Abstract: According to some embodiments, motor-tuned nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probes may be tuned manually without overcoming the tuning motor holding force. An NMR probe includes a switchable manual-mode/motor-driven mode capacitance-adjustment assembly for adjusting the capacitance of a variable capacitor connected to an NMR RF coil. The capacitance-adjustment assembly includes a tuning shaft coupled to the variable capacitor through a gear assembly, and a mode-switching coupler coupled to the tuning shaft. The mode-switching coupler includes a first terminal coupled to a piezoelectric motor, and a second terminal coupled to the tuning shaft. In the manual mode, a user pushes up the tuning shaft, decoupling the two terminals of the mode-switching coupler and thus decoupling the motor from the tuning shaft. The user then manually rotates the tuning shaft. In the motor-driven mode, a spring tensioner presses the two terminals of the mode-switching coupler together, coupling the motor to the tuning shaft.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of optimizing operating parameters of an analytical instrument (e.g. lens voltages of a mass spectrometer) includes steps taken to minimize the method duration in the presence of substantial instrument noise and/or drift. Some methods include selecting a best point between a default instrument parameter set (vector) and a most-recent optimum parameter set; building a starting simplex at the selected best point location in parameter-space; and advancing the simplex to find an optimal parameter vector. The best simplex points are periodically re-measured, and the resulting readings are used to replace and/or average previous readings. The algorithm convergence speed may be adjusted by reducing simplex contractions gradually. The method may operate using all-integer parameter values, recognize parameter values that are out of an instrument range, and operate under the control of the instrument itself rather than an associated control computer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is designed by interconnecting pre-designed data-driven cores (intellectual property, functional blocks). Hardware description language (e.g. Verilog or VHDL) and software language (e.g. C or C++) code for interconnecting the cores is automatically generated by software tools from a central circuit specification. The central specification recites pre-designed hardware cores (intellectual property) and the interconnections between the cores. HDL and software language test benches, and timing constraints are also automatically generated from the central specification. The automatic generation of code simplifies the interconnection of pre-existing cores for the design of complex integrated circuits.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical switch includes: a first dual-fiber collimator comprising a first pair of optical fibers; a second fiber collimator comprising an output optical fiber; a switching prism movable between a first position and a second position, and a first mirror facing the first collimator. In the first position, the switching prism directs light from an input fiber of the first collimator into the output fiber of the second collimator. In the second position, the switching prism is positioned out of an optical path of light emitted from the input fiber of the first collimator. The first mirror is aligned to reflect light from the input fiber of the first collimator into an output fiber of the first collimator when the switching prism is in the second position. The second collimator may be a dual-fiber collimator, and a second mirror may be placed facing the second collimator.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a motorized variable optical attenuator comprises an input fiber collimator; an output fiber collimator disposed substantially along the first collimator; and a right-angle reflector movable relative to the input collimator and the output collimator along a translation direction forming a non-zero angle with a direction of a light beam emitted by the input collimator. The reflector comprises two mutually-perpendicular reflective surfaces for sequentially reflecting the light beam emitted by the input collimator to the output collimator. A variable attenuation imparted by the attenuator on the light beam is determined by a position of the reflector relative to the input collimator and the output collimator, along the translation direction. The reflector preferably comprises a right-angle prism adhered to a nut mounted on a threaded axle driven by a stepper motor. The attenuator can achieve stable, ripple-free attenuation characteristics at insertion losses beyond ?40 dB.

Abstract: Multithreaded data- and context-flow processing is achieved by flowing data and context (thread) identification tokens through specialized cores (functional blocks, intellectual property). Each context identification token defines the identity of a context and associated context parameters affecting the processing of the data tokens. Parameter values for different contexts are stored in a distributed manner throughout the cores. Upon a context switch, only the identity of the new context is propagated. The parameter values for the new context are retrieved from the distributed storage locations. Different cores of the system and different pipestages within a core can work simultaneously in different contexts. The described architecture does not require long propagation distances for parameters upon context switches, or that an entire pipeline finish processing in one context before starting processing in another.

Abstract: A self-decoding charge pump for charging conductive lines (word lines or bit lines) of a semiconductor programmable memory array such as an EEPROM includes: oscillator output capacitive coupling circuitry connecting an oscillator output to a first control node corresponding to a selected conductive line, for capacitively coupling voltage pulses from the oscillator output to the first control node while the conductive line is selected; control selective charge transfer circuitry connecting a high voltage source to a second control node through the first control node, for selectively transferring charge increments from the high-voltage source to the second control node while the conductive line is selected; conductive line charging control circuitry connecting the high voltage source to the conductive line and responsive to the second control node, for selectively transferring charge from the high voltage source to the conductive line while the conductive line is selected; and conductive line isolation circuitr

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented common azimuth migration seismic data processing method comprises: providing a common-azimuth input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest; providing a velocity model for the volume; applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set; and performing a recursive downward-continuation of the common-azimuth input data set to a plurality of successive common-azimuth surfaces to generate an image of the volume of interest. In one embodiment, the present invention further provides for selecting a depth dependence of an offset range employed in the downward continuation; selecting a frequency-dependence of a depth step size employed in the downward continuation; selecting a frequency dependence of a cutoff depth employed in the downward continuation; and adding reciprocal traces to the data around zero offset, for reducing imaging artifacts introduced by data edge effects.

Abstract: A 1×N optical switch includes an input fiber collimator, an x-y scanning device including two perpendicular galvanometer-driven rotatable mirrors, and a 2-D array of output fiber collimators arranged over an output surface so as to be aligned with a corresponding ray extending from the x-y scanning device. Each of the output fiber collimators corresponds to a unique pair of rotation angles of the two mirrors. The output surface can have a spherical curvature, or a curvature which accounts for the dependency of optical path on the angles of the two mirrors. The switch allows improved switching speeds, accuracy, and reduced and uniform insertion losses. The architecture can be used for N×M switches and N×M cross-connects.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first cylindrical optical element (lens or mirror), and a second cylindrical optical element positioned in a round-spot plane following the first cylindrical optical element. At least one of the cylindrical optical elements is rotatable about the optical axis, relative to the other cylindrical optical element. A collimated light beam is incident on the first cylindrical optical element. Rotating the cylindrical optical elements relative to each other allows changing the size of a round spot or scaling an image at a given output location. In one implementation, two positive-magnification cylindrical lenses of focal length f are separated by a distance 2f. Rotating one of the lenses about the optical axis changes the diameter of a round spot (or symmetrically scales an image) at a fixed position away from the second lens.

Abstract: A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes an azimuthally-tapering, rotatable beam attenuator. In a plane perpendicular to the light beam to be attenuated, the projection of the beam attenuator comprises a sharp distal tip, a proximal region, and a concave curved light-blocking surface narrowing from the proximal region to the distal tip. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by rotating the beam attenuator about a rotation axis perpendicular to the light beam direction. The beam attenuator geometry allows achieving high resolutions while limiting the beam attenuator size. The attenuated light beam can be a single-mode or multi-mode light beam.

Abstract: A seismic velocity analysis method includes tying velocity parameter values such as residual velocity values to geological horizons (reflectors) within a seismic exploration volume. Common image gathers (CIGs) such a common reflection point (CRP) gathers or angle-domain common image gathers (ACIGs) are generated for a set of CIG grid points. Computed best-fit residual velocity values are then snapped to a neighboring horizon or vertically interpolated to the horizon, to generate residual velocity values along the horizon. The residual velocity values for points along the horizon are then selectively employed in updating the velocity model for the volume of interest.

Abstract: A dynamic respiratory control device includes a fast-response valve capable of dynamically imposing multiple resistive loads on the flow of respiratory gas to and from a patient. The resistive loads are applied in response to measured flow rates, patient lung volumes, and/or mouthpiece pressures. The device can precisely constrain tidal breathing, provide precise volumetric control of the airway, and impose multiple specific inspiratory and/or expiratory loading functions to evaluate respiratory function. The device is useful for pulmonary function testing, CT and MRI imaging of the chest, combined CT imaging/interventional radiology, radiotherapy delivery to the thorax/abdomen, and/or as a resistive muscle trainer for weaning patients off ventilators and for respiratory muscle training.

Abstract: Input seismic data are re-gridded to an arbitrary output grid by output-based azimuth moveout. An input seismic data set corresponding to an input grid is used to generate an equivalent output seismic data set corresponding to an output grid different from the input grid. Preferably, the output grid is divided into blocks, and each output grid block is assigned to one of a plurality of independent parallel processors. For each output trace corresponding to an output location, the contributions of plural input traces to the output trace are computed according to an azimuth moveout operator. The contributions are then summed into the output trace.

Abstract: An EEPROM segment bit line page memory array includes a plurality of bit lines extending in a Y-direction; a plurality of word lines extending in an X-direction; a plurality of sub-bit lines extending in the Y-direction; a plurality of segment select word lines extending in the X-direction; a plurality of segment select devices arranged in a segment select row; and a plurality of EEPROM floating gate memory devices arranged in the X- and Y-directions. Each of the segment select devices connects one of the sub-bit lines to a corresponding one of the bit-lines. Plural gates of the segment select devices in each segment select row are connected to one of the segment select word lines. Each of the memory devices connects adjacent sub-bit lines, and corresponding control gates of plural memory devices in a memory device row arc electrically connected to one of the word lines.

Abstract: A mechanically-adjustable variable optical attenuator includes a beam attenuator shaped as a concave quasi-cone. The beam attenuator has a sharp tip and a base, and can be rotationally symmetric with respect to a central axis extending between the tip and the base. The beam attenuator is positioned with its central axis perpendicular to the direction of the light beam to be attenuated. The extent of the beam attenuator obstructing the light beam is varied by moving the beam attenuator into and out of the light beam. The inwardly-curving, quasi-cone shape of the beam attenuator allows achieving a high resolution while limiting the beam attenuator size.

Abstract: Migration velocity analysis is performed using Angle-Domain Common Image Gathers (ACIGs). When the correct velocity model is employed for migration, all ACIG events corresponding to a subsurface location are aligned along a horizontal line. Residual moveout can be performed on each ACIG with a suite of trial residual velocity values, according to an angle-domain residual moveout equation. A best-fit residual velocity value that leads to horizontally-aligned events upon moveout can be selected by generating a distribution of semblance (amplitude summed over a given depth) over residual velocity. Best-fit residual velocity values corresponding to selected subsurface points can be employed to update the initial velocity model using a vertical update, normal ray update, or tomographic update method.

Abstract: Geophysical data processing is remotely controlled and monitored over a wide-area network such as the Internet. A customer using a client computer builds geophysical data processing flows (concatenations of geophysical data processing modules or filters) and enters parameter values required for flow execution. The flow descriptions and associated parameter values are then transferred from the client to a geophysical data processing server, for example a parallel supercomputer. The flows (jobs) are executed on the server, typically over periods ranging from hours to weeks. Intermediate or partial results are made available to the customer for visualization before the processing of a flow is complete. The customer can then modify the flow before its complete execution. Data-entry windows are automatically generated for geophysical processing modules by parsing the source code of the modules.

Abstract: Seismic traveltimes are computed using a conditional high-order method: the traveltime computation operator is second- or higher-order if enough suitable upwind traveltimes are available, and first-order otherwise. Typically, a first-order operator is employed only around singularities, e.g. corners and cusps; a high-order operator is employed for the vast majority of grid points in the target volume. Selectively switching to first-order makes the method relatively simple and computationally efficient, as compared to a pure high-order method. At the same time, most traveltimes are computed to high-order accuracy. In the preferred embodiment, the traveltime front is selectively advanced at its minimum traveltime grid point, using a finite-difference approximation to the eikonal equation. A narrow band propagation zone is used to advance the finite-difference stencil. Tentative traveltimes for the narrow band adjacent to the traveltime front are computed using the eikonal equation and arranged on a heap.

Abstract: A pillow suitable for therapeutic purposes comprises an upper surface, shaped overall as a cradling surface which in a first cross-sectional direction B—B forms a trough 13 with lateral marginal bulges 14, 15 and in a second cross-sectional direction A—A, aligned across the first cross-sectional direction B—B forms a flat-convex middle bulge 12. When aligning said first cross-sectional direction B—B to the axis of the body, the pillow is particularly suitable for use when lying on one's side; when aligning the other cross-sectional axis A—A, the pillow is particularly suitable for use when lying on one's back.