Abstract: An apparatus comprising a tubular body defining a flowbore, a first valve that, when activated, restricts fluid communication via the flowbore in a first direction and allows fluid communication in a second direction, and, when deactivated, allows fluid communication in the first and second directions, a first sleeve slidable from a first to a second position that, when in the first position, the first valve is activated, and, when in the second position, the first valve is deactivated, a second valve, that, when activated, restricts fluid communication in the first direction and allows fluid communication in the second direction, and, when deactivated, allows fluid communication in the first and second directions, and a second sleeve slidable from a first to a second position, that, when in the first position, the second valve is deactivated, and, when in the second position, the second valve is activated.

Abstract: The application discloses pole tip shield assemblies for a magnetic write element. The shield assemblies disclosed include side shields to limit adjacent track interference. The side shields are truncated or notched at a midpoint to form an expanded non-magnetic gap along a trailing portion of the pole tip to enhance write field and/or field gradient. The expanded non-magnetic gap region is larger than the non-magnetic gap region along a leading portion of the pole tip.

Abstract: Techniques for correlating depth on a tubular in a wellbore include a casing collar locator tool that includes a tubular mandrel defining a bore therethrough; a top sub-assembly and a bottom sub-assembly carried on the tubular mandrel; a profile carried on the tubular mandrel axially between the top sub-assembly and bottom sub-assembly and adjustable between an engaged state defined by the profile extending radially away from the mandrel and a disengaged state defined by the profile refracted towards the mandrel; and a wedge sleeve carried on the tubular mandrel between the top sub-assembly and the bottom sub-assembly and arranged, at least in part, axially adjacent the profile, the wedge sleeve actuatable to urge the profile into at least one of the engaged state or the disengaged state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving from a first server a client specific information, transmitting a manifest request to a second server, the manifest request incorporating the client specific information, and receiving from the second server a manifest file. The manifest file may be associated with programming content divided into a plurality of segments. At least one of the plurality of segments may be based in part on the client specific information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing rights to broadband content are provided. A request for broadband content may be received by a server. The received request may include a client identifier associated with a customer device from which the request is received and a content identifier associated with the requested broadband content. Based at least in part upon the client identifier, a billing account associated with the customer device may be identified, and one or more users associated with the billing account may be identified. A set of access rights for the one or more users may be determined and, based upon an analysis of the set of access rights, a determination may be made as to whether access to the broadband content is authorized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing rights to broadband content are provided. A request for broadband content may be received by a server. The received request may include a client identifier associated with a customer device from which the request is received and a content identifier associated with the requested broadband content. Based at least in part upon the client identifier, a billing account associated with the customer device may be identified, and one or more users associated with the billing account may be identified. A set of access rights for the one or more users may be determined and, based upon an analysis of the set of access rights, a determination may be made as to whether access to the broadband content is authorized.

Abstract: Communication methods between networked cable services system devices are provided. Two or more cable services system set-top boxes may be networked together in a house, business or other facility. Alternatively, two or more set-top boxes may be networked together where the two or more set-top boxes are located remotely from each other and are networked via a cable services system. A first set-top box may be designated and equipped as a proxy server for managing communications between networked set-top boxes and one or more other set-top boxes may be designated and equipped as client devices for communicating with other networked set-top boxes via the proxy server set-top box. One or more communication applications may be deployed on each of the networked set-top boxes for allowing user-to-user communications via the networked set-top boxes, as well as, user-to-set-top box communication via the networked set-top boxes.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a tubular body defining a flowbore, a first valve that, when activated, restricts fluid communication via the flowbore in a first direction and allows fluid communication in a second direction, and, when deactivated, allows fluid communication in the first and second directions, a first sleeve slidable from a first to a second position that, when in the first position, the first valve is activated, and, when in the second position, the first valve is deactivated, a second valve, that, when activated, restricts fluid communication in the first direction and allows fluid communication in the second direction, and, when deactivated, allows fluid communication in the first and second directions, and a second sleeve slidable from a first to a second position, that, when in the first position, the second valve is deactivated, and, when in the second position, the second valve is activated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the hybrid tool string include coiled tubing and jointed tubing, as well as a means typically located at the connection of the coiled and jointed tubing for sealing the fluid flowpath through the bore of the hybrid tool string. Embodiments of the hybrid tool string may use a pressure-activated valve tool attached in series between the coiled tubing and the jointed tubing, which allows for sealing of the bore by application of pressure. Embodiments of the pressure-activated valve tool may use a flapper in conjunction with a sleeve to seal the bore. The novel hybrid tool string may be used to service a well.

Abstract: Radio frequency self-certification devices and methods of using the same are provided. A device for testing a radio frequency connection may include at least one radio frequency communications interface, at least one memory, and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store computer-executable instructions. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to (i) scan through a plurality of downstream frequencies received by the communications interface, (ii) collect, based at least in part upon the scan, information associated with a plurality of downstream channels and information associated with available upstream channels, (iii) identify one or more upstream channels that facilitate communication with a host server, and (iv) verify, via the one or more identified upstream channels, the availability of one or more client applications.

Abstract: A policy decision point override for content rating. Parental controls may be modified at a decision point. A content rating decision point includes memory configured for maintaining content metadata, wherein the memory includes a first field for storing a content provider assigned rating and a second field for storing a locally generated content rating for each of a plurality of content. A processor is coupled to the memory to receive input from a subscriber defining a locally generated content rating for rating presentation and rating-based control of content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing rights to broadband content are provided. A request for broadband content may be received by a server. The received request may include a client identifier associated with a customer device from which the request is received and a content identifier associated with the requested broadband content. Based at least in part upon the client identifier, a billing account associated with the customer device may be identified, and one or more users associated with the billing account may be identified. A set of access rights for the one or more users may be determined and, based upon an analysis of the set of access rights, a determination may be made as to whether access to the broadband content is authorized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the hybrid tool string include coiled tubing and jointed tubing, as well as a means typically located at the connection of the coiled and jointed tubing for sealing the fluid flowpath through the bore of the hybrid tool string. Embodiments of the hybrid tool string may use a pressure-activated valve tool attached in series between the coiled tubing and the jointed tubing, which allows for sealing of the bore by application of pressure. Embodiments of the pressure-activated valve tool may use a flapper in conjunction with a sleeve to seal the bore. The novel hybrid tool string may be used to service a well.

Abstract: This invention concerns measuring cognitive load. A word based input is produced by a person while performing a task (100). Predetermined grammatical features of the word based input are identified (104). Then, the identified grammatical features are weighted and combined to provide a measure indicating the person's cognitive load (106). The use of grammatical features represents a divergence from the known methods of providing a measure of a person's cognitive load. It is an advantage of the invention that by concentrating on the grammatical features it is able to provide an objective, non-intrusive measure of the person's cognitive load. Aspects the invention include a method, a computer system and software that are used to perform the method.

Abstract: Communication methods between networked cable services system devices are provided. Two or more cable services system set-top boxes may be networked together in a house, business or other facility. Alternatively, two or more set-top boxes may be networked together where the two or more set-top boxes are located remotely from each other and are networked via a cable services system. A first set-top box may be designated and equipped as a proxy server for managing communications between networked set-top boxes and one or more other set-top boxes may be designated and equipped as client devices for communicating with other networked set-top boxes via the proxy server set-top box. One or more communication applications may be deployed on each of the networked set-top boxes for allowing user-to-user communications via the networked set-top boxes, as well as, user-to-set-top box communication via the networked set-top boxes.

Abstract: A magnetic storage device comprises a magnetic recording medium; a writing/reading element for storing information on the magnetic recording medium by generating a write field in order to switch regions within the magnetic recording medium in accordance with the information to be stored and reading stored information from the magnetic recording medium by sensing the switched regions within the recording medium and a layer-addressing means for addressing different layers of the magnetic recording medium by applying an oscillating magnetic layer address field in addition to the write field and by controlling the frequency of the oscillating magnetic field so that regions in different layers of the magnetic recording medium can be selectively switched and read.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for facilitating concurrent video recording and still image capture. A method may include receiving a first command to initiate a video recording session. The first command may be responsive to a first user actuation of a trigger on a multi-function mobile computing device. The method may further include initiating the video recording session in response to receipt of the first command. The method may additionally include receiving a second command to capture a still image. The second command may be responsive to a second user actuation of the trigger. The method may also include initiating capture of the still image concurrent with the video recording session in response to receipt of the second command. Corresponding computer program products and apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: A spoolable connector which connects two opposing sections of coil tubing so as to transmit load between one section of coil tubing and another section of coil tubing. The spoolable connector has opposing non-circular grooves into which portions of the sections of coil tubing are deformed so as to create the torque transmitting connection between the spoolable connector and sections of coil tubing. The spoolable connector also includes a plurality of parallel radial slots on each opposing end to enhance bending of the connector at the ends as well as a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end to accommodate the weld seam line in the coil tubing. Seals may be installed as a sleeve which in use fits over the mid-section of the connector.

Abstract: A connector which joins two opposing sections of coil tubing or coil tubing to coil tubing tools so as to enable torque applied from one section to be transmitted to the other section is provided. The connector employs varying width and depth grooves into which portions of the sections of coil tubing are deformed so as to create the torque transmitting connection between the connector and sections of coil tubing. Each of the grooves have a narrow width portion and a wide width portion and corresponding shallow depth and deep depth portion. The narrow width portion of one of the grooves is approximately 180° out of phase from the narrow width portion of the other varying width groove.

Abstract: A spoolable connector which connects two opposing sections of coil tubing so as to transmit load between one section of coil tubing to another section of coil tubing. The spoolable connector has opposing non-circular grooves into which portions of the sections of coil tubing are deformed so as to create the torque transmitting connection between the spoolable connector and sections of coil tubing. The spoolable connector also includes a plurality of parallel radial slots on each opposing end to enhance bending of the connector at the ends as well as a plurality of longitudinal slots at each end to accommodate the weld seam line in the coil tubing. Seals are also provided as well as a sleeve which in use fits over the mid-section of the connector.