Abstract: A method of filtering at least two series of seismic data representative of the same zone, the method including the step of determining an estimate of the component that is common to the data series, and the step of deducing from this estimate a resolution of the data series. The method is applicable to 4D seismic surveying.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting the growth and development of clusters in a data set. The data set is divided into a number of slices and an algorithm is applied to the data held in each data slice set. Each slice can be compared with the subsequent slice to determine which clusters persist from slice to slice. Random data agglomerations in a single slice may give the appearance of a cluster but their random nature means that they are unlikely to persist so those clusters that persist across a number of slices, or that show the strongest measure of persistence, are most likely to represent a data cluster that represents a situation of interest.

Abstract: A method for monitoring human activity using an inertial sensor includes continuously determining an orientation of the inertial sensor, assigning a dominant axis, updating the dominant axis as the orientation of the inertial sensor changes, and counting periodic human motions by monitoring accelerations relative to the dominant axis.

Abstract: A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMD may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.

Abstract: A system that facilitates estimating power consumption in a computer system by inferring the power consumption from instrumentation signals. During operation, the system monitors instrumentation signals within the computer system, wherein the instrumentation signals do not include corresponding current and voltage signals that can be used to directly compute power consumption. The system then estimates the power consumption for the computer system by inferring the power consumption from the instrumentation signals and from an inferential power model generated during a training phase.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes a computer system parameter by analyzing a target electromagnetic signal radiating from the computer system. First, the target electromagnetic signal is monitored using a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein an axis of the second antenna is oriented non-parallel to an axis of the first antenna. Then, the target electromagnetic signal received from the first antenna and the target electromagnetic signal received from the second antenna are separately analyzed to characterize the computer system parameter.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibration for a striation density model with respect to a material includes the steps of generating a first relationship between a striation density and a depth of a crack in a specimen comprising the material, generating a second relationship between the striation density and the depth of the crack in the specimen, and calculating an adjustment, based on a comparison between the first relationship and the second relationship.

Abstract: A technique includes using a first sensor to perform a first electromagnetic field measurement to obtain first data, which is indicative of the presence of a resistive body. The first data is relatively sensitive to an effect that is caused by an air layer boundary. The technique includes using a second sensor to perform a second electromagnetic field measurement to obtain second data, which is indicative of the presence of the resistive body. The second data is relatively sensitive to the effect, and the first and second sensors are either both magnetic field sensors or both electric field sensors. The technique includes combining the first and second data to generate third data, which is relatively insensitive to the effect and is indicative of the presence of the resistive body.

Abstract: A bias value associated with a sensor, e.g., a time-varying, non-zero value which is output from a sensor when it is motionless, is estimated using at least two, different bias estimating techniques. A resultant combined or selected bias estimate may then be used to compensate the biased output of the sensor in, e.g., a 3D pointing device.

Abstract: Methods for applications such as signal processing, analysis, and coding/decoding replace digital signal processing elements with analog components are implemented by combining soft logic gates and filters, permitting the functionality of complex finite state machines to be implemented.

Abstract: A structure, decomposable into at least one elementary structure or base element, is illuminated and then provides an optical response, at least one geometrical parameter of the base element is determined, and a value is attributed to it, a regression algorithm is implemented which determines modified values of the parameter(s), in order to make the difference between the theoretical response of the base element and the acquired result at most equal to a threshold, and to obtain an image of the structure, and as long as the separation between the acquired and theoretical responses is not satisfactory, new subdivisions of the base element(s) are performed.

Abstract: A system and a method for effectively determining the measurement sensitivity, repeatability, and probe commonality to assist a test engineer determine if the tester meets the specified resolution at every test. A statistical measurement of inherent tester specifications are provided with the added accumulation of the probe contact resistance during the probing process. It further provides a feedback to the test probe card noise level while testing is in progress. Moreover, the system and the method determine the test probing integrity in-situ when testing integrated circuit chips or wafers, dynamically detecting probing errors, and modifying data associated with defective test probes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for optimizing the time required for scanning a document with any conventional scanner. More specifically, the present invention will utilize calibration information from the initial power-up calibration or any other calibration, and the information from any previous scans to expedite or eliminate the need for future calibration requests. This process will save time for the user to obtain an optimal scan and increase the operable life span of the scanner by eliminating many repetitive scan cycles.

Abstract: Evaluating irregularities in surfaces of objects such as semiconductor wafers using a thickness profile of a surface section and analyzing the profile to obtain information of an irregularity start position, magnitude, and span along with surface slope and height information.

Abstract: A device for determining the category of mail of a mailpiece, which device comprises: an stand designed to receive said mailpiece; at least one gauge fastened to said stand and provided with a slot of predetermined length and of predetermined height, which length and which height are suitable for defining a determined maximum width and a determined maximum thickness for the mailpiece; means for automatically estimating a length of the mailpiece depending on its position on the stand, and relative to the gauge; and means for acting, on the basis of that single estimate of the length of the mailpiece, to deliver, to a franking machine, information about the category of mail to which said mailpiece belongs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for locating and tracking objects are disclosed. According to one system, a locating device can be configured to determine a location of an object. According to another system, an identifying device can be configured to determine the identification of an object. Further, a tracking system configured to store tracking information associated with the object. A communications system can be configured to communicate a signal to a remote computer device that identifies the location of the object and includes the tracking information associated with the object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analysis and design of radiation and scattering objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, unknown sources are spatially grouped to produce a system interaction matrix with block factors of low rank within a given error tolerance and the unknown sources are determined from compressed forms of the factors.

Abstract: Method of assessing population with a spatially-stratified random sample comprising creating a grid on a study area, the grid being defined by target grid points to form grid cell, dividing each grid cell into a series of sub-grid cells, each of the series of sub-grid cells being identified from left to right and bottom to top within each of the grid cells, identifying and listing each sub-grid cell that intersects the study area, the list of sub-grid cells being sequences in the same order as the grid cells and the sub-grid cells, dividing the sub-grid list into sections, each of the sections being configured to have substantially equal numbers of sub-grid cells, and the number of sections being equal to the number of targeted grid points, and selecting a random sub-grid cell from each section of sub-grid cells to obtain the spatially-stratified random sample.

Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.

Abstract: A vehicle mass estimation system for use in a vehicle, such as a truck, including a transmission is provided. A processor may be operable to receive a signal relating to a mass of at least a portion of the vehicle. The processor may be further operable to estimate a vehicle mass based, at least in part, on the signal. The processor may be further operable to select a desired gear ratio for engagement in a transmission based, at least in part, on the estimated vehicle mass.