Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring
First Claim
1. A system for acquiring geophysical data, the system comprising:
- a plurality of sensor-type survey probes, each having a unique identifier and each including data acquisition circuits and storage for at least electrical potential-type geophysical measurements acquired thereby, the storage suitable for buffering the acquired geophysical measurements for subsequent, post-measurement transfer via a communication interface,wherein each of the sensor-type survey probes is configured to temporarily 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 measurements, andwherein each of the sensor-type 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 sensor-type survey probes configured to associate, via the communication interface, the received positional information with the respective unique identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes and determine a relative order the probes. In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, survey probes can be configured to: (a) inject current into the surface or (b) provide a return path therefor. Relative positions of survey probes, including those configured to introduce current into a surface as stimulus for geophysical measurements can be automatically determined. Sensor-type 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.
48 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for acquiring geophysical data, the system comprising:
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a plurality of sensor-type survey probes, each having a unique identifier and each including data acquisition circuits and storage for at least electrical potential-type geophysical measurements acquired thereby, the storage suitable for buffering the acquired geophysical measurements for subsequent, post-measurement transfer via a communication interface, wherein each of the sensor-type survey probes is configured to temporarily 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 measurements, and wherein each of the sensor-type 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 sensor-type survey probes configured to associate, via the communication interface, the received positional information with the respective unique identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for acquiring geophysical data, the system comprising:
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a plurality of sensor-type survey probes, each having a unique identifier and each including data acquisition circuits and storage for geophysical measurements acquired thereby, the storage suitable for buffering the acquired geophysical measurements for subsequent, post-measurement transfer via a communication interface, wherein each of the sensor-type survey probes is configured to temporarily 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 measurements, and wherein each of the sensor-type 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 sensor-type survey probes configured to associate, via the communication interface, the received positional information with the respective unique identifier, wherein the sensor-type survey probes are each coupled to respective upstream cable segments and are each configured to disconnect communication via a respective downstream cable segment, if any, to respective downstream neighbor survey probes and to enter an idle state wherein, the respective sensor-type survey probe is configured to, in response to a poll received via the respective upstream cable segment, report its unique identifier and thereafter (i) change to a state other than the idle state and (ii) reconnect its respective downstream neighbor, if any. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for introducing electrical currents into a surface as stimulus for geophysical measurements, the system comprising:
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a plurality of survey probes for electrode contact with the surface at respective points thereof, wherein respective ones of the survey probes are configurable as current injection-type and current receiver-type survey probes for introduction of the electrical current stimulus into the surface; a controller; cable segments suitable for electrically connecting the controller to a first one of the survey probes and for electrically interconnecting each successive downstream neighbor survey probe to a next successive downstream neighbor survey probe; the controller configured to poll the survey probes to determine a relative interconnected order of the survey probes, wherein each survey probe is configured to (i) disconnect its respective downstream neighbor survey probe and enter an idle state, (ii) if in the idle state, report its identifier to the controller in response to a polling command; and
(iii) change to a state other than the idle state after reporting its identifier. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A survey probe having an identifier, the survey probe comprising:
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a terminal for electrode contact and introduction of electrical currents into a surface as stimulus for a geophysical measurement; terminals for connection to upstream and downstream cable segments suitable for electrically interconnecting the survey probe with neighboring upstream and downstream survey probes, the terminals including power conductors for supply and return of the electrical current from and to a remote current injection power supply; and a current path switchable at the survey probe, whereby operation of the survey probe is configurable based on signals received from a remote controller to operate in a mode selected from at least current injection mode and current receiver mode, wherein the survey probe is configured to (i) disconnect communication via a respective one of the terminals for connection to the downstream cable segment and enter an idle state, (ii) if in the idle state, report its identifier in response to a polling command received from the remote controller via a respective one of the terminals for connection to the upstream cable segment; and
thereafter (iii) change to a state other than the idle state. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification