Systems and methods for area denial

• US 7,886,648 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2007
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Shekarri, Nache D., Williams, Kevin, Baldwin, Christopher Wallace
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): David; Michael D
• Application Number:
  US11/868,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20090020002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,227 Days
• Field of Search: 42/10.8, 89/11.1, 89/410.3, 119/220, 119/721, 119/908, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 361/232
• US Class Current: 89/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0025 for remote electrical discharge via conducting wires, e.g. via wire-tethered electrodes shot at a target
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0031 for remote electrical discharge by means of a wireless projectile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 119/908 Electrical animal control or handling

Abstract

Systems and methods inhibit locomotion of a human or animal target in a denial zone. Acquiring the target includes forming a prediction of at least two locations of impact on the target and testing the prediction according to criteria that may include whether the locations are within a boundary corresponding to the target and whether the locations are separated by a minimum physical and/or electrical distance.

Claims

1. A method for area denial, performed by an apparatus that inhibits locomotion in or through an area by a human or animal target using a current between a plurality of electrodes, the method comprising:

forming a prediction comprising at least two locations, each location for impact on the target of an electrode of the plurality and a probable distance between the locations;

testing whether the prediction meets at least one criterion for successful area denial due to the current; and

providing a signal for launching at least one electrode of the plurality in response to testing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein forming comprises predicting a probable electrical distance for a current between the electrodes through the target.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein testing comprises comparing the at least two locations to a boundary.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein testing comprises comparing the probable distance to a minimum distance.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprises adjusting the at least one criterion in accordance with a result of launching.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising detecting indicia of the current through the target, the result being in accordance with the indicia.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein forming comprises combining a planar projection of probable impact for each electrode of the plurality and a planar boundary corresponding to at least a portion of the target.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein testing comprises testing whether the probable distance exceeds a minimum distance and whether the planar boundary contains the planar projection of probable impact for each electrode.

9. An apparatus for acquiring a human or animal target for area denial, the apparatus comprising:

a processing subsystem that, in accordance with indicia of the target, forms a prediction comprising at least two locations, each location for impact on the target of an electrode of a plurality of electrodes and a probable distance between the locations; and

a launch subsystem that controls deployment of the plurality of electrodes, wherein control is responsive to testing whether the prediction meets at least one criterion for a successful area denial due to a current through the target and between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the criterion comprises whether the probable distance is greater than a threshold.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a stimulus signal generator that provides the current.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the indicia of the target comprises a video image.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:

the apparatus further comprises a detector responsive to indicia of the current through the target; and

the processing subsystem forms a subsequent prediction in accordance with a result of the detector.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the subsequent prediction is in accordance with an adjustment of predicting.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the probable distance comprises a probable electrical distance for a current between the electrodes through the target.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the processing subsystem forms the prediction to include a planar projection of probable impact for each electrode of the plurality and a planar boundary corresponding to at least a portion of the target.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein testing comprises testing whether the probable distance exceeds a minimum distance and whether the planar boundary contains the planar projection of probable impact for each electrode.