Orientation measurement tool for seismic data acquisition

1. A method for configuring a seismic device having a memory module and that is positioned in a geographical area of interest, comprising:

planting the seismic device;

mating the seismic device with a configuration tool that includes:

a memory module;

a processor in communication with the configuration tool memory module;

at least one orientation sensor configured to determine an azimuth value for the seismic device;

a location sensor configured to determine at least one coordinate for the seismic device; and

a communication device operatively coupled to the processor

determining the azimuth value and the at least one location parameter for the seismic device; and

transmitting the determined azimuth value and the at least one coordinate to the seismic device memory module and in the configuration tool memory module.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing, in the seismic device memory module and the configuration tool memory module, data selected from at least one of: (i) an elevation, and (ii) a z-coordinate.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting processor-executable instructions to the seismic device memory module by using the communication device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one orientation sensor is a compass.

5. The method apparatus claim 4 , further comprising a second orientation sensor configured to determine one of: (i) inclination, and (ii) tilt, and further comprising transmitting data from the second orientation sensor to the seismic device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location sensor is a GPS device.

7. A method for configuring a seismic device, comprising:

determining an azimuth value for the seismic device in a geographical area of interest using at least one orientation sensor;

positioning the at least one orientation sensor on an alignment member;

mating the alignment member with the seismic device such that the at least one orientation sensor and the seismic device has a desired angular alignment; and

transmitting the determined azimuth value and data associated with the seismic device to the seismic device.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the data includes one of: (i) an elevation and (ii) a z-coordinate.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the data includes processor-executable instructions.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the seismic device is a sensor station.

11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

determining at least one location parameter for the seismic device; and

transmitting the determined at least one location parameter to the seismic device.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

using a GPS device to determine the at least one location parameter.

13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

transporting a processor to the geographical area of interest, the processor being programmed to configure the seismic device; and

positioning the processor proximate to the seismic device.

14. An apparatus for configuring a seismic device positioned in a geographical area of interest, comprising:

a memory module;

a processor configured to transmit data to the memory module;

at least one orientation sensor configured to determine an azimuth value for the seismic device;

an alignment member azimuthally aligning the at least one orientation sensor and the seismic device; and

a communication device operatively coupled to the processor, the communication device transmitting the determined azimuth value to the seismic device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the data includes processor-executable instructions.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the seismic device is a sensor station, and wherein the communication device is configured to transmit the determined azimuth value and the retrieved data to the sensor station.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the at least one orientation sensor is a compass, the processor being in communication with the at least one orientation sensor.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a second orientation sensor configured to determine one of: (i) inclination, and (ii) tilt, wherein the communication device is configured to transmit data from the second orientation sensor to the seismic device.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a GPS device.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the memory module stores one of: (i) an elevation and (ii) a z-coordinate.