Patents by Inventor Gary A. Sitton

Gary A. Sitton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9188688
    Abstract: A seismic information processing method and apparatus includes attenuating flexural wave noise information from seismic information. Flexural wave information removal includes receiving the seismic information using an information processing device interface, the seismic information having a plurality of directional components acquired using a multi-axis motion sensor coupled to ice floating on a body of water, the seismic information including desired seismic information and the flexural wave information. A noise model of the flexural wave information may be generated using at least one of the plurality of seismic information directional components using an information processing device. The noise model is improved using an adaptive correction filter, and the improved noise model is applied to at least one directional component of the received seismic information to attenuate the flexural wave information wave in the seismic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Theodore C. Stieglitz
  • Patent number: 8462589
    Abstract: A seismic system has a plurality of seismic sources. Each of the seismic sources includes a reaction mass movable with respect to a geological structure and includes an actuator moving the reaction mass. The movement of the reaction mass emits a source signal as seismic energy into the geological structure. In the system, each of the source signals is generated from a base vibratory signal segmented into a plurality of segments, where the base vibratory signal sweeps from an initial frequency to a final frequency. Each of the segments has a partition of sweep frequencies different from the other segments. Each of the source signals has a distinguishing arrangement of the segments different from the other source signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Inova Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Patent number: 8462585
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Inova Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Patent number: 8462588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Inova Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Patent number: 8462587
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Inova Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Publication number: 20110085414
    Abstract: A seismic information processing method and apparatus includes attenuating flexural wave noise information from seismic information. Flexural wave information removal includes receiving the seismic information using an information processing device interface, the seismic information having a plurality of directional components acquired using a multi-axis motion sensor coupled to ice floating on a body of water, the seismic information including desired seismic information and the flexural wave information. A noise model of the flexural wave information may be generated using at least one of the plurality of seismic information directional components using an information processing device. The noise model is improved using an adaptive correction filter, and the improved noise model is applied to at least one directional component of the received seismic information to attenuate the flexural wave information wave in the seismic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Theodore C. Stieglitz
  • Patent number: 7864628
    Abstract: A seismic information processing method and apparatus includes attenuating flexural wave noise information from seismic information. Flexural wave information removal includes receiving the seismic information using an information processing device interface, the seismic information having a plurality of directional components acquired using a multi-axis motion sensor coupled to ice floating on a body of water, the seismic information including desired seismic information and the flexural wave information. A noise model of the flexural wave information may be generated using at least one of the plurality of seismic information directional components using an information processing device. The noise model is improved using an adaptive correction filter, and the improved noise model is applied to at least one directional component of the received seismic information to attenuate the flexural wave information wave in the seismic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Theodore C. Stieglitz
  • Publication number: 20100157734
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Publication number: 20100149915
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Publication number: 20100149916
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Publication number: 20100149922
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Publication number: 20100008186
    Abstract: A seismic information processing method and apparatus includes attenuating flexural wave noise information from seismic information. Flexural wave information removal includes receiving the seismic information using an information processing device interface, the seismic information having a plurality of directional components acquired using a multi-axis motion sensor coupled to ice floating on a body of water, the seismic information including desired seismic information and the flexural wave information. A noise model of the flexural wave information may be generated using at least one of the plurality of seismic information directional components using an information processing device. The noise model is improved using an adaptive correction filter, and the improved noise model is applied to at least one directional component of the received seismic information to attenuate the flexural wave information wave in the seismic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: ION Geophysical Corp.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Theodore C. Stieglitz
  • Patent number: 7639567
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: ION Geophysical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Publication number: 20090073807
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a seismic source signal are provided for generating energy in the form of a plurality of time sequence vibratory signals, the vibratory signals being partitioned as a function of time and/or frequency, wherein each of the plurality of signals comprises a distinguishing signature. The partitioned vibratory signals are emitted into a terrain of interest as seismic source signals for conducting a seismic survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Input/Output, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Robert Bloor, J. MacDonald Smith
  • Patent number: 6477467
    Abstract: In a method for inverting a seismic signal, an input seismic signal is represented as an input vector i(t) of length m+n−1, an output seismic signal is represented as an output vector o(t) of length m, and a finite impulse response filter is represented as a solution vector u(t) of length n, satisfying a convolutional equation i(t){circle around (x)}u(t)=o(t). An m×, n Toeplitz matrix T(t,&tgr;) corresponding to i(t) is calculated, satisfying a matrix equation T(t,&tgr;)·u(t)=o(t). Both sides of the matrix equation are transformed to a transform domain, to generate a transformed equation. Both sides of the transformed equation are pruned, to generate a pruned equation. The pruned equation is then solved. In one embodiment of the invention, the transformed domain is the frequency domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: WesternGeco, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Zelijko Jericevic
  • Patent number: 6038197
    Abstract: A method for inverting a seismic signal, wherein an input seismic signal is represented as an input vector i(t) of length m+n-1, an output seismic signal is represented as an output vector o(t) of length m, and a finite impulse response filter is represented as a solution vector u(t) of length n, satisfying a convolutional equation i(t)Xu(t)=o(t). An m.times.n Toeplitz matrix T(t,.tau.) corresponding to i(t) is calculated, satisfying a matrix equation T(t,.tau.).multidot.u(t)=o(t). Both sides of the matrix equation are transformed to the frequency domain, to generate a transformed equation. Both sides of the transformed equation are spectrally pruned, to generate a pruned equation. The pruned equation is then solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sitton, Zeljko Jericevic
  • Patent number: 5757852
    Abstract: A method of compressing digital signals for transmission and/or storage. The method includes lossy compressing the digital signal to generate a lossy compressed signal. The compressed signal is decompressed locally to generate a local lossy decompressed signal. An error signal is calculated as the difference between the original digital signal and the local lossy decompressed signal. The power in the original digital signal and in the error signal is determined. A minimum resolution for quantizing the error signal is determined from a ratio of the power of the original signal with respect to power of the error signal. The error signals is lossy compressed by quantizing to at least the minimum resolution. Both the compressed digital signal and the compressed error signal are transmitted and/or stored. The lossy compressed error signal and the lossy compressed signal are recovered from storage or transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeljko Jericevic, Gary A. Sitton
  • Patent number: 5572483
    Abstract: A method of reducing effects of noise in seismic signals generated by a plurality of seismic sensors at spaced apart locations from a seismic source is disclosed. Each of the signals is represented by a signal trace in a record section. The method includes the steps of isolating noise in the signal traces, time aligning corresponding portions of the noise in the traces thereby generating time-aligned noise traces, stacking the time-aligned noise trace to generate a stacked noise trace, replicating the stacked noise trace at each corresponding trace position in the record section, restoring the replicated traces to the original trace time positions by reversing the step of time-aligning to generate noise signature traces, comparing the noise signature traces to corresponding signal traces to generate filters which substantially minimize a measure of the difference between the noise signature traces and the signal traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Chambers, Gary A. Sitton, Josef Paffenholz
  • Patent number: 5408441
    Abstract: A method for obtaining seismic data in frigid regions without interference from flexural ice waves. In an exemplary embodiment, seismic data is produced by using an energy source to generate a seismic wave in a floating ice sheet. Seismic disturbances caused by the energy source are detected by one or more hydrophones and geophones, which produce hydrophone and geophone response signals, respectively. In a first embodiment, the hydrophone response signal is integrated. The integrated signal and/or the geophone response signal are scaled, and the two signals are then added. Alternatively, instead of integrating the hydrophone response signal, the geophone response signal may be differentiated prior to scaling and summing. A method is also disclosed for overcoming phase errors that might be introduced, for example, by the use of a transformer-coupled hydrophone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Frederick J. Barr, Gary A. Sitton, David L. Nyland