EP1198777A1

EP1198777A1 - Remote control system for seismic acquisition

Info

Publication number: EP1198777A1
Application number: EP00936257A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Axel Sigmar; James Iseli; Jozsef Szalay; Janos Haide; Andras Feszthammer; Johannes Grande; Justin Hayes; James Velasco
Original assignee: Ion Geophysical Corp
Current assignee: Ion Geophysical Corp
Priority date: 1999-05-24
Filing date: 2000-05-24
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Also published as: WO2000077711A1; EP1198777A4; CA2374949A1; NO20015715D0; NO20015715L

Abstract

A system for remotely controlling (100) acquiring and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data (170). The system includes remote equipment for collecting seismic data (105) and for transmitting and receiving communication signals (135, 140) to and from the remote location. In this manner, the collection of seismic data at remote locations can be controlled and monitored locally.

Description

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC ACQUISITION

Background of the Invention This invention relates generally to remote control systems, and in particular to remote control systems for seismic acquisition systems. Seismic acquisition systems are used to gather seismic data. Typically seismic acquisition systems are used to gather seismic data in remote locations all around the world. Furthermore, seismic acquisition systems are commonly installed and operated on mobile platforms such as, for example, trucks, barges and boats. Existing seismic acquisition systems do not permit remote control and monitoring of the acquisition of seismic data.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations of the existing seismic acquisition systems.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for remotely controlling, acquiring, and monitoring the acquisition of data is provided that includes one or more remote devices adapted to collect and transmit data and to transmit and receive communication signals, one or more local devices operably coupled to the remote devices, the local devices adapted to transmit and receive communication and data signals, and one or more command centers operably coupled to the remote devices and the local devices, the command centers adapted to transmit and receive communication and data signals and provide a user interface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of remotely controlling, acquiring, and monitoring the acquisition of data is provided that includes remotely collecting data, remotely transmitting and receiving communication signals, locally transmitting and receiving communication signals, and locally providing a user interface to the communication signals.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for collecting and transmitting data and transmitting and receiving communications signals is provided that includes one or more sensors adapted to collect data, a data collection system operably coupled to the sensors, a communications system adapted to transmit and receive audio, video, and facsimile, and a communications transceiver coupled to the data collection system and the communications system adapted to transmit and receive the data, audio, video, and facsimile to a remote location. According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for transmitting and receiving communications signals and seismic data is provided that includes a communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive data, audio, video and facsimile to a remote location, a communications system coupled to the communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive data, audio, video and facsimile to a remote location.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of collecting and transmitting data and transmitting and receiving communications signals is provided that includes sensing and collecting seismic data, and transmitting and receiving the sensed data with audio, video, and facsimile signals to a remote location.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of transmitting and receiving communications signals and data and analyzing the seismic data is provided that includes transmitting and receiving audio, video and facsimile signals, and analyzing the data. According to another aspect of the present invention, a control system is provided that includes one or more sensors positioned at a first set of locations, one or more communications interfaces operably coupled to the sensors and positioned at a second set of locations, and one or more controllers operably coupled to the communications interfaces and positioned at the second set of locations. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a control system is provided that includes sensing conditions at one or more first set of locations, monitoring and controlling the sensing of the conditions at one or more second set of locations, and providing a user interface at the first and second set of locations. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data. Fig. la is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data of Fig. 1.

Fig. lb is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data of

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data.

Fig. 2a is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data of

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data.

Fig. 3a is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data of

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a system for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data.

Fig. 5 is a detailed schematic diagram of the remote equipment used in the system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 5a is a detailed schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the remote sensing equipment used in the system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detailed schematic diagram of the local equipment used in the system of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detailed schematic of the central command center used in the system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7a is a detail schematic of an alternative embodiment of the central command center using in the system of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a detailed schematic illustration of the system level interface between the local equipment and the remote equipment in the remote control systems for seismic acquisition. Fig. 9 is a detailed schematic illustration of the system level interface between the local equipment and the remote equipment in the remote control systems for seismic acquisition.

Detailed Description of the Illustrative Embodiments A system for remotely monitoring and controlling the acquisition of seismic data is disclosed. The system preferably permits remote sensing, monitoring, collection, interpretation, and control of seismic data collection.

In this manner, expert control, advice and interpretation of the collection and processing of seismic data can be provided for a plurality of remote sites from command and control center(s). In a preferred embodiment, the command and control center(s) are locally positioned at locations such as, for example, a local corporate headquarters and/or customer support center. Although the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments is directed to the remote collection, monitoring and control of seismic data, the teachings of the present disclosure will have broad applicability to remote sensing, data collection, monitoring and control of processes generally.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, a system 100 for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data includes a seismic data acquisition system 105, an RS-422 communications interface 110, a microwave transceiver 135, a microwave transceiver 140, an RS-422 communications interface 145, a

PSTN/ISDN converter 150, a PSTN/ISDN communications interface 155, a PSTN/ISDN network 160, a customer support command center 165, and a corporate headquarters command center 170.

The seismic data acquisition system 105 may comprise any number of commercially available seismic data acquisition systems such as, for example, a

System 2000, a System Two or an RSR system, all available from Input Output, Inc. in Stafford, TX.

In a preferred embodiment, the seismic data acquisition system 105 includes conventional equipment for video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, file transfer, remote computer control, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the seismic data acquisition system 105 communicates with the customer support command center 165 and corporate headquarters command center 170 via video, fax, audio, and data signals. More generally, in the alternative, or in addition, the seismic data acquisition system 105 includes other types of data acquisition equipment.

The RS-422 communications interface 110 is operably coupled to the seismic acquisition system 105 and the microwave transceiver 135. The RS-422 communications interface 130 may be operably coupled to the seismic acquisition system 105 and the microwave transceiver 135 using any number of commercially available interfaces. As will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art, RS-422 refers to an industry standard protocol for serial communications that may, for example, comprise RS-422, RS-449 or N.35.

The microwave radio transceiver 135 may comprise any number of commercially available microwave radio transceivers such as, for example, Cylink. The microwave radio transceiver 135 is operably coupled to the RS-422 communications interface 110. The microwave transceiver 135 may be operably coupled to the RS-422 communications interface 110 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The microwave radio transceiver 140 may comprise any number of commercially available microwave radio transceivers such as, for example, Cylink. The microwave radio transceiver 140 is operably coupled to the first microwave radio transceiver 135. The microwave transceiver 140 may be operably coupled to the microwave radio transceiver 135 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The RS-422 communications interface 145 is operably coupled to the microwave radio transceiver 140. The RS-422 communications interface 145 may be operably coupled to the microwave radio transceiver 140 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The PSTΝ/ISDΝ converter 150 may comprise any number of commercially available PSTΝ/ISDΝ converters such as, for example, Ascend Pipeline 75. The PSTΝ/ISDΝ converter 150 is operably coupled to the RS-422 communications interface 145.

The PSTΝ/ISDΝ communications interface 155 may comprise any number of commercially available PSTΝ/ISDΝ communications interfaces. The PSTN/ISDN communications interface 155 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN converter 150. The PSTN/ISDN communications interface 155 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN converter 150 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The PSTN/ISDN network 160 may comprise any number of commercially available PSTN/ISDN networks. The PSTN/ISDN network 160 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN communications interface 155. The PSTN/ISDN network 160 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN communications interface 155 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The customer support command center 165 may comprise any number of commercially available customer support command centers. In a preferred embodiment, the customer support command center 165 includes conventional equipment for the video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, remote computer control, file transfer and management, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the customer support command center 165 communicates in a conventional manner with the seismic acquisition system 105 and corporate headquarters command center 170 via video, fax, audio, and data signals.

The customer support command center 165 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 160. The customer support command center 165 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 160 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The corporate headquarters command center 170 may comprise any number of commercially available corporate headquarters command centers. In a preferred embodiment, the corporate headquarters command center 170 includes conventional equipment for the video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, remote computer control, file transfer and management, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the corporate headquarters command center 170 communicates with the customer support command center 165 and the seismic acquisition system 105 via video, fax, audio, and data signals.

The corporate headquarters command center 170 is operably coupled to the

PSTN/ISDN network 160. The corporate headquarters command center 170 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 160 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 100 includes a plurality of local and remote sites that are integrated in a conventional manner into a network. In this manner, the monitoring and control of seismic acquisition at a plurality of remote sites can be networked and managed from a plurality of command and control centers.

Referring to Fig. la, in an alternative embodiment of the system 100, the PSTN/ISDN converter 150 is replaced with a conventional general purpose communications converter 180, and the PSTN/ISDN network 160 is replaced with a conventional general purpose transmission network 185. The general purpose transmission network 185 is preferably adapted to provide PSTN and/or ISDN and/or Tl and/or Tl fractional capabilities. The ISDN capability is preferably used to transmit and receive data and video while the PSTN capability is preferably used for conventional telephone communications.

Referring to Fig. lb, in another alternative embodiment of the system 100, the microwave radio transceivers 135 and 140, and the RS-422 communications interface 145 are omitted.

Referring to Fig. 2, a system 200 for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data includes a seismic data acquisition system 205, an

RS-422 communications interface 210, a satellite transceiver 235, a satellite 240, a satellite transceiver 245, a communications interface 246, a PSTN/ISDN converter 247, a PSTN/ISDN network 250, a customer support command center 255, and a corporate headquarters command center 260. The seismic data acquisition system 205 may comprise any number of commercially available seismic data acquisition systems. In a preferred embodiment, the seismic data acquisition system 205 includes conventional equipment for the video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, remote computer control, file transfer and management, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the seismic data acquisition system 205 communicates with the customer support center 255 and corporate headquarters 260 via video, fax, audio, and data signals. More generally, in the alternative, or in addition, the seismic data acquisition system 205 includes non-seismic data collection equipment.

The RS-422 communications interface 210 may comprise any number of commercially available RS-422 communications interfaces. As will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art, RS-422 refers to an industry standard communications interface. The RS-422 communications interface 210 is operably coupled to the seismic acquisition system 205. The RS-422 communications interface 205 may be operably coupled to the seismic acquisition system 205 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The satellite transceiver 235 may comprise any number of commercially available satellite transceivers. The satellite transceiver 235 is operably coupled to the RS-422 communications interface 210. The satellite transceiver 235 may be operably coupled to the RS-422 communications interface 210 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The satellite 240 may comprise any number of commercially available satellites. The satellite 240 is operably coupled to the satellite transceiver 235.

The satellite 240 may be operably coupled to the satellite transceiver 235 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The satellite transceiver 245 may comprise any number of commercially available satellite transceivers. The satellite transceiver 245 is operably coupled to the satellite 240. The satellite transceiver 245 may be operably coupled to the satellite 240 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The communications interface 246 may comprise any number of conventional commercially available communications interfaces such as, for example, RS-422 or other standard serial or parallel interfaces. The communications interface 246 is operably coupled to the satellite transceiver 245.

The communications interface 246 may be operably coupled to the satellite transceiver 245 using any number of conventional commercially available interfaces such as, for example, standard serial or parallel communication interfaces.

The PSTN/ISDN converter 247 may comprise any number of conventional commercially available PSTN/ISDN converters such as, for example, Ascend Pipeline 75 or Ascend Pipeline 50. The PSTN/ISDN converter 247 is operably coupled to the communications interface 246. The PSTN/ISDN converter 247 may be operably coupled to the communications interface 246 using any number of conventional commercially available interfaces. The PSTN/ISDN network 250 may comprise any number of commercially available PSTN/ISDN networks. The PSTN/ISDN network 250 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN converter 247. The PSTN/ISDN network 250 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN converter 247 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The customer support command center 255 may comprise any number of commercially available customer support centers. In a preferred embodiment, the customer support command center 255 includes conventional equipment for the video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, remote computer control, file transfer and management, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the customer support command center 255 communicates with the seismic acquisition system 205 and corporate headquarters command center 260 via video, fax, audio, and data signals.

The customer support command center 255 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 250. The customer support command center 255 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 250 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The corporate headquarters command center 260 may comprise any number of commercially available corporate headquarters command centers. In a preferred embodiment, the corporate headquarters command center 260 includes conventional equipment for the video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, remote computer control, file transfer and management, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the corporate headquarters command center 260 communicates with the seismic acquisition system 205 and customer support command center 255 via video, fax, audio, and data signals. The corporate headquarters command center 260 is operably coupled to the

PSTN/ISDN network 250. The corporate headquarters command center 260 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 250 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 200 includes a plurality of local and remote sites that are integrated in a conventional manner into a network. In this manner, the monitoring and control of seismic acquisition at a plurality of remote sites can be networked and managed from a plurality of command and control centers.

Referring to Fig. 2a, in an alternative embodiment of the system 200, the PSTN/ISDN network 250 is replaced with a conventional general purpose transmission network 265. The general purpose transmission network 265 is preferably adapted to provide PSTN and/or ISDN capabilities and/or Tl and/or Tl fractional capabilities. The ISDN capability is preferably used to transmit and receive data and video while the PSTN capability is preferably used for conventional telephone communications. Referring to Fig. 3, a system 300 for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data includes a seismic data acquisition system 305, an Ethernet communications interface 310, an Ethernet radio transceiver 315, an Ethernet radio transceiver 320, an Ethernet communications interface 325, a PSTN/ISDN converter 330, a PSTN/ISDN network 340, a customer support command center 345, and a corporate headquarters command center 350.

The seismic data acquisition system 305 may comprise any number of commercially available seismic data acquisition systems. In a preferred embodiment, the seismic data acquisition system 305 includes conventional equipment for video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, remote computer control, file transfer and management, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the seismic acquisition system 305 communicates with the customer support command center 345 and corporate headquarters command center 350 via video, fax, audio, and data signals.

The Ethernet communications interface 310 may comprise any number of commercially available Ethernet communications interfaces, local area networks, token rings, or FDDI interfaces. The Ethernet communications interface 310 is operably coupled to the seismic acqmsition system 305. The Ethernet communications interface 310 may be operably coupled to the seismic acquisition system 305 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The Ethernet radio transceiver 315 may comprise any number of commercially available Ethernet radio transceivers, local area network radio transceivers, token ring radio transceivers, or FDDI radio transceivers. The

Ethernet radio transceiver 315 is operably coupled to the Ethernet communications interface 310. The Ethernet radio transceiver 315 may be operably coupled to the Ethernet communications interface 310 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The Ethernet radio transceiver 320 may comprise any number of commercially available Ethernet radio transceivers, local area network radio transceivers, token ring radio transceivers, or FDDI radio transceivers. The Ethernet radio transceiver 320 is operably coupled to the Ethernet radio transceiver 315. The Ethernet radio transceiver 320 may be operably coupled to the Ethernet radio transceiver 315 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The communications interface 325 may comprise any number of commercially available Ethernet communications interfaces, local area networks, token rings, or FDDI interfaces. The Ethernet communications interface 325 is operably coupled to the Ethernet radio transceiver 320. The Ethernet communications interface 325 may be operably coupled to the Ethernet radio transceiver 320 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The PSTN/ISDN converter 330 may comprise any number of commercially available PSTN/ISDN converters. The PSTN/ISDN converter 330 is operably coupled to the Ethernet communications interface 325. The PSTN/ISDN converter 330 may be operably coupled to the Ethernet communications interface 325 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The PSTN/ISDN network 340 may comprise any number of commercially available PSTN/ISDN networks. The PSTN/ISDN network 340 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN converter 330. The PSTN/ISDN network 340 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN converter 330 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The customer support command center 345 may comprise any number of commercially available customer support command centers. In a preferred embodiment, the customer support command center 345 includes conventional equipment for video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, remote computer control, file transfer and management, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the customer support command center 345 communicates with the seismic acquisition system 305 and corporate headquarters command center 350 via video, fax, audio, and data signals.

The customer support command center 345 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 340. The customer support command center 345 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 340 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The corporate headquarters command center 350 may comprise any number of commercially available corporate headquarters command centers. In apreferred embodiment, the corporate headquarters command center 350 includes conventional equipment for the video conferencing, voice communication, fax communication, file transfer and management, remote computer control, and data collection. In a particularly preferred embodiment the corporate headquarters command center 350 communicates with the seismic acquisition system 305 and customer support command center 345 via video, fax, audio, and data signals.

The corporate headquarters command center 350 is operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 340. The corporate headquarters command center 350 may be operably coupled to the PSTN/ISDN network 340 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the system 300 includes a plurality of local and remote sites that are integrated in a conventional manner into a network. In this manner, the monitoring and control of seismic acquisition at a plurality of remote sites can be networked and managed from a plurality of command and control centers. Referring to Fig. 3a, in an alternative embodiment of the system 300, the

PSTN/ISDN network 340 is replaced with a conventional general purpose transmission network 355. The general purpose transmission network 355 is preferably adapted to provide PSTN and/or ISDN capabilities and/or Tl and/or Tl fractional capabihties. The ISDN capability is preferably used to transmit and receive data and video while the PSTN capability is preferably used for conventional telephone communications. Referring to Figs.4-7a, a particularly preferred embodiment of a system 400 for remotely controlling and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data includes remote equipment 405, a satellite 410, local, or gateway, equipment 415, an ISDN communications interface 420, a PSTN communications interface 425, and a command center 430. The system 400 provides video-conferencing, two-way voice and data communications, and remote control and monitoring of seismic data acquisition. In a preferred embodiment, the satellite 410 is in geostationary orbit above the Earth's equator at an altitude of 22,000 miles. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the satellite 410 is a GE-3 satellite utilizing a 5K transponder, and positioned at 87 degrees West over the equator. In operation, permission to uplink the 2- watt Ku-band (14.082 GHz) carrier from remote sites using the GE-3 satellite is obtained from the GE access control center. In an alternative embodiment, the system 400 includes a plurality of one or more of the remote 405, local, or gateway, equipment 415, and command centers 430.

In a preferred embodiment, the ISDN communications interface 420 comprises a high-speed ISDN communication interface. The ISDN communications interface 420 provides the communication link for video conferencing and seismic data and control signals. The PSTN 425 may comprise any number of commercially available telephone systems.

Referring to Fig. 5, the remote equipment 405 preferably includes sensors 502, data collection and control computers 504, an Ethernet hub 506, a video interface 508, an audio interface 510, a Motorola SM120 radio telephone base station 512, radio telephones 514, a telephone system interface 516, an RS-422 interface 518, a telephone interface 519, one or more telephones 520, another RS- 422 interface 522, a voice/data/video/fax communications interface 524, another RS-422 interface 526, a Raydyne modem 528, a SierraCom transceiver 530, and a

1.2m SierraCom Ku band satellite dish 532. The sensors 502 provide seismic signals and may comprise any number of commercially available seismic sensors. The data collection and control computers 504 receive and process the signals generated by the sensors 502, and control the operation of the sensors 502. The computers 504 may comprise any number of commercially available data collection and control computers such as, for example,

System 2000. In a preferred embodiment, the data collection and control computers 504 comprise System 2000 available from Input Output, Inc. in Stafford, TX. In a preferred embodiment, the data collection and control computers 504 include interface cards that output signals in 10 Base-T format. The data collection and control computers 504 are operably coupled to corresponding sensors 502. The data collection and control computers 504 may be operably coupled to the sensors 502 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The Ethernet hub 506 may comprise any number of commercially available Ethernet hubs such as, for example, Netgar EN 104, 3Com DCH 3406, Intel

OfficeConnect TP4, local area networks, token rings, or FDDI interfaces.

The Ethernet hub 506 is operably coupled to the data collection and control computers 504. The Ethernet hub 506 may be operably coupled to the data collection and control computers 504 using any number of commercially available interfaces such as, for example, 10 Base-T, 100 Base-T, or 10 Base 2. In a preferred embodiment, the Ethernet hub 506 is operably coupled to the data collection and control computers 504 using 10 Base T.

The video interface 508 may comprise any number of commercially available video conferencing devices such as, for example, Tandberg, VTel or PictureTel. In a preferred embodiment, the video interface 508 comprises a Tandberg

NideoExplorer.

The voice communications interface 510 interfaces to an analog port of the interface 524 and provides two-way radio communication and may comprise any number of commercially available voice communication interfaces such as, for example, Motorola Radio Telephone Interconnect. In a preferred embodiment, the voice communication interface 510 comprises a Voice Auto Patch available from Motorola as part number MRTI 500x. The radio telephone base unit 512 may comprise any number of commercially available radio telephone base unit such as, for example, Motorola SM120. In a preferred embodiment, the radio telephone base unit 512 comprises a SM120 push-to-talk available from Motorola. The radio telephone base unit 512 is operably coupled to the voice communication interface 510. The radio telephone base unit 512 may be operably coupled to the voice communication interface 510 using any number of commercially available interfaces such as, for example, a Motorola Accessory Interface. The radio telephones 514 may comprise any number of commercially available radio telephones such as, for example, Motorola. In a preferred embodiment, the radio telephones 514 comprise a two-way Motorola radio telephone.

The radio telephones 514 are operably coupled to the radio telephone base unit 512. The radio telephones 514 may be operably coupled to the radio telephone base unit 512 using any number of commercially available interfaces such as, for example, FM radio.

The telephone system interface 516 may comprise any number of commercially available telephone system interfaces such as, for example, standard commercial telephone lines.

The telephone system interface 516 is operably coupled to the voice communication interface 510. The telephone system interface 516 may be operably coupled to the voice communication interface 510 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The interface 518 may comprise any number of commercially available communication interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the interface 518 comprises an RS-422 communications bus operating at 112 kbps. The interface 518 is operably coupled to the NideoEXPLORER 508. The interface 518 may be operably coupled to the NideoEXPLORER 508 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The telephone interface 519 may comprise any number of conventional telephone interfaces. The telephone interface operably couples the audio interface 510 with one or more conventional telephones 520.

The interface 522 may comprise any number of commercially available communication interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the interface 522 comprises an RS-422 interface operating at 128 kbps.

The interface 522 is operably coupled to the Ethernet hub 506. The interface 522 may be operably coupled to the Ethernet hub 506 using any number of commercially available interfaces such as, for example, RS-422. In a preferred embodiment, the interface 522 is operably coupled to the Ethernet hub 506 using

RS-422.

The voice/data/fax/video interface 524 receives and combines the signals from the audio interface 510, video conferencing equipment 508, and the Ethernet hub 506 into a serial data stream in the RS-422 protocol for transmission to the modem 528. The interface 524 may comprise any number of commercially available voice/data/fax/video interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the voice/data/fax interface 524 comprises an Access Plus 100 voice/data/fax/video multiplexer available from Nuera.

The voice/data/fax/video interface 524 is operably coupled to the telephone system interface 516, the interface 518, and the interface 522.

The voice/data/fax/video interface 524 may be operably coupled to the telephone system interface 516 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The voice/data/fax/video interface 524 is operably coupled to the interface 518 . The voice/data/fax/video interface 524 may be operably coupled to the interface 518 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The voice/data/fax/video interface 524 is operably coupled to the interface 522. The voice/data/fax/video interface 524 may be operably coupled to the interface 522 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The interface 526 may comprise any number of commercially available communication interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the interface 526 comprises an RS-422 serial interface operating at 256 kbps. The interface 526 is operably coupled to the voice/data/fax/video interface 524. The interface 526 may be operably coupled to the voice/data/fax/video interface 524 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The modem 528 provides a digitally modulated signal to and from the satellite transceiver 530 and may comprise any number of commercially available modems. In a preferred embodiment, the modem 528 comprises a Radyne modem that provides a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) signal to the satellite transceiver 530.

The modem 528 is operably coupled to the interface 526. The modem 528 may be operably coupled to the interface 526 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The transceiver 530 provides the proper transmitted RF output power level and frequency for the assigned satellite and may comprise any number of commercially available transceivers. In a preferred embodiment, the transceiver 530 comprises a Ku Band transceiver available from Sierra Com.

The transceiver 530 is operably coupled to the modem 528. The transceiver 530 may be operably coupled to the modem 528 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the transceiver 530 is operably coupled to the modem 528 using an L Band RF Link. The satellite dish 532 may comprise any number of commercially available satellite dishes. In a preferred embodiment, the satellite dish 532 comprises a 1.2 m Ku Band self-positioning satellite available from Sierra Com as part number NPS-2. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the satellite dish 532 automatically acquires and tracks with the assigned satellite. The satellite dish 532 is operably coupled to the transceiver 530. The satellite dish 532 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 530 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The satellite dish 532 is operably coupled to the satellite 410.

Referring to Fig. 5a, in an alternative preferred embodiment, the video interface 508 is replaced with a video interface 534, a microphone 536, a video monitor 538, an internal camera 540, an external camera 542, and a wireless field camera 544. The video interface 534 may comprise any number of commercially available video drivers such as, for example, a RSI video CODEC. In a preferred embodiment, the video interface 534 comprises a RSI video CODEC.

The video interface 534 is operably coupled to the communication interface 518. The video interface 534 may be operably coupled to the communication interface 518 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the video interface 534 is operably coupled to the communication interface 518 using RS-422.

The microphone 536 may comprise any number of commercially available microphones.

The video monitor 538 may comprise any number of commercially video monitors such as, for example, NEC, ViewSonic or SONY.

The internal camera 540 may comprise any number of commercially available cameras such as, for example, SONY, Cannon or Axis. The external camera 542 may comprise any number of commercially available cameras such as, for example, SONY, Cannon or Axis. The internal and external camera, 540 and 542, are preferably remotely controlled by the command center(s) 430 to provide monitoring of the remote location. In addition, the internal camera(s) 540 are preferably remotely controlled by the command center(s) 430 to provide and display real-time seismic data. In this manner, the real-time seismic data can be observed and analyzed by experts positioned at the command center (s) 430.

The wireless field camera 544 may comprise any number of commercially available cameras such as, for example, SONY, Cannon or Axis. The microphone 536, video monitor 538, internal camera 540, external camera 542, and wireless field camera 544 are operably coupled to the video interface 534. The microphone 536, video monitor 538, internal camera 540, external camera 542, and wireless field camera 544 may be operably coupled to the video interface 534 using any number of commercially available interfaces. Referring to Fig. 6, the local, or gateway, equipment 415 includes a satellite transceiver 602, a frequency converter 604, a modem 606, an RS-422 interface 608, a voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610, a telephone system interface 612, another RS-422 interface 614, another RS-422 interface 616, an ISDN terminal adapter 618, a bridge 620, and an ISDN router 622.

The satellite transceiver 602 may comprise any number of commercially available satellite transceivers. The satellite transceiver 602 is operably coupled to the satellite 410. The satellite transceiver 602 may be operably coupled to the satellite 410 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the satellite transceiver 602 is operably coupled to the satellite 410 using Ku Band VSAT transponder available from General Electric.

The frequency converter 604 may comprise any number of commercially available frequency converters. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency converter 604 comprises a SierraCom 3100. The frequency converter 604 is operably coupled to the satellite transceiver 602. The frequency converter 604 may be operably coupled to the satellite transceiver 602 using any number of commercially available interfaces. The modem 606 converts the received RF signal to a serial data stream and may comprise any number of commercially available modems. In a preferred embodiment, the modem 606 comprises a Radyne modem that converts the received RF signal into a serial data stream with a data rate of 256 KBPS using the RS-422 protocol. The modem 606 is operably coupled to the frequency converter 604. The modem 606 may be operably coupled to the frequency converter 604 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The communication interface 608 may comprise any number of commercially available communication interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the communication interface 608 comprises an RS-422 serial interface operating at 256 kbps.

The interface 608 is operably coupled to the modem 606. The interface 608 may be operably coupled to the modem 606 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the interface 608 is operably coupled to the modem 606 using RS-422.

The voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 may comprise any number of commercially available voice/data/fax/video communications interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 comprises a Nuera Access Plus 100 voice/data/fax/video multiplexer available from Nuera. In a preferred embodiment, the multiplexer 610 provides output data ports for video, audio and data. In a preferred embodiment, the interface 610 includes I/O data ports that support video data transfers at 112 kbps, data transfers at 128 kbps, and audio at 8 kbps.

The voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 is operably coupled to the interface 608. The voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 may be operably coupled to the interface 608 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 is operably coupled to the interface 608 using an RS- 422 serial interface protocol.

The telephone system interface 612 may comprise any number of commercially available telephone system interfaces such as, for example, a standard telephone line. The telephone system interface 612 is operably coupled to the voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610. The telephone system interface 612 may be operably coupled to the voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 using any number of commercially available interfaces such as, for example, a standard two-wire analog telephone line. The communications interface 614 may comprise any number of commercially available communications interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the communications interface 614 comprises a RS-422 serial communications protocol operating at 128 kbps.

The interface 614 is operably coupled to the voice/data fax/video communications interface 610. The interface 614 may be operably coupled to the voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The communications interface 616 may comprise any number of commercially available communications interfaces. The interface 616 is operably coupled to the voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610. The interface

616 may be operably coupled to the voice/data/fax/video communications interface 610 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the interface 616 is operably coupled to the voice/data fax/video communications interface 610 using RS-422.

The ISDN terminal adapter 618 may comprise any number of commercially available ISDN terminal adapters. The ISDN terminal adaptor (TA) 618 is operably coupled to the interface 616. The ISDN TA 618 may be operably coupled to the interface 616 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The bridge 620 may comprise any number of commercially available communications interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge 620 comprises a Tiny Bridge adaptor available from RAD that converts the RS-422 signal to a 10 base T for connectivity to the ISDN router 622.

The bridge 620 is operably coupled to the interface 614. The bridge 620 may be operably coupled to the interface 614 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The ISDN router 622 may comprise any number of commercially available ISDN routers. In a preferred embodiment, the ISDN router 622 comprises an Ascend 75 available from Ascend as part number Pipeline 75.

The ISDN router 622 is operably coupled to the bridge 620. The ISDN router 622 may be operably coupled to the bridge 620 using any number of commercially available interfaces such as, for example, 10 Base-T or 10 Base-2. In a preferred embodiment, the ISDN router 622 is operably coupled to the bridge

620 using 10 Base-T.

The PSTN 425 is operably coupled to the interface 612. The PSTN 425 may be operably coupled to the interface 612 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the PSTN 425 is operably coupled to the interface 612 using a standard network interface.

The ISDN 420 is operably coupled to the ISDN router 622 and the ISDN TA 618. The ISDN 420 may be operably coupled to the ISDN router 622 using any number of commercially available ISDN interfaces.

The ISDN 420 may be operably coupled to the ISDN TA 618 using any number of commercially available ISDN interfaces. Referring to Fig. 7, the command center 430 includes a telephone system 702, a video conferencing system 706, an ISDN router 708, and control and monitoring equipment 710.

The telephone system 702 may comprise any number of commercially available telephone systems. The telephone system 702 is operably coupled to the

PSTN 425. The telephone system 702 may be operably coupled to the PSTN 425 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The video conferencing system 706 may comprise any number of commercially available video conferencing systems. In a preferred embodiment, the video conferencing system 706 comprises a Tandberg video conferencing system. The video conferencing system 706 is operably coupled to the ISDN 420. The video conferencing system 706 may be operably coupled to the ISDN 420 using any number of commercially available interfaces.

The ISDN router 708 may comprise any number of commercially available ISDN routers. In a preferred embodiment, the ISDN router 708 comprises an Ascend Pipeline 75 available from Ascend as part number Pipeline 75. In a preferred embodiment, the ISDN router 708 converts incoming data to 10 base-T for transmission to the data analysis equipment 710. The ISDN router 708 is operably coupled to the ISDN 420. The ISDN router 708 may be operably coupled to the ISDN 420 using any number of commercially available ISDN interfaces.

The control and monitoring equipment 710 may comprise any number of commercially available control and monitoring equipment such as, for example, any standard personal computer loaded with conventional data analysis software.

The control and monitoring equipment 710 is operably coupled to the ISDN router 708. The control and monitoring equipment 710 may be operably coupled to the ISDN router 708 using any number of commercially available interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the control and monitoring equipment 710 is operably coupled to the ISDN router 708 using 10 Base-T adaptor.

Referring to Fig. 7a, in an alternative embodiment, the system further includes a modem 715, a PSTN/ISDN network 720, one or more modems 725, and one or more external computers 730. In this manner the one or more external computers 730 preferably are used to remotely control and/or monitor the operation of the remote equipment 405 and/or local, or gateway, equipment 415 and/or the command center 430 and/or other external computers 730.

The modem 715, the PSTN/ISDN network 720 and the one or more modems 725 may comprise any number of conventional commercially available devices. The external computers 730 preferably comprise conventional general purpose computers programmed with application software. In this manner, the system 400 is preferably and least partially controlled by one or more external computers 730. This optimally provides distributed control and monitoring of the system 400.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 400 includes a plurality of local and remote sites that are integrated in a conventional manner into a network. In this manner, the monitoring and control of seismic acquisition at a plurality of remote sites can be networked and managed from a plurality of command and control centers.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the system level interface 800 between the command center equipment and the remote equipment in the remote control systems 100, 200, 300, and 400 for seismic acquisition will now be described. The system level interface 800 includes the command center equipment 802, remote equipment 804, and communication links 806.

The command center equipment 802 environment includes connectivity to the system environment 808, the desktop environment 810, applications 812, and communications servers 814. Similarly, the remote equipment 804 environment includes connectivity to the system environment 808, the desktop environment 810, applications 812, and communications servers 814. The command center 802 and remote equipment 804 in the system 800 may be operably coupled using conventional networking, desktop, communications and applications software and hardware in a conventional manner.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, in a preferred embodiment, the logical connectivity links are transparent to the desktop and application environments. Graphical user interfaces, processes, data services 910 and event services 915 are handled by conventional translation encoding servers 920 communicating in a conventional manner to a thin-client interface 905 of the desktop and applications environments. The encoding methodology (e.g., raw, frame buffering, digitization, cell copy, etc ...) and the protocol (e.g., TCP/IP, JPEG, MPEG, etc ...) are selected to match the data type and application access methodology (e.g., E-Server, ORB, Chent-Server, MOM, xDSL, etc ...) in a conventional manner. As will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art, this provides increased flexibility in defining the system configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, conventional network computing software is used in a conventional manner to interface platform dependencies such as operating systems (e.g., Unix, Windows95 and NT, OS2, etc..) and graphical user interface displays and other desktops (e.g., X-Window, Win32, etc ...) with the distributed communication services. ORL/Virtual Network Computing is preferably used with UnixX and Windows/Win32 and Java Applets in a conventional manner to provide a remote desktop display and interaction. Virtual Network Computing is supplied as OpenSoftware from Olivetti Research Laboratory. Virtual Network Computing can be integrated into conventional seismic acqmsition systems with conventional modifications to the configuration. Remote Services Management (RSM) software provides similar capabilities for the PC/OS2 environment for the System 2000 seismic data acquisition system. Both Virtual Network Computing and RSM utilize a main server running at the command center(s) with clients at the remote, end-point systems, and both communicate using standard Ethernet/TCP/IP communications systems. In a preferred embodiment, all display and input devices are also reflected to the remote systems in a conventional manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 400 is adapted to permit remote sensing, monitoring, and control of seismic data collection from Command center(s) 430. Remote access, control and monitoring of real-time seismic data by the system 400 is preferably achieved through the use of the RSM utility programs. The RSM client utility is preferably installed on the System 2000 seismic data acquisition system, located at the remote seismic site(s) 405. The RSM Manager utility is preferably installed on computers located at the command control center(s) 430 which act as the remote system. The remote site is set by the field operator for RSM client configuration preparing to receive inbound command instructions from the RSM manager computers in the command center (s). The computers in the command center(s) 430 are set for the RSM manager mode preparing the computers to send out instructions. In this mode of operation, the computers in the command centers 430 can take over and remotely control the computers at the remote seismic sites. Through this process, the system 400 optimally achieves remote control access, control and monitoring of real-time seismic data. The computers located at the command centers 430 are preferably coupled to a small LAN network with router and multi-port Ethernet hub connecting the computers together accompanied with unique TCP/IP addresses. In addition, the computers within the System 2000 are coupled on a small LAN network connected together with a multi- port Ethernet hub. The associated router is located at the earth station gateway facility connected through a space uplink and downlink segment of 74,000 km. For example, the gateway (ISDN) router might have an TCP/IP address of 192.1.1.1 and the System 2000 computers at the remote seismic site 405 location might have TCP/IP addresses of 192.1.1.3 and 192.1.1.4 connected on the same LAN network located many miles apart.

In a typical command control center 430, the ISDN router TCP/IP addresses might be 200.1.1.1 and the two remote computers TCP/IP addresses might be 200.1.1.2 and 200.1.1.3. The remote 200.1.1.3 computer can be set up to remotely control and monitor the host 192.1.1.3 PC. Therefore, the data appearing on the host 192.1.1.3 PC can be viewed thousands of miles away at the command center 430 on the remote 200.1.1.3 computer.

For external monitoring and/or control of the system 400, an additional RSM client is installed on the command center computers and an RSM manager is installed on one or more of the external computers 730. In this mode of operation, one or more of the external computers 730 remotely monitor and control at least a portion of the system 400.

Through this process, expert control, advice and interpretation of the collection and processing of seismic data can be optimally provided for a plurality of remote sites from a single local command and control center.

The integration and application of remote access and control of a seismic acquisition system provides the customer with products that will have a major impact upon field and customer operations and costs. At present, many activities must be performed on site and manually. Remote access and control will provide real-time viewing of system status, multi-point system control, as well as whiteboard, voice and video communications. Furthermore, a plurality of remote and local sites can be networked to provide an integrated system approach to control and management of seismic acquisition.

Some examples of the general categories of applications and products provided by the present system include monitoring, control, support, and data transfer. The monitoring functions include monitoring of: multiple projects, daily status and crew performance, data quality and equipment testing and tracking, acquisition procedures and parameters, and personnel activities and safety. The control functions include control of: multi-site, multiple prospect coordination, direct interaction with real crews at remote sites, full remote system command and control, synchronized control of multi-vessel, and multi-site acquisition. The support functions include support of: remote system support and on-line maintenance, remote software release management, remote on-line documentation and bulletin boards, ability to establish customer support centers with remote training, virtual interaction with real work crews, built-in communications and conferencing, and in-field training using video-conferencing. The seismic monitoring functions include: real-time monitoring, and daily or other periodic wrap-up reports or logs. The data transfer applications include: real-time monitoring of seismic data acquisition, daily or other periodic wrap-up reports and logs, sample data for intermediate processing, remote chatting between host and remote computers with RSM remote desktop utility. In a preferred implementation, the present systems are used to remotely control a seismic acquisition management system such as, for example, the Green

Mountain Geophysical Alpine system. In this manner, project planning, tracking, recording and distribution of information are remotely controlled and monitored.

In another preferred implementation, the present systems are used to interactively control the operation of a seismic survey system such as, for example, the Green Mountain Geophysical Mesa system. In this manner, the interactive operation of a seismic acquisition system is provided from a remote location. The present system will reduce travel time and costs for companies and their personnel. The present system will also increase the availability of expert personnel for decision making and problem solving. The present system will also reduce the number of expert operators and observers in the field. The present system will also reduce the time for seismic monitoring, control and report delivery. The present system will also increase quality control by allowing more people access to the system and data. The present system will also increase acquisition efficiency by allowing centralized control. The present system will also permit immediate problem solving support and automatic remote auditing. The present system will also provide the customer will better and faster service. The present system will also reduce errors and increase the ease of remote observation.

In the systems 100, 200, 300, and 400, any one of the following, for example, may be substituted for the Ethernet communications and related equipment: local area network (LAN) such as, for example, token ring or FDDI.

In the systems 100, 200, 300, and 400, any one of the following, for example, may be substituted for the ISDN communications and related equipment: digital phone service, digital subscriber line (DSL), Tl, T3, or local multipoint distribution system (LMDS). In the systems 100, 200, 300, and 400, any one of the following, for example, may be substituted for the RS-422 communications and related equipment: a serial communication link such as, for example, RS-449 or V.35.

In the systems 100, 200, 300, and 400, any one of the following, for example, may be substituted for the PSTN communications and related equipment: a transmission network, ISDN, DSL, LMDS, private network, or leased lines.

A system for remotely controlling, acquiring, and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data has been described which provides a flexible approach to providing remote control and monitoring of seismic data acquisition at a plurality of remote locations. The system may be configured in a plurality of different configurations that allow the system operating cost and access speed to be optimized for a particular location. In several exemplary embodiments, as disclosed herein, the system may be implemented as a land-based network or as a space-based network.

The land-based system preferably utilizes a conventional terrestrial digital microwave system to provide remote access, control and monitoring of the acquisition of real-time seismic data. The microwave signal path is typically less than about 30km. The modulation method typically employs digital QPSK modulation with data rates up to 256 kbps. The terrestrial microwave system can typically be configured for single or multiple remote site(s) applications. The range between sites can be extended with microwave repeaters. The space-based system is preferably used in conjunction with a satellite.

The space-based system typically consists of a single remote site or multiple remote sites in a communication network with an accompanying earth station hub, or gateway, as the focal point to collected the uplink data from the remote site(s). For multiple remote seismic sites, each site is typically assigned a unique uplink and downlink frequency. The bandwidth of transmission is typically about 250 kHz. The uplinked data is typically routed through a satellite to a earth station hub, or gateway, with connectivity to a data network infrastructure through data routers and converters.

In a preferred embodiment, the remote access, control and monitoring of the seismic data can be initiated by an operator from any of several Customer

Command centers or from an Input/Output, Inc. Customer Service Command Center. All Customer Service Command Centers preferably have data network connectivity to the microwave transceivers.

The earth station hub, or gateway, preferably is a full duplex system. It typically receives data in the 11 GHz Ku-band that has been uplinked from one or multiple remote seismic site locations. In addition, the hub, or gateway, preferably simultaneously uplinks (transmits) data in the Ku-band, typically 14 GHz, to one or multiple remote seismic sites.

A system for remotely controlling, acquiring, and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data has been described that includes one or more remote devices adapted to collect and transmit seismic data and to transmit and receive communication signals, one or more local devices operably coupled to the remote devices, the local devices adapted to transmit and receive communication and seismic data signals, and one or more command centers operably coupled to the remote devices and the local devices, the command centers adapted to transmit and receive communication and seismic data signals and provide a user interface. In a preferred embodiment, each remote device includes: one or more sensors adapted to generate seismic signals, a data collection system operably coupled to the sensors, a communication system for transmitting and receiving audio, facsimile, and video, and a remote communications transceiver operably coupled to the data collection system, and the communication system adapted to transmit and receive seismic data, audio, facsimile, and video. In a preferred embodiment, each local device includes: a local communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive seismic data, audio, video and facsimile, and a communication system operably coupled to the local communications transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, audio, facsimile and video. In a preferred embodiment, each command center includes: seismic data analysis equipment, and a communications system for transmitting and receiving audio, video, and facsimile. In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes one or more external computers operably coupled one or more of the command centers. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more of the external computers are adapted to control the operation of at least a portion of the system. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the external computers are adapted to monitor the operation of at least a portion of the system. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the remote devices includes a seismic acquisition management system. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the remote devices includes a seismic survey system. A method of remotely controlling, acquiring, and monitoring the acquisition of seismic data also has been described that includes remotely collecting seismic data, remotely transmitting and receiving communication signals, locally transmitting and receiving communication signals, and locally providing a user interface to the communication signals. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitting and receiving is performed on a real time basis. In a preferred embodiment, the remote collection of seismic data is provided at a plurality of remote locations. In a preferred embodiment, the remote transmission and reception of communication signals is provided at a plurality of remote locations. In a preferred embodiment, the local transmission andreception of communication signals is provided at a plurality of local locations. In a preferred embodiment, the local provision of a user interface is provided at a plurality of local locations. In a preferred embodiment, the controlling of the acquisition of seismic data is distributed. In a preferred embodiment, the monitoring of the acquisition of seismic data is distributed.

A system for collecting and transmitting seismic data and transmitting and receiving communications signals has also been described that includes one or more sensors adapted to collect seismic data, a data collection system operably coupled to the sensors, a communications system adapted to transmit and receive audio, video, and facsimile, and a communications transceiver coupled to the data collection system and the communications system adapted to transmit and receive the seismic data, audio, video, and facsimile to a remote location. A system for transmitting and receiving communications signals and seismic data has also been described that includes a communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive seismic data, audio, video and facsimile to a remote location, a communications system coupled to the communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive seismic data, audio, video and facsimile to a remote location. In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes seismic data analysis equipment.

A method of collecting and transmitting seismic data and transmitting and receiving communications signals also has been described that includes sensing and collecting seismic data, and transmitting and receiving the sensed seismic data with audio, video, and facsimile signals to a remote location.

A method of transmitting and receiving communications signals and seismic data and analyzing the seismic data also has been described that includes transmitting and receiving seismic data, audio, video and facsimile signals, and analyzing the seismic data. A control system also has been described that includes one or more sensors positioned at a first set of locations, one or more communications interfaces operably coupled to the sensors and positioned at a second set of locations, and one or more controllers operably coupled to the communications interfaces and positioned at the second set of locations. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the sensors include: a data collection system, and a communications system adapted to communicate audio, video, facsimile and data signals. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the communications interfaces comprise a wireless communication link. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communication link comprises a satellite communications link. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communication link comprises a microwave communication link. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the controllers include: a data control and monitoring system, and a communications system adapted to communicate audio, video, facsimile and data signals. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a plurality of sensors. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a plurality of communications interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a plurality of controllers. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the controllers is adapted to control at least a portion of the operation of at least one of the other controllers. In a preferred embodiment, the first set of locations are different from the second set of locations.

A method of operating a control system also has been described that includes sensing conditions at one or more first set of locations, monitoring and controlling the sensing of the conditions at one or more second set of locations, and providing a user interface at the first and second set of locations. In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes communicating audio, video, facsimile, and data signals between and among the first and second set of locations. In a preferred embodiment, the control system is operated on a real-time basis. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for remotely controlling, acquiring, and monitoring the acquisition of data, comprising: one or more remote devices adapted to collect and transmit data and to transmit and receive communication signals; one or more local devices operably coupled to the remote devices, the local devices adapted to transmit and receive communication and data signals; and one or more command centers operably coupled to the remote devices and the local devices, the command centers adapted to transmit and receive communication and data signals and provide a user interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each remote device includes: one or more sensors adapted to generate signals; a data collection system operably coupled to the sensors; a communication system for transmitting and receiving data, audio, facsimile, video, and control signals; and a remote communications transceiver operably coupled to the data collection system, and the communication system adapted to transmit and receive data, audio, facsimile, video, and control signals.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each local device includes: a local communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive data, audio, video, facsimile, and control signals; and a communication system operably coupled to the local communications transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, audio, facsimile, video, and control signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each command center includes: data analysis equipment; and a communications system for transmitting and receiving data, audio, video, facsimile, and control signals.

5. The system of claim 1, further including one or more external computers operably coupled one or more of the command centers.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein one or more of the external computers are adapted to control the operation of at least a portion of the system.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein one or more of the external computers are adapted to monitor the operation of at least a portion of the system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the remote devices includes a seismic acqmsition management system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the remote devices includes a seismic survey system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the data comprises seismic data.

11. A method of remotely controlling, acquiring, and monitoring the acquisition of data, comprising: remotely collecting data; remotely transmitting and receiving communication signals; locally transmitting and receiving communication signals; and locally providing a user interface to the communication signals.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transmitting and receiving is performed on a real time basis.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote collection of data is provided at a plurality of remote locations.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote transmission and reception of communication signals is provided at a plurality of remote locations.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the local transmission and reception of communication signals is provided at a plurality of local locations.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the local provision of a user interface is provided at a plurality of local locations.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling of the acquisition of data is distributed.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the monitoring of the acquisition of data is distributed.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the data includes seismic data.

20. A system for collecting and transmitting data and transmitting and receiving communications signals, comprising: one or more sensors adapted to collect data; a data collection system operably coupled to the sensors; a communications system adapted to transmit and receive audio, video, and facsimile; and a communications transceiver coupled to the data collection system and the communications system adapted to transmit and receive the data, audio, video, and facsimile to a remote location.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the data includes seismic data.

22. A system for transmitting and receiving communications signals and data, comprising: a communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive data, control signals, audio, video and facsimile to a remote location; a communications system coupled to the communications transceiver adapted to transmit and receive data, audio, video and facsimile to a remote location.

23. The system of claim 22, further including: data analysis equipment.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the data includes seismic data.

25. A method of collecting and transmitting data and transmitting and receiving communications signals, comprising: sensing and collecting data; and transmitting and receiving the seismic data with audio, video, and facsimile signals to and from a remote location.

26. A method of transmitting and receiving communications signals and data and analyzing the data, comprising: transmitting and receiving data, audio, video and facsimile signals; and analyzing the data.

27. A control system, comprising: one or more sensors positioned at a first set of locations; one or more communications interfaces operably coupled to the sensors and positioned at a second set of locations; and one or more controllers operably coupled to the communications interfaces and positioned at the second set of locations.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein one or more of the sensors include: a data collection system; and a communications system adapted to communicate audio, video, facsimile and data signals.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein one or more of the communications interfaces comprise a wireless communication link.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a satellite communications link.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a microwave communication link.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein one or more of the controllers include: a data control and monitoring system; and a communications system adapted to communicate audio, video, facsimile and data signals.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein the system includes a plurality of sensors.

34. The system of claim 27, wherein the system includes a plurality of communications interfaces.

35. The system of claim 27, wherein the system includes a plurality of controllers.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein at least one of the controllers is adapted to control at least a portion of the operation of at least one of the other controllers.

37. The system of claim 27, wherein the first set of locations are different from the second set of locations.

38. A method of operating a control system, comprising: sensing conditions at one or more first set of locations; monitoring and controlling the sensing of the conditions at one or more second set of locations; and providing a user interface at the first and second set of locations.

39. The method of claim 38, further including: communicating audio, video, facsimile, and data signals between and among the first and second set of locations.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the control system is operated on a real- time basis.