Integrated geophysical survey system

A computer-integrated survey system which is useful in the location of underground obstacles, such as rocks, concrete, steel and ice is disclosed. Specifically, the detection system of the present invention is operated by a microcomputer, having a series of sensors, which integrate position-determining systems, time, sub-surface radar, sonar, seismograph, laser equipment and earth-resistivity functions to accomplish its stated purpose. The system is specially designed in a compact fashion so that it may easily be hand-held, if so desired. Simultaneous with the detection and measurement of underground obstacles, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a permanent record of all information may be constructed for subsequent review and print-out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Technical Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an integrated geophysical survey system. 
More particularly, the present invention relates to a computer-integrated 
geophysical survey system, useful in the location of underground 
obstacles, such as rocks, concrete, steel and ice, and which is further 
capable of measuring and recording a wide array of geological conditions 
simultaneously with the detection of underground obstacles. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Heretofore, the art has not included a detection-measurement device for 
accomplishing the broad range of functions described above, and which will 
be described in greater detail hereinafter, despite a persistent need in 
industries, such as the oil, gas and pipeline industries, which are 
required to determine the parameters measured by the present invention on 
an on-going basis. In addition, it is estimated that the present 
invention, vis-a-vis the prior art methods of accomplishing the same, can 
complete the necessary geophysical survey in only 5-10% of the time now 
required by prior art means to gather and record similar information. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a 
geophysical survey system which is capable of detecting the location of 
underground obstacles. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide an integrated 
geophysical survey system which is capable of simultaneously determining 
and recording such geological parameters as positions of obstacles, time, 
seismographic conditions, earth-resistivity, etc. 
It is, yet, an additional object of the present invention to provide an 
integrated geophysical survey system that may be mobile and provide for 
the recordation of measured parameters at a remote locale. 
It is also an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages 
inherent in prior art devices. 
The foregoing and related objects are achieved by a computer-integrated 
survey system which is useful in the location of underground obstacles, 
such as rocks, concrete, steel and ice. Specifically, the detection system 
of the present invention is operated by a microcomputer, having a series 
of sensors, which integrate position-determining systems, time, 
sub-surface radar, sound-transmitting detection equipment, seismograph, 
laser equipment and earth-resistivity functions to accomplish its stated 
purpose. The system is specially designed in a compact fashion so that it 
may easily be hand-held, if so desired. Simultaneous with the detection 
and measurement of underground obstacles, in a preferred embodiment of the 
present invention, a permanent record of all information may be 
constructed for subsequent review and print-out. The permanent record 
created by the inventive system will permit other geophysicists, engineers 
and managers to later review the collected data, thereby greatly reducing 
the chances of misinterpretation and human error. 
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent 
when considered in connection with the drawing. It should, however, be 
noted that the drawing merely illustrates a preferred embodiment of the 
present invention and is not intended as a definition of the limitations 
thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
Turning now, in detail, to the drawing, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram 
illustrating the various components of the present invention in relation 
to one another. Specifically, the invention comprises a series of sensors 
with a sensor for each of the following functions used in the detection of 
obstacles: 
(1) position-determining system (11); 
(2) time (12); 
(3) sub-surface interface radar (13); 
(4) seismograph (14); 
(5) earth-resistivity measuring equipment (15); 
(6) laser equipment (16); and, 
(7) sound-transmitting detection equipment (17). 
The foregoing list of sensors for use with the present invention is not an 
exclusive listing. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each sensor input is to 
be serviced by a dedicated microprocessor card (21-27). This construction 
would allow for the development and addition of additional sensors at some 
future point in time, if so desired. The microprocessor cards used in the 
system, i.e., I/O processor cards, are preferably of the "easy link" 
family that, via serial backplane, a 2.4 mb/sec. line can be processed 
from digital or analog of many different types. 
Each microprocessor card will communicate with the Integration and Data 
Recording Device via a 7.4 Mb/sec. serial interface using an RS-485 
standard. With the foregoing apparatus, up to 256 inputs, or as few as one 
input, can be serviced in this fashion without modification of system 
software or hardware. All that is necessary to connect each input card is 
three twisted signal pairs; no complicated backplane connections are 
required. Each microprocessor card is built with the same interface (Bit 
Bus) and uses the same CPU and support circuit. The only difference or 
modifications necessary from one card to another will be in the specific 
I/O circuit (e.g., RS-232; 488; Analgin), which is only approximately 
15-20% of each card. The basic microprocessor card is available from 
several manufacturers, including Seabrook Technology, Seabrook, N.H. Each 
card is built on a single wide Eurocard Standard with industrial strength 
connectors (gas tight). 
In the system, distributed processing is made possible by a computer 
microchip, e.g., Intel Corporation's Chip No. 8044 (Intel Corporation, 
3065 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, Calif. 95051, U.S.A.). Intel's Chip No. 
8044 is a mass-produced 2.4 mb/sec. serial length and microprocessor 
bit-bus chip, which is used extensively in industry at the present time. 
All communications functions (both hardware and software) and CPU function 
are provided on a single 40 pin IC that is relatively inexpensive. 
The inventive system further comprises a computer for organizing the 
collected data and means for printing out and/or displaying such data, as 
further discussed hereinafter. 
FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the inventive detection system 
30 as comprising a simple electronic cabinet containing terminals (51, 52, 
53, 54, 55, 56 . . . n) for the connection of external sensing components 
(41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 . . . n) to the internal cards (preferably some 
integer up to and including 16). The dimensions of the cabinet are, 
preferably, approximately 7" high, 19" wide and 22" long. The precise 
dimensions of the cabinet may, of course, be varied in a manner consistent 
with the internal apparatus of the cabinet. 
In a preferred embodiment of cabinet 30, this cabinet would utilize an 
approximately 41/2" rack size enclosure with a backplane for accepting 16 
microprocessor cards. All such cards would be removable from the front of 
the unit with only the backplane connector. Both the I/O bus and the input 
signals enter the cards on the same single backplane connector. This 
results in simplicity of operation of the unit for working with a card on 
an extender and allows for easy board swap repair in the field. 
All data gathered on the I/O bus will be saved by recordation on a standard 
recording medium such as, for example, 9-track or hi-density cartridges. 
Other options exist, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
Once the data is captured, preferably, the information is displayed and/or 
printed out in various formats as per the desires of the user, either 
locally, i.e., on-site, or at a base camp. The PC-DOS environment is best 
suited for this purpose since a great number of ready-made or commercial 
software and graphics packages are available in conjunction with the PC, 
or personal computer, now common throughout the world. The basic 
architecture suitable for this purpose, and which has been discussed 
above, is distributed processing, wherein each area of a system is 
provided with its own intelligence capability. This architecture allows 
for a great deal of adaptability and provides for complete self-testing 
diagnostics and failure analysis. 
All communication functions, both hardware and software functions and CPU 
functions, as previously discussed, are provided on an inexpensive single 
40 pin IC. All parts are available in low power CMOS thereby allowing for 
DC or battery operation. Furthermore, all data transfer and error 
correction functions are, preferably, accomplished by Intel's 8044 chip 
and are totally transparent to the programmer. For purposes of both 
adaptability and convenience, it is preferably that all software, hardware 
design and board layout will be accomplished exclusively on an IBM-PC 
compatible system, though this is not a necessity. 
Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the present invention may be used in 
conjunction with an automotive means for conducting a geophysical survey 
over an extended area. 
While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many 
modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and 
scope of the invention.