Patents Issued in March 16, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170074971
    Abstract: Neighbor cell hearability can be improved by including an additional reference signal that can be detected at a low sensitivity and a low signal-to-noise ratio, by introducing non-unity frequency reuse for the signals used for a time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement, e.g., orthogonality of signals transmitted from the serving cell sites and the various neighbor cell sites. The new reference signal, called the TDOA-RS, is proposed to improve the hearability of neighbor cells in a cellular network that deploys 3GPP EUTRAN (LTE) system, and the TDOA-RS can be transmitted in any resource blocks (RB) for PDSCH and/or MBSFN subframe, regardless of whether the latter is on a carrier supporting both PMCH and PDSCH or not. Besides the additional TDOA-RS reference signal, an additional synchronization signal (TDOA-sync) may also be included to improve the hearability of neighbor cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Lai King Tee, Geng Wu, Jun Li, Yuqiang Tang, Neng Wang, Hua Xu, Jianglei Ma
  • Publication number: 20170074972
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for providing location based services in a venue. To estimate its location, in a particular implementation, a mobile device may obtain a measurement of a range to a transponder device positioned at a known location based on measurements of a signal round-trip time (RTT) in a message exchange with the transponder device. Positioning assistance data from a server may enable the mobile device to measure a delay at the transponder device in providing a response to a probe message to thereby more accurately measure the signal RTT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ju-Yong Do, Gengsheng Zhang, Sundar Raman, Chandrakant Mehta, Arie Rahmat, Lionel Jacques Garin
  • Publication number: 20170074973
    Abstract: A method for the coherent integration of Fill Pulses in Pulse Doppler Radar sensors is disclosed. The present invention uses a pre- and a post-coherent waveform transmission and reception period to collect transient signals from reflections of Fill Pulses throughout the range extent. It then reassembles these signals to produce additional coherently integrable pulses of interval returns that are input to the filter and coherently integrated along with normally coherently integrated pulses. The result is an improved Signal To Noise Ratio (SNR) and Signal To Clutter Ratio (SCR) which is related to the total number of pulses emitted, including the Fill Pulses. This improvement can be obtained almost solely by signal processing in a digitally controlled Radar, and requires few if any hardware modifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Herbert U. Fluhler
  • Publication number: 20170074974
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a radar apparatus. The radar apparatus includes a transmitter that transmits a first chirp. The first chirp is scattered by one or more obstacles to generate a first plurality of scattered signals. A plurality of receivers receives the first plurality of scattered signals. Each receiver of the plurality of receivers generates a digital signal in response to a scattered signal of the first plurality of scattered signals. A processor is coupled to the plurality of receivers and receives the digital signals from the plurality of receivers. The processor performs range FFT (fast fourier transform) and angle FFT on the digital signals received from the plurality of receivers to generate a first matrix of complex samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Sandeep RAO, Karthik RAMASUBRAMANIAN
  • Publication number: 20170074975
    Abstract: A laser distance meter includes a laser light source configured to emit temporally modulated laser light toward target objects. The laser distance meter further includes a light detector configured to detect laser light reflected by target objects. The laser distance meter further includes a light detector configured to detect laser light reflects by target objects. The laser distance meter also includes an electronic control and analyzing unit configured to control the laser light source and configured to analyze signals of the light detector. The electronic control and analyzing unit is designed to drive the laser light source, detect laser light reflected by target object by directly synchronously sampling a reception signal over a measurement time duration, generating a detection signal for each modulation frequencies, carry out an inverse Fourier transformation of the detection signal, and evaluate the propagation time spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Schmidtke
  • Publication number: 20170074976
    Abstract: A distance measuring device using a TOF (Time of Flight) scheme includes a controller, a light receiver, and a calculator. The controller generates a first exposure signal, a second exposure signal, a third exposure signal, and one particular exposure signal selected from the first, the second, and the third exposure signals. The light receiver performs a first exposing process, a second exposing process, a third exposing process, and a particular exposing process corresponding to the particular exposure signal out of the first, the second, and the third exposing processes. The calculator determines, based on a difference between an exposure amount obtained from the particular exposing process and an exposure amount obtained from an exposing process according to one of the first, second, and the third exposure signals corresponding to the particular exposure signal, whether or not the light emitted from the distance measuring device interferes with light emitted from other distance measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: SYOMA TAKAHASHI, HARUKA TAKANO, TOMOHIKO KANEMITSU
  • Publication number: 20170074977
    Abstract: An illustrative sensor controller embodiment includes: a transmitter that drives an ultrasonic transducer to produce a transmit pulse; a receiver that derives a sensor signal from the transducer; and a core logic that detects a trigger signal on an event signaling line and responsively provides one or more error reporting bits on the event signaling line before driving the event signaling line based on the sensor signal. An illustrative embodiment of a sensor control method includes: detecting a trigger signal on an event signaling line; providing at least one status bit on the event signaling line in response to the trigger signal; and after providing the at least one status bit, driving the event signaling line based upon on a sensor signal from a transducer. The transducer may be a piezoelectric element for producing and sensing ultrasonic pulses, particularly for use in parking-assist sensors and systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan KOUDAR, Tomas SUCHY, Marek HUSTAVA
  • Publication number: 20170074978
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe and an ultrasound imaging system include a 2D transducer array including a plurality of transducer elements organized to form a transmit aperture and a receive aperture, where the transmit aperture and the receive aperture do not overlap with each other. The probe and system include a plurality of distribution nodes and a plurality of sets of transmit switches. Each set of transmit switches includes a plurality of transmit switches and each set of transmit switches is associated with a different one of the plurality of transducer elements in the transmit aperture. Each set of transmit switches is configured to selectively connect the associated transducer element to any one of the plurality of distribution nodes when in a continuous-wave Doppler mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Charles Miller, Kjell Kristoffersen, Bruno Hans Haider
  • Publication number: 20170074979
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating the range to an object, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal towards the object; receiving a reflected echo signal reflected from the object; and determining a measured point (MP) in an N-dimensional phase space. The range to the object is estimated by selecting a candidate range estimate from a plurality of candidate range estimates, each candidate range estimate in the unambiguous range R having an unique associated point in the N-dimensional phase space positioned on range lines, and wherein a candidate range estimate is selected dependent on the distance from its unique associated point in the N-dimensional phase space to the measured point (MP), so that a single range estimate is generated using information from at least two measured phase differences without directly averaging ambiguous range estimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Weibel Scientific A/S
    Inventor: Jens Jørgen NIELSEN
  • Publication number: 20170074980
    Abstract: In one aspect, a reference transmit signal is distributed to each of one or more transmit antennas, and delayed by multiple different times before transmission from the transmit antennas. The reference transmit signal (or a delayed version of the reference signal) is also used at each of the receive antennas to determine propagation (time of flight) times reflecting from bodies from each of the transmit antennas to the receive antenna. In another aspect, locations of multiple objects are determined by iteratively (a) determining a location of a body based on determined propagation times between multiple transmitter-receiver pairs, and (b) having determined a location, effectively removing the effect of reflections from that location from the remaining signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Fadel Adib, Zachary Edward Kabelac, Dina Katabi
  • Publication number: 20170074981
    Abstract: A forward facing sensing system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor and an image sensor that sense and view forward of the vehicle. The radar sensor and the image sensor are housed in a self-contained unit disposed behind and attached at the vehicle windshield. A control includes an image processor operable to analyze image data captured by the image sensor in order to, at least in part, detect an object present exterior of the vehicle. The control, responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data and to sensing by the radar sensor, determines that a potentially hazardous condition may exist in the path of forward travel of the vehicle. The radar sensor and the image sensor collaborate in a way that enhances sensing capability of the sensing system for the object in the path of forward travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20170074982
    Abstract: The effective aperture of an ultrasound imaging probe can be increased by including more than one transducer array and using the transducer elements of all of the arrays to render an image can greatly improve the lateral resolution of the generated image. In order to render an image, the relative positions of all of the elements must be known precisely. Systems and methods for accurately calibrating and adjusting a multi-aperture ultrasound system are disclosed. The relative positions of the transducer elements can be computed and aligned prior to and during probe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: David M. SMITH, Sharon L. ADAM, Dennis R. DIETZ
  • Publication number: 20170074983
    Abstract: A method for sensing depth of an object in three-dimensional space a Time-Of-Flight Sensing procedure and a Proximity-Sensing procedure are respectively operated in the same one period of time. The obtained information of the two procedures are manipulated to acquire the depth information of the measured object. With the result of the Time-Of-Flight Sensing procedure having high accuracy and the result of the Proximity-Sensing procedure having high resolution, the acquired depth information of the measured object is more precise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: EMINENT ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CORP. LTD.
    Inventors: Tom Chang, Kao-Pin Wu
  • Publication number: 20170074984
    Abstract: An obstacle detection device to be fitted to a mobile vehicle able to move parallel to a reference plane comprises: at least two emitters of electromagnetic beams which are able to form two virtual planes in two different directions that are able to intersect one another and intersect a potential obstacle, at least one image sensor able to produce an image of the intersection of the virtual planes and of the potential obstacle, an image analysis means able to determine the presence of an obstacle, configured to compare the image with a reference image. A detection method employing such a device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Bruno MAISONNIER, Jörg ZIEGLER, Vincent CLERC, Nicolas GARCIA
  • Publication number: 20170074985
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting device arranged to produce a controllable light beam for illuminating a scene. The device comprises an addressable spatial light modulator arranged to provide a selectable phase delay distribution to a beam of incident light. The device further comprises fourier optics arranged to receive phase-modulated light from the spatial light modulator and form a light distribution. The device further comprises projection optics arranged to project the light distribution to form a pattern of illumination as said controllable light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Jamieson Christmas
  • Publication number: 20170074986
    Abstract: A system for reducing undesired interference in a target zone is disclosed. The system comprises a set of M pickup sensors, a beam forming network coupled to the M pickup sensors, and a set of N injectors coupled to the beam forming network. The M pickup sensors pick up undesired signals in real time and generate M pickup signals, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1. The beam forming network comprises a set of M beam forming modules. Each of the M beam forming modules receives a respective one of the M pickup signals and generates N intermediate signals, N being an integer greater than 1. The N intermediate signals generated by each of the M beam forming modules are combined correspondingly with remaining intermediate signals generated by remaining M?1 beam forming modules to generate N interference signals. The N injectors receive and radiate the N interference signals to the target zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: DONALD C. D. CHANG, MICHAEL T. H. LIN, STEVE CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170074987
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the determination and recording of positioning system compliance malfunctions for commercial motor vehicles (CMV). One method includes detecting and accumulating the fault time when positioning system information is invalid or unavailable. Additionally, when positioning system information is invalid or unavailable, the processor estimates an uncertainty distance that the vehicle has travelled since the last valid location. The system then determines and records positioning system malfunction based on positioning system fault events, the accumulated fault time, and the uncertainty distance. The system stores valid location information and data relating to the positioning system fault event on the base unit until the base unit is coupled to the portable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas C. Harter, Michael K. Kuphal, Bruce D. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20170074988
    Abstract: Generating trail network maps, including: receiving a plurality of GPS recorded activities; identifying a subset of the plurality of GPS recorded activities that is associated with a trail network region; and generating a trail network map corresponding to the trail network region based at least in part on the subset of the plurality of GPS recorded activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Davis Kitchel
  • Publication number: 20170074989
    Abstract: A device implementing an adaptive positioning system may include at least one processor that is configured to concurrently implement a first positioning system that generates first positioning information items and a second positioning system that generates second positioning information items. The processor may be configured to buffer the second positioning information items generated by the second positioning system and to determine a position estimation for the device based on the first positioning information items generated by the first positioning system. The processor may be configured to detect a degradation in a quality of the first positioning system. The processor may be configured to, in response to detecting the degradation in the quality of the first positioning system, determine the position estimation for the device based at least in part on at least one of the buffered second positioning information items generated by the second positioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Stephen Tromp VAN DIGGELEN, Steve Graham MOLE, Vladimir BELOV
  • Publication number: 20170074990
    Abstract: A detector arrangement for detecting at least one of rays, ions and particles includes a plurality of detectors. Each detector has a respective anode output and the detectors are arranged with the respective anode outputs being in an electrical series. The arrangement includes a plurality of resistive elements interspersed in the electrical series. The arrangement includes a first measurement point at a first end of the electrical series and a second measurement point at a second end of the electrical series. The arrangement includes electrical circuitry, electrically connected to the first and second measurement points for receiving electrical signals/pulses from the first and second measurement points, and for using the electrical signals/pulses from the first and second measurement points to determine which of the plurality of detectors made the detection utilizing a division of charge that exists between the first and second measurement points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin Scott McKinny, Matthew Thomas McPheeters
  • Publication number: 20170074991
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes an x-ray detector. The x-ray detector includes a member configured to convert incident x-ray wavelength photons into emitted visible wavelength photons, a position for a material under test, an x-ray source, and a structure configured to perturb an x-ray energy spectrum, each lying on a common axis. The x-ray source is arranged to direct an x-ray energy spectrum along the common axis to impinge upon the member, the structure configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum, and positioned material under test. The structure lies between the x-ray source and the member to one side of the position for material under test intersecting the common axis, and the structure includes at least three adjacent regions, each region different to immediately adjacent regions and configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum differently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: IBEX Innovations Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary Gibson
  • Publication number: 20170074992
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for improving the energy resolution of a gamma ray detector comprising a monolithic scintillator and a photodetector segmented during a scintillation event characterised by the following steps:—detecting the time of arrival of the first photons on said photodetector;—counting, during a period T, which is between 2 and 6 times a transfer time (Te), the number and location of the first detected non-scattered photons;—determining the diameter and the position of a disk defined by a set of first non-scattered photons;—determining the position (X, Y) of a scintillation event from the location of said first detected non-scattered photons;—counting the number of the first detected non-scattered photons inside said disk during a period Td greater than a decay time (?) of the scintillator;—defining the energy of a gamma photon, said energy being proportional to the number of non-scattered photons counted inside the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Alain ILTIS
  • Publication number: 20170074993
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inorganic scintillator material of formula Lu(2-y)Y(y-z-x)CexMzSi(1-v)M?vO5, in which: M represents a divalent alkaline earth metal and M? represents a trivalent metal, (z+v) being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than or equal to 0.2; z being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; v being greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.2; x being greater than or equal to 0.0001 and less than 0.1; and y ranging from (x+z) to 1. In particular, this material may equip scintillation detectors for applications in industry, for the medical field (scanners) and/or for detection in oil drilling. The presence of Ca in the crystal reduces the afterglow, while stopping power for high-energy radiation remains high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CRISTAUX ET DETECTEURS
    Inventors: Bernard FERRAND, Bruno VIANA, Ludivine PIDOL, Pieter DORENBOS
  • Publication number: 20170074994
    Abstract: A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector includes a first substrate and a second substrate, and a defined gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first and second substrates comprise dielectrics and a discharge gas is contained between the first and second substrate. A microcavity structure comprising microcavities is coupled to the second substrate. An anode electrode is coupled to the first substrate and a cathode electrode is coupled to the microcavity structure on the second substrate. The detector further includes pixels defined by a microcavity and an anode electrode coupled to a cathode electrode, and a resistor coupled to each of the cathode electrodes. Each pixel may output a gas discharge counting event pulse upon interaction with ionizing-radiation. The detector further includes a voltage bus coupled to each of the resistors and a power supply coupled to at least one of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Peter S. FRIEDMAN, Daniel S. LEVIN
  • Publication number: 20170074995
    Abstract: A system (10) and a method (100) compensate for one or more dead pixels in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. A pixel compensation processor receives PET data describing a target volume of a subject. The PET data is missing data for one or more dead pixels. The pixel compensation estimates PET data for the dead pixels from the received PET data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Leroy LAURENCE, Sharon Xiaorong WANG
  • Publication number: 20170074996
    Abstract: A nuclear imaging system includes a detector configured to detect at least one photon event. A timing signal path is electrically coupled to the detector. The timing signal path is configured to generate a timing signal indicative of a timing of the at least one photon event. An energy signal path is also electrically coupled to the detector. The energy signal path is configured to generate an energy signal indicative of an energy of the at least one photon event. A time-domain multiplexer is configured combine the timing signal and the energy signal into a compound signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Matthias J. Schmand, Ralph Oppelt, Klaus Huber, Nan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170074997
    Abstract: A method is provided for processing microseismic data whereby the relative probability of an earthquake source model type, or combination of source model types, is estimated by: performing forward modelling source parameter estimation on the microseismic data, the estimation being constrained to one or more selected source model types; calculating the likelihoods of the microseismic data for given source model types by forward-modelling synthetic data from a sampled source parameter probability distribution derived from the estimation for each given source model type, and comparing the synthetic data against the microseismic data; marginalizing the calculated data likelihoods over prior probabilities for the model parameters for the given source model types to give respective likelihoods for the given source model types; and using Bayesian inference to convert the source model type likelihoods and the prior probabilities to posterior probabilities for the source model types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: David J. Pugh, Robert S. White, Philip Andrew Felton Christie
  • Publication number: 20170074998
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic profiling techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional section of a first wellbore in a subterranean region. Seismic responses associated with the seismic excitation are detected in directional sections of a plurality of other wellbores in the subterranean region. A fracture treatment of the subterranean region is analyzed based on the seismic responses. In some instances, a multi-dimensional seismic velocity model of the subterranean region is generated based on the seismic responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Glenn Robert McColpin, Harold Grayson Walters, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20170074999
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic profiling techniques. A seismic excitation is generated at a seismic source location in a directional section of a fracture treatment injection wellbore in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected at a seismic sensor location in the directional section of the fracture treatment injection wellbore. The seismic response includes a reflection from the subterranean region. A fracture treatment applied through the fracture treatment injection wellbore is analyzed based on the reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Harold Grayson Walters, Priyesh Ranjan, Ken Smith
  • Publication number: 20170075000
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected by a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing array in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify a location of a third wellbore in the subterranean region. A drilling direction for drilling the third wellbore is determined based on the identified location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Harold Grayson Walters
  • Publication number: 20170075001
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic profiling techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first wellbore in a subterranean region. Seismic responses associated with the seismic excitation are detected by an array of seismic sensors in a second wellbore in the subterranean region. A first subset of the seismic sensors is distributed along a directional section of the second wellbore; a second subset of the seismic sensors is distributed along a vertical section that extends through a plurality of subsurface layers. A fracture treatment of the subterranean region is analyzed based on the seismic responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Glenn Robert McColpin, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20170075002
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic profiling techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected by a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing array in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Fluid movement in the subterranean region is identified based on the seismic response. In some cases, the fluid movement is identified in real time during well system operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Priyesh Ranjan, Ken Smith
  • Publication number: 20170075003
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify a location of a fracture treatment injection wellbore in the subterranean region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Priyesh Ranjan
  • Publication number: 20170075004
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. The subterranean region includes fractures defined in subterranean rock. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify spatial variations in fracture conductivity for the subterranean rock. A reservoir model is calibrated based on the identified spatial variations in fracture conductivity. In some cases, the reservoir model is calibrated in real time during production operations, and the reservoir model can be used for reservoir simulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Glenn Robert MCCOLPIN, Priyesh RANJAN
  • Publication number: 20170075005
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a directional section of a first wellbore in a subterranean region. Seismic responses associated with the seismic excitations are detected by a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing array in a directional section of a second wellbore in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify changes in hydrocarbon saturation in a reservoir in the subterranean region. In some cases, the changes in hydrocarbon saturation are identified in real time during well system operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Priyesh Ranjan, Ken Smith
  • Publication number: 20170075006
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic profiling techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with a seismic excitation is detected by a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing array in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. A fracture treatment of the subterranean region is analyzed based on the seismic response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Harold Grayson Walters, Priyesh Ranjan, Ken Smith, Glenn Robert McColpin
  • Publication number: 20170075007
    Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify geomechanical properties of subterranean rock in a fracture treatment target region in the subterranean region. In some cases, the geomechanical properties include pore pressure, stress, or mechanical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Harold Grayson Walters, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Priyesh Ranjan, Ken Smith, Glenn Robert McColpin
  • Publication number: 20170075008
    Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting S waves propagating through the subsurface region. The method comprises using a first sensor configuration to detect mixed S and P waves on or in the subsurface region, using a second sensor configuration located on or in relatively close proximity to the subsurface region to detect P waves in the water, and using the P waves detected in the water to compensate the detected mixed S and P waves, and thereby attenuate the effects of P waves in the mixed S and P waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald WESTERDAHL, Mark THOMPSON, Lasse AMUNDSEN
  • Publication number: 20170075009
    Abstract: A method for spectral analysis of seismic data obtains imaged seismic data and generates orthogonally shifted imaged seismic data gathers. The orthogonally shifted imaged seismic data gathers are processed to generate a spectrally processed imaged seismic data. Alternatively, the imaged seismic data are obtained using a spectral processing filter that is a function of a magnitude of a total wavenumber of the imaged seismic data in three dimensions and a spatially variable velocity function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Adel KHALIL, Henning HOEBER, Bernard DESCHIZEAUX
  • Publication number: 20170075010
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving azimuth distribution in a seismic acquisition system are described. A survey acquisition system includes a plurality of streamers towed by a plurality of streamer vessels, including a first streamer vessel and a second streamer vessel and a plurality of sources towed by a plurality of source vessels. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are configured relative to one another such that the plurality of source vessels are positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances behind a portion of the first streamer vessel and are also positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances in front of a portion of the second streamer vessel. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are also spaced apart from one another in a cross-line direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Fabrice MANDROUX, Alexandre LENART
  • Publication number: 20170075011
    Abstract: The arrangement of air-gun subarrays is controlled by adjusting a geometric parameter, such as, an inline distance, an attack angle and/or a cross-line position for one or more subarrays. The adjustment is performed to achieve a target energy distribution for signals emitted by the air-gun subarrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: CGG Services SA
    Inventors: Yuan NI, Thomas MENSCH
  • Publication number: 20170075012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seismic streamer (1) for underwater towing at a towing speed in ice-free or wholly or partially icy water, the streamer (1) is provided with birds (2) spaced along the streamer, the streamer including the birds (2) has negative buoyancy, the birds have wings (8) which can be set so that the birds during movement in the water apply an upward or downward force on the streamer. The streamer (1) is provided with buoyant bodies (4) spaced along the streamer, the buoyant bodies are connected to the streamer by spacer elements (5), the streamer including the birds, the buoyant bodies with associated spacer elements and any other equipment together have positive buoyancy. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for securing a seismic streamer (1) from damage at a substantial reduction or cessation of towing speed when towing underwater in ice-free or wholly or partially icy water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Erik GODØY
  • Publication number: 20170075013
    Abstract: A system (1) for attaching a plurality of seismic nodes (110, 110a) along a main carrier rope (101). The main carrier rope is made of steel or synthetic fibre, and comprises no power or communication lines. The system has a length measuring device (210) for providing a measured length (Lm) of deployed main carrier rope (101); a data source (220, 230, 240) for providing positioning data affecting the rope position of each seismic node (110, 110a) on the main carrier rope (101); a control unit (200) for providing an attachment command whenever the measured length (Lm) corresponds to a rope position of a seismic node (110, 110a) computed from the positioning data; and a node attaching unit (100) for attaching a seismic node (110, 110a) to the main carrier rope (101) in response to the attachment command. The system is capable of attaching nodes (110) with different node spacing between some or all nodes along the main carrier rope (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ian MCMILLIAN, Michael RUSSELL, Thomas HILLS, Terje NALUM
  • Publication number: 20170075014
    Abstract: A sensor system for deployment on or close to the seabed in marine seismic surveys includes a central hub, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub. Each arm has a degree of freedom of movement with respect to the central hub. The system further includes at least one seismic sensor mounted to each of said arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Harald WESTERDAHL, Peter HANSSEN, Per Magnus SPARREVIK, Stephen Walter HAYES, Klaus TRONSTAD
  • Publication number: 20170075015
    Abstract: Marine seismic vibrators in a marine seismic vibrator array for use in a seismic survey are activated to produce a source gradient wavefield to survey a target structure. The seismic survey may comprise a marine seismic survey conducted in a body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: David Fraser Halliday, Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Montgomery Laws
  • Publication number: 20170075016
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for monitoring a subsurface formation including disposing an antenna in a horizontal wellbore, the antenna including a plurality of piezoelectric modules. A voltage signal is applied to at least one of the piezoelectric modules to cause the at least one piezoelectric modules to emit seismic energy into the subsurface formation. A resulting signal is received at a receiver. A property of the subsurface formation is determined based, at least in part, on the resulting signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: CGG Services SA
    Inventors: Julien COTTON, François-Xavier GRÉSILLON
  • Publication number: 20170075017
    Abstract: A sensory assembly and system can be used in a wellbore to detect and characterize the earth strata and formations around the wellbore, where a signal emitting sensory tool is part of a tool string deployed in the wellbore, and where weighted fiber optic cable is deployed in an extended position below the signal emitting sensory tool. The fiber optic cable is also part of wire-line, slickline, or coiled tubing injector head connected to the signal emitting sensory tool, thereby providing fiber optic cable both above and below the signal emitting sensory tool in position to collect backscatter signals from earth strata and formations around the wellbore. The collection of backscatter signals, particularly from below the signal emitting sensory tool, allows for more precise characterization of formations and fractures within the earth strata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Mikko Jasskelainen, Jason Edward Therrien
  • Publication number: 20170075018
    Abstract: Arrangements, apparatus and associated methods are described for use in a multi-frequency boring tool locating system. The boring tool includes a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal at two or more selectable frequencies. One set of above ground procedures may be applied to the transmitter in order to change the frequency of the boring tool transmitter. Another set of procedures is applicable for changing the frequency during below ground drilling operations, for example, by subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll orientation sequence. An enhanced portable locator operates in a manual or automatic mode to receive locating frequency information transmitted from the boring tool transmitter including frequency updates. Boring tool transmitter, as well as above ground locator shutdown/restart procedures are described relating to multi-frequency operation. A tone detector is described which implements one or more digital match filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20170075019
    Abstract: A method for determining a capacitance value of a capacitive sensor begins by applying a sensor signal (Vx) to the capacitive sensor. The sensor signal (Vx) includes a number of charge-discharge pulse pairs distributed over a first period of time (T/N), with each pulse pair having a different pulse period. The method then proceeds by accumulating a number (N) of samples of a reference voltage (Vs) measured across a reference capacitor (Cs) that is coupled to the capacitive sensor over a second period of time (T) to produce an accumulated capacitance value (ACCUMULATED). The accumulated capacitance value (ACCUMULATED) is then divided by the number (N) of the samples to determine the capacitance value (Cx) of the capacitive sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Mirko Pribisic, Allan Corner, Xiaoping Hu, Mike Akbari, Timothy Dezorzi
  • Publication number: 20170075020
    Abstract: Technology for performing magnetic field gradient measurements is described. The magnetic field gradient measurements for specific positions on the Earth can be performed from a moving platform. The magnetic field gradient measurements can be identified as being affected by a level of error that exceeds a defined threshold. A correction value can be generated to compensate for the error in the magnetic field gradient measurements. The correction value can be applied to the magnetic field gradient measurements in order to obtain magnetic field gradient measurements with a reduced level of error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew E. Gann, Benjamin Dolgin, James C. Zellner, Ender E. Barillas