Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of drilling fluids, and discloses a strong plugging drilling fluid suitable for shale gas wells and a preparation method of the drilling fluid. The drilling fluid contains water, bentonite, a tackifier, a flow pattern regulator, a filtrate reducer, a plugging agent, and a weighting agent, wherein, based on 100 parts by weight of water, the content of the bentonite is 1-10 parts by weight, the content of the tackifier is 5-15 parts by weight, the content of the flow pattern regulator is 4-13 parts by weight, the content of the filtrate reducer is 4-13 parts by weight, the content of the plugging agent is 20-55 parts by weight, and the content of the weighting agent is 10-60 parts by weight; the drilling fluid provided in the present invention employs modified nano-silica as a plugging agent to improve dispersity and particle size distribution in the drilling fluid system.

Abstract: Methods employ sensors in portable devices (e.g., smartphones) both to sense content information (e.g., audio and imagery) and context information. Device processing is desirably dependent on both. For example, some embodiments activate certain processor intensive operations (e.g., content recognition) based on classification of sensed content and context. The context can control the location where information produced from such operations is stored, or control an alert signal indicating, e.g., that sensed speech is being transcribed. Some arrangements post sensor data collected by one device to a cloud repository, for access and processing by other devices. Multiple devices can collaborate in collecting and processing data, to exploit advantages each may have (e.g., in location, processing ability, social network resources, etc.). A great many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for placing an Access Point (AP) are provided. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a sampling point matrix by performing sampling in a locating area based on a preset sampling spacing, wherein the locating area comprises: a valid area to be covered by a WLAN and an invalid area outside the valid area, calculating a maximum valid signal strength, sequentially selecting a sampling point without placing AP is placed from the sampling point matrix to be a first sampling point at which an AP is to be placed, calculating a newly-added valid signal strength and a newly-added invalid signal strength in a case that the AP to be placed is placed at the first sampling point, and placing the AP to be placed at the first sampling point when preset conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a micro-nano composite plugging agent for drilling fluid, a preparation method of the micro-nano composite plugging agent for drilling fluid, a drilling fluid, and an application thereof. The composite plugging agent contains nanometer calcium carbonate, nanometer zinc oxide whiskers, nanometer emulsified paraffin, a flocculating agent, and a lubricant, wherein in the composite plugging agent, the nanometer calcium carbonate is in 10-36 parts by weight, the nanometer zinc oxide whiskers are in 20-40 parts by weight, the nanometer emulsified paraffin is in 30-70 parts by weight, the flocculating agent is in 1-10 parts by weight, and the lubricant is 5-20 parts by weight.

Abstract: A variety of technologies having practical application in retail stores are detailed. One is an improved method of identifying items selected by customers. This method includes receiving sensor data from plural sensors, including (a) ceiling-mounted cameras that monitor tracks of customers through aisles of the store, and (b) inventory sensors that are positioned to monitor removal of stock from store shelves. This received sensor data is employed in evaluating plural alternate item identification hypotheses. These hypotheses include a first hypothesis that a customer selected an item having a first identity, and a second hypothesis that the customer selected an item having a second identity. A confidence score is associated with each of the first and second item selection hypotheses. These confidence scores are refined as sensor data is received, e.g., increasing a confidence score of one hypothesis, and reducing a confidence score of another.

Abstract: A super-amphiphobic composite material and use of the same as an inhibitor, lubricant, reservoir protectant, and accelerator in water-based drilling fluids. A method for preparing the amphiphobic composite material includes: performing a first mixing of nano-titanium dioxide and nano-silicon dioxide in an alcohol-water mixed solvent under an alkaline condition, to obtain a dispersion of nano-titanium dioxide and nano-silicon dioxide; then introducing a fluorosilicone-containing coupler into the dispersion of nano-titanium dioxide and nano-silicon dioxide and performing a second mixing. The amphiphobic composite material may be applied in water-based drilling fluids. It has an effect of strongly inhibiting hydrated swelling and disintegration, low toxicity and high compatibility; can solve problems such as well wall instability, blockage of drilling tools, and reservoir damage, etc.

Abstract: A method and device for presenting a prediction model, and a method and device for adjusting a prediction model. The method for presenting a prediction model includes: obtaining at least one prediction result of a prediction model for at least one prediction sample; obtaining at least one decision-making tree training sample for training a decision-making tree model according to the at least one prediction sample and the at least one prediction result, the decision-making tree model being used for fitting the prediction model; training the decision-making tree model by using at least one decision-making tree training sample; and visually presenting the trained decision-making tree model. By means of the method, a prediction model hard to understand can be approximated to a decision-making tree model, and the approximated decision-making tree model is presented, so that a user better understands the prediction model according to the presented decision-making tree model.

Abstract: The present disclosure relate generally to image signal processing, color science and signal encoding. Signal encoding can be applied to color image data through use of a luminance contrast sensitivity function and a chrominance contrast sensitive function. Of course, other features, combinations and claims are disclosed as well.

Abstract: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery of such packaging is analyzed to detect digital watermarking. One claim recites a method utilized at a retail checkout location comprising: receiving imagery representing a packaged item from a digital camera, the packaged item including digital watermarking hidden on its packaging, the packaged item moving relative to the digital camera; determining a region in the imagery corresponding to at least one relatively faster moving object; arranging watermark detection blocks over the determine region; an detecting the digital watermarking from the watermark detection blocks. Of course other claims and combinations are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to encoding signals for spot colors. In one implementation a substitute spot color+CMY tint is selected to replace an original spot color. The CMY tint can be transformed to carry an encoded signal. Of course, other features, combinations and technology are described herein.

Abstract: Perovskite-based photoactive devices, such as solar cells, include an insulating tunneling layer inserted between the perovskite photoactive material and the electron collection layer to reduce charge recombination and concomitantly provide water resistant properties to the device.

Abstract: A gel plugging slurry for well drilling, comprising water, special gel, bridging material, linking material, and packing material, wherein based on 100 parts by weight of the water, the amount of the special gel is 1-15 parts by weight, the amount of the bridging material is 8-20 parts by weight, the amount of the linking material is 20-40 parts by weight, and the amount of the packing material is 25-45 parts by weight. The gel slug plugging method including simple operation and low requirement for ambient environment; besides, the bridging material, linking material and packing material in the gel plugging slurry form stable structures in the gel, and thereby the gel plugging effect can be improved effectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of drilling fluids, and discloses a drilling fluid that can inhibit surface hydration of clay and a preparation method of the drilling fluid. The drilling fluid contains water, bentonite, an intercalation inhibitor, a tackifier, a flow pattern regulator, a filtrate reducer, a lubricant, and a weighting agent, wherein, based on 100 parts by weight of water, the content of the bentonite is 2-9 parts by weight, the content of the intercalation inhibitor is 0.3-4 parts by weight, the content of the tackifier is 1-10 parts by weight, the content of the flow pattern regulator is 0.8-7 parts by weight, the content of the filtrate reducer is 1-8 parts by weight, the content of the lubricant is 0.

Abstract: Methods employ sensors in portable devices (e.g., smartphones) both to sense content information (e.g., audio and imagery) and context information. Device processing is desirably dependent on both. For example, some embodiments activate certain processor intensive operations (e.g., content recognition) based on classification of sensed content and context. The context can control the location where information produced from such operations is stored, or control an alert signal indicating, e.g., that sensed speech is being transcribed. Some arrangements post sensor data collected by one device to a cloud repository, for access and processing by other devices. Multiple devices can collaborate in collecting and processing data, to exploit advantages each may have (e.g., in location, processing ability, social network resources, etc.). A great many other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the photocatalyst field, and discloses a photocatalyst for removing hydroxypropyl guar gum in flow-back fluid of fracturing liquid, and a preparation method and the use of the photocatalyst, wherein, the photocatalyst is expressed by Bi5O7Br0.5I0.5, in a powder form in 12-15 nm particle size, with 285-300 m2/g specific surface area. The photocatalyst has improved response to visible light, has greater specific surface area, and has very high activity in removal of hydroxypropyl guar gum in flow-back fluid of fracturing liquid. In addition, the photocatalyst can be prepared with a simple preparation method under mild conditions, and can be used to remove hydroxypropyl guar gum in flow-back fluid of fracturing liquid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to data hiding for retail product packaging and other printed objects such as substrates. One embodiment embeds an information signal in a spot color for printing on various substrates. The spot color is screened, and overprinted with process color tint. The tint is modulated prior to overprinting with optimized signal tweaks. The optimization can include consideration of a detector spectral dependency (e.g., red and/or green illumination). Many other embodiments and combinations are described in the subject patent document.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements involving portable user devices such smartphones and wearable electronic devices are disclosed, as well as other devices and sensors distributed within an ambient environment. Some arrangements enable a user to perform an object recognition process in a computationally- and time-efficient manner. Other arrangements enable users and other entities to, either individually or cooperatively, register or enroll physical objects into one or more object registries on which an object recognition process can be performed. Still other arrangements enable users and other entities to, either individually or cooperatively, associate registered or enrolled objects with one or more items of metadata. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A service-oriented modular system architecture. The service-oriented modular system architecture has plugins and an application programming interface (API) Nexus. The plugins abstract different functions in servers into pluggable business modules. Any numbers of API dispatchers can be registered on the API Nexus so that one business module in the plugins dynamically exposes the services, which can be provided at present, to other business modules in the plugins in a manner of API. Different functions in the server application are independently abstracted into different pluggable business modules, the separating effect of respectively encapsulating and separating different functions to obtain subservices is achieved, and different business modules are allowed to expose interfaces with each other for use.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to image signal processing, including encoding signals for image data or artwork. A color blend/print model is used to predict signal detectability and visibility as is printed on a particular substrate, which facilitates object grading prior to print runs.