Systems And Methods For Conditional Use Of A Product

• US 20090064557A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Hughes, Paul J., Shekarri, Nache D., Nerheim, Magne H., Smith, Patrick W., Szakach, John F., Markle, Ryan C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,166,693 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/70.10
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control

Abstract

A method performed by a weapon, includes interacting with a user of the weapon to receive a first code; determining whether the first code is consistent with a second code in a memory of the weapon to produce a result of determining; testing whether the weapon is in a zone; performing an operation of the weapon in accordance with the result and the weapon being in the zone. Interacting may include monitoring a switch that is operated by the user; and receiving may include determining the first code in accordance with a time between successive operations of the switch. The method may further include disabling performance of the operation in accordance with the weapon being not in the zone. And, after disabling, requiring a repeat performance of interacting and determining whether the first code is consistent with the second code before enabling performing a further operation of the weapon. An assembly for upgrading an electronic control device, the assembly includes an enclosure, an electrical connector, a battery, and a transceiver. The transceiver supplies to the electronic control device a current that conveys a result of testing whether the assembly is in a zone. A device detects that an electronic control device has been used. The device includes a radio receiver and a circuit. The electronic control device generates a radio signal when used. The circuit detects a plurality of properties of the received radio signal and outputs a signal in response to detecting.

Claims

1. A weapon comprising:

a. a processor that performs a function of the weapon only after a condition is met;

b. a receiver that provides to the processor a code received from a provided network;

c. a memory that stores data corresponding to a state of the weapon being one state of the set of states including unregistered and registered;

d. a switch;

e. a battery that provides a current through the switch to the processor; and

f. a tester that determines whether the weapon is in a zone;

wherein

g. the condition is met in accordance with the code;

h. the memory stores, in accordance with the code, data in accordance with the state being registered;

i. the memory stores, in response to a signal conveyed by the current, data in accordance with the state being unregistered; and

j. the signal is formed by the switch in response to the tester determining that the weapon is not in the zone.

2. The weapon of claim 1 wherein:

a. the weapon further comprises a user interface;

b. the tester further determines in response to the user interface whether the user has an intent to use the weapon; and

c. the signal is formed by the switch in response to the tester determining that the weapon is not in the zone and the user has an intent to use the weapon.

3. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving a magnetic signal from a marker.

4. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving an optical signal from a marker.

5. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving an electrical signal from a marker.

6. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving a radio signal from a marker.

7. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the tester determines that the weapon is not in the zone on lapse of a period that began after receiving a signal from a marker.

8. The weapon of claim 1 wherein the tester comprises a retainer to retain the marker proximate to the switch.

9. The weapon of claim 8 wherein the marker comprises a strap to affix the marker to a user of the weapon.

10. The weapon of claim 1 further comprising a user interface that provides information from the processor to a user of the weapon, wherein the code is provided by the network in response to an action by the user performed in accordance with the information.

11. The weapon of claim 1 further comprising a user interface wherein the memory stores data in accordance with the registered state in response to entry of the code via the user interface.

12. A weapon comprising:

a. a processor that performs a function of the weapon only after a condition is met;

b. a user interface that provides to the processor a code received from a user;

c. a memory that stores data corresponding to a state of the weapon being one state of the set of states including unregistered and registered;

d. a switch;

e. a battery that provides a current through the switch to the processor; and

f. a tester that determines whether the weapon is in a zone;

wherein

g. the condition is met in accordance with the code;

h. the memory stores, in accordance with the code, data in accordance with the state being registered;

i. the memory stores, in response to a signal conveyed by the current, data in accordance with the state being unregistered; and

j. the signal is formed by the switch in response to the tester determining that the weapon is not in the zone.

13. The weapon of claim 12 wherein:

a. the tester further determines in response to the user interface whether the user has an intent to use the weapon; and

b. the signal is formed by the switch in response to the tester determining that the weapon is not in the zone and the user has an intent to use the weapon.

14. The weapon of claim 12 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving a magnetic signal from a marker.

15. The weapon of claim 12 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving an optical signal from a marker.

16. The weapon of claim 12 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving an electrical signal from a marker.

17. The weapon of claim 12 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving a radio signal from a marker.

18. The weapon of claim 12 wherein the tester determines that the weapon is not in the zone on lapse of a period that began after receiving a signal from a marker.

19. The weapon of claim 12 wherein the tester comprises a retainer to retain the marker proximate to the switch.

20. The weapon of claim 19 wherein the marker comprises a strap to affix the marker to a user of the weapon.

21. A weapon comprising:

a. processor;

b. a receiver that detects a first signal that originated outside the weapon and provides, in response to the first signal, a second signal to the processor;

c. a memory that stores indicia of an unregistered state, a providing state and a registered state; and

d. a tester;

wherein

e. a function of the weapon is not operational in the unregistered state and is operational in the registered state;

f. the processor, in the providing state, provides information to the user of the weapon;

g. transition into the registered state follows determining by the processor that the second signal is consistent with the information; and

h. transition into the unregistered state follows determining by the tester that the weapon is not within a zone.

22. The weapon of claim 21 wherein:

a. the tester further determines in response to the user interface whether the user has an intent to use the weapon; and

b. transition into the unregistered state follows determining by the tester that the weapon is not in the zone and the user has an intent to use the weapon.

23. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving a magnetic signal from a marker.

24. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving an optical signal from a marker.

25. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving an electrical signal from a marker.

26. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the tester determines whether the weapon is in the zone in accordance with receiving a radio signal from a marker.

27. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the tester determines that the weapon is not in the zone on lapse of a period that began after receiving a signal from a marker.

28. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the tester comprises a retainer to retain the marker proximate to the switch.

29. The weapon of claim 28 wherein the marker comprises a strap to affix the marker to a user of the weapon.

30. A method performed by a weapon, the method comprising:

a. providing a first code to a user of the weapon;

b. receiving a second code from a network, the network providing the second code in response to the first code that was provided to the network by the user;

c. determining whether the first code is consistent with the second code;

d. testing whether the weapon is in a zone; and

e. after determining that the first code is consistent with the second code enabling an operation of the weapon in the zone.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising providing a serial number of the weapon to the user, the network providing the second code in further response to the serial number that was provided to the network by the user.

32. The method of claim 30 further comprising disabling an operation of the weapon when the weapon is not in the zone.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising continuing disabling until after receiving a third code from the user.

34. The method of claim 30 further comprising:

a. determining whether the user has an intent to use the weapon; and

b. disabling an operation of the weapon after the user has an intent to use the weapon but the weapon is not in the zone.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein testing comprises receiving a magnetic signal from a marker.

36. The method of claim 30 wherein testing comprises receiving an optical signal from a marker.

37. The method of claim 30 wherein testing comprises receiving an electrical signal from a marker.

38. The method of claim 30 wherein testing comprises receiving a radio signal from a marker.

39. The method of claim 30 wherein testing comprises determining lapse of a period that began after receiving a signal from a marker.

40. The method of claim 30 further comprising retaining a marker proximate to a means for testing.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising mechanically coupling the marker to a user of the weapon.

42. A method performed by a weapon, the method comprising:

a. interacting with a user of the weapon to receive a first code;

b. determining whether the first code is consistent with a second code in a memory of the weapon to produce a result of determining;

c. testing whether the weapon is in a zone;

d. performing an operation of the weapon in accordance with the result and the weapon being in the zone.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein:

a. interacting comprises monitoring a switch that is operated by the user; and

b. receiving comprises determining the first code in accordance with a time between successive operations of the switch.

44. The method of claim 42 further comprising disabling performance of the operation in accordance with the weapon being not in the zone.

45. The method of claim 42 after disabling, requiring a repeat performance of interacting and determining whether the first code is consistent with the second code before enabling performing a further operation of the weapon.

46. The method of claim 42 further comprising:

a. determining whether the user has an intent to use the weapon; and

b. disabling an operation of the weapon after the user has an intent to use the weapon but the weapon is not in the zone.

47. The method of claim 42 wherein testing comprises receiving a magnetic signal from a marker.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein testing comprises receiving an optical signal from a marker.

49. The method of claim 42 wherein testing comprises receiving an electrical signal from a marker.

50. The method of claim 42 wherein testing comprises receiving a radio signal from a marker.

51. The method of claim 42 wherein testing comprises determining lapse of a period that began after receiving a signal from a marker.

52. The method of claim 42 further comprising retaining a marker proximate to a means for testing.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising mechanically coupling the marker to a user of the weapon.

54. A device that detects that an electronic control device has been used, the electronic control device generating a radio signal when used, the device comprising:

a. a receiver for receiving a radio signal; and

b. a circuit for detecting a plurality of properties of the radio signal; and

c. a circuit for outputting a signal when the plurality of properties are detected.

55. The device of claim 54 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the time domain and in combination a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second and a pulse series duration of from 2 seconds to 60 seconds.

56. The device of claim 54 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the time domain and in combination a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second and a pulse width of from 2 to 200 microseconds.

57. The device of claim 54 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the time domain and in combination a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second received on a plurality of channels, each channel having a respective different center frequency.

58. The device of claim 54 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the frequency domain energy amplitudes consistent with a series of pulses having a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second and for each pulse a pulse width of from 2 microseconds to 200 microseconds.

59. The device of claim 54 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the frequency domain energy consistent with repeated formation of a plurality of arcs at a repetition rate of from 5 to 40 arcs per second.

60. A method for reporting that an electronic control device has been used, the electronic control device radiating a signal comprising a plurality of properties, the method comprising:

a. receiving a radio signal;

b. determining a result in accordance with whether the radio signal included the plurality of properties; and

c. reporting in accordance with the result.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the time domain and in combination a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second and a pulse series duration of from 2 seconds to 60 seconds.

62. The method of claim 60 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the time domain and in combination a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second and a pulse width of from 2 to 200 microseconds.

63. The method of claim 60 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the time domain and in combination a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second received on a plurality of channels, each channel having a respective different center frequency.

64. The method of claim 60 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the frequency domain energy amplitudes consistent with a series of pulses having a pulse repetition rate of from 5 to 40 pulses per second and for each pulse a pulse width of from 2 microseconds to 200 microseconds.

65. The method of claim 60 wherein the plurality of properties comprises in the frequency domain energy consistent with repeated formation of a plurality of arcs at a repetition rate of from 5 to 40 arcs per second.

66. An assembly for upgrading an electronic control device, the assembly comprising:

a. an enclosure having a size and shape for inserting the assembly into the electronic control device;

b. an electrical connector for connecting the assembly to the electronic control device;

c. a battery coupled to the electrical connector for supplying a current to the electronic control device; and

d. a zone tester coupled to the battery and to the connector for supplying to the electronic control device a current that conveys a result of testing whether the assembly is in a zone.

67. The assembly of claim 66 further comprising a serial memory coupled to the connector for transferring recorded data to the electronic control device.

68. The assembly of claim 66 further comprising a transceiver coupled to the connector for communicating with a network appliance to register the electronic control device.

69. The assembly of claim 66 further comprising a transceiver coupled to the connector for transmitting a description of usage of the electronic control device.

70. An assembly for upgrading an electronic control device, the assembly comprising:

a. an enclosure having a size and shape for inserting the assembly into the electronic control device;

b. an electrical connector for connecting the assembly to the electronic control device;

c. a battery coupled to the electrical connector for supplying a current to the electronic control device; and

d. a transceiver coupled the connector for supplying to the electronic control device a current that conveys a result of testing whether the assembly is in a zone.