Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to obtain hole azimuth data or inclination data associated with a chassis (e.g., comprising a measurement or logging tool) in a borehole using interpolated data or survey data, and to determine magnetic field orientation of the chassis using a portion of the hole azimuth data, a portion of the inclination data, relative bearing data, and Earth magnetic field orientation data by reconstructing at least a portion of borehole magnetic field data that is corrupt or missing. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An information source alignment system may include a tree generation module executed by a computer system to generate a source category hierarchy tree for a source class in a first information source and a target category hierarchy tree for a target class in a second information source. The source and target category hierarchy trees may be constructed from a class hierarchy of a knowledge source. A class-similarity determination module may compare the source and target category hierarchy trees. An alignment module may determine whether the source and target classes are aligned based on the comparison of the source and target category hierarchy trees.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a visual key enables improved security and user-friendliness in defining a humanly readable visual code of characters. The method includes generating a random or pseudo random first arrangement of a plurality of symbols. An analysis is then conducted of the first arrangement to determine that no character of a predetermined character set is defined by the first arrangement. Next, an analysis is conducted of the first arrangement to determine that characters of the predetermined character set can be generated when the first arrangement is aligned with a second arrangement of a plurality of the symbols. A determination is then made, based on the above analyses, that the first arrangement is acceptable as a visual key.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a flow path between the interior of a base pipe and a filter medium. A valve assembly, including a valve plug, a ball retainer, and a piston body with a collet assembly is disposed within the flow path in an opening of a housing disposed about the base pipe. The collet assembly is radially outwardly constrained by a radially reduced section of the opening in a first position preventing entry of the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained by the radially reduced section in a second position. Reverse flow is initially prevented as internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on a seat of the opening and causes the piston body to shift to the second position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, external differential pressure causes the valve plug to enter the piston body and contact the ball retainer, thereby allowing reverse flow.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining risk. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for determining risk. The method may include receiving historical information relating to tax return data of a taxpayer. The method may also include updating one or more profiles associated with the historical information. The method may also include receiving current information relating to tax return data of the taxpayer. The method may also include querying the updated historical information based on the received current information. The method may further include processing historical information, received in response to the querying, together with the current information to generate one or more risk scores.

Abstract: A self-adapting soft-starter device includes an electric current limiter limiting electric current supplied to the motor to a preset maximum current limit, a ramp-up time determiner determining the actual ramp-up time of the electric motor, a storing device storing a preset minimum ramp-up time, a comparator comparing the determined actual ramp-up time with the preset reference ramp-up time, a replacing device replacing the preset maximum current limit with an auto-adapted current limit based upon the outcome of the comparison between the determined actual ramp-up time and the preset reference ramp-up time. The soft-starter automatically optimizes the maximum current limit driven by the motor to match its load requirements which is useful to cater for load variations with time during the lifetime of the product in the application by avoiding the need for human intervention to change the soft-starter settings. Wear and tear is also reduced, extending motor lifetime.

Abstract: A siderail assembly comprises a first siderail body and a second siderail body. The second siderail body is movably coupled to the first siderail body and configured to rotate between a first position and a second position with respect to the first siderail body about a rotational axis passing through the first siderail body. The second siderail body is positioned above the first siderail body in the first position and below the first siderail body in the second position.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products take into account the amount, term, and type of consumer loan, as well as data relating to a customer's credit score, debt burden, and collateral, if any. The invention then calculates an expected probability of default for a loan to that customer, and calculate loan terms that will deliver a minimum return on equity (e.g., 18%) given the lender's capital structure and funding rates. These loan terms are then offered to the customer. The customized loan terms include annual percentage rate of the loan, or a yearly fee or loan amount.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using an intelligent instrument is disclosed. An authorization server enables users to obtain authorization credentials through the use of the intelligent instrument by issuing a challenge to an intelligent token of the intelligent instrument. The intelligent token generates a challenge response and transmits the challenge response to the authorization server, which assembles credentials including a key for the electronic transaction upon validating the response. The authorization server sends the assembled credentials to the intelligent instrument and the intelligent instrument transmits the assembled credentials to the authorization server during a subsequent transaction. The authorization server validates the assembled credentials and provides authorization for the transaction in response to the validating the assembled credentials.

Abstract: A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The broadcast day is divided into dayparts according to specific time slots. The dayparts are assigned with specific daypart categories wherein multimedia is scheduled. The scheduling order can be configured to include a slotted by daypart scheduling technique to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations.

Abstract: A system and method which facilitates the reliable collection of data during a single appointment through a plurality of queries configured to obtain responses or present further queries as necessary to ultimately obtain all of the information required for generating a report in a format which satisfies the applicable standards.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to plug-and-abandon operations that use plugging compositions comprising cement kiln dust, pumicite, and/or lime. An embodiment includes a method of plugging a well bore for abandonment comprising: placing a plugging composition in the well bore, the plugging composition comprising: cement kiln dust in an amount of about 5% to about 100% by weight of cementitious components, pumicite in an amount of about 5% to about 100% by weight of cementitious components, 0% to about 24% of Portland cement by weight of cementitious components, and water; and allowing the plugging composition to set and form a plug.

Abstract: A system and method for proactively monitoring the status of packages shipped by a package delivery carrier including intervening when certain conditions arise. The system identifies certain packages are requiring proactive monitoring and intervention, and monitors a variety of conditions, including system-wide impacts and package-level specific impacts, which may necessitate intervention by carrier personnel. Intervention may include various exception handling actions, including upgrading the level of service, stabilizing the temperature of the package, inspecting damage to the package. The carrier may notify the consignee or consignor of such detected conditions and may then communicate with appropriate individuals involved with the package delivery to ascertain the most appropriate action necessary. The system facilitates communicating such information to appropriate carrier personnel.

Abstract: Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent dispensing modules for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound. The dispensing modules may include one or more pusher assemblies for dispensing product. Certain systems of this invention may also include a lockout feature, so that only one pusher assembly may be activated to dispense a product at one time.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising unexpanded perlite, cement kiln dust, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a well bore, the settable composition comprising ground unexpanded perlite, Portland cement interground with pumicite, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a settable composition comprising: ground unexpanded perlite; cement kiln dust; and water.

Abstract: A rig mat implements opposing winching ends having a surface extension that is co-planar with the working surface of the rig mat. Such a co-planar surface can be a rectangular hollow tubing, the top surface of which forms the co-planar surface and a sidewall which forms a depending abutting member. The co-planar surface and the depending member enable the winching ends to form a substantially continuous planar interface between abutting winching ends of adjacent rig mats to minimize discontinuity therebetween. Fabrication is simplified and savings in weight are realized.

Abstract: Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. A mutual fund rating company can use this CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to predict the performance of funds that invest in a particular industry or sector. In addition, since mutual funds often provide guidelines for selecting stocks, rating companies can use this modeling approach to predict the performance of companies in a fund's portfolio.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a communications line associated with two or more users. These methods and systems include receiving first user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a first address book, the first address book associated with the first user. Further, these methods and systems include receiving second user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a second address book, the second address book associated with the second user.