Abstract: An augmenting controller for augmenting control of an actuator by a component controller. The actuator is operable to change an operational parameter of a component of a drilling rig. The component controller is configured for communicating control signals to the actuator to control the actuator and thereby control operation of the component. The augmenting controller is operable to augment the control signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods regarding a first processing system operable to receive a job plan developed by a second processing system, and implement the job plan, including generating commands for an equipment controller based on the job plan. The first processing system is operable to transmit, through a network, the commands to the controller for execution by the controller. The first processing system is operable to iteratively (i) monitor, through the network, current conditions of the well construction system during execution of commands by the controller; (ii) update the implementation of the job plan, including generating updated commands for the controller based on the job plan and the current well construction system conditions when the current well construction system conditions indicate a deviation from the implementation; and (iii) transmit, through the network, the updated commands to the controller for execution by the controller.

Abstract: The invention refers to new immuno-modulated replication-efficient Vaccinia virus strain (IOVA) and its derivatives for the use in medicine.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods regarding a first processing system operable to receive a job plan developed by a second processing system, and implement the job plan, including generating commands for an equipment controller based on the job plan. The first processing system is operable to transmit, through a network, the commands to the controller for execution by the controller. The first processing system is operable to iteratively (i) monitor, through the network, current conditions of the well construction system during execution of commands by the controller; (ii) update the implementation of the job plan, including generating updated commands for the controller based on the job plan and the current well construction system conditions when the current well construction system conditions indicate a deviation from the implementation; and (iii) transmit, through the network, the updated commands to the controller for execution by the controller.

Abstract: An augmenting controller for augmenting control of an actuator by a component controller. The actuator is operable to change an operational parameter of a component of a drilling rig. The component controller is configured for communicating control signals to the actuator to control the actuator and thereby control operation of the component. The augmenting controller is operable to augment the control signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods regarding a first processing system operable to receive a job plan developed by a second processing system, and implement the job plan, including generating commands for an equipment controller based on the job plan. The first processing system is operable to transmit, through a network, the commands to the controller for execution by the controller. The first processing system is operable to iteratively (i) monitor, through the network, current conditions of the well construction system during execution of commands by the controller; (ii) update the implementation of the job plan, including generating updated commands for the controller based on the job plan and the current well construction system conditions when the current well construction system conditions indicate a deviation from the implementation; and (iii) transmit, through the network, the updated commands to the controller for execution by the controller.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods regarding a processing system operable to implement an arbiter. The arbiter receives commands from non-prioritized and prioritized actors, and repeatedly issues an earliest received, non-issued command received from the non-prioritized actor. Execution of an immediately preceding issued command is completed or terminated by a sending actor of the immediately preceding issued command before a subsequent earliest received, non-issued command is issued. The arbiter also issues a command received from the prioritized actor upon receipt of the command received from the prioritized actor. Issuance of the command received from the prioritized actor interrupts issuance and execution of a command received from the non-prioritized actor. The commands from the non-prioritized and prioritized actors are issued to equipment controllers operable to control equipment of a well construction system.

Abstract: A system may include a control system coupled to various network elements that define a drilling management network. The control system may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) that performs a drilling operation. The system may further include a virtualization services manager coupled to the control system and the network elements. The virtualization services manager may implement a virtualization service on the drilling management network that controls the drilling operation. The system may further include a virtual connection controller coupled to the network elements. The virtual connection controller may establish a virtual connection between the control system and a user network.

Abstract: A method may include determining a termination time for a virtualization services manager and various termination times for various host devices operating in a drilling management network. The virtualization services manager may generate a virtual machine or a software container that implements a virtualization service on a network layer that controls a drilling operation. The method may further include transmitting, by a shutdown manager, a time delayed termination command to the virtualization services manager and various time delayed termination commands to the host devices. The method may further include terminating operations at the virtualization services manager based on the termination time and in response to the shutdown manager terminating operations. The method may further include terminating operations at the host devices based on the termination times and in response to the virtualization services manager terminating operations.

Abstract: A system may include a first set of network elements defining a first security zone within a drilling management network. The drilling management network may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) that performs a drilling operation using the first set of network elements. The system may include a second set of network elements defining a second security zone. The system may include a conduit coupled to the first security zone and the second security zone. The conduit may establish and terminate a virtual connection between the first set of network elements in the first security zone and the second set of network elements in the second security zone.

Abstract: A method may include determining a termination time for a virtualization services manager and various termination times for various host devices operating in a drilling management network. The virtualization services manager may generate a virtual machine or a software container that implements a virtualization service on a network layer that controls a drilling operation. The method may further include transmitting, by a shutdown manager, a time delayed termination command to the virtualization services manager and various time delayed termination commands to the host devices. The method may further include terminating operations at the virtualization services manager based on the termination time and in response to the shutdown manager terminating operations. The method may further include terminating operations at the host devices based on the termination times and in response to the virtualization services manager terminating operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oncolytic adenovirus for the treatment of cancer, containing a human DNA sequence isolating a promoter conferring selective expression on an adenoviral gene. Said adenovirus can also contain a sequence that optimizes the protein translation of an adenoviral gene regulated by a promoter conferring tumor selectivity. The invention is suitable for use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to a processing system communicatively coupled to a network. The processing system includes a processor and a memory including computer program code. The processing system is operable to receive a presence announcement message transmitted through the network from an equipment controller or subsystem that is operable to control equipment of a well construction system. The processing system is also operable to, in response to receiving the presence announcement message, instantiate an object based on an identity related to the equipment controller or subsystem when the equipment controller or subsystem is authorized to communicate through the network. The processing system is also operable to translate communications, using the object, between the equipment controller or subsystem and a common data bus of the network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods regarding a processing system operable to implement an arbiter. The arbiter receives commands from non-prioritized and prioritized actors, and repeatedly issues an earliest received, non-issued command received from the non-prioritized actor. Execution of an immediately preceding issued command is completed or terminated by a sending actor of the immediately preceding issued command before a subsequent earliest received, non-issued command is issued. The arbiter also issues a command received from the prioritized actor upon receipt of the command received from the prioritized actor. Issuance of the command received from the prioritized actor interrupts issuance and execution of a command received from the non-prioritized actor. The commands from the non-prioritized and prioritized actors are issued to equipment controllers operable to control equipment of a well construction system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods regarding a first processing system operable to receive a job plan developed by a second processing system, and implement the job plan, including generating commands for an equipment controller based on the job plan. The first processing system is operable to transmit, through a network, the commands to the controller for execution by the controller. The first processing system is operable to iteratively (i) monitor, through the network, current conditions of the well construction system during execution of commands by the controller; (ii) update the implementation of the job plan, including generating updated commands for the controller based on the job plan and the current well construction system conditions when the current well construction system conditions indicate a deviation from the implementation; and (iii) transmit, through the network, the updated commands to the controller for execution by the controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oncolytic adenovirus for the treatment of cancer, containing a human DNA sequence isolating a promoter conferring selective expression on an adenoviral gene. Said adenovirus can also contain a sequence that optimizes the protein translation of an adenoviral gene regulated by a promoter conferring tumor selectivity. The invention is suitable for use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in well construction, including a communications network having processing systems and a common data bus. At least one processing system implements subsystem virtual networks in the communications network. Each subsystem virtual network communicatively couples together equipment controllers of equipment of a respective control subsystem. At least one processing system implements a configuration manager that translates communications from the subsystem virtual networks to a common protocol, and makes data of the communications accessible through the common data bus. At least some equipment controllers access data from the common data bus through respective subsystem virtual networks. At least one processing system implements a process application that accesses data from the common data bus. At least one processing system implements a human-machine interface that accesses data from the common data bus.

Abstract: Apparatus including, and methods of operating a communications network having a common data bus communicatively coupled to control devices, non-control devices, and network appliances. The control devices control corresponding equipment components of a well construction system. One of the network appliances implements a gateway disposed between the common data bus and a corresponding control device and/or non-control device to translate communications to a common protocol for transmission on the common data bus. One of the network appliances implements a firewall disposed between the common data bus and a corresponding non-control device to permit or prohibit communications to be transmitted to the common data bus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oncolytic adenovirus for the treatment of cancer, containing a human DNA sequence isolating a promoter conferring selective expression on an adenoviral gene. Said adenovirus can also contain a sequence that optimizes the protein translation of an adenoviral gene regulated by a promoter conferring tumor selectivity. The invention is suitable for use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oncolytic adenovirus for the treatment of cancer, containing a human DNA sequence isolating a promoter conferring selective expression on an adenoviral gene. Said adenovirus can also contain a sequence that optimizes the protein translation of an adenoviral gene regulated by a promoter conferring tumor selectivity. The invention is suitable for use in the treatment of cancer.