Coded radio shooting unit

Claim 2

Apparatus for controlling the activation of a seismic energy generator through a communications link between a control location and a generator location, comprising: first means for transmitting a first coded signal from the control location to the generator through the communications link; second means responsive to the first coded signal for transmitting a second coded signal through the communications link from the generator location to the control location; third means for activating the seismic energy generator response to the second coded signal, for measuring the time interval from activation of the seismic energy generator to the arrival of resulting seismic energy from the level of the seismic generator in the earth to the earth''s surface and for sending a signal indicative of said time interval through the communications link to said control location; and fourth means for generating a time zero signal at the control location responsive to the second coded signal.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a binary code generator, and phase encoder means connected to the binary code generator for generating of phase encoded binary signals responsive to the output signal of said binary code generator.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third means includes time delay means for delaying activation of said generator means for a predetermined interval, and said fourth means includes time delay means for insuring generation of said time zero signal concomitantly with activation of said generator.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third means comprises seismic energy detector means for detecting the arrival of seismic energy at the earth''s surface and for producing an output signal responsive thereto; time interval counter means responsive to an activating signal for beginning an interval count and responsive to the output signal of said seismic energy detecting means to terminate the interval count; and code signal detecting means for detecting said second coded signal to produce said activating signal for said time interval counter means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second meAns further includes means for transmitting the interval count measured by said time interval counting means to said first means for recording thereat.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first means includes: binary code generator means; and phase encoder means connected to the binary code generator means for generating a phase encoded binary signal responsive to the output signal of said binary code generator.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said third means includes time delay means for delaying activation of said generator means for a predetermined interval, and said fifth means includes time delay means for insuring generation of said time zero signal concomitantly with activation of said binary code generator.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said third means comprises: seismic energy detector means for detecting arrival of seismic energy at the earth''s surface and producing an output signal responsive thereto; time interval counter means responsive to an activating signal for beginning a time interval count and responsive to the output signal of said seismic energy detecting means to terminate the time interval count; and means for detecting said second coded signal to produce said activating signal for said time interval counter means.

Claim 12

Apparatus for controlling the activation of a seismic energy source between a control location and a source location, comprising: a data communications link for establishing two-way communications between the control location and the source location; first data generator means for producing a digital code signal for transmission from the control location to the source location; first circuit means connected to said first code generator means and to said communications link for producing an output signal when either the code signal from said code generator or a code signal received from the source location through the communications link corresponds to a reference code; means for recording said output signal of said first circuit means when two output signals are produced thereby separated by a given time interval; second circuit means for receiving signals at the source location end of said communications link for producing a second output signal when the code signal received thereby corresponds to said reference code; third circuit means for producing a third output signal, said given time interval after production of a signal by said second circuit means; fourth circuit means for producing an activating signal for said source upon simultaneous production of output signals by said second and third circuit means; second code generator means responsive to said third output signal to produce a second digital code signal corresponding to the digital code signal produced by said first code generator means, said second digital code signal being applied to said communications link for transmission to said control location and simultaneously applied to said second circuit means for production of a second outpUt signal thereby.

Claim 13

Apparatus for controlling the activation of a seismic energy source between a control location and a source location, comprising: a data communications link for establishing two-way communications between the control location and the source location; first data generator means for producing a digital code signal for transmission from the control location to the source location; first circuit means connected to said first code generator means and to said communications link for producing an output signal when either the code signal from said code generator or a code signal received from the source location through the communications link corresponds to a reference code; means for recording said output signal of said first circuit means when two output signals are produced thereby separated by a given time interval; second circuit means for receiving signals at the source location end of said communications link for producing a second output signal when the code signal received thereby corresponds to said reference code; third circuit means for producing a third output signal, said given time interval after production of a signal by said second circuit means; fourth circuit means for producing an activating signal for said source upon simultaneous production of output signals by said second and third circuit means; second code generator means responsive to said third output signal to produce a second digital code signal corresponding to the digital code signal produced by said first code generator means, said second digital code signal being applied to said communications link for transmission to said control location and simultaneously applied to said second circuit means for production of a second outpUt signal thereby.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 further including: seismic energy detecting means for detecting seismic energy at a location above the source; counter means for producing a digital stand indicative of the time interval between production of a second output signal by said second circuit means and detection of signals of at least a given amplitude by said detecting means; said second code generation means being adapted to couple said counter means to said communications link for transmission to said control location of the digital signal originated by said counter means; and means at said control location for recording signals originated by said counter means.