Abstract: A circuit has a programmable mode control section, and a receiver section with first and second input terminals and an output terminal. The method and apparatus involve setting the mode control section to one of first and second states in response to user input, and operating the receiver section in first and second operational mode when the mode control section respectively has the first and second states, wherein in the first operational mode the receiver section provides higher performance and consumes more power than in the second operational mode.

Abstract: A system and method of securing data stored in a memory are disclosed. The method comprises storing a payload data in a memory in one of first and second states related by a transform, reading the payload data from the memory, attempting to use the payload data for an application, verifying the payload data as being in the first state, transforming the payload data as a function of the transform in response to verifying that the payload data is in the second state, and repeating performing the verifying and transforming steps until the payload data is verified as being in the first state.

Abstract: A system for producing a material balance solution for well patterns in a hydrocarbon reservoir is described that automatically optimizes the fluid allocation factors for each well used in determining the solution. The system automatically optimizes estimates for the allocation factors to be used in the material balance solution by randomly generating a first generation of allocation factor strings, each string in the generation assigning allocation factors to each of the wells in the reservoir. A fitness function value is determined for each of the strings by evaluating a fitness function, wherein the fitness function comprises the sum of the differences between computed and measured field pressures for each pattern, and the sum of the differences between target allocation factors and the allocation factors specified within the string for each well. A succeeding generation of allocation factor strings is produced according to a genetic algorithm.

Abstract: A seal and extender assembly which prevents surface water and other environmental liquids from inadvertently entering a sump, such as one used in a gasoline service station. The seal assembly includes an extender and a cover. The extender defines a channel and has a first end and a second end, the first end has a larger diameter than the diameter of the second end, the first end is secured to the sump adjacent the access port. The cover has a top surface and a perimeter surface, the top surface covers the access port and the perimeter surface secures to the second end of the extender.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna has two dielectric layers bonded together with an array of conducting strips interposed therebetween, the strips being spaced to define a slot between each pair of adjacent strips. A conductive ground plane is disposed on a first outer side of the two bonded dielectric layers, and an array of radiating patches are disposed on a second outer side of the two bonded dielectric layers, each of which patches is positioned over a corresponding slot, the array of patches being spaced apart to form an aperture between each pair of adjacent patches. Responsive to electromagnetic energy, a high-order standing wave is induced in the antenna and a directed beam is transmitted from and/or received into the antenna.

Abstract: A system and computer program for determining the location of a seismic event in an earth formation zone using seismic traces corresponding to the event collected from one or more sensors in the zone. A graphical data window is displayed of the seismic traces corresponding to the event, the traces representing observed arrival time signals from the sensors plotted with respect to time. A window of a base map of the positions of the sensors within the zone is also displayed. Displayed in the data window is a curve plotting calculated arrival time signals for the traces, the curve being developed from a user-selected one of the observed arrival time signals displayed in the data window and from a user-selected trial location of the event selected in the base map window. The program enables user-repositioning of the trial location in the base map window such that the displayed curve moves in correspondence with the repositioning of the trial location.

Abstract: A program and method for identifying connectivity of well perforation locations to cells of a reservoir description that meet selected pay criteria. First, a pay indicator is assigned to the cells that satisfy the selected pay criteria. A connectivity indicator is then assigned to the pay indicator-assigned cells that correspond to said well perforation locations. Next, a connectivity indicator is assigned to the pay indicator-assigned cells that are connected, either directly or indirectly through another said pay-indicator-assigned cell, to the well perforation location connectivity indicator-assigned cells. The result is construction of a connectivity index array for the reservoir description that differentiates the connectivity indicator-assigned cells from cells that are not assigned a connectivity indicator. The array may be used to calculate the total volume of the connectivity indicator-assigned cells, thereby estimating the drainage volume, i.e.

Abstract: A system for distributing a fluid to a plurality of locations, in which a first conduit is provided receiving the fluid and a splitter is provided having a housing in flow communication with the first conduit for receiving the fluid. At least two branch conduits extend from the first conduit and parallel to the axis of the housing for respectively receiving portions of said fluid.

Abstract: A system for horizontal expansion of low resolution display modes onto high resolution displays including flat panels at a variable scaling factor is disclosed. The system may be combined with known methods for vertical expansion to allow low resolution display modes to be expanded onto any high resolution display. Two different methods are provided, one for graphics modes and one for text modes, to attain better screen image quality. In the first method, a first pixel data sequence to be expanded is first oversampled at a multiple of the frequency thereof to produce an intermediate oversampled data sequence. The oversampled data sequence is linearly decimated by a factor of less than unity to produce a replicated second data sequence longer than the first, which is then displayed.

Abstract: A method of determining a reference seismic velocity model that includes lateral and vertical variations in a stratified subterranean medium is disclosed. The invention recognizes that each unknown prestack traveltime curve may be expressed as the sum of a best fit hyperbola and a non-hyperbolic perturbation term. After the best fit hyperbola has been determined and used to correct the traces for normal moveout (NMO), the non-hyperbolic perturbation term is solved for using a simulated annealing technique. In addition, the problem of topologically representing a subsurface having complicated horizon geometries is bypassed by assuming a smooth and continuous, rather than a layered and discontinuous, velocity model. This assumption facilitates raytracing and in most cases, results in a model that more accurately represents the velocity function. Error minimization during model updates is achieved by solving a linear system of equations subject to a set of constraint equations.

Abstract: A portable electronic system which includes a smart power-management controller. The power-management controller is programmable to vary its operational parameters (such as the time without input which will send the system into a standby mode). The power-management controller also has the capability to self-program at least some of these parameters: thus, for example, if a user repeatedly demands a system power-up soon after the system had been placed into standby mode, the inactivity period required for entering standby mode will be increased.

Abstract: A system for compressing pen stroke sequences according to a technique which first outputs an encoding flag indicating a pen touchdown or skipped coordinates, then the absolute values of the first pair of a sequence of horizontal and vertical coordinate pairs, followed by a sequence of nybbles each comprising two bits representing the difference between current and previous horizontal coordinates and two bits representing the difference between current and previous vertical coordinates, an encoding flag being used to terminate each such sequence when either a pen lift off occurs or a delta value exceeds a magnitude of one, the entire sequence being terminated by a further encoding flag.

Abstract: A system for automatically adapting the power conservation functions of a personal computer (PC) to the work patterns of any user. A power control system of the PC monitors activity of I/O devices and if upon the elapse of a first time interval a particular I/O device or combination of devices has not been accessed, one or more I/O devices are powered-down. Following power-down, the first time interval is incrementally increased if I/O activity immediately occurs thereafter, prior to elapse of a second time interval. This process may repeat itself several times until the first time interval reaches a maximum value. Alternatively, if, following power-down, I/O activity does not occur until after elapse of a third time interval, the first time interval is incrementally decreased until the first time interval reaches a minimum value. The system thereby automatically adapts to maximize power conservation during periods of low activity while preventing user disruption during periods of increased activity.

Abstract: A system is described for selectively configuring a backplane-based SCSI subsystem in at least two alternative drive configurations. A concatenator/splitter (C/S) device enables a user to concatenate several SCSI devices onto a single bus, or alternatively to split the devices onto multiple buses. In either configuration, the bus or buses are properly terminated. The C/S device is located on the backplane between two buses and is connected to each bus by a connector section. A removable interface module plugs into the connector section in either an upright or upside-down orientation, as selected by the user, to choose either a concatenated or split bus configuration. A terminating network is included in the interface module in order to terminate the first bus when the subsystem is configured in the split bus arrangement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting the color of the sprite in display systems, so that the sprite is always distinctively visible irrespective of the underlying displayed data. A palette DAC of a display system is provided with sprite control logic, which derives the color of a sprite to be overlaid on an image displayed on a video display unit of a display system by inverting only the most significant bit (MSB) of each of the red, green and blue pixel data components of the underlying image. In a preferred embodiment, the sprite control logic circuit comprises first, second and third multiplexors (MUXes) each having a first input connected to receive the MSB of the red, green and blue pixel data components of the underlying image, respectively, and a second input connected to receive the output of first, second and third XOR gates, respectively.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling configuration of a PCI daughter card residing on an MCA adapter card using MCA setup cycles and signals and for ensuring the allocation of memory space to the daughter card. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an MCA adapter card connected to an MCA system bus of a conventional PC. A PCI-compliant daughter card, the purpose of which is to provide additional functionality to circuitry of the adapter card, resides on a PCI bus of the adapter card. A PCI/MCA bridge is provided for interfacing the MCA system bus with the PCI bus of the adapter card for enabling configuration of the daughter card during the setup sequence of the MCA bus and to respond with an appropriate ROM signature during DOS boot-up to ensure that memory space will be allocated to the daughter card, if needed.

Abstract: A stylus assembly in which a stylus is mounted in a housing for movement relative thereto. An electrical circuit is provided for sensing contact of the stylus with a writing surface and measuring the pressure exerted on the surface by the stylus.

Abstract: A system for processing merchandise sale transactions for customers in a point of sale and warehouse facility. A main processor has a database for storing customer identification information and merchandise information and processes sale transaction records for customers. A point of sale system coupled to the processor has a controller and at least one pen-based computer in communication with the controller via RF transmissions. Program instructions respond to entry on the computer of a customer number and to entry of merchandise identification numbers to build a sale transaction record of selected items for purchase. The program instructions display item information and enable selection of items for addition to the sale transaction record, display delivery method instructions and enable their selection for addition to the sale transaction record, and transmit the transaction record to the processor to effectuate warehouse delivery of the selected items according to the selected delivery instructions.

Abstract: A surround sound processor for presentation of a stereophonic source program on a multiple loudspeaker array surrounding the listening area. The processor includes input signal conditioning and matrixing circuits, a control voltage generator responsive to the directional information contained in the stereophonic source signals, and a variable matrixing circuit for generating appropriate loudspeaker feed signals to create the illusion of the sound field wrapping around the listening area. The control voltage generator includes a servologic circuit employing variable time constant smoothing circuits each responsive to the difference signal between its input and its output and to a pulse signal from a one-shot triggered by threshold detectors which compare the difference signals with fixed threshold voltages. In one aspect, suitable for incorporation into an integrated circuit, a multiplier circuit and a controlled bidirectional current source charging and discharging a capacitor provides the smoothing function.