Patent ID: 7864630

Claim:
A method for generating seismic data utilizing at least two groups or systems of seismic sources where one group or system is able to emit seismic signals while another group or system continues to emit seismic signals, said method comprising: (a) actuating a plurality of first sources associated with a first seismic system to generate a first plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals wherein each of said first sources is out of phase with respect to other sources in said plurality of first sources; (b) while the first sources are generating phase-encoded signals, actuating a plurality of second sources associated with a second seismic system to generate a second plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals that are at least partially frequency separated from said first plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals generated in (a) and wherein each of said second sources is out of phase with respect to other sources in said plurality of second sources; (c) detecting said first and second plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals utilizing one or more first receivers positioned at a location remote from said first and second sources; (d) detecting said first plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals utilizing one or more second receivers that are not contaminated by signals from the second sources; and (e) detecting said second plurality of phase-encoded vibratory signals utilizing one or more second receivers that are not contaminated by signals from the first sources, (f) recording the detected signals from the first and second sources where the signals from each source that are detected by the first receivers are separable from other sources.