of equipment corresponding to the ambiguous term and modifies the interface to include a predictive text interface element listing the pieces of equipment. Upon a mouseover of a listed piece of equipment within the predictive text interface element, the lab automation system modifies the graphical representation of the lab to highlight the listed piece of equipment corresponding to the mouseover. Upon a selection of the listed piece of equipment within the predictive text interface element, the lab automation system modifies the instruction to include the listed piece of equipment.

Abstract: A polyacrylamide-based AMPS (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) copolymer or terpolymer emulsion system may comprise 5-50% solid AMPS salt by weight of a polymer backbone in an emulsion polymerization, wherein use of solid AMPS salt reduces a total amount of water in the emulsion system. The polymer concentration may be above 35% by weight and the water concentration is below 31% by weight. Solid AMPS salt may be dissolved in acrylamide 50% solution, either with or without monomers, to control the total amount of water in an emulsion that may be formed, particularly to lower the water concentration. Use of solid AMPS salt dissolved in acrylamide 50% solution may introduce the AMPS monomer into an emulsion system without requiring addition of extra water. This may improve performance on the polymer backbone as well as the finished emulsion system.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and system for improved search functionality. By using natural language processing (NLP), individual words in a search term may be parsed and then individually stored. The relationships between the individual words of the search term may also be stored such that when the search is repeated, the previous results may be retrieved and, if not, a more accurate search may be performed.

Abstract: A lab system identifies a set of steps associated with a protocol for a lab meant to be performed by a robot within the lab using equipment and reagents. The lab system renders, within a user interface, a virtual representation of the lab, a virtual robot, and virtual equipment and reagents. Responsive to operating in a first mode, the lab system simulates the identified set of steps identify virtual positions of the virtual robot within the lab as the virtual robot performs the steps and modifies the virtual representation of the lab to mirror the identified positions of the virtual robot in real-time. Responsive to operating in a second mode, the lab system identifies positions of the robot within the lab as the robot performs the identified set of steps and modifies the virtual representation of the lab to mirror the identified positions of the robot in real-time.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and system for improved search functionality. By using natural language processing (NLP), individual words in a search term may be parsed and then individually stored. The relationships between the individual words of the search term may also be stored such that when the search is repeated, the previous results may be retrieved and, if not, a more accurate search may be performed.

Abstract: The techniques described herein may, for example, allow a quantity of buffered video frames to be reduced, for example for use in adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming and other streaming transmissions. The quantity of buffered video frames may be reduced by dropping certain selected buffered frames from a resulting video output that is displayed to the viewer. This may reduce end-to-end latency without requiring a change in frame rate or fast forwarding of the video output, which may sometimes not be available or permitted by a resulting video player. These buffer reduction techniques may sometimes be employed upon a determination that transmission conditions have stabilized and that holding large quantities of buffered video may be unnecessary. In some examples, the disclosed techniques may be particularly advantageous for live streaming scenarios, in which end-to-end latency may be particularly problematic for the viewer.

Abstract: A Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) includes a call device (10) with a call button (12), LAN (20), WAN (22), and locator service(s) (26, 42). The PERS further includes a hub or gateway device (30). The call device is programmed to periodically send transmissions to the hub or gateway device using the LAN, recognize based on the transmissions that the call device is no longer in a home geo-fence, and transition to communicating using the WAN in response to recognizing that the call device is no longer in the home geo-fence. The transition also includes turning on the locator service(s). The call button triggers the call device to contact the hub or gateway device using the LAN, or a PERS call center when using the WAN. A speaker (14) and microphone (16) are built into the call device for use when communicating using the WAN.

Abstract: The techniques described herein may, for example, allow a quantity of buffered video frames to be reduced, for example for use in adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming and other streaming transmissions. The quantity of buffered video frames may be reduced by dropping certain selected buffered frames from a resulting video output that is displayed to the viewer. This may reduce end-to-end latency without requiring a change in frame rate or fast forwarding of the video output, which may sometimes not be available or permitted by a resulting video player. These buffer reduction techniques may sometimes be employed upon a determination that transmission conditions have stabilized and that holding large quantities of buffered video may be unnecessary. In some examples, the disclosed techniques may be particularly advantageous for live streaming scenarios, in which end-to-end latency may be particularly problematic for the viewer.

Abstract: A mobile button device (10) comprises a call button (12), a local wireless link (20) to a communicator (30), and a cellular connection (22). The mobile button device is programmed to perform an alarm reporting method including: originating an alarm by sending the alarm via the local wireless link to the communicator for alarm reporting by the communicator; after sending the alarm to the communicator, monitoring alarm reporting status via the local wireless link to the communicator; and reporting the alarm via the cellular connection in response to the monitoring determining that the communicator failed to report the alarm. For example, the monitoring may include polling the communicator via the local wireless link and the monitoring determines that the communicator failed to report the alarm if the polling indicates the communicator is unavailable (70) or a timeout condition (72) is reached.

Abstract: A method of improving the flow of fluids into or along a deviated wellbore that has a partial or complete obstruction caused by fill particles, comprising removing the fill particles from the obstruction and depositing the fill particles within the wellbore, uphole and/or downhole of the partial or complete obstruction. The method described herein removes obstructions and/or stimulates a well in which productivity has been impaired by the presence of fill in the wellbore. This is accomplished without removing the fill from the wellbore, and therefore avoids the consequent disposal or storage considerations.

Abstract: A Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) includes a call device (10) with a call button (12), LAN (20), WAN (22), and locator service(s) (26, 42). The PERS further includes a hub or gateway device (30). The call device is programmed to periodically send transmissions to the hub or gateway device using the LAN, recognize based on the transmissions that the call device is no longer in a home geo-fence, and transition to communicating using the WAN in response to recognizing that the call device is no longer in the home geo-fence. The transition also includes turning on the locator service(s). The call button triggers the call device to contact the hub or gateway device using the LAN, or a PERS call center when using the WAN. A speaker (14) and microphone (16) are built into the call device for use when communicating using the WAN.

Abstract: A mobile button device (10) comprises a call button (12), a local wireless link (20) to a communicator (30), and a cellular connection (22). The mobile button device is programmed to perform an alarm reporting method including: originating an alarm by sending the alarm via the local wireless link to the communicator for alarm reporting by the communicator; after sending the alarm to the communicator, monitoring alarm reporting status via the local wireless link to the communicator; and reporting the alarm via the cellular connection in response to the monitoring determining that the communicator failed to report the alarm. For example, the monitoring may include polling the communicator via the local wireless link and the monitoring determines that the communicator failed to report the alarm if the polling indicates the communicator is unavailable (70) or a timeout condition (72) is reached.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning out horizontal wellbores using coiled tubing are provided for use during downhole operations. A coiled tubing having a bottom hole assembly is deployed into a horizontal wellbore. Fluid is circulated down the annulus of the wellbore and up the bottom hole assembly while the bottom hole assembly is moved upward at a selected rate and distance. This method may be used to remove downhole solids, such as formation sands and proppant.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning out horizontal wellbores using coiled tubing are provided for use during downhole operations. A coiled tubing having a bottom hole assembly is deployed into a horizontal wellbore. Fluid is circulated down the annulus of the wellbore and up the bottom hole assembly while the bottom hole assembly is moved upward at a selected rate and distance. This method may be used to remove downhole solids, such as formation sands and proppant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided.

Abstract: A coil-type magazine for nails has a body and a driving member mounted on the body. The driving member is engaged with a channel of the body and moves along the channel via springs. A spool is connected to the driving member and deviates from a handle of a nail gun. Hence, the coil-type magazine for nails is not limited by a space between the coil-type magazine and handle and it is easy to receive the nails into the coil-type magazine.