Abstract: A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.

Abstract: A method, system and controller is provided for searching a database containing data items with a user via a user interface, the method comprising the steps of specifying an initial search subset of some or all of the data items in the database (1201); identifying representatives of each of a number of data categories in the search subset (1203); displaying the representatives on the user interface (1204); selecting one or more of the representatives (1205); specifying a refined search subset of data items in the search subset within the data categories corresponding to the selected representatives (1207); and repeating the steps of identifying and displaying representatives for the refined search subset.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a disabled user compliant video player for an end-to-end streaming web video solution affording accessibility for disabled users, including blind users and those with partial or poor vision, colorblind users, deaf users and those limited to only keyboard/voice input. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to systems and methods for real-time creation and modification of specialized media players, to be used as stand-alone applications or as embedded data display applications.

Abstract: A method of converting user-selected printed text to a synthesized image sequence is provided. The method includes capturing a first image of printed text and generating a model information associated with the text.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the presence of anomalous material within tissue is detected by scanning a patient using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain MRI data, identifying individual voxels of the MRI data, identifying multiple parameters of each voxel, and determining as to each voxel based upon the identified parameters the likelihood of tissue represented by the voxel containing anomalous material.

Abstract: A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.

Abstract: A database searching system, method and controller is provided for interactively searching a database of data items in a descriptor space with a user, comprising a display for viewing by the user; a position selector for manipulation and activation by the user; a reference set selector for selecting a reference set (64a-64d) of two or more data items; a reference set coordinate obtainer for obtaining descriptor coordinates for each of the reference data items; a search results identifier for identifying a search results set of data items in the database which are close to or between one or more members of the reference set in the descriptor space; and a search results display controller for displaying the search results set on the display so that closeness on the display between particular data items is generally indicative of closeness in the descriptor space.

Abstract: A method of converting user-selected printed text to a synthesized image sequence is provided. The method includes capturing a first image of printed text and generating a model information associated with the text.

Abstract: A method for providing audio content to a user device in a movie theater includes the steps of personalizing the audio content for the user device based on an identifier and providing the personalized audio content to the user device. In some embodiments, the identifier is based on demographic information about the user. According to some embodiments, the personalized audio content accompanies additional content that is not provided by the user device. In some embodiments, the personalized audio content accompanies a movie.

Abstract: A method is provided for a user of a communications device sharing data items with one or more of a plurality of data recipients, comprising the steps of: selecting one or more data items to share (1201); displaying symbols in a two-dimensional geometrical space on a display (1204), at least some of which represent individuals or groups of the data recipients; selecting one or more of the symbols as destinations for the data item(s) (1202); and sharing the data item(s) with the destination (s) (1203).

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for dampening vibrations transmitted to a sensor assembly based on well drilling operations. Vibration isolators are distributed around a sensor assembly and retained in their desired location. The sensor assembly and retained vibration isolators are inserted in a shrinkable thin-walled tube and the thin-walled tube is shrunk to constrict the inner surface of the thin-walled tube, and the retained vibration isolators against the outer surface of the sensor assembly. Additionally, the constricted thin-walled tube restrains a wiring harness associated with the sensor assembly in a wire well traversing the axial direction of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A wellhead coupling and method for coupling and sealing an annulus formed between overlapping ends of an outer pipe and an inner pipe. A clamp housing grips the inner pipe, forms a horizontal landing base for the outer pipe, and forms circumferential ports aligned with the annulus. A seal ring and upper metal ring are located in the annulus, the seal ring being formed with ports to align with ports of the clamp housing, and the upper metal ring being formed with threaded holes to align with ports of the seal ring and the clamp housing. Threaded seal engaging members extend through the aligned ports for threaded connection in the threaded holes of the upper metal ring. A seal energizing member located within or below the clamp housing pulls downwardly on the threaded seal engaging members to energize the seal ring into sealing relationship in the annulus.

Abstract: Method, system, and a controller are provided for a selection service recommending or providing access to goods or service items to a consumer. A set of available items is identified, at least some of which require payment to item-providers for access. A measure of likely enjoyment of each available item by the consumer is predicted, and a measure of value for money of each available item for the consumer is calculated. Access to items is provided to the consumer that will represent good value for money.

Abstract: A Gen-Set (10) control system is disclosed. The control system has an engine (12) having a desired operating range and a generator (14) driven by the engine to produce an electrical power output. The control system also has an engine control module (30) communicatively coupled with the engine, and configured to change and operating parameter of the engine based on a load command before a load on the engine causes the engine to deviate from the desired operating range. The control system further has an automatic voltage regulator (32). The automatic voltage regulator is configured to monitor at least one of a voltage output, a current output, and a power factor of the generator and generate the load command based on a change in at least one of the voltage output, the current output, and the power factor. The automatic voltage regulator (32) is also configured to deliver the load command to the engine control module (30).

Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for, among other things, removing sensitive data from an recording. The method, in certain embodiments, includes receiving an audio recording of a call and a text transcription of the audio recording, identifying events which occur during the call by detecting characteristic audio patterns in the audio recording and selected keywords and phrases in the text transcription, determining, from the identified events, a first event which precedes sensitive data in the call and a second event which occurs after sensitive data in the call, determining a portion of the call containing sensitive data with a start time at the first event and an end time at the second event, and removing the portion of the call between the start time and end time from the audio recording.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a mobile device continuously and/or automatically scans a user environment for tags containing non-human-readable data. The mobile device may continuously and/or automatically scan the environment for tags without being specifically directed at a particular tag. The mobile device may be adapted to scan for audio tags, radio frequency tags, and/or image tags. The mobile device may be configured to scan for and identify tags within the user environment that satisfy a user preference. The mobile device may perform an action in response to identifying a tag that satisfies a user preference. The mobile device may be configured to scan for a wide variety of tags, including tags in the form of quick response codes, steganographic content, audio watermarks, audio outside of a human audible range, radio frequency identification tags, long wavelength identification tags, near field communication tags, and/or a Memory Spot device.

Abstract: A personal skin polishing or microdermabrasion device having a convenient form factor with a applicator attached to a contoured housing with a handle portion. The housing contains a battery, a cordless motor and a gear box to provide an appropriate rotational velocity to the output shaft that is coupled to the applicator. The applicator may be a foam material selected to cushion the skin from excessive abrasion to the particles in a personal care composition to be used with device, and to have a porosity that will enable the foam to interact with the particles and enhance the skin polishing effect.

Abstract: A display system for displaying a layout of controls in a simulator including at least one of an information display, a switch such as a toggle or push-button switch, and a monitoring device such as an indicator, or a gauge, for a vehicle, the display system including a touch sensitive screen which is generally transparent over a significant portion of its area, and a plurality of projectors which project onto a back of the screen, images of the vehicle controls, the projectors each being operatively connected to a computer controller which responds to the front of the screen being touched where a depicted control is displayed, to change the display in a manner to mimic the result of a corresponding actual vehicle control being operated.

Abstract: A method of converting user-selected printed text to a synthesized image sequence is provided. The method includes capturing a first image of printed text and generating a model information associated with the text.