Abstract: A flow tube is axially moveable within an actuator body between a first axial position and a second axial position for actuating a downhole tool, such as for closing a subsurface safety valve. The flow tube includes an interior flow bore for conveying fluids from the tubing string through the actuator body. An external flow tube profile defined on the flow tube includes an upper shoulder for engagement with a wiper in the first axial position, a lower shoulder for engagement with the wiper in the second axial position, and a clearance path between the upper and lower shoulders for allowing viscous flow past the wiper when the flow tube is moved between the first and second axial positions.

Abstract: A multipurpose latch assembly (MPLA) for installation above the bore of a blowout preventer includes an annular sidewall extending between a top flange and a bottom flange and having an interior bore surface defining an interior bore. A plurality of latching slots extend through the sidewall and a latching dog is slidably positioned in each latching slot. Actuators are connected to the latching dogs to extend and retract them through the latching slots. A tool having an external slot can be inserted into the bore of the MPLA and selectively engaged by the latching dogs to secure the tool in the bore of above the blowout preventer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for presenting user specific information based on mobile device proximity to short-range wireless technology beacons. For example, by determining the proximity of a mobile device to a short-range wireless technology beacon, user specific information may be displayed on a user interface such that a user may have easy access to user specific information without the need to rely on their mobile device for such access, thereby conserving mobile device battery life and improving the experience of the user.

Abstract: A system includes at least one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readable media communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. In an embodiment, the at least one non-transitory computer-readable media stores instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to perform operations including receiving a request to insure an item of personal property. The operations also include determining ownership of the item based on information stored on a distributed ledger. The operations also include determining authenticity of the item based on the information stored on the distributed ledger. The operations also include determining a value of the item based on the information stored on the distributed ledger. The operations also include generating an insurance policy for the item based at least in part on the value.

Abstract: In some implementations, a storage optimization system may receive a plurality of emails. Accordingly, the system may identify at least one email associated with a limited capacity in the plurality of emails. The system may further scan, from the at least one email, one or more hyperlinks to determine a website associated with the at least one email and an identifier associated with an event. The system may determine, using a database, a traversal path and at least one application programming interface (API) call associated with the website. Accordingly, the system may traverse the website using the traversal path and the at least one API using the identifier to determine that the limited capacity is filled. The system may delete the at least one email associated with the limited capacity based on determining that the limited capacity is filled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating payment transactions using quick-response (QR) codes are provided. A first machine readable code encoding first data generated by an access device is scanned by a communication device. The communication device generates a cryptogram based on the first data encoded within the first machine readable code. The communication device then obtains financial credentials data from a payment application being executed on the communication device. A second machine readable code encoding second data comprising the financial credentials data and the cryptogram is then generated. The second machine readable code is displayed on a display of the communication device, wherein the second machine readable code is scanned by the access device.

Abstract: A system for remediating a bus sectioning events, such as a bus failure or controlled sectioning, comprises a plurality of nodes coupled together by a bus in a tool string used in a bottom hole assembly (BHA). Each node comprises a bus switch configured to isolate the node from a section of the bus. Upon a bus sectioning event, a first sub-tool string and a second sub-tool string are created on either side of the bus section to be isolated, each of which independently operate in parallel. Communication between the first and second sub-tool buses is established through respective nodes connected to each sub-tool bus that comprise a wireless communication transceiver configured to convey signals along the tool string. Alternatively or additionally, each of the sub-tool buses has a node with telemetry for communicating with the surface. Accordingly, each of the sub-tool busses continues independently operating normally.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for decentralizing the authentication or verification of data. An identity key can be generated for a data item. A request can then be sent to an authentication provider for authentication of the data item, the request comprising the identity key and the data item. A verified claim for the data item can then be received in response. Subsequently, an identity document is generated, the identity document comprising the identity key for the data item and the verified claim. Finally, the identity document can be stored in a distributed ledger.

Abstract: Metal containing transaction cards or smartcards (SC) having a slit (S) formed in a metal layer (ML) or metal card body (MCB) which extends from a perimeter edge of the card body to a transponder chip module (TCM), wherein the path of the slit (S) extends to an area underneath a module antenna (MA) of the TCM. The slit (S) does not reach a module opening (MO) for the transponder chip module (TCM). The slit enters the area of the module antenna (MA) overlapping its windings or tracks and follows the form and path of the module antenna (MA). In some embodiments, the module opening (MO) may be omitted. The shape of the module opening (MO) may be other than rectangular, and it may have at least two parallel sides.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring the authenticity of imaged documents by embedding data into the images of such documents. The embedded data can then be extracted and decoded, and used to determine whether a particular document may be fraudulent. The documents may be checks, money orders, contracts, invoices, titles or other legal documents that may need to have their authenticity confirmed to prevent, for example, forged or otherwise false documents from being accepted as genuine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating loss reporting and resolution are described. In some embodiments, a method includes identifying a bounded geographical area affected by a weather event potentially causing property losses to customers of an insurer. The weather event may have an intensity profile in the bounded geographical area. The method further includes generating a customer density profile in the bounded geographical area and predicting resource utilization based on the customer density profile and the weather event intensity profile in the bounded geographical area.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for improvements to authenticate users, particularly authenticating a user based on data known to the user. For example, methods and systems allow for users to be securely authenticated based on data known to the users over remote communication networks without storing the data known to the users. Specifically, methods and systems authenticate users by requiring users to select images that are known to the users. For example, the methods and systems may generate synthetic images based on the user's own images and require the user to select the synthetic image, from a set of a set of images, that is known to the user to authenticate the user. Moreover, the methods and systems alleviate storage and privacy concerns by not storing the data known to the users.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a bottom hole assembly that comprises a housing and a caliper arm. The caliper arm is pivotally coupled to the housing at a hinge disposed within the housing, wherein the caliper arm is operable to rotate about the hinge between a first position within the housing and a second position external to the housing. The bottom hole assembly further comprises a linear actuator coupled to the caliper arm and operable to extend the caliper arm to the second position, wherein the caliper arm is biased to remain in the second position in contact with a borehole wall. The bottom hole assembly further comprises a sensor disposed within the housing and operable to monitor a position of the caliper arm.

Abstract: A device may determine that a user has a threshold level of interest in a type of product. The device may receive an image of a face of the user, may perform a facial recognition analysis of the image, and may determine identification information of the user based on the facial recognition analysis. The device may identify account information associated with the user based on the identification information and may identify a product in an inventory that is associated with the type of product. The device may perform a preauthorization process associated with a transaction involving the product and the user based on the account information, and may perform an action associated with the transaction based on the preauthorization process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a security policy at a gateway are disclosed. A server computer and a gateway can perform a protocol in order to train a security model at a gateway, such that it can detect attack packets and prevent those attack packets from reaching the server computer via the gateway. In a learning phase, the server computer can provide training packets and test packets to the gateway. The gateway can use the training packets to train a security model, and the gateway can classify the test packets using the security model in order to test its accuracy. When the server computer is satisfied with the accuracy of the security policy, the server computer can transmit an acceptance of the security policy to the gateway, which can subsequently deploy the model in order to detect and filter attack packets.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a method and system for determining viscosity information of fluids. The present disclosure utilizes an intensity modulated continuous wave (CW) laser diode-based PA sensing method to obtain a continuous wave photoacoustic (CWPA) spectra. Through this CWPA spectra, a full width half maximum (FWHM) and a spectral area is determined to obtain the information about the viscosity of fluids. Although, the CWPA based sensing technique is used for distinguishing different types of abnormalities in tissues, so far it is not used for measuring viscosity which is an important thermo-physical property. The viscosity information of the fluids from the normalized Gaussian fitted CWPA spectra is based on a viscosity feature computed from a FWHM, and a spectral area. The viscosity feature improves the good of fit parameter (R2) significantly to 0.98 as compared to the traditional only FWHM based viscosity determination for which R2 is 0.91.

Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a ball seat release apparatus. The ball seat release apparatus, according to this embodiment, includes a shear sleeve having a recess pocket and a ball seat body slidingly engaged within the shear sleeve, the ball seat body configured to move from a first linear position to a second linear position. The ball seat body further includes a longitudinal fluid passageway, a ball seat located in the longitudinal fluid passageway, one or more first fluid bypass ports coupling the longitudinal fluid passageway and an exterior of the ball seat body, the one or more first fluid bypass ports located on a first side of the ball seat, and one or more second fluid bypass ports coupling the longitudinal fluid passageway and the exterior of the ball seat body, the one or more second fluid bypass ports located on a second opposing side of the ball seat.

Abstract: According to certain aspects of the disclosure, a computer-implemented method may be used for providing a vehicle recommendation based on user gestures. The method may include displaying at least one image of a vehicle to a user and receiving at least one gesture from the user performed on the at least one image of the vehicle. Additionally, the method may include assigning a value to the at least one gesture from the user and determining a feature of the vehicle based on the at least one gesture from the user. Additionally, the method may include receiving gesture information related to the at least one gesture and determining a vehicle preference of the user based on the value, the feature of the vehicle, and the gesture information. Additionally, the method may include identifying at least one available vehicle based on the vehicle preference of the user and displaying the at least one available vehicle to the user.

Abstract: When a child well is hydraulically fractured near the depleted reservoir volume surrounding a previously produced parent well, it is economically efficient to deliver proppant to the formation volume and fractures not reached by the parent well. A fracture length, which is the distance fluid travels from the child well to the depleted region, is calculated as a function of fracture stage. From identified trends in fracture length, fracture length for future stages can be predicted. Based on predicted fracture length, the slurry or treatment volume to cause well interference can be estimated. Proppant concentration or fracturing stage design can be adjusted so that the well interference volume is larger than the treatment volume and proppant is efficiently delivered to the child well fractures.

Abstract: Seal elements for establishing fluid seals in a wellbore may be constructed of expandable metal materials. For example, an elongated gland of expandable metal may replace some or all the components in a packing stack of a locking mandrel. The gland may be recessed within the locking mandrel, or narrower than a seal bore of a landing nipple, such that the gland is protected from damage as the locking mandrel passes through landing nipples to reach a target landing nipple. The expandable metal may be induced to chemically react with a brine or other water-based fluid to form metal hydroxides and may thus create a seal with the target landing nipple. Once an intended purpose of the locking mandrel has been achieved, a pressure reversal may be employed to break the seal and/or a mild acid may be introduced to accelerate dissolving of the expandable metal seal.