Patent ID: 7871043

Claim:
A method for parachute reefing control for use with a payload attached solely through suspension lines to a parachute having a canopy with a canopy reefing device and a reefing release mechanism for controlling canopy inflation and airborne descent after deployment thereof, said method comprising: A. providing a reefing control processor mounted on the payload which is preprogrammed with a release schedule for controlling release of the reefing of the parachute canopy; B. transmitting of at least one wireless release signal from the payload to the reefing release mechanism mounted adjacent the reefing device at the parachute canopy in accordance with the release schedule; C. receiving of the wireless release signal at a position adjacent the canopy; and D. actuating a reefing release mechanism positioned adjacent to the canopy to allow at least partial inflation of the parachute canopy to facilitate controlled descent thereof with the payload attached thereto E. monitoring a plurality of parameters with sensors mounted with respect to the payload and communicating the monitored parameter information to the reefing control processor; and F. modifying of the preprogrammed reefing release schedule by operation of the reefing control processor responsive to the monitored parameter information received from the sensors.