Patent ID: 8390979

Claim:
A blasting control system for use with a blasting machine, the control system comprising: a detonator module; and a blasting machine interface configured for serial communication between the blasting machine and the detonator module; wherein the detonator module comprises a detonator, a unique electronic identification (ID), a switch configured to enable and disable activation of the detonator in response to a user's verification of the associated unique electronic ID, a communication device configured for communication with the blasting machine interface, and a processor responsive to computer executable instructions from the communication device; wherein the blasting machine interface comprises an input/output (I/O) device, a communication device, and a processor responsive to the I/O device and the communication device; wherein upon verification of the unique electronic ID of the detonator module via communication from a user via the blasting machine interface, a state of the switch associated with the detonator is placed in an unlocked mode so as to enable activation of the associated detonator upon a fire signal from the blasting machine via the blasting machine interface.