Patent Publication Number: US-2017372704-A1

Title: Autonomous material evaluation system and method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates, generally, to non-destructive remaining useful life estimation method and equipment, and more specifically, to provide automatic and/or continuous non-destructive acquisition of material features, including evaluators and predictors of detected features, and autonomous evaluation capability of the material remaining useful life. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As is known in the art, materials are selected for use based on criteria including minimum strength requirements, useable life, and anticipated normal wear. Safety factors are typically factored into the design considerations to supplement material selection in order to aid in reducing the risk of failures including catastrophic failure. Failures occur when the required application strengths exceed the actual material strength either due to the misapplication of the material or due to material deterioration. During its useful life, material deteriorates and/or is weakened by external events such as mechanical and/or chemical actions arising from the type of application, repeated usage, hurricanes, earthquakes, storage, transportation, and the like; thus, raising safety, operational, functionality, and serviceability issues. 
     The list of typical material includes, but is not limited to, aircraft, bridges, cranes, drilling rigs, frames, chemical plant components, engine components, oil country tubular goods (herein after referred to as “OCTG”), pipelines, power plant components, rails, refineries, rolling stoke, sea going vessels, service rigs, structures, vessels, workover rigs, other components of the above, combinations of the above, and similar items. 
     Material owners perform a remaining useful life (herein after referred to as “RUL”) estimation (herein after referred to as “RULE”) occasionally, often following a component failure. This RULE is mostly based on as-designed data occasionally supplemented by Non-Destructive Inspection (herein after referred to as “NDI”) data. Often, the absence of an NDI indication comprises the entire fitness for service assessment (herein after referred to as “FFS”) and RULE. NDI is typically carried out in order to verify that the material deterioration, from some of the known deterioration causes, has not reduced the material strength below the minimum application requirements. 
     Since its inception in the early 1900s, the NDI industry has utilized a variety of techniques and devices, alone or in combination with each other, with the majority based on the well-known and well documented techniques of magnetic flux leakage (herein after referred to as “MFL”), eddy-current (herein after referred to as “EC”), magnetic particle, ultrasonic (herein after referred to as “UT”) radiation, such as x-ray and gamma ray, dye penetrant, and dimensional as well as visual and audible techniques. MFL and EC are also known as ElectroMagnetic Inspection (herein after referred to as “EMI”). Typical NDI devices deploy a single sensor per material area and are therefore classified as one-dimensional (herein after referred to as “1D”, “1D-NDI” and “1D-EMI”). 
     However, the limited data 1D-NDI provides for the Material-Under-Inspection (herein after referred to as “MUI”) does not adequately address the demanding material application RUL needs. After all, a century ago there was no drilling a 20,000 foot well in 10,000 feet of water in search for hydrocarbons or trains traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour or supersonic aircraft. For example, when 1D-NDI does not detect any corrosion pitting that exceeds its minimum detection capabilities, it is false to conclude that the material is fit for the application or its RUL satisfies the application needs. It is desirable therefore to provide Autonomous RULE (herein after referred to as “AutoRULE”) equipment and methods to the industry. AutoRULE must detect and recognize the “as-built” and/or “as-is” MUI features impacting its RULE including, but not limited to, imperfections. 
     The distinction between RULE assessment and NDI 
     As carried out since its inception, NDI is examining the MUI for signals (flags) that exceed a preset threshold level while common MUI features, such as welds and couplings, typically saturate the NDI processing and they are ignored by the inspector, similar in appearance to elements  191 A and  191 B of  FIG. 19B . Therefore, the end result of an NDI can be summarized as “within the limitations of the inspection technique(s), there were no material regions that gave rise to signals above the threshold level that were relevant according to the opinion of the inspector”. As will be discussed further, the combination of sensor signal filtering and threshold prior to any signal evaluations creates detection dead-zones, a standard NDI practice never the less. Such filter/threshold combination can be found throughout the patent record, such as in the 1931 U.S. Pat. No. 1,823,810 and the 2003 U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,591. Therefore, the absence of an NDI indication does not necessarily imply that the material is fit for service or meets the application RUL needs. 
     Another example of an NDI technique with different type detection dead-zones is Time of Flight Diffraction (herein after referred to as “TOFD”) of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,904,818, 7,082,822, 7,104,125 used for the inspection of marine drilling risers. The near-surface TOFD dead zone is due to lateral waves and the far-surface TOFD dead zone is due to echoes. It should be noted that the major and minor axis surfaces of marine drilling risers experience the maximum vortex-induced-vibration (herein after referred to as “VIV”) loads and thus, cracking is expected to initiate at stress concentrators within the TOFD dead-zones, like the bottom of surface pits or the heat affected zone of welds. From actual fatigue and crack growth field runs, Stylwan has concluded that weld cracks tend to grow preferentially parallel to the surface (increase length) than into the wall (increase depth) and therefore would remain undetected by TOFD while undergoing their most rapid growth. The TOFD dead-zones are significant on used material, typically exceeding the maximum allowed imperfection depth. Therefore, the absence of a TOFD indication can be summarized as “there were no material regions with cracks deeper than the TOFD detection dead-zones” which by no means constitute a sound NDI on used material much less an FFS and/or a RULE. 
     On the other hand, RULE must examine and evaluate, as close as possible, 100% of the Material-Under-RUL-Assessment (herein after referred to as “MUA”) for 100% of features spanning from fatigue (2-D) all the way to wall thickness changes (A-WDS) and declare the MUA fit for continuing service and estimate its RUL only after all the features impact upon the MUA have been evaluated. It is well known that the presence of any imperfection alters the FFS of the MUA and impacts its RUL. Thus, it should be appreciated that the deployment of the AutoRULE would increase the overall safety and reliability as it would lead to MUA repair and/or replacement prior to a catastrophic failure as well as it will reduce and/or eliminate its premature replacement due to concerns when the conventional inspection periods are spaced far apart and/or when the conventional inspection provides an insignificant inspection coverage. In addition, it should be understood that material free of any imperfections may still not be fit for service in the particular application and/or deployment or it may have a shorter RUL. 
     There is a plethora of 1D-NDI systems in the patent record using terms such as, “Detect”, “Identify”, “Recognize” but only in the context that the sensor signal exceeds the preset threshold level and an indication is shown in the 1D-NDI readout device. The 1D-NDI readout device indication prompts the inspector to assign the material to the verification crew for further manual investigation. However, as shown further in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , 1D-NDI cannot “connect or associate or know by some detail” the feature or even if the sensor signal is indeed associated with a feature; a task assigned entirely to the manual verification crew. As opposed to 1D-NDI, the present invention also uses terms such as, “Identify” and “Recognize” in the context of “connect or associate or know by some detail”. As shown further in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , AutoRULE “knows by some detail” the imperfection and “connects and associates” the imperfection with known imperfection definitions. AutoRULE preferably uses FFS and RUL formulas and knowledge and is preferably able to export a file for use by a finite element analysis engine (herein after referred to as “FEA”) because AutoRULE “knows by some detail” the material features, as shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3D . It should be understood that different FEA engines use different structure geometry import/export specifications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one possible embodiment, a method to evaluate material may be provided utilizing a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features in a material under evaluation. The material features acquisition system includes a sensor with an output indicative of at least one of the plurality of material features from the material under evaluation. 
     The method includes the steps of repeatedly scanning the material under evaluation with the material features acquisition system over time and providing that the material features acquisition system is responsive to a known degradation mechanism or another material feature for calibrating the material features acquisition system from a calibration sample. Additional steps may include providing that the material features acquisition system is operable to evaluate the output to detect new material features and monitor previously detected material features in the material under evaluation, and providing that the material features acquisition system is operable for determining a degradation mechanism from at least one of a plurality of possible degradation mechanisms or changes affecting the material under evaluation. 
     In another embodiment, the method may comprise providing that the sensor permits movement of the sensor with respect to the material under evaluation when the material includes a tubular member. The tubular member may include an oil country tubular good, a pipeline, a riser, a component of the above, or combinations of the above. Additional steps may include providing the sensor is positioned at one or more of inside or outside of the tubular member and providing the sensor is movable axially with respect to the tubular member. The sensor may be moveable at a selectable scanning speed in terms of feet per minute with respect to the tubular. 
     In one embodiment, the material features include at least one of fatigue, corrosion, pitting, cracks, stress concentrations, grooves, dents, or wall thickness changes, geometry irregularity, hardness, other material features, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the plurality of material features includes at least tapers, welds, and wall thickness. The method may further include using voice as an input to the material features acquisition system. The method may further include inducing excitation into the material under evaluation. It may further include inducing excitation into the material under evaluation. The method where the output is produced, at least in part, in response to the excitation induced into the material under evaluation. The method may further include providing a database operable for storage of a history of the material under evaluation. The method may further include utilizing data derived from the method to produce a finite element analysis of the material. 
     The method may further include providing at least one database including material features recognition equations. The method may further include providing programming for determining coefficients of the material features recognition equations. The method may further include providing programming to recommend a preventative action to inhibit the degradation and providing programming to make a determination of a fitness-for-service of the material. The method may further include a determination of a remaining-useful-life of the material. The method may further include using the history of the material under evaluation to determine changes in the material under evaluation. 
     The system may further include the sensor permits movement of the sensor with respect to the material under evaluation when the material includes a tubular member. The system may further include the tubular member includes an oil country tubular good, a pipeline, or a riser, a component of the above, or combinations of the above. The system where the sensor is positioned at one or more of inside or outside of the tubular member. The system where the sensor is movable axially with respect to the tubular member. The system where the sensor is moveable at a selectable scanning speed in terms of feet per minute. The system where the material features include at least one of fatigue, corrosion, pitting, cracks, stress concentrations, grooves, dents, or wall thickness changes, geometry irregularity, hardness, other material features, or combinations thereof. The system where the plurality of material features includes at least tapers, welds, and wall thickness. The system may further include a voice input to the material features acquisition system. The system may further include the calibration sample includes at least two known degradation mechanisms and scanning the calibration sample and adjusting the evaluation from the material features acquisition system. The system may further include material features acquisition system being operable to induce excitation into the material under evaluation. The system may further include material features acquisition system being operable to induce excitation into the material under evaluation. The system where the output is produced, at least in part, in response to the excitation induced into the material under evaluation. The system may further include a database operable for storage of a history of the material under evaluation. The system may further include programming to utilize data derived by the material features acquisition system to produce a finite element analysis of the material. The system may further include at least one database including material features recognition equations. The system may further include programming for determining coefficients of the material features recognition equations. The system may further include programming to recommend a preventative action to inhibit the degradation mechanism. The system may further include programming to make a determination of a fitness-for-service of the material. The system may further include programming to make a determination of a remaining-useful-life of the material. The system may further include programming to utilize the history of the material under evaluation to determine changes in the material under evaluation. The system may also include autonomous material evaluation system and method. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system to evaluate material including: a material features acquisition system operable to detect a plurality of material features in a material under evaluation, the material features acquisition system including a sensor with an output indicative of at least one of the plurality of material features from the material under evaluation; the material features acquisition system being operable for repeatedly scanning the material under evaluation over time; the material features acquisition system being responsive to at least one known degradation mechanism or another material feature for calibrating the material features acquisition system from a calibration sample; the material features acquisition system being operable to evaluate the output to detect new material features and monitor previously detected material features in the material under evaluation; and the material features acquisition system being operable for determining a degradation mechanism from at least one of a plurality of possible degradation mechanisms or changes affecting the material under evaluation. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods. 
     The sensor permits movement of the sensor with respect to the material under evaluation when the material includes a tubular member. The tubular member may include an oil country tubular good, a pipeline, or a riser, a component of the above, or combinations of the above. The system where the sensor is positioned at one or more of inside or outside of the tubular member. The system where the sensor is movable axially with respect to the tubular member. The system where the sensor is moveable at a selectable scanning speed in terms of feet per minute. The system where the material features include at least one of fatigue, corrosion, pitting, cracks, stress concentrations, grooves, dents, or wall thickness changes, geometry irregularity, hardness, other material features, or combinations thereof. The system where the plurality of material features includes at least tapers, welds, and wall thickness. The system may further include a voice input to the material features acquisition system. The system may further include the calibration sample includes at least two known degradation mechanisms and scanning the calibration sample and adjusting the evaluation from the material features acquisition system. The system may further include material features acquisition system being operable to induce excitation into the material under evaluation. The system may further include material features acquisition system being operable to induce excitation into the material under evaluation. The system where the output is produced, at least in part, in response to the excitation induced into the material under evaluation. The system may further include a database operable for storage of a history of the material under evaluation. 
     In one embodiment, the system may further include programming to utilize data derived by the material features acquisition system to produce a finite element analysis of the material. The system may further include at least one database including material features recognition equations. The system may further include programming for determining coefficients of the material features recognition equations. The system may further include programming to recommend a preventative action to inhibit the degradation mechanism. The system may further include programming to make a determination of a fitness-for-service of the material. The system may further include programming to make a determination of a remaining-useful-life of the material. The system may further include programming to utilize the history of the material under evaluation to determine changes in the material under evaluation. The system may also include autonomous material evaluation system and method. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computer software on a computer-accessible medium. 
     These and other embodiments, objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, the descriptions given herein, and the appended claims. However, it will be understood that above-listed embodiments and/ or objectives and/or advantages of the invention are intended only as an aid in quickly understanding certain possible aspects of the invention, are not intended to limit the invention in any way, and therefore do not form a comprehensive or restrictive list of embodiments, objectives, features, and/or advantages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a 1D-EMI non-destructive inspection system. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a 1D-EMI inspection trace for a mid-wall imperfection. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a 1D-EMI inspection trace for machined (man-made) calibration notches. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates the flaw spectrum of the mid-wall imperfection of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates the flaw spectrum of the machined (man-made) calibration notches of  FIG. 2B . 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a section of MUI with an imperfection. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a section of MUI following remediation. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a section of MUI following incomplete remediation. 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates the stress concentration. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of the AutoRULE system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of the AutoRULE system and the speech and sound interface according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of a speech synthesizer, a sound synthesizer and a Speech recognition engine; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a block-diagram of the inspection sensor pre-processor and the filter arrangement according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a programmable gain amplifier according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates the design mathematical formula for the programmable gain amplifier of  FIG. 8A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a programmable 3.sup.rd order low-pass filter according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates the design mathematical formula for a 1st order low pass filter of  FIG. 9A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates the design mathematical formula for a 2nd order low pass filter of  FIG. 9A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8D  illustrates another example of the design mathematical formula for a 2.sup.nd order low pass filter of  FIG. 9A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates an example of a programmable 3 rd  order low pass filter; 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates the design mathematical formula for a 1 st  order low pass filter of  FIG. 9A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates the design mathematical formula for a 2 nd  order low pass filter of  FIG. 9A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a programmable band-pass filter and a 3rd order high-pass filter according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates the design mathematical formula for a 1st order high-pass filter of  FIG. 10A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10C  illustrates the design mathematical formula for a 2nd order high-pass filter of  FIG. 10A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates the Bilinear Transformation, a mathematical technique to translate an analog transfer function to the digital domain, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11B  illustrates the mathematical formula for the Bilinear Transformation illustrated in  FIG. 11A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11C  illustrates a mathematical formula for the frequency response of IIR 
       Digital filter for the Bilinear Transformation illustrated in  FIG. 11A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates the block-diagram to implement the discrete wavelet transform decomposition through digital filter banks according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates a mathematical formula for a low-pass filter of a HAAR wavelet of  FIG. 12A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12C  illustrates a mathematical formula for a high-pass filter of a HAAR wavelet of  FIG. 12A  according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a block diagram of the signal processing of AutoRULE system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a flow chart of a typical RULE assessment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15A  illustrates a typical RULE assessment time sequence according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15B  illustrates a typical RULE assessment time sequence according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15C  illustrates a typical RULE assessment time sequence according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15D  illustrates a typical RULE assessment time sequence according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15E  illustrates a typical RULE assessment time sequence according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15F  illustrates a typical RULE assessment time sequence according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 16A  illustrates a typical material sample with man-made features; 
         FIG. 16B  illustrates a typical material sample with a critically flawed area; 
         FIG. 16C  illustrates typical reference defects found in 1D-NDI standards; 
         FIG. 16D  a critically flawed area; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a block diagram of a typical NDI process; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a block diagram of the AutoRULE process according to the present invention 
         FIG. 19A  illustrates an AutoRULE computer readout for use in FFS and RUL data gathering; and 
         FIG. 19B  illustrates an AutoRULE computer readout configured for drill pipe. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The following Trademarks are referred to herein below in alphabetical order: 
     Compact Flaw Spectrum, CoilBOT, CyberCHECK, Cyberinspector, CyberSCAN, CyberSCOPE, Defect Numerical Analysis, Flaw Defining Dimension, FDDim, Flaw Spectrum, InspectionBOT, LineBOT, Material Status Descriptive Value, MSDV, RailBOT, Rig Data Integration System, RDIS-10, RiserBOT, STYLWAN and WeIIBOT are trademarks of STYLWAN Incorporated. 
     OCI-5000 series and OCI are trademarks of OLYMPIC CONTROL, Incorporated. 
     To understand the terms associated with the present invention, the following descriptions are set out herein below. It should be appreciated that mere changes in terminology cannot render such terms as being outside the scope of the present invention. 
     Autonomous: able to perform a function without external control or intervention. 
     Classification: assigning a feature to a particular class. 
     Compact Flaw Spectrum: a condensed presentation of Flaw Spectrum or Frequency Flaw Spectrum data. The STYLWAN Compact Flaw Spectrum and trace color assignments is set out herein below and spans from wall thickness (3-DC) to microcracking (2-DC): C-3D (blue), C-3d (green), C-2d (red) and C-2D (magenta) and Geometry variations 3-G (yellow). 
     Constraints: controls in doing something. Constraints include, but are not limited to knowledge, rules, boundaries and data. 
     Decomposed in Frequency: Separating desirable characteristics from a frequency response gathered during an evaluation process. 
     Defect: an imperfection that exceeds a specified threshold and may warrant rejection of the material. 
     Degradation Mechanism: the phenomenon that is harmful to the material. Degradation is typically cumulative and irreversible such as fatigue built-up. 
     Essential: important, absolutely necessary. 
     Expert: someone who is skillful and well informed in a particular field. 
     Feature: a property, attribute or characteristic that sets something apart. 
     Finite Element Analysis, FEA: a method to solve the partial or ordinary differential equations that guide physical systems. 
     FEA Engine: is an FEA computer program, a number of which are commercially available such as Algor and Nastran. In practice, FEA engines are used to analyze structures under different loads and/or conditions, such as a marine drilling riser under tension and enduring vortex induced vibration. An FEA engine may analyze a structure with a feature under static and/or dynamic loading, but not a feature on its own. 
     Fitness For Service: typically an engineering assessment to establish the integrity of in service material, which may or may not contain an imperfection, to ensure the continuous economic use of the material, to optimize maintenance intervals and to provide meaningful remaining useful life predictions. In the prior art, RULE assessment was typically performed by an expert or a group of experts. Typically, an RULE assessment is based primarily on as-designed data while the AutoRULE assessment is based primarily on as-built or as-is data. When design data is available, AutoRULE also monitors compliance with the design data. When less than optimal data is available, AutoRULE may perform a Fitness For Service Screening. 
     Flaw Defining Dimension: (Herein after referred to as “FDDim”) typically the flaw dimension and/or projection perpendicular (transverse) to the maximum stress. The extraction matrix calculates FDDim. The extraction matrix was published in  1994  and it is beyond the scope of this patent. 
     Flaw Spectrum: a presentation of data derived from an extraction matrix. The STYLWAN Flaw Spectrum and trace color assignments is set out herein below and spans from wall thickness (A-WDS) to microcracking (2-D): A-WDS (maroon), R-WDS (black), 3-D (blue), 3-d (cyan), C (green), 2-d (red) and 2-D (magenta) and Geometry variations 3-G (yellow). When necessary, categories are further subdivided to α, β and γ, such as 2-da. It should be understood that the one to one correspondence of simple imperfections to the STYLWAN Flaw Spectrum occasionally applies to machined (man-made) imperfections and not to the complex form imperfections typically found in nature. Therefore, the STYLWAN Flaw Spectrum elements must be viewed as an entity identification signature, just like DNA, but not as a detailed chemical analysis. It should be appreciated that mere changes in terminology and/or regrouping and/or recategorizing cannot render such terms as being outside the scope of the present invention. 
     Frequency Based Flaw Spectrum: a presentation of data derived from one-dimensional or two-dimensional sensor in combination with filter banks to decompose, interpret and categorize the sensor received information in a fashion substantially similar to the flaw spectrum. It should be understood that any further processing, such as the AutoRULE processing, utilizes the Flaw Spectrum regardless of its origin and derivation method. 
     Imperfection or Flaw: one of the material features—a discontinuity, irregularity, anomaly, inhomogenity, or a rupture in the material under inspection. 
     Knowledge: a collection of facts and rules capturing the knowledge of one or more specialist. 
     Normalization: Amplitude, and/or phase, and/or bandwidth, and /or time shifting adjustments of the inspection sensor output to compensate for the system implementation idiosyncrasies that affect the features sensor output such as changes/differences due to scanning speed and/or implementation geometry and/or excitation and/or for response characteristics of the inspection sensor. 
     Productivity: The total amount of material undergone assessment or evaluation. The productivity rate is defined as the ratio of amount of material undergone assessment or evaluation over the amount of time to perform such assessment or evaluation. 
     Remaining Useful Life: a measure that combines the material condition and the failure risk the material owner is willing to accept. The time period or the number of cycles a material (a structure) is expected to be available for reliable use. 
     Remaining Useful Life Estimation: establishes the next monitoring interval (condition based maintenance) or the need for remediation but it is not intended to establish the exact time of a failure. When RULE can be established with reasonable certainty, the next monitoring interval may also be established with reasonable certainty. When RULE cannot be established with reasonable certainty, then RULE may establish the remediation method and upon completion of the remediation, the next monitoring interval may be established. When end of useful life is established with reasonable certainty, alteration and/or repair and/or replacement may be delayed under continuous monitoring. 
     Response Characteristics: Desirable characteristics separated from a frequency response to be evaluated preferably by a computer to determine imperfections. 
     Rules: how something should be done to implement the facts. 
     Scanning Speed: The speed of the material passing the sensor (or the speed of the sensor along the material). 
     1D-EMI Inspection Equipment Description 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an eight channel 1D-EMI inspection system similar to the one in U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,672 utilizing the MFL principle. In particular, the sensors and their arrangement as described in 672  FIGS. 5 and 6  are still in use with hundreds of units employed worldwide in portable or stationary configurations. The same sensor configuration is also illustrated in  FIG. 7  of U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,386 and similar sensors configuration is also used in the pipeline pig of U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,293. 
     The magnetizing coil  3  of the inspection head  2  induces excitation into MUI  1 . It should be understood that the magnetic field can be applied in any direction. U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,672 shows the induction of a longitudinal magnetic field while U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,914 shows the induction of a transverse magnetic field. It should further be understood that one or more permanent magnets may be used instead of a magnetizing coil or a combination thereof. The inspection sensors  4  signals  4 A through  4 H are processed by the high-pass filters  11 A through  18 A to eliminate low frequencies and any dc components. The signals  4 A through  4 H are then amplified by amplifiers  11 B through  18 B and are then filtered by the low-pass filters  11 C through  18 C to eliminate high frequencies. The highest signal selector  10  compares the highest of the band-limited signals  4 A through  4 H to a preset threshold level and eliminates all signals below the threshold level. Thus, the inspection trace  5  that is presented to the inspector typically shows the frequency band-limited highest signal that exceeds a preset threshold level. This type of signal acquisition and processing creates detection dead-zones and it is not suitable for RULE assessment or screening. 
     The MFL principle of operation is eloquently described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,194,229: “It is old in the art to test magnetic material for flaws by passing therethrough a magnetic flux, providing means responsive to variations in the flux, and thereby locating regions of abnormal magnetic reluctance”; and herein lies the problem that has plagued the 1D-NDI all along. 1D-EMI units flag “ . . . regions of abnormal magnetic reluctance” in ferromagnetic materials and UT units flag regions of echoes. They do not identify the material features; they do not detect the failure-potential of any feature, including but not limited to imperfection, and most importantly, they do not assess the material fitness for service under the application constraints or the material RUL. Instead, they rely upon an inspector to monitor and interpret the MFL or UT traces and instruct a manual verification crew to locate the flagged “ . . . regions of abnormal magnetic reluctance” or echoes on the MUI for further manual investigation, but only for MUI regions that give rise to signals that exceed a preset magnitude threshold, a 1D-NDI shortcoming that can still be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,591  FIG. 9  and will be discussed in detail further below. Thus, OCTG owners typically specify that the verification crew investigate at least ±six inches on either side of an indication. It is not uncommon for the verification crew to miss entirely the flagged MUI region or even the flagged MUI from a simple miscount. This manual verification problem is exemplified on pipelines that are miles long or railroads, a two vehicle inspection/verification solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,438. 
     Once an imperfection is located by the verification crew and sufficient measurements are recorded, the information is forwarded to the owner of the MUI to decide its disposition. In order to decide the disposition of the MUI, the owner preferably performs an RULE assessment with the limited data the verification crew was able to gather. Often, a single pass/fail approach is implemented. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide means to retrofit AutoRULE to the hundreds of 1D-EMI units deployed worldwide. It is imperative therefore, that AutoRULE detects and recognizes the “as-is” MUA features impacting its FFS and RUL including, but not limited to, imperfections. The imperfection recognition was discussed in the AutoNDI prior application Ser. No. 10/995,692 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,369) using the extraction matrix and application Ser. No. 11/079,745 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,320) using spectral analysis to derive a frequency based flaw spectrum for further use by the AutoNDI. 
     A Brief 1D-EMI History 
     The one to one correspondence of  FIG. 1  1D-EMI elements to the elements illustrated in  FIG. 1  of U.S. Pat. No. 1,823,810 is as follows: A magnetic field (excitation) is induced into MUI 1 (810  FIG. 1  magnetizable material  6 ) by a coil  3  (810  FIG. 1  exciting coil  14 ). The sensor  4  (810  FIG. 1  search coil  19 ) signal is processed by the high-pass filter  11 A (810  FIG. 1  capacitor and resistor connected to the grid of the vacuum tube) and it is then amplified by amplifier  11 B (810  FIG. 1  dual triode vacuum tube) and presented to the inspector (810  FIG. 1  indicator  21 ) instead of an inspection trace  5 . The limited frequency response of (810  FIG. 1  indicator  21 ) acts as a lowpass filters  11 C. Since U.S. Pat. No. 1,823,810 depicts a single channel NDI system, there is no need for a highest signal selector  10 . However, the sensor  4  (810  FIG. 1  search coil  19 ) signal is compared to an operator adjustable threshold level (810  FIG. 1  the resistor connected to the grid of the first vacuum tube is connected to a negative (threshold) voltage). Only sensor signals that exceed this threshold (negative voltage) would propagate and be shown to the inspector (810  FIG. 1  indicator  21 ). 
     The prolific 1D-EMI unit of U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,672 essentially consists of eight U.S. Pat. No. 1,823,810 channels with the addition of a highest signal selector. It should be understood that 1D-EMI units consisting of two to forty eight channels have also been constructed and the number of channels any 1D-EMI deploys should not be interpreted as a limitation to this invention. In the 1960s the vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,914  FIG. 6 , and in the 1970s by integrated circuit amplifiers. Meters and chart recorders were used for the operator readout until the mid-1980s when they were replaced by computers with their colorful displays and printouts. However, no matter how sophisticated the operator readout is, it will never show information that was lost during the acquisition and processing of the sensor signals. 
     The brief 1D-EMI history shows that although the electronic circuits have followed the advances in technology, the inspection philosophy and methods have not. The 1D-EMI limitations and pitfalls of a century ago still plague the modern 1D-EMI, regardless of the inspection technique used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,591 applies the combination of sensor signal filtering and threshold prior to any signal evaluation to both EMI and UT. 
     1D-EMI Loss of Sensor Signal Frequency Spectrum Information 
     As discussed earlier, the 1D-EMI high-pass filters  11 A through  18 A eliminate low frequencies and dc components for system stability and the low-pass filters  11 C through  18 C to eliminate high frequencies to remove the “noise”. Useful frequency components of the sensor signal are therefore discarded before being evaluated and any useful information they may contain is prematurely and irreversibly lost rendering this type of signal acquisition and processing unsuitable for AutoRULE. Referring to  FIG. 6  of U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,914, capacitor  51  and its associated components form a high-pass filter that prematurely and irreversibly discards low-frequency components of the sensor signal while capacitor  48  and its associated components form a low-pass filter that prematurely and irreversibly discards high-frequency components of the sensor signal. Other such examples can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,582,437 (see  FIG. 1  capacitor  13  and resistor  40 ); in U.S. Pat. No. 1,823,810 (see  FIG. 1 , amplifier  20 ) as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,155 (see  FIG. 1 , AC-couplers  6 ) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,632 (see  FIG. 1 , AC-couplers  6 ). Another such example using digital filters is shown in  FIG. 8  of U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,462 showing a “ . . . flow chart of an algorithm for pre-processing to remove DC and low frequency components” from the sensor signal. 
     Scanning Speed Effects on the Sensor Signal 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,773 also encompasses many elements of the above to detect corrosion pitting and clearly states a frequency spectrum processing essential element: the imperfection frequency spectrum versus scanning speed interdependence. The high-pass filters of  FIG. 7  (capacitors  66 ,  67  and resistors  69 ,  70 ) remove many unwanted “ . . . signal producing variables such as separation from the casing wall, wall roughness, misfit . . . ” [Column 6, Line 15]. Following the high-pass filter is a band-pass filter “ . . . to pass frequencies in the band between about 3 and 20 cycles per second, as this is the characteristic frequency range of signal due to the passage of the shoe  15  across a casing corrosion pit at a transverse speed of twenty feet per minute. This frequency band related to the speed of traverse of the instrument  10  through the casing  12  will, of course, be varied to suit any other traverse speed selected” [Column 6, Line 33]. Therefore, it is well known in the art that the same imperfection will appear differently in the sensor signal frequency spectrum depending on the scanning speed. It is also well known in the art that fixed frequency filters always pass/discard the same frequency band, thus 1D-EMI systems, such as the ones in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,155 and 5,943,632, always propagate for further processing undefined frequency components of the sensor signal again, rendering this type of signal acquisition and processing unsuitable for AutoRULE. 
     Another early observation of the NDI industry is the scanning speed versus signal amplitude proportional interdependence for coil sensors. U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,386 (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) provides a technique for amplitude compensation for the scanning speed variations. 
     AutoRULE can only be carried out when the MUA features, including but not limited to imperfections, are recognized and are identified. Automatic features recognition demands that the features signal amplitude and frequency spectrum be compensated for the idiosyncrasies of the scanning system and the effects of the different scanning speeds. It is one possible objective of this embodiment of the invention to determine the inspection system response characteristics, to track the scanning speed and preserve, normalize and automatically analyze the sensor signal frequency spectrum for all the spectrum components that include non-redundant information spanning from Fatigue to wall thickness. 
     1D-ND 1  Calibration Limitations 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates the 1D-NDI inspection trace  5  of an OCTG that failed at imperfection  5 B. The OCTG had two mid-wall imperfections  5 A and  5 B and failed during hydro testing. Prior to assembly into a marine drilling riser, the OCTG was inspected by a state of the art 1D-NDI. The 1D-NDI system was calibrated using a calibration joint with machined notches, a 1D inspection industry standard but faulty practice further illustrated in  FIG. 16C .  FIG. 2B  illustrates the 1D-NDI inspection trace of a calibration notch  5 C. 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates the flaw spectrum of the same OCTG mid-wall imperfections  6 A and  6 B, corresponding to  5 A and  5 B, and  FIG. 2D  illustrates the Stylwan flaw spectrum of the calibration notch  6 C, corresponding to  5 C. The reason of this failure can easily be deduced from  FIG. 2C and 2D . The Stylwan flaw spectrum of  FIG. 2C  clearly shows that the mid-wall imperfections  6 A and  6 B are utterly unrelated to the calibration notches  6 C of  FIG. 2D . It is also easy to see how 1D-NDI would mislead someone to believe that the mid-wall imperfections  5 A and  5 B of  FIG. 2A  are somehow related to the calibration notches  5 C of  FIG. 2B  and setup the 1D-NDI equipment erroneously, having no way of knowing any better (Knowing that the high threshold level set by the calibration will hinder the detection of the mid-wall imperfections  5 A and  5 B with 1D-NDI until they burst during hydro testing). Imperfections  5 A and  5 B were missed by 1D-NDI because their signal amplitude did not exceed the threshold level that was erroneously set to detect machined calibration notches. It should also be noted that when a single pass/fail measure is utilized, it would eventually lead to equipment that focus on passing the particular single measure. This is also the case with 1D-NDI. Closer scrutiny of the 1D-NDI sensor structure and signal processing would show that both are fine tuned to pass the calibration notches test while they are likely to miss imperfection  7 B of  FIG. 3 , yet another 1D-NDI problem root cause. It is another possible objective of an embodiment of the invention to establish a scanning/inspection system calibration means and methods adept for AutoRULE 
     1D-NDI Remediation Limitations 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a section of MUI with an imperfection  7 A. A typical 1D-NDI remediation practice states: “An external imperfection may be removed by grinding . . . Where grinding is performed, generous radii shall be employed to prevent abrupt changes in wall thickness . . . The area from which the defect is removed shall be reinspected . . . to verify complete removal of the defect”. This statement further illustrates the limitations of 1D-NDI. 
     “Grinding” actually does not “remove” an imperfection. It just shifts the imperfection  7 A morphology (shape) from one with high stress concentration  8 A (due to the “abrupt changes in wall thickness”) to imperfection  7 B with lower stress concentration  8 B (due to the “generous radii”). For example, if the depth of the original external imperfection  7 A was 10% of the material wall thickness, the wall loss in the OCTG region  7 B would still be 10% (or greater) even after the imperfection  7 A was morphed (“completely removed”) into  7 B by “grinding”, resulting in an OCTG with altered FFS and reduced RUL. 
     As discussed earlier, the 1D-EMI high-pass filters  11 A through  18 A eliminate low frequencies and dc components and therefore prematurely and irreversibly eliminate imperfection  7 B information thus, creating “detection dead-zones” misleading great many to believe and actually verify the “complete removal of the defect”, when in fact, the form-shifted “external imperfection”  7 B is still clearly visible with the naked eye and the wall loss is still 10% (or more). If imperfection  7 B was the result of OCTG stretching, such as a neckdown, instead of grinding, 1D-NDI would miss imperfection  7 B entirely and classify the OCTG with the reduced cross sectional area erroneously. Strength of material knowledge teaches that the reduced cross sectional area of the material reduces the ability of the material to absorb energy thus altering its FFS and reduces its RUL. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a dangerous condition where imperfection  7 A was partially morphed leaving behind a failure seed  7 C with increased stress concentration  8 C. A similar example is shown in  FIG. 16D  element  159 . 1D-NDI would miss imperfection  7 C as a result of the 1D-NDI detection dead-zones arising from the combination of filters and threshold. It should be understood that this recommended 1D-NDI remediation method does not take into account the imperfection neighborhood nor does it optimize the FFS or RUL of the OCTG. It is yet another possible objective of an embodiment of the invention to establish remediation means and methods adept for AutoRULE. 
     1D-NDI Magnitude Threshold Versus Imperfection Pattern Recognition 
     As  FIG. 2C  illustrates, the Stylwan flaw spectrum detection of imperfections  6 A and  6 B is based on pattern recognition, not signal amplitude alone. Therefore, failure seeds, like imperfection  6 A, can be detected early on regardless of their signal amplitude. 
     By now, it should be easy to recognize the calibration notches  6 C. However, those notches were machined on new defect-free material and they meet strict geometry standards, as it is further shown in  FIG. 16C . Therefore, their flaw spectrum signature is extremely simple and easily recognizable. On the other hand, imperfections in nature are mostly found on used material, they are rarely alone; they are multifaceted and give rise to complex flaw spectrums that are not always easily recognizable. Furthermore, a key weakness of any manual process, such as the manual verification, is the uncontrollable “human factors”. If imperfection  6 A was found instead on heavily used material along with other imperfections, would a trained inspector always distinguish it in the resulting flaw spectrum clutter? It is the aim of this invention to answer this question with confidence by providing a computer, a sensor interface and a program to scan the sensor signals for patterns to recognize material features, including but not limited to imperfections. Again, features recognition demands that the frequency spectrum of the sensor signals that include non-redundant information spanning from Fatigue to wall thickness is preserved and normalized. 
     Root Cause Identification Versus Simplistic Explanation 
     It should be apparent from the above that the 1D-NDI detection dead-zones, limitations and pitfalls of a century ago do not adequately address the material needs of the modern applications and they fall short in active failure prevention. Again, a century ago there was no drilling a 20,000 foot well in 10,000 feet of water in search for hydrocarbons or trains traveling at speeds in excess of  100  miles per hour or supersonic aircraft. These detection dead-zones, limitations and shortcomings of the 1D-NDI lead to a futile long term cycle as detailed below. 
     Often, when a failure occurs, the focus is on repairing/replacing the damaged material as rapidly as possible in order to reduce downtime and at the lowest possible cost. Occasionally, the obligatory “why?” is asked and a simplistic explanation like “fatigue cracks are a fact of life” is accepted as an adequate answer; a human decision that may lead to a catastrophic failure much later. Occasionally, an inspector or even a 1D-NDI service provider may be replaced with another one using the exact same methods and equipment. One should bear in mind the heavy dependence of 1D-NDI upon the inspector and the industry desire to preserve the 1D-NDI equipment “reputation”. At some point, someone examines the number of failures over the years and discovers that there are a compatible number of failures with 1D-NDI as it is without 1D-NDI. The simplistic explanation then is that NDI is a pointless expense and it is therefore reduced or bypassed entirely; yet another human decision that may lead to a catastrophic failure much later. For example, the manufacturer and the owner of the marine drilling riser depicted in  FIGS. 2A through 2D  may reach such a conclusion. The compound effect of those decisions, often spanning many years, eventually leads to a spectacular catastrophic failure somewhere. The simplistic explanation for this spectacular failure is easily identified as the reduced or bypassed NDI and the simplistic motive is identified as “greed”. Again, it should be noted that this string of latent root-causes typically spans many years and possibly different groups of individuals making it difficult, if not impossible, to pinpoint its origins. The “greed” simplistic explanation however, is readily accepted and after the obligatory hearings, firings and fines, 1D-NDI is mandated starting the vicious cycle all over again. The increased awareness is typically short-lived. 
     However, this approach treats the results of a problem and does not seek to identify and analyze the root-cause of the problem. Unless an excavator accidentally hits a pipeline for example, pipeline material deterioration occurs over time eventually leading to a failure. There is no single deterioration root-cause acting equally upon a 500 mile pipeline for example, with some of it falling within the 1D-NDI detection dead-zones. Along the pipeline length, different deterioration root-causes may be acting upon the pipeline resulting in different deterioration rates and different segment RUL, but 1D-NDI is inherently incapable of effectively identifying those root-causes as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The objective of this invention to recognize features, including imperfections, is the first step in identifying the root-cause of material deterioration leading to effective failure preventive action and thus, extending the material RUL. 
     Description of AutoRULE Computer 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an AutoRULE block diagram further illustrating the computer  20 , the features detection interface  30 , the speech and sound interface  40  and the preferable information exchange among the components of the AutoRULE. It should be understood that the AutoRULE computer  20  may include more than just one computer such as a cluster of interconnected computers. It should be understood that the computer  20  does not necessarily comprise a laptop or portable personal computer and such misinterpretation should not be made from the illustrations in the figures and shall not be read as a limitation herein. The computer  20  preferably comprises a display  21 , keyboard  22 , storage  23 , for storing and accessing data, a microphone  27 , a speaker  28  and a camera  29 . It should be understood that the display  21 , the keyboard  22 , the speaker  28  and the microphone  27  may be local to the computer  20 , may be remote, may be portable, or any combination thereof. It should be further understood that camera  29  may comprise more than one camera. Further camera  29  may utilize visible light, infrared light, any other spectrum component, or any combination thereof. The camera  29  may be used to relay an image or a measurement such as a temperature measurement, a dimensional measurement (such as 3-G of the flaw spectrum), a comparative measurement, character and/or code recognition, such as a serial number, or any combination thereof including information to identify the MUA 9 and/or the authorized operator through biometric recognition. It should be appreciated that the storage  23  may comprise hard disks, floppy disks, compact discs, magnetic tapes, DVDs, memory, and other storage devices. The computer  20  may transmit and receive data through at least one communication link  26  and may send data to a printer or chart recorder  24  for further visual confirmation of the inspection data  25  and other related information. It should be understood that communication link  26  may be in communication through wired or wireless means, including but not limited to RFID, optical links, satellite, radio and other communication devices. At least one communication link  26  may facilitate communication with an expert or a group of experts in a remote location. The computer  20  preferably provides for data exchange with the features detection interface  30  and the speech and sound interface  40 . 
     Material Identification 
     At least one communication link  26  may facilitate communication with an identification system or a tag, such as RFID, affixed to MUA 9. Such identification tags are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,631, U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,680 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,811 and are commercially available from multiple sources such as Texas Instruments, Motorola and others. Embedded RFID tags, specifically designed for harsh environments, are available with user read-write memory onboard (writable tag). It is anticipated that the memory onboard identification tags would increase as well as the operational conditions, such as temperature, while the dimensions and cost of such tags would decrease. 
     RFID tags are passive responders, deriving their power from the radio frequency of the reader, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,321. Again, all assemblies, subassemblies, components and software for the implementation of an RFID system are commercially available from multiple sources. RFID and other tags may be affixed to typical material that includes, but is not limited to, aircraft, bridges, cranes, drilling rigs, frames, chemical plant components, engine components, OCTG, pipelines, power plant components, rails, refineries, rolling stoke, sea going vessels, service rigs, structures, vessels, workover rigs, other components of the above, combinations of the above, and similar items. It should be understood that identification systems for most of such material, due to their large size, may comprise of a computer system attached to the material or multiple such identification computer systems. 
     The partial material list above comprises mostly of metallic objects and therefore the identification system tags would most likely be in close proximity to metals. The proximity to metals creates unique problems that must be addressed during the system design and testing time. For example, the metal in proximity with the tag and the reader may change the frequency of the ID system and therefore the system preferably would be designed for the changed frequency. Furthermore, when the tags are embedded into the material, the frequency would preferably be selected to maximize the read/write penetration, such as lower frequencies. Lower Q-factor antennas would preferably reduce some of the interference problems including the probability of read-write dead zones. Static testing of the identification system therefore may not accurately reproduce and measure the identification system field performance. 
     Computer  20  preferably provides for data exchange with the material identification system, including but not limited to, material ID, material geometry, material database, preferred FEA model, preferred evaluation system setup, constraints, constants, tables, charts, formulas, historical data or any combination thereof. It should be understood that identification systems may further comprise of a data acquisition system and storage to monitor and record FFS and RUL related parameters. It should be further understood that the material identification system would preferably operate in a stand alone mode or in conjunction with AutoRULE. For example, while tripping out of a well, computer  20  may read such data from the drill pipe or tubing identification tag and while tripping into a well, computer  20  may update the identification tag memory. It should be understood that computer  20  may apply an excitation bias to the material while tripping into the well. The excitation bias places the material in a known state prior to the evaluation. Following the last trip out of the well, the identification tag of the racked drill pipe or tubing may be updated. Another example would be an identification computer with a data acquisition system affixed onto a riser joint or a crane. During deployment, such an identification system would preferably monitor and record FFS and RUL related parameters, such as pressure, temperature, loads, vibration and the like. 
     Speech and Voice Control 
     Speech is a tool which allows communication while keeping one&#39;s hands free and one&#39;s attention focused on an elaborate task, thus, adding a natural speech interface to the AutoRULE would preferably enable the operator to focus on the MUA  9  and other related activities while maintaining full control of the AutoRULE. Furthermore, the AutoRULE natural speech interaction preferably allows the operator to operate the AutoRULE while wearing gloves or with dirty hands as he/she will not need to constantly physically manipulate the system. Although various types of voice interaction are known in the art, many problems still exist in an industrial setting due to the potential of an excessive noise environment. Thus, this invention preferably provides for natural speech interaction between the human operator and the AutoRULE capable of deployment under adverse conditions. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of the AutoRULE system and the natural speech and sound interface  40  according to the present invention. Preferably, a natural speech command is received by the microphone  27  or other sound receiving device. The received sound is preferably amplified, such as by the amplifier  72 . Amplifier  72  may be a programmable gain amplifier  80  as depicted in  FIG. 8A . A feature of the embodiment is that the microphone amplifier  72  is followed by a bank of band-reject notch filters  71 . Preferably, the operator and/or the software can adjust the amplifier  72  gain and the center frequency of the notch filters  71 . Such a notch filter may be constructed by moving the low-pass filter  90  of  FIG. 9A  to the output  108  of the high-pass filter  100  of  FIG. 10A . Since industrial noise is primarily machine generated, it typically consists of a single frequency and its harmonics. Therefore, adjustable notch filters  71  are well suited for the rejection of industrial noise. The notch filters  71  are preferably followed by the speech and sound recognition engine  70 . The data from the speech and sound recognition engine  70  is preferably exchanged with the computer  20 . Data from the computer  20  may be received by a sound synthesizer  50  and a speech synthesizer  60 . The data received by the speech synthesizer  60  is converted into natural speech and is preferably broadcast through a speaker  28  It should be understood that each synthesizer may be connected to a separate speaker or multiple speakers and that in a different embodiment the speech synthesizer  60  and the sound synthesizer  50  may be integrated into a single function, the speech and sound synthesizer. 
     AutoRULE may be deployed on location, such as a well site, a chemical plant or refinery, an airport tarmac or a bridge, a storage yard or facility, a manufacturing facility, such as a pipe mill, a locomotive and in general in a noisy industrial and/or transportation environment. AutoRULE rarely is deployed in a laboratory where typical sound levels, similar to a bank lobby, may be in the range of 40 db to 50 db while factory or industrial sound levels may exceed 80 db. A frequency bandwidth of substantially 300 Hz to 2500 Hz and a dynamic range of substantially 40 db may be adequate for good quality speech with good quality listenability and intelligibility. Industrial noise may also be present in the same frequency range. The notch filters  71  may be “parked” outside of this frequency range or bypassed altogether when the noise level is acceptable. When a machine, a jet engine, or other device starts suddenly, the notch filters  71  would preferably sweep to match the predominant noise frequencies. The notch filters  71  may be activated either manually or through a fast tracking digital signal processing algorithm. Narrow notch filters  71  with a substantially 40 db rejection are known in the art and can thus be readily designed and implemented by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it should be understood that standard noise cancellation techniques could also be applied to the output of the sound synthesizer  50  and the speech synthesizer  60  when the speaker  28  comprises a set of earphones such as in a headset. 
     Language Selection 
     It should be further understood that different AutoRULE may be programmed in different languages and/or with different commands but substantially performing the same overall function. The language capability of the AutoRULE may be configured to meet a wide variety of needs. Some examples of language capability, not to be viewed as limiting, may comprise recognizing speech in one language and responding in a different language; recognizing a change of language and responding in the changed language; providing manual language selection, which may include different input and response languages; providing automatic language selection based on pre-programmed instructions; simultaneously recognizing more than one language or simultaneously responding in more than one language; or any other desired combination therein. It should be understood that the multilanguage capability of the AutoRULE voice interaction is feasible because it is limited to a few dozen utterances as compared to commercial voice recognition systems with vocabularies in excess of 300,000 words per language. 
     Operator Identification and Security 
     Preferably, at least some degree of security and an assurance of safe operation, for the AutoRULE, are achieved by verifying the voiceprint of the operator and/or through facial or iris scan or fingerprint identification through camera  29  or any other biometric device. With voiceprint identification, the likelihood of a false command being carried out is minimized or substantially eliminated. It should be appreciated that similar to a fingerprint, an iris scan, or any other biometric, which can also be used for equipment security, a voiceprint identifies the unique characteristics of the operator&#39;s voice. Thus, the voiceprint coupled with passwords will preferably create a substantially secure and false command immune operating environment. It should be further understood that the authorize operator may also be identified by plugging-in AutoRULE a memory storage device with identification information or even by a sequence of sounds and or melodies stored in a small playback device, such as a recorder or any combination of the above. 
     Assessment Trace to Sound Conversion 
     The prior art does not present any solution for the conversion of the assessment signals, including but not limited to inspection signals, also referred to as “assessment traces”, to speech or sound. The present invention utilizes psychoacoustic principles and modeling to achieve this conversion and to drive the sound synthesizer  50  with the resulting sound being broadcast through the speaker  28  or a different speaker. Thus, the assessment signals may be listened to alone or in conjunction with the AutoRULE comments and are of sufficient amount and quality as to enable the operator to monitor and carry out the entire assessment process from a remote location, away from the AutoRULE console and the typical readout instruments. Furthermore, the audible feedback is selected to maximize the amount of information without overload or fatigue. This trace-to-sound conversion also addresses the dilemma of silence, which may occur when the AutoRULE has nothing to report. Typically, in such a case, the operator is not sure if the AutoRULE is silent due to the lack of features or if it is silent because it stopped operating. Furthermore, certain MUI 1 features such as, but not limited to, collars or welds can be observed visually and the synchronized audio response of the AutoRULE adds a degree of security to anyone listening. A wearable graphics display, such as an eyepiece, could serve as the remote display  21  to further enhance the process away from the AutoRULE console. 
     It should be understood that the assessment trace(s) to sound conversion is not similar to an annoying chime indicating that an automobile door is open, or that there is a message in an answering machine. The time varying AutoRULE processing results are converted to sound of sufficient amount and quality through psychoacoustic principles and modeling, as to enable the operator to monitor and carry out the entire AutoRULE process from a remote location without annoying the operator or resulting in operator overload or operator “zone-out”. It should further be understood that a switch contact closure indicating that an automobile door is open or a vending machine bin is empty does not constitute an RUL assessment as it is not different than turning on the lights in a room. Conversely, a chime may be attached to the light to indicate that it is on or even a voice synthesizer to say “the light is on”. Similarly, lights may be attached to a doorbell switch closure to assist a hearing impaired person; however, none of these devices or actions constitutes a RUL assessment. 
     AutoRULE Speech 
     Text to speech is highly advanced and may be implemented without great difficulty. Preferably, when utilizing text to speech, the Auto AutoRULE can readily recite its status utilizing, but not limited to, such phrases as: “magnetizer on”; “chart out of paper”, and “low battery”. It can recite the progress of the AutoRULE utilizing, but not limited to, such phrases as: “MUA stopped” and “four thousand feet down, six thousand to go”. It can recite readings utilizing, but not limited to, such phrases as “wall loss”, “ninety six”, “loss of echo”, “unfit material”, “ouch”, or other possible code words to indicate a rejectable defect. The operator would not even have to look at a watch as simple voice commands like “time” and “date” would preferably recite the AutoRULE clock and/or calendar utilizing, but not limited to, such phrases as “ten thirty two am”, or “Monday April eleven”. 
     However, it should be understood that the primary purpose of the AutoRULE is to relay MUA 9 information to the operator. Therefore, AutoRULE would first have to decide what information to relay to the operator and the related utterance structure. 
     AutoRULE Operation through Speech 
     Preferably, the structure and length of AutoRULE utterance would be such as to conform to the latest findings of speech research and in particular in the area of speech, meaning and retention. It is anticipated that during the AutoRULE deployment, the operator would be distracted by other tasks and may not access and process the short term auditory memory in time to extract a meaning. Humans tend to better retain information at the beginning of an utterance (primacy) and at the end of the utterance (recency) and therefore the AutoRULE speech will be structured as such. Often, the operator may need to focus and listen to another crew member, an alarm, a broadcasted message or even an unfamiliar sound and therefore the operator may mute any AutoRULE speech output immediately with a button or with the command “mute” and enable the speech output with the command “speak”. 
     The “repeat” command may be invoked at any time to repeat an AutoRULE utterance, even when speech is in progress. Occasionally, the “repeat” command may be invoked because the operator failed to understand a message and therefore, “repeat” actually means “clarify” or “explain”. Merely repeating the exact same message again would probably not result in better understanding, occasionally due to the brick-wall effect. Preferably, AutoRULE, after the first repeat, would change slightly the structure of the last utterance although the new utterance may not contain any new information, a strategy to work around communication obstacles. Furthermore, subsequent “repeat” commands may invoke the help menu to explain the meaning of the particular utterance in greater detail. 
     The operator may remain in communication with the AutoRULE in a variety of conventional ways. Several examples, which are not intended as limiting, of possible ways of such communication are: being tethered to the AutoRULE; being connected to the AutoRULE through a network of sockets distributed throughout the site including the inspection head(s); being connected to the AutoRULE through an optical link (tethered or not); or being connected to the AutoRULE through a radio link. This frees the operator to move around and focus his/her attention wherever needed without interfering with the production rate. 
     It should be appreciated that the present invention may be a small scale speech recognition system specifically designed to verify the identity of the authorized operator, to recognize commands under adverse conditions, to aid the operator in this interaction, to act according to the commands in a substantially safe fashion, and to keep the operator informed of the actions, the progress, and the status of the AutoRULE process. 
     AutoRULE Sound Recognition 
     AutoRULE would preferably be deployed in the MUA 9 use site and would be exposed to the site familiar and unfamiliar sounds. For example, a familiar sound may originate from the rig engine revving-up to trip an OCTG string out of a well. An indication of the MUA 9 speed of travel may be derived from the rig engine sound. An unfamiliar sound, for example, would originate from an injector head bearing about to fail. It should be noted that not all site sounds fall within the human hearing range but may certainly fall within the AutoRULE analysis range when the AutoRULE is equipped with appropriate microphone(s)  27 . It should also be noted that an equipment unexpected failure may affect adversely the MUA 9 RUL, thus training the AutoRULE to the site familiar, and when possible unfamiliar sounds, would be advantageous. 
     As discussed earlier, the notch filters  71  would preferably sweep to match the predominant noise frequencies, thus, a noise frequency spectrum may be derived that may further be processed for recognition using standard AutoRULE recognition techniques. 
     Description of Speech and Sound Interface 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of a preferred sound synthesizer  50 , speech synthesizer  60 , and speech and sound recognition engine  70 . It should be understood that these embodiments should not be viewed as limiting and may be tailored to specific inspection constraints and requirements. 
     The sound synthesizer  50  and the speech synthesizer  60  may comprise a tunes and notes table  51  and a vocabulary table  61  respectively. The digital-to-analog (herein after referred to as “D/A”) converter  52 ,  62 , the reconstruction filter  53 ,  63 , and the variable gain output amplifier  54 ,  69  are in communication with computer  20 . The tunes and notes table  51  and a vocabulary table  61  may be implemented in a read only memory (ROM) or any other storage device. The computer  20  preferably sequences through the entire address sequence so that the complete digital data of the utterance (word, phrase, melody, tune, or sound), properly spaced in time, are converted to an analog signal through the D/A  52 ,  62 . The analog signal is then preferably band-limited by the reconstruction filter  53 ,  63 , amplified by the amplifier  54 ,  64 , and sent to the speaker  28 . Preferably, the computer  20  can vary the bandwidth of the reconstruction filter  53 ,  63  and adjust the gain of the amplifier  54 ,  64  which may be programmable gain amplifiers  80  as depicted in  FIG. 8A . In a different embodiment, the gain of the amplifier  54 ,  64  may be adjusted by the operator. 
     It should be understood that the tunes and notes table  51  and a vocabulary table  61  may incorporate a built in sequencer with the computer  20  providing the starting address of the utterance (word, phrase, melody, tune, or sound). It should be further understood that the sound synthesizer  50  and the speech synthesizer  60  may comprise separate devices or even be combined into one device, the speech and sound synthesizer, or even be part of a complete sound and video system such devices being commercially available from suppliers such as YAMAHA. It should be understood that an utterance may comprise of a word, a short phrase and/or sound effects such as melodies, tunes and notes. A variable length of silence may be part of the utterance, which may or may not be part of the vocabulary table  61  and/or the tunes and notes table  51  in order to save storage space. Instead, the length of the silence may be coded in the table  51  and  61  and then be produced through a variable delay routine in computer  20 . 
     The speech and sound recognition engine  70 , may comprise an analog-to-digital (herein after referred to as “A/D”) converter  73 , a spectral analyzer  74 , and the voice and sound templates table  75  which may be implemented in a read only memory (ROM) or any other storage device. The description of the sequence of software steps (math, processing, etc.) is well known in the art, such as can be found in Texas Instruments applications, and will not be described in detail herein. An exemplary hardware device is the YAMAHA part number 4MF743A40, which provides most of the building blocks for the entire system. 
     Voiceprint speaker verification is preferably carried out using a small template, of a few critical commands, and would preferably be a separate section of the templates table  75 . Different speakers may implement different commands, all performing the same overall function. For example “start now” and “let&#39;s go” may be commands that carry out the same function, but are assigned to different speakers in order to enhance the speaker recognition success and improve security. As discussed herein above, code words can be used as commands. The commands would preferably be chosen to be multi-syllabic to reduce the likelihood of false triggers. Commands with  3  to  5  syllables are preferred but are not required. Further reduction of false triggers can be accomplished by a dual sequence of commands, such as “AutoRULE” and upon a response from AutoRULE, such as “ready”, followed by the actual command such as “Start” issued within a preset time interval. It should be understood that command pairs may or may not share trigger commands. Hardware trigger, such as a switch closure, followed by a speech command will be most effective in reducing false triggers. 
     Description of the Features Detection Interface 
     Computer  20  also controls and monitors a plurality of power supplies, sensors and controls  34  that facilitate the AutoRULE process including but not limited to MUA 9 identification and safety features. Further, computer  20  monitors/controls the data acquisition system  35  which preferably assimilates data from at least one sensor  36  and displays  21 C and stores such data  23 . The sensor  36  preferably provides data such as, but not limited to, MUA 9 location (feet of MUA 9 that passed through the head  2 ), penetration rate (speed of MUA 9 moving through the head  2 ), applied torque, rate of rotation (rpm), and coupling torque. It should be appreciated that the data to be acquired will vary with the specific type of MUA 9 and application and thus the same parameters are not always measured/detected. For example, the length of the MUA 9, such as a drill pipe joint, may be read from the MUA 9 identification markings or from the identification tag embedded in the MUA 9. Furthermore and in addition to the aforementioned techniques, computer  20  may also monitor, through the data acquisition system  35 , parameters that are related to the assessment or utilization of the MUA 9 and/or parameters to facilitate RULE. Such parameters may include, but not be limited to, the MUA 9 pump pressure, external pressure, such as the wellhead pressure, temperature, flow rate, tension, weight, load distribution, fluid volume and pump rate and the like. Preferably, these parameters are measured or acquired through sensors and/or transducers mounted throughout the MUA 9 deployment area, such as a rig. For ease of understanding, these various sensors and transducers are designated with the numeral  37 . The STYLWAN Rig Data Integration System (RDIS- 10 ) is an example of such a hybrid system combining inspection and data acquisition. For instance, computer  20  may monitor, log and evaluate the overall drilling performance and its impact on the MUA 9 by measuring the power consumption of the drilling process, the string weight, weight on bit, applied torque, penetration rate and other related parameters. Such information, an indication of the strata and the efficiency of the drilling process, may be processed and used as a measure to further evaluate the MUA 9 imperfections and its FFS and RUL. 
     It should be understood that sensors, measuring devices and/or a data acquisition system may already be installed in the MUA 9 deployment area, such as a drilling rig, measuring at least some of the aforementioned parameters, which may be available to AutoRULE through storage devices and/or through a communication link  26  as real time data and/or as historical data. 
     It should be appreciated that the RDIS-10 uses the extraction matrix and multidimensional sensors  4 . When however, the multidimensional sensors and extraction matrix are replaced with a different sensor interface and a bank of frequency filters, as described herein below, the RDIS-10 will substantially work as described herein below utilizing the frequency derived flaw spectrum. 
     Regardless of the specific technique utilized, the AutoRULE device will preferably scan the material after each use, fuse the features data with relevant material use parameters, and automatically determine the MUA 9 status. Thus, a function of the features detection interface  30  is to generate and induce excitation  31  into the MUA 9 and detect the response, of the MUA 9, to the excitation  31 . It should be understood that computer  20  may first apply an excitation bias to the MUA 9 prior to the evaluation of MUA 9. The excitation bias preferably places MUA 9 in a known state prior to the evaluation. Preferably, at least one assessment head  2  is mounted on or inserted in the MUA 9 and the head  2  may be stationary or travel along the MUA 9. It should be appreciated that the head  2  can be applied to the inside as well as the outside of the MUA 9. It should be understood that the head  2 , illustrated herein, may comprise at least one excitation inducer  3  and one or more features sensors  4  mounted such that the RULE assessment needs of MUA 9 are substantially covered. For features acquisition utilizing MFL, the excitation inducer  3  typically comprises of at least one magnetizing coil and/or at least one permanent magnet while sensor  4  comprises of sensors that respond to magnetic field. There is a plethora of sensors that respond to the magnetic field such as coils, Hall-probes, magneto diodes, etc. The computer  20  preferably programs and controls the excitation  31  and the head  2  as well as receives features data from the head sensors  4  through the features sensor interface  33 . The head  2 , excitation  31 , and the features sensor interface  33  may be combined within the same physical housing. In an alternative embodiment, the features sensors  4  may comprise computer capability and memory storage and thus the sensors  4  can be programmed to perform many of the tasks of the computer  20  or perform functions in tandem with the computer  20 . It should be also understood that the application of the excitation  31  and the assessment of the MUA 9 may be delayed such as AutoRULE utilizing far-field or the residual magnetic field whereby the MUA 9 is magnetized and it is scanned at a later time, thus the excitation inducer  3  and the features sensor  4  may be mounted in different physical housings. It should be further understood, that in such configuration, the excitation inducer  3  may be applied on the inside or on the outside of MUA 9 while the inspection sensor  4  may be applied on the same side or on the opposite side of the excitation inducer  3 . It should be further understood that either or both the excitation inducer  3  and the features sensor  4  may be applied on both the inside and on the outside of MUA 9 so that the assessment needs of MUA  9  are substantially covered. 
     Sensor Signal Processing 
     Preferably, the head  2  relates time-varying continuous (analog) signals, such as, but not limited to, echo, reluctance, resistance, impedance, absorption, attenuation, or physical parameters that may or may not represent a feature of the MUA 9. For features acquisition utilizing MFL, head  2  relates reluctance signals in an analog form. The processing of Eddy-Current amplitude and phase would also result in similar analog signal. Features generally comprise all received signals and may include MUA 9 design features such as tapers, imperfections, major and minor defects or other MUA 9 conditions such as surface roughness, hardness changes, composition changes, scale, dirt, and the like. Signals from three-dimensional sensors  4  are processed by the extraction matrix, that was published in  1994  and it is beyond the scope of this patent. The exemplary RDIS-10 uses the extraction matrix to decompose the converted digital signals into relevant features. 
     Typically, those in the 1D-NDI art have always relied on both an inspector and a manual verification crew for the interpretation of the inspection signals and any subsequent disposition of the MUI 1. However, based on extensive strength-of-materials knowledge, it is well known that the severity of an MUI 1 imperfection is a function of its geometry, its location, and the applied loads. It is also well known, in the art, that this information cannot be readily obtained by a verification crew when the imperfections in question are located underneath coating, in the near subsurface, in the mid wall, or in the internal surface of the MUI 1. Any destructive action, such as removing any coating or cutting up the MUI 1is beyond the scope of non-destructive inspection. Detailed signal analysis can extract the pertinent information from the NDI signals. Preferably, such detailed signal analysis would utilize signals that are continuously related in form, kind, space, and time. 
     AutoRULE Retrofit to 1-NDI Equipment 
     As discussed earlier, it is desirable to provide means to retrofit AutoRULE to the hundreds of 1D-EMI units deployed worldwide. The analog signals from 1D-NDI or two-dimensional sensors are decomposed in frequency. This frequency decomposition can take place in continuous or discrete form. In the continuous form the signals are decomposed through a bank of analog frequency filters and they are then digitized by the computer  20 . In the discrete form the signals are digitized by the computer  20  and they are then decomposed through a bank of digital frequency filters or mathematical transforms. 
     The list of 1D-NDI retrofit candidates includes, but is certainly not limited to, the OCTG inspection units described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,672, U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,386, U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,155, U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,596 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,580,268; the pipeline pigs described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,293, U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,448 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,207 and the rail inspection systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,317,721, U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,438 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,591 and derived or similar units. The simplest retrofit would store the sensor information in a memory or transmit the sensor information through a communication link and the AutoRULE would post-process the data. The retrofit may consist of three-dimensional sensors and signal processing or frequency decomposition and signal processing as described herein below. 
     Frequency Decomposition with Analog Filters 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a block-diagram of the addition to the exemplary RDIS-10 imperfection sensor interface  33 , illustrated as preprocessor  32 , and the filter arrangement to decompose the inspection signals frequency spectrum and extract relevant features in an analog format. The features extraction of the present invention is accomplished through a filter bank comprising of a low-pass filter  90  and a number of band-pass filters  100  through  160 N. There is no limit on the number of band-pass filters that may be used, however six to eight filters are adequate for most applications thus dividing the sensor frequency spectrum into seven to nine features, the exact number depending on the specific application. For a scanning speed of 60 feet/minute a typical alignment time shift (also known as time delay) is 42 milliseconds and a typical nine filter sequence comprises one 12 Hz low-pass filter  90  and eight band-pass filters  100  through  100 N with center frequency (bandwidth) of 15 Hz (6 Hz), 25 Hz (10 Hz), 35 Hz (15 Hz), 50 HZ(21 Hz), 70 Hz(30 Hz), 100 Hz(42 Hz), 140 Hz(58 Hz) and 200 Hz(82 Hz). The attenuation of the filters depends on the resolution of the analog-to-digital converter and the processing with 40 to 60 decibels been sufficient for common applications. 
     The pass band ripple is another important filter consideration. In the past, the 1D-EMI industry has mostly used Butterworth (also known as maximally-flat) filters. These are compromise filters with a 3 db pass band variation. For typical 1D-NDI applications, better performance is achieved with Chebyshev or Elliptic filters. For example, a 0.5 db Chebyshev filter has less pass band variation and sharper rolloff, thus resulting in a lower order filter than an equivalent Butterworth. The above specifications (filter type, center frequency, bandwidth and attenuation) are sufficient to design the filters without additional experimentation. Filter design software, some available free of charge, is also available from multiple component vendors such as, MicroChip, Linear Technology, and many others. 
     Preferably, the computer  20  may read and gather relevant sensor information from the sensor  4  onboard memory and may write new information into the sensor  4  onboard memory. It should be understood that the sensor  4  relevant information may also be stored in other storage media, such as hard disks, floppy disks, compact discs, magnetic tapes, DVDs, memory, and other storage devices that computer  20  may access. The sensor  4  analog signal  4 A is amplified by a programmable gain amplifier (herein after referred to as “PGA”)  80 . This Gain of the PGA  80  is controlled by the computer  20 .  FIG. 8A through 8D  illustrate a PGA  80  and its design equations for clarity. PGAs are well known in the art and multiple designs can be found throughout the literature. PGA integrated circuits are also commercially available from such vendors as Analog Devices, Linear Technology, Maxim, National Semiconductors, Texas Instruments, and many others. In its simplest form a PGA comprises a differential amplifier  851  with a variable resistor  83  inserted in its feedback loop. Preferably, the variable resistor  83  is a digitally controlled potentiometer such as the ones offered by XICOR. Computer  20  may vary the variable resistor  83  value thus adjusting the gain of the PGA  80 . The PGA  80  gain adjustment is primarily controlled by the sensor information, the instantaneous scanning speed derived by the computer  20  from sensor  36  and the specific MUI 1. The output of PGA  80  is connected to a filter bank in order to decompose the inspection signals frequency spectrum and extract relevant features. 
     The low frequency components are extracted by the low-pass filter  90 . It should be understood that the term low-frequency features are not in absolute terms but in relative terms to the scanning speed. Therefore, the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter  90 , denoted as Fc in  FIG. 9B and 9C , may be set to 5 Hz for one scanning speed and to 50 Hz for a higher scanning speed. The exact cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter  90  depends on the sensor information  4 , the instantaneous scanning speed derived by the computer  20  from sensor  36 , and the specific MUI 1.  FIG. 9A, 9B and 9C  illustrate a programmable 3 rd  order low-pass analog filter and its design equations for clarity. Low-pass filters are well known in the art and their design can be found throughout the literature. Filter design software, some available free of charge, is also available from multiple component vendors such as, MicroChip, Linear Technology, and many others. The low-pass filter of  FIG. 9A  consists of two sections. A 1 st  order filter comprising of resistor  91  and capacitor  92  cascaded with a 2 nd  order low-pass analog filter. It should be understood that all other filter orders can be obtained by cascading additional filter sections. Preferably, the variable resistors  91  and  93  are digitally controlled potentiometers such as the ones offered by XICOR and a fixed resistor value (not shown) similar to the  FIG. 8A  network  83  and  84 . Computer  20  may vary the variable resistor  91  and  93  value thus adjusting the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter. 
     All other frequency components of the sensor signal  4  are extracted by the band-pass filters  100  through  100 N. Again, it should be understood that the frequency bands are not stated in absolute terms but in relative terms to the scanning speed. Therefore, the center frequency of a band-pass filter  100  may be set to 40 Hz for one scanning speed and to 200 Hz for a higher scanning speed. The exact center frequency of the band-pass filters  100  through  100 N depends on the sensor information  4 , the instantaneous scanning speed derived by the computer  20  from sensor  36  and the specific MUI 1.  FIG. 10A  illustrates a programmable 3 rd  order band-pass filter that is made up from a low-pass filter  90  cascaded with a 3 rd  order high-pass filter. The 3 rd  order high-pass filter and its design equations are shown for clarity. High-pass filters are well known in the art and its design can be found throughout the literature. Filter design software, some available free of charge, is also available from multiple component vendors such as, MicroChip, Linear Technology, and many others. The high-pass filter of  FIG. 10A  includes two sections. A 1 st  order filter comprising of capacitor  101  and resistor  102  cascaded with a 2 nd  order high-pass filter. It should be understood that all other filter orders can be obtained by cascading additional filter sections. Preferably, the variable resistors  102  and  104  are digitally controlled potentiometers such as the ones offered by XICOR and a fixed resistor value (not shown) similar to the  FIG. 8A  network  83  and  84 . Computer  20  may vary the variable resistor  102  and  104  value thus adjusting the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter. It should be further understood that this band-pass filter configuration allows for individual adjustment of both the leading and trailing transition bands. Other band-pass filter configurations can also be found throughout the literature. 
     Frequency Decomposition in the Digital Domain 
     The features extraction filter bank that was described above using analog filters may also be realized with switched capacitor filters and/or digital filters and/or mathematical transforms or any combination thereof. Switched capacitor filters may be substituted for the analog filters  90  and  100  through  100 N with the computer  20  varying the clock frequency to program the resulting switched capacitor filter bank. 
     It should be understood that no modification to the front end of the inspection sensor interface  33  (i.e. no preprocessor  32  as described hereinabove) of the exemplary RDIS-10 is required in order to implement the present invention using digital filters and/or mathematical transforms as the exemplary RDIS-10 is designed for digital domain operation. 
     The sensor signal therefore, is converted to digital format and the analog filters described above may be converted to their digital counterpart using bilinear transform which is well known to the art and well publicized resulting in Infinite Impulse Response digital filters (known to the art as IIR filters) and is illustrated in  FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C . The block diagram of  FIG. 7  may then be used to derive the flowchart of the digital signal processing form of the present invention. In another implementation, digital filters may be designed using direct synthesis techniques that are also well known to the art and well publicized. Finite Impulse Response digital filters (known to the art as FIR filters) may also be employed at the expense of computing power. FIR implementations, such as Kaiser, Hamming, Hanning etc, are also well known to the art and well publicized. 
     There are many mathematical transforms that are well known and well publicized. However, not all are useful for features extraction for the transient NDI signals. The NDI industry in the past has proposed the use of Fourier Transform or its Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) implementation, a misapplication for the brief transient NDI imperfection signals. Fourier Transform, in all of its implementations, is useful to analyze long periodic signals (long waves). Furthermore, the Fourier Transform provides information in the frequency domain and none in the time domain which is essential for the analysis of NDI signals. This drawback of the Fourier Transform was noted by the French Academy and in particular by J. L. Lagrange who objected to the Fourier Transform trigonometric series because it could not represent signals with corners such as the ones often encountered in NDI. Subsequently, the Academy refused to publish the Fourier paper. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the Fourier Transform, alternatives were developed over the years, notably the Short Time Fourier Transform (commonly referred to as STFT), wavelets and coiflets all of which are well known to the art and well publicized. The main disadvantages of the transforms are their fixed resolution and their demand for higher computer power. 
     The STFT offers uniform time and frequency resolution throughout the entire time-frequency domain using a fixed window size, which results in its main drawback. A small window blind the SIFT to low frequencies while a large window blinds the STFT to brief signal changes mostly associated with use induced MUI 1 imperfections. 
     Wavelets (short waves) are better tuned to the needs of NDI. Wavelets vary the width of the window thus offer better time resolution for the higher frequencies that are typically associated with use induced MUI 1 imperfections. Wavelets are typically implemented using filter banks and they are also well known in the art and well publicized.  FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C  illustrate the implementation of the discrete wavelet transform decomposition using filter banks and down sampling. 
     Sensor Signal Normalization 
     Referring back to  FIG. 7 , the bank of PGAs  80 A through  80 N follows the frequency decomposition filter bank. The frequency response of the inspection sensors  4  is typically non-linear. The response of the inspection sensor  4  to the same MUI 1 feature would then vary depending on the scanning speed and level of excitation which is continuously monitored by computer  20 . The sensor  4  response to different scanning speeds, in the unique setting of the inspection head  2  under varying excitation  31  levels, can be characterized. This is accomplished by scanning MUI 1 samples with test imperfections at different speeds and different levels of excitation while recording the sensor  4  signals. Preferably, these sensor characterization tests would be repeated multiple times so that a sufficiently large database for the specific sensor is obtained. The characteristics of the particular sensor  4  are then preferably stored in the memory onboard the sensor  4 . Computer  20  reads the sensor  4  characteristics and adjusts the bank of PGAs  80 A through  80 N to normalize the sensor signal. This band signal amplitude compensation along with the capability of computer  20  to adjust both the pass-band width and the transition slopes of the filters allows computer  20  to fully normalize the imperfection signals. 
     The outputs of the bank of PGAs  80 A through  80 N are then converted to digital form through an analog-to-digital converter of sufficient resolution, typically 10 to 14 bits, and speed which is defined by the number of channels and maximum scanning speed. 
     AutoRULE Processing 
     AutoRULE processing operates upon the flaw spectrum that was derived from signals, such as, but not limited to, echo, reluctance, resistance, impedance, absorption, attenuation, sound or physical parameters acquired through one-dimensional or multi-dimensional sensors. The processing of Eddy-Current amplitude and phase, for example, may also be utilized to derive the flaw spectrum as well as frequency decomposition as described herein above. Regardless of the signal origin or the frequency decomposition method used, the frequency components of the signals then become the flaw spectrum for use by the AutoRULE in a manner illustrated by element  21 A in  FIG. 13 . It should be understood that computer  20  can manipulate and present the signals in any desirable format. It should be further understood that the signals of geometrically offset sensors, such as the ones shown in  FIG. 7  of U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,386, are aligned by computer  20  through time shifting (time delay) primarily controlled by the scanning speed preferably derived from sensor  36 . This may comprise memory, a bucket-brigade, or any combination of the above. Variable length analog delay lines may also be deployed, the delay length controlled primarily by the scanning speed. It should be understood that sensor  36  may comprise a number of sensors distributed along the length of MUI 1 for direct measurement or coupled to MUI 1 transport components, such as the lifting cable, or a combination thereof. 
     It should be understood that the exemplary RDIS-10 extraction matrix is compiled through a software program, that was published in  1994  and it is beyond the scope of this patent, and decomposes the converted digital signals into relevant features. The extraction matrix may be adjusted to decompose the signals into as few as two (2) features, such as, but not limited to, the 1D-NDI presentation of wall and flaw. It should be understood that no theoretical decomposition upper limit exists; however, fifty (50) to two hundred (200) features are practical. The selection of the identifier equations, further described herein below, typically sets the number of features. In the exemplary RDIS-10, the decomposed signals, regardless of their origin, are known as the flaw spectrum  6  (see  FIG. 2C ). 
     Feature Recognition 
     Humans are highly adept in recognizing patterns, such as facial features or the flaw spectrum  6  and readily correlating any pertinent information. Therefore, it is easy for the inspector to draw conclusions about the MUI 1 by examining the flaw spectrum  6 , as further illustrated in  FIGS. 15A through 15E . During the inspection, the inspector further incorporates his/her knowledge about the MUI 1 present status, his/her observations, as well as the results of previous inspections. The success of this inspection strategy of course, solely depends on how well the inspector understands the flaw spectrum  6  data and the nuances it may encompass. 
     Computers can run numerical calculations rapidly but have no inherent pattern recognition or correlation abilities. Thus, a program has been developed that preferably derives at least one mathematical procedure to enable the computer  20  to automatically recognize the patterns and nuances encompassed in decomposed inspection and/or sound data streams such as presented in the flaw spectrum  6 . The detailed mathematical procedures are described hereinbelow and enable one skilled in the art to implement the AutoRULE described herein without undue experimentation. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a block diagram of an AutoRULE data processing sequence that allows the creation of a software flowchart and the translation of the practice to a computer program. For stand-alone operation, the AutoRULE must be optimal in regard to the RULE criteria and application limitations, commonly defined by approximations and probabilities which are referred to herein as constraints. It should be understood therefore, that the AutoRULE state variables must be tuned for optimal performance under different constrains depending on the MUA 9 and its application. The fundamental operation of the AutoRULE is performed by the identifier equations which preferably capture the optimal mutual features in accordance to the constraints. It should be understood that a number of identifier equations may be paralleled and/or cascaded, each one utilizing a different set of optimal mutual features. Furthermore, it should be understood that the processing of the identifier equations may be carried out by a single computer  20  or by different computers in a cluster without affecting the overall result. 
     The first stage identifier equations, with elements denoted as a jk    112 ,  114 , use for input N features  111  mostly derived from the flaw spectrum  21 A. Additional features may be provided by fixed values referred to herein as bias  113 ,  123 ,  133 . Bias may be a single constant or a sequence of constants that may be controlled, but not limited, by time or by the MUA 9 length. Backwards chaining  119  limits irrelevant processing and enhances stability while forward chaining  139  propagates features to later stages or it may inform computer  20  that an MUA 9 condition has been determined and no further analysis is required. It should be further understood that both forward and backward chaining may be direct, through memory, through a bucket-brigade, or any combination of the above. It should be further understood that all or any subsystem of the AutoRULE may be implemented as a casual system or as a non-casual system. In a casual implementation only past and present features  111  are utilized. In a non-casual implementation, features  111  are utilized through memory, through a bucket-brigade, or any combination of the above thus allowing for the use of future values of the features  111 . 
     Future values of the features  111  may be used directly or indirectly as signal masks and may be propagated through the forward chaining  139 . Utilization of future values of features  111  increases the AutoRULE stability and reduces the probability of a conflict In Equations 1-3, shown below, such features are denoted as Xa. Based on the constrains, the identifier equations reduce the features  111  and bias  113  to identifiers  115 ,  116  denoted as Ya of the form shown in Equation 1: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Ya 
                     ij 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     T 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         M 
                          
                         
                           
                             ∑ 
                             
                               k 
                               = 
                               1 
                             
                             N 
                           
                            
                           
                             
                               a 
                               ik 
                             
                              
                             
                               Xa 
                               kj 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     Equation 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     1 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     The identifiers Ya  115 ,  116  can be fed back through the backwards chaining  119 , can be used directly through the forward chaining  139 , can be used as variables to equations or as features  121 ,  131  in following stages or in their most practical form, as indexes to tables (arrays) which is shown in Equation 2 for clarity. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Ya 
                     ij 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     M 
                      
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           k 
                           = 
                           1 
                         
                         N 
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           a 
                           ik 
                         
                          
                         
                           Xa 
                           kj 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     Equation 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     2 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     where T is a Look-up Table or Array. 
     Another useful identifier form is shown in Equation 3. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Ya 
                     ij 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       M 
                        
                       
                         [ 
                         
                           1 
                           + 
                           
                             e 
                             
                               - 
                               
                                 
                                   ∑ 
                                   
                                     k 
                                     = 
                                     1 
                                   
                                   N 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   
                                     a 
                                     ik 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     Xa 
                                     kj 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                         ] 
                       
                     
                     
                       - 
                       1 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     Equation 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     3 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     where M is a scaling constant or function. 
     It should be understood that each stage may comprise multiple identifier equations utilizing equations 1, 2, or 3. There is no theoretical upper limit for the number of identifiers calculated, however, five (5) to ten (10) identifiers are practical. 
     Some of the identifiers Ya  115 ,  116  may be sufficient to define the disposition of the MUI 1 alone and thus propagate to the output stage  139  while others may become features for the second stage  120  of identifier equations along with features  121  pertinent to the Ya identifiers, all denoted as Xb. It should be appreciated that in the exemplary STYLWAN RDIS-10, depending on the constrains, those features can be obtained from the operator interface, from the computer  20  memory, from the camera  29 , or by connecting directly to the STYLWAN RDIS-10 Data Acquisition System transmitters that measure various parameters illustrated  FIG. 41  ( 21 C). Examples of such transmitters include the OCI-5000 series manufactured by OLYMPIC CONTROLS, Inc, Stafford, Tex., USA, such as transmitters that measure pressure (OCI-5200 series), temperature (OCI-5300 series), speed and position (OCI-5400 series), weight (OCI-5200H series), fluid level (OCI-5200L series), flow (OCI-5600 series), dimensions (OCI-54000 series), AC parameters (OCI-5400 series), DC parameters (OCI-5800 series), as well as other desired parameters. The second stage  120  identifier equations, with elements denoted as b im , produces identifiers  125 , 126  denoted as Yb of similar form as the Ya identifiers  115 ,  116 . 
     Again, some of the identifiers Yb may be sufficient to define the disposition of the MUI 1 alone and thus propagate to the output stage  139  while others may become features for the third stage  130  identifier equations along with features pertinent to the Yb identifiers, all denoted as Xc. For the RDIS-10, depending on the constrains, those features can be obtained from data or functions entered by the operator  138 , stored in historical data  137 , or other predetermined sources (not illustrated). It should be understood that this process may repeat until an acceptable solution to the constrains is obtained, however, three stages are typically adequate for the exemplary STYLWAN RDIS-10. It should further be understood that each stage  110 ,  120  and  130  may comprise multiple internal stages. 
     Determination of Coefficients 
     For the determination of the a ik  coefficients, the tuning of the identifier equations, a set of flaw spectrums  6  of known similar imperfections that are pertinent to a current inspection application are required. These data sets, of flaw spectrums  6 , are referred to herein as baseline spectrums. Preferably, all the a ik  coefficients are initially set equal. It should be understood that because this is an iterative process the initial values of the a ik  coefficients could also be set by a random number generator, by an educated guess, or by other means for value setting. 
     Since the baseline spectrums are well known, typically comprising data taken for similar imperfections, the performance measure and the constrains are clearly evident and the coefficients solution is therefore objective, although the selection of the imperfections may be subjective. By altering the coefficient values through an iterative process while monitoring the output error an acceptable solution would be obtained. 
     There are multiple well-known techniques to minimize the error and most of these techniques are well adept for computer use. It should be appreciated that for the AutoRULE limited number of features a trial-and-error brute force solution is feasible with the available computer power. It should be further expected that different solutions would be obtained for every starting set of coefficients. Each solution is then evaluated across a variety of validation spectrum as each solution has its own unique characteristics. It is imperative, therefore, that an extensive library of both baseline spectrums and validation spectrums must be available for this evaluation. It should be further understood that the baseline spectrums cannot be used as validation spectrums and vice versa. Furthermore, it should be understood that more than one solution may be retained and used for redundancy, conflict resolution, and system stability. Still further in applications of the AutoRULE, the terms “acceptable” or “good enough” are terms of art to indicate that, in a computational manner, the computer has completed an adequate number of iterations to compile an answer/solution with a high probability of accuracy. 
     Once a set or sets of coefficients are obtained, the number of non-zero coefficients is preferably minimized in order to improve computational efficiency. This is important because each identifier equation is just a subsystem and even minor inefficiencies at the subsystem level could significantly affect the overall system real time performance. Multiple techniques can be used to minimize the number of non-zero coefficients. A hard threshold would set all coefficients below a predetermined set point to zero (0). Computers typically have a calculation quota, so a quota threshold would set to zero a sufficient number of lower value coefficients to meet the calculation quota. A soft threshold would subtract a non-zero constant from all coefficients and replace the negative values with zero (0). Since an error measure exists, the new set of coefficients can be evaluated, the identifier equations can be tuned again and the process could repeat until the admissible identifier equation is determined. It is preferred that multiple admissible identifier equations are determined for further use. It should be appreciated that although the preference for multiple admissible identifiers may appear to complicate potential resolutions, the use of computer power makes a large number of iterations feasible. 
     For the assessment of materials, an acceptable solution would always contain statistics based on false-positive and false-negative ratios. A false-positive classification rejects fit material while a false-negative classification accepts unfit material. Using more than one identifier equation lowers the false ratios more than the fine-tuning of a single identifier equation. It should be understood that this process theoretically provides an infinite number of solutions, as an exact formulation of the inspection problem is elusive and always based on constrains. Furthermore, for a solution that can be obtained with a set of coefficients, yet another solution that meets the performance measure may also be obtained by slightly adjusting some of the coefficients. However, within the first three to five proper iterations the useful solutions become obvious and gains from additional iterations are mostly insignificant and hard to justify. 
     Once all of the Stage-I  110  admissible identifier equations have been determined, their identifiers become features in Stage-II  120  along with the additional features  121 , bias  123 , and forward and backwards chaining  129 . The starting set of baseline spectrums is then processed through the admissible identifier equations and the results are used to tune the Stage-II  120  identifier equations in a substantially identical process as the one described above for the Stage-I  110 . The process repeats for the Stage-III  130  identifier equations and any other stages (not illustrated) that may be desired or necessary until all the admissible subsystems are determined and the overall system design is completed. It should be appreciated that in practice, preferably only two to five stages will be necessary to obtain required results. When the final coefficients for all of the equations are established, the overall system performance may be improved by further simplifying the equations using standard mathematical techniques. 
     A previous assessment with the same equipment provides the best historical data  137 . The previous RULE assessment, denoted as Ys (−1) , is ideally suited for use as a feature  131  in the current inspection as it was derived from substantially the same constrains. Furthermore, more than one previous RULE assessment  137  may be utilized. Features  131  may be backwards chained  129 ,  119 . Multiple historical values may allow for predictions of the future state of the material and/or the establishment of a service and maintenance plan. 
     Determination of Bias 
     In conventional inspection systems, previous state data, that was derived through a different means under different constrains, could not necessarily be used directly or used at all. If utilized, the data would more likely have to be translated to fit the constrains of the current application. It should be appreciated that such a task may be very tedious and provide comparatively little payoff. For example, there is no known process to translate an X-Ray film into MFL pertinent data. However, the AutoRULE system described herein allows for the use of such data in a simple and direct form. In the X-Ray example, the opinion of an X-Ray specialist may be solicited regarding the previous state of the material. The specialist may grade the previous state of the material in the range of one (1) to ten (10), with one (1) meaning undamaged new material. The X-Ray specialist opinion is an example of bias  113 ,  123 ,  133 . 
     Bias  113 ,  123 ,  133  may not necessarily be derived in its entirety from the same source nor be fixed throughout the length of the material. For example, information from X-Rays may be used to establish the previous material status for the first 2,000 feet of an 11,000 foot coiled tubing string. Running-feet may be used to establish the previous material status for the remainder of the string except the  6 , 000  foot to  8 , 000  foot range where OD corrosion has been observed by the inspector  138 . From the available information, the previous material status for this string (bias per 1,000 feet′) may look like [2, 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 7, 7, 4, 4, 4] based on length. Other constrains though may impose a hard threshold to reduce the bias into a single value, namely [7], for the entire string. 
     An example of a bias array would be a marine drilling riser string where each riser joint is assigned a bias based on its age, historical use, Kips, vortex induced vibration, operation in loop currents, visual inspection, and the like. The bias for a single riser joint may then look like [1, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2]. Identifier equations may also be used to reduce the bias array into a bias value or a threshold may reduce the bias into a single value. 
     FFS Assessment and RULE 
     AutoRULE provides means to move the FFS and RUL process from the laboratory or the engineering department to the field and apply FFS and RUL to the in-service material using actual as-is field data. Furthermore, it should be understood that AutoRULE may be utilized to gather actual field data to create FFS and RUL methods, charts, tables and formulas or to verify the validity of proposed or existing FFS and RUL methods, charts, tables and formulas. It should be understood that FFS utilizes information to derive the MUA 9 present status and RULE is using knowledge and data to project the future status of MUA 9 under deployment. The RULE higher inherent uncertainty can be minimized by frequent AutoRULE scans. Frequent data points verify the correctness of the original formulas, data and constraints. Furthermore, frequent AutoRULE scans shorten the look-forward time interval simplifying the AutoRULE significantly. For example, if drill pipe is scanned every six months, the look-forward interval is six months and multiple trips. On the other hand, if drill pipe is scanned on every trip, the look forward interval may be a few days and a single trip resulting in a much simpler AutoRULE. A simpler AutoRULE would certainly be less expensive and its RULE by far more reliable, therefore encouraging more frequent use. Furthermore, more frequent AutoRULE deployment would monitor and utilize actual data from related parameters  21 C that would not be available otherwise. 
     It should also be understood that RULE processing differs if the MUA 9 is a serial or parallel structure and if the damage mechanisms act in series or in parallel. For example, a drill string, while drilling, is a serial structure that will fail as soon as one of the drill pipe joints fail. The drilling process will fail also. Therefore, at the end of the AutoRULE scan, AutoRULE should also evaluate the FFS and estimate a RUL for the drill string as a single MUA 9 (a structure). On the other hand, when the exact same drill pipe is on a rack, it is a parallel MUA 9. Failure of any drill pipe joint, only impacts the particular joint. Failure of more than one drill pipe joint may prevent the drilling process from starting (not enough drill pipe); however, there are different risks and costs associated with the two failures, failure-to-start and failure-while-drilling. 
     At first glance it may appear that an FFS assessment and RULE for the drill string as a single MUA 9 (a structure) could also be obtained for example, through a formula that operated upon the individual FFS and RULE of each drill pipe joint on the rack. One should keep in mind that the position of each drill pipe joint in the drilling string affects its FFS and RULE significantly as the entire string does not endure the same loads. The entire string RULE is shown in element  196  of  FIG. 19B  (and FFS is similarly shown in the corresponding FFS paragraph). 
     AutoRULE may utilize industry standard or custom FFS and RUL methods, charts and formulas, utilize original design data and criteria, material test reports, deployment history, prior inspection records, prior FFS and RUL records, repair and/or alteration records along with FFS assessment and RULE techniques and/or formulas and/or data sets, imperfection allowance rules and/or formulas and/or data sets, acceptance criteria, remediation options and/or formulas and/or data sets. AutoRULE makes provisions to accept such information/data either as a mathematical or logical (crisp or fuzzy) formula, as a sequence of data, such as bias, or even as a single constant. 
     Typically and in addition to FDDim, AutoRULE would evaluate material utilizing: a) absolute values, such as actual wall thickness; b) parameter ratios or remaining ratios, such as (strength of damaged material)/(strength of undamaged material); c) coverage ratios, such as (pitted area surface)/(material surface) and d) rates of change, such as feature morphology, size, density, coverage and any combination thereof. Preferably, AutoRULE would also utilize a measure of the damage mechanism time-dependency. AutoRULE would apply FFS assessment and RULE for each feature and/or damage mechanism and then fuse the results of each FFS assessment and RUL estimation to determine the status of the material. It should be understood that the combination of FDDim with the other AutoRULE measured/calculated values would result in a multidimensional pointer sufficient to select the material status from a multidimensional group of tables or charts or to solve a system of equations. For example, remaining wall thickness RULE tables and charts may be indexed on the (maximum) operating pressure and temperature. By continuously monitoring the actual operating pressure and temperature, AutoRULE would then select the appropriate FFS assessment and RULE path and alert the operator when operating pressure and temperature exceed a limit, affecting the material FFS and RUL. In a different embodiment, AutoRULE could establish communication with a pressure and temperature monitor using communication port  26  and download the pressure and temperature historical data from the monitor memory. Such data may also be available in a storage device  23 . 
     AutoRULE may also utilize each damage mechanism time-dependency to estimate the material RUL. Since AutoRULE would preferably be monitoring other controlling parameters, such as pressure, temperature, deflection etc., it should be understood that AutoRULE (prognosis and/or predictions) would be based on measured parameters instead of estimated parameters. It should be further understood that even small changes in the application and/or environment might result in significant RUL changes. Therefore, AutoRULE results would be bound by the monitored stability of the controlling parameters. This is a very important element when gathering field data to establish material/application FFS and RUL or when verifying proposed FFS and RUL. 
     AutoRULE preferably may a) scan the MUA 9 after each use; b) identify the features of MUA 9; c) quantify the features of MUA 9; d) assess the impact of the features upon the MUA 9, e) estimate the FFS and RUL of MUA 9 under the constraints of the application and f) (optional) generate and export a file for use by an FEA engine. It should also be apparent that AutoRULE deployment and utilization should be economically sound. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a typical RULE flaw chart. As mentioned earlier, AutoRULE utilizes primarily as-built or as-is data  110 ,  120  and  130 . The first AutoRULE step is to separate design features and imperfections  140 . When design data is available, AutoRULE also monitors compliance with the design data  142 . Typically, once each imperfection has been identified, its severity  141 A may be established by applying stress concentration correction factors and neighborhood information correction factors. The imperfection identification may also be utilized to establish the MUA 9 degradation mechanism  141 B. An FFS for the feature is then calculated  141 C. When multiple degradation mechanisms are identified, their interaction (in series or in parallel) affecting the MUA 9 would also modify the AutoRULE processing path. 
     For each feature, including imperfections, the acceptance/rejection criteria are then applied  142 . When the degradation mechanism is known, preventive action  146  may reduce/prevent further MUA 9 deterioration, such as relocating the OCTG in a string, repairing damaged protective coating or using corrosion inhibitors. Conversely, comparison with previous RULE records  137  may measure the effectiveness of any prior preventive action. Occasionally, re-rating  148  the MUA 9 early on may result in an extended useful life in service  151 . 
     When MUA 9 does not meet the minimum acceptable criteria for the application and it cannot be repaired  144 , the MUA 9 may be re-rated and used in a different application  151 . However, repeat AutoRULE scans should minimize the number of unanticipated MUA 9 rejections. MUA 9 deterioration should be tracked and preventive action  146  and  148  should maximize the MUA 9 useful life. 
       FIGS. 15A-15F  illustrates a typical RUL time sequence of a coiled tubing work coil. The probability of failure  155 F of similar coils can be divided in three major segments marked by T 1  and T 2 . Failures up to T 1  are referred to as “infant mortality” while failures beyond T 2  are primarily due to wear (end of useful life). The baseline  155 A shows the flaw spectrum of a new coil. Since CO2 is predominant in the work area, it is anticipated that future AutoRULE scans would detect CO2 type corrosion (2-d) and the coil is expected to follow RULE2 path of  155 F. The probability of this particular coil “infant mortality” is lower because of the baseline  155 A. Preferably AutoRULE would include imperfection growth paths, morphology migration evaluation paths and root-cause identification. For example, the depth of a corrosion pit may increase and/or the corrosion pitting density may increase and/or a crack forming at the bottom of the pit would result in a critically flawed area (herein after referred to as “CFA”). CO2 type corrosion pitting appears in scan  155 B exactly as expected and it is predominant by scan  155 C. Scans  155 B and  155 C show features morphology migration. Because the work coil is undergoing bending in the plastic region (plastic deformation), the pits act as stress concentrators increasing the cyclic fatigue built-up rapidly. The morphology shift toward fatigue cracking (2-D) is shown in  155 D along with significant growth. The work coil shown in  155 D has reached T 2  in  155 F and it is no longer fit for service due to the imperfection severity (2-d). The only feasible remediation option is to remove the coil from service work and re-rate it  148  as a production string where the coil will no longer be subjected to plastic deformation cycles. However, since the coil is under continuous in-service monitoring, the coil was subjected to a few extra cycles, shown in  155 E, when cracks (2-D) appeared, probably at the bottom of the CO2 corrosion pits (2-d). Cracks, a late fatigue life manifestation shown in  155 E, grow rapidly the coil would break within the next 3 cycles. 
     AutoRULE would preferably utilize a number of FFS and RULE paths. For example, when computer  20  monitors, logs and evaluates the overall drilling performance, the RULE paths may be selected. The impact of the drilling may be established by measuring the power consumption of the drilling process, the string weight, weight on bit, applied torque, penetration rate and other related parameters. Such information, an indication of the strata and the efficiency of the drilling process, may dictate that a different FFS and RULE path and/or constraints should be utilized to further evaluate the MUA 9 RUL including imperfections  140 . Furthermore, changes in the strata and/or in the efficiency of the drilling process may indicate conditions that primarily induce imperfection morphology migration, not just growth, thus AutoRULE should also include the anticipated deterioration mechanism acting on the imperfections. 
     Feature Duration 
     As mentioned earlier, it should be understood that the one to one correspondence of simple imperfections to the STYLWAN Flaw Spectrum occasionally applies to machined (man-made) imperfections and not to the complex form imperfections typically found in nature. Therefore, the STYLWAN Flaw Spectrum elements must be viewed as an entity identification signature, just like DNA, but not as a detailed chemical analysis. It would be erroneous for example to conclude that a weld is made up form a pit, three gouges and a wall thickness increase, the result of a chemical-analysis-like interpretation of the Flaw Spectrum data. The correct Flaw Spectrum interpretation would recognize the signature of a weld and therefore, the first AutoRULE task would be to recognize complex imperfections, such as welds. 
     It should be readily apparent that complex feature would have significant  3 D dimensions, as opposed to a single crack for example, and therefore their Flaw Spectrum would have a much longer time and/or length duration. If the AutoRULE was allowed to interpret signals instantaneously, the AutoRULE would behave erroneously, in a chemical-analysis-like fashion, where a weld would be reported as a string of pits, gouges, CFAS and wall thickness changes. For example, the feature shown in  155 C is a corrosion band, not a large number of corrosion pits, and the root-cause of the corrosion band is identified as CO2. Therefore, preventive action  146  should focus at minimizing the impact of the CO2 environment on the work coil. Similarly,  155 E shows multiple CFAs and borderline CFAs, not just pits and cracks. Therefore, interpreting  155 C through  155 E instantaneously may lead to erroneous conclusions and possible instability. 
     It is desirable therefore, that AutoRULE processing preferably incorporates feature duration data and/or trigger along with the ability to revisit prior data and/or decisions. It should be noted that any time delay between the feature passing through the head  2  and an AutoRULE decision would be insignificant and unnoticeable by the operator. Furthermore, it should be noted that feature duration refers to sufficient duration that would lead to a valid AutoRULE conclusion and not necessarily for the duration of the entire feature. 
     For example, a coiled tubing taper (a wall thickness change) may be many thousands of feet long while a localized wall loss could be six inches long. On the onset of such a feature, it would be advisable to examine a greater MUA 9 length, ten feet for example, before the AutoRULE makes a decision. At 180′/minute scanning speed, ten feet delay would amount to about one third (⅓) of a second that would certainly go unnoticeable by the operator. Furthermore, even the AutoRULE shortest utterance, like “taper” or “weld”, would take longer than one third (⅓) of a second. 
     Complex Features 
     Again, complex features may be included in the MUA 9 by design, such as tapers, collars and welds, and therefore may be shown in the historical data records and/or may be anticipated; may reflect repairs and/or alterations that are not shown in the historical data records and may or may not be anticipated, such as a repair weld and lastly, they may reflect imperfections that were not encountered on previous AutoRULE scans. Once the complex features are recognized  140 , AutoRULE processing would then proceed with the evaluation tasks prescribed for the particular complex features and its ramifications upon the AutoRULE processing. 
     As discussed earlier, AutoRULE may retain more than one identifier for redundancy, conflict resolution, and system stability. It should then be understood that the recognition of complex features may involve more than one identifier. Furthermore, complex features are the most likely cause of AutoRULE instability and as a precaution therefore, AutoRULE, once it reaches a decision, may re-examine the same features under longer duration. This re-examination diminishes the probability of instability and increases the AutoRULE certainty, especially if different identifiers are implemented for the re-examination. 
     Assessment of Welds 
     Welding is the joining of two material pieces by applying heat with or without the use of filler material. Rarely used cold welding is accomplished by applying high pressure. Welding induces residual stresses that FFS and FEA typically assume to be uniform throughout the material thickness (uniform stain field). During multipass welding for example, the same point undergoes multiple thermal cycles multiple times and secondly, not all points undergo the same number of thermal cycles. Therefore, it would be erroneous to assume that the weld residual stresses are uniform throughout the material thickness. The heat-affected zone (herein after referred to as “HAZ”) is the portion of the base material that did not melt during welding, but the welding heat altered its properties. 
     Welds are complex features that are very common, just like couplings. Often, material with welds is derated, such as coiled tubing with a butt weld. In addition, a different derating factor is used for factory butt welds and field butt welds. AutoRULE cannot make that distinction automatically. However, AutoRULE may search the local or remote history and/or alteration record and/or may inquire for an entry from the operator  138  and/or an expert. In the absence of additional information, preferably AutoRULE would evaluate the weld as a complex feature, feature rating, and rate the material pessimistically, statutory rating. Preferably, AutoRULE would retain and report both ratings. 
     Fatigue Assessment 
     For centuries, practicing engineers recognized that subjecting metal to stress cycles resulted in fractures although the forces involved were a fraction of the forces required for static failure. The term Fatigue was introduced in the 19 th  century probably by J. V. Poncelet (1788-1867). Fatigue initiates at the crystal imperfections, commonly known as dislocations. Dislocations can be viewed as atomic level microcracks that act as stress concentrators starting the slip mechanism. Fatigue is cumulative and with additional stress cycles, fatigue progresses to cracking as the microcracks grow and bridge, a point where failure is rapid. 
     Even the most sophisticated prediction models lack most of the detailed information required for a valid prediction. For example, OCTG may contain 10 10  dislocations/in 3  on the average and while deployed may be subjected to unanticipated significant loads. Even if all the loads and the exact nature of each dislocation were precisely known, any type of calculation, such as FEA, would be prohibitive. Furthermore, the problem of fatigue cracks rapidly magnifies when the material is subjected to cyclic loading in corrosive environments. 
     The advantage of AutoRULE is the large number of repeated assessments and data that can be collected without interfering with the deployment of the MUA 9 or the production rate. AutoRULE detects the actual condition of the MUA 9 fatigue regardless of the underline causes. Fatigue build-up tests with the exemplary RDIS-10 revealed that fatigue up to ≈50% of the life cycle falls in the 2-D□ spectrum segment, between ≈50% and ≈75% falls in the 2-D□ spectrum segment and above ≈75% falls in the 2-D□ spectrum segment. 
     Most software failure prediction models are aimed at predicting the alpha failure location (herein after referred to as “□□FL)”); the location where the rate of fatigue build-up is the highest and therefore, it is the location where the first failure is expected to occur. RDIS-10 fatigue build-up tests revealed that multiple (aFL) can be identified at the boundary transition between 2-D□ and 2-C□ while the failure location can be identified at about 65% of the life cycle when preventive action  143  becomes extremely important. 
     The most catastrophic form of failure is Early alpha failure (herein after referred to as “□□∇FL)”) that is not predicted by any model but AutoRULE would easily detect  142  the rapid fatigue build-up. An (EaFL) most likely would be the result of MUI 1 that does not meet the specifications or material that was damaged during transportation and handling following the inspection. 
     Crack-Like Imperfection Assessment 
     In-service fatigue build-up typically initiates surface cracking. Cracks also initiate at the bottom of other imperfections, such as pits, that act as stress concentrator as shown in  155 E. Modeling and predicting crack growth is extremely imprecise, just like modeling fatigue. Again, AutoRULE scans, preferably after every use, would track the actual crack growth and propagation regardless of the underline causes. A measure of the energy released per crack surface area may be calculated from the AutoRULE data. Without additional loads and when crack growth reaches its limit, AutoRULE may calculate the residual stresses that contributed to the crack growth. Such data may supplement the historical data of all materials deployed in similar applications. Preferably, such database would reside in a central remote location in communication with AutoRULE. Significant remaining useful life of the MUA 9 may be recovered if the crack  7 A in  FIG. 3A  is morphed  145  into a 3-D type imperfection  7 B (much lower stress concentration) as shown in  FIG. 3B , but only if the neighborhood of crack  7 A is free from other imperfections. Therefore, effective preventive action  146  is essential. 
     Crack growth and propagation is highly sensitive to changes in the application or the environment. As carried out, RULE assessment typically utilizes theoretical data and/or experimental data that were obtained in a laboratory under carefully controlled conditions. Such data are not always appropriate for field use. AutoRULE data on the other hand, reflect actual field conditions and material performance and therefore capture the actual material RULE for the particular application and/or environment. 
     Pitting Assessment 
     For isolated pits, 2-d through 3-d assessment would examine the proximity of other imperfections to the pit that may form a CFA under the regiment of anticipated loads as shown in  155 E. Once the material is determined to be free of CFAs, discussed further below, AutoRULE would then establish severity of the pit. 
     For corrosion bands, 2-d through 3-d assessment would first establish the boundaries of the corrosion region (imperfection duration and area coverage). Then AutoRULE would determine if the corrosion region damage is still acceptable  142  and that the region is not growing at an unacceptable rate by utilizing previous RULE records  137 , such as  155 C and  155 D. AutoRULE would then attempt to identify the nature of the corrosion mechanism. Different mechanisms result in different types of corrosion pitting such as narrow base cylindrical pits all the way to broad based conical pits and FDDim may be used as a corrosion mechanism guide and thus a guide to the root-cause identification and the proper remediation  145 ,  146 . 
     For example, when CO2 type pits appear on MUI 1 that was free of CO2 pits in previous AutoRULE scans, it is reasonable to conclude that CO2 backflooding has reached the particular well site. This change in the operating environment significantly impacts the remaining MUA 9 life which can be recalculated and extended by the proper application of inhibitors or by simply rearranging the tubing in a well. Furthermore, early detection of the CO2 presence may redefine the next preventive maintenance service interval. This unique and novel feature of the AutoRULE is not available with the sporadic inspections which more likely would take place after the MUA 9 failed prematurely because of the accelerated CO2 corrosion. 
     This example also demonstrates another AutoRULE strength versus RULE and 1D-NDI as carried out. Let&#39;s assume that the production tubing was in a well for 4 years prior to CO2 reaching the well site and that a tubing failure occurs  1  year after CO2 reached the well site. RULE assessment and 1D-NDI would then reasonably conclude that the tubing time to failure in the particular well is 5 years (tube useful life), when in fact it is only 1 year. Due to costs involved, it is unlikely that 1D-NDI would be deployed during a workover and even if 1D-NDI is deployed, 1D-NDI could not detect the change in the environment. By the time the owner figures out the new oilfield realities, following multiple tubing failures, a vast number of production tubing strings may need replacing while an AutoRULE assessment would alert the owner about the subterranean environment changes and recommend a preventive action  143  early on, thus extending the life of multiple production strings. It should then be understood that AutoRULE frequent utilization, preferably on every workover, could have significant ramifications for the entire operation, not just the particular well. 
     Critically Flawed Area Assessment 
     CFA is a complex encounter where imperfections in proximity are dynamically linked under loading, such as a corrosion pit with a crack at the bottom (similar to the CFA of  FIG. 3C ) or imperfections in proximity and orientation as to experience increased stress concentration. The detection of such a CFA early on may not necessarily mean rejection of MUA 9 as simple precautions  146 , such as minimizing the cycling of the particular MUA 9 location, may be sufficient and it may extend the use of the MUA 9. In addition, with a AutoRULE continuously monitoring the CFA, the full useful life of the MUA 9 may be used despite the presents of the CFA as long as the CFA growth and/or morphology migration remain within acceptable limits as shown in  155 D and  155 E. 
     It should also be noted that the AutoRULE processing is diametrically opposing the 1D-NDI processing whereby a single uncorrected signal is used to pass or send the material for verification. Since the uncorrected signal of a small crack at the bottom of a pit does not significantly alter the pit signal, 1D-NDI would pass the material with the CFA as long as the pit signal itself does exceed the preset magnitude limit. It is also important to observe that corrosion pits occur at the surface of materials and in materials that endure dynamic loading, such as coiled tubing, drill pipe and marine drilling risers, the pits, the welds and other imperfections act as stress concentrators. Cracking would then initiate at the stress concentrators, like the bottom of the pits or the heat affected zone of welds, but such CFAs would go unnoticed by the TOFD of U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,818 because the CFAs would fall within the TOFD near-surface and far-surface detection dead-zones. 
     3-d and 3-D Assessment 
     Imperfections like grooves and gauges along with material hardness changes typically fall into this segment of the flaw spectrum. Grooves typically arise from erosion or corrosion while gauges are mostly the result of mechanical damage. Dents and deformations, discussed further below, often include gauges, scratches and notches. 2-D and 2-d remediation action, as shown in  FIG. 3B , also results in imperfections that typically fall into this segment. 
     When an excavator accidentally hits a pipeline, it will dent it, thus it would plastically change the pipeline material. Interaction with the environment may change the material properties and it may change the plastically deformed dent region at a different rate than the undamaged pipeline material. During pumping, the pipeline pressure varies at a frequency that may lead to a crack in the deformed area. 
     Hardness estimates the strength of the material and its resistance to wear. Hardness changes, such as a hard spot, affect the remaining useful life of the MUA  9  differently from wall thickness related features. For example, in material enduring cycles of tension and compression the vicinity of the hard spot would experience significantly increased loading and increased fatigue built-up, a potential (EaFL). 
     Wall Thickness Assessment 
     Wall thickness assessment may utilize the wall thickness profile (minimum, nominal, design, maximum), the wall thickness variation profile, the cross-sectional area profile and the average wall thickness profile, preferably all covering one-hundred percent (100%) of the MUI 1 continuously. 
     As mentioned earlier, wall thickness changes, by design or otherwise, may be used to alter the AutoRULE processing. For example, a pipe coupling would appear as a significant wall thickness increase and may be used to invoke the AutoRULE coupling inspection. 
     3-G Deformation Assessment 
     Irregularities in the MUA 9 geometry, such as ballooning, dents, eccentricity, neck-down, ovality, misaligned welds and straightness typically fall into this category. Deformations may originate in manufacturing, such as eccentricity; may be the result of a repair, such as a misaligned weld and lastly deformations may be induced during deployment, such as dents, ovality and balooning. Dents and gouges are typically the results of mechanical action, such as an excavator hitting a pipeline. The fact that material is not straight, such as a bend drill pipe joint, is an indication that the material&#39;s yield strength was exceeded during deployment. A bend drill pipe joint would most like vibrate, increase the fatigue build-up and increase the wear on both the joint and any casing is deployed through. 
     Coiled tubing endures plastic deformation and it is an example of use induced deformation. When tubing bends, the fibers at the major axis have to travel further (extend) than the fibers on the minor axis (compress). This involves an amount of stored energy. In order to minimize the amount of stored energy, the tube swells sideways (neutral axis) and assumes an oval cross-section (ovality). By doing so, it minimizes the major axis fiber extension and the minor axis fiber compression. AutoRULE uses 3-G information directly and/or as a processing selection guide. 
     Material Deployment Loads 
     During deployment, materials may experience bending, buckling, compression, cyclic loading, deflection, deformation, dynamic linking, dynamic loading, elastic deformation, eccentric loading, feature propagation, impulse, loading, misalignment, moments, offset, oscillation, plastic deformation, propagation, shear, static loading, strain, stress, tension, thermal loading, torsion, twisting, vibration, and/or a combination thereof. 
     As it is well known, MUA 9 features behave differently under different loading and therefore AutoRULE would have to evaluate the features it encounters under all the anticipated types of loading  140  and any combination thereof. For example, drill pipe in a dog leg would also be subjected to bending in addition to torsion and loading. Furthermore, re-rating  148  MUA 9 early on may extend the MUA 9 useful life. 
     AutoRULE Feasibility 
     The overall system must be feasible not only from the classification standpoint but also from the realization standpoint. In addition to the classification and minimum error, the system constrains also include, but are not limited to, cost, packaging, portability, reliability, and ease of use; all of which should be addressed in each step of the design. The system design preferably must assign initial resources to each level and should attempt to minimize or even eliminate resources whose overall contribution is negligible. This can be accomplished by converting certain features to bias and evaluating the resulting error. 
     Computer  20  preferably recognizes the feature by comparing the final array of identifiers  135 ,  136 ,  139  with a stored features template database. Once a feature is recognized, computer  20  may verify the correctness of the recognition by further evaluating intermediate identifiers. 
     AutoRULE Instability and Conflict Resolution 
     Occasionally, the feature recognition becomes unstable with the final array of identifiers toggling between two solutions on each iteration. For example, during the inspection of used production tubing, the recognition may bounce back and forth between a large crack and a small pit. Resolution of such instability may be achieved by varying the feature duration length, utilizing intermediate identifiers, by utilizing the previous recognition value, or by always accepting the worst conclusion (typically referred to as pessimistic classification). However, AutoRULE instability may also be the outcome of improper backwards chaining or even faulty constrains. Slight increase in the coefficients of the backwards chained features may produce an output oscillation thus rapidly locating the problem feature and/or coefficients. 
     A conflict arises when the final array of identifiers points into two or more different MUA 9 conditions with equal probability. Again, resolution of such conflict may be achieved by utilizing intermediate identifiers, by utilizing the previous recognition value or by always accepting the worst conclusion. However, a definite solution may be obtained by eliminating features that the conclusions have invalidated and by reprocessing the signals under the new rules. 
     The AutoRULE is preferably designed to reason under certainty. However, it should also be capable of reasoning under uncertainty. For example, during the assessment of used production tubing of a gas well, rodwear is detected. Since there are no sucker rods in the gas well, the conclusion is that this is either used tubing that was previously utilized in a well with sucker rod or there is a failure in the AutoRULE. The AutoRULE could query the operator  138  about the history of the tubing and specifically if it was new or used when initially installed in the well. The answer may be difficult to obtain, therefore a  50 - 50  chance should be accepted. A bias value may then be altered and the signal may be reprocessed under the new rules. 
     Alternate coefficients may be stored for use when certain failures are detected. For example, the wellhead pressure transmitter may fail. Upon detection of the failure, the alternate set of coefficients should be loaded for further use. It should be understood that even a simple bias may substitute for the failed transmitter. 
     RULE Calibration Sample 
       FIG. 16A  illustrates a calibration sample with four features for use with AutoRULE to evaluate the AutoRULE feature identification capabilities and tune its parameters for the specific RULE needs of the particular material/application. Imperfection  156 A is a crack-like imperfection,  156 B is a pit-like imperfection,  156 C is a gouge-like imperfection and  156 D is a wall thickness feature. It should be understood that the calibration sample may contain multiple features and/or multiple examples of similar features with varying geometries. It should further be understood that features may be located on the OD or the ID of the material or both the OD and ID. 
       FIG. 16B  illustrates a calibration sample with two coexisting imperfections for use with AutoRULE to evaluate the AutoRULE coexisting imperfection separation and identification capabilities and tune its parameters for the specific RULE needs of the particular material/application. Imperfection  157  is a crack-like imperfection coexisting with a pit-like imperfection. It should be understood that the calibration sample may contain multiple coexisting features and/or multiple examples of similar coexisting features with varying geometries. It should further be understood that coexisting features may be located on the OD or the ID of the material or both the OD and ID. 
     Not shown are calibration samples with additional features, such as couplings, welds, deformation and the like, that may be utilized, as dictated by the particular material and/or application. Therefore it would be appreciated that standard threaded connections and/or welded sections, and the like, may be used for calibration. 
       FIG. 16C  illustrates a range of 1D-NDI recommended calibration/reference imperfections. It is of interest to notice the machining precision specified for the reference imperfections. As a general rule, the tighter the machining tolerances for the reference imperfection, the least likely the imperfection would be encountered in nature. Furthermore, MU with any diameter pit, 1/16″ or otherwise, should be rejected for further use way before the pit becomes a hole (100% penetration), regardless of the machining tolerances. Again, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , 1D-NDI would easily mislead someone to believe that a 5% notch or a 100% pit (a hole) are appropriate calibration/reference standards and the tight machining tolerances add a false sense of confidence in 1D-NDI. 
       FIG. 16D  illustrates yet another situation that 1D-NDI would mislead the inspector. Imperfection  159  consists of a number of imperfections  158 . The highest signal selector  10  of 1D-NDI would propagate to the readout  5  the signal of only one of the imperfections  159  resulting in an identical inspection trace for imperfections  158  and  159 . Strength of material knowledge (and common sense) teaches that the MUA 9 will break at  159  when subjected to loads such as bending, torsion, cyclic loading etc. If imperfection  158  did not cross the 1D-NDI threshold level, then  159  will not cross the 1D-NDI threshold level either due to the 1D-NDI signal processing. Even if imperfections  158  and  159  did cross the 1D-NDI threshold level, it is unlikely that  159  would be recognized as a CFA by the verification crew and it is highly unlikely if imperfections  158  and  159  were located in the ID of MUA 9. On the other hand, AutoRULE would evaluate each  159  imperfection on its own and apply neighborhood correction factors, thus distinguishing imperfection  159  from  158 . 
     Remediation 
     As discussed earlier and referring back to  FIG. 3 , 1D-NDI will typically miss imperfection  7 B as it will also miss  FIG. 16D  imperfection  159 . Furthermore, 1D-NDI recommended remediation for imperfection  7 A does not account for the vicinity of imperfection  7 A. For example, if imperfection  7 B was located on the ID below imperfection  7 A, the 1D-NDI remediation action for  7 A would instead result in a differently defective material that is acceptable by 1D-NDI but rejectable by AutoRULE. 
     AutoRULE must calculate the optimal remediation profile along with the remediation feasibility. For example, it will be straight forward for AutoRULE to calculate the optimal remediation profile  7 B for external imperfections  7 A or  158  and such remediation is feasible. It will be by far more complex to calculate the optimal remediation profile for external imperfections  159 . AutoRULE will first calculate the optimal remediation profile for each one of the imperfections making up  159 . AutoRULE would then examine the neighborhood for each morphology shifted imperfection making up  159 . This may result in a remediation profile that is no longer optimal and therefore, AutoRULE will calculate an optimal remediation profile combining two or more of the morphology shifted imperfections making up  159 . This iterative process may continue until an optimal remediation profile for  159  is calculated or until AutoRULE decides that no remediation is feasible. For example, repeat remediation iterations for imperfection  159  may lead to an optimal remediation profile resulting in a groove around the circumference of MUA 9. This groove may render MUA 9 unfit for continuing service. AutoRULE would then have to calculate an optimal remediation profile for the groove that would result in a fit for continuing service MUI or re-rated  148  MUI. Therefore, AutoRULE optimal remediation profile calculations will continue until at least two consecutive unfit for service calculations have been performed. 
     NDI and AutoRULE Utilization 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a typical NDI process. As practiced today, NDI dictates termination of the material utilization altogether in order to accommodate the inspection process, which, is typically carried out by shipping the material to an inspection facility. The cost of inspection is therefore increased by the transportation cost and the material downtime. In addition, shipping and handling the material, especially after the inspection  165 , may induce damage to the material that could result in an unanticipated early catastrophic failure. 
     During inspection  160 , the MUI 1 is examined for indications (flags), such as “ . . . regions of abnormal magnetic reluctance (or echo, or phase shift etc.)”, that exceed a preset threshold level. A typical 1D-NDI equipment “standardization” practice sets the threshold level by scanning a “reference standard” as shown in  FIG. 16C . Again, referring back to  FIG. 2A and 2B , it is easy to see how someone may be misled to believe that “standardization of the 1D-N DI equipment” would somehow be equally accomplished by “referencing” a 1D-NDI unit on a “through-wall drilled hole”, a 3-d imperfection with 0% remaining wall thickness, or a “5% OD notch”, a 2-D imperfection with  95 % remaining wall thickness. Therefore, the 1D-NDI equipment is “standardized” to flag imperfections with wall loss anywhere between  5 % up to 100% depending on the geometry of the imperfection; the 1D-NDI practice that led to the material failure illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2D . The flagged material is then sent to verification  161 . 
     Material  165  may then contain an assortment of imperfections, some because of the 1D-NDI “standardization” practice, like an 75% drilled hole; some because of missed imperfections, due to “sensor liftoff” or “detection dead-zones”, and some because of errors and/or omissions either by the inspector or by the verification crew. Material  165  is then exposed to potential accidental damage during transportation and handling to the site of use  169 . During deployment, the material may endure unexpected loads or suffer unexpected damage  167 , but the condition of the material  168  will not be ascertained again until the next inspection cycle or after a failure. 
     Because of its implementation and the intrusion NDI imposes, typical inspections have been expensive and are thus performed at rare intervals or not performed at all. For example, NDI costs of OCTG can be as high as 30% of the material replacement cost. 
     In the rare occasion that an analysis follows the NDI, the inspection results  163  are send for evaluation while the material is shipped to the use site  169 . The evaluation process  164  may incorporate design and historical data  162  and eventual approval for the material use may be granted well after the material has reached the use site  169 . Because of the evaluation process  163  inherent delays and cost, along with other economic pressures, the material  166  is typically put to use immediately upon arrival at the use site  169  and the evaluation process is reduced to a search for the failure mechanism of the rejected material. 
     Pipelines on the other hand, are typically inspected by internal inspection units commonly known as pipeline pigs or pigs. Following the scan, the inspection data is sent for evaluation  163  while the pipeline is put back into service. It is obvious that areas of concern cannot be identified until trained inspectors examine the inspection data, a process that typically takes weeks if not months. It is not uncommon for a verification report to be generated months after the inspection identifying hundreds of areas of concern requiring manual verification. Manual verification for pipelines involves crews with heavy equipment that would travel to the designated areas, dig up the pipeline and perform manual inspections to evaluate the nature and extent of the imperfections that gave rise to the pig signals. The verification results would then be sent for evaluation  163  and approval  164 , months after the pipeline was put back into service following the inspection. In the meanwhile, a pipeline leak may develop in one of the areas designated for verification or even in an area that was not flagged by the pig. Such detection failure may arise from the 1D-NDI limitations that result in specialized inspection pigs such a pitting inspection pigs, crack inspection pigs etc. 
     On the other hand, AutoRULE must examine and evaluate, as close as possible, 100% of the MUA 9 for 100% of pertinent features and declare the MUA 9 fit for continuing service only after the impact of all the detected features upon the MUA 9 have been evaluated and estimate its RUL; diametrically opposing the 1D-NDI methodology. It is well known that the presence of any imperfection alters the expected (designed) life of the MUA 9 and thus impacts its RUL. Thus, it should be appreciated that the deployment of the AutoRULE would increase the overall safety and reliability as it would lead to MUA 9 repair/replacement prior to a catastrophic failure as well as it will reduce and/or eliminate its premature replacement due to concerns when the conventional inspection periods are spaced far apart and/or when the conventional inspection provides an insignificant inspection coverage. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a typical AutoRULE process. Preferably, an AutoRULE baseline  170  is obtained prior to the deployment of the MUA 9. It should be understood that any subsequent onsite AutoRULE scans  171  become the baseline, historical data  162 , for the next scan, therefore, the first baseline may also be obtained during the first AutoRULE scan  171  at the deployment site  169 . Onsite AutoRULE scans  171  would assure that material  168  is still fit for service “as-is” including any transportation and/or handling damage  166  or any use-induced damage  167 . A remote expert  172  may review the AutoRULE data, may convert and run the AutoRULE data with finite element analysis engine and/or may alter the AutoRULE processing. 
       FIG. 19A  illustrates a typical AutoRULE operator readout  180  preferably for use to acquire laboratory and/or field data for the development and/or verification of FFS and RUL. It should be understood that the AutoRULE operator readout  180  is provided in addition to the speech and sound interface. It should be further understood that this particular AutoRULE implementation is for illustration purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting in any fashion. This particular AutoRULE operator readout  180  comprises of the three-dimensional finite element inspection (herein after referred to as “3D-FEI”) readout  181 , the AutoNDI readout  182  and the AutoFFS readout  183  and the AutoRULE readout  184 . This particular AutoRULE assigns a fitness number to the MUA 9 between 0 and 100. Fit for service material is assigned a number between 50 and 100 (green). Material that is fit for service under continuous monitoring is assigned a number between 25 and 49 (yellow). Unfit for service material is assigned a number between 0 and 24 (red). 
     This particular AutoRULE also assigns a RUL number to the MUA 9 between 0 and 100. 
     It should be understood that while acquiring data for the development and/or verification of an FFS and a RUL, the MUA 9 would preferably be under continuous monitoring by the 3D-FEI  181  and AutoNDI  182  and therefore minimizing the risk while extending the data collection range, as described in  FIGS. 15A-15F . Typically, the exemplary RDIS-10 or a similar device would provide the 3D-FEI traces while AutoNDI is fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,369. 
       FIG. 19B  illustrates a typical AutoRULE operator readout  190  configured for drill pipe (MUA 9). AutoRULE configuration menu is accessed through the “Profile” button or by speaking the word “Profile”. The 3D-FEI readout shows a drill tool joint  191 A, a complex feature. As discussed earlier, if the AutoRULE was allowed to interpret the tool joint  191 A signals instantaneously, AutoRULE would behave erroneously, in a chemical-analysis-like fashion, and will report that the tool joint  191 A is made up by wall thickness increase and a number of assorted imperfections. It should be understood that 1D-NDI assigns this task entirely to the inspector and relies exclusively on the inspectors abilities. Instead, AutoRULE feature recognition processing, identified the tool joint  191 A (and  191 B), altered the processing path  192 A and calculated the FFS  193  and RULE  194  of the tool joint  191 A using a different assessment path than the drill pipe body wall path. This particular AutoRULE assessment declared both the drill pipe body wall and the tool joint fit for service (green—above mid-point) with RUL ranging from  96  to 100%. Bargraph  195  shows the joint RUL and  196  shows the drill string RUL. Similar bargraph shows the joint FFS the drill string FFS. 
     Preferably, AutoRULE would be capable of utilizing multiple paths of MUA 9 assessment. In this particular AutoRULE implementation, the operator may evaluate MUA 9 under three different FFS paths  197  and under three different RUL paths  198 . It should be understood that reprocessing paths  197  and  198  may not necessarily reflect the current MUA 9 deployment but the next or a future MUA 9 deployment. For example, the drill pipe illustrated in  FIG. 19B  may be evaluated using the next well (different strata) FFS and RUL and/or it may be segregated for further deployment in different wells to maximize the RUL of each joint in the string. It should be further understood that reprocessing of data through paths  197  and  198  is rapid, as the data preferably would be stored in a local storage device and/or in a storage device affixed onto the MUA 9. Storing data in a memory affixed onto the MUA 9 provides significant advantages versus searching a database for such data. 
     All of the AutoRULE data are available for examination by the operator and the remote expert  172 . Similarly, the internal memory of an AutoRULE pipeline pig can be examined rapidly in minutes instead of weeks or months. The pipeline can be put back to service with confidence or the remediation effort can start immediately with the areas that were determined to be unfit for service. In addition, FEA can also be utilized to augment and/or verify the AutoRULE data as an additional safety measure. 
     Exporting AutoRULE Data to an FEA Engine 
     With the advent of desktop computers and design/drafting software, FEA is in wide use today. It is typically utilized during the design phase to analyze as-designed structures. It should be understood that FEA engines operate on physical structures (something) under static or dynamic loading, not features alone, as features alone do not exist in nature. For example, a corrosion pit does not exist on its own. A corrosion pit exists as a feature on a physical structure, such a pipeline. Typically, the geometry of a feature is expressed as percentage of the physical structure geometry. For example, a 10% pit depth is a meaningless expression without knowing the wall thickness of the material, the physical structure. Therefore, a 10% pit on a 0.095″ wall thickness coiled tubing has a depth of 0.0095″ and on a 1.000″ wall thickness riser auxiliary line has a depth of 0.100″. AutoRULE (and NDI), typically relay to the operator information regarding the severity (presence) of a feature (imperfection, defect) in a format such as shown in  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 19B . 
     However, FEA Engines cannot operate on the data, such as shown in  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 19B . FEA Engines can only operate on a structure, such as shown in  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 3C , and evaluate the localized stresses of the structure under specific loading, as shown in  FIG. 3D . It should be noted that 1D-NDI data are insufficient for FEA as 1D-NDI processing eliminates most of the material features information, as discussed earlier. 
     On occasion, it is desirable to analyze the as-is material with FEA to obtain, for example, deflection, strains, stresses, natural frequencies and similar data. Converting manually the AutoRULE signals to a structure requires a number of multidiscipline experts and it is time consuming. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a program that can convert automatically the AutoRULE material features to a geometrical structure for use by a commercially available FEA engine. It should be understood that such conversion would depend on the particular AutoRULE capabilities and the particular FEA engine geometry file specifications. A more general AutoRULE conversion would translate the AutoRULE data to a drawing for use by a commercially available drafting program, such as AutoCAD. Other commercially available programs would then export the drawing data to an FEA engine. 
     Having a physical description of the MUA 9 (structure) alone is insufficient information for FEA, as the loads involved are also required. Typically, the MUA 9 is analyzed under a regiment of anticipated loads that reflect the opinion of experts. A unique feature of AutoRULE is the data acquisition system  35  and sensors  36  and  37 . As discussed earlier, computer  20  may also monitor, through the data acquisition system  35 , parameters that are related to the assessment or utilization of the MUA 9 and/or parameters to facilitate RULE and/or remaining useful life estimation. Such parameters may include, but not be limited to, the MUA 9 pump pressure, external pressure, such as the wellhead pressure, temperature, flow rate, tension, weight, load distribution, fluid volume and pump rate and the like. Preferably, these parameters are measured or acquired through sensors and/or transducers mounted throughout the MUA 9 deployment area  169 , such as a rig or on the MUA 9, such as a vibration monitor. For ease of understanding, these various sensors and transducers are designated with the numeral  37 . Therefore, and in addition to the physical description of the MUA 9, AutoRULE would also acquire and export information regarding the actual deployment condition parameters  173  and the actual loads  174 , including actual and the unanticipated loads the MUA 9 endures resulting in a as-is and as-used FEA. 
     It should be understood that not all AutoRULE features can be converted to a geometrical structure for use by an FEA engine, such as fatigue. Instead, such features affect the remaining useful life of the material. It should be further understood that setting the FEA boundaries and accepting, interpreting and understanding the overall FEA process data and results is beyond the anticipate capabilities of the onsite AutoRULE operator, and therefore, this task is assigned to a remote expert  172  or group of experts. 
     It may be seen from the preceding description that a novel Autonomous Remaining Useful Life Estimation system and control has been provided that is simple and straightforward to implement. Although specific examples may have been described and disclosed, the invention of the instant application is considered to comprise and is intended to comprise any equivalent structure and may be constructed in many different ways to function and operate in the general manner as explained hereinbefore. Accordingly, it is noted that the embodiments described herein in detail for exemplary purposes are of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.