Systems and methods for a launch device and deployment unit

• US 8,061,073 B1
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cerovic, Milan, Brundula, Steven N. D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weber; Jonathan C
• Application Number:
  US12/966,682
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 42/10.8, 42/84, 361/232, 102/502
• US Class Current: 42/84
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0018 for nearby electrical discharge, i.e. the electrodes being positioned on the device and the device brought manually or otherwise into contact with a nearby target batons with electric discharge capability F41B15/04; electric shock devices for animals A01K15/02
• 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 13/0087 the high-energy beam being a bright light, e.g. for dazzling or blinding purposes F41H13/0056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/06 operating only when touched

Abstract

An electronic weapon system includes a terminal for a local stun function, a deployment unit for a remote stun function, and a barrier, removal of which during deployment enables a circuit for the remote stun function that includes the terminal. A method performed by an electronic weapon includes: (a) enabling a stimulator of the weapon to provide a current; (b) in response to a first operator control of the weapon, and when proximate to target tissue, passing the current through a first circuit that includes the target tissue; (c) blocking a second circuit of the weapon with a barrier of the weapon; (d) in response to a second operator control of the weapon, propelling an electrode of the weapon to a remote target, reducing blocking by the barrier, and passing the current via the second circuit that includes the electrode and the target tissue; and (e) in response to a second operation of the first operator control, and if proximate to target tissue, passing the current through the target tissue via the first circuit instead of passing the current through the second circuit, and if not proximate to target tissue, passing the current via the second circuit through the electrode and through the target tissue.

Claims

1. A launch device for an electronic weapon system, the launch device for use with a provided deployment unit that includes a first wire-tethered electrode and a second wire-tethered electrode, the launch device comprising:

a. a stimulator;

b. a first terminal; and

c. a return path;

wherein

d. the first terminal and the return path are each coupled to the stimulator;

e. the first terminal is positioned with respect to the deployment unit for supporting ionization in air from the first terminal to the deployment unit to conduct a current from the stimulator through the wire tethered electrodes after the electrodes have been launched to accomplish a remote stun function;

f. the first terminal is positioned on the launch device for conducting a current from the stimulator through the first terminal when proximate to tissue to accomplish a local stun function; and

g. the first terminal comprises

(1) a first surface that supports ionization in air for the local stun function; and

(2) a second surface that supports ionization in air for the remote stun function.

2. The launch device of claim 1 for use with the deployment unit that further includes a face, wherein:

a. the return path comprises a second terminal coupled to the stimulator; and

b. the second terminal is located with respect to the first surface to support an ionization path between the first surface and the second terminal in the absence of a deployment unit, and otherwise across the face of the deployment unit.

3. The launch device of claim 1 wherein:

a. the launch device accepts a plurality of provided deployment units, the deployment unit being a member of the plurality;

b. the launch device further comprises a first plurality of terminals, the first terminal being a member of the first plurality of terminals;

c. the launch device further comprises a second plurality of terminals, the return path being coupled to each terminal of the second plurality; and

d. the first plurality of terminals and the second plurality of terminals are positioned to concurrently support ionization for a warning display.

4. A launch device for an electronic weapon system, the launch device for use with a provided deployment unit that includes a first wire-tethered electrode and a second wire-tethered electrode, the launch device comprising:

a. a stimulator;

b. a first terminal; and

c. a return path;

wherein

d. the first terminal and the return path are each coupled to the stimulator;

e. the first terminal is positioned with respect to the deployment unit for supporting ionization in air from the first terminal to the deployment unit to conduct a current from the stimulator through the wire tethered electrodes after the electrodes have been launched to accomplish a remote stun function;

f. the first terminal is positioned on the launch device for conducting a current from the stimulator through the first terminal when proximate to tissue to accomplish a local stun function; and

g. the first terminal comprises

(1) a first prong directed to support ionization in air for the local stun function; and

(2) a second prong directed to support ionization in air for the remote stun function.

5. The launch device of claim 4 for use with the deployment unit that further includes a face, wherein:

a. the return path comprises a second terminal coupled to the stimulator; and

b. the second terminal is located with respect to the first prong to support an ionization path between a first surface and the second terminal in the absence of a deployment unit, and otherwise across the face of the deployment unit.

6. The launch device of claim 4 wherein:

a. the launch device accepts a plurality of provided deployment units, the deployment unit being a member of the plurality;

b. the launch device further comprises a first plurality of terminals, the first terminal being a member of the first plurality of terminals;

c. the launch device further comprises a second plurality of terminals, the return path being coupled to each terminal of the second plurality; and

d. the first plurality of terminals and the second plurality of terminals are positioned to concurrently support ionization for a warning display.

7. A launch device for an electronic weapon system, the launch device capable of accepting for installation a provided deployment unit that includes a first wire-tethered electrode and a second wire-tethered electrode, the launch device comprising:

a. a stimulator;

b. a terminal; and

c. a return path;

wherein

d. the terminal and the return path are each coupled to the stimulator; and

e. after installation of the deployment unit and before launching of the first and second wire-tethered electrodes, the terminal supports ionization for performing a display function and for performing a local stun function.

8. The launch device of claim 7 for use with the deployment unit that further includes a face, wherein the terminal and the return path are positioned on the launch device to support ionization for a display across the face of the deployment unit.

9. The launch device of claim 7 wherein the terminal comprises:

a. a first prong directed to support ionization for the local stun function; and

b. a second prong directed to support ionization for the remote stun function.

10. The launch device of claim 7 wherein the terminal comprises:

a. a first surface directed to support ionization for the local stun function; and

b. a second surface directed to support ionization for the remote stun function.