Patent ID: 8861172

Claim:
An apparatus for conducting a blasting event, the apparatus comprising: at least one blasting machine for sending command signals to a plurality of associated detonator assemblies; a plurality of detonator assemblies in signal communication with said at least one blasting machine, each detonator assembly comprising: (i) a detonator including a base charge connected to a firing circuit; (ii) a storage component for storing a total oscillation count; (iii) a countdown oscillator; at least one high-accuracy clock each either in communication with, or forming an integral component of, at least one detonator assembly, and an associated transmitter for transmitting a blast-rehearsal start signal and a blast-rehearsal stop signal to each countdown oscillator of each associated detonator assembly, said signals being temporally separated by a time period corresponding to a desired delay time individually selected for each detonator assembly, thereby to mimic during said time period between said blast-rehearsal start signal and said blast-rehearsal stop signal, the desired delay time individually selected for each detonator assembly each oscillator counting a number of oscillations between said signals to determine a total oscillation count for each oscillator corresponding to said desired delay time specific for each detonator assembly; whereupon receipt by said at least one detonator assembly of a command signal to FIRE from said at least one blasting machine, each countdown oscillator counting down its total oscillation count, thereby to achieve timed actuation of each detonator in accordance with its desired delay time.