Abstract: A wide format thermal printhead is provided which comprises a baseplate; a first substrate with a border portion removed from a first edge thereof to form a second edge, the first substrate being mounted on the baseplate; and a second substrate with a border portion removed from a first edge thereof to form a second edge, the second substrate being mounted on the baseplate with the second edge of the second substrate abutting the second edge of the first substrate to form a print surface having an extended active print width. Also provided is a thermal recording device with wide format capabilities which comprises the wide format thermal printhead as described.

Abstract: An improved cableless seismic digital recording system is disclosed which records seismic-trace data generated by any type of seismic source, including high energy impulsive seismic sources, such as dynamite, and low energy surface seismic sources, such as vibrators and hammers. A seismometer, or geophone, is connected to a remotely deployed radio-controlled portable recorder which contains circuitry for sampling, digitizing, processing, storing, and recording seismic-trace data. Coded radio signals instruct each recorder to commence an operation or sequence of operations from a predetermined set of programmed instructions stored in program read only memory included in each recorder. Such operations include seismic-trace data acquisition; optional weighting and vertical stacking (summing); normalization; recording; and seismic source initiation.

Abstract: In a seismic exploration system, an adaptive seismometer group recorder having enhanced operating capabilities for acquiring, processing, and storing seismic signals is provided. The adaptive seismometer group recorder includes a solid state memory, a microprocessor and input means for electronically downloading operating programs into the solid state memory whereby menus of recorder operating parameter are provided by the operating programs to the microprocessor to electronically reconfigure the SGR for various geological settings. The microprocessor is responsive to coded signals for selecting sets of recorder operating parameters from the menu of recorder operating parameters provided by the operating programs. The electronically downloaded menus of recorder operating parameters digitally reconfigure the operating characteristics of the seismometer group recorder without necessitating the implementation of hard wired circuitry changes.

Abstract: In portable seismic data acquisition units, an adaptive seismic signal processor and method for resampling and bandpassing selected frequencies of an input digital signal. The adaptive seismic signal processor and method provide an output digital signal having a frequency domain and resampling rate which can be selected from one of a plurality of predetermined frequency domains and sampling rates during the course of acquisition of the input digital signal without substantial loss or deterioration thereof.

Abstract: A transcriber system for receiving previously recorded data in a first medium and outputting the data in a second medium, and which includes at least one input device for receiving the data in the first medium, an output device for outputting the data in the second medium, a control and processing device which controls the input and output devices for a selected mode of transcription and in one embodiment, for selected processing of the data in the field. In one embodiment, the transcriber system receives seismic data from tape cartridges and/or solid state memory devices and outputs the seismic data onto a magnetic tape for later processing and analysis or transmission to a remote facility via a satellite link. The transcription system can include a printer/plotter for analysis of different seismic data recording and processing arrangements in the field.

Abstract: Test features are incorporated in an improved cableless seismic digital recording system recorder. The improved recorder facilitates application of earlier cableless seismic digital recording systems to situations in which seismic-trace data is generated by low energy surface seismic sources, such as vibrators and hammers. A seismometer, or geophone, is connected to a remotely deployed radio-controlled portable recorder which contains circuitry for sampling, digitizing, processing, storing, and recording seismic-trace data. Coded radio signals instruct the recorder to commence an operation or sequence of operations from a predetermined set of programmed instructions stored in program read only memory included in the recorder. Such operations include data acquisition; optional weighting and vertical stacking (summing); normalization; recording; and seismic source initiation. Test features include control panel display of operational status and verification of gain-ranging amplifier operation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to improved methods and apparatus for vertically stacking seismic-trace data collected by a digital field recorder during seismic prospecting utilizing plural initiations of a low energy surface seismic source. Seismic-trace data generated by consecutive seismic source initiations and acquired at a common detector location is weighted and summed together, and the sum is normalized prior to being recorded. Accordingly, the signal-to-noise ratio of the seismic-trace data is improved. The methods and apparatus by which the weighting values are calculated and applied provides computational simplifications which reduce the program storage requirements and increase the computation speed of the microcomputer circuit preferably used to perform the calculations and leads to savings in hardware power, size, and complexity.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system for use in shallow water covered areas comprises a flotation device which serves also to house the electronic components; anchoring device with mechanical filter device to protect the anchor, so as to insure its maintaining its position; seismic sensor device for detecting seismic waves in the water and converting them to electrical signals; radio receiver device for receiving operational control instructions; and device for amplifying, digitizing and storing the electrical signals provided by the sensor, preferably on a removable tape recording device.