Abstract: Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions, place styles, price points and player account information can be stored to a memory of a game ticket, where the ticket is capable of transmitting the ticket data as an RF signal. Approaches also provide for the use of RFIDS in game sponsor/ticket printer facilities, ticket warehouse facilities and ticket destruction facilities.

Abstract: Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions, place styles, price points and player account information can be stored to a memory of a game ticket, where the ticket is capable of transmitting the ticket data as an RF signal. Approaches also provide for the use of RFIDS in game sponsor/ticket printer facilities, ticket warehouse facilities and ticket destruction facilities.

Abstract: Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions, place styles, price points and player account information can be stored to a memory of a game ticket, where the ticket is capable of transmitting the ticket data as an RF signal. Approaches also provide for the use of RFIDS in game sponsor/ticket printer facilities, ticket warehouse facilities and ticket destruction facilities.

Abstract: Game ticketing systems and methods provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDs). Game tickets such as instant lottery tickets include a substrate having game data and a removable mask covering the game data. A transponder is coupled to the substrate where the transponder stores a ticket RFID that defines a validation code of the game ticket. Game tickets can therefore be dispensed to consumers, validated and tracked using the ticket RFIDs.

Abstract: Middleware services link multiple data sources to multiple software applications. In one implementation, the middleware receives data requests from different applications, each request including a set of data descriptions that specify which type of data is sought from multiple real-time data sources. The middleware adapts the requests from different types of applications, and the different data available from different real-time data sources, for compatibility with a single common user interface. A user can select which real-time data to map to the common user interface, while each application may request data through a different set of data descriptions. Adapters convert data formats and communication protocols of real-time data from multiple data sources for compatibility with a given requesting application.

Abstract: A solution for determining a neutral point of a drillstring in drilling a borehole is disclosed. The solution includes receiving depth-time log data for drilling the borehole with the drillstring, the depth-time log data including data related to a torque and drag factor and data related to a hydraulic factor; and determining the neutral point of the drillstring at a time point during the drilling based on the torque and drag factor and the hydraulic factor.

Abstract: A downhole tool is provided including apparatus for unsticking the tool from the wall or a borehole. The tool may include a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a sleeve coupled to the housing and mounted for rotation relative to the housing, the sleeve having an exterior surface including at least one projection extending radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis. A transmission mechanism may be coupled to and adapted to rotate the sleeve, and a motor may be coupled to the transmission mechanism. A method for unsticking the downhole tool by rotating a sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions, place styles, price points and player account information can be stored to a memory of a game ticket, where the ticket is capable of transmitting the ticket data as an RF signal. Approaches also provide for the use of RFIDS in game sponsor/ticket printer facilities, ticket warehouse facilities and ticket destruction facilities.

Abstract: Game ticketing systems and methods provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDs). Game tickets such as instant lottery tickets include a substrate having game data and a removable mask covering the game data. A transponder is coupled to the substrate where the transponder stores a ticket RFID that defines a validation code of the game ticket. Game tickets can therefore be dispensed to consumers, validated and tracked using the ticket RFIDs.

Abstract: A solution for determining a neutral point of a drillstring in drilling a borehole is disclosed. A method may comprise: receiving depth-time log data for drilling the borehole with the drillstring, the depth-time log data including data related to a torque and drag factor and data related to a hydraulic factor; and determining the neutral point of the drillstring at a time point during the drilling based on the torque and drag factor and the hydraulic factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions, place styles, price points and player account information can be stored to a memory of a game ticket, where the ticket is capable of transmitting the ticket data as an RF signal. Approaches also provide for the use of RFIDS in game sponsor/ticket printer facilities, ticket warehouse facilities and ticket destruction facilities.

Abstract: A method of determining a particular value on a display, comprises the steps of: moving a time log relative to a time line until the time line identifies a selected time on the time log; moving a plurality of values on the display in synchronism with the moving of the time log relative to the time line; and identifying one of the plurality of values on the display when the time line identifies the selected time on the time log, the one of the plurality of values on the display representing the particular value. The particular value on the display comprises a depth on a depth log representing a depth of a drill bit in a borehole. The depth log moves in synchronism with a movement of the time log when the time log moves relative to the time line.

Abstract: Game ticketing systems and methods provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDs). Game tickets such as instant lottery tickets include a substrate having game data and a removable mask covering the game data. A transponder is coupled to the substrate where the transponder stores a ticket RFID that defines a validation code of the game ticket. Game tickets can therefore be dispensed to consumers, validated and tracked using the ticket RFIDs.

Abstract: A joint aspirate-facilitating device is provided including a flexible main panel that is secured to the joint to be aspirated. An inflatable bladder is secured to the main panel and is placed in contact with the soft tissues overlying and surrounding the joint space. The bladder is used to apply pressure to selected areas of the joint to compress the fluid sacs in the joint. An access opening is formed in the main panel designating the location where joint fluid is to be aspirated. The joint fluid is directed to flow to the area of the joint exposed at the access opening based on the shape of the bladder that compresses surrounding areas of the fluid sacs. A conventional hand pump may pressurize the bladder or the bladder may be filled with a viscous gel material to generate pressure. Multiple access openings may be formed on the main panel designating locations where aspiration is to be conducted.

Abstract: A downhole tool is provided including apparatus for unsticking the tool from the wall or a borehole. The tool may include a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a sleeve coupled to the housing and mounted for rotation relative to the housing, the sleeve having an exterior surface including at least one projection extending radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis. A transmission mechanism may be coupled to and adapted to rotate the sleeve, and a motor may be coupled to the transmission mechanism. A method for unsticking the downhole tool by rotating a sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A joint aspirate-facilitating device is provided including a flexible main panel that is secured to the joint to be aspirated. An inflatable bladder is secured to the main panel and is placed in contact with the soft tissues overlying and surrounding the joint space. The bladder is used to apply pressure to selected areas of the joint to compress the fluid sacs in the joint. An access opening is formed in the main panel designating the location where joint fluid is to be aspirated. The joint fluid is directed to flow to the area of the joint exposed at the access opening based on the shape of the bladder that compresses surrounding areas of the fluid sacs. A conventional hand pump may pressurize the bladder or the bladder may be filled with a viscous gel material to generate pressure. Multiple access openings may be formed on the main panel designating locations where aspiration is to be conducted.

Abstract: A downhole tool positionable in a wellbore for penetrating a subterranean formation includes a housing having at least one protuberance extending therefrom. The protuberance has at least one centralizing section and a protective section. A probe is positioned in the protective section such that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing along the protective section is less than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing along the at least one centralizing section.

Abstract: A Middleware Apparatus and associated method and program storage device is functionally an/or operationally interposed between ‘one or more data sources’ and a corresponding ‘one or more applications’. When an application requests data from the data sources, the application transmits a set of ‘data descriptions’ which pertain to the set of requested data to the middleware apparatus, the middleware passing the data description to the data sources. The data sources respond by transmitting ‘all available data’ to the middleware apparatus. The adapters of the middleware will respond by generating ‘all available data pertaining to the data description’. The user will ‘map’ the set of ‘all available data pertaining to the data description’ with the set of ‘data descriptions’ thereby identifying ‘mapped available data’. The data sources will then generate the ‘mapped available data’.

Abstract: A downhole tool positionable in a wellbore for penetrating a subterranean formation includes a housing having at least one protuberance extending therefrom. The protuberance has at least one centralizing section and a protective section. A probe is positioned in the protective section such that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing along the protective section is less than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the housing along the at least one centralizing section.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for automatically detecting the state of a drilling rig during the drilling process of a wellbore. Two or more, but preferably four independent input data channels are received, each input data channel representing a series of measurements made over time during the drilling process. Based on the input channels the most likely state of the drilling rig is detected from at least three possible rig states. The detection method is preferably probabilistic and even more preferably based on particle filtering techniques. The preferred systems and methods disclosed are also capable of detecting events and displaying or notifying drilling personnel of the detected events and suggesting corrective action.