Abstract: A system and methods for acquiring seismic data is provided. In one aspect, the system and methods utilize a plurality of field service units placed over a region of interest, a repeater unit that wirelessly communicates with the field service units and a remote unit for controlling and processing the seismic data acquired by the field service units. In one aspect, the system and methods determine a condition associated with each of a plurality of attributes relating to acquisition of the seismic data at each field service unit, generate messages at each field service unit when the condition of a particular attribute meets a selected criterion, transmit the generated messages, receive the messages transmitted by at least a group of field service units at a repeater unit placed in the region of interest, analyze the messages received from the group of field service units at the repeater unit and then transmit information relating to the received messages to the remote unit for further processing.

Abstract: An exemplary system for managing the deployment of a seismic data acquisition system uses a module configured to execute a plurality of task in the field by receiving one or more seismic devices. The module may include a power source that provides electrical power to the seismic devices. The module may also include a processor programmed to retrieve data stored in the seismic devices, perform diagnostics, facilitate inventory and logistics control, configure seismic devices and update data or pre-programmed instructions in the seismic device.

Abstract: A system and methods for acquiring seismic data is provided. In one aspect, the system and methods utilize a plurality of field service units placed over a region of interest, a repeater unit that wirelessly communicates with the field service units and a remote unit for controlling and processing the seismic data acquired by the field service units. In one aspect, the system and methods determine a condition associated with each of a plurality of attributes relating to acquisition of the seismic data at each field service unit, generate messages at each field service unit when the condition of a particular attribute meets a selected criterion, transmit the generated messages, receive the messages transmitted by at least a group of field service units at a repeater unit placed in the region of interest, analyze the messages received from the group of field service units at the repeater unit and then transmit information relating to the received messages to the remote unit for further processing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for acquiring seismic data is disclosed that in one aspect receives a seismic signal detected by at least one sensor in response to a seismic energy signal generated by a source at a selected location at a data acquisition unit in data that is in data communication with the sensor, receives at least one parameter of the source and/or receiver at the data acquisition unit; and generates a data block at the data acquisition unit having data representative of the received seismic signal and a header that contains data representative of the at least one parameter of the source and/or receiver. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for acquiring seismic data is disclosed that in one aspect receives a seismic signal detected by at least one sensor in response to a seismic energy signal generated by a source at a selected location at a data acquisition unit in data that is in data communication with the sensor, receives at least one parameter of the source and/or receiver at the data acquisition unit; and generates a data block at the data acquisition unit having data representative of the received seismic signal and a header that contains data representative of the at least one parameter of the source and/or receiver. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data between a remote unit and a plurality of field service units placed over a region of interest, each field service unit acquiring seismic data from at least one seismic receiver in a plurality of seismic receivers placed in the region of interest is provided that, in one aspect, may include: specifying a data transmission time period having a fixed continuous time length for transmission of data between the remote unit and each field service unit; dividing the data transmission time period into a plurality of time slots, each time slot having a fixed time length; and transmitting data from the remote unit to each field service unit during at least one of the time slots and from each field service unit to the remote unit during at least one another time slot. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: An exemplary system for managing the deployment of a seismic data acquisition system uses a module configured to execute a plurality of task in the field by receiving one or more seismic devices. The module may include a power source that provides electrical power to the seismic devices. The module may also include a processor programmed to retrieve data stored in the seismic devices, perform diagnostics, facilitate inventory and logistics control, configure seismic devices and update data or pre-programmed instructions in the seismic device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for seismic data acquisition is provided, which, in one aspect, define a plurality of attributes relating to acquisition of seismic data by the apparatus, determine a value of each attribute when the apparatus is deployed for acquiring seismic data, generate a message for each attribute whose determined value meets a selected criterion, and transmit wirelessly each generated message to a remote unit without solicitation of such a message by the remote unit. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An exemplary system for managing the deployment of a seismic data acquisition system uses a module configured to execute a plurality of task in the field by receiving one or more seismic devices. The module may include a power source that provides electrical power to the seismic devices. The module may also include a processor programmed to retrieve data stored in the seismic devices, perform diagnostics, facilitate inventory and logistics control, configure seismic devices and update data or pre-programmed instructions in the seismic device.

Abstract: An exemplary system for managing the deployment of a seismic data acquisition system uses a module configured to execute a plurality of task in the field by receiving one or more seismic devices. The module may include a power source that provides electrical power to the seismic devices. The module may also include a processor programmed to retrieve data stored in the seismic devices, perform diagnostics, facilitate inventory and logistics control, configure seismic devices and update data or pre-programmed instructions in the seismic device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A method of transmitting data between a remote unit and a plurality of field service units placed over a region of interest, each field service unit acquiring seismic data from at least one seismic receiver in a plurality of seismic receivers placed in the region of interest is provided that, in one aspect, may include: specifying a data transmission time period having a fixed continuous time length for transmission of data between the remote unit and each field service unit; dividing the data transmission time period into a plurality of time slots, each time slot having a fixed time length; and transmitting data from the remote unit to each field service unit during at least one of the time slots and from each field service unit to the remote unit during at least one another time slot. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A system and methods for acquiring seismic data is provided. In one aspect, the system and methods utilize a plurality of field service units placed over a region of interest, a repeater unit that wirelessly communicates with the field service units and a remote unit for controlling and processing the seismic data acquired by the field service units. In one aspect, the system and methods determine a condition associated with each of a plurality of attributes relating to acquisition of the seismic data at each field service unit, generate messages at each field service unit when the condition of a particular attribute meets a selected criterion, transmit the generated messages, receive the messages transmitted by at least a group of field service units at a repeater unit placed in the region of interest, analyze the messages received from the group of field service units at the repeater unit and then transmit information relating to the received messages to the remote unit for further processing.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring seismic data is provided that utilizes a plurality of field station (data acquisition) units placed over a region of interest and a remote central unit. The system and method, in one aspect, determine a condition associated with each of a plurality of preselected attributes relating to the acquisition of the seismic data at each of the field station units, generate messages at each field station when the condition of any particular attribute meets a selected criterion, and transmit the generated messages to a remote unit wirelessly. The system and methods provide efficient use of the available bandwidth and avoid collisions among messages transmitted simultaneously by several field station units. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for seismic data acquisition is provided, which, in one aspect, define a plurality of attributes relating to acquisition of seismic data by the apparatus, determine a value of each attribute when the apparatus is deployed for acquiring seismic data, generate a message for each attribute whose determined value meets a selected criterion, and transmit wirelessly each generated message to a remote unit without solicitation of such a message by the remote unit. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for acquiring seismic data is disclosed that in one aspect receives a seismic signal detected by at least one sensor in response to a seismic energy signal generated by a source at a selected location at a data acquisition unit in data that is in data communication with the sensor, receives at least one parameter of the source and/or receiver at the data acquisition unit; and generates a data block at the data acquisition unit having data representative of the received seismic signal and a header that contains data representative of the at least one parameter of the source and/or receiver. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A seismic spread has a plurality of seismic stations positioned over a terrain of interest and a controller programmed to automate the data acquisition activity. In one embodiment, the controller forms a queue of sources that are ready to fire and initiating the firing of the sources according to a preset protocol. The sensor stations each include power management circuitry that may shift or adjust the power level of the sensor station during the data acquisition activity. During operation, the controller broadcasts data that the power management circuitry of each sensor station uses to determine the appropriate energy state for that sensor station. This determination may be made using the broadcast data alone or in conjunction with other data such as a GPS-determined position of the sensor station. Thus, in one aspect, each sensor station self-selects an energy state according to the broadcast status of the data acquisition activity.