Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layered image assembly and a marketing method are provided including a passive consumer behavior tracking method without requiring an “opt-in” process. The layered image assembly includes a base layer and a top layer with an inner area formed between. An opening is provided within a perimeter of the base layer to provide access to the inner layer. The inner layer is provided with a media that may comprise coupons, offers, advertisements, collapsible springs, animated collapsible springs having an image, etc. The media may include one or more symbols for conveying information. The layered image assembly may be attached to an item, such as a substrate, envelope, package, magazine, etc. The customer information relating to the item may be associated, or merged, with the information from the one or more symbols from the media. This merging of information may be used to track customer purchases, customer information, and the like.

Abstract: Drill bits and methods for sampling sensor data associated with the state of a drill bit are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit body and a shank. The shank further includes a central bore formed through an inside diameter of the shank and configured for receiving a data analysis module. The data analysis module comprises a plurality of sensors, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured for executing computer instructions to collect the sensor data by sampling the plurality of sensors, analyze the sensor data to develop a severity index, compare the sensor data to at least one adaptive threshold, and modify a data sampling mode responsive to the comparison. A method comprises collecting sensor data by sampling a plurality of physical parameters associated with a drill bit state while in various sampling modes and transitioning between those sampling modes.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for supporting a drill bit for repair. The spindle assembly includes a plurality of stepped segments of ever-decreasing diameter above a base, each segment sized to be received in a bore of a service cap inserted in the shank of a bit to be repaired. An end-cap for carrying an electronics module includes an end-cap body comprising a bore of similar diameter to the service cap bore diameter, but having one or more lugs protruding radially thereinto to prevent a spindle segment from entering the end cap bore so that the drill bit cannot be supported on the spindle.

Abstract: A layered assembly is provided including a base layer and a top layer. A pouch area is located between the base layer and the top layer and is created by affixing the base layer to the top layer. An opening is provided within a perimeter of the base layer to provide access to the pouch area through the base layer. An item can be loaded into the pouch area. Once the layered assembly is affixed to a substrate, the opening of the base layer is sealed off from access. A peel-away portion is located within a perimeter of the top layer such that removal of a portion of the top layer along the peel-away portion provides access to the pouch area through the top layer. Removal of the peel-away portion reveals the item that is secured within the layered assembly.

Abstract: Drill bits and methods of measuring drill bit conditions are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit bearing at least one cutting element and adapted for coupling to a drill string. The drill bit may also comprise a chamber formed within the bit and configured for maintaining a pressure substantially near a surface atmospheric pressure while drilling the subterranean formation. In addition, the drill bit may comprise at least one optical sensor disposed in the chamber and configured for sensing at least one physical parameter exhibited by the drill bit while drilling a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method and system for automated code generation in a call flow builder (10) can include a display coupled to a processor. The processor can be programmed to select a real code (database connection) or a prototype code using a graphical interface (20) to provide a selected code and develop a call flow using the selected code. The processor can be programmed to select the prototype code as the selected code, test the call flow in a local development environment and further enable the switching of the selected code from the prototype to the real code to complete a database connection. The processor can be further programmed to enable specification of a default or range of values. Additionally, the processor can be programmed to use a database connection code that replaces a prototype assignment of values to variables when the real code is the selected code.

Abstract: A double-sided, slip resistant material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior heat sealable layer, a core layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent and optionally grit to produce a double-sided slip resistant material. A number of rollers are provided after nip rollers have fused the film together, and which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that is used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies in the film) prior to the film being wound onto a roll for storage.

Abstract: An action wobble head doll includes a preprinted, die cut, animated body having an image secured thereto. The image can be a customized digital photograph. The image is secured to the body of the doll via a mounting assembly, which includes a spring secured to at least one mounting plate in a substantially perpendicular manner thereby creating a unique side-to-side movement of the image with respect to the body.

Abstract: A method for calibration process management of a calibration testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration process management software system, configuring a communications link in communication with the software system, the software system capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the plurality of units under test, wherein the software system manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under test. Tracking of the calibrated units under test uses a permanent unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier.

Abstract: A drill string component includes a box-end and a pin-end. Each end includes a signal transceiver, which are operably coupled together. Each signal transceiver communicates with another signal transceiver in another component to form a communication network in the drillstring. An end-cap may be placed in the central bore of the pin-end of a component to form an annular chamber between a side of the end-cap and a wall of the central bore of the pin-end when the end-cap is disposed in the central bore. In some embodiments, an electronics module may be placed in the annular chamber and configured to communicate with one of the signal transceivers. Accelerometer data, as well as other sensor data, at various locations along the drillstring may be sampled by the electronics module and communicated to a remote computer. Drillstring motion dynamics, such as vibration, may be determined based on the accelerometer data.

Abstract: In one aspect, a removable module or sub is provided for use in drilling a wellbore, which sub in one embodiment may include a body having a pin end and a box end configured for coupling between two members of a drill string, the body having a bore therethrough for flow of a fluid, and a sensor disposed in a pressure-sealed chamber in one of the pin end and the box end and configured to provide measurements relating to a downhole condition.

Abstract: A shank configuration for rotary drill bits is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for conducting nondestructive internal inspection of a rotary drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations comprises communicating ultrasonic waves into a drill bit and detecting ultrasonic waves that are reflected by at least a portion of the drill bit. In some embodiments, the waves may be directed into the drill bit from within a longitudinal bore thereof. Reflected waves also may be detected from within the bore. The methods may be used to develop threshold acceptance criteria for classifying drill bits as acceptable or unacceptable to prevent catastrophic failures of drill bits during use. Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of a drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations. The systems and apparatuses may comprise an ultrasonic probe configured for insertion within an internal longitudinal bore of a drill bit. Drill bits are disclosed that are configured to facilitate nondestructive ultrasonic inspection thereof.

Abstract: A method for conducting nondestructive internal inspection of a rotary drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations comprises communicating ultrasonic waves into a drill bit and detecting ultrasonic waves that are reflected by at least a portion of the drill bit. In some embodiments, the waves may be directed into the drill bit from within a longitudinal bore thereof. Reflected waves also may be detected from within the bore. The methods may be used to develop threshold acceptance criteria for classifying drill bits as acceptable or unacceptable to prevent catastrophic failures of drill bits during use. Systems and apparatuses are disclosed for conducting nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of a drill bit used for drilling subterranean formations. The systems and apparatuses may comprise an ultrasonic probe configured for insertion within an internal longitudinal bore of a drill bit. Drill bits are disclosed that are configured to facilitate nondestructive ultrasonic inspection thereof.

Abstract: Drill bits and methods for sampling sensor data associated with the state of a drill bit are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit body and a shank. The shank further includes a central bore formed through an inside diameter of the shank and configured for receiving a data analysis module. The data analysis module comprises a plurality of sensors, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured for executing computer instructions to collect the sensor data by sampling the plurality of sensors, analyzing the sensor data to develop a severity index, comparing the sensor data to at least one adaptive threshold, and modifying a data sampling mode responsive to the comparison. A method comprises collecting sensor data by sampling a plurality of physical parameters associated with a drill bit state while in various sampling modes and transitioning between those sampling modes.

Abstract: A shank configuration for rotary drill bits, is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90%. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shank configuration for rotary drill bits is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: Drill bits and methods for sampling sensor data associated with a state of a drill bit are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit configured for receiving a data analysis module. The data analysis module comprises at least one sensor, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured for executing computer instructions to filter information derived from sensor data in the drill bit to develop a piecewise polynomial curve of the sensor data. Filtering information derived for the sensor data comprises approximating a first derivative of a sensor data waveform, calculating a plurality of zeros for the first derivative of the sensor data waveform, and fitting a cubic polynomial between adjacent zeros calculated from the first derivative of the sensor data waveform resulting in a piecewise cubic polynomial.

Abstract: A method and system for intelligently detecting an emergency situation through Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) notification and providing first responders with vital information to respond and mitigate the emergency situations comprising the following steps: acquiring subscriber information; storing the subscriber information electronically within an information company's secure server; linking the server with a communication device of the PSAP; communicating to the server from the PSAP that an emergency situation has occurred at a specific location when an emergency is reported to the PSAP; searching the server for the subscriber information that matches with the emergency location and sending the matched subscriber information from the server to an appropriate first responder.

Abstract: A GPS receiver acquires carrier frequency and Gold code phase using short segments of a received GPS signal. In one embodiment, a 1-ms segment of the GPS signal is transformed to the frequency domain. This is multiplied by a frequency representation of the Gold code. The resulting product is converted to the time domain, and a peak is detected. The location of the peak corresponds to the code phase. If no peak is located, the carrier frequency is changed. Full- and half-bin steps in carrier frequency are considered. Processing gain is achieved by using longer segments of the input signal, for example 4 or 16 ms and integrating 1-ms segments. Considerations are provided for compensating for the effects of a transition, should it occur in the short segment of the GPS signal being processed. Integrations can be performed using non-coherent and coherent techniques. Adjustments are made for non-integral millisecond segment lengths.