Abstract: A fluid loss device including a flapper and seat assembly that provide a seal on a lower flapper surface when the flapper is closed and resists pressure in either direction. The flapper and seat assembly is spring biased to contact a flapper support above the flapper to resist deformation of the flapper due to a pressure differential from below the flapper. The flapper and seat assembly may be moved by tubing pressure to release an opening prop that opens the flapper. The valve seat may include an elastomeric seal element to improve the fluid flow restriction. The flapper and seat assembly is also biased upward by a pressure differential from below to above the flapper, to thereby increase the flapper to valve seat pressure as the fluid pressure differential increases.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-modal messaging for a wireless communication system. A wireless terminal is connected to a wireless access network, wherein the wireless terminal is capable of generating a voice request. A multi-modal message server is connected to the wireless access network for receiving the voice request generated by a user of the remote terminal. A voice recognition application is operable to identify words contained in the voice request. A response generation application uses the identified words to generate a response to the voice request. A unified messaging application is operable to interpret the response and generate a first and second response that is based on the contents of the response generated by the response generation application. The first and second responses are then transmitted to the wireless terminal in different communication formats.

Abstract: Fiber optic wet connector acceleration protection and tolerance compliance. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system for use in a subterranean well includes two assemblies, each having a fiber optic connector. A biasing device applies a biasing force which maintains the fiber optic connectors operatively connected to each other while the assemblies are secured to each other in the well.

Abstract: A safety valve lock out system and method. In a described embodiment, a method of locking out a safety valve in a subterranean well includes the steps of: flowing a hardenable fluid into the safety valve; and preventing a closure device of the safety valve from closing with the hardenable fluid.

Abstract: Prion infectivity adsorbed onto substrates (for example, chromatographic columns used to fractionate blood plasma) is removed by treatment with 2M sodium chloride. Optionally, the substrate is further washed with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: An image-based check processing software has the ability to create an electronic check form to be displayed, printed and/or exported to a file. Using various text fonts, such as the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) font, a new electronic form has been created from text data that has all the characteristics of a preauthorized draft. As computer and phone payments are processed by a financial institution, the virtual draft will be created if the routing/transit numbers of the paying institution accept images of checks as presentment through, for example, an image exchange program or the eventual printing of a substitute check. The transactions will then be routed to the financial institution who will import the necessary data to create the virtual check. The image will then be presented for payment.

Abstract: Air miles insurance allows customers to protect the value of their reward miles when a covered airline ceases operation and those reward miles are not honored by another carrier, or if a covered airline continues to operate, but discontinues its reward program and the miles are not honored by another carrier. This air miles insurance can be associated with a particular transaction account company. The number of miles lost by an enrolled customer may be deposited into a mileage bank for the customer, which is then credited to the customer's transaction account when an airline ticket is purchased. The number of miles may alternatively be exchanged for points in the transaction account company's rewards program. The number of points awarded may be equal to the number of airline miles that the customer lost. The customer may then redeem the rewards points according to the rules of the rewards program.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are used to issue and track debit cards. A system comprises an enrolling system that verifies an enrollee, associates an enrollee's main and overdraft account, and issues a debit card, an authentication system that receives information regarding a requested transaction of a debit card and that receives information regarding the main and overdraft account associated with the debit card and accepts or rejects the requested transaction based thereon, and a settlement system that generates a periodic report of at least one of the transactions, the main account, and the overdraft account. The overdraft account can be a charge or credit account.

Abstract: A wardrobe closet that assists users in selecting and purchasing clothing is provided. A radio frequency receiver scans tags embedded in clothing to identify the clothing. When a user removes an article of clothing from the wardrobe closet, the wardrobe closet suggests other articles of clothing that match the removed article of clothing. The wardrobe closet may also be connected to websites via the Internet. The wardrobe closet may determine the user's clothing needs and find clothing offered for sale at one or more web sites. The user is then allowed to purchase the clothing.

Abstract: A service-related merchant may link its rewards program to a transaction account held by a consumer. Points may be awarded to the transaction account at an accelerated earning rate for various types of spend by the consumer, such as every day spend and direct spend. Additionally, points earned through any use of the transactional card are deposited directly into the rewards program offered by the service provider, rather than a generic rewards program offered by the transactional card company. Accumulated points in the rewards program may then be used directly in exchange for goods and services provided by the merchant. Such exchange occurs directly between the customer and the service provider. VIP status in the service provider's reward program may be earned solely on the basis of spend using the transactional card, and does not require a minimum amount of direct spend with the service provider.

Abstract: Consumer, merchant, and transactional data from a closed loop network and external sources may be leveraged to increase demand of a merchant's inventory during normally low-demand periods. Extensive data mining is used to determine the excess merchant inventory and demand patterns at different times and different locations for merchants and groups of merchants. Similar data mining is used to analyze cardmember demand patterns to identify the cardmember preferences regarding when and where they which to purchase goods and/or services. Cardmembers may also be grouped based on their demand patterns. Using pricing as a lever, cardholders with specific preferences are targeted to shift the demand from peak periods and locations to non-peak periods and locations, and to increase the non-peak demand by location as well as time period. Higher precision may be obtained using product level transaction data from point-of-sale terminals used by merchants wherever applicable.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a method and system for the detection and location of unauthorized or otherwise targeted network devices on a network. According to aspects of the invention, the method disclosed herein consists of gathering a logical mapping of the devices on a computer network (which can be faked, spoofed or easily hidden) by mining data from the routers and switches on the network, and matching the logical mapping of the devices to the physical reality of the network environment which can't be easily hidden or spoofed. Based on the physical information acquired about the devices on the network, it is possible to identify devices that are either unauthorized or are otherwise targeted.

Abstract: A method for receiving payment from an account holder that does not require the account holder to write a check. The method includes the following steps: (a) issuing a periodic statement to the account holder, the statement including an amount owed by the account holder, checking account information of the account holder, and means for the account holder to authorize a deduction of a payment amount from the account holder's checking account; (b) receiving the periodic statement from the account holder, the received periodic statement including the account holder's authorization to deduct the payment amount from the account holder's checking account; and (c) deducting the payment amount from the account holder's checking account.

Abstract: Information such as financial information related to one or more accounts of one or more business units is compiled. The compiled information is converted into a predefined format and is uploaded on a database. One or more views of the information included in the database are generated based on user privileges. Customized views of the information are used by one or more users to monitor the performance of business units.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for authenticating a requestor using a previously-stored biometric print. Records are stored in a database, where each record contains a previously-stored biometric print corresponding to an individual and is disassociated from an identity of the individual. An identifier and a biometric sample are requested from the requester. The identifier is then used to locate one of the plurality of records corresponding to the requestor. The requestor is authenticated if the biometric sample matches the previously-stored biometric print.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to facilitate a purchase utilizing a flexible spending account, comprising the steps of: receiving, at a host computer, a request for payment authorization for an item; determining whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment; and when the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment: determining at least partial payment authorization for the item, transmitting the at least partial payment authorization for the item to a point of sale device; causing the flexible spending account to be debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization; and debiting a non-flexible spending account for an item not qualifying for pre-tax treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for drug screens to identify and characterize agents that are agonistic or antagonistic to activation of the promoter region of the NAG-1 gone. Activation of the NAG-1 gene is associated with the apoptotic elimination of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. The invention also provides novel promoter region sequences of the NAG-1 gene.

Abstract: A communication tool (100) includes a housing (102) having recesses (110) and a set of axial locating elements (112) radially extendable through the recesses (110) and engagably positionable within a profile of a tubing retrievable safety valve (50). An anti rotation device (140) is radially outwardly extendable relative to the housing (112). The anti rotation device (140) operably engages the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) to substantially prevent relative rotation between at least a portion of the communication tool (100) and the tubing retrievable safety valve (50). A cutting tool (148) is radially outwardly extendable relative to the housing (102). The cutting tool (148) is operable to create a fluid passageway (150) between a non annular hydraulic chamber (60) and an interior the tubing retrievable safety valve (50).