Abstract: A running tool for well drilling operations is carried by a running string into and out of a wellbore. A collet is carried by the running tool, the collet having fingers with a radially expanded position arranged to latch against a wellbore shoulder in the wellbore. The fingers are resiliently and radially contractible. A shear element is carried by the collet, the shear element preventing the fingers from radially contracting to unlatch the running tool while the shear element is intact. If a selected axial force is applied against the shear element, it shears, freeing the collet fingers to retract. The collet may be part of a tool to set and release a liner hanger from engagement with a string of casing.

Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer jacket, an inner jacket telescopingly disposed within the outer jacket for movement along a longitudinal axis with a cavity defined between the inner and outer jackets. A bushing is radially disposed about the inner jacket within the cavity between the inner and outer jackets. The bushing includes at least one tab engaging the inner jacket to interconnect the bushing to the inner jacket and includes at least one radially projecting pad engaging the outer jacket to frictionally interconnect the bushing to the outer jacket for interlocking the inner and outer jackets.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an antenna having a conductive winding, with the antenna disposed about a channel. A characteristic improvement material is disposed between the antenna and the channel. In some embodiments, the characteristic improvement material includes at least one of a negative stiffness material or a negative Poisson's ratio material. Various systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal comprises receiving from a customer a check to be deposited, capturing image data which is representative of a first check image, binarizing the captured image data to provide a second check image which is a binary form of the first image, determining a check image quality value associated with the second image, comparing the quality value with a first threshold, transmitting the second image to a back office facility when the quality value is outside of the first threshold, comparing the quality value with a second threshold which is different from the first threshold, returning the check to the customer when the quality value is outside of the second threshold, and transmitting the first image to a back office facility when the quality value is between the first and second thresholds.

Abstract: An air cycle machine includes a housing, and a shaft rotationally supported within the housing includes a thrust runner. Air bearings are provided on either side of the thrust runner. An inlet plate is arranged radially outward of the air bearings. The inlet plate has inner and outer peripheries provided between lateral sides. One side includes four circumferentially arranged slots extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery and having a width and a depth providing a first ratio of 4:1.

Abstract: A system for testing a device under test (DUT), in which electrical coupling among a module board, a low profile connector, and, a DIB is established by applying a pressure on the module board toward the DUT, is provided. The system includes a test head bracket secured inside a test head, the test head bracket includes the module board having a first section including a plurality of connectors to couple a test analyzer to the module board, a second section including a plurality of contacts pads to electrically couple the module board to the DUT, and, a flexible board to enable the first section to be placed at an angle with respect to the second section. The test head bracket also includes a module board stiffener mechanically securing the first section and the second section to the test head and the low profile connector electrically couples the module board to the DUT.

Abstract: Multiple displays are arranged such that their display surfaces are arrayed side by side. A measurement section measures orientation information about apparatus orientation. A control section determines the display surface a user is viewing from among multiple displays, based on the orientation information measured by the measurement section. The control section causes the display surface of displays, other than the display surface determined as being viewed by the user, to become darker than the display surface of the display determined as being viewed by the user.

Abstract: The present invention includes a back feed meter adapter having one or more electrical sockets disposed of the exterior surface for accepting a plug from an alternative electrical power generator in installations that include an existing electrical utility service panel. The sockets of the back feed meter can be rotated relative to the internal couplers such that it can be easily positioned relative to the back feed connections coming from the alternative electrical power generator. The back feed meter adapter can also include an electrical switch for coupling/decoupling the electrical sockets from the electrical meter, the electrical service panel, or the electrical power utility grid to which the back feed meter adapter is coupled. The back feed meter adapter can include a window for visual confirmation of the electrical switch state. Various functionality of the back feed meter adapter can be monitored or controlled via a wireless network.

Abstract: A component includes a support structure having first and second spaced-apart and parallel surfaces and a plurality of conductive elements extending in a direction between the first and second surfaces. Each conductive element contains an alloy of a wiring metal selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, nickel and chromium, and an additive selected from the group consisting of Gallium, Germanium, Indium, Selenium, Tin, Sulfur, Silver, Phosphorus, and Bismuth. The alloy has a composition that varies with distance in at least one direction across the conductive element. A concentration of the additive is less than or equal to 5% of the total atomic mass of the conductive element, and a resistivity of the conductive element is between 2.5 and 30 micro-ohm-centimeter.

Abstract: A holding mechanism is operable to hold a top medium from a plurality of plate-shaped media accommodated in a stacker in a stacked manner. A transport arm supports the holding mechanism. The transport arm is provided with a separation mechanism operable to separate a second medium positioned just below the top medium which is held by the holding mechanism.

Abstract: A memory tracking circuit activates a reset signal that resets a word-line pulse generator to switch the memory from an access state to a recess state. Activation is based on (i) a signal received at the far end of a tracking row after a propagation delay and (ii) a signal applied to a transistor-based gate delay. If the memory is in a fast PVT condition such that the gate delay is of less duration than, or substantially equal to, the propagation delay, then a slow-down circuit delays activation of the reset signal to allow sufficient access margin. The delay in the latter case is less than that in the former case. If the memory is in a slow PVT condition such that the gate delay is longer than the propagation delay, then the slow-down circuit does not delay activation of the reset signal to prevent excess access margin.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing device main body and a developer cartridge detachably mounted to the developing device main body and storing a developer. The developer cartridge includes a case member that stores a developer, a supplying opening provided on the case member, and a first shutter that opens and closes the supplying opening. The developing device main body includes a housing that stores the developer supplied by the developer cartridge, a receiving opening provided on the housing, and a second shutter that opens and closes the receiving opening. The first shutter and the second shutter are configured to move in conjunction with each other.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus is provided including: a radio receiver configured to acquire, from a base station, a first information indicating a fixed number identifying quantity of sub-carrier bands to be selected for channel quality reporting; a reception quality measurer configured to measure channel quality of each of a plurality of sub-carrier bands within a communication band; a subcarrier selector configured to select sub-carrier bands from the plurality of sub-carrier bands based on the measured channel quality, wherein quantity of the selected sub-carrier bands matches the quantity of sub-carrier bands identified by the fixed number; a modulator configured to modulate a second information indicating channel quality of the selected sub-carrier bands and a third information indicating positions of the selected sub-carrier bands according to a modulation scheme; and a radio transmitter configured to report to the base station the second and third modulated information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for data resource provision. A method may include receiving a request for a first data resource. The request may include an indication of an additional data resource that may be requested in a future request. The method may further include determining the indicated additional data resource. The method may additionally include causing caching of the additional data resource in preparation for a future request for the additional data resource. Corresponding apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A cost metric is associated with each of a plurality of calendar event parameters of a proposed calendar event. A calendar event cost projection is determined based upon, at least in part, the cost metric associated with each of the plurality of the calendar event parameters. The calendar event cost projection is compared to a calendar event budget. At least one of the plurality of calendar event parameters is selected based upon, at least in part, the comparison of the calendar event cost projection to the calendar event budget.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing access to government benefits is disclosed. The method comprises positioning a short-range transmitter in a predetermined product area in a store, and storing one or more marketing messages in the short-range transmitter, wherein the one or more marketing messages are associated with one or more specific products located in the predetermined product area. The one or more marketing messages are transmitted to a wireless computer, and a user is identified as a participant in a government benefits scheme. Available under a subsidy program are communicated to a user and upon purchase of an item, an analysis of benefits available under a subsidy program is provided.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for sharing form data by users of a social network. A first value input for a first label by a first user is received. The first label is associated with a tag in a mapping table. The first value is associated with the tag in a first user table. The first value is recognized as input for a different label than the first label. The different label is associated with the tag in mapping table. A second value is received that is input for a second label by a second user. The second label is associated with the tag in the mapping table. The second value is associated with the tag in a second user table. The second value is recognized as input for a different label than the second label. The different label than the second label is associated with the tag in mapping table.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes switching between a first address space and a second address space, determining if the second address space exists in a list of address spaces; and maintaining entries of the first address space in a translation buffer after the switching. In such manner, overhead associated with such a context switch may be reduced.

Abstract: A technique for compiling and running high-level program on heterogeneous computers may include partitioning a program code into two or more logical units, and compiling each of the logical units into one or more executable entities. At least some of the logical units are compiled into two or more executable entities, the two or more executable entities being different compilations of the same logical unit. The two or more executable entities are compatible to run on respective two or more platforms that have different architecture.