Abstract: A method for conducting a secure transaction over a network includes the steps of receiving a price and a transaction identifier from a merchant, the transaction identifier identifying a purchase selection made by a user, receiving a user identifier from a user, receiving a financial institution selection from the user, initiating a communication session with the selected financial institution, receiving a financial-institution user-identifier from the user, communicating the financial-institution user-identifier to the selected financial institution, communicating to the selected financial institution a request to transfer funds, receiving the funds from the selected financial institution, and sending the funds to the merchant.

Abstract: A system for processing a call from a subscriber in a telecommunication network includes a service-oriented architecture-based orchestrator configured to communicate with legacy communication platforms and next-generation communication platforms, and to an application layer or intelligent network (IN) portion of the telecommunication network. The orchestrator is configured to receive a multi-part service request corresponding to the call from the subscriber, where the multi-part service request includes multiple individual service requests. A service database is configured to provide an identity and network location of multiple control points (service control points, telco control points), where each control point corresponds to an individual service request. Protocol adapters provide a communication interface with each control point, and with the core network.

Abstract: Methods are provided that include, but are not limited to, methods of treating guar splits comprising: exposing guar splits to a treatment chemical to create treated guar splits, wherein the treatment chemical comprises at least one treatment chemical selected from the group consisting of: an aqueous salt solution; a caustic solution, and a derivatizing agent; and grinding the treated guar splits to create ground, treated guar splits.

Abstract: A wellbore servicing method comprises converting a water into an electrochemically activated water, preparing a wellbore servicing composition comprising the electrochemically activated water, and placing the wellbore servicing composition in a wellbore. Also, a cement composition comprises a cement and an electrochemically activated water.

Abstract: A payment authentication service authenticates the identity of a payer during online transactions. The authentication service allows a card issuer to verify a cardholder's identity using a variety of authentication methods, such as the use of passwords. Also, the only system participant requiring a certificate is the issuing financial institution. Authenticating the identity of a cardholder during an online transaction involves querying an access control server to determine if a cardholder is enrolled in the payment authentication service, requesting a password from the cardholder, verifying the password, and notifying a merchant whether the cardholder's authenticity has been verified. A chip card and the authentication service independently generate cryptograms to match in order for the service to verify that the correct chip card is being used by the cardholder.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The apparatus and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a first reference node and a second reference node communicatively coupled to the first reference node by at least one network path, the reference nodes being configured to support transmission of a packet flow between one another over the network path. Each of the reference nodes is configured to count data packets received, the data packets being associated with the packet flow, and to latch a count of a number of the data packets received. The system includes a monitoring protocol configured to request the reference nodes to latch the respective counts. The monitoring protocol is further configured to retrieve the respective counts from the reference nodes and use the counts to determine a packet delivery measurement associated with the transmission of the packet flow between the reference nodes.

Abstract: Nitroxyl donating compounds are administered prior to the onset of ischemia for the prevention and/or reduction of ischemia/reperfusion injury in subjects at risk for ischemia. Nitroxyl donors also are administered to organs to be transplanted for the prevention and/or reduction of ischemia/reperfusion injury upon reperfusion in a recipient. Nitroxyl donors include any nitroxyl donating compound. In particular cases the nitroxyl donor is a nitroxyl-donating diazeniumdiolate, such as Angeli's salt or IPA/NO.

Abstract: A bed for use with a patient coupled to a medical device via at least one patient care line is provided. The bed includes a frame including at least one movable patient support section and an actuator coupled to the movable patient support section. The actuator is operable to move the movable patient support section. The bed also includes control circuitry that is coupled to the actuator to command operation of the actuator. The control circuitry ceases operation of the actuator in response to receiving a signal indicative of an unwanted condition of the at least one patient care line.

Abstract: Of the methods provided herein, is a method comprising: providing a clean-up fluid comprising a peroxide-generating compound and an aqueous base fluid; placing the clean-up fluid in a subterranean formation; removing contaminants from at least a portion of the subterranean formation to form a cleaned portion of the formation; providing a consolidation agent; placing the consolidation agent on at least a portion of the cleaned portion of the formation; and allowing the consolidation agent to adhere to at least a plurality of unconsolidated particulates in the cleaned portion of the formation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to select an amount of imaging coverage associated with a substantially tubular object and a rotary scanner coupled to a telemetry system. Determining circumferential and longitudinal scan sampling intervals to provide substantially full coverage of the substantially tubular object may be included. Waveform sampling and transducer driving waveform parameters may also be determined according to an available data transmission bandwidth associated with the telemetry system.

Abstract: An expression editor tool allows a user to build an expression or calculation with a rule that specifies an action programmed to occur during execution of a target application. The expression editor tool allows a user to define an action point definition that specifies an action point located in the target application logic instructions. The expression editor tool determines from the action point definition a dataset that is in-context at the action point, provides an expression definition interface to obtain selected data fields from the dataset, and a selected logical operator to connect the selected data fields used to construct a new expression. The expression editor tool provides an outcome selection interface used to obtain a selected outcome for the new expression in order to create a rule including the new expression and the selected outcome, and store the rule in the database linked to the action point definition.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a workstation management application. An identification of a user is obtained in a user interface. A listing of workstations that the user has accessed is rendered in the user interface. A selection of one of the workstations is obtained in the user interface. A listing of management tasks configured for the workstation is rendered in the user interface. One of a plurality of management tools is launched to perform a selected one of the management tasks for the workstation.

Abstract: An open hole completion apparatus (80) includes an outer tubing string (56) disposed in an open hole portion of a wellbore (32). The outer tubing string (56) includes a sand control screen (102) and a shrouded closing sleeve (91). An inner tubing string (84) is at least partially disposed within the outer tubing string (56). The inner tubing string (84) includes a crossover assembly (114). The shrouded closing sleeve (91) has a shroud (92) that creates a channel (98) with a portion of the outer tubing string (56) by extending over a fluid port (94) of the shrouded closing sleeve (91) toward the sand control screen (102), such that when a treatment fluid is pumped through the inner tubing string (84), the crossover assembly (114) and the fluid port (94), the treatment fluid is injected into the wellbore (32) remote from the fluid port (94).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method capable of providing an estimated premium without extensive and repetitive questioning. The present invention utilizes unique assumptions to dramatically reduce the amount of information that must be provided by the customer. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a mainframe computer system, an application server, and an external rules management system to interact with the customer via an attractive graphic user interface. Once logged onto the website of the present invention, the customer may choose to engage in a fast quote process which utilizes assumptions, driver information, and vehicle information to assess the risk associated with insuring the customer and then calculates an estimated cost to insure.

Abstract: A method for proofing a prototype dynamic webpage version referencing first configuration data is disclosed. The prototype dynamic webpage can be derived from a live version referencing second configuration data and accessible via a live link. The method includes storing first configuration data in a configuration database also containing second configuration data, providing a prototype link to the prototype dynamic webpage version dissimilar from the live link; and returning, upon a prototype link request, the prototype dynamic webpage version, involving rendering the prototype dynamic webpage version based on the first configuration data without altering the live dynamic webpage version. Also disclosed is a dynamic webpage versioning system working off a configuration database and distinct versions of configuration data.

Abstract: Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for a first business entity to provide a network-based supply chain framework for collaborative order management between at least a second and a third independent business entity, such as a service provider, vendor, reseller, manufacturer and the like. A request for an order is received over a network with an automated system, from at least a second business entity. The order is transmitted over a network, with an automated system, to at least the third business entity. Information is received from the third business entity relating to a status of completion of the order by the third business entity using a network. The progress in completing the order is tracked based on the information received from the third business entity. Progress reports from the tracking are generated periodically; and transmitted to the second business entity using the network.

Abstract: The present invention allows an applicant to apply for an account based service via a network connection. When an applicant applies for the account based service, he or she is supplied with features that enhance the value of the account based service. The applicant may select from the features provided, determine how this selection may affect the value of the account based service in relation to its cost and determine if he or she wishes to receive the account based service with the added features. Examples of account based services include credit cards, insurance accounts and telecommunications accounts.

Abstract: A method for initializing the input of each of m receiver channels of a receiving transducer in a well logging tool comprising the steps of selecting a logging tool having a multi-element receiving transducer wherein each element of the multi-element receiving transducer operates in an anti-resonant mode below its resonant frequency, and executing a routine in an initialization mode wherein a predetermined number of run cycles are operated and receiver input responses are measured and averaged for each of the m channels while transmitter firing signals are disabled.