Other

Exxon Production Research Company

Stark, Tracy Joseph

Tracy Joseph Stark

Daniel J Ferlic

Special displays of medical images are generated that help a radiologist better detect nodules by exploiting the inherent human visualization abilities of detection of symmetry, asymmetry, motion and relative motion. A Region of Interest (ROI) on an x-ray (mammogram, CT-scan, MRI, or other medical image) is selected and the data within the ROI is copied such that a new display now has two or more copies of the information within the ROI. This copy may contain the same relative positions as the original image, or may be a mirror image of the original data. The ROI is moved over the medical image in search of nodules. This movement can be random, under the direct control of the radiologist, systematically moved by a computer algorithm, or some combination of the above.

Method for improved detection of nodules in medical images

In a preferred embodiment the invention comprises a system for analyzing seismic data which includes selecting a geologic time volume for a subsurface region of interest and selecting a procedure for generating a derived data volume based on the geologic time volume. The selected procedure is used to calculate the derived data volume and the derived data volume is stored in a data storage medium. In specific embodiments of the invention, the derived data volumes include but are not limited to difference volumes, discontinuity volumes, fault volumes, unconformity volumes, throw volumes, heave volumes, dip magnitude volumes, dip azimuth volumes, strike volumes, surface normal volumes, closure volumes, spill point volumes, isopach volumes and isopach anomaly volumes.

System for information extraction from geologic time volumes

A first embodiment of the invention comprises a method for analyzing seismic data in which a seismic data volume, which includes seismic data sample points, is selected from a subsurface region of interest. A geologic time volume is declared having data storage locations corresponding to the seismic data sample points. Geologic times are obtained corresponding to the seismic data sample points, and the geologic times are stored in the geologic time volume in data storage locations corresponding to the seismic data sample points.

System for multi-dimensional data analysis

In one embodiment the invention comprises a system for utilizing a geologic time volume to investigate a portion of the earth in which a geologic time is selected and a search is made in the geologic time volume for locations having substantially the selected geologic time. Locations in the geologic time volume having substantially the geologic time are extracted from the geologic time volume. Locations having substantially the selected geologic time may be displayed to facilitate use of the geologic time volume by an interpreter.

System for utilizing geologic time volumes

A process for generating a surface slice for use in understanding or comprehending the internal structure of a multi-dimensional data volume and specifically a three-dimensional seismic data volume. The surface slice is a local N-1 dimensional representation of the internal structure of N dimensional data, where N represents the original dimension of the data volume. Information from the Nth-dimension is preserved in the N-1 dimensional surface slices. An arbitrary surface intersecting surfaces through the data volume is selected. A variant, an identifiable attribute of data which forms the surfaces of finite extent throughout the data volume, is also selected and isolated to identify the surface. Variants can include, but are not limited to, peaks, troughs, local peaks, local troughs, plus-to-minus zero crossings, and minus-to-plus zero crossings. Isolated variants from the arbitrary surface are combined into the arbitrary surface with isolated variants surrounding the arbitrary surface to create the surface slice. Isolated variants identified by their position in the data volume generate a time surface slice. Both quantitative and qualitative information on the local strike, local dip direction and dip magnitude of the intersecting surface are present. Isolated variants identified in any other manner generate an amplitude surface slice presenting both quantitative and qualitative information on the local strike and dip magnitude of the intersecting surface.

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Plano, TX, United States of America

Tracy Joseph Stark