Back to results
US 11,353,307 B2Granted
Automatic method and apparatus for logging preprogrammed electronic detonators
AssigneeAustin Star Detonator Company
InventorsLarry S. Howe, Bryan E. Papillon, Pavel Krivanek, Gimtong Teowee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Logging apparatus, methods and electronic detonators are presented for logging data, wherein the logger transmits read request messages to preprogrammed electronic detonators without transmitting any delay programming messaging, receives and stores electronic detonator data from a given one of the preprogrammed electronic detonators, and sends a verify command to cause the detonator to update its status flag to prevent the given electronic detonator from responding to subsequent read request messages.
Claims12
A logger for safely logging electronic detonator data from preprogrammed electronic detonators, comprising:
- an electrical interface allowing electrical connection of a plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators to the logger, the preprogrammed electronic detonators being preprogrammed with electronic detonator data including a delay value, the electrical interface allowing exchange of electrical signals between the logger and the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators, the electrical interface incapable of providing sufficient energy to fire any of the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators;
- a user interface;
- an electronic memory operative to store a plurality of unique detonator serial ID numbers and corresponding delay values;
- and
- at least one processor operatively coupled with the electrical interface, the user interface, and the electronic memory, the at least one processor being programmed to operate the logger in an automatic logging mode when the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the electrical interface to cause the logger to:
- (i) while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the electrical interface, transmit one or more read request messages via the electrical interface without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators and without requiring user interaction with the user interface,
- (ii) while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the electrical interface, await responsive messaging from a given electronic detonator of the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the given detonator and without requiring user interaction with the user interface, and
- (iii) upon receiving responsive messaging from the given electronic detonator while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the electrical interface:
- obtain electronic detonator data including a serial ID number, a programmed detonator ID and a delay value from the responsive messaging without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the given electronic detonator and without requiring user interaction with the user interface, and
- store the electronic detonator data in the electronic memory without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators and without requiring user interaction with the user interface, and thereafter
- (iv) while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the electrical interface, repeat (i), (ii) and (iii) for further ones of the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators that are connected to the electrical interface without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the further ones of the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators and without requiring user interaction with the user interface.
8 more elements
A method for logging electronic detonator data of a plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators connected to a logger that operates in an automatic logging mode and that is incapable of providing sufficient energy to fire the electronic detonators, the method comprising:
- (i) while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the logger, the logger transmitting one or more read request messages to the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators, without transmitting any programming messaging to the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators, and without requiring user interaction with a user interface of the logger;
- (ii) while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the logger, the logger awaiting responsive messaging from a given electronic detonator of the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators without transmitting any programming messaging to the given electronic detonator and without requiring user interaction with the user interface;
- and
- (iii) the logger, upon receiving responsive messaging from the given electronic detonator while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to theft logger:
- obtaining electronic detonator data from the responsive messaging, the electronic detonator data including a serial ID number, a programmed detonator ID and a delay value from the responsive messaging without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the given electronic detonator and without requiring user interaction with the user interface, and
- storing the electronic detonator data in an electronic memory without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators and without requiring user interaction with the user interface;
- and thereafter
- (iv) while the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators are connected to the logger, the logger repeating (i), (ii) and (iii) for further ones of the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators that are connected to the logger without transmitting any delay programming messaging to the further ones of the plurality of preprogrammed electronic detonators and without requiring user interaction with the user interface.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.