Abstract: A process analyzes gases emitted during drilling of a borehole using oil based mud. The process comprises (a) using mass spectrometry, analyzing the gas recovered during drilling through a hydrocarbon-poor zone at spaced apart locations to provide a mass spectrum for the gas emitted at each of the locations; (b) using mass spectrometry, analyzing the gas recovered during drilling through a hydrocarbon-rich zone at one location to provide a mass spectrum for the gas emitted at the location; (c) using spectra from the measurements in (a) to extrapolate and predict a peak in a mass spectrum caused by compounds in the mud at a time when the drilling is proceeding through the hydrocarbon-rich zone; and (d) comparing the spectrum obtained in (b) with the predicted spectrum obtained in (c) to further predict at least one of the quantity and identity of the formation gases emitted from the hydrocarbon-rich zone.

Abstract: A process analyses gases emitted during drilling of a borehole using oil based mud. The process comprises (a) using mass spectrometry, analysing the gas recovered during drilling through a hydrocarbon-poor zone at spaced apart locations to provide a mass spectrum for the gas emitted at each of the locations; (b) using mass spectrometry, analysing the gas recovered during drilling through a hydrocarbon-rich zone at one location to provide a mass spectrum for the gas emitted at the location; (c) using spectra from the measurements in (a) to extrapolate and predict a peak in a mass spectrum caused by compounds in the mud at a time when the drilling is proceeding through the hydrocarbon-rich zone; and (d) comparing the spectrum obtained in (b) with the predicted spectrum obtained in (c) to further predict at least one of the quantity and identity of the formation gases emitted from the hydrocarbon-rich zone.

Abstract: Processes for providing a selective call waiting feature within a communications network entail accepting options for a selective call waiting feature into a database and, then, linking the options to at least one account. The selective call waiting feature can be activated. The processes continue by linking the activated selective call waiting feature to operation of the communication network to implement each network end users' options. The activated selective call waiting feature is then applied to incoming calls.

Abstract: According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, protective devices configured to be located around the neck region of a pet are provided, which are capable of preventing the pet from biting, licking, or otherwise irritating a wound located on the body of the pet. According to certain embodiments, device has five contiguously connected sides, a first open end and a second open end. The first open end is located around the pet's head and exhibits a pentagon-shaped peripheral edge, whereas the second open end is located around the pet's neck and comprises a circular (or oval) shaped peripheral edge. Preferably, the device will be comprised of a clear, or substantially clear, plastic material, such that the pet's peripheral vision is not impeded during use of the device.

Abstract: A call processing method is disclosed. A first station initiates a call to a second station. Call information associated with the initiated call is evaluated by comparing the call information with information in a fraud database. Completion of the call is prevented if the evaluation results in a finding of fraud. If the evaluation results in no finding of fraud, the call is completed to the second station via a routing path obtained from a routing database. If the call being completed is deemed to be a call of interest, the routing path obtained from the routing database for completing the call is stored.

Abstract: A machine-readable medium and a subscriber terminal are provided for speech-to-text translation. Speech packets are received at a broadband telephony interface and stored in a buffer. The speech packets are processed and textual representations thereof are displayed as words on a display device. Speech processing is activated and deactivated in response to a command from a subscriber.

Abstract: A discrete electroabsorption modulator for optical signals has an electrical blocking region (12a, 12b) which is large as compared with the absorber region (13). The height of the blocking region (12a, 12b) is 3-20 .mu.m, e.g. 4-6 .mu.m and preferably about 5 .mu.m. In addition, the blocking region (12a, 12b) is 2-250 times, e.g. 15-25 times the height of the absorber region (13). The modulation depth is substantially increased, e.g. to values above 40 dB, by a thick electrical blocking region. It is believed that the thick blocking layer (12a, 12b) works because parasitic signals which escape into the blocking region are spatially removed from the vicinity of the absorber region; thus they are not acquired at the output.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, preferably a laser device such as a signal generator, a signal amplifier or a signal detector e.g. a distributed feedback laser, which is implemented in III/V semiconductors. Such devices often require a barrier layer to encourage current flow to pass through the localised p/n-interface and this invention provides the barrier layer in the form of a layer of hole trapping semiconductor material located between and in contact with two p-type layers. III/V semiconductors contain at least one of indium, gallium and aluminum and at least one of phosphorus and arsenic but the preferred devices are laser devices implemented in various types of indium phosphide except for the active zone wherein photons are generated. The active zone is preferably formed of ternary and/or quaternary semiconductors. In the preferred structures the barrier layer is formed of chromium doped indium phosphide which is located between two layers of p-type indium phosphide.