Abstract: This relates to correcting the actual absolute capacitance values of electrodes of non-optimized geometric shapes that are connected to electronic circuits. To correct the actual absolute capacitance values, a prediction model can first be determined by carrying out nonlinear regression on the basis of actual values of absolute capacitance values from the electrodes and from a probability density image from idealized electrodes for a plurality of object positions. The prediction model can then be applied to the actual absolute capacitance values to obtain a probabilities densities image for the actual absolute capacitance values, considered to be corrected absolute capacitance values used for the detection of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of absolute capacitive measurement of an object with respect to at least two independent electrodes integrated into a man-machine interface device for detecting said object. This method comprises the following steps: a) for each electrode, a value of absolute capacitance between the electrode and the object is measured, a?) a prediction is made by applying a multi-variable nonlinear prediction model to the actual values of absolute capacitance so as to obtain an image of probability densities, these probability densities being considered to be actual corrected values that are used for detecting said object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for characterizing an object of interest (1) by interacting with a measuring interface (2), comprising steps for (i) acquiring a spatial distribution of measurements representative of the distance (3) between the object of interest (1) and a plurality of measuring points of the measuring interface (2), (ii) determining an estimated position of the object of interest (1) relative to the measuring interface (2), and (iii) determining at least one additional characteristic of the object of interest from among a dimensional characteristic and an angular positioning characteristic (8, 23) relative to the measuring interface (2). The invention also relates to an interface device and an apparatus implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for providing corrected measurements of absolute capacitance of an object in the proximity of at least two independent electrodes of a non-optimized shape integrated in a human-machine interface device for detecting the object. The method includes measuring, for each electrode, an actual value of absolute capacitance between the electrode and the object, and calculating a prediction by applying a multi-variable nonlinear prediction model to the actual values of absolute capacitance so as to obtain an image of probability densities. Then, using the probability densities as corrected absolute capacitance values for detecting the object.

Abstract: A method is provided for absolute capacitive measurement of an object relative to at least two hide—pendent electrodes integrated into a man-machine interface device for detecting the object. The method includes: a) for each electrode, a value of absolute capacitance between the electrode and the object is measured, a?) a prediction is made by applying a multi-variable nonlinear prediction model to the actual values of absolute capacitance to obtain an image of probability densities, these probability densities considered to be actual corrected values that are used for detecting the object. The multi-variable nonlinear prediction module is optionally obtained by nonlinear regression on the basis:—of actual values of absolute capacitance that are obtained for a plurality of object positions relative to the at least two electrodes, and—of an image of probability densities that is obtained for a plurality of object positions relative to idealized electrodes.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting at least one object of interest moving in an environment, and implements at least one capacitive coupling measurement electrode with the object of interest and with one or more other “disrupting” objects present in the environment. Included in the method, for at least one of the measurement electrodes, are steps of: (i) measuring the total capacity between the measurement electrode and the environment; (ii) storing the total capacity; (iii) calculating a leakage capacity due to the disrupting objects on the basis of predetermining a minimum value within a history of pre-stored total capacity measurements; (iv) calculating a capacity of interest due to the objects of interest while subtracting the leakage capacity from the total measured capacity; and (v) processing the thus-calculated capacity of interest to produce information for detecting the object or objects of interest. Also included is a device implementing the present method.

Abstract: A process for on-line and in situ counting of cells in a biological culture medium, including a plurality of steps of measuring the capacitance of the medium or a plurality of steps of measuring the conductance of the medium, at distinct frequencies varying within a predetermined range of measurement frequencies. The process includes an extraction of information on the variation of permittivity due to the ?-dispersion in the medium, from the capacitance measurements, and processing of the variation of this information on the variation of permittivity as a function of the frequency, in order to provide information regarding the counting of cells in the medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus and method for generating an axisymmetric magnetic field having long, straight contour lines in the resonance region. A magnetically permeable member is used to shape the static magnetic field generated by an array of permanent magnets. The magnetically permeable member minimizes variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to vertical motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. Further, the magnetically permeable member may minimize variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to lateral motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: A process for on-line and in situ counting of cells in a biological culture medium, comprising the following steps: a plurality of measurements of the capacitance of the medium or a plurality of measurements of the conductance of the medium, at distinct frequencies varying within a predetermined range of measurement frequencies, an extraction of information on the variation of permittivity due to the ?-dispersion in the medium, from the capacitance measurements, and processing of the variation of this information on the variation of permittivity as a function of the frequency, in order to provide information regarding the counting of cells in the medium.

Abstract: An NMR measurement apparatus includes at least one magnet, at least one antenna, an RF pulse transmitter and a controller. The magnets) establish a static magnetic field, and the RF pulse transmitter is coupled to the antenna(e). The controller is coupled to the transmitter and the antenna(e). The controller is adapted to cause the RF transmitter to transmit RF pulse sequences into a sample and for each different RF pulse sequence, vary an estimated pulse width for producing a predetermined flip angle by a different scaling factor to produce flip angles near the predetermined flip angle. The controller is adapted to receive spin echo signals in response to the transmission of the RF pulse sequences; determine a property of the sample in response to the spin echo signals; and use the spin echo signals to determine an optimal pulse width for producing the predetermined flip angle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus and method for generating an axisymmetric magnetic field having long, straight contour lines in the resonance region. A magnetically permeable member is used to shape the static magnetic field generated by an array of permanent magnets. The magnetically permeable member minimizes variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to vertical motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. Further, the magnetically permeable member may minimize variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to lateral motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus and method for generating an axisymmetric magnetic field having long, straight contour lines in the resonance region. A magnetically permeable member is used to shape the static magnetic field generated by an array of permanent magnets. The magnetically permeable member minimizes variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to vertical motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. Further, the magnetically permeable member may minimize variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to lateral motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus and method for generating an axisymmetric magnetic field having long, straight contour lines in the resonance region. A magnetically permeable member is used to shape the static magnetic field generated by an array of permanent magnets. The magnetically permeable member minimizes variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to vertical motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. Further, the magnetically permeable member may minimize variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to lateral motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for obtaining an azimuthally resolved nuclear magnetic resonance measurement of an earth formation traversed by a borehole. The measurement can be made while drilling or using a wireline tool. At least one gradient coil is positioned circumferentially around the tool. A magnetic field is produced by the coil in a region of the formation facing the coil. The magnetic field is substantially parallel to the static magnetic field produced by a pair of permanent magnets which form a part of the tool. The additional field causes an additional phase shift for spins located in the region so that the spins subjected to the additional field do not form a spin-echo.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nuclear magnetic resonance logging-while-drilling tool. The tool comprises a drill bit, drill string, a plurality of RF antennas, and at least one gradient coil. The tool further comprises a plurality of magnets that are polarized in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool but opposite to each other. The configuration of magnets and antennas provides for at least two NMR regions of investigation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for computing a distribution of spin—spin relaxation times. The spin-echo amplitudes are obtained by hardware integration of the receiver voltages over a time window. A linear operator is utilized to map a relaxation-time distribution to spin-echoes, produce a singular value decomposition (SVD) of the linear operator, determine vectors of the SVD, and compress the spin-echo data using the vectors. To eliminate a telemetry bottleneck, the T2 spectrum is computed downhole and transmitted to the surface.