Abstract: A system is described comprising: a first node coupled to a second node by a communications network, the first node and second node communicating digital and/or analog signals over the communications network; the first node comprising a power output selector module to apply a specified voltage to the communications network to power one or more devices communicatively coupled to the communications network; and the second node using the voltage to provide power to one or more electrical components.

Abstract: A water based drilling fluid for use in drilling a subterranean well through a subterranean formation that swells in the presence of water, the drilling fluid is formulated to include: an aqueous based continuous phase; a weight material; an optional shale hydration inhibition agent and a shale encapsulator. The shale encapsulator has the formula: in which x and y have a value so that the molecular weight of the cation is in the range of about 10,000 to about 200,000 AMU; A is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 ether or C2-C6 amide; R, R? and R? are independently selectable C1-C3 alkyl; and B? is a charge balancing anion to the quarternary amine. The shale hydration inhibition agent and the shale encapsulator may be present in sufficient concentrations to reduce the swelling of the subterranean formation in the presence of water.

Abstract: A failsafe configuration for alternative network telephony is disclosed. An indication as to whether an alternative network telephony call processing system is available to process calls from an associated piece of telephone equipment is received automatically and transparently to a user of the telephone equipment. Calls placed from the telephone equipment at a time when the alternative network telephony call processing system is available to process calls are processed via alternative network telephony. Calls placed from the telephone equipment at a time when the alternative network telephony call processing system is not available to process calls are processed via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Abstract: A water based drilling fluid for use in drilling a subterranean well through a subterranean formation that swells in the presence of water, the drilling fluid is formulated to include: an aqueous based continuous phase; a weigh material; a shale encapsulator and an optional shale hydration inhibition agent. The shale encapsulator has the formula: which x and y have a value so that the molecular weight of the cation is in the range of about 10,000 to about 200,000 AMU; A is selected from C1–C6 alkyl, C2–C6 ether or amide; R, R? and R? are independently selectable C1–C3 alkyl; and B? is a charge balancing anion to the quaternary amine. The shale encapsulator and the optional shale hydration inhibition agent may be present in sufficient concentrations to reduce the swelling of the subterranean formation in the presence of water.

Abstract: A fully recyclable, tamper resistant package having a folded inner box comprising a recess for receiving a product, the recess having a depth slightly less than the thickness of the product, the inner box being insertable into a transparent plastic outer box that is permanently sealed with a destruction bond seal following insertion of the inner box. A thermoformed plastic tray is preferably used to seat and stabilize the product inside the recess in the inner box.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to apply substances to a biological tissue are described. The tissue having an target below a surface is stretched to provide openings in a surface. Stretching forces a material from the target onto the surface. A first substance may be applied while stretching to promote cleaning the tissue. A second substance may be applied to the surface. Energy may be applied to the tissue. Then the tissue is relaxed to draw the second substance through the openings into the tissue. The tissue may be stretched by applying a negative pressure, and relaxed by removing the negative pressure. The first substance may be an abrasive material. The second substance is a medicine, a moisturizer, a lotion, or any combination thereof. The second substance may be applied to the biological tissue using a positive pressure. The apparatus to apply substances may be a handheld device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for selective processing of calls using alternative network telephony. Called party data is received indicating a destination to which a calling party using a local telephone equipment desires to place a call. It is determined transparently to the calling party whether the called party data satisfies a first criteria for completing calls via alternative network telephony. The call is completed using alternative network telephony if it is determined that the called party data satisfies the first criteria. The call is completed via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) if it is determined that the called party data does not satisfy the first criteria.

Abstract: Providing multiple line functionality using alternative network telephony is disclosed. A local telephone installation comprises a first local telephone equipment associated with a first local node, a second telephone equipment associated with a second local node, and local telephone wiring connected to the first and second local nodes. The local telephone installation is associated for purposes of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) with a single telephone line. A request from a calling party to establish a connection with the local telephone installation is received at a third local node. It is determined whether the calling party desires to establish a connection to (1) a first telephone extension associated with the first local node or (2) a second telephone extension associated with the second local node. A connection is established from the third local node to the desired extension over the local telephone wiring in a manner that does not affect the other extension.

Abstract: A failsafe configuration for alternative network telephony is disclosed. An indication as to whether an alternative network telephony call processing system is available to process calls from an associated piece of telephone equipment is received automatically and transparently to a user of the telephone equipment. Calls placed from the telephone equipment at a time when the alternative network telephony call processing system is available to process calls are processed via alternative network telephony. Calls placed from the telephone equipment at a time when the alternative network telephony call processing system is not available to process calls are processed via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Abstract: A failsafe configuration for alternative network telephony is disclosed. An indication as to whether an alternative network telephony call processing system is available to process calls from an associated piece of telephone equipment is received automatically and transparently to a user of the telephone equipment. Calls placed from the telephone equipment at a time when the alternative network telephony call processing system is available to process calls are processed via alternative network telephony. Calls placed from the telephone equipment at a time when the alternative network telephony call processing system is not available to process calls are processed via the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for selective processing of calls using alternative network telephony. Called party data is received indicating a destination to which a calling party using a local telephone equipment desires to place a call. It is determined transparently to the calling party whether the called party data satisfies a first criteria for completing calls via alternative network telephony. The call is completed using alternative network telephony if it is determined that the called party data satisfies the first criteria. The call is completed via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) if it is determined that the called party data does not satisfy the first criteria.

Abstract: Providing multiple line functionality using alternative network telephony is disclosed. A local telephone installation comprises a first and second telephone equipment (associated with a first and second local node, respectively), and local telephone wiring connected to the first and second local nodes. The local telephone installation is associated for purposes of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) with a single telephone line. A request from a calling party to establish a connection with the local telephone installation is received at a third local node. It is determined whether the calling party desires to establish a connection to (1) a first telephone extension or (2) a second telephone extension associated with the first or the second local node, respectively. A connection is established from the third local node to the desired extension over the local telephone wiring in a manner that does not affect the other extension.

Abstract: A method and device for treating biological external tissue using at least one energy source. The energy source can be incoherent light, coherent light, a radio frequency, ultrasound, a laser, or any other type of energy that can be applied through the device. The features of various embodiments of the device include the generation of positive pressure and/or negative pressure through one or more pressure conduits, the application of an object within a recess of the device, and measurements through various sensors on the device. These sensors can be monitored and/or controlled through a display element having rows and columns of pixels on the device. The device can be a handheld device or an add-on to existing devices in some embodiments, and can include skin color sensors, temperature sensors, and capacitance sensors.

Abstract: Devices and methods having a cooling material and reduced pressures to treat biological external tissue using at least one energy source are disclosed. The cooling material may be water, ethyl alcohol, and/or any other material having a vapor pressure below atmospheric pressure. The energy source may be incoherent light, coherent light, a radio frequency, ultrasound, a laser, and/or any other type of energy that can be applied through the device. The features of various embodiments of the device include the generation of positive pressure and/or negative pressure through one or more pressure conduits, the application of an object within a recess of the device, and measurements through various sensors on the device. These sensors may be monitored and/or controlled through a display element having rows and columns of pixels on the device.

Abstract: A water based drilling fluid for use in drilling a subterranean well through a subterranean formation that swells in the presence of water, the drilling fluid is formulated to include: an aqueous based continuous phase; a weight material; an optional shale hydration inhibition agent and a shale encapsulator. The shale encapsulator has the formula: in which x and y have a value so that the molecular weight of the cation is in the range of about 10,000 to about 200,000 AMU; A is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 ether or C2-C6 amide; R, R? and R? are independently selectable C1-C3 alkyl; and B? is a charge balancing anion to the quarternary amine. The shale hydration inhibition agent and the shale encapsulator may be present in sufficient concentrations to reduce the swelling of the subterranean formation in the presence of water.

Abstract: A method of electrically logging subterranean wells using a conductive double emulsion fluid includes a miscible combination of an oleaginous fluid, an emulsifier capable of forming a microemulsion, an emulsifier capable of forming an invert emulsion, and an electrolytic salt. A microemulsion is the continuous phase of an invert emulsion. The electrolytic salt or brine of the salt is present in a concentration sufficient to permit the electrical logging of the subterranean well. The fluid may additionally contain a polar organic solvent and a carbon dioxide buffer. The polar organic solvent may be an oil soluble glycol or glycol ether such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and the like.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method includes a modem operable for connection to a telephone line, a voice receiving interface apparatus for use in receiving voice signals from a local user, and a voice conveying interface apparatus for use in conveying voice signals to the local user. Further, processing circuitry, operable under control of a graphical user interface program executable on a personal computer, may be, for example, operable to convert received voice signals from the local user via the voice receiving interface apparatus into outgoing digital voice information, compress the outgoing digital voice information into compressed outgoing digital voice information, and packetize the compressed outgoing digital voice information and provide outgoing packets based thereon. Each of the outgoing packets includes at least one header.

Abstract: A communication apparatus and method includes a modem operable for connection to a telephone line. Further, under control of a graphical user interface program executable on a personal computer, various processing may be provided. For example, the apparatus and/or method may convert received voice signals from the local user into outgoing digital voice information and convert incoming digital voice information into voice signals, and further may compress the outgoing digital voice information into compressed outgoing digital voice information and decompress compressed incoming digital voice information into the incoming digital voice information. Yet further, processing circuitry may be operable to packetize the compressed outgoing digital voice information and provide outgoing voice packets based thereon (e.g., each of the outgoing voice packets including at least one header), and further may packetize outgoing data packets including outgoing digital data information (e.g.

Abstract: A method of electrically logging subterranean wells using a conductive double emulsion fluid includes a miscible combination of an oleaginous fluid, an emulsifier capable of forming a microemulsion, an emulsifier capable of forming an invert emulsion, and an electrolytic salt. A microemulsion is the continuous phase of an invert emulsion. The electrolytic salt or brine of the salt is present in a concentration sufficient to permit the electrical logging of the subterranean well. The fluid may additionally contain a polar organic solvent and a carbon dioxide buffer. The polar organic solvent may be an oil soluble glycol or glycol ether such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wicket conveyor for conveying a series of wickets through pre-curing, curing and post-curing sections of a curing system. The wicket conveyor forms a continuous loop, having a straight upper track portion, a straight lower track portion and a pair of curved end portions of track that adjoin each end of the straight upper and lower track potions. Each wicket is attached to the wicket conveyor track such that the plane of the wicket is oriented at a predetermined angle. B wicket picks up a horizontally oriented sheet and carries it toward the pre-curing section. The wicket and substrate sheet are reoriented in response to the contour of the conveyor, into a near vertical planar orientation. While in the near vertical orientation, liquid coatings on the surface of the sheet substrate move down the substrate sheet in “sheet flow,” thereby leaving a smooth coating surface prior to curing.