Method and apparatus for controlling a downhole tool

Abstract

A downhole processing apparatus for controlling a downhole tool in a well can include a downhole processing device providing a first timing operation and a second timing operation; the first timing operation being associated with a first downhole sensor capable of at least receiving a signal sent via a first transmission mechanism; the second timing operation being associated with a second downhole sensor capable of at least receiving a signal sent via a second transmission mechanism; a data storage device capable of storing data received from the first and second downhole sensors; and the downhole processing device being adapted to be triggered by the first and second timing operations to check the data storage device, at least once during the respective first and second timing operations, for data received from the first and/or second downhole sensors and the downhole processing device being adapted to act upon that data to control the downhole tool if instructed to do so.

1 . A downhole processing apparatus for controlling a downhole tool in a well, the downhole processing apparatus comprising:
 a downhole processing device adapted to perform a first timing operation and a second timing operation;   the first timing operation being associated with a first downhole sensor capable of at least receiving a first signal sent via a first transmission mechanism;   the second timing operation being associated with a second downhole sensor capable of at least receiving a second signal sent via a second transmission mechanism;   a data storage device capable of storing data received from the first and second downhole sensors; and   the downhole processing device being adapted to be triggered by the first and second timing operations to check the data storage device, at least once during the respective first and second timing operation, for data received from at least one of the first and second downhole sensors, and the downhole processing device being adapted to act upon that data to control the downhole tool if instructed to do so.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the downhole processing device is contained within a downhole control device that is connected to a downhole tool. 
     
     
         3 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The downhole processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second signals are transmitted wirelessly. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a switch configured to switch the first downhole sensor on or off as instructed. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The downhole processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first downhole sensor comprises at least one of the group consisting of an electromagnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acoustic sensor, a radio wave sensor, a radio-frequency sensor or receiver, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a chemical sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first downhole sensor comprises a data reader mechanism including a data antenna adapted to read data from a data containing device that is moveable with respect to the data antenna. 
     
     
         11 . The downhole processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises an RFID reader adapted to at least one of the group consisting of read data from a passing RFID data containing device and transmit data to a passing RFID data containing device. 
     
     
         12 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of controlling a downhole tool in a well, the method comprising the steps of:
 checking a data storage device for any stored data received from a first downhole sensor, the stored data being received from the first downhole sensor at least once during or following a first timing operation; and   checking the data storage device for any stored data received from a second downhole sensor, the stored data being received from the second downhole sensor at least once during or following a second timing operation; and   controlling the downhole tool based upon instructions contained in the stored data received from the first or the second downhole sensor.   
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , including checking the data storage device for any stored data received from the first downhole sensor at least once following the first timing operation. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38 , including checking the data storage device for any stored data received from the second downhole sensor at least once following the second timing operation. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 37 , including storing the data received from the first downhole sensor during the first timing operation, wherein the first downhole sensor is capable of at least receiving a first signal sent via a first transmission mechanism. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , including storing the data received from the second downhole sensor during the second timing operation, the second downhole sensor being capable of at least receiving a second signal sent via a second transmission mechanism. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 37 , including controlling the downhole tool with a downhole processing device. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein each of the first and second timing operations is based upon time provided by a clock of the downhole processing device. 
     
     
         44 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 41 , including transmitting the first and second signals from a location remote relative to the first and second downhole sensors. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 41 , including transmitting the first and second signals from a surface of the well. 
     
     
         49 - 73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . The method according to  claim 41 , including providing a switch operable to enable or disable at least one of the first and second sensors. 
     
     
         75 . The method according to  claim 74 , including actuating the switch by sending a data signal via at least one of the first and second transmission mechanisms. 
     
     
         76 - 78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . A method of transmitting instructions to control a downhole tool in a well, the method comprising the steps of:
 initiating a first timing operation associated with a first downhole sensor capable of at least receiving first a signal sent via a first transmission mechanism;   initiating a second timing operation associated with a second downhole sensor capable of at least receiving a second signal sent via a second transmission mechanism;   sending data via at least one of the first and second transmission mechanisms such that said data is stored within a data storage device;   triggering a downhole processing device with the first and second timing operations to check the data storage device, at least once during a timed period associated with the respective first and second timing operations, for said data received from the at least one of the first and second downhole sensors; and   the downhole processing device acting upon the data to control the downhole tool when instructed to do so.