Earth Science Patents (Class 702/2)
  • Patent number: 8326542
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for retrieving seismic data from a seismic section provided in a bitmap format. The method includes reconstructing a two dimensional matrix of seismic interpolated data in which a value at a given pixel in the matrix is proportional to local density of wiggles in the seismic section with an added value of a previously calculated pixel. The method may be implemented in either of computer hardware configured to perform said method and computer software embodied in a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium. Also disclosed are corresponding computer program product and data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Shmuel Chevion, Yaacov Navon
  • Patent number: 8326535
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for correlating overhead sky clearness for use in photovoltaic fleet output estimation is provided. A temporal distance that includes a physical distance between two locations, which are each within a geographic region suitable for operation of a photovoltaic fleet, is determined in proportion to cloud speed within the geographic region. A set of input sky clearness indexes is generated as a ratio of each irradiance observation in a set of irradiance observations that has been regularly measured for one of the locations within the geographic region, and clear sky irradiance. A clearness index correlation coefficient between the two locations is determined as an empirically-derived function of the temporal distance. The set of input sky clearness indexes is weighted by the clearness index correlation coefficient to form a set of output sky clearness indexes, which indicates the sky clearness for the other of the locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Clean Power Research, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8326536
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for correlating satellite imagery for use in photovoltaic fleet output estimation is provided. Pixels in satellite imagery data of overhead sky clearness is correlated to a bounded area within a geographic region. Each pixel represents collective irradiance that is converted into point clearness indexes for the points within the bounded area relative to clear sky irradiance. The point clearness indexes in the point clearness indexes are averaged for the points within the bounded area into an area clearness index. A variance of the area clearness index is determined in proportion to a physical area covered by each pixel. For each point, a variance of the point clearness index is determined as a ratio of the area clearness index variance and the physical area relative to the point clearness index, regional cloud speed, and a time interval relating to a time resolution of collective irradiance observation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Clean Power Research, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Publication number: 20120303276
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the monitoring of scour in a streambed at a site. The apparatus has a support member and at least one float sensor attached to the support member. The at least one float sensor is buried in the streambed and has a switch device, with the switch device being movable between a first position and a second position. As a scour event occurs which causes the streambed to be eroded beyond the at least one float sensor, the at least one float sensor will rise causing the switch device to be moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GANNETT FLEMING, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph Raymond BOWER
  • Patent number: 8319165
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes a dispensing system configured for dispensing the agrochemicals and a variable rate controller operatively connected to the dispensing system and configured to control dispensement of agrochemicals from the dispensing system. The variable rate controller is programmed with an algorithm which uses a plant growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration. A method for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes acquiring a growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration, using the growth state appropriate plug value in the initial calibration, and applying agrochemicals to the geographical area according to the initial calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Kyle H. Holland
  • Publication number: 20120290344
    Abstract: A method for quickly and remotely GHG emissions without providing the sources of raw material production means to collect parameters is disclosed. The method uses a processing unit for executing instructions related to the determination of emissions, a database to store relevant parameters related to the production of raw materials, means of transmission of data to recover the parameters of the database and transmit these parameters to the processing unit, and a modeling module of GHG emissions connected to the processing unit and adapted to generate a level of GHG emissions. The method comprises considering a partial estimate for emissions in relation to any process and an add value for such global GHG emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: ABENGOA BIOENERGIA NUEVAS TECNOLOGIAS, S.A.
    Inventors: Ricardo ARJONA ANTOLIN, María de las Nieves VALENZUELA ROMERO, Beatriz ALONSO MARTINEZ, Raquel DIAZ MOLIST, Rocío GARCIA ENCINAS, Maria Angeles GUTIERREZ MONTERO, Jesús YAÑEZ VIDAL, Laura MONTES GARCIA, Jesús LOPEZ LOPEZ, Macarena MARQUEZ PINUELA, Marta VAZQUEZ GARCIA
  • Publication number: 20120290205
    Abstract: The method & system hereby described allows the calculation and determination of GHG emissions produced during the generation of bioproduct from different source materials. The method comprises capturing, processing and handling different parameters and data related to GHG emissions associated to every single process needed to produce bioproduct, in order to generate a total GHG emissions value by means of applying formulae to the captioned and processed isolated data referred to GHG emissions of every process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: ABENGOA BIOENERGIA NUEVAS TECHNOLOGIAS, S.A.
    Inventors: Ricardo ARJONA ANTOLIN, Maria de las Nieves Valenzuela Romero, Beatriz Alonso Martinez, Raquel Diaz Molist, Rocio Garcia Encinas, Maria Angeles Gutierrez Montero, Jesus Yanez Vidal, Laura Montes Garcia, Jesus Lopez Lopez, Marcarena Marquez Pinuela
  • Patent number: 8311742
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for accurately estimating plasma velocities on the photosphere based on magnetic field data from vector magnetograms. Spatial and temporal derivatives of the magnetic field components are computed and a structure tensor containing terms that specifically include the horizontal magnetic field components is constructed. The structure tensor is convolved with a window function and a least-squares solution based on the convolved structure tensor is found. The solution includes the plasma velocities in the horizontal and vertical directions at the center of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Peter W. Schuck
  • Patent number: 8306750
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention automatically measure the impact of natural conditions and/or deliberate interventions on crop yields. Other embodiments automatically predict the impact of natural conditions and/or deliberate interventions on crop yields. By eliminating the need for human intervention, judgment, or discretion from the processes of measuring and predicting impact on yield, embodiments of the present invention enable such measurements and predictions to be made significantly more accurately, quickly, and inexpensively than has been possible with preexisting techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Plant Health Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Griffin
  • Patent number: 8305257
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining a wave height directional spectrum of an ocean wave field using the intermediate-frequency (IF) signal from marine radars with a rotating antenna, using either a fully coherent or a standard non-coherent transmitter/receiver modified for coherent-on-receive use. The method may include receiving the IF radar ocean surface echo signal for a series of transmit pulses, at a sequence of azimuthal antenna positions, and a number of antenna rotations covering several minutes, then generating a matrix of complex IF signal samples from these, deriving phases for each sample, generating the difference in phase for consecutive azimuths, then Doppler shifts, and finally radial velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis B. Trizna
  • Patent number: 8306941
    Abstract: A computer system creates and stores a library of LiDAR models for standard trees that have measured characteristics. A point cloud of LiDAR data from an unidentified tree in a forest is compared against a point cloud defined by a LiDAR model of a standard tree in the library to find a match. If a match is found, one or more characteristics of the matching standard tree are associated with the unidentified tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Zhenkui Ma
  • Publication number: 20120277996
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to methods for determining representative element areas and volumes in porous media. Representative element area (REA) is the smallest area that can be modeled to yield consistent results, within acceptable limits of variance of the modeled property. Porosity and permeability are examples of such properties. In 3D, the appropriate term is representative element volume (REV). REV is the smallest volume of a porous media that is representative of the measured parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: NEIL F. HURLEY, WEISHU ZHAO, TUANFENG ZHANG, JOHANNES J. BUITING, NICOLAS X. LESEUR, MUSTAFA AL IBRAHIM
  • Patent number: 8301364
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of operating a navigation system to provide geographic location information is provided. The method comprises receiving a query text string representing a query for a geographic location from a user and obtaining data records that represent a plurality of candidate geographic locations. The method computes a text matching score that indicates how much of the query text string matches a record text string of the candidate geographic location and applies a usage pattern weight to the text matching score to obtain an overall score value for the candidate geographic location. The candidate geographic locations are ranked based on the overall score values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Navteq B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Rolf, Torsten Sieyers
  • Publication number: 20120261135
    Abstract: Method for the segmentation and classification of seismic or other geophysical data. Curves or surfaces are identified in the geophysical data (10), then pairs of the curves or surfaces (12) are matched up according to a selected measure of shape similarity (13) such as the Hausdorff distance between members of a pair. The matched curves or surfaces (15) are used to define geobodies or faults in the geophysical data volume (16). The same inventive concept may also be used to warp/align (register) two different data volumes (72).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Ethan J. Nowak, Matthias Imhof
  • Patent number: 8290711
    Abstract: The invention is a method of constructing a three-dimensional fracture density log of a porous formation traversed by fractures and a borehole. A number N of intersections between the fractures and the borehole is measured over a section of the borehole of length L located at a depth d, from observations of the wall of this section. A conditional probability law of the three-dimensional fracture density is then estimated, knowing the number N of intersections. The value of the three-dimensional fracture density at depth d is determined by calculating the mean of this conditional probability law. Finally, the three-dimensional fracture density log is constructed by repeating the previous stages for different depths. A three-dimensional fracture density uncertainty log can also be associated by calculating quantiles of the conditional probability law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Jean-François Barthelemy, Martin Guiton, Jean-Marc Daniel
  • Publication number: 20120253673
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for measuring one or more physical properties of a water system. For example, in one embodiment, a method comprises the following steps. A measurement platform is positioned at a first location of a given water system, wherein the measurement platform comprises a plurality of sensor devices distributed over a three dimensional space and configured to acquire data relating to one or more physical properties of the water system. A first set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the first location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform. The measurement platform is moved along a predetermined path to at least a second location in the water system. At least a second set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the second location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Andriy Stepanchuk
  • Patent number: 8275547
    Abstract: A method for locating a stem of a target tree is disclosed. The target tree is identified from a sensing dataset. At least one slice is created from the sensing dataset. The at least one slice includes at least a portion of the target tree. A tree stem location of the target tree is determined from the at least one slice. A system for locating a stem of a target tree is also disclosed. The system has a processor configured to implement the described method. The system also has a data input coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with the sensing dataset. The system further has a user interface coupled to either the processor or the data input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Utility Risk Management Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Robert Rousselle, Vesa Johannes Leppanen, Jari Tapio Kinnunen, Alan John DeJong, Hugh Andrew Clymer, Leighton Edward Dalmasse
  • Publication number: 20120239298
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining the stress state associated with a geological fault is described. The source data comprises measured fault displacement values, or proxy displacement values, associated with the fault. An error function calculates error as a function of normalized fault displacement and normalized slip tendency. Candidate stress states are used to determine slip tendency values, which are used in the error function to calculate an error value. This value is minimized to determine the “best” candidate stress state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Alan P. Morris, David A. Ferrill, John M. McFarland
  • Publication number: 20120239299
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention automatically measure the impact of natural conditions and/or deliberate interventions on crop yields. Other embodiments automatically predict the impact of natural conditions and/or deliberate interventions on crop yields. By eliminating the need for human intervention, judgment, or discretion from the processes of measuring and predicting impact on yield, embodiments of the present invention enable such measurements and predictions to be made significantly more accurately, quickly, and inexpensively than has been possible with preexisting techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Terry Griffin
  • Patent number: 8271197
    Abstract: A portable environmental monitoring instrument comprising: a housing comprising a main body and a cap; a display mounted to the housing; a processing circuit disposed within the main body, the processing circuit electrically connected to the display; a light sensor mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the processing circuit; a humidity sensor electrically connected to the processing circuit; and a probe member extending from the main body and exposed to the environment by opening the cap, the probe member carrying a temperature sensor at a distal end thereof and part of an electrical connection between the temperature sensor and the processing circuit, the processing circuit arranged to process signals received from the light sensor, the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor to obtain an environmental measure indicative of the affect of the environment and control the display to display data indicative of the environmental measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Commonwealth of Australia Department of Defence
    Inventors: Alison Fogarty, Colin Howard, Jon Seddon, Mark Patterson, Peter Sanders, Warren Roberts
  • Publication number: 20120232797
    Abstract: A method for detecting a subterranean anomaly is provided. The method includes receiving signal data derived from a plurality of transmitters and at least one receiver; calculating a relationship for selected combinations of measurements provided by the signal data; estimating weighting factors for each transmitter, for a condition where there is a substantially equivalent potential across each of the transmitters; applying the weighting factors to the data; and identifying the anomaly in weighted data. Apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Frenkel, Sofia Davydycheva
  • Patent number: 8265875
    Abstract: A method for interpolating data. The method includes receiving data acquired at one or more locations where the data represents subterranean formations in the earth. The method also includes selecting one or more of the locations such that the selected locations are within a vicinity of an interpolation location. Next, the method includes forming a matrix of interpolation coefficients based on a first function having one or more interpolation variables, a bandwidth for an interpolation operator and one or more differences between the selected locations, wherein at least one of the interpolation variables is periodic. The method then includes forming a differences vector based on a second function having the interpolation variables, the bandwidth and one or more differences between the selected locations and the interpolation location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20120226441
    Abstract: A riverbed scour detection system, comprising a wireless sensor network embedded in areas of potential scour. The scour detection network has one or more vertical stacks of sensor nodes placed in the riverbed at known locations. The sensors detect each other, and non detection of a sensor indicates its removal by scour activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gregory C. Willden, Donald R. Poole, JR., Ben A. Abbott, Ronald T. Green
  • Patent number: 8260507
    Abstract: A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product apply agrochemicals to plants. A set of user defineable agrochemical application parameters are wirelessly received from a user. A set of data is received from a multiplicity of plant sensors. The set of data includes at least positional data associated with a multiplicity of plants with respect to a set of agrochemical applicators. At least speed data associated with a vehicle coupled to the set of agrochemical applicators is received. The set of agrochemical applicators is instructed to apply one or more agrochemicals to at least one plant in the multiplicity of plants based at least on the set of user defineable agrochemical application parameters that has been wirelessly received, the set of data from a multiplicity of plant sensors, and the speed data. The set of agrochemical applicators apply the one or more agrochemicals to at least one plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Walter Schumann, Howard Kevin Hostler
  • Publication number: 20120215445
    Abstract: A new and improved environmental field monitor station is disclosed. A novel and analytical sampling control device with a removable analytical sample collection device is described. Also a novel field station having the analytical sampling control device with the removable analytical sample collection device is described. Methods of using and controlling the analytical sampling control device, both within in a field station and from a base station, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Emilcott Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Groves
  • Publication number: 20120209525
    Abstract: A geophysical method for searching and prospecting minerals is based on the 3D inversion of electrical prospection data. The conductivity of a medium is determined based on the measurement results on a basic observation system, generating a preliminary 3D model based such data carrying out a 3D calculation and calculating the offset relative to the measured data while excluding irregularities and selecting 3D objects having epicenters located under points of the basic observation system. This results in a precise 3D mode locating conductivity anomalies. Further measurements along the profiles extending through centers of the isolated anomalies can be effected, and used to correct the existing 3D model after which the presence of conductivity anomalies is confirmed or rejected and the parameters thereof are determined. The dimensions of the anomalies can be estimated and measurements made based thereon to obtain final geo-electrical 3D model of the medium being studied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Georgiy Mikhaylovich Trigubovich, Marina Gennad'evna Persova, Yuriy Grigor'evich Soloveychik
  • Patent number: 8237108
    Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods of analyzing mass spectral data based on charge states of analyte ions. In some embodiments, the methods can be used for differential profiling of samples, such as comparing a sample comprising a given compound and a sample comprising metabolites of the same compound. The methods can also be used to identify and isolate biomarkers. Systems for performing the methods, as well as computer-readable media for performing the methods, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Horn, Xiangdong Don Li
  • Publication number: 20120197526
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a procedure to quantitatively determine both, total and effective porosity of carbonated sedimentary rocks, and is based on the elaboration of molds of the rock pores-structure and on the determination of the volumetric and gravimetric properties of the rock and its mold. Determination of the effective porosity is achieved by using an original formula, developed by the authors of the present invention. Additionally, the structure of micro and nanopores in the rock is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to identify relevant properties for permeability analyses such as: dimensions, shapes, type of connections, pore-structure patterns and pore throats. These and other parameters are used as indicators of the reservoir production and storage capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: INSTITUTO MEXICANO DEL PETROLEO
    Inventors: Florentino LEYTE GUERRERO, Vicente GARIBAY FEBLES, Ubaldo Sadott PACHECO y ALCALA, Eduardo PALACIOS GONZALEZ, Gustavo Roberto PEREZ LEMUS
  • Publication number: 20120191349
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, devices, and method for monitoring gas emissions within a geographic area. A method for monitoring gas emissions may include providing a gas-monitoring device configured to be moved within the geographic area. The method may also include determining geographic locations of the device as the device is moved within the geographic area, determining a quantity of one or more gases in the air as the device is moved within the geographic area, and associating the geographic locations with the quantity of gases to provide gas emissions data for the geographic area. The gas emissions data may be communicated to one or more external devices, sources, and/or systems for analysis, documentation, and/or compliance reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Elmar H. Lenz, Ken W. Fossey
  • Publication number: 20120191351
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of estimating at least one solar irradiance component, the method comprising: obtaining a sensor measurement from an instrument to provide a measured global horizontal irradiance (GHImeasured), wherein the measured global horizontal irradiance (GHImeasured) consists of at least an estimated diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHIestimated) and an estimated direct normal irradiance (DNIestimated); providing at least one modeled component, wherein at least one of the modeled components is a modeled global horizontal irradiance based on an atmospheric model (GHImodel); calculating an irradiance estimate modifier (IMOD) in a computing device according to the measured global horizontal irradiance (GHImeasured) and the modeled global horizontal irradiance (GHImodel); and providing at least one estimated solar irradiance component by a computing device according to the irradiance estimate modifier (IMOD) and at least one modeled component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Shawn Kerrigan, Matthew Williams, Michael Herzig
  • Patent number: 8229950
    Abstract: A paleogeographic search system is provided for locating geoscience data relevant to a geographic search aperture. The paleogeographic search system comprises a geodatabase, an interface, a paleogeographic reconstruction engine, and a host processor. The paleogeographic engine is configured to transform the geographic search aperture according to tectonic plate movements to a transformed search aperture that the geographic search aperture occupied in a geological age of interest. The host processor is configured to apply a paleoaugmented geographic search aperture to a geodatabase for additional oil exploration data relevant to the geographic search aperture today.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Berengere Savary-Sismondini, Pierre Le Guern, Erik Monsen, Hallgrim Ludvigsen, Trond Benum, Knut S. Boge, Lars Sonneland
  • Publication number: 20120185170
    Abstract: A profile apparatus that is useful in measuring sediment oxygen demand and methods utilizing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. Miskewitz, Kelly L. Francisco, Christopher G. Uchrin
  • Patent number: 8224576
    Abstract: One apparatus embodiment includes an electronic assembly, equipped to sense one or more changes in an environmental condition. The assembly includes a logic circuit coupled to: one or more environmental sensors, memory that provides data storage, and a wireless communicator. The logic circuit is configured to perform time measurement, perform environmental measurement with the one or more environmental sensors, store time-stamped environmental data in the memory, and communicate with particular other electronic assemblies, equipped to sense one or more changes in an environmental condition, via the wireless communicator. The logic circuit is also coupled to a power source that provides power to at least one of the logic circuit and the wireless communicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Paksense, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Jensen, Casimir E. Lawler, Jr., James Hatchett, Wayne K. Debord, Michael L. Byce
  • Patent number: 8224768
    Abstract: A method of predicting information related to a path of a weather phenomenon includes obtaining a plurality of tracks corresponding to the weather phenomenon from at least one source. A factor is assigned to each of the plurality of tracks. A set of probabilities for the weather phenomenon to intersect a plurality of segments corresponding to a boundary is determined using at least intersection points of the plurality of tracks with the boundary and the factor assigned to each of the plurality of tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: WSI, Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Michael Crawford, Peter Paul Neilley, William Douglas Ramstrom
  • Publication number: 20120179374
    Abstract: One apparatus embodiment includes an electronic assembly, equipped to sense one or more changes in an environmental condition. The assembly includes a logic circuit coupled to: one or more environmental sensors, memory that provides data storage, and a wireless communicator. The logic circuit is configured to perform time measurement, perform environmental measurement with the one or more environmental sensors, store time-stamped environmental data in the memory, and communicate with particular other electronic assemblies, equipped to sense one or more changes in an environmental condition, via the wireless communicator. The logic circuit is also coupled to a power source that provides power to at least one of the logic circuit and the wireless communicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: PAKSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Jensen, Casimir E. Lawler, JR., James Hatchett, Wayne K. Debord, Michael L. Byce
  • Publication number: 20120179373
    Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for measuring total phosphorus that may predict total phosphorus of a river valley using multi-parameter water quality that are measured in real time through a multi-parameter water quality measuring unit and the like, and may increase the accuracy thereof. The total phosphorus measuring method according to the present disclosure includes: computing a correlation between the multi-parameter water quality and the total phosphorus using multi-parameter water quality data and total phosphorus data measured for a predetermined period; selecting upper parameters having a high correlation from among the multi-parameter water quality based on the computation result; generating a total phosphorus prediction model through a regression analysis between the upper parameters and the total phosphorus; measuring the multi-parameter water quality; and predicting the total phosphorus by replacing the total phosphorus prediction model with the measured multi-parameter water quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: University of Seoul Industry Cooperation Foundation, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang Won LEE, Gwan Joong KIM, Nae Soo KIM, Hoon JEONG, Young Hwan HAM, Hyun Ook KIM
  • Publication number: 20120179372
    Abstract: Concurrently measuring, correlating, and processing magnetic and electric field data includes measuring base band signals, and then up-converting those band signals to a higher frequency for filtering, while at the same time preserving phase and amplitude information. All timed elements in the system are rigorously synchronized. The increased data set results in improved signal-to-noise ratio and information correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander Edward Kalish
  • Patent number: 8219320
    Abstract: A method and system for processing three component seismic data includes determining a covariance data matrix from three component seismic data for each of a plurality of time periods to obtain eigenvectors and eigenvalues. One or more seismic attributes are calculated from the eigenvectors and eigenvalues for each of a plurality of time periods. A stability measure is determined from the calculated seismic attribute for each of the plurality of time periods and stored for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Spectraseis AG
    Inventor: Erik Hans Saenger
  • Publication number: 20120169498
    Abstract: A method for designating vegetation as potential impact vegetation includes identifying data relating to target vegetation from a dataset and determining a reach distance of the target vegetation. The reach distance includes a distance from a point on a ground to a point of the target vegetation that is farthest from the point on the ground. The method also includes comparing the reach distance of the target vegetation with a closest distance between the point on the ground and a structure to produce a compared reach distance value and determining a health indicator value for the target vegetation. The method further includes comparing the health indicator value of the target vegetation to a health indicator threshold value and designating the target vegetation as having a potential to impact the structure based on the compared reach distance value and the comparison of the health indicator to the health indicator threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Vesa Johannes Leppanen, Adam Robert Rousselle, Hugh Andrew Clymer, Leighton Dalmasse, Brian Beck, Jari Kinnunen, Andrey Shipilov
  • Patent number: 8209125
    Abstract: A method for fault and fracture identification based on seismic data representing a geological section using dispersion properties of reflected and diffracted waves. The method includes scanning N parameters associated with the seismic data. The array includes the coordinate axes of the angle of emergence (?), the radius of curvature of the wave front (R) and either time or depth samples. The method also includes processing the N parameters, generating a new image having a cross-sectional shape associated with one of the reflected and diffracted waves, calculating parameters DS and LS, evaluating DS for the case of fracture characterization, and comparing, for the case of fault identification, parameter LS with a threshold value defining the type of wave as one of the reflected and diffracted wave, the cross-sectional shape being substantially circular for the reflected wave, and being elliptical for the diffracted wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Geomage (2003) Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Berkovitch, Nathan Scharff, Igor Belfer
  • Patent number: 8204690
    Abstract: A machine, method and computer-usable medium for modeling an average flow of a substance through a composite material. Such a modeling includes an analytical calculation of an effective tensor Kå suitable for use with a variety of media. The analytical calculation corresponds to an approximation to the tensor K, and follows by first computing the diagonal values, and then identifying symmetries of the heterogeneity distribution. Additional calculations include determining the center of mass of the heterogeneous cell and its angle according to a defined Cartesian system, and utilizing this angle into a rotation formula to compute the off-diagonal values and determining its sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Rosangela De Fatima Sviercoski
  • Patent number: 8204697
    Abstract: A system for assessing the health of a mechanism includes a processor for receiving observation data from at least one sensor, the processor including: a detector receptive to the observation data and capable of identifying whether the mechanism is operating in a normal or degraded mode; a diagnoser to identify a type of fault from at least one symptom pattern; and a prognoser capable of calculating a remaining useful life (RUL) of the mechanism, wherein the prognoser includes a population prognoser for calculating the RUL based on a duration of use of the mechanism, a cause prognoser for calculating the RUL based on causal data, and an effect prognoser for calculating the RUL based on effect data generated from the fault. A method and computer program product for assessing the health of a downhole tool is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated, University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dustin Garvey, J. Wesley Hines
  • Publication number: 20120150445
    Abstract: One or more computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to, for a given time, solve the elastic wave equation in tensorial form for a geological reservoir model subject to stated conditions; and adjust a grid associated with the geological reservoir model based on solution of the elastic wave equation in tensorial form for the given time. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Victor AARRE
  • Patent number: 8200737
    Abstract: Systems, program code, and methods to facilitate pipeline management, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Thamer K. Tarabzouni, Abdulaziz K. Al-Mejna, Howard Wood
  • Publication number: 20120143506
    Abstract: Method for simultaneous full-wavefield inversion of gathers of source (or receiver) encoded (30) geophysical data (80) to determine a physical properties model (20) for a subsurface region, especially suitable for surveys where fixed-receiver geometry conditions were not satisfied in the data acquisition (40). The inversion involves optimization of a cross-correlation objective function (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Partha S. Routh, Jerome R. Krebs, Spyridon Lazaratos, Anatoly Baumstein
  • Patent number: 8195396
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention automatically measure the impact of natural conditions and/or deliberate interventions on crop yields. Other embodiments automatically predict the impact of natural conditions and/or deliberate interventions on crop yields. By eliminating the need for human intervention, judgment, or discretion from the processes of measuring and predicting impact on yield, embodiments of the present invention enable such measurements and predictions to be made significantly more accurately, quickly, and inexpensively than has been possible with preexisting techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Plant Health Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Griffin
  • Patent number: 8195395
    Abstract: A moored buoy floating at the ocean surface and anchored to the seafloor precisely measures acceleration, pitch, roll, and Earth's magnetic flux field of the buoy over a limited sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Chung-Chu Teng, Rodney Riley, Richard Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8189877
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to automatically analyze Landsat satellite data of forests. The present invention can easily be used to monitor any type of forest disturbance such as from selective logging, agriculture, cattle ranching, natural hazards (fire, wind events, storms), etc. The present invention provides a large-scale, high-resolution, automated remote sensing analysis of such disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Carnegie Institution of Washington
    Inventor: Gregory P. Asner
  • Publication number: 20120130639
    Abstract: A system and method for determining fluid distribution in subterranean reservoirs including determining a water saturation in macroporosity from the capillary pressure data representative of the macroporosity using a saturation height function, correcting capillary pressure data representative of microporosity to have an entry pore value equivalent to a pore size defining the microporosity, determining a water saturation in the microporosity from the corrected capillary pressure data representative of the microporosity, and using the macroporosity water saturation and the microporosity water saturation to estimate fluid distribution within the subterranean reservoir. The system and method may also include the estimation of hydrocarbon reserves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Scott Hanson, Jeroen Brantjes, Katherine Trigg
  • Patent number: 8181511
    Abstract: A method and system of globally monitoring space weather conditions, use an imager, including one or more telescopic instruments and one or more processors, containing computer program code. The imager is configured on a platform; and positioned in the near Earth space environment, where, based on the executed computer program code, the imager compiles information about space weather conditions, by directly detecting electron emissions on a global basis. Network interfaces coupled with the imager provide, over a communications network, a plurality of communications and information, about space weather conditions, between the imager and a plurality of operational space assets and operational Earth assets. The plurality of communications and information about space weather conditions includes signals and information which automatically alert the plurality of operational space assets and operational Earth assets of effects of a solar wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Robert R. Meier, Dennis G. Socker, Michael T. Carter, Damien H. Chua, Christoph R. Englert, Joseph D. Huba, Clarence M. Korendyke, Jonathan F. Krall, Julian M. Picone, Steven P. Slinker, William S. Vincent