Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating running or pulling tubulars from a well bore whereby the functions of a surface mounted traditional spider/elevator are replaced by an FMS which may also be remotely controlled. The FMS comprises a main body consisting of upper and lower plates assembled in a bolted and welded configuration, a slip assembly each said slip assembly comprising a slip back, a slip, one or more die inserts, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and multiple sized die blocks to conform to the tubular OCTG diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating running or pulling tubulars from a well bore whereby the manual operations or functions normally performed by a human are undertaken by the THD and may including remote control or manipulation. The THD comprises an elevator assembly (THD) with a main body consisting of upper and lower plates, a scissor assembly and multiple sized die blocks to conform to the tubular diameter. The THD can be used as a transfer elevator to position the tubular for engagement by the make-up assembly, can be outfitted to perform as a safety clamp or restraining device and also configured as a tubular stabbing arm as required by the operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling an upright container having a base and an open top with a number of similar articles from an elevated source includes an inlet and an auger assembly. The inlet is adapted to be proximate the elevated source of the similar articles such that the articles enter the apparatus therethrough. The auger includes a substantially helical ramp disposed about a shaft. The auger is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shaft and is translatable along the longitudinal axis. An end of the auger is disposed proximate the container and includes a discharge through which the articles are discharged into the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for three-dimensional video coding and multi-view video coding are disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention derive a unified disparity vector (DV) based on neighboring blocks of the current block or depth information associated with the current block and locate a single corresponding block in a reference view according to the unified DV. An inter-view motion vector prediction (MVP) candidate is then derived for both list0 and list1 from the single corresponding block. List0 and list1 MVs of the inter-view MVP candidate are derived from the single corresponding block located according to the unified DV.

Abstract: A method of selecting an active SIM from multiple SIMs and a wireless device utilizing the same are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring SIM information associated with each SIM under a dynamic environment, wherein each SIM provides for the PS data service; calculating a SIM score of each SIM based on the acquired SIM information associated with each SIM; and selecting the active SIM based on all SIM scores to provide for the PS data service. The SIM information includes RSSI, RSCP, Ec/N0, CQI, and data speed on each SIM in the dynamic environment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to load cell assemblies configured for measuring loads or weight associated with a semi-trailer. In one embodiment, a load cell assembly includes a shear plate load cell configured to be coupled between a frame and a support member of the semi-trailer. The shear plate load cell detects or measures the trailer's weight with a sensor positioned on a strain sensing section of a plate. The strain sensing section is positioned at a location offset from the plate's centerline. The shear plate load cell is accordingly configured to provide an ideal moment balance that allows accurate load measurements independent of where the load is applied relative to the load cell or the support member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game. The electronic gaming device can comprise a multi-player game engine that does not distinguish between virtual players and live players. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.

Abstract: A power converter includes a wave generator, a low pass filter, a first control circuit, and a second control circuit. The wave generator receives an input voltage, and converts the input signal into a wave signal according to a first control signal and a second control signal. The low pass filter filters the wave signal to generate an output voltage. The first control circuit generates the first control signal according to the wave signal and the output voltage. The second control circuit generates the second control signal according to the wave signal and the output voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-emitting diode (LED) driving circuit. The LED driving circuit includes a switching element configured to provide or interrupt input power to an LED, a first sensing element connected to the LED and configured to generate a feedback voltage corresponding to a current flowing through the LED, a controller having the same reference voltage as the first sensing element and configured to control an on/off operation of the switching element on the basis of the feedback voltage, and a first inductor and a diode connected to the LED and configured to provide the LED with a current induced during the on operation if the switching element is turned off.

Abstract: Methods for determining reference type of each image unit and adjusting the corresponding lambda table of the reference type are disclosed. Embodiments according to the invention are used to improve the quality of video compression or reduce the requirement of memory buffer, memory power or computation power. The reference type is determined based on the encoder system information or image unit information. The frame/slice type structure of a video sequence is adjusted according to the image unit information of encoded frames or together with input frames. By fine-tuning the mode decision process, the coding efficiency can be improved. The mode decision process is modified by adaptively adjusting the lambda table. The lambda table is adaptively determined according to the conventional image unit type (such as Intra coded, predicted or bi-directional predicted type) and the reference type determined.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a wound-care assembly The wound-care assembly includes a base layer. A film layer is operatively coupled to the base layer and a fluid conductor is in fluid communication with a wound and a vacuum source. The wound-care assembly further includes a fiber-optic patch comprising a plurality of fiber-optic strands. The fiber-optic strands are pressed into contact with an interior surface of the wound by the fluid conductor. The fiber-optic patch provides ultraviolet light to the wound and the relative vacuum is applied to the wound via the vacuum source and the fluid conductor.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to new semiconducting polymers. The polymers disclosed herein can exhibit high carrier mobility and/or efficient light absorption/emission characteristics, and can possess certain processing advantages such as solution-processability and/or good stability at ambient conditions.

Abstract: A common interface (CI)/conditional access (CA) module is used to transmit a conditional access data/command and a transport stream in an interleaving manner between a common interface card and an integrated circuit module having a conditional access module. With the aid of the CI/CA module, a same port can be shared for transmitting the conditional access data/command and the transport stream, instead of using two different and separated ports.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.

Abstract: A method for transform processing in video coding is disclosed. Embodiments according to the present invention reduce the computational complexity of determining transform size for a processing block corresponding to a prediction block or a coding block. The transform size determination is based on encoder information or external information without comparing costs associated with different transform sizes. The encoder information can be the size of the processing block or the prediction information. The external information may correspond to the system bandwidth, the network bandwidth, the system power, the remaining energy of the battery in a mobile device, the timing budget related to performing transform for a given transform size. In another embodiment, the transform for each prediction block is performed only during cost evaluation or only during video data reconstruction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniature light sensing assembly comprising a light sensing device, a computing device and a connecting member. The light sensing device comprises a main body having an entrance, a light detecting unit disposed in the main body and receiving light travelling through the entrance, a processing module disposed in the main body and converting the light into a photoelectric signal, a connecting unit disposed on the main body, and a signal transmitting module transmitting the photoelectric signal wirelessly. The connecting member is adapted to couple with the light sensing device through the connecting unit. The photoelectric signal is transmitted from the signal transmitting module to the computing device wirelessly and converted into information required by a user by the computing device.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device arranged for eliminating wireless noise interference is provided. The electronic device includes a circuit board and two first metal components. The metal components are arranged on different sides of the circuit board. Each of the first metal components comprises a first terminal and a second terminal opposite to the first terminal The first terminal is coupled to the circuit board and the second terminal is open loop. The length of the first metal component is about one-fourth wavelength of a pre-determined frequency.