Systems And Methods For Cooperative Stimulus Control

• US 20090251311A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Shekarri, Nache D., Nerheim, Magne H., Smith, Patrick W.
• Application Number:
  US12/258,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20090251311A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

An activator that activates a function of an electronic control device. Each electronic control device performs a function responsive to receiving a respective address. An electronic control device provides a stimulus through a target to halt locomotion of the target. The activator includes a control and a transceiver. The control is operated by an operator. The transceiver, responsive to the control, transmits a respective address of control device to activate the function.

Claims

1. An activator for use by an operator, the activator for controlling an electronic control device separate from the activator, the electronic control device for generating a current to pass through a human or animal target to interfere with use by the target of its skeletal muscles, the activator comprising:

a control for operation by the operator;

a memory comprising an address of the electronic control device;

a processor that forms a message comprising the address;

a transmitter that cooperates with the processor in response to the control to transmit the message, the message to control the current, wherein transmitting by the transmitter effects a request for a status response from the electronic control device; and

a receiver that receives the status response.

2. The activator of claim 1 wherein:

the processor cooperates with the receiver to determine from the response indicia of status; and

the processor cooperates with the memory to record the indicia of status in the memory.

3. The activator of claim 1 wherein the memory comprises the address as received by the receiver.

4. The activator of claim 1 wherein the status comprises indicia of a location of the electronic control device.

5. An activator for use by an operator, the activator for controlling an electronic control device separate from the activator, the electronic control device for generating a current to pass through a human or animal target to interfere with use by the target of its skeletal muscles, the activator comprising:

a control for operation by the operator;

a detector of a location of the activator;

a memory comprising an address of the electronic control device;

a processor that forms a message comprising the address; and

a transmitter that cooperates with the processor in response to the control to transmit the message, the message to control the current, wherein the transmitter transmits in accordance with the location.

6. The activator of claim 5 wherein the location comprises a GPS coordinate.

7. The activator of claim 5 further comprising a receiver to receive a second message from the electronic control device, and to determine a location of the electronic control device in accordance with the second message and the address.

8. The activator of claim 7 wherein:

the processor determines a proximity of the activator to the electronic control device in accordance with the location of the activator and the location of the electronic control device; and

the processor cooperates with the transmitter to transmit in accordance with the proximity.

9. The activator of claim 5 wherein controlling the current comprises initiating a stimulus control function of the electronic control device.

10. The activator of claim 5 wherein controlling the current comprises modifying a stimulus control function of the electronic control device.

11. The activator of claim 5 wherein controlling the current comprises specifying a parameter of the stimulus, the parameter being at least one of a charge per pulse, a pulse repetition rate, a quantity of pulses per pulse group, a pulse duration, an energy per pulse, and a pulse amplitude.

12. The activator of claim 5 wherein the address comprises a group address.

13. The activator of claim 5 wherein the transmitter transmits the indicia of the location of the activator in association with an address of the activator.

14. A method performed by an activator for use by an operator, the activator for controlling an electronic control device separate from the activator, the electronic control device for generating a current to pass through a human or animal target to interfere with use by the target of its skeletal muscles, the method comprising:

determining a location of the activator;

in accordance with the location, transmitting a message to control the current.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the location comprises a GPS coordinate.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining a location of the electronic control device and transmitting in further accordance with the location of the electronic control device

17. The activator of claim 14 wherein controlling the current comprises initiating a stimulus control function of the electronic control device.

18. The activator of claim 14 wherein controlling the current comprises modifying a stimulus control function of the electronic control device.

19. The activator of claim 14 wherein controlling the current comprises specifying a parameter of the current, the parameter being at least one of a charge per pulse, a pulse repetition rate, a quantity of pulses per pulse group, a pulse duration, an energy per pulse, and a pulse amplitude.

20. An electronic control device that provides a stimulus through a human or animal target to inhibit locomotion by the target, the electronic control device comprising:

a memory that stores a first address;

a receiver that receives a second address;

a comparator that detects whether at least a portion of the first address matches the second address;

a signal generator that, responsive to the comparator, provides the stimulus for a duration;

a detector that detects a location of the electronic control device; and

a transmitter that transmits indicia of the location in association with the first address.

21. An electronic control device that provides a stimulus through a human or animal target to inhibit locomotion by the target, the electronic control device comprising:

a memory that stores a first address;

a receiver that receives a second address;

a comparator that detects whether at least a portion of the first address matches the second address;

a signal generator that, responsive to the comparator, provides the stimulus for a duration;

a transmitter that transmits indicia of status of the electronic control device in association with the first address.

22. The electronic control device of claim 21 wherein the status describes a parameter of the stimulus, the parameter being at least one of a charge per pulse, a pulse repetition rate, a quantity of pulses per pulse group, a pulse duration, an energy per pulse, and a pulse amplitude.