Remote firing device with diverse initiators

Abstract

A remote firing system for remotely detonating explosive charges includes features that provide safety and efficiency improvements. These features include safety communication among multiple remote devices and multiple controller devices, a polling functionality permitting rapid deployment of system devices, electronic key systems, programmable remote devices for easy replacement of failing remote devices, and an event history log for the remote devices for efficient diagnostic evaluation.

1 . A method for remotely detonating explosives, comprising:
 selecting a subset of a set of selection and information panels on a controller device to cause a corresponding subset of remote devices to be selected for detonating explosives by transmitting and receiving a safety data structure that contains a system identifier for identifying a remote firing system of which the subset of remote devices belong and device identifiers for identifying the subset of remote devices;   issuing an arming command by the controller device to the subset of remote devices to cause the subset of remote devices to prepare for detonation; and   issuing a firing command by the controller device to the subset of remote devices by simultaneously selecting dual fire switches together on the controller device to cause the subset of remote devices to detonate explosives.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting electronic keys to the controller device and the set of remote devices prior to the act of selecting the subset of the set of selection and information panels so as to cause the controller device and the set of remote devices to operate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating a polling mode to verify safety communication among the set of remote devices and the controller device, the polling mode causing the controller device to issue status query command to the set of the remote devices and the subset of remote devices responding to the status query command 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after the act of issuing the arming command the controller device automatically issues a status query command to verify the arming of the subset of the remote devices, each member of the subset of the set of selection and information panels indicating whether a corresponding member of the subset of the remote devices is armed.