Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising establishing a pumping profile having a performance plan, determining a remaining life estimate for a first wellbore servicing device, wherein the first wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan, and selecting a second wellbore servicing device in response to the remaining life value for the first wellbore servicing device, wherein the second wellbore servicing device is suitable for impacting conformance to the performance plan. A wellbore servicing system, comprising a first device suitable for impacting conformance to a performance plan, a first sensor configured to monitor an operational characteristic of the first device, and a controller in communication with the first sensor, the controller being configured to calculate at least one of a remaining life estimate of the first device and a probability of survival estimate of the first device.

Abstract: A processor has multiple cores with each core having an associated function to support processor operations. The functions performed by the cores are selectively altered to improve processor operations by balancing the resources applied for each function. For example, each core comprises a field programmable array that is selectively and dynamically programmed to perform a function, such as a floating point function or a fixed point function, based on the number of operations that use each function. As another example, a processor is built with a greater number of cores than can be simultaneously powered, each core associated with a function, so that cores having functions with lower utilization are selectively powered down.

Abstract: A path-illuminating wall-mountable light fixture (100) can comprise a wall-mountable support platform (101) that is configured and arranged to be installed on a wall (701) and at least a first light aperture (102) that is operably coupled to the wall-mountable support platform. This first light aperture is configured and arranged so that electrically-sourced light (110) emanating from the first light aperture is directed in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the wall, substantially non-perpendicular to the wall, and less than horizontal. When inclusive of a second such light aperture (104), the second light aperture can offer similarly oriented emanated light in a direction that is substantially the opposite of this first direction. By one approach, the light emanating from this (or these) light aperture(s) can be responsive to an animate object detector (107).

Abstract: The invention comprises an electronically secured inter-processor and virtual device communications system, with an input/output controller board, a multi-drop bus interface to multiple devices, and a parallel interface to an industry standard single board computer. The invention assigns a bus address and virtual identification number to each device and controls communications between the main central processing unit and the devices through a Plug-n-Play protocol.

Abstract: Techniques involving modeling and analysis of operational metrics in transportation industries are disclosed. Representative methods involve defining a set of fuel consumption performance factors having a potential to impact vehicle fuel economy. Fuel consumption performance factors are received, and categorical variables are identified from at least a subset of the fuel consumption performance factors to create one or more categorical groupings. The fuel consumption performance factors associated with at least one of the categorical groupings are processed to identify a hypothetical maximum fuel economy or “baseline” for the at least one of the categorical groupings, and to identify fuel economy deduction coefficients based on the fuel consumption performance factors that adversely impact the hypothetical maximum fuel economy.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for monitoring wireless communication performance. A fleet of moving vehicles equipped with communication devices communicate data call records, including a geographic location of the vehicle when the communication was attempted, to a central office. Indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communications attempts are aggregated by geographic area using the geographic location data from the vehicles. Call success rate levels for the geographic areas are determined based on the aggregated indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communication attempts. These levels may be presented on geographical maps or otherwise, and/or used for network analysis purposes.

Abstract: Techniques involving connecting an in-cab computing device to an onboard computing device mounted in a vehicle. Vehicle-related information may be communicated between the in-cab computing device and onboard computing device while the in-cab computing device is connected to the onboard computing device. Techniques involve facilitating disconnection of the in-cab computing device from the onboard computing device and operating the in-cab computing device in a stand-alone mode, and facilitating reconnection of the in-cab computing device to the onboard computing device to resume operations between the in-cab computing device and onboard computing device.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to allow one to determine is a sign is an “open” sign or a “closed” sign from a greater distance than would be possible if one had to rely on the ability to read said sign. By incorporating the colors “red” and “green” the sign's written message doesn't have to be read.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a checksum in a network transmission. In one aspect of the invention, a checksum for a packet to be transmitted on a network is determined by retrieving packet information from a storage device, the packet information to be included in the packet to be transmitted. A blind checksum value is determined based on the retrieved packet information, and the blind checksum value is adjusted to a protocol checksum based on descriptor information describing the structure of the packet. The protocol checksum is inserted in the packet before the packet is transmitted.

Abstract: A light fixture (200) comprises a mounting fixture (501) that is configured and arranged to facilitate mounting the light fixture to a mounting surface other than ground along with at least a first light socket (502) and a plurality of permanently mounted light emitting diodes (LED's) (503). The light socket and the LED's are supported by the mounting fixture. The LED's are configured in an array and are oriented towards the mounting surface when the light fixture is installed on the mounting surface. This light fixture can further comprise an ambient light sensor (504), an animate object detector (505), and/or a timer (506). The wall-washing LED's can be switched on and off automatically (103) to provide the desired decorative effect during the evening hours. In addition, the light socket can be rendered controllable (105) as a function of whether it is dark out and whether an animate object has been detected.

Abstract: The invention comprises an electronically secured inter-processor and virtual device communications system, with an input/output controller board, a multi-drop bus interface to multiple devices, and a parallel interface to an industry standard single board computer. The invention assigns a bus address and virtual identification number to each device and controls communications between the main central processing unit and the devices through a Plug-n-Play protocol.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a color is projected onto a surface. An estimate of the surface color is processed and a projection color is selected as a function of the surface color estimate and a chosen color so that the projection color yields the chosen color or a color substantially similar to the chosen color when projected onto the surface. The projection color can then be projected onto the surface for display.

Abstract: The present invention provides miniature power supplies and circuitry for powering high-voltage devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) processes for their preparation, their use as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.

Abstract: An engine/heat pump is shown. Most of its parts rotate around the same central axis. It comprises two doubly connected chambers. Blades in each chamber substantially rotate with the chamber and may be firmly attached to the walls of the chamber, thus forming a modified centrifugal pump with axial input and discharge. An expandable fluid is rotated outward by one of the pumps and then heat is added for an engine or removed for a heat pump as the fluid is being sent to the outer part of the second pump. The fluid travels toward the center of the second pump, thus impelling the pump in the rotation direction. Then heat is removed for an engine or added for a heat pump as the fluid leaves the second pump and travels back to the first pump near the center of rotation. Rotation energy of the fluid is typically much larger than the circulation energy. A modified centrifugal pump with axial discharge having a casing rotating with the blades is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system comprising a high-voltage capacitive device and a power circuit electrically coupled to the capacitive device, wherein the power circuit is configured for stepping up a lower DC source voltage to a higher DC output voltage, wherein the source voltage is less than about 5 V, and wherein the output voltage is at least about 1.25 kV, and wherein the power circuit comprises a magnetic component and a switching component for charging and discharging the magnetic component, wherein the switching component has a high resistance of at least about 5 ohms.

Abstract: A transmitter apparatus effective for activating a remotely situated appliance includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The RF transmitter is configured to be mounted to a structural element of a building and configured to receive an actuation by a user to wirelessly transmit a signal. An antenna is coupled to the RF transmission circuitry and is arranged and configured to transmit the signal to a remotely situated appliance. The antenna is disposed within an opening in the structural element of the building and is of dimensions so as to extend at least partially through the opening. The antenna transmits the signal to the appliance without significant interference or absorption from the structural element of the building.

Abstract: A surface-mountable light fixture (100) can comprise a base (101) that is configured and arranged to be mounted in an installed position juxtaposed against a mounting surface (102). At least one light source interface (109, 110) that requires mains electricity is contained within this base. This base further comprises an access port (111) formed therein which, when opened while the base is mounted in an installed position on the mounting surface, provides end user access to electrical conductors for the light source interface(s) as well as the mains electricity (104, 105). This base then also further comprises a lockable cover (112) that is configured and arranged to selectively and reversibly seal the access port to deny end user access to the electrical conductors.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining an optical signal frequency range in an optical/electrical transceiver. The method receives an optical receive signal having a non-predetermined data rate via a network interface, and also receives an electrical reference clock signal having a non-predetermined frequency via a framer interface. The reference clock signal frequency is cross-referenced to an optical receive signal frequency. In one aspect a clock and data recovery (CDR) voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is selected having an output frequency matching the cross-referenced optical receive signal frequency. The optical receive signal is converted to an electrical receive signal. Initially, the VCO is frequency-locked to the reference clock. Subsequent to frequency-locking the VCO output frequency, the converted optical signal is phase-locked, generating a receive data clock. The CDR supplies a converted optical receive signal and receive data clock to the framer interface.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system which includes automatic workload distribution. As threads execute in the multiprocessor system, an operating system or hypervisor continuously learns the execution characteristics of the threads and saves the information in thread-specific control blocks. The execution characteristics are used to generate thread performance data. As the thread executes, the operating system continuously uses the performance data to steer the thread to a core that will execute the workload most efficiently.