AU2021221550A1

AU2021221550A1 - Safety systems for commercial blasting

Info

Publication number: AU2021221550A1
Application number: AU2021221550A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Steven E. KOTSONIS; Kaiyan LIU; Walter Hardy Piel; Aung THU
Original assignee: Orica International Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Orica International Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-24
Filing date: 2021-08-24
Publication date: 2023-03-16

Abstract

A system for commercial blasting operations, the system including: one or more wireless transmitter systems configured to send command signals wirelessly to wireless devices that are configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB), the wireless transmitter systems including one or more disable antennas that define one or more deactivation zones; one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems including detectors that define one or more detection zones, and/or one or more RFID scanner systems with reader antennas that defined one or more scanner zones; and a safety control system in electronic communication with the one or more wireless transmitter systems, and the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems and/or the RFID scanner systems, wherein the safety control system is configured to control the wireless transmitter systems to send at least one wireless DISABLE command to disable the wireless devices that are within the deactivation zones in response to a vehicle/person being detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device being detected in the scanner zones. 35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx 3/7 500 526 524 528 522 520 526 530 5 30j 502 528 Ai 514 516 518 AZ506 512 502 528 r-532 FIG. 5

Description

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SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL BLASTING TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to automatic systems and processes or methods for improving the safety of commercial blasting operations based on wireless electronic blasting (WEB) devices that are deployable within portions of physical media (e.g., a rock formation) intended to be blasted as part of a commercial blasting operation.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A key benefit of wireless blasting systems, such as the Orica(TM) Webgen(TM) system (Orica International Pte Ltd, Singapore) in which Webgen(TM) wireless initiation devices are used to carry out commercial blasting operations is that, unlike wire-based blasting systems, the wireless initiation devices are not tethered by a physical lead wire to a remote blast-box, from which they receive the command and/or required energy to FIRE. Rather, a Webgen(TM) initiation device receives its signal to FIRE via a wireless signal transmitted using low-frequency signal transmission, which is not blocked by the earth and travels over extended distances, with a practical range in the 100m to 1km range. Consequently, at deployment, a Webgen(TM) primer carries on-board the energy required to FIRE, which is managed by specifically designed electronics to ensure that it will FIRE, when, and only when, it receives an appropriate FIRE command. This lack of physical lead wires significantly reduces the misfire rate and allows innovative blast designs not previously possible. Removal of lead wires, however, means that in theory, any properly encoded initiation device(s) can be initiated if in wireless signal reception range, regardless of whether or not the initiation device(s) reside(s) in the blasthole(s).

[0003] Central to the safety of commercial blasting operations is withholding the energy to explosively initiate blasting compositions until humans are not in the line-of-fire. This practice pre-dates the invention of the safety fuse in 1831 and the invention of the electric detonator in 1910, whereby a match or dynamo/battery, respectively, were not applied to the lead-line until all people evacuated.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

[0004] Administrative and 'soft' procedural / engineering controls can aid wireless blasting safety, which are effective but not ideal. A need exists for stricter or hard / engineering controls to enhance or maximize the likelihood that the correct primer will operate only at or in its intended location. Such hard / engineering controls should be robust and reliable (e.g., highly reliable) under a wide or full range of commercial blasting operating environments, conditions, and situations.

[0005] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

[0006] Disclosed herein is a system for commercial blasting operations, the system including: a) one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 configured to send command signals wirelessly to wireless devices that are configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB), the wireless transmitter systems including one or more disable antennas that define one or more deactivation zones; b) one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 including detectors that define one or more detection zones, and/or one or more RFID scanner systems 106 with reader antennas that defined one or more scanner zones; and c) a safety control system 110 in electronic communication with the one or more wireless transmitter systems 102, and the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 and/or the RFID scanner systems 106, d) wherein the safety control system 110 is configured to control the wireless transmitter systems 102 to send at least one wireless DISABLE command to disable the wireless devices that are within the deactivation zones in response to a vehicle/person being detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device being detected in the scanner zones.

[0007] The disable antennas may include: one or more RF antennas and/or one or more MI antennas.

[0008] The DISABLE command may act as a state transition signal or command by which a set of the wireless initiation device can be or is transitioned to a safe/standby mode or a reset/disabled state, including after the set of the wireless initiation device has been programmed/encoded.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

[0009] The system may include one or more alarm systems 108, wherein the safety control system 110 is in electronic communication with the one or more alarm systems 108, wherein the safety control system 108 is configured to control the alarm systems 108 to generate alarms when the safety control system 108 detects the wireless devices within scanner zones that are defined by locations/orientations of reader antennas of the RFID scanner systems 106.

[0010] The alarm systems 108 may be configured to sound, display and or send alarms, including at a plurality of urgency levels, when they receive an alarm command with an urgency level from the safety control system 110.

[0011] The wireless devices may include respective RFID tags mounted/attached thereto, optionally passive RFID tags.

[0012] The RFID scanner systems 106 may provide continuous (e.g., near-continuous/rapidly recurrent) background reading of the RFID tags

[0013] The RFID scanner systems 106 may include a plurality of RFID scanner systems 106 with substantially overlapping scanner zones.

[0014] The safety control system 110 may be in electronic communication with a central blasting computing systems, and is configured to request a status of associated of the wireless device, from the central blasting computing systems, based on an ID scanned by the RFID scanner systems 106.

[0015] The system may include a WEB system with a blast controller 510 and one or more signal generators connected to the blast controller 510 to receive signals representing wireless electronic blasting commands, optionally including an RF signal generator 512 configured to drive an RF antenna 514 mounted and configured to direct the RF signals to the wireless devices in boreholes 506, and optionally including an MI signal generator 516 configured to drive an MI antenna 518 mounted and configured to direct the MI signals to the wireless devices in the boreholes 506, optionally wherein the safety control system 110 connects/couples communicatively to the RF signal generator 512 and/or the MI signal generator 516 to transmit the DISABLE command to the wireless devices in the boreholes 506.

[0016] The system may include one or more access structures 508 that provide access for the vehicles/people through boundary structures 502 and into/from site storage structures 504,

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx wherein the access structures 508 define respective access points for the vehicles/people, wherein: a) the RF/MI antennas 522/526 are configured (with selected signal/beam distributions/patterns, and RF/M4I power) and mounted (with at least partially overlapping signal/beam distributions/patterns) such that the deactivation zones overlap with the access points, b) the access detector systems 528 are mounted/positioned surrounding and/or adjacent the access structures 508 such that the detection zones overlap the access points, and/or c) the one or more scanner antennas 530 are mounted adjacent to and/or surrounding one or more of the access structures 508 to cover and/or cross the access point of the corresponding access structure 508 such that the scanner zones overlap the access points.

[0017] Disclosed herein is a process or method for commercial blasting operations, the process or method including: a) detecting a vehicle/personnel in a detection zone, and/or scanning an RFID tag of a wireless device that is configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB) in a scanner zone;and b) controlling one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 to send a wireless DISABLE command to disable wireless devices within one or more deactivation zones in response to the vehicle/person being detected in the detection zone and/or the wireless device being detected in the scanner zone.

[0018] Disclosed herein is a system for commercial blasting operations, the system including: a) an alarm/disable system including: i) one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 configured to send command signals wirelessly to wireless devices that are configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB), the wireless transmitter systems including one or more disable antennas that define one or more deactivation zones, and/or ii) one or more alarm systems 108 configured to sound, display and/or send alarms, optionally including at a plurality of urgency levels, when they receive an alarm command optionally with an urgency level; b) a scanner/detector system including:

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx i) one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 including detectors that define one or more detection zones, and/or ii)one or more RFID scanner systems 106 with reader antennas that defined one or more scanner zones; and c) a safety control system 110 in electronic communication with the one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 and/or the one or more alarm systems 108, and with the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 and/or the RFID scanner systems 106, wherein the safety control system 110 is configured to: control the wireless transmitter systems 102 to send at least one wireless DISABLE command to disable the wireless devices that are within the deactivation zones when the safety control system 108 detects that a vehicle/person is detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device is scanned in the scanner zones, optionally based on the urgency level; and/or control the alarm systems 108 to sound, display and/or send the alarms when the safety control system 108 detects that a vehicle/person is detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device is scanned in the scanner zones, optionally based on the urgency level.

[0019] Disclosed herein is a process or method for commercial blasting operations, the method including: a) detecting a vehicle/personnel in a detection zone, and/or scanning an RFID tag of a wireless device that is configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB) in a scanner zone;and b) in response to the vehicle/person being detected in the detection zone and/or the wireless device being detected in the scanner zone, automatically controlling: i) one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 to send a wireless DISABLE command to disable wireless devices within one or more deactivation zones, optionally including at a plurality of urgency levels; and/or ii) one or more alarm systems 108 to sound, display and/or send alarms, optionally including at a plurality of urgency levels.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] Some embodiments are hereinafter described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an alarm/disable system for use with wireless electronic blasting (WEB) systems;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a WEB device ("wireless device") configured for the alarm/disable system;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a rendered image of a plurality of small embodiments of the wireless device;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a rendered image of a plurality of large embodiments of the wireless device;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an above-ground site with the alarm/disable system;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an underground site with the alarm/disable system;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a sketch of a container with the alarm/disable system;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a sketch of a gateway with the alarm/disable system;

[0029] FIG. 9 is a sketch of a tunnel with the alarm/disable system;

[0030] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a scanning and differentiation process of the alann/disable system; and

[0031] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a fault detection process of the alarm/disable system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to systems, apparatuses, devices, methods, processes, and procedures for automatically enhancing the safety of commercial blasting operations, e.g., mining, civil tunnelling, construction demolition, or geophysical / seismic exploration operations. In particular, disclosed herein is a safety system and process or method for improving the safety of commercial/civil blasting operations at a work site, including a mine site, that use wireless electronic blasting (WEB), including one or more wireless devices. The safety system may be described as a "hard" safety system because it operates automatically, i.e., does not require trained persons to take certain actions to provide improved safety in the work site. The wireless devices are deployable or deployed proximate to or within a portion of physical media intended to be blasted as part of a commercial blasting operation The wireless devices each include a device-based wireless receiver (e.g., a magnetic induction (MI) receiver) configured for

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx through the earth (TTE) communication. The wireless device, which can be referred to as a "wireless electronic blasting (WEB) device", is a wireless-enabled device that contains an explosive/detonator/initiator, or a wireless-enabled device that is configured to be assembled with/to a device that contains an explosive/detonator/initiator, and that (at least when assembled) is configured to receive and operate responsively to wireless blasting commands, including ARM and FIRE commands, and is configured to fit in a borehole to effect blasting according to a blasting plan. Examples of such WEB wireless devices may include a wireless detonator, a wireless primer, and/or a wireless receiver component of a wireless initiator., e.g., including a magnetic induction (MI) receiver and/or a radio-frequency (RF) receiver, such as a WebGen(TM) disposable receiver ("DRX") that is coupled or couplable to a booster and in some instances a detonator. Alarm/disable System 100

[0033] The safety system may include an alarm/disable system 100 (which refers herein to an alarm system, or a disable system, or both an alarm and disable system), which includes at least some of, as shown in FIG. 1: a) one or more wireless transmitter systems 102; b) one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104; c) one or more RFID scanner systems 106; d) one or more alarm systems 108; and e) a safety control system 110 in electronic communication with the one or more wireless transmitter systems 102, the one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104, the one or more RFID scanner systems 106, and the one or more alarm systems 108 (e.g., via a standard secure electronic communications protocol and network).

[0034] The alarm/disable system 100 may be referred to as simply a "disable system" in some implementations (or a "WEB-device disable system") because: the safety control system 110 is configured to control the wireless transmitter systems 102 to send at least one wireless DISABLE command to the wireless devices that are within deactivation zones that are defined by locations/orientations of disable antennas of the wireless transmitter systems 102. The DISABLE command may be referred to as a "universal disabling signal". The safety control system 110 may be configured to control the wireless transmitter systems 102 to send the wireless DISABLE command when the vehicle/personnel presence detector

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx systems 104 detects presence of a vehicle/person within one or more detection zones defined by the location, orientation and type of detectors of the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104. Alternatively or additionally, the safety control system 110 may be configured to control the wireless transmitter systems 102 to send at least one wireless DISABLE command when the safety control system 110 detects the wireless devices within scanner zones that are defined by locations/orientations of reader antennas of the RFID scanner systems 106.

[0035] The alarm/disable system 100 may be referred to as an "alarm system" in some implementations because the safety control system 110 is configured to control the alarm systems 108 to generate alarms when the safety control system 108 detects the wireless devices within scanner zones that are defined by locations/orientations of reader antennas of the RFID scanner systems 106. Alternatively or additionally, the safety control system 110 may be configured to control the alarm systems 108 to generate alarms when the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 detects presence of a vehicle/person within one or more detection zones defined by the location, orientation and type of detectors of the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104.

[0036] The safety system may be referred to including a "scanner/detector system" that includes: a) the one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 including the detectors that define the one or more detection zones; and/or b) the one or more RFID scanner systems 106 with the reader antennas that define the one or more scanner zones.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the safety control system 110 includes: a) a network communication unit 112 configured to connect with central blasting computing systems (including a central blasting control system) that include blast plans and inventories of the wireless devices that are on the work site, including their identifiers (ID) and which of the wireless devices have been activated and encoded with a blast delay and a group ID (GID) ready to be deployed in a borehole (data which are typically reported back after encoding); b) at least one processing unit 114 in communication with the network communication unit 112, and the one or more wireless transmitter systems 102, the one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104, the one or more RFID scanner

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx systems 106, and one or more alarm systems 108, via a data bus and the communications protocols; c) a memory unit 116, in communication with the processing unit 114, that stores a plurality of operational modules in the form of machine-readable code, including: (1) an operating system 118, e.g., a version of Windows(TM); (2) configuration parameters 120 stored as persistent data; and (3) wireless initiation device safety management modules 122 that are read and executed by the processing unit 114 to perform the operations of the safety control system 110; and d) at least one power source 124 configured to power at least the processing unit 114, the network communication unit 112 and the memory 116, and potentially one or more of the wireless transmitter systems 102, the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104, the RFID scanner systems 106 and the alarm systems 108, depending on their power requirements.

[0038] The power source 124 may include a mains electricity connection (e.g., to mine site power), a backup generator and/or solar panels, and one or more batteries (to provide additional backup power). The backup power may be important to maintain the safety of the system, e.g., even if the power (mine site power or mains electricity connection) is cut.

[0039] The safety control system 110 may include a casing/housing around the network communication unit 112, the at least one processing unit 114 and the memory unit 116, and optionally the at least one power source 124 (e.g., the power source 124 may be external to the casing/housing in a separate housing/casing/body, e.g., an external battery or solar power supply). The casing/housing may be sealed to mitigate ingress of water, moisture and dust, and may include a hard body to resist impact thereon.

[0040] The safety control system 110 may include one or more cooling elements, e.g., mounted on/to the casing/housing, and or inside the casing/housing, to cool the least one processing unit 114 and the memory unit 116 if the ambient temperature is hot. The cooling elements may include passive elements, e.g., thermally conductive potting/paste and fins, and/or active elements, e.g., fans and circulating liquid coolant.

[0041] The network communication unit 112 may include a commercially available network interface and connections/couplings (including wireless or wired connections/couplings) to the central blasting computing systems. The at least one processing unit 114 (which includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller and a general-purpose input-output unit

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

(GPIO)) and the memory unit 116 may include commercially available hardware configured for operation as described herein.

[0042] The wireless device safety management modules 122 include: an alarm activation module that controls the processing unit 114 to send an alarm command to the alarm systems 108. The alarm command can include one or a plurality of urgency levels, e.g., "1", "2", "3", "unencoded", "encoded", as further described hereinafter.

[0043] The alarm systems 108 are configured to sound, display and or send alarms, including at the plurality of urgency levels, when they receive the alarm command with the urgency level. The alarm systems 108 may include: a) a visual alarm apparatus/device, e.g., a light with a flash controller, e.g., including a commercially available warning beacon light, with a brightness level and/or flashing speed that increases with the urgency level; b) an audible alarm apparatus/device, e.g., a speaker with an audio driver, e.g., including a commercially available siren, with an acoustic volume and/or pitch that increases with the urgency level; and/or c) a telecommunications alarm apparatus/device, e.g., a messaging system configured to transmit alarm messages to predefined devices, e.g., including a connection to the central blasting computing systems, and/or a commercially available SMS or paging alarm system, with a message content urgency (e.g., represented in words used) or number of predefined devices that increase with the urgency level.

[0044] The alarm systems 108 include one or more casings/housings for the apparatuses/devices, in particular the visual alarm apparatus/device and the audible alarm apparatus/device, which can be mounted around the work site. The casings/housings are sealed to mitigate ingress of water, moisture and dust, and are include hard bodies to resist impact thereon.

[0045] The RFID scanner systems 106 include a set of (i.e., one or a plurality of) RFID readers, each with a set of (i.e., one or a plurality of) reader antennas, e.g., including commercially available readers and antennas. The placement and orientation of the scanner antennas define the one or more scanner zones. The scanner antennas can be placed and oriented to partially (e.g., just on one side) or substantially surround or overlap access points with the scanner zones, which are points (strictly areas) through which people/vehicles need to pass to access certain secured portions/areas of a work site. Example access points are

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx described hereinafter. The scanner zones may extend from one or both sides of the access point (area), e.g., in the direction of travel of the vehicle/person, by a selected read distance, e.g., at least substantially 1 m, 2 m, 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, or 20m. The RFID scanner systems 106 are selected to have a read rate of at least substantially 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1,000 tags per second, i.e., at least fast enough that a person/vehicle walking/driving past the antenna would have all RFID tags in their possession read without having to break stride or slow down. In test implementations, the selected read distance of a test scanner antenna was at least substantially 7 m, 6.5 m, 6 m, 5.5 m, 5 m, 4.5 m, 4 m, 3.5 m, 3 m, 2.5 m, 2 m, 1.5 m, 1 m or 0.5m, and the read rate was between 600 and 800 tags per second. The at least one reader antenna may include a plurality of reader antennas with non collinear respective principal axes (because read capabilities are highly dependent on the orientation of the tag in relation to the antennas), e.g., at substantially 90 degrees. The reader antennas may be mutually separated and are aligned such that their respective antenna patterns (along their principal axes) overlap to form the scanner zone or "monitored area" (2D) or "monitored volume" (3D). The scanner zone is defined by the predetermined proximity/distances of the respective reader antennas and/or blocking elements, e.g., walls of the access structure 508. For example, if the tags may be passing through the access point at a plurality of perpendicular angles, then a corresponding plurality of reader antennas may be provided. The reader antennas may be arranged and mutually separated to form a linear array covering the scanner zone. The reader antennas may have principal axes that are mutually separated by at least substantially 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 45, 60, or 90 degrees (forming an angled array), e.g., substantially 60 degrees if each reader antenna has a reliable range of 30 degrees normal from the antenna face. The at least one reader antenna may include two reader antennas with respective polarizations oriented in two mutually orthogonal directions if the antenna patterns are polarised. The RFID scanner systems 106 include one or more casings/housings for: the at least one reader antenna, and the plurality of RFID readers: the casings/housings are sealed to mitigate ingress of water, moisture and dust, and are include hard bodies to resist impact thereon.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless devices may include a tagged wireless device 202 that includes: a) a control module 206 configured to control initiation of an explosion based on commands from an encoder 204 (also referred to as an "encoding device") and a main

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx blasting controller (which effects the blasting plan), including a GROUP ID (GID) command to program a GID into the wireless device from the encoder 204, a DELAY command to program a delay time into the wireless device from the encoder 204, an ARM command from the blasting controller to arm the wireless device ready to fire, and a FIRE command from the blasting controller to fire a selected range of GIDs according to their pre-programmed delay times; b) a communications module 208 configured to receive command signals (representing the commands) wirelessly, and to send the command signals to the control module 206 for interpretation and control, wherein the communications module 208 can include: (i) a wired receiver including one or more exposed electrodes or an optical port configured to receive the command signals via an electrode or optical connection, typically from an encoder with corresponding communications electrodes or an optical source; and/or (ii) a near-field communications (NFC) receiver configured to receive the command signals via an NFC connection, typically from the encoder 204 as shown in FIG. 2; and (iii) an RF receiver to receive the command signals via a radio connection/coupling, e.g., from an RF transmitter of the wireless transmitter system 102; and/or (iv) an MI receiver configured to receive the command signals via an MI connection/coupling, e.g., from an MI transmitter of the wireless transmitter system 102, e.g., a 3-axis magnetometer; c) an internal power source 210 configured to store electrical power and supply it to the control module 206 and the communications module 208 to power their operations, including initiation of the explosive; d) in some implementations, a detonator 212 to fire, initiate or detonate the explosive when triggered, commanded, or fired by the control module 206; e) in association with the (d) a booster explosive 214; f) a housing 216 configured to contain and house the control module 206, the communications module 208 and the internal power source 210, and to protect them from moisture/water and from impact, including while being deployed into a borehole and while residing in the borehole, potentially under pressure and under water; and g) an RFID tag 218 mounted/attached (e.g., by an adhesive, or by printing) to the wireless device 202, e.g., to the housing 216, orjust a component of the housing 216 that includes the communications module 208 (since the booster 214 and the

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx detonator 212 may be only attached shortly before deployment into a borehole), wherein the RFID tag 218 includes a unique identifier (ID) to identify this tagged wireless device 202 at the work site.

[0047] The tag 218 is in the form of a passive RFID tag, e.g., including a commercially available tag antenna and chip, configured to meet relevant RFID frequency requirements, e.g., to operate substantially in a selected band between 800 MHz to 1,000 MHz depending on the location/jurisdiction of the work site.

[0048] As shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, the wireless devices / tagged wireless devices 202 may be stored, transported and carried in storage magazines/boxes, including a small storage box 302 and a large storage box 402.

[0049] The vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 are configured to send a detection signal to the processing unit 114 when presence of a vehicle/person is detected within one or more detection zones defined by the location, orientation and type of detectors of the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104, wherein the detectors may include one or more of the following: a) optical sensors, including optical beam sensors, that define the detection zones according to where the optical field of view of the optical sensors is, and/or where any optical beams are, including infrared (IR) beams, e.g., commercially available optical motion sensors, or commercially available photoelectric beam systems that detect obstruction of the optical beams, and wherein the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 are configured to generate the detection signal when the optical sensor are activated/cut; b) electromechanical sensors that are configured to detect when a gate or door is opened by detecting a change in pressure, and that define the detection zones according to the opening space of the gate or door, e.g., a commercially available pressure sensor in a catch, handle, hinge or frame of the gate or door that are configured to detect the opening, and in response control the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 to generate the detection signal; c) pressure sensors that are configured to detect weight of a person or vehicle (which may be an elevator or lift), where the location of the plates define the detection zones, and that are configured to detect the weight, and in response control the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 to generate the detection signal;

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx d) acoustic sensors that are configured to detect a sound of movement, or to detect presence of a body by reflected ultrasound, where the range and orientation of the acoustic sensors define the detection zones, and that are configured to detect the sound or reflected sound, and in response control the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 to generate the detection signal; e) image sensors (e.g., configured for visible light and/or infrared light) that are configured to identify movement of a body/vehicle in a field of view of each image sensor, which define the detection zones, that are configured to detect the movement, and in response control the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 to generate the detection signal, e.g., image capture devices such as cameras; and f) magnetic sensors that are configured to detect presence of a conductive body, including a vehicle, e.g., buried as detector loops in a road or driveway or gateway, where the areas adjacent the magnetic sensors define the detection zones, and where the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 are configured to detect the presence, and in response, to generate the detection signal.

[0050] The vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 and the alarm activation module of the wireless device safety management modules 122 may be configured to: (i) detect/determine respective travel directions of the vehicle/person through any one or more of the detection zones; and (ii) selectively generate the alarm command and/the or urgency level based on the determined travel direction of each detection zone. The sensors of the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 may be configured to detect and indicate the travel direction, e.g., based on what order an array of the sensors detect the person/vehicle, or based on motion detection in an imaging system. The alarm activation module may be configured to generate the alarm command only for one travel direction, e.g., leaving a storage hut through a doorway. The alarm activation module may be configured to generate the urgency level based on the travel direction.

[0051] The vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 include one or more casings/housings for the sensors of the detectors, wherein the casings/housings are sealed to mitigate ingress of water, moisture and dust, and are include hard bodies to resist impact thereon.

[0052] The one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 include commercially available transmitters and wireless transmitter antennas, including respective signal generators (which

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx may be configured to deliver relatively high current/power depending on the antennas and the sizes of the deactivation zones) configured to receive a command for the wireless device, and configured to drive one or more wireless transmitter antennas (RF antennas or MI antennas) to transmit the command in a wireless signal (electromagnetic or quasi-static) to the wireless device at specific frequencies for which the wireless devices are configured. For example, the wireless transmitter systems 102 could include a high-current signal generator in the form of a WebGen(TM) fire system transmitter and an MI antenna in the form of a WebGen(TM) antenna that generates the high power MI signal. The coverage of the wireless signal (RF or MI) is controlled by orientation, position, configuration and power (e.g., based on the drive current) of the wireless transmitter antenna. As mentioned hereinbefore, the deactivation zones are defined by the locations and orientations of the transmitter antennas of the wireless transmitter systems 102. The transmitter antennas may include a coil of conductive wire including one or more loops, with smaller loops (e.g., substantially 0.5 m to 1.5 min diameter, e.g., substantially 1m in diameter) for short range transmission, and larger loops (e.g., substantially 5 m to 80 min diameter, or substantially 20 m to 60 m in diameter, e.g., substantially 40 min diameter) for longer range transmission. The range of the transmitter antennas can be substantially 5 m to 80 min diameter, 10 m to 25 m, e.g., substantially 5 m to 80 min diameter, 15 m. At least the MI transmitter can transmit the disable signals through walls and through the earth (TTE), and in some implementations, into the interior of vehicles and storage boxes / magazines for the wireless devices. The MI antenna, the deactivation zone is generally along the principal axis of the MI antenna, so the MI antennas are arranged with principal axes directed to and through each deactivation zone. Each MI antenna may define a deactivation zone generally along the principal axis and with a cross section defined by the coil size. The wireless transmitter systems 102 may include a plurality of the RF and/or MI antennas (depending in whether the wireless devices are configured to receive RF and/or MI), including: a plurality of the antennas defining one deactivation zone (e.g., having non-overlapping principal axes); and a plurality of deactivation zones, each with one or more antennas. Management Modules and Alarm/Disable Process or Method

[0053] The alarm activation module of the wireless device safety management modules 122 may be configured to selected the urgency level based on a count/number of the wireless devices (e.g., just 1, more than 1, more than 5, more than 10, more than 15 (e.g., including a

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx box of 20), more than 30 (e.g., including a box of 40), more than 50, or higher) that are detected by the RFID scanner systems 106 within a preselected time period (e.g., up to 1 second, or up to 10 seconds, or up to 30 seconds, or up to 60 seconds), and/or within a preselected one or more of a set of scanner zones defined by the scanner antennas (described hereinbefore). For example, a lower urgency level may be selected/generated if the RFID scanner systems 106 signal to the processing unit 114 that only 1 wireless device has been detected in a scanner zone predefined as low risk (e.g., in scanner zone properties data in the memory 116, based on a scanner zone ID associated with the corresponding RFID antennas). In another example, a higher urgency level may be selected/generated if the RFID scanner systems 106 signal to the processing unit 114 that a substantial plurality (e.g., more than 10) different wireless device ID have been scanned in a scanner zone, optionally if the scanner zone is redefined as high risk.

[0054] The wireless device safety management modules 122 are configured to cause the processing unit 114 to perform an alarm/disable process or method that includes: the processing unit 114, on receipt of the detection signal and/or the alarm signal, sending the DISABLE command to the wireless transmitter systems 102.

[0055] The DISABLE command may include: a) a GID command with a value of NULL (e.g., zero or clear) so the wireless device no longer has a GID corresponding to any GID, at least any GID in the blast plan, so cannot initiate a firing sequence, even if ARM and FIRE commands are received, as long as a GID is sent with all blasting commands; b) a DELAY command with a value of NULL (e.g., clear) so the wireless device no longer has a valid delay value, and cannot initiate a firing sequence, even if ARM and FIRE commands are received; c) a RESET command to reset all stored values in the wireless device to their factory settings, e.g., removing the GID and DELAY values, and thus removing any encoding of the wireless device; and/or d) a drain-battery command, or similar, to activate a safety mechanism that drains all power from the internal power source 210 so the wireless device has no remaining electrical power, so cannot initiate a firing sequence, or receive ARM or FIRE commands.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

[0056] The DISABLE command acts as a state transition signal or command by which a set of the wireless initiation device can be or is transitioned to a safe/standby mode or a reset/disabled state, including after the set of the wireless initiation device has been programmed/encoded.

[0057] The DISABLE command may be sent to the wireless transmitter systems 102 with an urgency level that controls analog properties of the RF or MI transmissions, e.g., the transmission power may be increased for a higher urgency level. Alternatively, the wireless device safety management modules 122 may be configured to cause the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE command to different ones of the wireless transmitter systems 102 depending on the urgency level, e.g., a higher urgency DISABLE command may be sent to more and/or large(r) antennas.

[0058] The wireless device safety management modules 122 may be configured to cause the processing unit 114 to: a) receive an ID of a wireless device scanned by the RFID scanner systems 106 in the scanner zones; b) request a status of associated with the ID from the blasting computing systems (from a central database including encoding data from the encoders); and c) if the status is "encoded", generate the alarm command with the "encoded" urgency level.

[0059] If the alarm command has an "encoded" urgency, representing that that wireless device has been encoded according to data in the blasting computing systems, the wireless device safety management modules 122 are configured to cause the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE command to more and/or large(r) antennas, e.g., all antennas on the site since an encoded wireless device in the wrong place may contravene certain safety protocols.

[0060] The management modules 122 may be configured to control the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE signals (wireless signals representing the DISABLE command) whenever the vehicle/person passes through the detection zone so that active/encoded wireless devices are disabled/deactivated whenever they are moved between portions of the work site separated by the access point (area) that overlaps the detection zone (e.g., between active and safe areas of the site).

[0061] The management modules 122 may be configured to control the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE command when the vehicle/person passes through the detection zone

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx in a predefined direction for that detection zone; thus the wireless device safety management modules 122 may selectively generate the DISABLE command based on the determined travel direction of each detection zone.

[0062] The management modules 122 may be configured to control the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE command to a selected set of the deactivation zones based on: which of the detections zones detected the person/vehicle: for example, the selected deactivation zone may substantially match the size of the detection zone, or the deactivation zone may be substantially larger than the detection zone (e.g., more than double in area, or more than 5 times larger, or more than 10 times larger, e.g., an entire mine site or a fenced/walled portion of a mine site containing the detection zone.

[0063] The management modules 122 may be configured to control the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE command with: a wireless device ID and/or a wireless device GID in order to selectively disable only wireless devices in the deactivation zone with a matching ID GID. For example, when the DISABLE command includes a DELAY command, this may include a device ID and/or a GID, and only wireless devices with a matching ID or GID will respond to this command by setting the delay time, which for a DISABLE command would represent a null action, e.g., a value of NULL. The management modules 122 may be configured to select the set of the deactivation zones to receive the DISABLE command depending on whether the DISABLE command includes an ID (or a set of IDs) or a GID (or a set of GIDs): e.g., a larger set of the deactivation zones may be selected if a larger number of the wireless devices is being deactivated, e.g., if all devices with a selected GID are being deactivated.

[0064] In some implementations, the RFID scanner systems 106 may include on-board a scanner memory and a scanner microprocessor (including a GPIO module) that are configured to: store a definition of a set of IDs of the tagged wireless devices 202 (e.g., a list of the ID of encoded wireless devices obtained from the central blasting computing systems), and identify to the processing unit 114 whether any of the scanned IDs are in the stored set of IDs (e.g., whether any of the scanned IDs correspond to encoded devices 202), and the management modules 122 can be configured to control the processing unit 114 to then generate the alarm command with the "encoded" urgency level.

[0065] For safety reasons, continuous (e.g., near-continuous/rapidly recurrent) background reading of the tags provided by the RFID scanner systems 106 may be important. The

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx wireless device safety management modules 122 may be configured to cause the processing unit 114 to continuously monitor for the tags in a routine scanning process. Additionally or alternatively, the on-board a scanner memory may be configured to cause the scanner microprocessor (also referred to as a "scanner processor") to continuously monitor for the tags in the routine scanning process. As shown in FIGs. 10 and 11, the routine scanning process includes a scanning and differentiation process 1000 and a fault detection process 1100 that both run continuously and independently. The routine scanning process may be implemented as a plurality of scripts in the management modules 122 or reader memory.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, the scanning and differentiation process 1000 (or "scanning process") includes at least some of: a) continuously (e.g., near-continuous/rapidly recurrent) reading for tags in the scanner zone ("scan for tags"); b) matching scanned tag IDs (e.g., based on TD prefixes) with the set of stored IDs ("does the tag match the prefix?"); c) the processing unit 114 communicating with the central blasting computing systems to determine respective statuses of the wireless devices associated with the scanned tag IDs (from the central database including the encoding data from the encoders); and d) based on the respective determined status, determining/selecting the alarm/alert signal type and the urgency level (e.g., high urgency for an encoded wireless device, as described hereinbefore); e) sending an alarm/alert signal, optionally with an alert level, to the processing unit 114 ("sound the alarm"); and f) logging data, including the scanned tag IDs, to a file in the memory 116 and/or scanner memory ("log the tag data")

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, the fault detection process 1100 includes: a) reading the log file ("open log file" and "search log file"); b) detected whether there is an error ("is the program running?" and "is there an error?"); c) if there is a detected error, restating/rebooting the relevant RFID scanner system 106 ("restart the device"); and d) if the RFID scanner system 106 is being restarted/rebooted, send a signal to the processing unit 114 to send an alarm signal (at least to activate a nearby/adjacent

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx alarm apparatus) until the relevant RFID scanner system 106 is again performing the scanning and differentiation process 1000 after restarting/rebooting, e.g., for at least one minute or 2.5 minutes (reboot alarm process).

[0068] In implementations, if a plurality of RFID scanner systems 106 have substantially overlapping scanner zones, the wireless device safety management modules 122 may be configured to only send the alarm signal in the reboot alarm process if all of the overlapping RFID scanner systems 106 are being restarted/rebooted. In some implementations, the reboot process ("restart the device") may be initiated by the processing unit 114 or the scanner processor if a thermal detector/warning signal is received (e.g. by the respective GPIO) indicative of a thermal risk, substantial increase in temperature, in order to mitigate thermal damage or read performance being limited by thermal effects (e.g., due to a reader throttling at high temperatures).

Work Site and WEB System

[0069] As shown in FIGs. 5 and 6, the alarm/disable system 100 may be implemented in a work site, including in an above-ground site 500 and/or an underground site 600.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, the above-ground site 500 can include: a) one or more boundary structures 502 (including walls and fences) around the site 500 that inhibit movement and access of people/vehicles into and out of the mine site 500, particularly inhibiting access from and to the site storage structures 504 (e.g., site buildings, storage cages, secure shelters, huts, transportable buildings, storage magazines, etc.) and to and from the boreholes 506, i.e., the area where the blasting operations are planned to occur and/or are occurring; b) one or more access structures 508, including gates, tunnels, doorways, portals, openings, entrances, exits, walkways and/or driveways that provide access for the vehicles/people through the boundary structures 502 and into/from the storage structures 504, and that define access points for the vehicles/people-the "access points" are each an area or a volume that must be passed through by the vehicle/person while passing from through/past the access structure 508, e.g., a gate area defined by sides and floor of a gate and a height of the gate (if it has a lintel) or a selected likely detection height (e.g., high enough to detect a passing person/vehicle), or a door area defined by the door jambs, lintel and sill, or a tunnel area defined by an aperture of the tunnel; and

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx c) a WEB system including a blast controller 510, connected/connectable to the central blasting computing systems to transfer blast plans etc., and one or more signal generators connected to the blast controller 510 to receive signals representing the blasting commands, e.g., an RF signal generator 512 configured to drive an RF antenna 514 mounted and configured to direct the RF signals to wireless devices in the boreholes 506, and/or an MI signal generator 516 configured to drive an MI antenna 518 mounted and configured to direct the MI signals to wireless devices in the boreholes 506 (including through the air, earth, rock, stemming, soil, concrete, brick and/or water)-the signal generators (including the RF signal generator 512 and the MI signal generator 516 may be configured to deliver relatively high current/power depending on the antennas and their required operating ranges)

.

[0071] The alarm/disable system 100 is integrated with other components of the WEB system, including by its communication with the central blasting computing systems and by its mounting/installation in the work site (as described hereinafter), so may itself be described as a component of the WEB system.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 5, the safety control system 110 can be protected from weather and secured in a site building, which is one of a plurality of site storage structures 504.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5, in the above-ground site 500, the one or more wireless transmitter systems 102 of the alarm/disable system 100 can include: a) one or more signal generators connected to and controlled by the safety control system 110 to receive signals representing the DISABLE command, wherein the signal generators can include: (i) an RF signal generator 520 configured to drive at least one RF disable antenna 522 mounted (by at least one mount/fastener configured to hold/fasten/embed the antenna) and configured to direct the RF disable signals to wireless devices in the deactivation zones; and/or (ii) an MI signal generator 524 configured to drive one or more MI disable antennas 526 mounted (by at least one mount/fastener configured to hold/fasten/embed the antenna) and configured to direct the MI disable signals to wireless devices in the deactivation zones; b) the at least one RF disable antenna 522 configured to transmit the signals representing the DISABLE command into the air, the vehicles and/or the storage boxes; and

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx c) the one or more MI disable antennas 526 configured to transmit the signals representing the DISABLE command into the air, earth, rock, stemming, soil, concrete, the vehicles and/or the storage boxes.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5, in the above-ground site 500, the one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems 104 include access detector systems 528 surrounding and/or adjacent the access structures 508. The access detector systems 528 are mounted (by at least one mount/fastener configured to hold/fasten/embed the detector(s)) and configured to cover and/or cross the access point of the corresponding access structure 508 in a manner that depends on the components of the vehicle/personnel presence detector system 104 described hereinbefore, i.e., the access detector systems 528 and mounted and configured to provide their detection zones to define/provide the detection zones overlapping the access points (areas).

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, in the above-ground site 500, the one or more RFID scanner systems 106 include scanner antennas 530 mounted adjacent to and/or surrounding one or more of the access structures 508 to cover and/or cross the access point of the corresponding access structure 508 in a manner that depends on the components of the RFID scanner systems 106 (e.g., including beam pattern and RF power and sensitivity) to define/provide the scanner zones overlapping the access points (areas). The scanner antennas 530 are mounted by at least one mount/fastener configured to hold/fasten/embed the scanner antennas 530 in/at its selected location and orientation.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, in the above-ground site 500, the visual alarm apparatus and/or the audible alarm apparatus may have their associated alarm devices 532 (e.g., lights/speakers) mounted to and/or mounted adjacent to the storage structures 504 and/or the access structures 508 such that the audio/visual alarm signals are emitted: (i) adjacent each access structure 508 when a tagged wireless device 202 is scanned in its associated scanner zone (defined by the scanner antennas 530 that are adjacent to or associated with the access structure 508); and (ii) at points on the site 500 that are not with audio/visual receiving distance (by a person) of the associated scanner zone but where people might be present, e.g., at the storage structures 504 or at the access structures 508 distant from the scanner zone that scans the tagged wireless device 202.

[0077] In the above-ground site 500, the one or more RF and MI antennas 522,526 may include a plurality of antennas mounted and located with overlapping signal/beam

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx distributions/patterns to cover, with sufficient RF/MI signal power to disable wireless devices therein: (i) an access point (i.e., area) defined by an access structure 508 where wireless devices are scanned (in implementations where the management modules 122 control the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE command when a tagged wireless device 202 is scanned); and/or (ii) a portion of the mine site 500, e.g., an entire storage structure 504 or an entire portion of the mine site 500 surrounded by the boundary structures 502, e.g., a safe area separated from the boreholes 506 by at least one of the boundary structures 502. An example MI antenna 526 can be located/mounted/embedded under (e.g., in the ground) or around or both sides of an access structure 508 or of the portion of the mine site 500. An example RF antenna 522 can be located/mounted on both sides of an access structure 508 and/or at a plurality of locations around the portion of the mine 500 such that the respective signal/beam distributions/patterns overlap and such that there are no substantial dead spots across the corresponding access point (area) or mine site portion. The RF/MI antennas 522/526 are thus configured (with selected signal/beam distributions/patterns, and RF/MI power) and mounted (with at least partially overlapping signal/beam distributions/patterns) so that the selected deactivation zone overlaps with the access point (area) or the mine site portion.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, the underground work site 600 can include: a) the one or more boundary structures 502 (including walls, i.e., tunnel walls, and fences) around the site 600; b) the one or more access structures 508 (including one or more elevators 604, gates, tunnels, doors, portals, walkways and/or driveways) defining the respective access points; c) the WEB system including the blast controller (equivalent to blast controller 510, not shown in FIG. 6, e.g., potentially located remotely, such as above ground or in a safe tunnel), the RF signal generator 512 configured to drive the RF antenna 514 mounted and configured to direct the RF signals to wireless devices 602 in the boreholes 506, or the MI signal generator 516 configured to drive an MI antenna 518 (e.g., a quad loop antenna) mounted and configured to direct the MI signals to the wireless devices 602 in the boreholes 506 (including through the air, earth, rock, stemming, soil, concrete, brick and/or water);

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx d) the safety control system 110, e.g., located in a safe tunnel or a secure site structure underground or above ground; e) one or more signal generators, including an RF signal generator (equivalent to RF signal generator 520) configured to drive at least one RF disable antenna (equivalent to the RIF disable antenna 522) mounted and configured to direct the RF disable signals to wireless devices in the deactivation zones; and/or (ii) an MI signal generator (equivalent to the MI signal generator 524) configured to drive one or more MI disable antennas (equivalent to MI disable antennas 526) mounted and configured to direct the MI disable signals to wireless devices in the deactivation zones; f) the at least one RIF disable antenna configured to transmit the signals representing the DISABLE command into the air, the vehicles and/or the storage boxes, configured and mounted such that the deactivation zones overlap with the access points (area) and/or the selected mine site portion, e.g., a safe area in the tunnel separate from the boreholes 506 by at least one of the boundary structures 502; g) the one or more MI disable antennas configured to transmit the signals representing the DISABLE command into the air, earth, rock, stemming, soil, concrete, the vehicles and/or the storage boxes; h) the access detector systems 528 mounted/positioned surrounding and/or adjacent the access structures 508 to define/provide the detection zones overlapping the access points (areas), including around or on opposite facing sides of the lift/elevator 604; i) the one or more scanner antennas 530 mounted adjacent to and/or surrounding one or more of the access structures 508 to cover and/or cross the access point of the corresponding access structure 508 in a manner that depends on the components of the RFID scanner systems 106 (e.g., including beam pattern and RIF power and sensitivity) to define/provide the scanner zones overlapping the access points (areas); j) the associated alarm devices 532 (e.g., lights/speakers) mounted to and/or mounted adjacent to the access structures 508 such that the audio/visual alarm signals are emitted: (i) adjacent each access structure 508 when a tagged wireless device 202 is scanned in its associated scanner zone (defined by the scanner antennas 530 that are adjacent to or associated with the access structure 508); and (ii) at points on the site 500 that are not with audio/visual receiving distance (by a person) of the associated scanner zone but where people might be present, e.g., at the access structures 508

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

(e.g., the lift/elevator 604) distant from the scanner zone that scans the tagged wireless device 202.

[0079] In some implementations, the safety control system 110 may connect/couple communicatively to the RF signal generator 512 and/or the MI signal generator 516 (e.g., directly from the safety control system 110 to the RF signal generator 512 and/or the MI signal generator 516, or via the blast controller 510), such that the processing unit 114 can control/drive the RF signal generator 512 and/or the MI signal generator 516 to wirelessly transmit the DISABLE command via the existing mine-site antennas used for commanding the wireless devices, including in their boreholes, including the RF antennas 514 and/or the MI antennas 518. The management modules 122 may be configured to control the processing unit 114 to send the DISABLE command via the existing mine-site antennas when the selected deactivation zone(s) is/are relatively large, e.g., including substantial portions of the mine site, including optionally selected one/groups of the boreholes 506. For example, if one or more example wireless devices are scanned leaving a selected storage area, e.g., a magazine, in a vehicle travelling in a selected travel direction, and these example wireless devices all have one or more GIDs associated with encoded devices, the management modules 122 may be configured to issue the DISABLE command to as much of the mine site as possible, including via the mine-site antennas (including the RF antennas 514 and/or the MI antennas 518) and the safety system antennas (including the RF disable antenna 522 and the MI disable antennas 526). Storage Structure

[0080] The site storage structures 504 may include a container 700, configured to securely store a plurality of the wireless devices, including tagged wireless devices 202, in storage boxes, 302,402. As shown in FIG. 7, the container 700 may include: a shipping container body 702; an access structure 508 in the form of a doorway 704 in the container body 702, which includes an openable door 706; an alarm device 532 including a light mounted externally on the container body 702 and adjacent to the doorway 704; and scanner antenna 530 mounted externally on the container body 702 and adjacent to the doorway 704, wherein the scanner antenna 530 defines a scanner zone 708 that overlaps the access point defined by the doorway 704 (i.e., such that a person/vehicle who passed through the doorway also passes through the scanner zone 708). As shown in FIG. 7, the scanner zone 708 may extend from the doorway 704 to be larger than the access point, e.g., to extend the scanner zone by a

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx selected range beyond the access point, e.g., to a selected radius or distance, e.g., of 5 meters. The container 700 may be a magazine for the wireless devices that is equipped with the alarm/disable system 100, thus such a magazine has a reliable technology for detecting specified RFID labels of the tagged wireless devices 202 (specified in the ID data from the central blasting computing systems) when they enter a restricted zone defined by the scanner zone. Gateway

[0081] As shown in FIG. 8, the access structure 508 may be an aperture or tunnel entrance/exit 802 that has been formed to access the work site. As shown in FIG. 8, the entrance/exit 802 can have mounted thereto a MI transmitter antenna 526 in the form of a horizontal loop 804 with a MI signal distribution substantially covering the access point (area) defined by the entrance/exit 802, and a substantial distance along the tunnel so there is time for the DISABLE signal to be received by the wireless device from the loop 804, e.g., if a vehicle 806 is driving at a normal speed, e.g., above 20 kph, defining/providing the deactivation zone overlapping the access point (areas). Alternatively or additionally, the entrance/exit 802 may have mounted thereto a set of the RF disable antennas mounted such that their beam pattern(s) define/provide the deactivation zone overlapping the access point (area). The entrance/exit 802 can have mounted thereto the safety control system 110. The entrance/exit 802 can have mounted thereto the access detector systems 528 in the form of non-contact detector units 808 on facing sides of the entrance/exit 802, each including non contact detectors to detect the vehicle 806 or a person traversing the access point (area), e.g., optical beam and/or image detectors, defining/providing the detection zone overlapping the access point (areas). The entrance/exit 802 can have mounted thereto the one or more scanner antennas 530 in the non-contact detector units 808 on facing sides of the entrance/exit 802, thus defining/providing the scanner zone overlapping the access point (areas). Tunnel

[0082] As shown in FIG. 9, the access structure 508 may be a length of tunnel 900 that has been formed to access the work site. As shown in FIG. 9, the tunnel 900 can have mounted thereto, on facing walls, a pair of facing MI transmitter antennas 526 in the form of vertical loops 902 with MI signal distributions substantially covering the access point (area) defined by the tunnel 900 and a cross-sectional width of the vertical loops 902 (i.e., an extent along

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx the tunnel 900) so there is time for the DISABLE signal to be received by the wireless device from the loops 902, e.g., if a vehicle 904 is driving at a normal speed, e.g., above 20 kph, defining/providing the deactivation zone overlapping the access point (areas). Alternatively or additionally, the tunnel 900 can have mounted thereto a set of the RF disable antennas mounted such that their beam pattern(s) define/provide the deactivation zone overlapping the access point (area). The safety control system 110 can be in the tunnel 900, or located at a distance and communicatively connected by wires and/or wireless communication links. The tunnel 900 can have mounted thereto the access detector systems 528 in the form of non contact detector units 906 on facing walls of the tunnel 900, each including non-contact detectors to detect the vehicle 904 or a person traversing the access point (area), e.g., optical beam and/or image detectors, defining/providing the detection zone overlapping the access point (areas). The tunnel 900 can have mounted thereto the one or more scanner antennas 530 in the non-contact detector units 906 on facing sides of the entrance/exit 802, thus defining/providing the scanner zone overlapping the access point (areas).

[0083] In an alternative implementation, the tunnel 900 can be a partially or completely vertical elevator tunnel or shaft, and the vehicle 904 can be an elevator or lift cage, thus the vertical loops 902 are mounted facing each other in the shaft, and the non-contact detector units 906 are mounted facing each other or at least on facing walls of the shaft.

[0084] In an implementation, the management modules 122 may be configured to control the processing unit 114 to control the RF/MI transmitter antenna in the tunnel 900 (or shaft) to send the DISABLE signals (wireless signals representing the DISABLE command) whenever the vehicle 903 (or lift cage) passes through the detection zone defined by the non-contact detector units 906 so that active/encoded wireless devices are disabled/deactivated whenever they are moved between portions of the work site separated by the tunnel 900 (e.g., between an active level and a safe level of the mine). Wireless Device Details

[0085] In some implementations, the wireless device, e.g., the tagged device 202, includes a communication and control (CC) portion, module, or unit (e.g., including the control module 206, the communications module 208 and the internal power source 210) that is couplable (e.g., selectively couplable) or coupled to the initiation portion, module, or unit (e.g., including the booster explosive 214), for instance, an initiation unit that is configured for initiating, and optionally carries, an explosive composition (not shown). The wireless device

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx may include an initiation element such as an electronic detonator that is couplable or coupled to the CC unit, and which is insertable or inserted into or carried within the initiation unit for initiating / detonating an explosive composition corresponding to the initiation unit. The wireless device's communication unit (e.g., 208) can include integrated circuitry configurable or configured for one-way or two-way wireless communication, e.g., involving radio frequency (RF), magnetic induction (MI), and/or other types of wireless communication signals, thus in various embodiments, the communication unit is configured for wireless communication with each of (a) an encoder (e.g., 204) by way of first wireless communication signals, such as first RF signals (e.g., NFC / RF signals) and/or optical signals; and (b) a set of the RF or MI antennas associated with the main blasting controller (and e.g., blast controller 510), such as by way of second wireless communication signals that can include MI signals (e.g., quasi-static MI signals) and/or second RF signals (e.g., where the second wireless communication signals can be through-the-earth (TTE) signals). The communication unit (e.g., 208) may thus include or be defined as having a first communication unit configured for a first type of wireless communication (e.g., NFC communication) by way of the first wireless communication signals; and a second communication unit configured for a second type of wireless communication (e.g., MI and/or RF communication, which can include TTE communication) by way of the second wireless communication signals. By way of the device communication unit (e.g., 208) and the initiation control unit (e.g., 206), the wireless device is configurable or configured for (a) receiving instructions / commands from and exchanging data with an external encoding / programming device or encoder (e.g., 204), e.g., which is configurable or configured for wireless communication by way of the first communication signals; and (b) processing and implementing or carrying out such instructions / commands. The instructions / commands and data received from the encoder can be directed to establishing or modifying the wireless device's operational status or state. The CC unit is further configured for receiving instructions / commands and possibly receiving data from or exchanging data with the set of antennas associated with the main blasting controller, including instructions / commands that enable or which lead to triggering explosive initiation of the initiation unit (e.g., the booster explosive 214), such that an explosive blast (e.g., the detonation of a column of explosive material(s) in a blasthole) occurs in accordance with a specific commercial blasting operation with which the wireless device is associated. Once the wireless device has been encoded by

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx way of the encoding procedure, the wireless device can process and carry out commands including, for instance, WAKE, ARM, and FIRE commands, which can compromise safety if the wireless device is not in the correct time and place for blasting according to the blast plan. Each wireless device can include a unique identifier (ID) stored in memory in the initiation device. A group of the wireless devices can include a unique group ID (GID) stored in the memory.

[0086] The wireless device can be configured for deployment in a confined space proximate to or in the portion of the physical media. The wireless device has a geometry (including shape and size) configured for deployment in the confined space. The confined space can be a hole or borehole, and the geometry can include: a perpendicular width (e.g., diameter for a circular cross section) that is less that a borehole diameter (open diameter of the borehole); and a (longitudinal) length that can be limited by (i) loading manner and optionally (ii) other borehole contents. The device-based MI signal receiver is configured based on the size of the wireless device. The wireless device has the power source with an electrical charge storage capacity (i.e., power storage) associated with the size: for example, the wireless device can be sized to fit into conventional boreholes, e.g., having an average diameter of substantially 4 to 6 cm (for a smaller embodiment) or substantially 10 to 20 cm (for a larger embodiment) or up to 90 cm (for very large holes), and the power storage can be substantially equivalent to two or four commercially available "AA" size batteries (each of which can have substantially 1000 to 4000 milliampere hours capacity, e.g., substantially 3500 mAh for a lithium AA battery).

[0087] In an embodiment, a wireless device includes a housing or shell that carries the power source (e.g., the battery and/or the set of capacitors); power management circuitry; at least one control /processing unit providing transistor based circuitry configured for processing instructions /commands, and at least one memory for storing instructions / commands and data; possibly a sensing unit providing a set of sensors configured for sensing or generating signals corresponding to environmental conditions or parameters such as temperature, pressure, vibration, shock, the presence of certain chemical species, light, and/or other conditions or parameters (e.g., in-hole environmental conditions or parameters); an MI based communication unit providing modulation / encoding circuitry coupled to a set of MI signal sources (e.g., one or more coil antennas), and demodulation / decoding circuitry coupled to a set of magnetometers (which can include one or more magnetometers, such as one or more

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx types of magnetometers indicated above, corresponding to one or more orthogonal spatial axes); and an initiation device (e.g., a detonator, or a DDT device), which is configurable or configured for selectively initiating and/or detonating an associated, supplemental, or main explosive charge (e.g., a booster explosive charge) that can be associated with, couplable/ coupled to, or contained in the housing or shell.

[0088] The wireless device can include a housing, shell, case, frame and/or support structure that mechanically houses, carries, protects and/or supports at least pressure and water sensitive elements of the wireless device. WEB System Details

[0089] The WEB system described herein is configured for assisting commercial blasting by sending magnetic induction (MI) signals to (and/or receiving MI signals from) the wireless devices that are deployable or deployed within portions of one or more physical media (e.g., a rock formation) intended to be blasted as part of the commercial blasting operation. Such wireless devices include wireless initiation devices positioned in boreholes or blastholes, with which the MI Transmitter communicates as part of enabling / disabling, encoding, querying, (re)programming, (re)synchronizing, and/or controlling the operation and/or firing of particular wireless initiation devices in association with the commercial blasting operation. The communication using the MI signal may be referred to as "through the earth" (TTE) communication or signalling, referring to the communication of signals in, through, and/or across a set of physical media residing between the signal source and the signal receiver or detector, e.g., wherein at least one of the signal source and the signal detector is at least partially obstructed, overlaid, covered, surrounded, buried, enclosed, or encased by the set of physical media. The set of physical media can include one or more of rock, broken rock, stone, rubble, debris, gravel, cement, concrete, stemming material, soil, dirt, sand, clay, mud, sediment, snow, ice, one or more hydrocarbon fuel reservoirs, site infrastructure, building/ construction materials, and/or other media or materials.

[0090] With respect to MI related communication terminology used herein, the terms "magnetic induction based communication," "MI based communication," and "MI communication" refer to the generation of a magnetic field, which in various embodiments includes a quasi-static magnetic field, in accordance with a modulation scheme or protocol to wirelessly communicate signals between a MI signal source that generates or outputs the modulated magnetic field and an MI signal receiver that receives or detects such signals, e.g.,

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx by way of detecting and decoding the modulated magnetic field. In multiple embodiments, the MI signal source includes an electrically conductive coil or loop antenna, and the MI signal receiver includes a magnetometer. MI based communication can involve, include, or be (a) near-field signal communication, in which the MI signal receiver is located within a near-field region or zone of the magnetic field generated by the MI signal source, wherein magnetic field strength as a function of distance away from the MI signal source decays in accordance with an inverse distance cubed relationship, and the MI signal source detects changes in near-field magnetic flux generated by the MI signal source rather than detecting far-field or radiatively propagated electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio waves) generated by the MI signal source; and/or (b) transition region or zone signal communication, in which the MI signal receiver resides beyond the near-field region or zone of the magnetic field generated by the MI signal source, but resides within approximately one-half of a wavelength away from the MI signal source, and more commonly or particularly resides within approximately skin depths (e.g., less than 10 skin depths), approximately 6 - 8 skin depths (e.g., less than 8 skin depths), approximately 3 - 5 skin depths (e.g., less than 5 skin depths), or approximately 2 - 4 skin depths (e.g., less than 4 skin depths) away from the MI signal source, wherein the near-field inverse distance cubed magnetic field strength decay relationship is modified (e.g., as a result of interaction(s) between near-field and far-field magnetic flux, and/or secondary fields that are induced by way of the physical media in or through which signal communication occurs). Individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art, e.g., in relation to TTE communication, will understand the meaning or definition of skin depth. It can be noted that skin depth is the same physical property that individuals having ordinary skill in electrical engineering understand with respect to current crowding, e.g., in wires, for alternating current (AC) signals. Individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art will further understand that in conductive media, an MI signal wavelength will be approximately 2*7*, where 6 is the skin depth, and hence one-half wavelength is approximately 3.1 skin depths. Typical earth media or materials, e.g., media or materials in / below the ground, can be categorized as conductive in this sense. In view of the foregoing, the transition zone thus exists between the near-field and the far-field zones of the magnetic field generated by the MI signal source; hence, individuals having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that in transition zone communication, even though the MI signal receiver resides beyond or outside of the near-field region of the magnetic field generated by

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx the MI signal source, the MI signal receiver does not reside in the far-field region or zone of the magnetic field generated by the MI signal source. Further in view of the foregoing, with respect to the generation of signals by an MI signal source and the detection of such signals by an MI signal receiver, MI based communication in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure can involve, include, or be (i) near-field signal communication, and/or (ii) transition zone signal communication, depending upon embodiment details, a commercial blasting operation under consideration, and/or a commercial blasting environment under consideration. Thus the MI communication in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure occurs or predominantly occurs by way of the generation and detection of variations in a magnetic field, e.g., in a near-field zone or a transition zone as set forth above. The terms "magnetic induction communication signal," "MI communication signal," and "MI signal" refer to a signal encoded upon a magnetic field, e.g., a quasi-static magnetic field generated by a magnetic signal source, by way of a modulation scheme or protocol. Accordingly, the MI signals may be near-field signals and/or transition zone signals that provide downlink MI communication including downlink MI signals to the wireless devices. For the near-field signal MI communication, the device based MI Receiver is located within a near-field region or zone of a magnetic field generated by the MI Transmitter. Magnetic field strength as a function of distance away from the MI Transmitter decays in accordance with an inverse distance cubed relationship, and the device based MI Receiver may detect changes in near-field magnetic flux generated by the MI Transmitter rather than detecting far-field or radiatively propagated electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio waves) generated by the vehicle-based or broadcast MI signal source. The transition-zone signals can provide uplink MI communication including uplink MI signals from the wireless devices to the external MI signal receiver. For the transition region or zone signal MI communication, the external MI signal receiver can be positioned beyond the near field region or zone of the magnetic field generated by the device-based MI signal source, but within approximately one-half of a wavelength away from the device-based MI signal source, and more commonly or particularly resides within approximately 10 skin depths (e.g., less than 10 skin depths), approximately 6 to 8 skin depths (e.g., less than 8 skin depths), approximately 3 to 5 skin depths (e.g., less than 5 skin depths), or approximately 2 to 4 skin depths (e.g., less than 4 skin depths) away from the device-based MI signal source.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

[0091] The wireless devices are configured to receive, decode and process the downlink MI signals. The MI Receiver can include a set of electrically conductive coil or loop antennas, with an average diameter of between 0.01 m and 0.3 m, which can corresponding to a diameter of the borehole. The MI Receiver can include device-based magnetometers, which can be 3-axis magnetometers configured for detecting magnetic flux in 3 mutually orthogonal axes, or single axis (1-axis) magnetometers configured for detecting magnetic flux in 1 orthogonal axis. The single axis (1-axis) magnetometer can be aligned in the wireless device for detecting magnetic flux parallel to the lengthwise, longitudinal, or central axis of the wireless device. Alternatively, the single axis (1-axis) magnetometer can be aligned in the wireless device for detecting magnetic flux perpendicular to the lengthwise, longitudinal, or central axis of the wireless device. The downlink MI signals can travel a downlink distance TTE using one or more downlink MI signal frequencies, which can include broadcast MI signal frequencies. The broadcast MI signal frequencies can include substantially 2 kHz, or between 100 Hz and 10 kHz, orbetween 100Hz and 100 kHz. The broadcast downlink distance can be greater than 100 meters; greater than multiple or many hundreds of meters; between 200 and 900 meters; greater than a kilometre; or greater than multiple kilometres. The broadcast downlink MI signal frequencies can include at least one frequency within the ultra-low frequency (ULF) band, or within the very low frequency (VLF) band as defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

[0092] The MI Transmitter may include a current driver providing MI signal modulation circuitry, and the broadcast loop antenna that can be driven by the current driver, configured for generating or outputting broadcast MI communication signals having sufficient strength to be received by the wireless devices, e.g., the wireless initiation devices that will be initiated during the blast or blast sequence. The broadcast loop antenna can have an average loop diameter between 1 m and 100 m, or between 1 km and 10 km. The broadcast distance can be greater than 100 meters; greater than multiple or many hundreds of meters; between 200 and 900 meters; greater than a kilometre; or greater than multiple kilometres. The broadcast loop antenna may include a set of WebGen(TM) 100 Quad Loops. The MI Transmitter can output, issue, or broadcast a synchronization signal that can be received and processed by each of the wireless initiation devices that will be involved in the blast or blast sequence, optionally including device IDs and/or GIDs. Interpretation

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

[0093] The term "initiation" refers to the initiation or triggering of combustion, a deflagration, a deflagration to detonation transition (DDT), or detonation in a material or substance carrying an explosive composition, and the associated formation of different chemical species, or the initiation of chemical reactions that result in combustion and the associated formation of different chemical species in the material or substance. The term "explosive initiation" refers to initiation giving rise to an explosion or detonation, the occurrence of which corresponds to or is defined by at least some of a rapid energy release, volume increase, temperature increase, and gas production or release, as well as the generation of at least a subsonic shock wave. The term "detonation" refers to the generation of a supersonic detonation wave or shock front in an explosive material or substance, in a manner understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0094] The term "commercial blasting operation" includes the initiation and/or detonation of explosive materials or substances disposed in the physical media, e.g., a geological formation, by way of initiation devices as part of mining, quarrying, civil construction/ demolition, seismic exploration, and/or another non-military blasting operation. Such initiation and/or detonation explosively blasts, e.g., fractures and/or heaves, or the physical media in which the commercial blasting operation occurs. Such initiation and/or detonation can be referred to as blasting, in a manner readily understood by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant art. The physical media in which the commercial blasting operation occurs is located in a commercial blasting environment, such as a mining environment, e.g., an open cut or underground mine.

[0095] Herein, reference to one or more embodiments, e.g., as various embodiments, many embodiments, several embodiments, multiple embodiments, some embodiments, certain embodiments, particular embodiments, specific embodiments, or a number of embodiments, need not or does not mean or imply all embodiments.

[0096] As used herein, the term "set" corresponds to or is defined as a non-empty finite organization of elements that mathematically exhibits a cardinality of at least 1 (i.e., a set as defined herein can correspond to a unit, singlet, or single element set, or a multiple element set), in accordance with known mathematical definitions (for instance, in a manner corresponding to that described in An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning: Numbers, Sets, and Functions, "Chapter 11 : Properties of Finite Sets" (e.g., as indicated on p. 140), by Peter J. Eccles, Cambridge University Press (1998)). Thus, a set includes at least

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx one element. In general, an element of a set can include or be one or more portions of a system, an apparatus, a device, a structure, an object, a process, a procedure, physical parameter, or a value depending upon the type of set under consideration.

[0097] The FIGs. included herewith show aspects of non-limiting representative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, and particular structural elements shown in the FIGs. may not be shown to scale or precisely to scale relative to each other. The depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular FIG. or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, an analogous, categorically analogous, or similar element or element number identified in another FIG. or descriptive material associated therewith. The presence of "" in a FIG. or text herein is understood to mean "and/or" unless otherwise indicated, i.e., "A/B" is understood to mean "A" or "B" or "A and B". The recitation of a particular numerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be a recitation of an approximate numerical value or value range, for instance, within +/- 20%, +/- 15%, +/- 10%, +/- 5%, +/- 2.5%, +/- 2%, +/- 1%, +/- 0.5%, or +/- 0%. The term "essentially all" or "substantially" can indicate a percentage greater than or equal to 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or %, for instance, 92.5%, 95%, 97.5%, 99%, or 100%.

[0098] Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0099] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0100] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. A system for commercial blasting operations, the system including: one or more wireless transmitter systems configured to send command signals wirelessly to wireless devices that are configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB), the wireless transmitter systems including one or more disable antennas that define one or more deactivation zones; one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems including detectors that define one or more detection zones, and/or one or more RFID scanner systems with reader antennas that defined one or more scanner zones; and a safety control system in electronic communication with the one or more wireless transmitter systems, and the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems and/or the RFID scanner systems, wherein the safety control system is configured to control the wireless transmitter systems to send at least one wireless DISABLE command to disable the wireless devices that are within the deactivation zones in response to a vehicle/person being detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device being detected in the scanner zones.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the disable antennas include: one or more RF antennas and/or one or more MI antennas.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the DISABLE command acts as a state transition signal or command by which a set of the wireless initiation device can be or is transitioned to a safe/standby mode or a reset/disabled state, including after the set of the wireless initiation device has been programmed/encoded.

4. The system of claim 1, including one or more alarm systems, wherein the safety control system is in electronic communication with the one or more alarm systems, wherein the safety control system is configured to control the alarm systems to generate alarms when the safety control system detects the wireless devices within scanner zones that are defined by locations/orientations of reader antennas of the RFID scanner systems.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the alarm systems are configured to sound, display and or send alarms, including at a plurality of urgency levels, when they receive an alarm command with an urgency level from the safety control system.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx

6. The system of claim 1, where the wireless devices include respective RFID tags mounted/attached thereto, optionally passive RFID tags.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the RFID scanner systems provide continuous background reading of the RFID tags

8. The system of claim 1, the RFID scanner systems including a plurality of RFID scanner systems with substantially overlapping scanner zones.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety control system is in electronic communication with a central blasting computing systems, and is configured to request a status of associated of the wireless device, from the central blasting computing systems, based on an ID scanned by the RFID scanner systems.

10. The system of claim 1, including a WEB system with a blast controller and one or more signal generators connected to the blast controller to receive signals representing wireless electronic blasting commands, optionally including an RF signal generator configured to drive an RF antenna mounted and configured to direct the RF signals to the wireless devices in boreholes, and optionally including an MI signal generator configured to drive an MI antenna mounted and configured to direct the MI signals to the wireless devices in the boreholes, optionally wherein the safety control system connects/couples communicatively to the RF signal generator and/or the MI signal generator to transmit the DISABLE command to the wireless devices in the boreholes.

11. The system of claim 1, including one or more access structures that provide access for the vehicles/people through boundary structures and into/from site storage structures, wherein the access structures define respective access points for the vehicles/people, wherein: the RF/MI antennas are configured and mounted such that the deactivation zones overlap with the access points, the access detector systems are mounted/positioned surrounding and/or adjacent the access structures such that the detection zones overlap the access points, and/or the one or more scanner antennas are mounted adjacent to and/or surrounding one or more of the access structures to cover and/or cross the access point of the corresponding access structure such that the scanner zones overlap the access points.

12. A process or method for commercial blasting operations, the process or method including:

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx detecting a vehicle/personnel in a detection zone, and/or scanning an RFID tag of a wireless device that is configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB) in a scanner zone; controlling one or more wireless transmitter systems to send a wireless DISABLE command to disable wireless devices within one or more deactivation zones in response to the vehicle/person being detected in the detection zone and/or the wireless device being detected in the scanner zone.

13. A system for commercial blasting operations, the system including: a) an alarm/disable system including: i) one or more wireless transmitter systems configured to send command signals wirelessly to wireless devices that are configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB), the wireless transmitter systems including one or more disable antennas that define one or more deactivation zones, and/or ii) one or more alarm systems configured to sound, display and/or send alarms, optionally including at a plurality of urgency levels, when they receive an alarm command optionally with an urgency level; b) a scanner/detector system including: i) one or more vehicle/personnel presence detector systems including detectors that define one or more detection zones, and/or ii) one or more RFID scanner systems with reader antennas that defined one or more scanner zones; and c) a safety control system in electronic communication with the one or more wireless transmitter systems and/or the one or more alarm systems, and with the vehicle/personnel presence detector systems and/or the RFID scanner systems, wherein the safety control system is configured to: control the wireless transmitter systems to send at least one wireless DISABLE command to disable the wireless devices that are within the deactivation zones when the safety control system detects that a vehicle/person is detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device is scanned in the scanner zones, optionally based on the urgency level; and/or

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx control the alarm systems to sound, display and/or send the alarms when the safety control system detects that a vehicle/person is detected in the detection zones and/or a wireless device is scanned in the scanner zones, optionally based on the urgency level.

14. A process or method for commercial blasting operations, the method including: a) detecting a vehicle/personnel in a detection zone, and/or scanning an RFID tag of a wireless device that is configured for wireless electronic blasting (WEB) in a scanner zone;and b) in response to the vehicle/person being detected in the detection zone and/or the wireless device being detected in the scanner zone, automatically controlling: i) one or more wireless transmitter systems to send a wireless DISABLE command to disable wireless devices within one or more deactivation zones, optionally including at a plurality of urgency levels; and/or ii) one or more alarm systems to sound, display and/or send alarms, optionally including at a plurality of urgency levels.

35565542 complete specification(21901269.1).docx