Patents Assigned to Service
  • Patent number: 9869151
    Abstract: A controlled aperture ball drop includes a ball cartridge that is mounted to a frac head or a high pressure fluid conduit. The ball cartridge houses a ball rail having a bottom end that forms an aperture with an inner periphery of the ball cartridge through which frac balls of a frac ball stack supported by the ball rail are sequentially dropped from the frac ball stack as a size of the aperture is increased by an aperture controller operatively connected to the ball rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Oil States Energy Services, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joel H. Young, Ronald B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Bob McGuire, Danny Lee Artherholt
  • Patent number: 9868055
    Abstract: A system and method for generating individual player bases in a virtual space using markup information are disclosed. Player base definitions specific individual players may be managed. The player base definitions may indicate boundaries of player bases in the virtual space, a base type for the player bases, and/or any other information related to the player bases. Player base markup information may be obtained for a given player base type. The obtained player base markup information may indicate, in a markup language format, building information regarding one or more default buildings within a player base having the given base type. Individual player bases may be generated in the virtual space base on the boundaries of the player bases as indicated in the player base definitions associated with the individual players and further based on the player base markup information for the base type of the player bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Rhinesmith, Christopher Vukicevich
  • Patent number: 9869152
    Abstract: A controlled swell-rate swellable packer comprises a mandrel; a sealing element, and a jacket. The sealing element is disposed about at least a portion of the mandrel, and the jacket covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the sealing element. The jacket is configured to substantially prevent fluid communication between a fluid disposed outside of the jacket and the portion of the outer surface of the sealing element covered by the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Pontus Gamstedt, Jens Hinke
  • Patent number: 9870477
    Abstract: The presenting invention relates to techniques for implementing a secure operating environment for the execution of applications on a computing devices (e.g., a mobile phone). In The secure operating environment may provide a trusted environment with dedicated computing resources to manage security and integrity of processing and data for the applications. The applications may be provided with a variety of security services and/or functions to meet different levels of security demanded by an application. The secure operating environment may include a security engine that enumerates and/or determines the security capabilities of the secure operating environment and the computing device, e.g., the hardware, the software, and/or the firmware of the computing device. The security engine may provide security services desired by applications by choosing from the security capabilities that are supported by the secure operating environment and the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Selim Aissi, Taeho Kgil, Gyan Prakash
  • Patent number: 9869153
    Abstract: An example tubing string may at least partially define an internal bore. The tubing string may include an expandable packer and a permeable barrier. The tubing string may further include a remotely-controllable valve responsive to at least one downhole trigger condition, such as a downhole pressure or temperature condition. The remotely-controllable valve may provide selective fluid communication through the permeable barrier between the internal bore and an annulus outside of the permeable barrier. The remotely-controllable valve may function as at least one of a fluid-loss control valve in a completion string assembly or a circulation valve about a completion string assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernardo Alfonso Moreno, John Patrick O'Hara
  • Patent number: 9868063
    Abstract: A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices. Device information related to a client computing platform used by a user to interact with the virtual space may be obtained. Customized in-game capabilities available for the user may be determined based on the device information, which may include a description of or otherwise identify the client computing platform. The device information may include or otherwise by used to obtain device capabilities such as hardware, software, network, and/or other specifications. Different users using different client computing platforms may be provided with different in-game capabilities such as user roles, content items, levels, and/or other content or actions available for the user in the virtual space based on the client computing platform used by the users to access the virtual space. The device information may be used to facilitate enhanced party formation between users of the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9868453
    Abstract: A railcar end unit is operable to be mounted in a center sill between buff and draft sill stops. The buff and draft end bodies are configured to be shiftably mounted relative to the center sill to engage the respective sill stops and to shift axially relative to one another along a unit axis. The end unit includes a buff spring pack operably mounted between the end bodies and compressible along the unit axis from a neutral condition to a compressed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: O-Ring Sales & Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Johnson, Richard Uriah Ralston, Andrew Allen Johnson
  • Patent number: 9870609
    Abstract: A system estimates quality of a digital image by accessing a corpus of digital images of one or more subjects, such as a facet of a property. The system will receive, for at least a subset of the corpus, an indicator that one or more patches of each image in the subset is out of focus. The system will train a classifier by obtaining a feature representation of each pixel in each image, along with a focus value that represents an extent to which each pixel in the image is in focus or out of focus. The system will use the classifier to analyze pixels of a new digital image and assess whether each analyzed pixel in the new digital image is in focus or out of focus. The system may use the image to assess whether an incident occurred, such as storm-related damage to the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Pramod Sankar Kompalli, Arjun Sharma, Richard L. Howe
  • Patent number: 9869795
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed acoustic sensing based on coherent Rayleigh scattering are disclosed herein. A system comprises a pulse generator, an optical fiber coupled to the pulse generator, an interferometer coupled to the optical fiber, a photodetector assembly coupled to the interferometer, and an information handling system, which activates two optical gain elements so as to vary the optical path length of the interferometer. A method comprises sending an optical pulse down an optical fiber, splitting backscattered light from the optical pulse into a first backscattered pulse and a second backscattered pulse, activating a first optical gain element and a second optical gain element, sending the first backscattered pulse into a first arm of an interferometer, sending the second backscattered pulse into a second arm of an interferometer, combining the first and second backscattered pulses to form an interferometric signal, and receiving the interferometric signal at a photodetector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 9867894
    Abstract: Apparatuses are provided which include one or more germicidal sources, power circuitry coupled to the germicidal source/s, and a shield. The shield and/or at least one of the germicidal source/s are moveable within the apparatus and the apparatus is configured such that the shield and/or the germicidal source/s may be brought in and out of proximity with the other and upon doing so germicide projected from one or more of the germicidal source/s is either substantially contained in the apparatus or is projected exterior to the apparatus for different disinfection modes of the apparatus. The apparatuses include a processor and processor-executable program instructions for activating the power circuitry to operate the at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source is not encased within the apparatus and for activating the power circuitry to operate at least one germicidal source when the germicidal source/s are encased within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Xenex Disinfection Services, LLc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Stibich, Paul P. Froutan, Sarah E. Simmons, Charles Dale
  • Patent number: 9868133
    Abstract: A masking device for covering a masking area. The masking device includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. The masking device further includes a base formed by the first member, the second member, and the third member. The base defines a top surface and a bottom surface. The masking device further includes a pull tab formed by the first member and the second member. The pull tab extends away from the top surface of the base. The bottom surface includes an adhesive. The bottom surface is configured for removable attachment to the masking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Engineered Products and Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Lopez, Jr., Chad M. Cushman, Kissak Sarajian
  • Patent number: 9870648
    Abstract: A central computing system is configured to monitor quotas for multiple different classifications of vehicles that park in a parking facility. License plate reading (LPR) cameras read the license information of each vehicle entering and exiting a parking facility. The vehicle images or identifications are communicated to the central computing system which updates its database and monitors each virtual lot in the parking facility according to quotas, prices and other parameters for each corresponding class of vehicles. Control gates can be provided at entrances and exits to the parking facility. A parking kiosk can be provided to the parking facility that is networked with the central computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Municipal Parking Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Moran, Richard. W. Kelley, II, Marcus N. Schmidt, David E. Collins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9869156
    Abstract: Clay-based retarders may be useful in delaying the gel time of a gellable treatment fluid and, consequently, subterranean operations. For example, a method may involve providing a gellable treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid; a base polymer comprising an acrylamide monomer unit; a polymeric organic crosslinking agent comprising a crosslinkable polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneimine, polyvinylamine, chitosan, any derivative thereof, any salt thereof, and any combination thereof; and a clay-based gel retarder; introducing the gellable treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and forming a gel with the gellable treatment fluid in at least a portion of the wellbore, at least a portion of the subterranean formation, or both. In some instances, producing the gellable treatment fluid may involve not pre-hydrating the clay-based gel retarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry Eoff, Natalie Pascarella
  • Patent number: 9871927
    Abstract: A method for routing calls suited to use in a call center includes receiving a call from a customer, extracting features from an utterance of the call, and, based on the extracted features, predicting a class and a complexity of a dialog to be conducted between the customer and an agent. With a routing model, a routing strategy is generated for steering the call to one of a plurality of types of agent (such as to a human or a virtual agent), based on the predicted class and complexity of the dialog and a cost assigned to the type of agent. A first of the plurality of types of agent is assigned a higher cost than a second of the types of agent. The routing strategy is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Julien Perez, Nicolas Monet
  • Patent number: 9869141
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to select a longitudinal axis within a borehole, and to move a down hole housing using at least one set of rollers attached to the housing to contact a surface of the borehole, so that simultaneous movement with two rotational degrees of freedom is enabled within the borehole. The centerline of the housing can be substantially aligned with a selected longitudinal axis while the housing moves along the selected longitudinal axis. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 9869155
    Abstract: Methods and systems directed to controlling the rheology of settable compositions in subterranean formations. Embodiments include a method of controlling the rheology of a set-delayed cement composition, the method comprising: providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; shearing the set-delayed cement composition in an amount sufficient to substantially prevent solids settling; storing the set-delayed cement in a pumpable fluid state for at least 1 day; activating the set-delayed cement composition; introducing the set-delayed cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jason Pisklak, Samuel J. Lewis, Kyriacos Agapiou, Peter James Bou, Pauline Akinyi Otieno, Lance Everett Brothers, Ronnie Glen Morgan
  • Patent number: 9868954
    Abstract: Methods of inhibiting metastasis in cancer patients are provided, wherein the methods comprise reducing TGF? signaling, for example, by reducing TGF? receptor II expression in myeloid cells. Vectors comprising a TGF? receptor II RNAi nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a myeloid specific promoter also are provided. A method of diagnosing cancer in an individual by determining TGF? receptor II expression in myeloid cells in the individual is provided. Additionally, a method of modulating TGF? activity in myeloid cells in a cancer patient comprising administering a regulator of at least one of the GSK3 and PI3K pathways to the patient is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventor: Li Yang
  • Patent number: 9870427
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for publishing profiled content, where such profiled content can be personalized to individual members. Policies for displaying such content can be set by business personnel obviating the need to hard-code such policies by information technology personnel. These polices may stipulate that personalized content covering geographic information, products owned, products available, etc., may be arranged in various ways and at various times to enhance a member's experience with such content. Personalization may be initiated by member login information, where such login information allows for the matching up of a member's profile against stored data corresponding to such a profile. Once this matching up is accomplished, member personalized content can be displayed across various web pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Vaughn, Ajay Tejwani, Jeremy Keith Whitley, Matthew George Westerman, Todd O'Neill, Brady Carl Stephenson, Randal Lane Schnedler, Gopinath Khandavalli
  • Patent number: 9871837
    Abstract: A virtual space may be presented within a plurality of virtual environments provided by different platforms without requiring idiosyncratic APIs associated with the virtual space for each different platform. An API adaptor module may be configured to facilitate interfacing between a single virtual space API and platform APIs associated with two or more different platforms. A space module may be configured to execute an instance of a virtual space, and to implement the instance of the virtual space to determine view information defining views of the instance of the virtual space for presentation via two or more virtual environments provided by the two or more platforms. Facilitating user interactivity with the virtual space via a given virtual environment provided by a given platform may include interfacing between the virtual space API and a platform API associated with the given platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: D807911
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen Airdrawing Technology Service Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Bo Zhou, Xue-Mei Huang