Land based unit for seismic data acquisition

Abstract

In one aspect, a seismic data acquisition unit is disclosed including a closed housing containing: a seismic sensor; a processor operatively coupled to the seismic sensor; a memory operatively coupled to the processor to record seismic data from the sensor; and a power source configured to power the sensor, processor and memory. The sensor, processor, memory and power source are configured to be assemble as an operable unit in the absence of the closed housing.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A seismic data acquisition system, comprising:
 a seismic data acquisition unit comprising a closed housing including:
 a seismic sensor contained within the closed housing; 
 a processor electrically connected to the seismic sensor; 
 a memory electrically connected to the processor that records seismic data detected by the sensor; 
 a power source that powers the sensor, the processor and the memory; and 
 a light emitting element included in the closed housing and electrically connected to the processor; and 
   the processor is configured to modulate output of the light emitting element to transmit data to a receiver external to the seismic data acquisition unit.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the seismic data acquisition unit is deployed underwater. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the receiver external to the seismic data acquisition unit is mounted on a vehicle. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the seismic data acquisition unit comprises a cap configured to send light from the light emitting element included in the closed housing. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the seismic data acquisition unit comprises:
 a cap; and   a light pipe formed in the cap to send light from the light emitting diode in the closed housing.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , comprising:
 the processor configured to modulate output of the light emitting element by turning the light emitting element on and off in a predetermined pattern.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , comprising:
 the processor configured to modulate output of the light emitting element by changing colors emitting by the light emitting element.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , comprising:
 the processor configured to modulate the light emitting element to transmit the data comprising a status update, the status update indicating at least one of remaining battery life, and amount of seismic data collected, an amount of available memory, or quality assurance data.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , comprising:
 the processor configured to modulate the light emitting element to transmit the data comprising seismic data recorded in the memory and detected by the seismic sensor.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the seismic data acquisition system comprises:
 a connection port that electrically connects an external seismic sensor located external to the seismic data acquisition unit to the processor contained in the closed housing; and   the external seismic sensor located external to the seismic data acquisition unit and connected to the processor contained in the closed housing via the connection port.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the closed housing comprises a cap, the cap comprising:
 a pin that electrically connects to an element contained in the closed housing; and   a light pipe formed in the cap to send light from the light emitting diode in the closed housing.   
     
     
         32 . A method, comprising:
 deploying a seismic data acquisition unit comprising a closed housing including:
 a seismic sensor contained within the closed housing; 
 a processor electrically connected to the seismic sensor; 
 a memory electrically connected to the processor that records seismic data detected by the sensor; 
 a power source that powers the sensor, the processor and the memory; and 
 a light emitting element included in the closed housing and electrically connected to the processor; and 
   modulating, by the processor, output of the light emitting element to transmit data to a receiver external to the seismic data acquisition unit.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 mounting the receiver external to the seismic data acquisition unit on a vehicle.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 sending, via a cap on the seismic data acquisition unit, light from the light emitting element included in the closed housing.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the seismic data acquisition unit comprises:
 sending, via a light pipe formed in a cap on the seismic data acquisition unit, light from the light emitting element included in the closed housing.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 modulating, by the processor, output of the light emitting element by turning the light emitting element on and off in a predetermined pattern.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 modulating, by the processor, output of the light emitting element by changing colors emitting by the light emitting element.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 transmitting, by the processor via the light emitting element, the data comprising a status update, the status update indicating at least one of remaining battery life, and amount of seismic data collected, an amount of available memory, or quality assurance data.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 modulating, by the processor, the light emitting element to transmit the data comprising seismic data recorded in the memory and detected by the seismic sensor.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , comprising:
 electrically connecting, via a connection port of the seismic data acquisition unit, an external seismic sensor located external to the seismic data acquisition unit to the processor contained in the closed housing,   wherein the external seismic sensor is located external to the seismic data acquisition unit and connected to the processor contained in the closed housing via the connection port.