Configuration Tool and Methods for Seismic Data Acquisition

• US 20080082701A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: INOVA Limited
• Original Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
• Inventors: Pavel, Dennis, Bull, Andrew, Green, Chris, Hoenmans, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/003 Seismic data acquisition in general, e.g. survey design G01V1/3808, G01V1/42 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for in-field configuration of a seismic device such as a seismic sensor may include a memory module having data for configuring the seismic device, a location sensor determining a location parameter for the seismic sensor, an alignment member aligning the location sensor with the seismic sensor, and a communication device transmitting the determined location parameter to a selected external device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for configuring a seismic device positioned in a geographical area of interest, comprising:

data associated with the seismic device;

a memory module configured to store the data;

a processor configured to retrieve the data from the memory module; and

a communication device operatively coupled to the processor, the communication device transmitting the retrieved data to the seismic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes one of:

(i) a configuration file, (ii) an acquisition parameter, (iii) an operational parameter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes processor-executable instructions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seismic device is a sensor station, and wherein the communication device is configured to transmit the retrieved data to the sensor station.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one location sensor determining at least one location parameter for the seismic device, the processor being in communication with the at least one location sensor;

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least one location sensor is one of:

(i) an orientation sensor;

(ii) a compass, (iii) a GPS device.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an alignment member receiving the at least one location sensor, the alignment member aligning the at least one location sensor with the seismic device.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least one location parameter is one of:

(i) x-coordinate, (ii) y-coordinate, (iii) elevation, (iv) z-coordinate, (v) inclination (vi) tilt and (vii) azimuth.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hand-held device configured to receive one of:

(i) the memory module, and (ii) the processor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication device uses one of:

(i) a wireless transmission media, and (ii) one or more wires.

20. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmitting is performed using one of:

(i) a wireless media, and (ii) one or more wires.

11. A method for configuring a seismic device, comprising:

positioning the seismic device in a geographical area of interest; and

configuring the seismic device using data associated with the seismic device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the data includes one of:

(i) a configuration file, (ii) an acquisition parameter, and (iii) an operational parameter.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the data includes processor-executable instructions.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the seismic device is a sensor station.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining at least one location parameter for the seismic device; and

transmitting the determined at least one location parameter to the seismic device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one location sensor is one of:

(i) an orientation sensor;

(ii) a compass, (iii) a GPS device.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising aligning the at least one location sensor with the seismic device.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising transporting a processor to the geographical area of interest, the processor being programmed to configure the seismic device;

and positioning the processor proximate to the seismic device.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising transporting a memory module to the geographical area of interest, the memory module including the data associated with the seismic device.