Ignition system including electronic detonators

Abstract

An ignition system includes electronic detonators and signalling devices. Each signalling device is associated with one electronic detonator and allows the presence of the electronic detonator with which it is associated to be signalled. The ignition system further includes an image capture device that is designed and positioned to capture images depicting the signalling devices. Use to verify the presence of electronic detonators on a worksite.

1 . Firing system comprising electronic detonators ( 2 ), comprising:
 signaling devices ( 10 ), each signaling device ( 10 ) being associated with an electronic detonator ( 2 ) and making it possible to signal the presence of the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated and   an image acquisition device ( 20 ) designed and positioned for acquiring images representing signaling devices ( 10 ).   
     
     
         2 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 1 , said signaling device ( 10 ) comprises an active device emitting a signal indicating the presence of the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated. 
     
     
         3 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said signaling device ( 10 ) emits a visible signal. 
     
     
         4 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said active device is an infrared emitter. 
     
     
         5 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said signaling device ( 10 ) comprises a passive device comprising identification information of the associated electronic detonator ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said passive device comprises a barcode. 
     
     
         7 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each signaling device ( 10 ) is connected to conducting wires ( 5 ) connecting the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated, to a firing line ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each signaling device is positioned on a module associated with the electronic detonator with which said signaling device is associated, said module being external to the electronic detonator. 
     
     
         9 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said signaling device ( 10 ) comprises a passive device comprising identification information of the associated electronic detonator ( 2 ). 
     
     
         10 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said signaling device ( 10 ) comprises a passive device comprising identification information of the associated electronic detonator ( 2 ). 
     
     
         11 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said signaling device ( 10 ) comprises a passive device comprising identification information of the associated electronic detonator ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein each signaling device ( 10 ) is connected to conducting wires ( 5 ) connecting the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated, to a firing line ( 3 ). 
     
     
         13 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein each signaling device ( 10 ) is connected to conducting wires ( 5 ) connecting the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated, to a firing line ( 3 ). 
     
     
         14 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein each signaling device ( 10 ) is connected to conducting wires ( 5 ) connecting the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated, to a firing line ( 3 ). 
     
     
         15 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein each signaling device ( 10 ) is connected to conducting wires ( 5 ) connecting the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated, to a firing line ( 3 ). 
     
     
         16 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein each signaling device ( 10 ) is connected to conducting wires ( 5 ) connecting the electronic detonator ( 2 ) with which said signaling device is associated, to a firing line ( 3 ). 
     
     
         17 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein each signaling device is positioned on a module associated with the electronic detonator with which said signaling device is associated, said module being external to the electronic detonator. 
     
     
         18 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein each signaling device is positioned on a module associated with the electronic detonator with which said signaling device is associated, said module being external to the electronic detonator. 
     
     
         19 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein each signaling device is positioned on a module associated with the electronic detonator with which said signaling device is associated, said module being external to the electronic detonator. 
     
     
         20 . The firing system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein each signaling device is positioned on a module associated with the electronic detonator with which said signaling device is associated, said module being external to the electronic detonator.