Status flags in a system of electronic pyrotechnic devices such as electronic detonators

Abstract

An electronic blasting system in which each detonator is provided with status flags or the like to convey the status of various states or conditions of the detonator such as detection on the system bus, firing capacitor charging, calibration of the detonator's circuitry, and events such as the successful receipt of a fire command.

1 . A method of operating an electronic blasting system including a blasting machine, a bus, and at least one electronic detonator, comprising the following steps: 
 a) connecting a blasting machine to at least one electronic detonator with a bus;    b) providing said detonator with one or more status flags;    c) initiating a firing sequence; and,    d) during said firing sequence, setting one or more of said status flags high.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step a) includes connecting a plurality of electronic detonators to said bus.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein one of said one or more status flags is a bus detection status flag.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein one of said one or more status flags is a charge status flag.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein one of said one or more status flags is a calibration'status flag.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein one of said one or more status flags is a firing command status flag.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the setting of said flags high can only occur in a specified sequence.  
   
   
       8 . An electronic detonator having one or more status flags.  
   
   
       9 . The detonator of  claim 8 , wherein said detonator is configured and/or programmed to operate in response to the setting of at least one status flag.  
   
   
       10 . The detonator of  claim 8 , wherein said status flags include a bus detection status flag.  
   
   
       11 . The detonator of  claim 8 , wherein said status flags include a charge status flag.  
   
   
       12 . The detonator of  claim 8 , wherein said status flags include a calibration status flag.  
   
   
       13 . The detonator of  claim 8 , wherein said status flags include a firing command status flag.  
   
   
       14 . The detonator of  claim 8 , wherein said status flags include one or more status flag that cannot be set high before another status flag has been set high.  
   
   
       15 . An electronic blasting system comprising: 
 a) a blasting machine;    b) a bus; and,    c) at least one electronic detonator having one or more status flags.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said status flags include a bus detection status flag.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said status flags include a charge status flag.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said status flags include a calibration status flag.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said status flags include a firing command status flag.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said status flags include one or more status flag that cannot be set high before another status flag has been set high.