Systems and methods for detecting cartridge description

• US 9,228,808 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Taser International Incorporated
• Inventors: Brundula, Steven N. D., Cerovic, Milan, Nerheim, Magne H.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYES, BRET C
• Application Number:
  US12/970,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20120257320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,846 Days
• Field of Search: 42/10.8, 42/84, 361/232, 89/11.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• 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 13/0031 for remote electrical discharge by means of a wireless projectile
• CPC Class Codes: H05C 1/06 operating only when touched

Abstract

An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by the target. The apparatus is used with a provided deployment unit that deploys an electrode away from the apparatus. The electrode conducts a current through the target. The apparatus includes a detector that detects indicia describing the deployment unit and a processing circuit that performs a function of the launch device in accordance with the indicia.

Claims

1. A launch device that impedes locomotion by a target, the launch device for operation with a provided deployment unit installed on or in the launch device, the launch device comprising:

a detector that cooperates with an indicator of the deployment unit to determine indicia describing the deployment unit, wherein the deployment unit deploys an electrode to provide a current through the target to impede locomotion by the target; and

a processing circuit that performs a function of the launch device in accordance with the indicia;

wherein

the detector detects the indicia responsive to a position of the indicator with respect to the detector.

2. The launch device of claim 1 further comprising a display that presents a presentation determined by the processing circuit in accordance with the indicia.

3. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the indicia comprise a quantity of uses.

4. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the indicia comprise a range of effective distances.

5. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the indicia identify a manufacturer.

6. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the function comprises denying activation of a launch.

7. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the function comprises conserving battery power.

8. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the detector provides information to the deployment unit to be stored by the deployment unit.

9. The launch device of claim 8 wherein the information comprises an identity of the launch device.

10. The launch device of claim 8 wherein the information comprises an identity of a user of the launch device.

11. The launch device of claim 8 wherein the information comprises a location of the launch device.

12. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the detector detects the indicia by detecting an electromagnetic signal.

13. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the detector detects a reflection from the indicator.

14. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the detector detects a magnet of the indicator.

15. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the detector detects the indicia by completing a magnetic circuit.

16. The launch device of claim 1 wherein the detector detects the indicia by detecting a modulation.

17. The launch device of claim 1 wherein:

the detector further comprises a source that provides a signal; and

the detector detects the indicia by detecting a modulation impressed on the signal by the deployment unit.

18. The launch device of claim 1 wherein:

the indicator comprises a plurality of passive components, each at a respective position with respect to the detector; and

the detector detects the indicia in further response to the plurality of components.

19. The launch device of claim 1 wherein:

the launch device further comprises a control; and

the processing circuit performs the function in further accordance with the control.

20. The launch device of claim 19 wherein the control provides a range priority.

21. The launch device of claim 19 wherein the control provides an identity of a user of the launch device.

22. A method performed by a launch device that impedes locomotion by a human or animal target, the launch device for operation with a provided deployment unit installed on or in the launch device, the launch device comprising a processing circuit that performs the method, the method comprising:

cooperating with an indicator of the deployment unit to determine indicia describing the deployment unit, wherein the deployment unit deploys an electrode to provide a current through the target to impede locomotion by the target; and

performing a function of the launch device in accordance with the indicia;

wherein

determining the indicia is accomplished in response to a position of the indicator with respect to the launch device.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising displaying a presentation in accordance with the indicia.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the indicia comprise a quantity of uses.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the indicia comprise a range of effective distances.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the indicia identify a manufacturer.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the function comprises denying activation of a launch.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein the function comprises conserving battery power.

29. The method of claim 22 further comprising providing information to the deployment unit to be stored by the deployment unit.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the information comprises an identity of the launch device.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the information comprises an identity of a user of the launch device.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the information comprises a location of the launch device.

33. The method of claim 22 wherein cooperating comprises detecting an electromagnetic signal.

34. The method of claim 22 wherein cooperating comprises detecting a reflection from the indicator.

35. The method of claim 22 wherein cooperating comprises detecting a magnet of the indicator.

36. The method of claim 22 wherein cooperating comprises completing a magnetic circuit with the indicator.

37. The method of claim 22 wherein cooperating comprises detecting a modulation.

38. The method of claim 22 wherein cooperating further comprises detecting the indicia in response to sourcing a signal to the deployment unit.

39. The method of claim 22 wherein:

the indicator comprises a plurality of passive components, each at a respective position with respect to the detector; and

cooperating comprises determining the indicia in further response to the plurality of components.

40. The method of claim 22 wherein performing the function is accomplished in further accordance with a control of the launch device.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the control provides a range priority.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the control provides an identity of a user of the launch device.