Author: claimsbot

1. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
a first optical connector included in a tubular string positioned in the well;
a second optical connector displaceable into operative connection with the first optical connector after the first optical connector is positioned in the well; and
a shield having a first position in which the shield is interposed between the first optical connector and a selected one of an interior passage of the tubular string and an exterior of the tubular string, and a second position in which the first optical connector is exposed to the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical connector is included in an assembly disposed in the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string, the assembly being capable of displacing the shield between the first and second positions.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the assembly further includes first and second sections releasably attached to each other, and an optical line extendable between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached from each other in the well.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optical connector is included in an assembly positioned in the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string, displacement of the assembly causing the second optical connector to displace into operative connection with the first optical connector.
5. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
a first optical connector included in a tubular string positioned in the well; and
a second optical connector displaceable into operative connection with the first optical connector after the first optical connector is positioned in the well, and
wherein at least one of the first and second optical connectors is pivotable to thereby align the first and second optical connectors.
6. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
a first optical connector positioned in the well; and
a second optical connector displaceable into operative connection with the first optical connector after the first optical connector is positioned in the well, and
wherein the second optical connector is included in an assembly having releasably attached first and second sections, the second optical connector being attached to the first section, and an optical line extending between the second optical connector and the second section.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second sections is engageable with a portion of a tubular string in the well to thereby detach and space apart the first and second sections from each other and extend the optical line along the tubular string between the spaced apart first and second sections.
8. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
a first optical connector; and
a shield having a first position in which the shield is disposed between the first optical connector and a selected one of an interior passage of a tubular string and an exterior of the tubular string, and a second position in which the first optical connector is exposed to the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first optical connector is pivotably mounted.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the shield in the first position prevents pivoting displacement of the first optical connector, and the shield in the second position permits pivoting displacement of the first optical connector.
11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a biasing device which biases the shield toward the first position.
12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a ratchet device which controls displacement of the shield between the first and second positions.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the ratchet device comprises a J-slot mechanism.
14. The system of claim 8, further comprising an assembly which is configured to displace the shield between the first and second positions.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the assembly is received in the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the assembly is engageable with the shield in the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein an engagement member of the assembly is selectively engageable with a profile formed on the shield.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein displacement of the assembly causes displacement of the shield between the first and second positions.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein displacement of the assembly causes displacement of the shield against a force exerted by a biasing device.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein displacement of the assembly causes displacement of the shield, and wherein a ratchet device selects which of the first and second positions the shield displaces to in response to displacement of the assembly.
21. The system of claim 14, wherein a second optical connector of the assembly operatively engages the first optical connector after the shield displaces to the second position.
22. The system of claim 14, wherein displacement of the assembly in a first direction relative to the tubular string causes displacement of the shield from the first to the second position, and wherein displacement of the assembly in a second direction relative to the tubular string causes a second optical connector of the assembly to operatively engage the first optical connector.
23. The system of claim 14, wherein the assembly includes a second optical connector operatively engageable with the first optical connector.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the second optical connector is operatively coupled to an optical line of the assembly.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the optical line extends longitudinally through an interior of the assembly.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein the optical line extends exterior to the assembly.
27. The system of claim 24, wherein the optical line extends within a sidewall of a tubular portion of the assembly.
28. The system of claim 24, wherein the optical line extends longitudinally through an interior of a tubular portion of the assembly.
29. The system of claim 24, wherein the optical line extends longitudinally along a well screen interconnected in the tubular string.
30. The system of claim 24, wherein the assembly includes first and second releasably attached sections, and wherein the optical line extends between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached and spaced apart from each other in the well.
31. The system of claim 8, wherein a second optical connector is included in an assembly positioned within the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string, displacement of the assembly causing the second optical connector to displace into operative connection with the first optical connector.
32. The system of claim 8, wherein a second optical connector is included in an assembly positioned within the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string, force applied to the assembly causing the second optical connector to displace into operative connection with the first optical connector.
33. The system of claim 8, further comprising a second optical connector, and wherein at least one of the first and second optical connectors is pivotable to thereby align the first optical connector with the second optical connector.
34. The system of claim 8, wherein a second optical connector is included in an assembly having releasably attached first and second sections, the second optical connector being attached to the first section, and an optical line extending between the second optical connector and the second section.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein at least one of the first and second sections is engageable with a portion of a tubular string in the well to thereby detach and space apart the first and second sections from each other and extend the optical line along the tubular string between the spaced apart first and second sections.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the other of the first and second sections is configured to displace the shield between the first and second positions.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein displacement of the other of the first and second sections causes the second optical connector to operatively connect with the first optical connector.
38. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
an assembly positioned in the well, the assembly having first and second releasably attached sections, and an optical line extending between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached from each other in the well; and
a first optical connector disposed proximate a tubular string in the well.
39. The system of claim 38, further comprising a second optical connector disposed in the first section.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein the second optical connector is operatively connected to the first optical connector when the first and second sections are detached from each other in the well.
41. The system of claim 39, wherein the second optical connector is operatively connected to the first optical connector in response to displacement of the first section.
42. The system of claim 39, wherein the second optical connector is operatively connected to the first optical connector in response to displacement of the first section relative to the second section.
43. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
an assembly positioned in the well, the assembly having first and second releasably attached sections, and an optical line extending between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached from each other in the well,
wherein displacement of the first section displaces a shield from a first position in which the shield is disposed between a first optical connector and a selected one of an interior passage of a tubular string and an exterior of the tubular string, and a second position in which the first optical connector is exposed to the selected one of the interior passage and exterior of the tubular string.
44. The system of claim 43, wherein the first optical connector is pivotably mounted in the well.
45. The system of claim 44, wherein the shield in the first position prevents pivoting displacement of the first optical connector, and the shield in the second position permits pivoting displacement of the first optical connector.
46. The system of claim 43, further comprising a biasing device which biases the shield toward the first position.
47. The system of claim 43, further comprising a ratchet device which controls displacement of the shield between the first and second positions.
48. The system of claim 47, wherein the ratchet device comprises a J-slot mechanism.
49. The system of claim 43, wherein an engagement member of the first section is selectively engageable with a profile formed on the shield.
50. The system of claim 43, wherein a second optical connector of the first section operatively engages the first optical connector after the shield displaces to the second position.
51. The system of claim 43, wherein displacement of the first section in a first direction causes displacement of the shield from the first to the second position, and wherein displacement of the first section in a second direction causes a second optical connector of the assembly to operatively engage the first optical connector.
52. The system of claim 43, wherein the assembly includes a second optical connector operatively engageable with a first optical connector in the well.
53. The system of claim 52, wherein the second optical connector is operatively coupled to the optical line.
54. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
an assembly positioned in the well, the assembly having first and second releasably attached sections, and an optical line extending between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached from each other in the well,
wherein the optical line is coiled prior to the first and second sections being detached from each other.
55. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
an assembly positioned in the well, the assembly having first and second releasably attached sections, and an optical line extending between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached from each other in the well,
wherein a first optical connector is disposed in the well, and wherein a second optical connector is included in the assembly, force applied to the assembly causing the second optical connector to displace into operative connection with the first optical connector.
56. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
an assembly positioned in the well, the assembly having first and second releasably attached sections, and an optical line extending between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached from each other in the well;
a first optical connector disposed in the well;
a second optical connector of the assembly; and
wherein at least one of the first and second optical connectors is pivotable to thereby align the first and second optical connectors.
57. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
a tubular string including a first optical connector; and
an assembly received in the well, the assembly including a second optical connector, force applied to the assembly causing the second optical connector to displace and operatively connect with the first optical connector, and
wherein at least one of the first and second optical connectors is pivotable to thereby align the first and second optical connectors.
58. The system of claim 57, further comprising an orienting device which aligns the first and second optical connectors.
59. The system of claim 58, wherein the orienting device comprises a member of the assembly configured for engagement with a profile formed on the tubular string.
60. The system of claim 58, wherein the orienting device comprises a member of the tubular string configured for engagement with a profile formed on the assembly.
61. The system of claim 57, wherein the assembly includes releasably attached first and second sections, the second optical connector being attached to the first section, and an optical line extending between the second optical connector and the second section.
62. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the first and second sections is engageable with a portion of the tubular string to thereby detach and space apart the first and second sections from each other and extend the optical line along the tubular string between the spaced apart first and second sections.
63. A system for making optical connections in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
a tubular string including a first optical connector;
an assembly received in the well, the assembly including a second optical connector, force applied to the assembly causing the second optical connector to displace and operatively connect with the first optical connector; and
a shield having a first position in which the shield is disposed between the first optical connector and a selected one of an interior passage of the tubular string and an exterior of the tubular string, and a second position in which the first optical connector is exposed to the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string.
64. The system of claim 63, wherein at least one of the first and second optical connectors is pivotably mounted.
65. The system of claim 63, wherein the shield in the first position prevents pivoting displacement of the first optical connector, and the shield in the second position permits pivoting displacement of the first optical connector.
66. The system of claim 63, wherein the assembly is configured to displace the shield between the first and second positions.
67. The system of claim 63, wherein an engagement member of the assembly is selectively engageable with a profile formed on the shield.
68. The system of claim 63, wherein displacement of the assembly causes displacement of the shield between the first and second positions.
69. The system of claim 63, wherein displacement of the assembly causes displacement of the shield against a force exerted by a biasing device.
70. The system of claim 63, wherein displacement of the assembly causes displacement of the shield, and wherein a ratchet device selects which of the first and second positions the shield displaces to in response to displacement of the assembly.
71. The system of claim 63, wherein the second optical connector operatively engages the first optical connector after the shield displaces to the second position.
72. The system of claim 57, wherein the second optical connector is operatively coupled to an optical line of the assembly.
73. The system of claim 72, wherein the optical line extends longitudinally through an interior of the assembly.
74. The system of claim 72, wherein the optical line extends exterior to the assembly.
75. The system of claim 72, wherein the optical line extends within a sidewall of a tubular portion of the assembly.
76. The system of claim 72, wherein the optical line extends longitudinally along a well screen interconnected in the tubular string.
77. The system of claim 72, wherein the assembly includes first and second releasably attached sections, and wherein the optical line extends between the first and second sections when the first and second sections are detached and spaced apart from each other in the well.
78. A method of making optical connections in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a tubular string with a first optical connector;
coiling an optical line in an assembly;
positioning the tubular string in the well;
then installing the assembly in the well, the assembly including a second optical connector, and the installing step including uncoiling the optical line; and
then displacing the second optical connector into operative engagement with the first optical connector.
79. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of displacing a shield from a first position in which the shield is disposed between the first optical connector and a selected one of an interior passage of the tubular string and an exterior of the tubular string, to a second position in which the first optical connector is exposed to the selected one of the interior passage and the exterior of the tubular string.
80. The method of claim 79, wherein the shield displacing step is performed in response to displacing the assembly relative to the tubular string.
81. The method of claim 78, wherein the assembly installing step further comprises installing first and second releasably attached sections of the assembly, and then detaching the first and second sections from each other.
82. The method of claim 81, wherein the detaching step further comprises spacing apart the first and second sections along the tubular string, an optical line extending between the spaced apart first and second sections.
83. The method of claim 82, wherein in the detaching step, the optical line is operably coupled to the second optical connector.
84. The method of claim 82, wherein in the detaching step, the optical line extends at least partially along a well screen interconnected in the tubular string.
85. The method of claim 78, wherein the displacing step further comprises displacing the assembly relative to the tubular string to thereby displace the second optical connector into operative engagement with the first optical connector.
86. The method of claim 78, wherein the displacing step further comprises applying force to the assembly to thereby displace the second optical connector into operative engagement with the first optical connector.
87. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of aligning the first and second optical connectors prior to the displacing step.
88. The method of claim 87, wherein the aligning step further comprises engaging a member of the assembly with an orienting profile formed on the tubular string.
89. The method of claim 87, wherein the aligning step further comprises engaging a member of the tubular string with an orienting profile formed on the assembly.
90. The method of claim 87, wherein the aligning step further comprises pivoting the first optical connector relative to the tubular string.
91. The method of claim 87, wherein the aligning step further comprises pivoting the second optical connector relative to the assembly.
92. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of extending an optical line longitudinally through an interior of the assembly, the optical line being operably coupled to the second optical connector.
93. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of extending an optical line external to the assembly, the optical line being operably coupled to the second optical connector.
94. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of extending an optical line in a sidewall of a tubular portion of the assembly.
95. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of extending an optical line between first and second sections of the assembly along the tubular string.
96. The method of claim 95, wherein the extending step further comprises latching the second section to the tubular string, detaching the first section from the second section, and spacing apart the first and second sections.
97. The method of claim 95, wherein the second optical connector displacing step further comprises displacing the first section relative to the tubular string.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for determining problem resolutions within a networked computing environment, the method comprising:
retrieving, by one or more computer processors, event data from within a networked computing environment;
determining, by the one or more computer processors, a characteristic of a database within the networked computing environment, the database storing a plurality of problem resolutions;
determining, by the one or more computer processors, a search query corresponding to the event data and to the characteristic of the database;
performing, by the one or more computer processors, a first search of the database using the search query;
refining, by the one or more computer processors, the search query; and
performing, by the one or more computer processors, at least one additional search of the database using the refined search query.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by one or more computer processors, results from the first search and the at least one additional search of the database, the results including one or more of the plurality of problem resolutions;
ranking, by the one or more computer processors, the results; and
presenting, by the one or more computer processors, the results.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, by the one or more computer processors, a search query corresponding to the event data and to the characteristic of the database further comprises:
determining, by the one or more computer processors, the characteristic of the database is unstructured data;
responsive to determining the characteristic of the database is unstructured data, determining, by the one or more computer processors, at least one keyword of the event data; and
issuing, by the one or more computer processors, the at least one keyword of the event data as the determined search query.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, by the one or more computer processors, a search query corresponding to the event data and to the characteristic of the database further comprises:
determining, by the one or more computer processors, the characteristic of the database is structured data;
responsive to determining the characteristic of the database is structured data, retrieving, by the one or more computer processors, a context associated with the event data; and
issuing, by the one or more computer processors, the context associated with the event data as the determined search query.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein refining, by one or more computer processors, the search query, further comprises:
determining, by one or more computer processors, at least a first constraint and a second constraint; and
applying, by one or more computer processors, the at least first constraint and the second constraint to the search query.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
removing, by the one or more computer processors, one of the at least first constraint and the at least second constraint from the search query.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein refining, by one or more computer processors, the search query, further comprises:
determining, by the one or more computer processors, the search query includes two or more words;
removing, by the one or more computer processors, from the search query, at least one of the two or more keywords; and
issuing, by the one or more computer processors, a second search query comprising the search query without the removed at least one of the two or more keywords.

1. A system for managing visual images of vehicles, comprising:
a first digital video image collector positioned to capture a first data file that is representative of a visual image of at least one non-emissions feature of a first vehicle moving on a roadway, the first digital video image collector including a first communications port;
a first video illumination source positioned to illuminate the at least one non-emissions feature of the first vehicle;
a computing device having a processor, a memory, and a second communications port;
a first communications link between the first communications port and the second communications port;
a first information collection device comprising an open path emission sensor in communication with the computer, the first information collection device having a first emissions illumination source to illuminate emissions of the first vehicle, and positioned to capture emissions data corresponding to the first vehicle.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communications port is capable of transferring data at a transfer rate substantially equal to at least one of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communications port substantially complies with the IEEE 1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communications link comprises a serial connection capable of transferring data at a transfer rate substantially equal to a least one of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a second digital video image collector positioned to capture a second data file that is representative of a visual image of at least one non-emissions feature of a second vehicle moving on a roadway, the second digital camera including a third communications port;
a second video illumination source positioned to illuminate the at least one non-emissions feature of the second vehicle; and
a second communications link between the third communications port and the first digital video image collector.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second information collection device is further positioned to capture emissions data corresponding to the second vehicle.
7. The system of claim 5 further comprising a second information collection device comprising an open path emissions sensor in communication with the computer, the second information collection device having a second emissions illumination source to illuminate emissions of the second vehicle, and positioned to capture emissions data corresponding to the second vehicle.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein the third communications port is capable of transferring data at a transfer rate substantially equal to at least one of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second.
9. The system of claim 5 wherein the third communications port substantially complies with the IEEE 1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus.
10. The system of claim 5 wherein the second communication link comprises a serial connection capable of transferring data at a transfer rate substantially equal to at least one of 100, 200and 400 megabits per second.
11. A method of capturing and managing vehicle images, comprising:
illuminating, using a first video illumination source, positioned to illuminate at least one non-emissions feature of the first vehicle;
collecting using a first video capture device, a first digital image of at least one non-emissions feature of a first vehicle
recognizing a desired feature in the digital image;
storing the desired feature in an uncompressed format;
storing the remainder of the image in a compressed format;
collecting, using a data collection device comprising an open path emission sensor having a first emissions illumination source to illuminate the emissions of the first vehicle, and first data representative of emissions of the first vehicle; and
delivering the first digital image and the first data to a computer program memory via at least one communications link.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the delivering step is performed at a transfer rate substantially equal to at least one of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the delivering step is performed via a serial connection that substantially complies with the IEEE 1394 Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus.
14. The method of claim 11 comprising wherein the first video capture device and the memory are housed in a single housing, and the delivering step is performed via an IEEE 1394 serial bus.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein:
the first video capture device and the memory are housed in separate housing, and the communication link comprises a first communications port associated with the video capture device, a second communications port associated with the memory, and a serial cable; and
the delivering step comprises transferring data at a transfer rate substantially equal at least one of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second.
16. The method of claim 11 comprising the additional steps of:
illuminating, using a second video illumination source, positioned to illuminate at least one non-emissions feature of the second vehicle;
collecting, using a second video capture device, a second digital image of at least one non-emissions feature of a second vehicle;
collecting, using a data collection device, having a second emissions illumination source to illuminate emissions of the second vehicle, second data representative of emissions of the second vehicle
recognizing a desired feature in the digital image;
storing the desired feature in an uncompressed format;
storing the remainder of the image in a compressed format; and
delivering the second digital image and the second data to the computer program memory.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the delivering of the second data in the delivering step comprises delivering the second digital image to the first video capture device via a second communications link and subsequently delivering the second digital image to the computer program memory via a first communications link.
18. A system for capturing and managing vehicle images, comprising:
a means for capturing a first image of a first vehicle;
means for illuminating for video at least one non-emissions feature of the first vehicle, said means positioned to illuminate the non-emissions feature of the first vehicle;
a means for capturing first data representative corresponding to the first vehicle comprising an open path emission sensor, having means for emissions-illuminating to illuminate the emissions of the first vehicle and having means for recognizing a desired feature in the digital image, storing the desired feature in an uncompressed format, and storing the remainder of the image in a compressed format; and
a means for delivering the first image and the first data to a memory of a computing device at a transfer rate substantially equal to at least one of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second.
19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:
means for illuminating for video at least one non-emissions feature of the second vehicle, said means positioned to illuminate the non-emissions feature of the second vehicle;
a means for capturing a second image of a second vehicle;
a means for capturing second data representative of emissions corresponding to the second vehicle, having means for emissions-illuminating to illuminate the emissions of the second vehicle and having means for recognizing a desired feature in the digital image, storing the desired feature in an uncompressed format, and storing the remainder of the image in a compressed format; and
a means for delivering the second image and the second data to the memory at a transfer rate substantially equal to at least one of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of controlling operation of autonomous vehicles in a zone of operations comprising:
establishing a zone wherein:
a system of zone rules established by a zone authority are in effect,
the zone rules coordinate simultaneous actions of multiple vehicles, and
the zone rules allow admission of a plurality of autonomous vehicles,
admitting a vehicle to the zone,
transmitting a first message to the vehicle wherein the first message comprises information to cause the vehicle to enter a mode of operation designed to follow the zone rules, and
transmitting a second message to the vehicle comprising information to be used by the vehicle to follow the operation rules.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein:
admission to the zone is limited to vehicles which are capable of receiving messages from the zone authority and adhering to the zone rules.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the vehicle is supplied on entry to the zone of operations with a communication device to receive a message from the zone authority.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the speed of a stream of vehicles is controlled by placing into the stream a vehicle which has entered the mode of operation and is operated by a zone rule which produces a controlled speed.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the zone rules are designed to optimize the speed of the vehicle in the zone.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the zone rules are designed to limit an area of operation of the vehicle in the zone.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the zone rules are designed to move the vehicle to a parking location in the zone.
8. A method of controlling operation of a driver operated vehicle with a driver in a zone of operations comprising:
establishing a zone of operations wherein:
a system of zone rules established by the zone authority are in effect,
the zone rules coordinate actions of vehicles,
the zone rules allow admission of an autonomous vehicle, and
the autonomous vehicle is constrained to follow the zone rules,
admitting the driver operated vehicle to the zone, and
transmitting at least one message to a communication device on the vehicle comprising information to be used by the driver of the vehicle to follow the zone rules.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein:
the vehicle is supplied on entry to the zone of operations with a communication device to receive a message from the zone authority.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein:
the zone rules are designed to optimize the speed of the driver operated vehicle in the zone.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein:
the zone rules are designed to limit an area of operation of the driver operated vehicle in the zone.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein:
the zone rules are designed to move the driver operated vehicle to a parking location in the zone.