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.

This subclass 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.

This subclass 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 20/00 Geomodelling in general, 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 classified in 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].

Burglar, theft or intruder alarms actuated by interference with electromagnetic radiation or fields are classified in G08B 13/18 and G08B 13/24.

References G01S and G08B 13/00 are non-limiting in the subclass G01V. CPC will be updated/corrected once this inconsistency is resolved in IPC.

Seismic measurements, including the generation of seismic energy, the detection of seismic signals or their processing.

Presence detection by acoustical means.

Earthquake detection or prediction.

This group covers the processing of seismic data for detection or prediction of earthquakes, whereas G01V 1/28 covers seismic signal processing, including the processing for the detection of seismic or microseismic events.

Acoustic presence detection for passive detection only, e.g. footsteps by walking person.

This subgroup 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.

The 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 1/01) or in microseismics (G01V 1/288).

General design of seismic surveys.

Use of special signals, e.g. for slip sweep arrangements, swept signals or pseudo-random codes.

Use of plurality of generators for generating single coherent signals.

This group covers the processing of seismic data for detection or prediction of earthquakes whereas G01V 1/28 covers seismic signal processing, including the processing for the detection of seismic or microseismic events.

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

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.

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

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.

Transmission of seismic signals, e.g. by wire or radio signals.

Integrated combinations of receiving elements and transmission systems, e.g.optoseismic systems

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Orthogonal 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 Orthogonal 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.

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.

Classification in G01V 1/38 usually also requires classification in one of the subgroups G01V 1/02 - G01V 1/375

Seismic or acoustic 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.

Further constructional details should be classified as additional information in G01V 1/523 or G01V 1/52.

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.

G01V 3/08:

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.

G01V 3/083:

Further details should be classified as additional information with Indexing Codes G01V 2003/084 - G01V 2003/086.

G01V 3/104:

G01V 3/101 takes precedence.

G01V 3/12:

Millimetre waves: G01V 8/005.

G01V 3/14:

Classification in this group may also require classification in G01N 24/00.

G01V 3/15 - G01V 3/175:

Classification in one of these groups usually also requires classification in groups G01V 3/02 - G01V 3/14 if relevant.

G01V 3/165 - G01V 3/175:

These groups are only used when adapted for use on an aircraft.

G01V 3/17:

Millimetre waves: G01V 8/005.

G01V 3/18 - G01V 3/34:

These classes take precedence over groups G01V 3/02 - G01V 3/14.

G01V 3/32:

Classification in this group may also require classification in G01N 24/00.

G01V 3/36:

G01V 3/34 takes precedence.

G01V 3/40:

This group does not cover earth magnetic field measurements for the purpose of navigation or surveying, which is covered by G01C 17/00.

The detection of objects using ionising radiation for the purpose of preventing contraband or smuggling.

The ionising radiation scanning of equipment to prevent the bringing of forbidden objects into restricted areas.

This group is an application-oriented place that covers the specific application of detecting contraband, smuggling or attempts to carry concealed and forbidden objects (e.g. weapons or explosives) into restricted areas (e.g. the secure zones of airports).

G01N 23/00 is instead the function-oriented place covering the investigation of materials (e.g. the detection of contamination in industrial production lines) per se, whereas G01T is the function-oriented place covering radiation detectors per se.

The detection of hidden objects by irradiating the equipment or person presumed to carry concealed objects with ionising radiation. The ionising radiation source can be natural or artificial, but is external to the inspected equipment.

The detection of hidden objects by inducing secondary emission through irradiation by an external source, e.g. neutron activation or X-ray fluorescence.

The detection of hidden objects by detecting the ionising radiation emanating from them.

Relative to G01T 1/167 ("Measuring radioactive content of objects"), this group is application-oriented, that is, it is restricted to measuring the radioactive content of objects, with the aim of identifying concealed radioactive objects within other objects, packages or equipment.

When the aim of the measurement is prospection to identify minerals containing radioactive elements, classification is made either in G01V 5/02 for surface logging or G01V 5/06, when well-logging is performed.

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.

Documents, classified in this subgroup, may also require classification in one of the subgroups G01V 7/02 - G01V 7/14

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 ultraviolet, 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.

G01V 8/10 - G01V 8/26

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.

G01V 8/14 and G01V 8/22

Detection by reflection from the object itself is covered by G01S 17/00

G01V 8/18 and G01V 8/26

Optical scanning system per sé: G02B 26/10

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.

G01V 9/002:

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.

G01V 9/005:

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.

G01V 9/007:

Analysing earth materials: G01N 33/24

Analysing gases per se: G01N

Prospecting or detecting using a combination of methods.

Prospecting or detecting where the method is irrelevant.

G01V 11/002:

Transmission systems, specifically 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.

G01V 11/005:

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.

G01V 11/007:

When the seismo-electric effect is used for the purpose of earthquake prediction, the document should only be classified in G01V 1/01.

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.

Reference G06K 19/00 is non-limiting in the subclass G01V. CPC will be updated/corrected once this inconsistency is resolved in IPC.

The modelling of geological structures or phenomena, where the model is expressed in terms of variables that are largely independent from measured quantities associated with specific techniques. Elements of the model (e.g. formation layer compositions) may have been obtained from a specific technique, but the modelling does not directly use peculiarities from that specific technique, and the output of this modelling is not expressed in terms of the variables of that specific technique. In other words, the geomodelling covered in this group may make use of specific geophysical techniques (seismic, electromagnetic, etc.), but these specific geophysical techniques only provide black box inputs to the geomodel covered in this group.

Modelling based on seismic variables (e.g. behaviour of S-waves or P-waves) is classified in G01V 1/30, or in G01V 1/01 if the purpose of the modelling is to make predictions about earthquakes. When seismic data are involved, classification is performed in this group only if the model has been re-expressed in terms of more basic variables (e.g. stress or density) that are no longer necessarily tied to seismology.

Geomodels or geomodelling, not related to particular measurements