Multimode seismic unit and associated methodology

Abstract

A multimode seismic unit can selectively operate in any one or more of multimode readout modes. In one embodiment, a multimode seismic unit ( 1600 ) includes a physical mode selector switch ( 1602 ). The mode selector switch ( 1602 ) allows for manual selection of output modes including wireless, nodal, dual mode or automatic mode selection. The unit ( 1600 ) further includes an antenna ( 1604 ) for RF transmissions and a data port ( 1606 ) for uploading data in a nodal mode. The multimode unit can be used to implement a variety of single mode and multimode seismic arrays.

1 . A seismic unit for use in an array of seismic units for conducting a seismic survey of a survey area, comprising:
 a sensor system for receiving seismic signals and providing seismic information indicative thereof-; said sensor system including:   a first output module for providing a first output via a first output mode; and   a second output module for providing a second output via a second output mode, wherein said first and second output modes differ with respect to a transmission mode by which information is read out from said seismic unit, said first output mode comprising real-time wireless transmission involving serial wireless data transfer between multiple sensors to a central processing unit and said second output mode comprising nodal operation involving storing information at said sensor for subsequent readout.   
     
     
         2 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second output modules are operative for providing first and second seismic information outputs with respect to a single seismic event. 
     
     
         3 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second output modules are operative for providing first and second seismic information outputs with respect to first and second separate seismic events, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first output module provides a first seismic information output via a real-time mode and said second module provides a second seismic information output via a nodal mode. 
     
     
         5 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said real-time mode is a wireless output mode. 
     
     
         6 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a selector for selecting an output mode, wherein said selector is controlled by a user interface accessed at said seismic unit. 
     
     
         7 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a selector for selecting an output mode, wherein said selector is controlled via a user interface accessed at a location remote from said seismic unit. 
     
     
         8 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a selector for selecting an output mode, wherein said selector is operative for controlling multiple seismic units of said array. 
     
     
         9 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a processor for managing formatting of seismic data depending on an associated output mode of said seismic data. 
     
     
         10 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a processor operative to automatically switch between said first and second output modes. 
     
     
         11 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said processor is operative to automatically switch between output modes based on a program controlling output modes. 
     
     
         12 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said program determines an output mode based on time. 
     
     
         13 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said program determines an output mode based on a monitored condition. 
     
     
         14 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said monitored condition relates to a limitation concerning wireless communications associated with said seismic unit. 
     
     
         15 . A seismic unit as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said limitation relates to one of a connection quality, a bandwidth limitation, and another limitation concerning an ability of said seismic unit to keep up with said seismic survey. 
     
     
         16 . A method for use in conducting a seismic survey of region of interest, comprising the steps of:
 providing a seismic unit including a first output module for providing a first output via a first output mode and a second output module for providing a second output via a second mode, wherein said first and second modes differ with respect to a transmission mode by which said first and second outputs are provided from said seismic unit, said first output mode comprising real-time wireless transmission involving serial wireless data transfer between multiple sensors to a central processing unit and said second output mode comprising nodal operation involving storing information at said sensor for subsequent readout;   first operating said seismic unit to output first information via said first output mode using said first output module; and   second operating said seismic unit to output second information via said second output mode using said second module.   
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said steps of first and second operating comprise providing first and second seismic information outputs with respect to a single seismic event. 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said steps of first and second operating comprise providing first and second seismic information outputs with respect to first and second separate seismic events, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said first output module provides first seismic information output via a real-time mode and said second module provides second seismic information output via a nodal mode. 
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said real-time mode is a real-time wireless output mode. 
     
     
         21 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , selecting one of said first and second output modes via a user interface accessed at said seismic unit. 
     
     
         22 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , selecting one of said first and second output modes via a user interface accessed at a location remote from said seismic unit. 
     
     
         23 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said seismic unit is part of an array of seismic units and said method further comprises providing a controller for controlling multiple seismic units of said array. 
     
     
         24 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising managing formatting of seismic data depending on an associated output mode of said seismic data. 
     
     
         25 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising automatically switching between said first and second output modes. 
     
     
         26 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising switching between output modes based on a program controlling output modes. 
     
     
         27 . A method as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said program determines an output mode based on time. 
     
     
         28 . A method as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said program determines an output mode based on a monitored condition. 
     
     
         29 . A method as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said monitored condition relates to a limitation concerning wireless communications associated with said seismic unit. 
     
     
         30 . A method as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein said limitation relates to one of a connection quality, a bandwidth limitation, and another limitation concerning an ability of said seismic unit to keep up with said seismic survey. 
     
     
         31 - 35 . (canceled)