Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media that allow a user to easily generate survey mission plans for one or more UAVs and to capture high quality survey images, including those in the near infra-red, and stitch them into an orthomosaic having reduced geometric distortion. The generation of such orthomosaics allows the systems and methods disclosed herein to be particularly useful in applications where separation from the background of high reflective near infrared surfaces is important, such as identifying plants on soil and generating vegetation indices for precision agriculture applications.

Abstract: An object recognition device of the present disclosure divides a reflection intensity image and a background light image acquired from a light sensor into the same number of subregions. The object recognition device calculates a feature amount for partial image data of each of the subregions of the reflection intensity image and partial image data of each of the subregions of the background light image that have been divided. The object recognition device compares the feature amounts calculated for the partial image data of the reflection intensity image and the partial image data of the background light image in the same one of the subregions and selects the feature amount with which an object is more easily recognized as the selected partial image data. The object recognition device recognizes the object based on overall image data configured by the selected partial image data pieces that have been selected.

Abstract: A method for calculating a velocity model for a subsurface of the earth. The method includes receiving (200) measured seismic data d; calculating (204) predicted seismic data p; selecting (206) a matching filter w that when applied to one of the measured seismic data d or the predicted seismic data p reproduces the other one of the measured seismic data d or the predicted seismic data p; selecting (208) a misfit function J that calculates (1) a distance between the matching filter w and a Dirac Delta function or (2) a travel time shift associated with the measured seismic data; and calculating (218) a new velocity model using the misfit function J, the measured seismic data d, and the predicted seismic data p. The measured seismic data d includes wavefields generated by a seismic source and the wavefields propagate through the subsurface where they are attenuated and reflected, and the attenuated and reflected wavefields are recorded by plural seismic receivers.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for evaluating geological and engineering sweet spots in an unconventional reservoir based on dual-energy computed tomography (CT) comprises acquiring and preprocessing a high-energy CT image and a low-energy CT image of a core from a core region, acquiring and preprocessing a high-energy CT image and a low-energy CT image of a core from a core reference sample, calculating a density and an effective atomic number of each pixel in the core region of a target reservoir, acquiring a geological sweet spot index and an engineering sweet spot index, acquiring evaluation results of geological and engineering sweet spots at different depths of the core region in the target reservoir, and matching the evaluation results to acquire reservoir types corresponding to the different depths of the core region in the target reservoir. The present disclosure achieves accurate and efficient reservoir evaluation and classification.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a region of interest of a sample including: positioning the sample within in a vacuum chamber of an evaluation tool that includes a scanning electron microscope (SEM) column and a focused ion beam (FIB) column; acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional images of the region of interest by alternating a sequence of delayering the region of interest with a charged particle beam from the FIB column and imaging a surface of the region of interest with the SEM column; generating an initial three-dimensional data cube representing the region of interest by stacking the plurality of two-dimensional images on top of each other in an order in which they were acquired; identifying distortions within the initial three-dimensional data cube; and creating an updated three-dimensional data cube that includes corrections for the identified distortions.

Abstract: A method and system for matching image features is applied to mine machine vision. The method includes de-noising an image, performing super-pixel segmentation to obtain a plurality of image blocks, calculating the information entropy of each image block to obtain an image block with information entropy greater than a first preset threshold, extracting feature points of the image block, to obtain the feature point set of the image, using a wavelet method to describe the feature points in the feature point set to obtain a feature point descriptor set, and matching feature points in the feature point set with the feature points of a target image.

Abstract: A method and device for characterizing microbial carbonate pores, and a server. Acquiring a user's detailed observational description of a profile of a microbial carbonate to be analyzed, and determining a full-diameter core sample on the microbial carbonate; performing pore characterization and a first pore test on the full-diameter core sample to determine a centimeter-scale pore parameter; determining a sampling position on the full-diameter core sample, and sampling on the full-diameter core sample to obtain a plunger sample; performing a second pore test on the plunger sample to determine a millimeter-scale pore parameter; determining a sampling position on the plunger sample according to the millimeter-scale pore parameter, and sampling on the plunger sample to obtain a scanning electron microscope (SEM) sample and a casting thin section sample; and performing a pore test on the SEM sample and the casting thin section sample to determine a micron-to-nanoscale pore parameter.

Abstract: A method may include generating three-dimensional (3D) reservoir simulation data regarding a subsurface formation. The 3D reservoir simulation data may correspond to a plurality of reservoir properties at a predetermined timestep within a reservoir simulation. The method may include generating a 3D pixel dataset using the 3D reservoir simulation data. Each pixel of the 3D pixel dataset may be determined based on a plurality of reservoir property values. Each pixel of the 3D pixel dataset may include a red value, a green value, and a blue value that corresponds to three different reservoir property values out of the plurality of reservoir property values. The method may include generating a two-dimensional (2D) pixel dataset using the 3D pixel dataset. The 2D pixel dataset may correspond to a single video frame within various video frames.

Abstract: Overlapping pores in a multiscale model of heterogeneous core formation contributes errors during flow simulations. A scale-coupled multiscale modeling that corrects for contributions of overlapping pores may be used to determine capillary pressure and relative permeability of the heterogenous core formation more accurately. The effects of overlapping pores may be removed by converting pores that have a certain radius or are filled with certain fluids into solid regions. The effects of overlapping pores may also be removed by running flow simulations on a modified model and correcting various fluid properties of the core formation with the results.

Abstract: To separate porosity from surface roughness, length scales for pore size and surface roughness are identified. These length scales are determined from surface roughness measurements and confirmed via NMR pore body calculations and pore size capillary pressure measurements. A filter removes pore contribution to surface roughness measurements and delivers intrinsic surface roughness. Additional filters and methods determine the minimum magnification on which to base surface roughness calculation, based on size of the field of view and where measured surface roughness approaches intrinsic surface roughness as magnification increases but larger magnification increase sampling time and difficulty. Sample irregularities, such as saw marks, are also filtered out or determined to be too large to remove via filter and another area of measurement is located. With the pore corrected quantification of surface roughness, surface relaxivity and pore distribution can be calculated with greater accuracy.

Abstract: A cigarette filter inspection method of inspecting a solid flavor element to be disposed in a void between two filter plugs placed in outer filter wrapper, and the cigarette filter inspection method includes an illumination step of irradiating the void with illumination light, an imaging step of obtaining an inspection image of a region containing the void, a filler detection step of detecting the flavor element based on contrast between the void and the flavor element in the inspection image, and an inspection step of inspecting the flavor element detected in the inspection image.

Abstract: The present application pertains to methods and systems for detecting an underground archeologic structure. The method comprises transmitting P (longitudinal)-waves and S (shear)-waves into the earth. Reflected P (longitudinal)-waves and reflected S (shear)-waves are then received using one or more receivers located on the surface of the earth and one or more receivers located beneath the surface of the earth. The underground archeologic structure is identified using a differentiation between the one or more receivers located on the surface of the earth and the one or more receivers located beneath the surface of the earth.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon exploration and extraction can be facilitated using machine-learning models. For example, a system described herein can receive seismic data indicating locations of geological bodies in a target area of a subterranean formation. The system can provide the seismic data as input to a trained machine-learning model for determining whether the target area of the subterranean formation includes one or more types of geological bodies. The system can receive an output from the trained machine-learning model indicating whether or not the target area of the subterranean formation includes the one or more types of geological bodies. The system can then execute one or more processing operations for facilitating hydrocarbon exploration or extraction based on the seismic data and the output from the trained machine-learning model.

Abstract: A system, method, or apparatus for generating a blast plan that can receive blast data comprising geological properties of a blast site, blasthole parameters, and available explosive product. A pattern footage can be determined based on a relationship between the face height, the specific energy of the available explosive product, and the geological properties of the bench. The burden and spacing can be determined from the pattern footage.

Abstract: A method is described for training a model that refines estimated parameter values within core images is disclosed. The method includes receiving multiple training image pairs wherein each training image pair includes: (i) an unrefined core image of a rock sample to be used for estimating rock properties, and (ii) a refined core image of the same rock sample; generating a training dataset from the multiple training image pairs; receiving an initial core model; generating a conditioned core model by training, using the multiple training image pairs, the initial core model; and storing the conditioned core model in electronic storage. The conditioned core model may be applied to an initial target core image data set to generate a refined target sore image dataset. The method may be executed by a computer system.

Abstract: A subsurface representation may define simulated subsurface configuration of a simulated subsurface region. The simulated subsurface region may include simulated wells, and the simulated subsurface configuration may define simulated correlation between the simulated wells. Subsurface configuration of wells may be compared with the simulated subsurface configuration to generate similarity maps for the wells. The similarity maps may be arranged based on spatial arrangements of the wells such that the similarity maps overlap with each other within an overlap area. Locations within the overlap area may correspond to groupings of matched simulated wells. Correlation between the wells may be determined based on the simulated correlation between the matched simulated wells.

Abstract: A method of making a portion of a microfluidic channel includes lithographically patterning a first pattern into a first layer of photoresist disposed on a substrate, the first pattern representative of morphology of a reservoir rock; etching the first pattern into the substrate to form a patterned substrate; disposing a second layer of photoresist onto the patterned substrate; lithographically patterning a second pattern into the second layer of photoresist to reveal portions of the patterned substrate; and depositing calcite onto the exposed portions of the patterned substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically tracking multi-Z horizons within seismic volumes are provided. Seed data for each of a plurality of surfaces of a multi-Z horizon within a seismic volume are obtained. A data hull for each surface is generated based on the obtained seed data. A tracking region within the seismic volume is determined, based on the generated data hull. Each surface of the multi-Z horizon is automatically tracked through the tracking region. Upon determining that one or more of the plurality of surfaces violate at least one geological boundary rule associated with the plurality of surfaces, truncating the one or more surfaces such that each surface of the multi-Z horizon honors the geological boundary rule within the seismic volume.

Abstract: A subsurface representation may define simulated subsurface configuration of a simulated subsurface region. The simulated subsurface region may include simulated wells, and the simulated subsurface configuration may define simulated correlation between the simulated wells. Subsurface configuration of wells may be compared with the simulated subsurface configuration to generate similarity maps for the wells. Simulated wells may be matched to the wells based on the similarity maps and the arrangement of the wells. Correlation between the wells may be determined based on the simulated correlation between the matched simulated wells.

Abstract: A method, a computer program product, and a computer system manage tree risk. The method includes receiving images corresponding to a geographic area. The method includes determining whether a first tree captured in at least one of the images has a condition exhibiting a tree risk that poses a hazard above an acceptable threshold. As a result of the first tree having the condition above the acceptable threshold, the method includes generating a notification identifying the first tree and a location of the first tree. The method includes transmitting the notification to a team equipped to remediate the condition of the first tree.

Abstract: A method for estimating an effect on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of an invasion of solid particles into pores of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole includes conveying a carrier through the borehole and performing an NMR measurement on a volume of interest in the formation to provide a relaxation time constant using an NMR tool disposed at the carrier. The method further includes receiving information describing the solid particles in the pores and quantifying, using a processor, an effect on the measured relaxation time constant due to the invasion of solid particles using the received information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for method for optimizing settings of a camera and microscope for capturing thin section images of a reservoir rock in a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes performing a frequency analysis of each pixel of the thin section image, associating each pixel in the thin section image with a class identifier selected from a plurality of class identifiers, each class identifier associated with range of frequencies, determining a percentage of pixels in each class identifier, determining a percentage of pixels comprising noise, generating a machine learning model using a structured data set, and determining, using the machine learning model, an optimized setting for the camera and an optimized setting for the microscope based on the thin section image with the least noise.

Abstract: A System for collecting and processing data concerning physical features of drill core samples with three-dimensional shape and appearance. The system comprises a contact less analytical apparatus for measuring and collecting data of at least some part of the outer surface of the drill core samples, a first data-storing means for storing data collected by the analytical apparatus, a processing unit that applies one or more data evaluation algorithms on the data stored in the first data storage means in order to extract data regarding physical features of the drill cores (1) as an output, and a second data storage means for storage of the resulting output from the processing unit. The system is also related to a method for measuring and collecting data on the three-dimensional shape and appearance of drill core samples, such as planar discontinuities including orientation marks on the drill core samples.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting or identifying substances based on spectral response signatures is provided. The system utilizes IR imagery, singularly or stored in a database, in operative communication with a database or library of known spectral response signatures. The system correlates the spectral response signature detected, or inherent, in an image or image library, with the set of known signatures in the spectral database. The system generates a report of the substances or chemical compounds present in at least a portion of the image. The system can also query a database of IR products for an area of interest, and return results in a report or via an interactive tool, for IR products containing specific IR spectral results.

Abstract: Petrographic data of a carbonate reservoir in a subterranean region is received. Mud content of the carbonate reservoir is determined based on the petrographic data. A depositional porosity of the carbonate reservoir is computed based on the mud content. An amount of cementation of the carbonate reservoir is determined. A porosity loss by compaction of the carbonate reservoir is determined based on the mud content and the amount of cementation of the carbonate reservoir. A post-compaction porosity of the carbonate reservoir is computed based on the depositional porosity, the mud content, the amount of cementation, and the porosity loss by compaction.

Abstract: A system for advanced vector editing, comprising a routing calculation server and a rendering engine. The routing calculation server calculates a radius around a visual cursor associated with a raster image; determines a three-dimensional location at the cursor from the raster image; determines a three-dimensional path using epipolar geometry; and recalculates a vector path through the cursor location according to the three-dimensional path.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a rock sample to determine a mechanical property of the rock sample includes (a) segmenting a digital image volume corresponding to an image of the rock sample. In addition, the method includes (b) partitioning the digital image volume to associate a plurality of voxels in the digital image volume with a plurality of grains of the rock sample. Further, the method includes (c) determining the voxels of the plurality of voxels that are adjacent to each other to identify a plurality of contact interfaces between the grains. Still further, the method includes (d) determining a contact area of each of the contact interfaces using adjacent voxels at the corresponding grain-grain interface. The method also includes (e) determining a number of contact interfaces that each grain of the plurality of grains has with each adjacent grain.

Abstract: One particular example includes a system, comprising a processor and a memory to store instructions that when executed by the processor performs operations, comprising displaying a map of a first area on a display; receiving an instruction to designate a second area on the map to be avoided; displaying the second area to be avoided on the map; and generating a route from a first point to a second point, where the route does not go through the second area to be avoided.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for generating an optimal field development plan (FDP) for the exploitation of oil and gas reservoirs when the available data of the reservoir is limited. A tree is generated starting from a root node wherein each node represents a decision or an observation of the field. The tree generation includes a specific manner of combining a search and a rollout process for exploring paths providing candidates of field development plans (FDP) and adding new nodes to the tree. The method reduces drastically the computational cost providing an affordable manner of estimating an optimal field development plan (FDP) before carrying out the exploitation of the reservoir.

Abstract: An excitement propagation visualization apparatus detects an excitement propagation wave front for each analysis time on the basis of excitement propagation data indicative of a potential generated by excitement propagation. Next, the excitement propagation visualization apparatus detects for each analysis time an intersection of a straight line passing through a first point inside a heart and a second point outside the heart and the excitement propagation wave front. Furthermore, the excitement propagation visualization apparatus generates for each analysis time a display object associated with the intersection of the straight line and the excitement propagation wave front. In addition, the excitement propagation visualization apparatus draws the display object generated for each analysis time at a position of the associated intersection in a drawing area indicative of an analysis space.

Abstract: A method for computing physical properties of materials, such as two-phase and three-phase relative permeabilities through a porous material, is described. The method employs single or multi-scale digital images of a representative sample which capture one or multiple fractionations of a micro-structure size cascade at the respective, required imaging resolutions. At a high resolution, the method computes basic physical properties, such as absolute permeabilities with a numerical method such as computational fluid dynamics solving the Navier-Stokes equation, and capillary pressure with simulations solving Young-Laplace equation. Saturation states of multiple fluids are combined to derive capillary pressure relationships at low resolutions when necessary.

Abstract: A system and method of automated classification of rock types includes: partitioning, by a processing device, an image into partitions; extracting, by the processing device, sub-images from each of the partitions; first-level classifying, by an automated classifier, the sub-images into corresponding first classes; and second-level classifying, by the processing device, the partitions into corresponding second classes by, for each partition of the partitions, selecting a most numerous one of the corresponding first classes of the sub-images extracted from the partition. A method of displaying automated classification results on a display device is provided. The method includes: receiving, by a processing device, an image partitioned into partitions and classified into corresponding classes; and manipulating, by the processing device, the display device to display the image together with visual identification of the partitions and their corresponding classes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for using a 3D scanner to define a path for an irrigation machine to follow using terrain, markings, or other identifiers (natural or manmade). According to a preferred embodiment, identifiers can be programmed into the control computer to recognize location and define steering inputs. The 3D sensors can also identify if a foreign object is present in the path to create notifications and change machine operating parameters (increased safety for collision avoidance). Accordingly, the system of the present invention uses 3D sensor input to modify a predefined path and/or other system parameters in response to detected image data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, machines, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having one or more computer programs stored therein to enhance core analysis planning for a plurality of core samples of subsurface material. Embodiments can include positioning electronic depictions of structure of encased core samples of subsurface material on a display and determining portions of each of the images as different planned sample types thereby to virtually mark each of the images. Planned sample types can include, for example, full diameter samples, special core analysis samples, conventional core analysis samples, and mechanical property samples. Embodiments further can include transforming physical properties of encased core samples of subsurface material into images responsive to one or more penetrative scans by use of one or more computerized tomography (CT) scanners.

Abstract: A shovel includes a lower travelling body; an upper turning body pivotably mounted on the lower traveling body; a camera that is attached to the upper turning body and that is capable of stereo photographing; and a measurement device including a processor; and a memory that includes instructions, which when executed, cause the processor to execute the following step: measuring a landform in a vicinity of the shovel based on stereo-pair images captured by the camera during turning or traveling of the shovel.

Abstract: The present application relates to a characterization method for fine-grained sedimentary rock laminar texture, including S1: image preprocessing; S2: loading the image, and normalizing the image to a specified size; S3: performing mean filtering, dilation operation and binarization processing on the image; S4: determining whether laminars are developed; S5: determining the number of bright laminars and dark laminars; S6: determining the continuity of bright laminars and dark laminars; S7: according to the statistical result and the calculation result, recording the characterized parameters into Excel. The present application can accurately characterize the texture features of fine-grained sedimentary rock laminar. Compared with the prior art, the present application have higher efficiency and satisfies the requirement of symmetrically depicting the growth features of fine-grained sedimentary rock laminar, and a technical support is provided for the exploration and development of shale oil and gas.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, machines, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having one or more computer programs stored therein to enhance core analysis planning for a plurality of core samples of subsurface material. Embodiments can include positioning electronic depictions of structure of encased core samples of subsurface material on a display and determining portions of each of the images as different planned sample types thereby to virtually mark each of the images. Planned sample types can include, for example, full diameter samples, special core analysis samples, conventional core analysis samples, and mechanical property samples. Embodiments further can include transforming physical properties of encased core samples of subsurface material into images responsive to one or more penetrative scans by use of one or more computerized tomography (CT) scanners.

Abstract: A method to select a representative subset of a plurality of horizon surfaces or surface patches from geophysical subsurface imaging data, including: defining a score function on one or more horizon surfaces or surface patches; calculating, by a computer, the score for each of the plurality of horizon surfaces or surface patches with regard to other horizon surfaces or surface patches and whether the other horizon surfaces or surface patches have been selected or not for inclusion or exclusion in the subset of the plurality of horizon surfaces; selecting, by a computer, one or more of the plurality of horizon surfaces or surface patches to be included in the subset of the plurality of horizon surfaces or surface patches or excluded from the subset of the plurality of horizon surfaces or surface patches based on their respective scores; iteratively repeating the selecting and calculating steps until a stopping condition is reached and the subset of the plurality of horizon surfaces or surface patches is determ

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of separating, identifying and characterizing cracks in rocks or other materials in three-dimensional (3D) space, which processes as follows to a volumetric digital image: 1) preprocessing digital image; 2) statistically analyzing basic information of the image including porosity, connectivity of each pore, and position, size, orientation and anisotropy of each pore-structure; 3) filtration: removing non-crack structures; 4) smoothening: smoothening and mending the image; 5) thinning: thinning the void structure into a thickness d (2 to 3 voxels recommended) in a direction with shortest extension; 6) separation: separating intersected cracks in a crack network by breaking the connections; 7) combination: combining those elongated cracks that are disconnected in the last step, and restoring cracks to the thickness before thinning, and eventually giving out the characterization of the cracks.

Abstract: The pore structure of rocks and other materials can be determined through microscopy and subjected to digital simulation to determine the properties of fluid flows through the material. To determine a porosity-permeability over an extended range even when working from a small model, some disclosed method embodiments obtain a three-dimensional pore/matrix model of a sample; measure a distribution of porosity-related parameter variation as a function of subvolume size; measure a connectivity-related parameter as a function of subvolume size; derive a reachable porosity range as a function of subvolume size based at least in part on the distribution of porosity-related parameter variation and the connectivity-related parameter; select a subvolume size offering a maximum reachable porosity range; find permeability values associated with the maximum reachable porosity range; and display said permeability values as a function of porosity.

Abstract: A system for automated vector updating, comprising a database that stores raster and vector information, and a vector processing server that algorithmically processes vectors for updates, and methods for algorithm-based vector updating.

Abstract: According to the invention, a training image denotes, for each cell of a first three-dimensional grid, a respective type of geological facies assigned to said cell. For each cell of a second three-dimensional grid, the morphology of which is matched to estimated geological horizons, the well data comprise a respective type of geological facies estimated for said cell. Two-dimensional patterns, each of which is defined along a respective geological horizon and includes, in a cell containing the intersection of a well with said geological horizon, the type of geological facies estimated for each cell, are defined. The instances of the identified two-dimensional patterns are counted in the training image so as to verify the ability of the training image to account for correlations between wells.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for deriving properties of a porous material, the method includes: a first stage including: obtaining a first image of the porous material on a first scale; extracting a first network of pores from the first image; and deriving a first set of properties of the porous material using a first network flow modeling based on the first network; and a second stage including: obtaining a second image of the porous material on a second scale larger than the first scale; extracting a second network of pores from the second image; and deriving a second set of properties of the porous material using a second network flow modeling based on the second network and the first set of properties.

Abstract: A method for estimating a fracability index for a geological location includes determining a fabric metric and a mineralogical composition metric for a geological sample extracted from a geological location and estimating a fracability index for the geological location from the fabric metric and the mineralogical composition metric. The fabric metric may be a grain related measurement such as grain size or angularity, or a pore-space related measurement such as pore area, diameter, aspect ratio, and circumference, or statistics associated with such measurements. In certain embodiments, determining the mineralogical composition metric includes detecting a prevalence of at least one organic proxy within the geological sample such as vanadium, iron, uranium, thorium, copper, sulfur, zinc, chromium, nickel, cobalt, lead and molybdenum. Determining the mineralogical composition metric may also include detecting a prevalence of one, two, or all of siliciclastics, carbonate and clay.

Abstract: Blasting video analysis techniques and systems are presented using vibration compensated background analysis with automated determination of blast origin coordinates and highest point coordinates using blast outline coordinates for post-origin frames. Blast expansion trajectories of the highest particle are estimated in frames preceding the highest point frame, and estimated blast parameters including maximum height and initial blast velocity are computed independent of blast data.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods generate filtered, three-dimensional models with regard to a site. In particular, one or more embodiments include systems and methods that generate a filtered, three-dimensional model by removing one or more non-ground objects from a three-dimensional model of the site. Specifically, one or more embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods remove objects from a three-dimensional representation of a site by applying an initial filter to the three-dimensional representation, identifying regions corresponding to types of terrain within the three-dimensional representation, and applying another filter with parameters particular to the identified regions.

Abstract: Method for optimal stacking of seismic images to remove noise and enhance signals in seismic images (101) outputted from a Reverse Time Migration (RTM) imaging process. Dip information is calculated (102) and then sorted by image point (104), for each seismic image to be stacked. A dominant dip and azimuth is determined at each image point (106), and only those events are stacked (107). If the image is still noisy or lacking in detail (108), the process may be iterated (109) to improve the selection of most likely dip and azimuth.

Abstract: A method for image processing includes providing a microscopic image of a structure fabricated on a substrate and computer-aided design (CAD) data used in fabricating the structure. The microscopic image is processed by a computer so as to generate a first directionality map, which includes, for a matrix of points in the microscopic image, respective directionality vectors corresponding to magnitudes and directions of edges at the points irrespective of a sign of the magnitudes. The CAD data are processed by the computer so as to produce a simulated image based on the CAD data and to generate a second directionality map based on the simulated image. The first and second directionality maps are compared by the computer so as to register the microscopic image with the CAD data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a camera assembly, in which a first camera and a second camera capture images (36, 42). Respective fields of view of the two cameras overlap at least in a partial region (24). At least in an image (36) captured by the first camera, at least one contamination region (38) including a plurality of pixels is detected within the partial region (24). Thereupon, data values specifying the respective transparency of the pixels in the at least one contamination region (38) are varied with respect to respective reference values of the transparency, wherein these reference values increase in the partial region (24) towards an edge (28) of the respective image upon superimposition of the images. Furthermore, the invention relates to a camera assembly.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an image of drill cuttings with a data acquisition system that includes one or more processors, the drill cuttings originating from a wellbore being drilled and including a plurality of particles. The image of the drill cuttings is analyzed with the one or more processors by obtaining three two-dimensional distance measurements for each particle and obtaining four angular measurements for each particle. The one or more processors then determine at least one of a particle size distribution of the drill cuttings and a shape distribution of the drill cuttings based on the three two-dimensional distance measurements and the four angular measurements of each particle.