System and method for zero latency distributed processing of timed pyrotechnic events

Abstract

A method for achieving zero latency timed pyrotechnic events by utilizing distributed processing is presented. A list of timed events may be used to synchronize a pyrotechnic firing sequence with music or other external events. This list is distributed over a series of embedded microprocessors. Each microprocessor is then synchronized to a master controller clock, and enabled such that each processor may then fire independently as required by the master list. This distributed process removes the split-second timing requirement from the main controller enabling the achievement of zero latency and providing significantly more timing events to be processed simultaneously while alleviating problems such as wireless radio interference delays. Each module is capable of forwarding information to other modules, which may be in a position that prevents wireless communication directly with the master controller. A wireless pyrotechnics ignition device which utilizes this distributed processing technique is also presented.

1 . A system for the distributed processing of timed pyrotechnic events, the system comprising:
 a plurality of Firing Modules, at least some of the plurality of Firing Modules being configured with computing units that act as a Master controller, and the Firing Modules being further configured to output signals suitable for the firing of a pyrotechnic device; and   a Command Module comprising a master clock, the Command Module being configured with a user interface to the system and configured to transmit commands to at least some of the plurality of Firing Modules, and at least some of the plurality of Firing Modules being configured to synchronize with the master clock and to receive and execute the commands relative to the master clock.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of Firing Modules operate substantially independent from one another. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for communicating data or timing information from at least one Firing Module to at least one other of the plurality of Firing Modules. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output signals for the firing of a pyrotechnic device are synchronized to at least one external event. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for varying at least one parameter of an output signal to a pyrotechnic device to deliver a required amount of energy to fire the respective pyrotechnic device. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output signals for the firing of a pyrotechnic device are generated in response to an external trigger from the output of at least one other of the plurality of Firing Modules. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of Firing Modules are configured to transmit or receive commands and therewith operate as a command repeater in the distributed processing system. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for using two or more processing units to handle communications processing and real time event handling. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a wireless remote device configured to connect to a source of timing information and make that timing information available to a network of the Firing Modules. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a wireless remote device configured to source audio and timing information to an external amplification and/or distribution means, while simultaneously provide associated timing information to the distributed processing devices. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an external device is temporarily attached via wired or wireless communications link and the wherein the external device utilizes a reader to associate one or more pyrotechnic devices with the module to implicitly or explicitly identify the module. 
   
   
       12 . An ignition device comprising a reusable ignition probe configured to be inserted into a fuse sleeve of a pyrotechnic device and to be heated by an electric current to directly ignite the fuse without removal of the protective sleeve. 
   
   
       13 . The ignition device of  claim 12 , where the ignition probe is heated to a sufficiently high temperature to prevent or retard the deposition of chemical residue on the probe. 
   
   
       14 . The ignition device of  claim 12 , comprising an attachment module configured to attach to a support structure of a pyrotechnic device, wherein the ignition probe is integrated into the attachment module. 
   
   
       15 . The ignition device of  claim 12 , comprising a distributed processing control module and one or more connectors from the distributed processing control module to the ignition probe. 
   
   
       16 . The ignition device of  claim 12  comprising at least one sensor configured to determine that the sleeve is properly positioned over the probe. 
   
   
       17 . The ignition device of  claim 16  wherein the at least one sensor comprises an optical, magnetic, pressure, temperature, or physical contact sensor. 
   
   
       18 . The ignition device of  claim 12 , wherein the ignition probe is configured to connect to a fuse of a pyrotechnic device without substantial removal of a protective sleeve of the fuse. 
   
   
       19 . The ignition device of  claim 12  comprising an engagement device configured to provide sufficient mechanical holding power to prevent the fuse from inadvertent separation from the ignition probe but allows the fuse and the fuse sleeve to be removed when a shell of the pyrotechnic device lifts from the mortar. 
   
   
       20 . The ignition device of  claim 12  wherein the engagement device comprises a spring or friction device. 
   
   
       21 . The ignition device of  claim 12  comprising at least one sensor configured to detect a flight of a shell of the pyrotechnic device from a mortar and to report a status of the flight to a controller. 
   
   
       22 . The ignition device of  claim 12 , wherein the ignition probe is configured to be inserted directly into a lift charge of the pyrotechnic device. 
   
   
       23 . The ignition device of  claim 12 , comprising a command and communication module configured to attach to an outside of a support structure of the pyrotechnic device. 
   
   
       24 . The ignition device of  claim 23 , wherein a machine readable identifier is read by the control and communications module during the installation of a shell of the pyrotechnic device to uniquely identify an association between the ignition device and the shell. 
   
   
       25 . The ignition device of  claim 24 , comprising an external wired or wireless data entry device configured to communicate with the ignition device to set the association between the shell being inserted and the ignition probe. 
   
   
       26 . The ignition device of  claim 12  wherein the ignition probe comprises a T-shaped section of heat resistant material and an ignition wire wound around a stem of the T-shaped ignition probe. 
   
   
       27 . An attachment device for attaching a triggering system to a support structure of a pyrotechnic device, the attachment device comprising a ratcheting clamp mechanism that provides for attachment to differing wall thicknesses and provides a secure clamping mechanism via screw tension against the ratchet. 
   
   
       28 . The attachment device of  claim 27  wherein secure clamping tension is provided by lever action to impart the necessary ratchet angle and force. 
   
   
       29 . The attachment device of  claim 27  comprising a spring loaded indicator flag configured to rotate in position as a result of a shell leaving the support structure. 
   
   
       30 . The attachment device of  claim 27  comprising a pivot mechanism at a juncture of the attachment device and the triggering system wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to allow the triggering system to rotate such that the triggering system remains perpendicular to the ground even when the support structure is angled with respect to the ground.