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`»
`
`HUGHES. SCOTTA
`
`3663
`DATE MAILED: 04/05/2005
`
`PGS-Ol-04US
`Svein ToreifVaage
`07/17/2002
`10/197,235
`TITLE OF INVENTION: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING MARINE SEISMIC DATA USING MULTIPLE SEISMIC SOURCES
`
`4130
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`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 1
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`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 1
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`13- EUGENE THIGPEN
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`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
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`CONFIRMATION No.
`
`PGS-01-04US
`Svein Toreif Vaage
`07/17/2002
`10/197,235
`TITLE OF INVENTION: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING MARINE SEISMIC DATA USING MULTIPLE SEISMIC SOURCES
`
`4130
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`nonprovisional
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`NO
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`
`HUGHES, SCOTT A
`
`3663
`
`367-023000
`
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`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 2
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 2
`
`

`

`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Adm-s: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PiO. Bax M50
`Alexandria. Virginia 22311-1450
`m.t§pto.gvv
`
`lO/l97,235
`
`07/170002
`
`Svein Toreif Vaage
`
`PGS-Ol—04US
`
`4130
`
`E. EUGENE THIGPEN
`PETROLEUM GEO-SERVICES, INC.
`Po-Boxmos
`HOUSTON, TX 77242-2805
`
`'
`
`HUGHES. SCOTT A
`
`3663
`DATE MAILED: 04/05/2005
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
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`The Patent Term Adjustment to date is 254 day(s). If the issue fee is paid on the date that is three months after the
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`Page 3 of 3
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 3
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 3
`
`

`

`
`
`,
`.
`.
`Notice of Allowabrlrty
`
`Application No.
`
`'
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`101197.235
`Examiner
`
`ScottA Hughes
`
`.
`
`VAAGE, SVEIN TOREIF
`Art Unit
`
`3663 -
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`All claims being allowable. PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application.
`If not included
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`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS. This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`
`1. E] This communication is responsive to remarks and amendments filed on 5/3/2004.
`
`2. IX The allowed claim(s) is/are 1-38.
`
`3. IX The drawings filed on 17 July 2002 are accepted by the Examiner.
`
`4. [:1 Acknowledgment Is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(a)—(d) or (f).
`a) [:1 All
`b) I] Some‘
`c) [:1 None
`of the:
`1. E] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2. E] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`
`
`3. E] Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this national stage application from the
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`
`Attachment(s)
`1. [I Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`25E] Notice of Draftperson's Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`.
`3. D Information Disclosure Statements (PTO-1449 or PTO/SB/Ofl),
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`4. E] Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`
`5. E] Notice of Informal Patent Application (PTO-152)
`6. D Interview Summary (PTO~413),
`Paper No./Mai| Date _ .
`7. E] Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`
`.
`
`8. E] Examiners Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`9. D Other _.
`
`US. Patent and Trademrk Office
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`PTOL-37 (Rev. 1-04)
`
`EERNAFIR Echéebfiiy
`PRIMARY EXAMINER
`4, M, .3 K o’ :—
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 28032005
`
`
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 4
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 4
`
`

`

`
`4..
`.p’.
`
`‘ TM 8““
`
`re Application of:
`
`Svein Torleif Vaage
`
`Group Art Unit: 3663
`
`Serial No.
`
`10/197,235
`
`Examiner: Nelson Moskowitz
`
`Filed:
`
`July 17, 2002
`
`Title: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`
`Atty Docket No. PGS-Ol-04US
`
`ACQUIRING MARINE SEISMIC
`DATA USING MULTIPLE SEISMIC
`SOURCES
`
` IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`flammammwwww
`Date: April 30, 2004
`
`Mail Stop RCE
`
`_
`.
`Commtssnoner for Patents
`PO. Box 1450
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Certificate of Mailin for First Class Mailin
`
`I hereby certify that this correspondence is being deposited
`with the United States Postal Service with sufficient postage
`as first class mail
`in an envelope addressed to: Mail Stop
`RCE, Commissioner for Patents, PO. Box 1450, Alexandria,
`VA 22313-1450, on the date indicated bow.
`
`1“
`7
`_
`/ E. Eu eneThl
`en /
`
`AMENDMENT
`
`Sir:
`
`Please reconsider the captioned patent application in view of the following
`
`amendments and remarks.
`
`Amendments to the Specification begin on page 2 of this Amendment
`
`Amendments to the Claims begin on page 4 of this Amendment.
`
`Remarks begin on page 10 of this Amendment.
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATlON NO.lO/l97.235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.: FGS-01-04US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 5
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 5
`
`

`

`Amendments to the Specification:
`
`1) Please amend the first paragraph of the Summary of the Invention, beginning on page
`
`3 of the specification, as indicated below:
`
`One aspect of the invention is a marine seismic acquisition system adapted to substantially
`
`remove the effects of noise from recorded seismic signals of interest. The system includes a
`
`seismic recording vessel adapted to tow a first seismic source and to tow at least one seismic
`
`sensor system. The system includes a seismic source vessel adapted to track the seismic
`
`recording vessel and to tow a second seismic source at a selected distance from the first source.
`
`The system includes a controller adapted to fire the first source, wait a selected time, and to fire
`
`the second source in predetermined firing sequences. The selected time between the firing of
`
`first source and the second source in each firing sequence varies from firing sequence to firing
`
`sequence. The-selected-time-is-at-least-loag-enough-firing times of the first and second
`
`source are indexed so as to enable separate identification of seismic events originating from the
`
`first source and seismic events originating from the second source in detected seismic signals.
`
`2) Please amend the third paragraph of the Summary of the Invention, which is the
`
`second full paragraph on page 4 of the specification, as indicated below:
`
`Another aspect of the invention is a method for seismic surveying. The method includes towing
`
`a first seismic energy source and at least one seismic sensor system. A second seismic energy
`
`source is towed at a selected distance from the first seismic energy source. The first seismic
`
`energy source and the second seismic energy source are sequentially actuated in a plurality of
`
`firing sequences. A time interval between firing the first source and the second source is varied
`
`between successive ones of the firing sequences. The timektewel—is—at—leasflong—eneugh
`
`firing times of the first and second source are indexed so as to enable separate identification
`
`of seismic events originating from the first source and seismic events originating from the second
`
`source in detected seismic signals.
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION NO. l0/l97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.: PCS-01 -04US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 6
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 6
`
`

`

`3) Please amend the Abstract as indicated below:
`
`A method for seismic surveying is disclosed which includes towing a first seismic energy
`
`source and at least one seismic sensor system. A second seismic energy source is towed at a
`
`selected distance from the first source. The first seismic energy source and the second seismic
`
`energy source are actuated in a plurality of firing sequences. Each of the firing sequences
`
`includes firing of the first source, waiting a selected time firing the second source and recording
`
`signals generated by the seismic sensor system. The selected time between firing the first source
`
`and the second source is varied between successive ones of the firing sequences. The m
`
`times of the first and second source are indexed sdeeted—fimeis—afleast—loag—eneugh—M to
`
`enable separate identification of seismic events originating from the first source and seismic
`
`events originating from the second source in detected seismic signals.
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION NO.lO/l97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.: PGS-Ol-MUS
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 7
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 7
`
`

`

`Amendments to the claims:
`
`[cl]
`
`(Currently Amended) A method for seismic surveying, comprising:
`
`towing a first seismic energy source and at least one seismic sensor system;
`
`towing a second seismic energy source at a selected distance fi'om the first seismic energy
`
`source; and
`
`actuating the first seismic energy source and the second seismic energy source in a
`
`- plurality of firing sequencers, each of the firing sequences including firing of the
`
`first source and the second source and recording signals generated by the at least
`
`one seismic sensor system, a time interval between firing the first source and the
`
`second source varied between successive ones of the firing sequences, the times
`
`interwal—bekig—at—least—long—eneugb—of firing the first and second source
`
`indexed so as to enable separate identification of seismic events originating from
`
`the first source and seismic events originating from the second source in detected
`
`seismic signals.
`
`[c2]
`
`(Original) The method of claim I, wherein the time interval is varied systematically.
`
`[c3]
`
`[c4]
`
`(Original) The method of claim 1 wherein the time interval is varied quasi-randomly.
`(
`(Original) The method of claim 1, wherein the time interval varied Erandomly.
`t
`I
`/
`v
`
`[c5]
`
`(Original) The method of claim I, wherein the time interval is varied in steps of about
`
`100 milliseconds.
`
`[c6]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the time interval is at least as long
`
`as a wavelet time of the first source.
`
`[c7]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising actuating at least one
`
`additional seismic energy source in each firing sequence, the at least one additional
`
`seismic energy source actuated after an additional selected time interval after firing the
`
`second source,
`
`the additional selected time interval different than the time interval
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION NO.|0/l97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.: PGS-Ol -04US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 8
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 8
`
`

`

`between firing the first and second sources, the additional time interval varied between
`
`successive ones of the firing sequences.
`
`[c8]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 7 wherein the additional time interval is varied
`
`randomly between firing sequences.
`
`[c9]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 7 wherein the additional time interval is varied
`
`quasi-randomly between firing sequences.
`
`[c101
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 7 wherein the additional time interval is varied
`
`systematically between firing sequences.
`
`[cll]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 7 further comprising extracting from the
`
`recorded sensor signals coherent seismic signals identified to each of the first, second and
`
`at least one additional seismic energy sources.
`
`[cl 2]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the extracting the signals identified
`
`to the first source comprises determining trace to trace and shot to shot coherent
`
`components in the recorded sensor signals.
`
`[c131
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 12 wherein determining the shot to shot
`
`coherent component comprises generating a common mid point trace gather with respect
`
`to the first source.
`
`[c141
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the extracting the signals identified
`
`to each of the second and at least one additional seismic source comprises, for each of the
`
`second and at least one additional source, time aligning the signals with respect to a firing
`
`time of each of the second and at least one additional source, and determining trace to
`
`trace and shot to shot coherent components in the recorded sensor signals.
`
`[c151
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the determining the shot to shot
`
`coherent components comprises generating a common mid point trace gather with respect
`
`to each of the second and at least one additional sources.
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION NO. l0/I97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.: PGS-Ol-{MUS
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 9
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 9
`
`

`

`[c161
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising, extracting from the
`
`recorded sensor signals coherent seismic signals identified to each of the first seismic
`
`energy source and the second seismic energy source.
`
`[c171
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 16 wherein the extracting the signals identified
`
`to the first source comprises determining trace to trace and shot
`
`to shot coherent
`
`components in the recorded sensor signals.
`
`[cl 8]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 16 wherein the determining the shot to shot
`
`coherent components comprises generating a common mid point gather with respect to
`
`the first source.
`
`[c191
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 6 wherein the extracting the signals identified
`
`to the second source comprises time aligning the recorded signals with respect to firing
`
`the second source and determining trace to trace and shot to shot coherent components in
`
`the time-aligned recorded seismic signals.
`
`[c201
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 19 wherein the determining the shot to shot
`
`coherent components comprises generating a common mid point gather with respect to
`
`the second source.
`
`[c21]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the second source is towed behind
`
`the first source.
`
`[c221
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the first source and the at least one
`
`sensor system are towed by a first vessel and the second source is towed by a second
`
`vessel.
`
`[c231
`
`(Currently Amended) A seismic surveying system, comprising:
`
`a first seismic energy source;
`
`a second seismic energy source;
`
`at least one seismic sensor array;
`
`a vessel adapted to tow the first source, to tow the at least one seismic sensor array, and
`
`US. PATENT APPLICATION NO.l0/l97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.:PGS—01~04US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 10
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 10
`
`

`

`to tow the at least one second source at a selected distance from the first source;
`
`and
`
`a controller adapted to actuate the first source and the second source in a plurality of
`
`firing sequences, the sequences having a time delay between firing the first source
`
`and the second source which varies between successive firing sequences,
`
`the
`
`times interval-being—ot—least—leng—enough of firing the first and second source
`
`indexed so as to enable separate identification of seismic events originating from
`the first source and seismic events originating from the second source in detected
`
`seismic signals.
`
`[c241
`
`(Original) The system of claim 23, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the time
`
`interval to be varied systematically.
`
`.
`
`[c251
`
`(Original) The system of claim 23, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the time
`
`interval to be varied quasi-randomly.
`
`[c26]
`
`(Original) The system of claim 23, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the time
`
`interval to be varied randomly.
`
`[c271
`
`(Original) The system of claim 23, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the time
`
`interval to be varied in steps of at least about 100 milliseconds.
`
`[c281
`
`(Original) The system of claim 23 wherein the controller is adapted to cause the time
`
`interval to be at least as long as a wavelet time of the first source.
`
`[c291
`
`(Original) The system of claim 23 further comprising a second vessel adapted to tow the
`second source at a selected distance from the first source.
`
`[C30]
`
`(Original) The system of claim 23 further comprising at
`
`least one additional source
`
`spaced at a selected distance fiom the first source and the second source, the controller
`
`further adapted to actuate the at least one additional source afler an additional
`
`time
`
`interval,
`
`the additional
`
`time interval different than a length of the time delay,
`
`the
`
`additional time interval different in each of the firing sequences.
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION NO.IO/l97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.: PGS-Ol -04US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 11
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 11
`
`

`

`[c311
`
`(Original) A method for determining signal components attributable to a first seismic
`
`energy source and to a second seismic energy source in signals recorded from seismic
`
`sensors, the first and second sources and the sensors towed along a survey line, the first
`
`source and the second source fired in a plurality of sequences, a time delay between firing
`
`the first source and the second source in each firing sequence being different than the
`
`time delay in other ones of the firing sequences, the method comprising:
`
`determining a first component of the recorded signals that is coherent from shot to shot
`
`and from trace to trace;
`
`time aligning the recorded signals with respect to a firing time of the second source in
`each firing sequence; and
`.
`
`determining a second component of the signals that is coherent from shot to shot and
`
`from trace to trace in the time aligned signals.
`
`[C32]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the delay between firing the first
`
`source and firing the second source is varied systematically between each firing
`
`sequence.
`
`[c331
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the delay between firing the first
`
`source and firing the second source is varied quasi randomly between each firing
`
`sequence.
`
`[c341
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the delay between firing the first
`
`source and firing the second source is varied randomly between each firing sequence.
`
`[c35]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the delay is at least as long as a
`
`wavelet time of the first source.
`
`[C36]
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the determining the first
`
`component comprises performing a common mid point gather with respect to the first
`
`source of the recorded signals.
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION NO. 10/197,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO: PGS-Ol-04 US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 12
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 12
`
`

`

`[c371
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the determining the second
`
`component comprises performing a common mid point gather with respect to the second
`
`source of the time aligned signals.
`
`[c381
`
`(Original) The method as defined in claim 31 wherein the recorded seismic signals
`
`comprise components attributable to at least one additional seismic energy source fired
`
`afier an additional time interval after the firing the second source in each firing sequence,
`
`the additional time interval being different in each sequence, the additional time interval
`
`being different from the time delay between firing the first and second source in each
`
`sequence, the method further comprising, time aligning the recorded signals with respect
`
`to a firing time of the at least one additional source, and determining trace to trace and
`
`shot to shot coherent components of the signals time aligned with respect to the firing
`
`time of the at least one additional source.
`
`0.8. PATENT APPLICATION NO.lO/l97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET No.1 PGS-Ol -04US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 13
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 13
`
`

`

`REMARKS
`
`1. Reason for the Amendment
`
`The Applicant timely filed a Reply to the Office Action dated October 27, 2003.
`
`In that
`
`Reply,
`
`the Applicant amended independent claims I and 23. The Examiner allowed the
`
`application, and thus closed prosecution on the merits. The Applicant has determined that what
`
`was claimed in the application is not consistent with what the Applicant believes he is entitled to
`
`claim.
`
`2. Claim Amendments
`
`_
`
`The Applicant has amended claims 1 and 23 to change the definition of a time delay
`
`between firing a first seismic energy source and a second seismic energy source in each one of a
`
`plurality of firing sequences of the sources. The claims previously recited that the “time delay is
`
`at least long enough” to enable separate identification of the one of the sources from which
`
`seismic events originate within detected seismic signals. The amended claims do not include the
`
`foregoing limitation on the time delay. Although the description of the invention provides a
`
`preferred minimum value for the time delay, for example, the wavelet time of the seismic energy
`
`from the source, such minimum value of time delay is not required to make the invention work.
`
`It is possible, for at least one firing sequence within a plurality of firing sequences, for the time
`
`delay to be less than the wavelet time, or even substantially zero, provided that the time delay
`
`(time interval between firing the first and second source) is different in each of the other firing
`
`sequences so as to enable the separate identification claimed.
`
`The amended claims further provide that the firing times of the first and second source
`are indexed so that it is possible to separately determine which one of the sources originated
`
`seismic events in recorded seismic signals.
`
`3. Argument for Patentability of Amended Claims over the Art of Record
`
`a.) Cao et al. (U.S. Patent No. 4,300,653)
`
`As stated in the Reply to the Office Action dated October 27, 2003, Cao et a1. relates to a
`
`source controller for an array of seismic energy sources. The seismic sources disclosed in Cao et
`
`10
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION NO.l0/l97,235
`ATTORNEY DOCKET N0.: PGS-Ol-04US
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 14
`
`WesternGeco Ex. 1007, pg. 14
`
`

`

`al. may be controlled to fire in a precisely determined sequence, in which a delay time between
`
`firing of successive seismic sources may be selected. The delay time between the successive
`
`firing of any two sources in the array may be different from the delay time between the
`
`successive firing of any other two sources in the array. However, the Applicant respectfully
`
`notes that such selective delays between the successive firing times of individual sources within
`
`a source array are all within a single firing sguence. The purpose for such selective time delay
`
`between successive source firings, within a single firing sequence, as described in Cao et al. is to
`provide control over the spectral content of the seismic energy generated by the source array in
`
`each firing sequence. Cao et al. does not disclose or suggest that the time delays between
`
`successive source firings is changed in any way between one firing sequence and the next.
`
`In
`
`fact, the circuitry in the system disclosed by Cao et al. is inten