Abstract: Embodiments described include hybrid power connections between a drilling rig and a power grid. A hybrid energy controller can provide the ability to connect a high horse-power micro-grid with a drilling rig to a normal utility grid and mitigate any power surges. The micro-grid can comprise battery units capable of providing power when generator sets (gensets) don't meet load demands and storing excess power when supplied power exceeds demand.

Abstract: The instant invention is related to a method for replicating an object. The method includes providing an object comprising an outer surface and a channel; applying dry tannin powder to the outer surface of the object wherein at least a portion of the dry tannin powder adheres to the outer surface as imaging tannin; and placing an aqueous solution of an iron salt in the channel wherein the iron salt diffuses through the object to convert said imaging tannin into a replica of the object.

Abstract: The instant invention is related to a method for replicating an object.

Abstract: A method for forming an image reproduction is detailed. The method includes: providing a media comprising a first side and a second side wherein the second side is opposite the first side; printing a stock image to be reproduced on the first side with ink from an ink-jet printer to form an image precursor; covering the image precursor with an excess of dry tannin powder wherein a portion of the dry tannin powder adheres to the stock image as imaging tannin and a remainder of the dry tannin powder is unaltered dry tannin powder; removing the unaltered dry tanning powder; and placing an aqueous solution of an iron salt on the second side opposite the imaging tannin wherein the iron salt migrates through the media to convert the imaging tannin into the image reproduction wherein the image reproduction replicates the stock image.

Abstract: A method for forming an image reproduction is detailed. The method includes: providing a media comprising a first side and a second side wherein the second side is opposite the first side; printing a stock image to be reproduced on the first side with ink from an ink-jet printer to form an image precursor; covering the image precursor with an excess of dry tannin powder wherein a portion of the dry tannin powder adheres to the stock image as imaging tannin and a remainder of the dry tannin powder is unaltered dry tannin powder; removing the unaltered dry tanning powder; and placing an aqueous solution of an iron salt on the second side opposite the imaging tannin wherein the iron salt migrates through the media to convert the imaging tannin into the image reproduction wherein the image reproduction replicates the stock image.

Abstract: A method of printing a document, the method includes assigning a permission classification to a document to be printed; assigning a user permission profile to a user; and determining from the user permission profile and the permission classification of the document whether the user is authorized to print the document. Another method of printing a document includes assigning a permission classification to a document to be printed; assigning a printer permission profile to each of a number of network printers; and determining from the permission profile of the network printer and the permission classification of the document whether a the network printer is authorized to print the document.

Abstract: A range bid model allows a buyer to input an upper limit for a desired product or service (with an assumption of a zero buyer lower limit), while a seller inputs a lower limit for the product or service (with an assumption of an infinity seller upper limit). Upon the occurrence of an overlap, where the seller's lower limit is below the buyer's upper limit, the overlap region is divided evenly between the seller lower limit and the buyer upper limit, and both the buyer and seller leave the transaction with a result better than what they were willing to accept. If, however, the buyer's upper limit is below the seller's lower limit, the model provides a “no match” indication or alternatively suggests a theoretical price point between the respective limits.

Abstract: A method of printing a document, the method includes assigning a permission classification to a document to be printed; assigning a user permission profile to a user; and determining from the user permission profile and the permission classification of the document whether the user is authorized to print the document. Another method of printing a document includes assigning a permission classification to a document to be printed; assigning a printer permission profile to each of a number of network printers; and determining from the permission profile of the network printer and the permission classification of the document whether a the network printer is authorized to print the document.

Abstract: An optical disc system includes a photo detector circuit of an optical disc drive and a signal processing system. The photo detector circuit is configured to generate at least one information-carrying signal from an optical disc assembly. The signal processing system is coupled to the photo detector circuit to obtain from the at least one information-carrying signal both operational information used to operate the optical disc system and data indicative of presence and/or characteristics of an investigational feature associated with the optical disc assembly. Methods and discs for imaging a biological or medical investigational feature are also provided.

Abstract: An optical analysis disc includes grooves defining corresponding laser-readable tracks and trigger marks that identify respective target regions on the disc. The trigger marks are implemented as a radial interruption of the grooves to thereby produce an increased reflection of a laser beam. There is also provided an optical analysis disc system including a trigger mechanism having a trigger detector adapted to detect interruptions in grooves of an optical analysis disc. A related method for triggering through interrupted grooves of an optical analysis disc includes detecting interruption in the grooves, generating an electrical reflection signal corresponding to the interruptions detected, and elaborating said reflection signal, so that to generate a trigger signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to clinical diagnostic assays, related optical bio-discs, and a disc-reading apparatus. The invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for performing immunohematology assays using an optical bio-disc analysis system. The invention is further directed to an optical bio-disc for performing an immunohematologic assay including a substrate having encoded information associated therewith. The encoded information may be readable by a disc drive assembly to control rotation of the disc. The disc may also include at least one target zone or capture zone associated with the substrate. The target zone is disposed at a predetermined location relative to a center of the substrate. The disc further includes a plurality of capture antibodies immobilized within the target zone, a flow channel, fluidic circuit, or analysis chamber associated with the target zone, and an input site in fluid communication with the analysis chamber.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for reading encoded information, such as on a CD, CD-R, or DVD, is modified to read biological or chemical investigational features from a disc. The modifications can include software changes or the addition of hardware desirably without the need to modify the disc drive electronics.

Abstract: An apparatus for validating a non-invasively obtained estimate of LVEDP includes a non-invasive system for non-invasively obtaining a first estimate of the LVEDP; an invasive system for invasively obtaining a second estimate of the LVEDP concurrent with the first estimate; and a processor for comparing the first and second estimates of the LVEDP.

Abstract: An implementation of an improved Multiple-Original-Output (“Mopying”) technology for multifunction devices (MFDs), described herein, enables a user at a computer to fully control and access the functions of a Mopy-enabled MFD. With this technology, the user fully controls the source (e.g. data and paper) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. Similarly, the user fully controls the destination (e.g. paper and communications) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: An optical analysis disc includes grooves defining corresponding laser-readable tracks and trigger marks that identify respective target regions on the disc. The trigger marks are implemented as a radial interruption of the grooves to thereby produce an increased reflection of a laser beam. There is also provided an optical analysis disc system including a trigger mechanism having a trigger detector adapted to detect interruptions in grooves of an optical analysis disc. A related method for triggering through interrupted grooves of an optical analysis disc includes detecting interruption in the grooves, generating an electrical reflection signal corresponding to the interruptions detected, and elaborating said reflection signal, so that to generate a trigger signal.

Abstract: A technique for attaching an optical element to a structural element is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as an apparatus for attaching an optical element to a structural element. Such an apparatus may comprise an optical element formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion value, a structural element formed of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion value, and an intermediate element formed of a material having a third coefficient of thermal expansion value that is between the first coefficient of thermal expansion value and the second coefficient of thermal expansion value. The intermediate element is disposed between the optical element and the structural element such that thermal stress between the optical element and the structural element are transferred to the intermediate element.

Abstract: An optical analysis disc includes a substrate having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and an operational layer associated with the substrate. The operational layer includes encoded information located substantially along information tracks. An analysis area includes investigational features. The analysis area is positioned between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the substrate and directed along the information tracks so that when an incident beam of electromagnetic energy tracks along the information tracks, any investigational features within the analysis zone are thereby interrogated circumferentially.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for formatting source data to be imaged onto a print media. The system is configured to format a single page from the source data as multiple instances within a single page of print media. The formatted data can then be formed as a image by an imaging mechanism. In this manner, the system provides a user with additional formatting options and may reduce an amount of consumed print media.

Abstract: A network or local printer has a video demonstration mode, preferably using a control console of the printer to display steps to be performed by a human user, by producing a video presentation. A stored selection of video clips is stored or made available, each demonstrating an operation being performed on an exemplary printer that resembles the particular printer apparatus. A video clip processor selects among the video clips and/or controls the manner of playback, based on sensed conditions and/or user input to assist the human user in performing the operation, without boring experienced users or overloading inexperienced ones with unneeded information.