US3704444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Seismic data processing method and system
Assignee: Western Atlas International Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract In a digital seismic data processing system the reflected seismic signals are received in analog form. An analog-to-digital converter samples or measures at equal time intervals the analog signals and converts the sampled signals into a sequence of digital numbers. By the process of digital filtering, arithmetic operations are then used to multiply consecutive values of the digital numbers by a prescribed set of numbers and to add the resulting products together. This invention contemplates also using the process of digital filtering to produce a digital feedback signal which is converted into an analog feedback signal. The analog feedback signal is combined in real time with the arriving, noise-containing, analog seismic signal to substantially completely remove the noise from the arriving raw signal prior to processing it through the seismic data processing system.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur N Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/28; G01V1/36; G01V1/364; G01V2210/00; G01V2210/30; G01V2210/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of processing seismic data including the steps of: a. receiving from the earth a raw analog electric signal comprising (1) a seismic component signal resulting from a seismic disturbance transmitted into the earth and (2) a noise component signal; b. combining in an electrical circuit said raw analog signal with a network generated analog feedback signal to obtain a resultant analog signal which is substantially free of said noise component signal; c. amplifying said resultant analog signal; d. sequentially sampling the amplitude of said resultant analog signal; e. converting the amplitude of each sample into digital data; f. processing said digital data to provide a digital feedback signal; g. converting said digital feedback signal into said analog feedback signal; and h. using said analog feedback signal in step b).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of processing seismic data including the steps of: a. receiving from the earth a raw analog electric signal comprising (1) a seismic component signal resulting from a seismic disturbance transmitted into the earth and (2) a noise component signal; b. combining in an electrical circuit said raw analog signal with a network generated analog feedback signal to obtain a resultant analog signal which is substantially free of said noise component signal; c. amplifying said resultant analog signal; d. sequentially sampling the amplitude of said resultant analog signal; e. converting the amplitude of each sample into digital data; f. processing said digital data to provide a digital feedback signal; g. converting said digital feedback signal into said analog feedback signal; and h. using said analog feedback signal in step b).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, said processing step f) also provides said seismic component signal in digital form for storage in a storage device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 and, filtering said resultant analog signal after it is amplified in step c) and before it is converted into digital data in step e).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, said processing of said digital data in step f) includes: multiplying said sampled amplitudes by prescribed filter coefficients selected to substantially remove said noise signal component from said resultant signal; and summing the products resulting from said multiplying step.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for processing seismic data comprising: means detecting from the earth a raw analog electric signal, said signal comprising a desired seismic component signal resulting from a seismic disturbance transmitted into the earth and an undesired noise component signal; means combining in an electrical circuit said raw analog signal with a network generated feedback analog signal to provide a resultant analog signal which is substantially free of said noise component signal; means amplifying said resultant analog signal; means sequentially sampling the amplitude of said resultant Analog signal; means converting the amplitude of each sample into digital data; computer means for processing said digital data to provide a prescribed digital feedback signal; and means converting said digital feedback signal into said feedback analog signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for processing seismic data comprising: means detecting from the earth a raw analog electric signal, said signal comprising a desired seismic component signal resulting from a seismic disturbance transmitted into the earth and an undesired noise component signal; means combining in an electrical circuit said raw analog signal with a network generated feedback analog signal to provide a resultant analog signal which is substantially free of said noise component signal; means amplifying said resultant analog signal; means sequentially sampling the amplitude of said resultant Analog signal; means converting the amplitude of each sample into digital data; computer means for processing said digital data to provide a prescribed digital feedback signal; and means converting said digital feedback signal into said feedback analog signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said computer processing means further provides said desired seismic component signal in digital form, and storage means for storing said desired seismic digital signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 6 and further including: means filtering said resultant analog signal, said filtering means being coupled to the output of said amplifying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a system for processing an electric analog signal received from the earth, said signal including a seismic component signal, having amplitude and frequency variations corresponding to seismic information, and a noise component signal corresponding to undersired noise, said system including at least one channel digital field recorder system to record during field operations a succession of said incoming electric signals received by signal receiving means, the improvement comprising: an electric summing device having at least one input coupled to the signal receiving means and another input coupled to the output of a feedback loop; said feedback loop including: an amplifier having an input coupled to the output of said summing device, a filter network having an input coupled to the output of said amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter for converting the output analog data from said filter, a data processor adapted to process the digital data from said analog-to-digital converter and to provide a feedback digital signal and an output digital seismic signal, a digital-to-analog converter for converting said feedback digital signal into an analog feedback signal, electric conductor means free from the earth for conducting said analog feedback signal to said another terminal of said summing device; and said summing device adding said analog feedback signal to said incoming analog signal to thereby substantially decrease the noise component signal from said seismic component signal at the output of said summing device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a system for processing an electric analog signal received from the earth, said signal including a seismic component signal, having amplitude and frequency variations corresponding to seismic information, and a noise component signal corresponding to undersired noise, said system including at least one channel digital field recorder system to record during field operations a succession of said incoming electric signals received by signal receiving means, the improvement comprising: an electric summing device having at least one input coupled to the signal receiving means and another input coupled to the output of a feedback loop; said feedback loop including: an amplifier having an input coupled to the output of said summing device, a filter network having an input coupled to the output of said amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter for converting the output analog data from said filter, a data processor adapted to process the digital data from said analog-to-digital converter and to provide a feedback digital signal and an output digital seismic signal, a digital-to-analog converter for converting said feedback digital signal into an analog feedback signal, electric conductor means free from the earth for conducting said analog feedback signal to said another terminal of said summing device; and said summing device adding said analog feedback signal to said incoming analog signal to thereby substantially decrease the noise component signal from said seismic component signal at the output of said summing device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |