Method and apparatus for detecting seismic events by identifying crossings in the Nth derivative of a waveform
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorBruce E. Flinchbaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic system automatically detects significant events in a seismic trace. The seismic trace is defined as a series of consecutive points, equally spaced in time. The system provides for taking the Nth derivative of the trace at each of the points. The system has the capability of identifying the time of the zero-crossings of the Nth derivative and of establishing the amplitude of the trace at the time of the zero-crossing of the Nth derivative. Memory is provided for storing the amplitude of the trace and the times of the zero crossings in the Nth derivative. Finally, displays are provided for displaying the traces and the zero-crossings in the Nth derivative as a hard copy of visual display.
Claims14
A system for automatically detecting significant events in a seismic trace for the purpose of mapping seismic events, comprising:
- (a) means for defining the seismic trace as a series of points in time;
- (b) means for taking the Nth derivative of the seismic trace at each of the points, wherein N is greater than 1;
- (c) means for identifying the time of the zero-crossings in the Nth derivative;
- and
- (d) means for establishing the amplitude of the seismic trace at the Nth derivative zero-crossing time.
A method for detecting significant events in a seismic trace for the purpose of mapping seismic events, comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining the seismic trace as a series of equally spaced points in time;
- (b) taking the Nth derivative of the seismic trace at all of the equally spaced points, wherein N is greater than 1;
- (c) identifying the time of the zero-crossings in the Nth derivative;
- (d) establishing the amplitude of the seismic trace at the times of the zero-crossings;
- and
- (e) storing the time and amplitude of the seismic trace of the zero-crossing of the Nth derivative.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.