CPC Definition - Subclass G01V
This place covers:
Methods and apparatus for geophysical purposes such as
Seismic measurements, including the generation of seismic energy, the detection of seismic signals and their processing,
Measuring the magnetic or electric field of the earth or its modification by geological structures,
Measuring the gravitational field of the earth or its modification by geological structures;
Prospecting or detecting of masses or objects in general, e.g. by seismic, electric, magnetic, gravimetric, or optical means, or by the use of nuclear radiation.
Measuring gravitational fields or waves in general, e.g. gravitational forces between two bodies, or gravitational waves of cosmic origin.
Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing such apparatus.
Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object.
Geophysical modelling, whether or not related to the measurement of a physical parameter
In this subclass, the geophysical methods apply both to the earth and to other celestial objects, e.g. planets.
The general subject matter for locating or detecting masses or objects is covered by several subclasses besides G01V: G01S, G01C.
G01V covers radar, sonar, lidar or analogous systems specifically designed for geophysical use. Radar, sonar, lidar or analogous systems, or details of such systems, if of general interest, are covered by subclass G01S.
G01V also covers geophysical modelling, whether or not related to the measurement of a physical parameter. Other fields, involving geophysical modelling are E21B and G06F
In general, documents relating to the functional aspects of the modelling per se, e.g. finite difference modelling, should be classified in the G06F 17/00. Fluid flow simulation and modelling which is not application specific, e.g. using specialized computer or software, is covered by G06F 30/23.
Documents relating to the application aspects of the modelling of physical system or processes should be classified in their application field, that is G01V for geophysics and seismics and E21B for oil production.
More in particular, models relating to the state of the subsurface/formation, e.g. sedimentation models, should be classified in G01V 99/005, as this is considered the application field of exploration.
Models used when processing seismic data in general should be classified in G01V 1/28. Models used for velocity profiles should be classified in G01V 1/303
Modelling related to production of reservoir fluids, e.g. fluid flow models, should be with E21B.
Equally, analysis of models for production or simulated production are classified in E21B, like e.g. risk analysis, production forecast, net present value [NPV].
This place does not cover:
Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, person |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Detecting or locating foreign bodies for diagnostic, surgical or person-identification purposes | |
Survey of boreholes or wells | |
Investigating or analysing earth materials by determining their chemical or physical properties | |
Measuring electric or magnetic variables in general, other than direction or magnitude of the earth's field | |
Radar, sonar, lidar or analogous systems, or details of such systems in general | |
Burglar, theft, or intruder alarms |
This place covers:
Seismic measurements, including the generation of seismic energy, the detection of seismic signals and their processing.
Presence detection by acoustical means.
Earthquake detection or prediction.
This place does not cover:
Measuring vibrations as such | |
Sonar | |
Alarm systems | |
Production and propagation of sound | |
Microphones or like acoustic electromechanical transducers |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Survey of boreholes or wells |
For details which are not covered by specific subgroups of G01V 1/00, the Indexing Codes G01V 2200/00 and subcodes should be applied.
This place covers:
Acoustic presence detection for passive detection only, e.g. footsteps by walking person.
G01V 1/001 covers the passive detection of "presence", i.e. availability/existence of an object or a person, e.g. in a room, by the sound produced.
This term "presence" is not to be confused with the term "event" as is used in other subgroups of G01V 1/00. The term "event" refers to an occurrence of an acoustic effect, for example in earthquake detection (G01V 1/008) or in microseismics (G01V 1/288).
This place does not cover:
Burglar, theft, or intruder alarms actuated by interference with mechanical vibrations using passive vibration detection system |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Measuring vibrations as such |
This place covers:
General design of seismic surveys
Use of special signals, e.g. for slip sweep arrangements, swept signals, pseudo-random codes.
Use of plurality of generators for generating single coherent signals.
This place does not cover:
Marine seismic data acquisition | |
Control of marine source arrays | |
VSP acquisition |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Generating seismic energy per se |
This place covers:
Earthquake detection or prediction
Mudslides or avalanche detection
G01V 1/008 relates to direct detection or prediction of calamitous events whereas G01V 1/288 relates to analysis per se of seismic events.
This place does not cover:
Processing for the detection of seismic or microseismic events | |
Alarms responsive to calamitous events, e.g. Tsunami warning |
This place covers:
Details of seismic sources, like ground coupling, ignition or the like.
Types of seismic sources:
using explosions
using fluidic driving means
using mechanical driving means
using spark discharges
using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive driving means
This place does not cover:
Seismic data acquisition in general, e.g. survey design |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Generating special signals | |
Generating single signals by using more than one generator, other than explosive charge | |
Details exclusively relevant in a marine environment | |
Control of marine source arrays | |
Generating mechanical vibrations by using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive effect, in general | |
Blasting in general | |
Nuclear explosives | |
Spark gaps, discharge apparatus, not otherwise provided for |
This place covers:
Details of receiving elements, like ground coupling, circuits or the like.
Deployment of receiving elements.
Types of receiving elements:
geophones
hydrophones
combinations thereof
Arrangements of receiving elements, e.g. geophone patterns or streamers
Combinations of receiving elements are classified in G01V 1/18 when they essentially do a measurement on a single location.
For example, a combination of a sound pressure transducer and a particle velocity measuring transducer should be classified in G01V 1/18.
Arrangements of receiving elements for simultaneously measuring on a plurality of locations should be classified in G01V 1/20
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Integrated optoseismic systems | |
Fibre-optical receiving elements | |
Accelerometers in general | |
Transducer mountings in general | |
Electromechanical transducers |
This place covers:
Transmission of seismic signals, e.g. by wire or radio signals.
Integrated combinations of receiving elements and transmission systems, e.g.optoseismic systems
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
This place covers:
Recording systems for seismic data always containing a memory structure for intermediate or final storage. This also covers seismographs that use paper as storage.
Amplitude control. e.g. for dynamic compression (for analogue systems).
Storage in acquisition units.
Time reference systems for synchronisation of the seismic data.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Transforming one recording into another | |
Clock synchronisation-related issues | |
Recording measured values in general | |
Amplitude control in general |
This place covers:
Processing seismic data:
application of seismic models
application of particular components of seismic signal, e.g. shear waves
event detection in seismic signals, e.g. microseismics
Analysis of seismic data:
determining seismic cross-section or geostructures
determining velocity profiles or traveltimes
determining physical properties of the subsurface
determining seismic attributes
time lapse or 4D effects
Transforming representations of seismic data
Displaying data
Correcting seismic data; eliminating unwanted energy:
static or dynamic corrections
seismic filtering
specially adapted for continuous agitation of the ground
4D effects in G01V 1/00 cover effects over time to the subsurface formation as a result of production from that formation.
The group E21B 47/00 covers 4D effects related to the fluid flow per se.
4D effects in G01V 99/00 cover long term geophysical effects, e.g. sedimentation processes, which do not relate to seismic measurements per se.
This place does not cover:
Processing of acoustic logging data | |
4D effects related to the fluid flow per se |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Computing in general |
Subject matter relating to application in a marine environment should also be classified as additional information under G01V 1/38.
Subject matter relating to application in a borehole environment should also be classified as additional information under G01V 1/40.
For details which are not covered by specific subgroups of G01V 1/28, the Indexing Codes G01V 2210/00 and subcodes should be applied.
For further details, including details which may already be covered by specific subgroups of G01V 1/28, the Indexing Codes G01V 2210/00 and subcodes should also be applied.
G01V 2210/00 covers "Details of seismic processing or analysis", e.g.:
Aspects of acoustic signal generation or detection
Trace signal pre-filtering to select, remove or transform specific events or signal components, i.e. trace in and trace out
Noise handling
Transforming data representation
Corrections and adjustments related to wave propagation
Analysis
Other details related to processing
This place covers:
Marine seismic data acquisition. This also covers survey design
Positioning of marine seismic devices, including determining the position
Deployment of marine seismic devices, i.e. bringing into position prior to use, of streamers, ocean bottom cables [OBC] or nodes
Control of source arrays, e.g. for far field control
This place does not cover:
Constructional details of marine seismic streamers | |
Marine seismic processing and analysis | |
Marine VSP |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Seismic data acquisition in general | |
Equipment for marine deployment in general | |
Control of attitude or depth of underwater vessels |
Classification in G01V 1/38 usually also requires classification in one of the subgroups G01V 1/02 - G01V 1/375
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
OBC | Ocean Bottom Cable |
ROV | Remotely Operated Vehicles |
This place covers:
Seismic or acoustic well-logging:
- Seismic logging in this group concerns investigation of the formation as a whole extending far away from the borehole, e.g. VSP or inter-well seismic tomography
- Acoustic logging in this group concerns close range investigations of the vicinity of the borehole
- Structural details directly related to acoustic and seismic well-logging
Acoustic logging in G01V 1/00 concerns close range investigations of the vicinity of the borehole. Acoustic logging of the borehole itself is covered by E21B 47/00
This place does not cover:
VSP seismic processing and analysis |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Structural details for well-logging in general | |
Survey of boreholes or wells |
Further constructional details should be classified as additional information in G01V 1/523 or G01V1/52D
This place covers:
Detecting the presence of objects as well as Geophysical prospecting by magnetic or electric means, e.g.
with propagation of electric current;
with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects, structures or detecting devices;
with electromagnetic waves
with electron or nuclear magnetic resonance
Measuring magnetic field characteristics and properties of the earth, both as local deviations and of the earth as a whole.
Special adaptations of the techniques above for well-logging or for use during transport
G01V 3/00 covers detecting and prospecting by electric or magnetic means, also if the prospecting is applied in boreholes. However, It does not cover the analysis of core samples, as taken from a borehole, which is covered by the appropriate classes in G01N.
Investigating or analysing of materials by the use of electric, electro-chemical or magnetic means are classified in G01N 27/00. Investigating or analysing of materials by NMR are classified in G01N 24/00.
Magnetic resonance is classified in a number of technical fields. In particular G01V 3/14 and G01V 3/32 cover specific adaptations of magnetic resonance to geophysical measurements. As such, those groups strongly relate to G01R 33/20 and subgroups and to G01N 24/00 and subgroups. For a more complete explanation of the relationship, see G01N 24/00.
Magnets and magnetic materials as such are classified in H01F.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Seismo-electric effect | |
Compasses, magnetic field measurements for navigation or surveying purposes | |
Investigating or analysing of materials by NMR | |
Investigating or analysing of materials by the use of electric, electro-chemical or magnetic means | |
Investigating or analysing of earth materials |
Further details of subgroups:
The distinction between electric and magnetic (i.e. G01V 3/08) on the one hand, and electromagnetic (i.e. G01V 3/12) on the other is not directly based on the frequency. Instead, it is mostly based on whether the wave character is important. If the wavelength is much larger than the dimensions of the structures or objects under investigation, the field is considered to be static and the subject matter is covered by G01V 3/08 and subgroups. If the dimensions are comparable to, or larger than a wavelength, the subject matter falls under G01V 3/12.
Further details should be classified as additional information with Indexing Codes G01V 2003/084 - G01V 2003/086.
G01V 3/101 takes precedence.
Millimetre waves: G01V 8/005.
Classification in this group may also require classification in G01N 24/00.
Classification in one of these groups usually also requires classification in groups G01V 3/02 - G01V 3/14 if relevant.
These groups are only used when adapted for use on an aircraft.
Millimetre waves: G01V 8/005.
Classification in this group may also require classification in G01N 24/00.
G01V 3/34 takes precedence.
This group does not cover earth magnetic field measurements for the purpose of navigation or surveying, which is covered by G01C 17/00.
This place covers:
- Detecting hidden objects
- Specially adapted for surface logging (e.g. from aircraft)
- Specially adapted for well-logging
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Survey of borehole or wells | |
Investigating or analysing materials | |
Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications (e.g. Terahertz scanners) | |
Measurment of nuclear or X-radiation | |
Scintillation detectors | |
Semiconductor detectors | |
Measuring neutron radiation | |
Detector interrogation using an external network |
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
SNM | Special Nuclear Material |
This place does not cover:
Prospecting or detecting with millimeter waves | |
Detecting or locating foreign bodies for diagnostic, surgical or person-identification purposes | |
Tetahertz Scanners |
This place covers:
Measuring the magnitude and orientation of a gravity field.
Prospecting or detecting through anomalies in the earth gravity field.
The following place may also be relevant for classification:
The measurement of gravity is closely related to the measurement of acceleration as is generally covered by G01P 15/00. As such, comparable methods and devices may be found and classified in both places whenever a change in speed or motion is concerned.
This place does not cover:
Weighing |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Measuring slope or direction of boreholes | |
Clinometers |
This place covers:
Prospecting by optical means, e.g. by spectroscopic means, but also by optical inspection.
Detection of objects by optical means, usually through interruption of a beam of light.
In this main group, the term "optical" includes ultra-violet, infrared, visible light and millimetre waves.
The main group G01S 17/00 concerns location or presence detection by means of reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves from the object. In G01V 8/00, the detection normally occurs through interruption of a beam or set of beams. In the context of G01V 8/00, the term "reflectors" only refers to means for deflecting the optical beam. It does not refer to the object to be detected.
Infrared radiation is considered to be light when used in e.g. light curtains. Documents, using infrared radiation as a measure of local temperature (e.g. thermal imaging), should be classified in G01V 9/005.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Safety devices in passenger lifts | |
Safety devices for doors and the like, operated by disruption of energy beams | |
Safety devices acting in conjunction with the control or operation of a machine | |
Photogrammetry; Photographic surveying | |
Measurement of the characteristics of light | |
Investigating or analysing materials by optical means | |
Optical components or systems | |
Counting of objects, carried by a conveyor | |
Burglar, theft or intruder alarms, activated by interference with heat, light or radiation | |
Detecting movement of traffic | |
Semiconductor devices sensitive to light | |
Switches using optical detectors |
Further details of subgroups
Documents should be classified in the lowest possible subgroup. If e.g. the document discloses both a system with a single beam and with multiple beams, but the latter is merely a juxtaposition of several single beam arrangements, it should be classified in the appropriate class for single beams. Details of single elements (transmitters or receivers), even if used in single beam or multiple beam systems, should be classififed in G01V 8/10.
Detection by reflection from the object itself is covered by G01S 17/00
Optical scanning system per sé: G02B 26/10
This place covers:
Prospecting or detecting by a specific measuring method, other than those, provided for in groups G01V 1/00 - G01V 8/00,
like:
by parascientific methods
by thermal methods
by detection of gases representative of underground layers, e.g. for seep detection or the determination of underground water existence or flow
This place does not cover:
Prospecting or detecting when the measuring method is irrelevant. | |
Prospecting or detecting, where no measuring method is involved (e.g. model building) |
Examples of places in relation to which this place is residual:
Further details of subgroups
This subgroup covers prospecting and detecting by parascientific methods, or by methods that are not based on formal science.
Parascientific features take precedence over features from other groups in G01V, e.g. if a dowsing tool makes use of magnets, it would be classified in G01V 9/002.
In this subgroup, infrared radiation is used as an indicator of local temperature, e.g. for thermal imaging. If it is used as the optical beam of a light curtain, the document should be classified in G01V 8/00.
Analysing earth materials: G01N 33/24
Analysing gases per sé: G01N
This place covers:
Prospecting or detecting using a combination of methods.
Prospecting or detecting where the method is irrelevant.
This place does not cover:
Geomodels or geomodelling, not related to particular measurements |
Further details of subgroups
Transmission systems, specfically adapted for use in a borehole.
Components of downhole systems.
Transmission systems, suitable for both logging signals (i.e. G01V) and well survey signals (i.e. E21B) are classified in this group.
Transmission of seismic signals as such is classified in G01V 1/22.
Signal transmission in general: H04B.
This subgroup contains means for locking sondes against the borehole wall,
means for centralising sondes in the borehole and means for determining the position and orientation of logging tools.
Combinations of measurement tools with locking mechanisms, e.g. in order to provide a better acoustical or electrical contact with the borehole wall, are classified in the appropriate class for the measurement method.
When the seismo-electric effect is used for the purpose of earthquake prediction, the document should only be classified in G01V 1/008.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Testing or calibrating of vibration detectors as such |
This place covers:
Tags for objects that, due to their nature or to special circumstances, are not readily detectable in themselves by any of the methods in G01V 1/00 - G01V 9/00, e.g. buried PVC pipes but also e.g. merchandise that is in risk of theft.
It is not intended for identification of a particular object (e.g. among a group of similar objects) or for carrying information about the object.
This place does not cover:
Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings (e.g. RFID) |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried persons | |
Methods or arrangements for sensing record cariers | |
Identification tags | |
Theft detection systems using tags | |
Signs, labels | |
Aerials, structurally associated with other equipment or articles | |
Installation of electric cables underground |
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Tag | active or passive means, designed to facilitate the detection of hidden or buried objects, that would not otherwise be readily detectable. |
This place covers:
Geomodels or geomodelling, not related to particular measurements
This place does not cover:
Models for seismic processing | |
Velocity profiles | |
Modelling, related to reservoir fluids, e.g. fluid flow models | |
Modelling algorithms per sé |