TECHNIQUES FOR SURFACE EXPLORATION AND MONITORING

• US 20110029244A1
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Geosciences Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Geosciences Incorporated
• Inventors: Berglund, Bo, Langmanson, Markus, Lagmanson, Mats, Langmanson, Liz
• Granted Patent: US 8,380,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/6
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/003 Seismic data acquisition in general, e.g. survey design G01V1/3808, G01V1/42 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/02 operating with propagation of electric current

Abstract

Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that can perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes and determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise. The survey controller can be remotely accessible through a, computer network for remote control of the survey probes.

Claims

1. A system for acquiring geophysical data, the system comprising:

a plurality of the survey probes, each having a unique identifier and each including data acquisition circuits and storage for measurements acquired thereby, the storage buffering the acquired measurements for subsequent, post-measurement transfer via a communication interface,

wherein each of the survey probes is configured to isolate itself from an external power supply connection, and to instead operate from an internal power source, for a period during which the respective survey probe acquires the geophysical data, and

wherein each of the survey probes includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder including memory for receiving positional information from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver proximate thereto, the survey probes configured to associate, via the communication interface, the received positional information with the respective unique identifier.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a survey controller communicatively coupled to command individual ones of the survey probes and to receive the respective unique identifiers, associated positional information and acquired measurements therefrom.