1842 results about "Horizon" patented technology

A Flogrid Simulation Gridding Program includes a Flogrid structured gridder. The structured gridder includes a structured areal gridder and a block gridder. The structured areal gridder will build an areal grid on an uppermost horizon of an earth formation by performing the following steps: (1) building a boundary enclosing one or more fault intersection lines on the horizon, and building a triangulation that absorbs the boundary and the faults; (2) building a vector field on the triangulation; (3) building a web of control lines and additional lines inside the boundary which have a direction that corresponds to the direction of the vector field on the triangulation, thereby producing an areal grid; and (4) post-processing the areal grid so that the control lines and additional lines are equi-spaced or smoothly distributed. The block gridder of the structured gridder will drop coordinate lines down from the nodes of the areal grid to complete the construction of a three dimensional structured grid. A reservoir simulator will receive the structured grid and generate a set of simulation results which are displayed on a 3D Viewer for observation by a workstation operator.

A nonlinear model-based predictive temperature control system is described for use in thermal process reactors. A multivariable temperature response is predicted using a nonlinear parameterized model of a thermal process reactor. The nonlinear parameterized model is implemented using a neural network. Predictions are made in an auto-regressive moving average fashion with a receding prediction horizon. Model predictions are incorporated into a control law for estimating the optimum future control strategy. The high-speed, predictive nature of the controller renders it advantageous in multivariable rapid thermal processing reactors where fast response and high temperature uniformity are needed.

We describe a road vehicle contact-analogue head up display (HUD) comprising: a laser-based virtual image generation system to provide a 2D virtual image; exit pupil expander optics to enlarge an eye box of the HUD; a system for sensing a lateral road position relative to the road vehicle and a vehicle pitch or horizon position; a symbol image generation system to generate symbology for the HUD; and an imagery processor coupled to the symbol image generation system, to the sensor system and to said virtual image generation system, to receive and process symbology image data to convert this to data defining a 2D image for display dependent on the sensed road position such that when viewed the virtual image appears to be at a substantially fixed position relative to said road; and wherein the virtual image is at a distance of at least 5 m from said viewer.

A satellite radiotelephone system includes a space-based component, a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components, and a plurality of radiotelephones. The space-based component is configured to provide wireless radiotelephone communications using satellite radiotelephone frequencies. The plurality of ancillary terrestrial components include a plurality of ancillary terrestrial component antennas configured to provide wireless radiotelephone communications using at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies in a radiation pattern that increases radiation below the horizon compared to above the horizon. The plurality of radiotelephones are configured to communicate with the space-based component and with the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components. Each radiotelephone also includes a GPS signal processor and a GPS mode filter that is configured to suppress energy at (1575.42-.DELTA.) MHz, where 0<.DELTA..ltoreq.16.42 MHz. Related radiotelephones and methods are also discussed.

An approach is provided for an augmented reality user interface. An image representing a physical environment is received. Data relating to a horizon within the physical environment is retrieved. A section of the image to overlay location information based on the horizon data is determined. Presenting of the location information within the determined section to a user equipment is initiated.

A nonlinear model-based predictive temperature control system is described for use in thermal process reactors. A multivariable temperature response is predicted using a nonlinear parameterized model of a thermal process reactor. The nonlinear parameterized model is implemented using a neural network. Predictions are made in an auto-regressive moving average fashion with a receding prediction horizon. Model predictions are incorporated into a control law for estimating the optimum future control strategy. The high-speed, predictive nature of the controller renders it advantageous in multivariable rapid thermal processing reactors where fast response and high temperature uniformity are needed.

A method and system are related to updating objects over limited bandwidth networks. Objects are updated between two or more computing devices using remote differential compression (RDC) techniques such that required data transfers are minimized. In one aspect, efficient large object transfers are achieved by recursively applying the RDC algorithm to its own metadata; a single or multiple recursion step(s) may be used in this case to reduce the amount of metadata sent over the network by the RDC algorithm. Objects and / or signature and chunk length lists can be chunked by locating boundaries at dynamically determined locations. A mathematical function evaluates hash values associated within a horizon window relative to potential chunk boundary. The described method and system is useful in a variety of networked applications, such as peer-to-peer replicators, email clients and servers, client-side caching systems, general-purpose copy utilities, database replicators, portals, software update services, file / data synchronization, and others.

A control system simultaneously controls a multi-zone process with a self-adaptive model predictive controller (MPC), such as temperature control within a plastic injection molding system. The controller is initialized with basic system information. A pre-identification procedure determines a suggested system sampling rate, delays or “dead times” for each zone and initial system model matrix coefficients necessary for operation of the control predictions. The recursive least squares based system model update, control variable predictions and calculations of the control horizon values are preferably executed in real time by using matrix calculation basic functions implemented and optimized for being used in a S7 environment by a Siemens PLC. The number of predictions and the horizon of the control steps required to achieve the setpoint are significantly high to achieve smooth and robust control. Several matrix calculations, including an inverse matrix procedure performed at each sample pulse and for each individual zone determine the MPC gain matrices needed to bring the system with minimum control effort and variations to the final setpoint. Corrective signals, based on the predictive model and the minimization criteria explained above, are issued to adjust system heating / cooling outputs at the next sample time occurrence, so as to bring the system to the desired set point. The process is repeated continuously at each sample pulse.

A predictive cruise control system utilizes information about the current vehicle position, and upcoming terrain to save fuel and increase driving comfort. A vehicle operating cost function is defined, based on a plurality of environmental parameters, vehicle parameters, vehicle operating parameters and route parameters. As the vehicle travels over a particular route for which route parameters, such as road gradient and curvature, are stored in a road map, sensors aboard the vehicle detect environmental and vehicle operating parameters, including at least vehicle speed and its position relative to the road map. As the vehicle proceeds, an onboard computer iteratively calculates and stores in a memory vehicle control parameters that optimize the vehicle operating cost function for a predetermined prediction horizon along the route ahead of the vehicle. The optimal vehicle control parameters for the Prediction Horizon are then stored, updated and used to control the vehicle.

The invention discloses an intelligent network-connected automobile operation system based on vehicle-road collaboration. The intelligent networked automobile operation system comprises a high-precision map platform, a cloud control platform, a vehicle-mounted terminal platform, a vehicle-mounted computing platform and an information security platform. The high-precision map platform provides a real-time dynamic high-precision map; the cloud control platform and the vehicle-mounted terminal platform are subjected to cooperative management and control through a communication network; the cloudcontrol platform executes data storage, cloud computing and standardized data interconnection; the vehicle-mounted terminal platform executes information reporting; wherein the vehicle-mounted computing platform is connected with the vehicle-mounted terminal platform through the vehicle-mounted Ethernet, over-the-horizon perception data, map data, environment data and the like are obtained, a vehicle driving scheme is formulated through fusion calculation, and the cloud control platform, the vehicle-mounted terminal platform, the vehicle-mounted computing platform and the map platform are allprovided with safety monitors. Common basic services are provided for operation of the intelligent network connection automobile, and national and industrial development requirements are met.

A method of vehicle control, in which a global target trajectory is tracked by successively calculating an optimum local trajectory in 4D output space to approach the global trajectory and observe vehicle performance limits and surrounding obstacle clearance. A receding horizon framework is proposed which successively updates the optimum local trajectory according to the current state of the vehicle. Processing overheads can be kept to a minimum by calculating performance limits offline, and optimisation is simplified by using a cost function approach.

A method of determination of fluid pressures in a subsurface region of the earth uses seismic velocities and calibrations relating the seismic velocities to the effective stress on the subsurface sediments. The seismic velocities may be keyed to defined seismic horizons and may be obtained from many methods, including velocity spectra, post-stack inversion, pre-stack inversion, VSP or tomography. Overburden stresses may be obtained from density logs, relations between density and velocity, or from inversion of potential fields data. The seismic data may be P-P, P-S, or S-S data. The calibrations may be predetermined or may be derived from well information including well logs and well pressure measurements. The calibrations may also include the effect of unloading. The determined pressures may be used in the analysis of fluid flow in reservoirs, basin and prospect modeling and in fault integrity analysis.

System and method for managing batch fermentation in biofuel production. An optimizer executes a nonlinear multivariate predictive model of a batch fermentation process in accordance with an end of batch objective specifying a target end of batch biofuel concentration to determine an optimal batch trajectory over a temporal control horizon specifying a biofuel and / or sugar concentration trajectory over the batch fermentation process. A nonlinear control model for the batch fermentation process that includes the temporal control horizon driven by biofuel concentration during the batch fermentation process is executed per the determined optimal batch trajectory using received process information as input, thereby generating model output including target values for manipulated variables for the batch fermentation process, including batch fermentation temperature. The batch fermentation process is controlled per the target values to produce biofuel in accordance with the determined optimal batch trajectory, to substantially optimize the end of batch biofuel yield.

A system and method that provides improved fault detection in turbine engines is disclosed. The fault detection system provides the ability to detect symptoms of engine faults based on a relatively limited number of engine parameters that are sampled relatively infrequently. The fault detection system includes a sensor data processor that receives engine sensor data during operation and augments the sensor data. The augmented data set is passed to a fuzzy logic inference system that determines the likelihood that a fault has occurred. The inference system output can then be passed to a diagnostic system where evaluation of the output may yield a detailed diagnostic result and a prediction horizon.

A technique is disclosed for reducing an error in a controlled variable via model predictive control. A predicted error in the controlled variable is determined for a forward-looking control horizon based upon measured or computed variables. The integral of the predicted error is computed. If the error or the integral exceed a tolerance for a determined time period, the model predictive control algorithm is modified to drive the error or the integral to within a tolerance. The modifications to the control algorithm may include changes to coefficients for terms based upon the error and / or the integral of the error.

A method of creating and using an adaptive DMC type or other MPC controller includes using a model switching technique to periodically determine a process model, such as a parameterized process model, for a process loop on-line during operation of the process. The method then uses the process model to generate an MPC control model and creates and downloads an MPC controller algorithm to an MPC controller based on the new control model while the MPC controller is operating on-line. This technique, which is generally applicable to single-loop MPC controllers and is particularly useful in MPC controllers with a control horizon of one or two, enables an MPC controller to be adapted during the normal operation of the process, so as to change the process model on which the MPC controller is based to thereby account for process changes. The adaptive MPC controller is not computationally expensive and can therefore be easily implemented within a distributed controller of a process control system, while providing the same or in some cases better control than a PID controller, especially in dead time dominant process loops, and in process loops that are subject to process model mismatch within the process time to steady state.

A method and system for determining camera positioning information from an accelerometer mounted on a camera. The accelerometer measures the orientation of the camera with respect to gravity. Orientation measurement allows user interface information to be displayed in a “right side up” orientation on a viewfinder for any camera orientation. Alternatively, an artificial horizon indicator may be displayed in the viewfinder. The accelerometer may also measure camera movement. Camera movement information together with camera orientation can be used to determine camera usage. Additionally, camera movement information can be used to determine a minimum shutter speed for a sharp picture.

The invention provides a system and method for scheduling resources. In one respect, embodiments of the invention allow workers to indicate preferences for specific shifts during a planning horizon, within limitations imposed by the scheduling system. Embodiments of the system and method seek to meet all hard constraints, and utilize a flexible scoring technique to minimize the violation of soft constraints. Embodiments also consider the substitution of higher skilled workers in cases where there is an unmet demand for lower skilled workers.

A system and method for drawing in a three-dimensional space. The drawings may include dots, line segments, arrows, polylines (open and closed), polygons, surfaces and 3D volumes. The method may include receiving user input that specifies a drawing in a displayed window and mapping the drawing into the 3D space. The mapping process may involve mapping the drawing onto a surface of an existing graphical object in the 3D space, or, mapping the drawing onto a user-specified plane in the 3D space. The drawing may represent a user's interpretation of a geological feature present on the graphical object surface. The graphical object may represent an object of significance in hydrocarbon exploration and production, e.g., an interpreted section or horizon in the earth's subsurface.

A method of extracting desired features from a cellular image including the steps of: (a) selecting an initial cell within the image; (b) selecting an additional cell, near the initial cell, appearing to be associated with a desired feature; (c) repeating step (b) for further cells, near at least one of the previously selected cells, appearing to be associated with said feature, until selection termination criteria are satisfied; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for other initial cells. The method is particularly adept at extracting relatively weakly defined features in relatively noisy images, such as extracting faults or geologic horizons from 2D or 3D seismic data. A method of editing / filtering the features utilizing a stereo net is also disclosed. Related computer system and computer program products for implementing the method are also described.

A solar blackbody waveguide that captures and uses sunlight to heat a thermal working or heat transfer fluid. Solar cell arrays capture the sunlight. The arrays are movably mounted on solar towers to track the daily movement of the sun and to maintain the proper angle with the horizon throughout the year. The arrays direct the light into a series of light pipes to deliver the light into a solar coil located within an underground insulated pipeline. Energy from the light rays is absorbed by the solar coil and transferred to the thermal working fluid or heat transfer fluid flowing between the solar coil and the insulated pipeline. The energy laden thermal working or heat transfer fluid is removed from the downstream end of the insulated pipeline so that it can be used with existing technologies, such as with a combined cycle gas turbine, boiler, or steam generator.

A control system for continuous mining machine to control the mining horizons of roof and floor horizons relative to the rock boundaries of an underground coal seam or ore vein. The mining machine is provided with a cutting drum mounted on a pivoted arm to allow for vertical displacement of the cutter to control the mining height. A plurality of sensors is carried on the rotatable arm to locate the roof and floor boundaries. Attitude sensors are mounted on the machine for providing signals indicative of the inclinations of the body of the machine, and, a microprocessor receives the signals from the boundary sensors and the attitude sensors for calculating the required roof cut and floor cut. A display device receives the signals from the microprocessor and displays the calculated results to the machine operator.

A non-linear dynamic predictive device (60) is disclosed which operates either in a configuration mode or in one of three runtime modes: prediction mode, horizon mode, or reverse horizon mode. An external device controller (50) sets the mode and determines the data source and the frequency of data. In prediction mode, the input data are such as might be received from a distributed control system (DCS) (10) as found in a manufacturing process; the device controller ensures that a contiguous stream of data from the DCS is provided to the predictive device at a synchronous discrete base sample time. In prediction mode, the device controller operates the predictive device once per base sample time and receives the output from the predictive device through path (14). In horizon mode and reverse horizon mode, the device controller operates the predictive device additionally many times during base sample time interval. In horizon mode, additional data is provided through path (52). In reverse horizon mode data is passed in a reverse direction through the device, utilizing information stored during horizon mode, and returned to the device controller through path (66). In the forward modes, the data are passed to a series of preprocessing units (20) which convert each input variable (18) from engineering units to normalized units. Each preprocessing unit feeds a delay unit (22) that time-aligns the input to take into account dead time effects such as pipeline transport delay. The output of each delay unit is passed to a dynamic filter unit (24). Each dynamic filter unit internally utilizes one or more feedback paths that are essential for representing the dynamic information in the process. The filter units themselves are configured into loosely coupled subfilters which are automatically set up during the configuration mode and allow the capability of practical operator override of the automatic configuration settings. The outputs (28) of the dynamic filter units are passed to a non-linear analyzer (26) which outputs a value in normalized units. The output of the analyzer is passed to a post-processing unit (32) that converts the output to engineering units. This output represents a prediction of the output of the modeled process. In reverse horizon mode, a value of 1 is presented at the output of the predictive device and data is passed through the device in a reverse flow to produce a set of outputs (64) at the input of the predictive device. These are returned to the device controller through path (66). The purpose of the reverse horizon mode is to provide essential information for process control and optimization. The precise operation of the predictive device is configured by a set of parameters. that are determined during the configuration mode and stored in a storage device (30). The configuration mode makes use of one or more files of training data (48) collected from the DCS during standard operation of the process, or through structured plant testing. The predictive device is trained in four phases (40, 42, 44, and 46) correspo

The embodiments herein provide a variable three-dimensional camera assembly for still photography. The assembly consists of a housing to encase two cameras for capturing and projecting left and right eye views. The telescopically movable arms are fixed to the housing and fixed with two objectives. The arms are moved manually or using a motorized control to enable the objectives to converge on a desired target simultaneously. The images captured by the cameras are passed through the two eyepieces to project a 3-D image. A single common control unit regulates the image processing units provided for simultaneous 3-D viewing of the images of the target object. A horizon parallel indicator system is arranged to hold the cameras horizontally. A multi position primary lens / prism / mirrors complex unit (LMPC4) is provided to adjust the convergence accurately to improve the 3-D effect.

Leaky wave antenna beam steering that is capable of steering in a backward direction, as well as further down toward the horizon in the forward direction than was previously possible, and also directly toward zenith. The disclosed antenna and method involve applying a non-uniform impedance function across a tunable impedance surface in order to obtain such leaky wave beam steering.

The present invention provides a very flexible, digital system for capturing and storing panoramic images using progressive scan (that is, non interlaced) technology. The system includes a digital image input device and an associated control computer. Since the image capture device is digital it can be easily and flexibly controlled by software in the control computer. The image input device has six lenses positioned on the six faces of a cube. While the image input system can have other lens configurations, the use of six lenses in a cubic configuration is optimal for a system that is used to capture a spherical panorama. The six lenses simultaneously focuses different images on six CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices). The image input device also includes an embedded controller, and data compression circuitry. The embedded controller controls the exposure time of the CCDs (i.e. the effective aperture and effective shutter speed) and reads image data from the CCDs. The image data read from the CCDs is compressed, multiplexed, and sent to the control computer. The control computer stores the images in frames, each of which have one image from each of the six lenses. Each frame includes six images that were simultaneously recorded and any associated information, such as audio tracks, textual information, or environmental information such as GPS (Global Position System) data or artificial horizon data. The control computer includes a user interface which allows a user to specify control information such as frame rate, compression ratio, gain, etc. The control computer sends control information to the embedded controller which in turn controls the CCDs and the compression circuitry. The images can be sent from the control computer to a real time viewer so that a user can determine if the correct images are being captured. The images stored at the control computer are later seamed into panoramas and made into panoramic movies.

The present invention is used to update objects over limited bandwidth networks. Objects are updated between two or more computing devices using remote differential compression (RDC) techniques such that required data transfers are minimized. In one aspect, efficient large object transfers are achieved by recursively applying the RDC algorithm to its own metadata; a single or multiple recursion step(s) may be used in this case to reduce the amount of metadata sent over the network by the RDC algorithm. Objects and / or signature and chunk length lists can be chunked by locating boundaries at dynamically determined locations. A mathematical function evaluates hash values associated within a horizon window relative to potential chunk boundary.

Method for aligning converted wave seismic reflection data (PS data) with conventional PP seismic reflection data so that both data types may be used to more accurately image the subsurface for hydrocarbon exploration or field development. Amplitude vs. angle (AVA) or amplitude vs. offset (AVO) attributes of PP and PS seismic data are identified and defined, which attributes are theoretically expected to be in phase and optimize seismic resolution in the data. In one embodiment of the invention, such attributes are calculated (310), then the same horizons are identified in a series of PP attributes and in a series of PS attributes, then the second series is aligned with the first at the horizon locations (316, 320), then a time transfer function is generated and applied to the PS mode data (322), and the aligned joint-mode data are inverted (326) using, for example, AVA attributes.