CA1298899C - Hybrid communications system - Google Patents
Hybrid communications systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1298899C CA1298899C CA000548503A CA548503A CA1298899C CA 1298899 C CA1298899 C CA 1298899C CA 000548503 A CA000548503 A CA 000548503A CA 548503 A CA548503 A CA 548503A CA 1298899 C CA1298899 C CA 1298899C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- communication
- instructions
- general method
- integer
- specific method
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000007429 general method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000005422 blasting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241001237728 Precis Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940075591 dalay Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
Abstract
ABSTRACT
"Hybrid Communications System"
A system for communicating instructions and commands to a plurality of remote integers capable of independent automatic action and of storing instructions for future action comprises a general method of communication (which issues the instructions and commands) and a specific method of communication (which impinges upon each individual integer when instructions peculiar to it are transmitted, enabling them to be stored). The general method of communication is, preferably, radio transmission and the specific method of communication is, preferably, a steerable laser beam. The system is especially useful in blasting, wherein a large array of electronically-programmable detonators can be programmmed and fired.
"Hybrid Communications System"
A system for communicating instructions and commands to a plurality of remote integers capable of independent automatic action and of storing instructions for future action comprises a general method of communication (which issues the instructions and commands) and a specific method of communication (which impinges upon each individual integer when instructions peculiar to it are transmitted, enabling them to be stored). The general method of communication is, preferably, radio transmission and the specific method of communication is, preferably, a steerable laser beam. The system is especially useful in blasting, wherein a large array of electronically-programmable detonators can be programmmed and fired.
Description
~2 9i~
HYBRID COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
This invention relates t~ a hybrid communication~ system.
In the communication to a remote integer capable of independent action of information (which may comprise instructio~s to act in a par~icular fashion when a command to do so i8 subseguently received) and commands to act when action iB
required, it is very advantageous not to need cables or wires for the transmd~ion of the information.
There are known a number of methods of "wireless"
communication, and ~hese may convenien~ly be divided into "general" method~ (which can addre~s a number of integers simultaneously) and "specific" methods (which address integers on an indi~idual baBi8 ) -Among the known general method~ are magnetic fields, and acoustic and radio ~ve~, and among the specific methods are directa~le ~eams of particles and/or radiation, including light.
'~
8Y3~
Both general and specific method~ have advantages and disadvantage~. For 0xample, light (especially laser light), a "8pecific" method, i8 often favoured for "line of 0ight" app~ica~ion~, but 5 it cannot match the ability of ~he "general" methods to addres~ a number of inteqers ~imultaneously.
The "general" methods, on the other hand, are not good with respect to addres~ability; or, how to give different integers different instructions and ensure that each one receive~ and act~ on only the information appropriate to it. Thi~ i8 ea~ily achieved if a given integer i8 predispo~ed to -take in only informa~ion directed specifically ~o i~, for example, by it8 having 80me 80rt of inbuilt coding which causes it to take in only that informatio~
which i8 relevant to it. However, there are occasions where circumstances and/or economic~
demand the u~e of a number of identical integers.
One example of this i~ in the commercial blasting of rock and ore. Large blasting pattern~ can involve hundreds of charge~ with their associated detonators which detonators ~hould fox the ~ake of economy be identical, yet which must be caused to detonate in a preci e order and at precise intervals to give the best possible result. It has been Yugge~ted that electronic detonators which can be programm~d _n ~itu can cvnfer considerable and valuable versatility on a large blasting pattern, making it possible to alter the pattern right up to firing time. The problem lie3 in the (specific) communlcation of individual information to each of a number of identical detonators, such that when the (general) firing command is given, they will detonate in a precisely defined pattern.
We have now found that it is pos~ible to have a communications ~y~tem which allows the economy of _ 9~
identical integer~ and the capacity for individual informing thereof. We therefore provid0, according to the present invention, a ~ystem for th~
communica~ion of in~truc~ion~ and commands by mean~
of a general method of commtmication to a plurality of remote integers capable of independent automatic action, each integer compri~ing a receiver responsive to signals transmitted by means of the general method and a means for storing instructions for futuxe action, the integer being enabled to store instructions only when it i8 impinged upon by an ~mission from a speciic method of communication a~sociated with the general method7 This invention has applic~tions in many fields of endeavour where a number of automatic independent integers are disposed in such a fa~hion that they can be surveyed and directed from a sinqle poæition.
In respect of thi~ invention, we make a difference between "instructions" and "commands".
By "in~ructions", we mean information w~ich directs a given automatic intager as to what action3 are to be performed on receipt of a command. The integer store~ these instructions and acts on them on receiving the appropriate command.
The mean~ for ~toring instruction~
(hereinafter "storage means~) may be any convenient means known to the art. The pxeferred way of doing this is of course by using digital electronicc;
this allows a unique combination of versatility, robustness, compact size and cheapnes~. Thls means may be, for axample, the memory of a microcomputer, other components of the microcomputar ~erving to . identify and carry out command~. In the case of the use of the invention in the field of detonator~, the , . . . ..
instructions to the detonator~ may include dalay times. They may al~o identify "arm~ and "fire"
signal~, ~uch that these will be recognised when received. Alternatively, one or both of the~.e signals may be "built in" to the detonator ~uch that no identification i8 needed.
The general method o communication may be any Ruitable method known to the art. It may be, or example, radio transmission, transmis~ion of acoustic waves either through the air or through the ground or magnetic fields from a magnetic loop laid ou~ such that it i8 close enough to the individual integer~ to influence them. A particularly preferred method i8 radio transmission because of the relative cheapness o~ its components and it~
long range.
The specific method whose emission is used to impinge upon any g~ven integer and inform it tha~
the instructions about to be transmitted are for it may be any suitable method. It may ~e, ~or example, a particle beam or a beam of light (visible or otherwise). An especially pre~erred specific method is laser light. The emi~ ion of the ~pecific method mu t of course be directable ~uch that it can communicate with individual integers. This may be done either by pointing the emission generating apparatu~ itself at the integer or by steering the emission from a fixed generating apparatu~ by ~ome means appropriate to the particular ~pecific method, for example, by a ~teerable mlrror in the case of (vi~ible) ligh~ or by an electrical or magnetic field in the case of a beam of charged particle~.
The mechanism or circuitry by which the impinging ~pecific emission activa~es the stora~e rcann may bn any nuitnble mcchaninm or circuitry ., known to the art. In the case of li~h~, it may be, for example, a photoelectric cell or an array of ~uch cells oriented to the loca~ion o a ~irectable ligh~ source, ~he impingement of ~he beam upon which causes the integer to memori~e a particular "set" of instructions The instructisn~ may be terminated in any convenient manner. For example, the storage mean~ may be active ln ~oring new informa~ion only for a~ long as ~mission continue~; when it ~top$, the s~orage ~tops. Alternatively, there could be broadcast a terminating signal at the end of the "set"; in the detonator example previou~ly described7 the identification of an "arm" signal could be the termination 6ignal.
The in~en~ion will now be further described with reference to blasting and the use of radio tran~mis~ion and a laser beam and to the drawing which ~chema~ically depict~ a preferred embcdiment.
The system comprises two units, one ~comprising element~ 1-5) at an explosion site and the others (6-12) at a site remote from the explosion ~ite from whence programming and firing instruction~ are tran~mitted ~hereinafter referred to as "the command ~ite~). At the explosion site, a radio receiver 2 receives ins~ructions via antenna 1. A laser detector i8 attachad to a discriminator 4 which determines whether or not a laser beam i~
illuminating the detector. Both radio receiver 2 and discriminator 4 are independently connected to a logic unit 3 which control~ a detonator (not ~hown).
This logic unit i8 80 constituted that both l~ser and radio 8ignal8 mu8t be received in order for programming of a delay period, but only the radio ~ignal need be received for firing.
~2g~g~
The unit at the command site comprises a controller which transmit~ radio signals Yia a transmitter ll and antenna 12. This controller al~o emits laser signals by mean~ of a laser 9 and a steerable mirror 6. Confirmation that the laser S signal has been received is by means of a reflector on the la~er detector 5 which reflects back some of the light to be detected by means of a beam splitter 7 and a detector 8.
Thus, in operation, the controller 10 will broadca~t by radio via transmitter ll and antenna 1~
delay programming information which will be received by all antenna~ owever, the controller will at the same time move the mirror 6 so as to illuminate only that laser detector 5 a~sociated with the detonator whose programmlng instruction~ are concurrently being broadca3t. The logic unit 3 associated with thi~ particular detonator will then receive signals from both receivex 2 and discriminator 4 and will store the particular programming information.
When "arm" and "fire" signals are transmitted, all detonator~ will explode according to the delays programmed into th~m.
HYBRID COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
This invention relates t~ a hybrid communication~ system.
In the communication to a remote integer capable of independent action of information (which may comprise instructio~s to act in a par~icular fashion when a command to do so i8 subseguently received) and commands to act when action iB
required, it is very advantageous not to need cables or wires for the transmd~ion of the information.
There are known a number of methods of "wireless"
communication, and ~hese may convenien~ly be divided into "general" method~ (which can addre~s a number of integers simultaneously) and "specific" methods (which address integers on an indi~idual baBi8 ) -Among the known general method~ are magnetic fields, and acoustic and radio ~ve~, and among the specific methods are directa~le ~eams of particles and/or radiation, including light.
'~
8Y3~
Both general and specific method~ have advantages and disadvantage~. For 0xample, light (especially laser light), a "8pecific" method, i8 often favoured for "line of 0ight" app~ica~ion~, but 5 it cannot match the ability of ~he "general" methods to addres~ a number of inteqers ~imultaneously.
The "general" methods, on the other hand, are not good with respect to addres~ability; or, how to give different integers different instructions and ensure that each one receive~ and act~ on only the information appropriate to it. Thi~ i8 ea~ily achieved if a given integer i8 predispo~ed to -take in only informa~ion directed specifically ~o i~, for example, by it8 having 80me 80rt of inbuilt coding which causes it to take in only that informatio~
which i8 relevant to it. However, there are occasions where circumstances and/or economic~
demand the u~e of a number of identical integers.
One example of this i~ in the commercial blasting of rock and ore. Large blasting pattern~ can involve hundreds of charge~ with their associated detonators which detonators ~hould fox the ~ake of economy be identical, yet which must be caused to detonate in a preci e order and at precise intervals to give the best possible result. It has been Yugge~ted that electronic detonators which can be programm~d _n ~itu can cvnfer considerable and valuable versatility on a large blasting pattern, making it possible to alter the pattern right up to firing time. The problem lie3 in the (specific) communlcation of individual information to each of a number of identical detonators, such that when the (general) firing command is given, they will detonate in a precisely defined pattern.
We have now found that it is pos~ible to have a communications ~y~tem which allows the economy of _ 9~
identical integer~ and the capacity for individual informing thereof. We therefore provid0, according to the present invention, a ~ystem for th~
communica~ion of in~truc~ion~ and commands by mean~
of a general method of commtmication to a plurality of remote integers capable of independent automatic action, each integer compri~ing a receiver responsive to signals transmitted by means of the general method and a means for storing instructions for futuxe action, the integer being enabled to store instructions only when it i8 impinged upon by an ~mission from a speciic method of communication a~sociated with the general method7 This invention has applic~tions in many fields of endeavour where a number of automatic independent integers are disposed in such a fa~hion that they can be surveyed and directed from a sinqle poæition.
In respect of thi~ invention, we make a difference between "instructions" and "commands".
By "in~ructions", we mean information w~ich directs a given automatic intager as to what action3 are to be performed on receipt of a command. The integer store~ these instructions and acts on them on receiving the appropriate command.
The mean~ for ~toring instruction~
(hereinafter "storage means~) may be any convenient means known to the art. The pxeferred way of doing this is of course by using digital electronicc;
this allows a unique combination of versatility, robustness, compact size and cheapnes~. Thls means may be, for axample, the memory of a microcomputer, other components of the microcomputar ~erving to . identify and carry out command~. In the case of the use of the invention in the field of detonator~, the , . . . ..
instructions to the detonator~ may include dalay times. They may al~o identify "arm~ and "fire"
signal~, ~uch that these will be recognised when received. Alternatively, one or both of the~.e signals may be "built in" to the detonator ~uch that no identification i8 needed.
The general method o communication may be any Ruitable method known to the art. It may be, or example, radio transmission, transmis~ion of acoustic waves either through the air or through the ground or magnetic fields from a magnetic loop laid ou~ such that it i8 close enough to the individual integer~ to influence them. A particularly preferred method i8 radio transmission because of the relative cheapness o~ its components and it~
long range.
The specific method whose emission is used to impinge upon any g~ven integer and inform it tha~
the instructions about to be transmitted are for it may be any suitable method. It may ~e, ~or example, a particle beam or a beam of light (visible or otherwise). An especially pre~erred specific method is laser light. The emi~ ion of the ~pecific method mu t of course be directable ~uch that it can communicate with individual integers. This may be done either by pointing the emission generating apparatu~ itself at the integer or by steering the emission from a fixed generating apparatu~ by ~ome means appropriate to the particular ~pecific method, for example, by a ~teerable mlrror in the case of (vi~ible) ligh~ or by an electrical or magnetic field in the case of a beam of charged particle~.
The mechanism or circuitry by which the impinging ~pecific emission activa~es the stora~e rcann may bn any nuitnble mcchaninm or circuitry ., known to the art. In the case of li~h~, it may be, for example, a photoelectric cell or an array of ~uch cells oriented to the loca~ion o a ~irectable ligh~ source, ~he impingement of ~he beam upon which causes the integer to memori~e a particular "set" of instructions The instructisn~ may be terminated in any convenient manner. For example, the storage mean~ may be active ln ~oring new informa~ion only for a~ long as ~mission continue~; when it ~top$, the s~orage ~tops. Alternatively, there could be broadcast a terminating signal at the end of the "set"; in the detonator example previou~ly described7 the identification of an "arm" signal could be the termination 6ignal.
The in~en~ion will now be further described with reference to blasting and the use of radio tran~mis~ion and a laser beam and to the drawing which ~chema~ically depict~ a preferred embcdiment.
The system comprises two units, one ~comprising element~ 1-5) at an explosion site and the others (6-12) at a site remote from the explosion ~ite from whence programming and firing instruction~ are tran~mitted ~hereinafter referred to as "the command ~ite~). At the explosion site, a radio receiver 2 receives ins~ructions via antenna 1. A laser detector i8 attachad to a discriminator 4 which determines whether or not a laser beam i~
illuminating the detector. Both radio receiver 2 and discriminator 4 are independently connected to a logic unit 3 which control~ a detonator (not ~hown).
This logic unit i8 80 constituted that both l~ser and radio 8ignal8 mu8t be received in order for programming of a delay period, but only the radio ~ignal need be received for firing.
~2g~g~
The unit at the command site comprises a controller which transmit~ radio signals Yia a transmitter ll and antenna 12. This controller al~o emits laser signals by mean~ of a laser 9 and a steerable mirror 6. Confirmation that the laser S signal has been received is by means of a reflector on the la~er detector 5 which reflects back some of the light to be detected by means of a beam splitter 7 and a detector 8.
Thus, in operation, the controller 10 will broadca~t by radio via transmitter ll and antenna 1~
delay programming information which will be received by all antenna~ owever, the controller will at the same time move the mirror 6 so as to illuminate only that laser detector 5 a~sociated with the detonator whose programmlng instruction~ are concurrently being broadca3t. The logic unit 3 associated with thi~ particular detonator will then receive signals from both receivex 2 and discriminator 4 and will store the particular programming information.
When "arm" and "fire" signals are transmitted, all detonator~ will explode according to the delays programmed into th~m.
Claims (6)
1. A system for the communication of instructions and commands by means of a general method of communication to a plurality of remote integers capable of independent automatic action, each integer comprising a receiver responsive to signals transmitted by means of the general method and a means for storing instructions for future action, the integer being enabled to store instructions only when it is impinged upon by an emission from a specific method of communication associated with the general method.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the general method of communication is radio transmission.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the specific method of communication is light from a directable light source.
4. A system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the general method of communication is radio transmission and the specific method of communication is light from a directable light source.
5. A system according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the directable light source is a steerable laser.
6. A means for blasting comprising a plurality of detonators which comprise electronically programmable delays, the detonators being programmed by means of a system according to any one of claims 1-3.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPH828686 | 1986-10-02 | ||
| AUPH.8286 | 1986-10-02 | ||
| AUPI.0607 | 1987-03-02 | ||
| AUPI060787 | 1987-03-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1298899C true CA1298899C (en) | 1992-04-14 |
Family
ID=25643181
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000548503A Expired - Lifetime CA1298899C (en) | 1986-10-02 | 1987-10-02 | Hybrid communications system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1298899C (en) |
| ZW (1) | ZW17487A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7810430B2 (en) | 2004-11-02 | 2010-10-12 | Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd | Wireless detonator assemblies, corresponding blasting apparatuses, and methods of blasting |
-
1987
- 1987-09-14 ZW ZW17487A patent/ZW17487A1/en unknown
- 1987-10-02 CA CA000548503A patent/CA1298899C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7810430B2 (en) | 2004-11-02 | 2010-10-12 | Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd | Wireless detonator assemblies, corresponding blasting apparatuses, and methods of blasting |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ZW17487A1 (en) | 1989-04-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |