Abstract: A method of determining whether a scale in a fluid handling device needs to be calibrated includes weighing a storage tank of fluid a first time with a scale, transferring the fluid from the storage tank to an area of known volume, weighing the storage tank at a second time with the scale, after fluid has been moved to the area of known volume, determining the pressure of the fluid in the area of known volume with a pressure sensor, calculating a temperature of the fluid in the area of known volume with the determined pressure, calculating the weight of fluid in the area of known volume based on the calculated temperature, calculating the weight of fluid in the area of known volume based on the determined temperature and temperature, comparing a difference in weight of the storage tank between the first and second weighing times with the weight of the fluid in the area of known volume; and sending a first signal to a user indicating a calibration of the scale is not needed if the difference between the compar

Abstract: A well tool can include a flow path, and a flow blocking device which selectively prevents flow through the flow path. The device can include an anhydrous boron compound. A method of constructing a downhole well tool can include forming a structure of a solid mass comprising an anhydrous boron compound, and incorporating the structure into the well tool.

Abstract: An upgradeable A/C maintenance system and methodology is provided including one or more modular manifolds for mounting and fluidly connecting several components. Embodiments include first and second manifolds, each for removably mounting a plurality of components, and each comprising an internal passage for fluidly connecting at least two of the plurality of components to each other, and a port for fluidly connecting the internal passage to an external surface of the first manifold. The first and second manifolds are removably attachable to each other such that their respective ports fluidly communicate with each other. The first manifold provides a first functionality for the system when the second manifold is not attached to the first manifold, and the second manifold provides a second functionality different from the first functionality when the second manifold is attached to the first manifold.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.

Abstract: Cement compositions comprising carboxylated inulin and methods of using the same to cement a workspace. In one embodiment, a method of cementing includes providing a cement composition comprising a carboxylated inulin, for example, in a subterranean formation. The method further includes allowing the cement composition to set. In some embodiments, the cement composition has a thickening time of from about 2 hours to about 11 hours. In other embodiments, the cement composition has a viscosity that is about constant for a period of time after the cement composition is placed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating risk assessment for point of sale transactions utilizing at least one risk triggering value (RTV) is disclosed. An RTV is a condensed version of a set of complex risk data and strategies usually found in central processing sites. After receiving a request for payment authorization, a risk value is calculated for the request. The distributed processing site compares the risk value to the RTV to determine whether to authorize payment. If the risk value is less than or equal to the RTV, the payment is authorized while a risk value greater than the RTV will not be authorized. The central site calculates a new RTV for the account and distributes the new RTV to the distributed processing site.

Abstract: Recurring loan payments (e.g., mortgage payments) through a transaction card account is disclosed. Information is received at a transaction account system from a loan company system corresponding to an application received at the loan company system from a requester for a loan involving automatic debits to a transaction card account. A determination is made as to whether the requestor is eligible for the loan to be associated with a transaction card account. If not, the customer receives a communication of rejection. If eligible, a determination is made whether the transaction account system has stored therein a transaction card account of the requester. If no, a transaction card account is opened for the requestor and associated with the loan. If yes, the loan payment is associated with the transaction card account bill.

Abstract: Various method embodiments move web equipment from a first web processing station to a second web processing station. According to a method embodiment, the web equipment is raised away from the first web processing station, where raising includes rotating the web equipment about a rotary axis. The rotary axis is linearly moved along a linear axis. The web equipment is lowered toward the second web processing station, wherein lowering includes rotating the web equipment about the rotary axis. Various embodiments move a laser head from one web processing station into operational position at another web processing station.

Abstract: A method and system for integrating data across different systems is disclosed. Data in a plurality of databases are integrated by identifying the common data elements with equivalent semantics and selecting a preferred syntax for the data. A new record including the common data elements and data with preferred syntax is made available to users.

Abstract: A method of drilling and completing a well can include drilling a section of a wellbore, positioning a perforated shroud in the section of the wellbore, securing the perforated shroud by setting a hanger, and isolating the section of the wellbore from a remainder of the wellbore vertically above the section of the wellbore. The drilling, positioning, securing and isolating steps can be performed while the section of the wellbore is not exposed to a liquid column extending to a surface location. The drilling, positioning, securing and isolating steps can be performed in a single trip of a drill string into the wellbore.

Abstract: A highly controlled and precise system, device and method for tissue and cellular alteration and treatment below or at surfaces with a laser. The present invention is characterized by ultra low levels of collateral damage as defined by physiologically relevant tests that measure tissue viability. The operation of the present invention is based on spectrally confining the interaction between laser energy and a targeted tissue including an essential element for physiologically relevant tests for monitoring tissue viability.

Abstract: A system and method is described for controlling user access to a carrier's shipping services for delivery of a package. The system controls the user's access to the carrier's services by either limiting the selection of locations from which a package can be shipped to fewer than those described by the carrier's service area, or by limiting the user's ability to select shipping service levels to fewer than those provided by the carrier. Such limitation may be by way of displaying only a limited collection of ship from locations and service levels, or by pre-populating and locking ship from information submission fields on a web page. The distributed-user shipping system may reside on a client server or mobile computer that is connected to the carrier's server and transmits various shipping location information and service level selections to the carrier to facilitate shipping of packages while controlling the scope of shipping services provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in secure electronic communication. The method may include obtaining a password shared with an intended key exchange entity and sending a key exchange request including a first value to the intended key exchange entity. The method may also include receiving a key exchange reply including a permutation of a first quadratic residue of the first value, and calculating a second quadratic residue of the first value based on the key exchange reply. Further, the method may also include determining a second value shared with the key exchange entity based on the first quadratic residue and the second quadratic residue.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to couple a tubular member to a bottom hole assembly, dispose at least one adjustable stabilizing member on the tubular member, and control at least one of a radial extension of the adjustable stabilizing member and an axial position of the adjustable stabilizing member relative to the bottom hole assembly to adjust a borehole trajectory, wherein the adjustable stabilizing member is adjustable in both radial and axial directions. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a system and method of synchronizing cryptographic operation between a transmitter and a receiver. A transmitter can communicate encrypted data to a receiver according to a first communications protocol, and communicate a transmitter number and a portion of the encrypted data to the receiver according to a second communications protocol. The receiver can be in communication with a memory space containing locations that are each associated with an encrypted data and that can contain a previous receiver number. The receiver can receive transmitted encrypted data and an associated transmitter number and can search the memory space to find a location wherein the encrypted data associated with the location is entirely, or in part, the same as the transmitted encrypted data. When such a location is found, the receiver can compare the transmitter number with the previous receiver number stored in the location.

Abstract: Methods of placing computer equipment within a server room. The methods may comprise receiving a reservation request for a first piece of computer equipment and selecting a first zone of the server room. The reservation request may specify a type of the first piece of computer equipment. Also, the power dissipated by computer equipment currently present in the first zone plus a power dissipated by the first piece of computer equipment may be less than a maximum power capacity of the first zone. The methods may also comprise selecting a first cabinet within the first zone. The first cabinet may comprise free physical space sufficient for the first piece of computer equipment. In addition, the methods may comprise reserving a portion of the first cabinet for the first piece of computer equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securement of lines to downhole well tools. A method of securing one or more lines to a well tool includes the steps of: installing the one or more lines in a groove formed longitudinally along an outer surface of the well tool, the groove having a width at the outer surface of the well tool which is narrower than a width of the groove at a position radially inward relative to the outer surface; and securing the one or more lines in the groove. A well tool includes a groove formed longitudinally along an outer surface of an outer housing of the well tool. The groove has a width at the outer surface of the well tool which is narrower than a width of the groove at a position radially inward relative to the outer surface. One or more lines are secured in the groove.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for radar pulse compression signal processing. Methods include generating a function that quantifies radar signal characteristics and using a processor to calculate time-domain derivatives of the function in the frequency domain. Methods also include generating a function that quantifies radar signal characteristics as a sum of sidelobe levels; and using a processor to control the sidelobe levels by obtaining gradients of the function in the spectral domain.

Abstract: A system implemented on one or more computer processors for integrated purchasing of vehicles and vehicle insurance may comprise at least one subsystem configured for electronically receiving vehicle searching criteria, at least one subsystem configured for electronically providing available vehicles based on searching criteria, at least one subsystem configured for electronically receiving a vehicle selection of the provided available vehicles, at least one subsystem configured for automatically providing a financing quote for purchase of the vehicle selected, and at least one subsystem configured for automatically providing an insurance quote for the vehicle selected.