Abstract: An optical film includes a structured film and a light control film formed on the structured film. The structured film includes a substrate and a plurality of polymeric microstructures formed on a major surface of the substrate. Each microstructure includes an optical facet and a sidewall meeting the optical facet at a ridge of the microstructure. The light control film includes an optically transparent material disposed on and covering the plurality of polymeric microstructures, and a plurality of optically absorptive louvers formed in the optically transparent material opposite the structured film. The louvers extend along a longitudinal direction and are spaced apart along an orthogonal transverse direction. The louvers have an average depth D into the optically transparent material and have an average width W in the transverse direction. D/W can be greater than 2. The optical film is integrally formed.

Abstract: An optical film has a major surface including a plurality of microstructures. Each microstructure includes an optical facet and a sidewall meeting the optical facet at a ridge of the microstructure. The optical facet and the sidewall define an oblique angle therebetween. For each microstructure in at least a majority of the microstructures, an optically absorptive layer is disposed on the sidewall. The optical film can include a polymeric layer having a microstructured surface at least partially coated with an inorganic optically transparent layer. The optically absorptive layer can an average thickness t where 100 nm<t<1 micrometer. A first layer can be disposed between the sidewall and the optically absorptive layer where the first layer has a lower extinction coefficient than the optically absorptive layer.

Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. Alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the alternating transmissive region and absorptive regions have a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 75%.

Abstract: An optical system includes a light source, an optical film curved about a first axis, and a light control film curved about the first axis and disposed between the light source and the optical film. The optical film includes a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The microstructured first major surface defines a linear Fresnel lens including a plurality of Fresnel elements extending longitudinally along the first axis. The first major surface of the optical film faces of the optically transmissive regions, a centerline between adjacent optically absorptive regions is substantially normal to a major surface of the light control film.

Abstract: A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between a light input surface and a light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions have a transmission as measured with a spectrophotometer at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 35, 40, 45, or 50% for a wavelength of the range 320-400 nm (UV) and/or at least 65, 70, 75, or 80% for a wavelength of the range 700-1400 nm (NIR). In another embodiment, the absorptive regions block light at the light input surface and light output surface and the maximum surface area that is blocked is less than 20% of the total alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions. Also described are various optical communication systems comprising the light control films described herein and methods.

Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface; alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise a core having a first concentration, C1, of a light absorbing material sandwiched between cladding layers having a second concentration, C2, of the light absorbing material, wherein C2<C1, and wherein the cores have an aspect ratio of at least 20.

Abstract: A system for a two-step activation for a valve includes at least one valve control selector having an output representative of a valve position and a touch sensor having an output representative of a permission to operate said valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed that has a valve housing including a first axial end, a cap, a second axial end, and an airflow pathway extending from the first axial end towards the second axial end. The cap is positioned towards the second axial end. The valve housing includes an environmental opening configured for fluid communication with an outside environment, an enclosure opening towards the first axial end configured for fluid communication with an interior of an enclosure, and a film having an expansion diameter disposed in the valve housing laterally across the airflow pathway. The cap has an inner lateral surface and a piercing protrusion (having a piercing tip) extending from the inner lateral surface towards the first axial end. An axial distance is defined between the film and the inner lateral surface. A ratio of the axial distance to the film expansion diameter is at least 0.14.

Abstract: An enhanced geometry receiving element for a downhole tool, such as an enhanced geometry receiving element for a plunger downhole tool used in the oil and gas industry. In one embodiment, the enhanced geometry receiving element includes a set of axial grooves disposed in the interior of a fishing neck portion of a bypass plunger.

Abstract: Example apparatus to determine a state of a media presentation device are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus is to determine contribution values from at least one of a signal measured from a sensing device or an output signal accessed from the presentation device, the contribution values indicative of a state of a presentation device. The disclosed example apparatus is also to sum a first plurality of the contribution values corresponding to a first measurement cycle to generate a first intermediate fuzzy score for the first measurement cycle, store the first intermediate fuzzy score in a buffer, the buffer including a plurality of intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to respective measurement cycles, combine the intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to a first time period to form a final fuzzy score, and when the final fuzzy score satisfies a threshold, set the state of the presentation device as on and enable crediting of media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether a media presentation device is in an on state or an off state are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises determining contribution values from at least one of a signal measured from a sensing device or an output signal accessed from the presentation device, wherein the contribution values are indicative of a state of a presentation device. Summing, via a logic circuit, a first plurality of the contribution values corresponding to a first measurement cycle to generate a first intermediate fuzzy score for the first measurement cycle. Storing the first intermediate fuzzy score in a buffer including a plurality of intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to respective measurement cycles. Combining, via the logic circuit, the intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to a first time period to form a final fuzzy score.

Abstract: An enhanced geometry receiving element for a downhole tool, such as an enhanced geometry receiving element for a plunger downhole tool used in the oil and gas industry. In one embodiment, the enhanced geometry receiving element includes a set of axial grooves disposed in the interior of a fishing neck portion of a bypass plunger.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether a media presentation device is in an on state or an off state are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises determining contribution values from at least one of a signal measured from a sensing device or an output signal accessed from the presentation device, wherein the contribution values are indicative of a state of a presentation device. Summing, via a logic circuit, a first plurality of the contribution values corresponding to a first measurement cycle to generate a first intermediate fuzzy score for the first measurement cycle. Storing the first intermediate fuzzy score in a buffer including a plurality of intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to respective measurement cycles. Combining, via the logic circuit, the intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to a first time period to form a final fuzzy score.

Abstract: A plunger assembly arranged to minimize uneven wear spots or areas thereon during the plunger assembly's horizontal and vertical travel within a hydrocarbon producing well conduit. The plunger assembly comprises an elongated central mandrel having an elongated central bore extending longitudinally therethrough for transmitting fluids from a well through the plunger assembly, the elongated central mandrel having a generally cylindrically shaped outer surface along portions thereof, and a plurality of arcuately shaped wear pads guidedly supported on the cylindrically shaped outer portions of the central mandrel An array of elongated helically presented protrusions and a corresponding array of elongated helically presented grooves in mating interdigitation are arranged between the outer portions of the mandrel and their radially adjacent wear pads, so as to provide an inducement of rotation to the plunger assembly about its longitudinal axis during the plunger assembly's travel through a well conduit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether a media presentation device is in an on state or an off state are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises determining contribution values from at least one of a signal measured from a sensing device or an output signal accessed from the presentation device, wherein the contribution values are indicative of a state of a presentation device. Summing, via a logic circuit, a first plurality of the contribution values corresponding to a first measurement cycle to generate a first intermediate fuzzy score for the first measurement cycle. Storing the first intermediate fuzzy score in a buffer including a plurality of intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to respective measurement cycles. Combining, via the logic circuit, the intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to a first time period to form a final fuzzy score.

Abstract: A plunger for oil and gas wells includes a shaft and a sleeve carried by the shaft. The sleeve defines a passageway located between a surface of the sleeve and a portion of the shaft, and the sleeve is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft from a first configuration to a second configuration and vice versa. In the first configuration the plunger inhibits fluid flow through the passageway, and in the second configuration the plunger permits fluid flow through the passageway. The plunger further includes a force dissipating element interposed between the shaft and the sleeve. The force dissipating element at least partially dissipates forces caused by at least one of (1) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the first configuration to the second configuration; and (2) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the second configuration to the first configuration.

Abstract: A plunger for oil and gas wells includes a shaft and a sleeve carried by the shaft. The sleeve defines a passageway located between a surface of the sleeve and a portion of the shaft, and the sleeve is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft from a first configuration to a second configuration and vice versa. In the first configuration the plunger inhibits fluid flow through the passageway, and in the second configuration the plunger permits fluid flow through the passageway. The plunger further includes a force dissipating element interposed between the shaft and the sleeve. The force dissipating element at least partially dissipates forces caused by at least one of (1) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the first configuration to the second configuration; and (2) the sleeve stopping relative to the shaft after translating from the second configuration to the first configuration.

Abstract: A plunger assembly arranged to minimize uneven wear spots or areas thereon during the plunger assembly's horizontal and vertical travel within a hydrocarbon producing well conduit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect carrying of a portable audience measurement device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device including a housing; a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data; a hinge having an arm to rotate in response to an applied, the arm to secure the housing to an object associated with a person; a rotation sensor to detect a magnitude of rotation of the arm relative to the housing; and a detector to compare the magnitude of rotation of the arm to a threshold angle to determine whether the device is being carried by the person.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether a media presentation device is in an on state or an off state are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises determining contribution values from at least one of a signal measured from a sensing device or an output signal accessed from the presentation device, wherein the contribution values are indicative of a state of a presentation device. Summing, via a logic circuit, a first plurality of the contribution values corresponding to a first measurement cycle to generate a first intermediate fuzzy score for the first measurement cycle. Storing the first intermediate fuzzy score in a buffer including a plurality of intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to respective measurement cycles. Combining, via the logic circuit, the intermediate fuzzy scores corresponding to a first time period to form a final fuzzy score.