Multi-vessel timing synchronization method and device
First Claim
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1. A process for synchronizing a first event on a first marine seismic vessel system and a second event on a second marine seismic vessel system, comprising:
- assigning a first instant in time for the occurrence of the first event;
assigning a second instant in time for the occurrence of the second event;
sending a time-event signal from the first marine vessel system to the second marine vessel system, wherein the time-event signal includes data identifying the event and the first instant;
providing an acknowledge signal from the second marine vessel system upon receipt of the time-event signal;
repeating said sending until receipt of the acknowledge signal at the first marine vessel;
determining on the first marine vessel system the first instant from a time reference to cause the first event to occur on the first marine vessel system at the first instant; and
determining on the second marine vessel system the second instant from the time reference to cause the second event to occur on the second marine vessel system at the second instant, wherein the time reference used for said determining the first instant is the same time reference used for said determining the second instant.
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to a method and system for synchronizing the timing of events between and among vessels using a common timing reference.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A process for synchronizing a first event on a first marine seismic vessel system and a second event on a second marine seismic vessel system, comprising:
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assigning a first instant in time for the occurrence of the first event; assigning a second instant in time for the occurrence of the second event; sending a time-event signal from the first marine vessel system to the second marine vessel system, wherein the time-event signal includes data identifying the event and the first instant; providing an acknowledge signal from the second marine vessel system upon receipt of the time-event signal; repeating said sending until receipt of the acknowledge signal at the first marine vessel; determining on the first marine vessel system the first instant from a time reference to cause the first event to occur on the first marine vessel system at the first instant; and determining on the second marine vessel system the second instant from the time reference to cause the second event to occur on the second marine vessel system at the second instant, wherein the time reference used for said determining the first instant is the same time reference used for said determining the second instant.
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2. A process for synchronizing a first event on a first marine seismic vessel and a second event on a second marine seismic vessel, wherein the events are to occur at a defined interval in time, comprising:
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receiving on the first vessel an event input signal; receiving on the first vessel a reference clock signal from a reference clock source; reading the time from the reference clock signal upon said receiving an input event signal; determining an absolute time at which the first event should occur based on the event input signal and the reference clock signal; sending, on the first vessel and before the absolute time, a time-tagged first event signal, wherein the time-tagged first event signal includes information identifying the first event and the absolute time; receiving, on the second vessel and before the absolute time, the time-tagged first event signal; and generating a command to cause the first event to occur at the absolute time designated by the time-tagged first event signal. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for synchronizing a first event on a first marine seismic vessel system and a second event on a second marine seismic vessel system, comprising:
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means for assigning a first instant in time for the occurrence of the first event; means for assigning a second instant in time for the occurrence of the second event; means for sending a time-event signal to the second marine vessel system, wherein the time-event signal includes data identifying the event and the first instant; means for providing an acknowledge signal from the second marine vessel system upon receipt of the time-event signal; means for repeating said sending until receipt of the acknowledge signal at the first marine vessel, means for determining the first instant from a time reference to cause the first event to occur at the first instant; and means for determining the second instant from the time reference to cause the second event to occur at the second instant, wherein the time reference used for said determining the first instant is the same time reference used for determining the second instant.
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13. A system for synchronizing a first event on a first marine seismic vessel and a second event on a second marine seismic vessel, wherein the events are to occur at a defined interval in time, comprising:
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means for receiving on the first vessel an event input signal; means for receiving on the first vessel a reference clock signal from a reference clock source; means for reading the time from the reference clock signal upon said receiving of an input event signal; means for determining an absolute time at which the first event should occur based on the event input signal and the reference clock signal; means for sending, on the first vessel and before the absolute time, a time-tagged first event signal, wherein the time-tagged first event signal includes information identifying the first event and the absolute time; means for receiving, on the second vessel and before the absolute time, the time-tagged first event signal; and means for generating a command to cause the first event to occur at the absolute time designated by the time-tagged first event signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification