Apparatus and Method for Integrating Survey Parameters Into a Header

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.

1 . A method of acquiring seismic data, comprising: 
 receiving 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 communication with the sensor;    receiving at least one parameter of the source at the data acquisition unit;    generating 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    storing the generated data block on a suitable medium.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter of the source is selected from a group consisting of: (i) an x-coordinate of the selected source location; (ii) a y-coordinate of the selected source location; (iii) an elevation of the selected: (iv) a source identification; (v) a depth of the source relative to a datum; (vi) a size of a source charge; (vii) an uphole time corresponding the selected location; (viii) a frequency of a vibrator source; (ix) an amplitude of a vibrator source; (x) a sweep length of a vibrator source; (xi) number of sweeps made by a vibrator source; (xii) a sweep taper for a vibrator source; (xiii) shape of a sweep of a vibrator source; and (xiv) source type.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving at least one parameter of the source comprises receiving the at least one parameter from a remote unit that is one of: (i) a central system computer in data communication with the data acquisition unit; and (ii) a portable unit in data communication with the data acquisition unit.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising receiving the at least one parameter of the source at the data acquisition unit via a cable or wirelessly.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising transferring the data block from the data acquisition unit to one of: (i) a remote unit wirelessly that receives data blocks from a plurality of data acquisition units; and (ii) a portable device that downloads the data block from the data acquisition unit.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving at least one receiver parameter of the at least one receiver at the data acquisition unit and integrating the at least one receiver parameter in the header.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising integrating sufficient parameters relating to the receiver and the source to generate the data block that is substantially process ready for providing a seismic map of an earth subsurface.  
     
     
         8 . A system for acquiring seismic data, comprising: 
 at least one receiver placed at selected location on a survey area for receiving seismic signals in response to energy induced into the earth by a source;    a data acquisition unit coupled to the at least one receiver for processing signals received from the at least one receiver;    a remote unit that transmits a plurality of source parameters to the data acquisition unit; and    wherein the data acquisition unit generates data blocks, wherein each data block includes data representative of the received seismic signals and a header that contains data representative of the at least one parameter of the source.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the data acquisition unit transfers the data blocks to one of: (i) a remote unit wirelessly; and (ii) a portable unit that downloads the data blocks from the data acquisition unit.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one parameter of the source is an actual value measured at the selected location of the source.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one parameter of the source is selected from a group consisting of: (i) an x-coordinate of the selected source location; (ii) a y-coordinate of the selected source location; (iii) an elevation of the selected: (iv) a source identification; (v) a depth of the source relative to a datum; (vi) a size of a source charge; (vii) an uphole time corresponding the selected location; (viii) a frequency of a vibrator source; (ix) an amplitude of a vibrator source; (x) a sweep length of a vibrator source; (xi) number of sweeps made by a vibrator source; (xii) a sweep taper for a vibrator source; (xiii) shape of a sweep of a vibrator source; and (xiv) source type.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a computer system that is in data communication with the data acquisition unit and that controls an operation of the data acquisition unit.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the computer system communicates with the data acquisition unit wirelessly.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for acquiring seismic data, comprising: 
 a circuit adapted to be coupled to a seismic sensor for receiving a seismic signal detected by a sensor in response to a seismic energy signal generated by a seismic energy source;    a circuit for receiving at least one parameter of the source from a remote device;    a processor that generates a data block that includes data representative of the received seismic signal and a header that contains data representative of the at least one parameter of the source; and    a data storage device that stores the generated data block.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a circuit that receives at least one parameter of the receiver wirelessly and wherein the processor integrates the at least one parameter of the receiver into the header of the data block.    
     
     
         16 . A computer-readable medium that is accessible to a processor for executing instructions contained in a computer program embedded on the computer-readable medium, wherein the computer program comprises: 
 a set of instructions to receive seismic signals from a sensor during acquisition of seismic signals generated in response to activation of a seismic source;    a set of instructions to receive at least one seismic source or receiver parameter from are device wirelessly;    a set of instructions to generate at least one data that includes data representative of the received seismic signals and a header that contains data representative of the at least one parameter of the source or the receiver; and    a set of instructions to store the at least one data block on a data storage medium.    
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the computer program further comprises a set of instructions to transfer the at least one data block to a device wirelessly.  
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the computer program further comprises a set of instructions to receive at least one receiver parameter wirelessly and to integrate the at least one receiver parameter in the header of the data block.  
     
     
         19 . A method of acquiring seismic data, comprising: 
 receiving 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 communication with the sensor;    receiving at least one parameter of location of the receiver at the data acquisition unit;    generating 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 receiver; and    storing the generated data block on a suitable medium.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one parameter of the receiver is selected from a group consisting of: (i) an x-coordinate of the receiver location; (ii) a y-coordinate of the receiver location; and (iii) an elevation of the selected location: (iv) a depth of the receiver relative to a datum.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein receiving at least one parameter of the receiver comprises receiving the at least one parameter from a remote unit that is one of: (i) a central system computer in data communication with the data acquisition unit; and (ii) a portable unit in data communication with the data acquisition unit.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising receiving the at least one parameter of the receiver at the data acquisition unit wirelessly.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising transferring the data block from the data acquisition unit to one of: (i) a remote unit wirelessly that receives data blocks from a plurality of data acquisition units; and (ii) a portable device that downloads the data block from the data acquisition unit.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising processing the data block to obtain a seismic map of an earth subsurface.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising integrating sufficient parameters relating to the receiver and the source to generate the data block that is substantially process ready for providing a seismic map of an earth subsurface.