Systems and methods for calibrating a conducted electrical weapon ("CEW") to provide a predetermined amount of current for each pulse of the stimulus signal. Providing the predetermined amount of current, close thereto, increases the effectiveness of the stimulus signal in impeding locomotion of a human or animal target. The calibration process enables a CEW to calibrate the amount of charge in a pulse of the stimulus signal in the environmental conditions where the tester operates and also in the field where the environmental conditions may be different from the environmental conditions during calibration.
A conducted electrical weapon ("CEW") launches wire-tethered electrodes from multiple cartridges to provide a current through a human or animal target to impede locomotion of the target. The CEW includes a handle and one or more deployment units. A handle and each deployment unit include a processing circuit and memory. A handle may provide operation and usage records to a deployment unit for storage. The information stored on a deployment unit may be unalterable once written. A handle may log a record of usage, deployment units, and other deployment information. The log file may be available to an electronic device through a secure wireless protocol.
A system that creates an environment (e.g., ecosystem) for using, transmitting, and storing data from a CEW and other equipment. The information from a CEW includes a log maintained by the CEW. The log may include information related to the operation, maintenance, software, and deployment units used by the CEW. The information may be used alone or in combination with other information received and stored by an evidence management system for managing inventory, generating use-of-force reports, incident reports, and/or providing information related to equipment, such as a CEW, to the supplier of the equipment. Sources of information provided to an evidence management system includes equipment suppliers, CEWs, other cooperating equipment, records management systems of an agency, a dispatch system of an agency, and third parties. A CEW or other equipment may also receive information for storing in the log.
A recording device, such as a video camera, emits audio watermarks (e.g., audible tones, inaudible tones) and records audio watermarks emitted by other recording devices. The audio watermarks provide information (e.g., data) such as an identifier of the camera and the identity of the operate. Audio watermarks may further include time information such as a timestamp indicating the time that the audio watermark was emitted by the camera. Audio watermarks may be emitted and recorded at intervals while recording an incident. A processing system, such as a digital video and audio processing system, may receive video information and recorded watermarks from multiple recording devices. The processing system may use the audio watermarks recorded by each recording device to determine which recording devices were in the vicinity of an incident. The processing system may also use the audio watermarks to align (e.g., synchronize) the video recorded by the various recording devices. Alignment of recorded video may permit synchronized playback of the recorded video from the various recording devices. Alignment may further identify at what point during an incident a recording device began and terminated recording.
A conducted electrical weapon ("CEW") launches wire-tethered electrodes to provide a current through a human or animal target to impede locomotion of the target. The current may ionize air in a gap. A gap may occur between terminals at a face of the CEW and/or between the electrodes positioned near target tissue. A CEW may include a detector to detect ionization of air in a gap. A CEW may use information related to detecting ionization to determine a location where the ionization occurred. Information regarding location of ionization may be used to determine whether the current was delivered through the target via the electrodes.
A recording system may use the information stored in a list to determine whether to receive and/or respond to messages transmitted by notice systems. The source of the information for the list includes a server and/or the recording system itself. A server that provides the list may use data provided by an agency to determine a relationship between a people, recording devices and notice systems. The associations between people, recording devices and notice devices may be used to determine what information is in the list. A recording device that forms the list may receive messages from any notice system, detect the session identifier, store the session identifiers from received messages, and receive and/or respond to messages in accordance with the list formed by the recording system.
A method of automatic activation of a responder camera to begin capturing a video can be performed by a computing device. The computing device receives an indication of a location or an event. The computing device determines a geographic area associated with the location or event. The computing device receives a dispatch acknowledgement from a responder, where the dispatch acknowledgement indicates that the responder is at the geographic area or that the responder is en route to the geographic area. The computing device automatically sends a camera activation signal to a responder camera associated with the responder in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder. The responder camera is configured to begin capturing a video in response to receiving the camera activation signal.
Dispatch-aiding communications between computing devices of a responder and a dispatch unit include a computing device of the responder determining that an event occurred, automatically sending an indication of the event to a computing device of the dispatch unit, receiving a request for information from the computing device of the dispatch unit, obtaining the information requested by the computing device of the dispatch unit, and sending the information requested by the computing device of the dispatch unit to the computing device of the dispatch unit. The computing device of the dispatch unit sends the request for information to the computing device of the responder in response to receiving the indication of the event.
A detector monitors the presence, absence, insertion, and/or removal of an object in a holster. The detector broadcasts a message to an electronic device reporting whether the object, such as a weapon, has been removed from the holster and/or if the holster lock has been unlocked. The detector repeatedly probes for the presence of the object in the holster. The electronic device, in response to authenticating the message, may control the recording of audio, video, and/or other data in conjunction with the insertion or withdrawal. The detector stores information about when an object has been removed or inserted from the holster and provides it the electronic device.
G01V 3/08 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detecting; Measuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices
A method for communicating among responders from a plurality of responder agencies includes determining that responders from two responder agencies are located at an event or location. Each of the responders from the two responder agencies has a computing device that is configured to communicate with the other computing device of the responders. Authorization is received from the two responder agencies to permit direct communication between responders from the two responder agencies. A communication link is established between the computing devices of the responders of the two responder agencies in response to determining that the responders from the two responder agencies are located at the event or location and in response to receiving the authorization. The communication link permits direct communication between the responders of the two responder agencies.
In some embodiments, auditable devices such as auditable cameras are provided. The auditable devices maintain audit trail data that is digitally signed and stored on the devices until it can be uploaded to an evidence management system. When intermittent data connections to the evidence management system are available, an auditable device may transmit records of urgent events to the evidence management system. The transmission of urgent events via ad-hoc data connections and the digital signing of audit trail data help overcome technical obstacles in establishing provably reliable data collection while minimizing power consumption by the auditable device.
Computer-implemented methods and systems for processing recorded data for storage is provided. An auditable device, such as a digital video camera, stores a set of recorded data. The auditable device also stores auditable event entries that represent auditable events detected by the auditable device. One type of auditable event is the receipt of information from a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system that indicates an event. The auditable device marks at least one subset of the set of recorded data based on the auditable event entries, and uploads the marked at least one subset of the set of recorded data to an evidence management system.
A body-worn system for capturing visual and audio information. The body-worn system includes a housing having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion has a first opening and the second end portion has a second opening. The housing is formed of a flexible material that retains its shape after being manipulated. A camera is positioned in the housing so that the camera captures visual information through the first opening. A microphone is positioned in the housing so that the microphone captures audio information through the second opening. The housing fits at least partially around a user's neck. The first end portion and the second end portion are manipulated so that first opening and the second opening are oriented toward the field of view of the user while the housing is positioned around the neck of the user.
A coupler for removable coupling an object to a support. The coupler includes a cover, a ring, and a base. The cover couples to the support. The ring includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a fourth arm, a first stop, and a second stop. Each arm of the ring is formed of a resilient material. The ring is positioned in a cavity of the cover. The base couples to the accessory. The base cooperates with the cover and the ring to couple to the cover and to rotate from a decoupled position to an intermediate position and further to a clocked position.
A computer system receives event data associated with data records in a database, receives metadata corresponding to a digital media content file (e.g., a video, audio, or image file), compares the event data with the metadata, automatically identifies a matching event based on the comparison, and automatically tags the content file by modifying the metadata based on event data associated with the matching event. In one usage scenario, the digital media content file may be used as evidence in a criminal investigation. The event data may be provided in the form of a summary or snapshot of the database, which may include data records covering a limited period of time. The digital media content file can be recorded by any suitable digital media device, such as a video camera. The computer system may further include a dock configured to upload digital media content received from the digital media device.
Systems and methods for redacting information from data records are provided. Data records are recorded by recording devices, including, but not limited to, camera recording devices such as those associated with law-enforcement officers. The data records are stored in an evidence management system. In response to requests for records, including but not limited to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the evidence management system creates redacted versions of the data records. Public access may then be provided to the redacted data records. In some embodiments, automated bulk redaction may be applied to video data records by applying a video filter to the entire visual field of the video information. In some embodiments, access to the redacted data records may be provided via a cloud storage system or via a removable computer-readable storage medium.
Systems involving distributed control functions are described herein. Each member or device within the system has responsibility for controlling part of the system's behavior, and includes logic to determine what action, if any, will follow as a response to determining information or receiving information from other members or devices within the system. A change of status of one member of a system may provide a basis for action by another member of the system. Status may be the result of sensing a condition of the environment, sensing the condition of a component, receiving the output of a conventional sensor, and/or sensing the condition of a link between components. In some embodiments, action taken by a member of the system may include collecting data during law enforcement activities.
A holster broadcasts a message indicating that a weapon has been removed from the holster. A recorder, in response to authenticating the message, controls recording of audio and video. The message may include an identifier of the holster. The recorder may maintain a white list of identifications and ignore messages with identifications that are not on the white list. The message, instead of being broadcast, may be transmitted with an address of an intended recorder.
Systems and methods for a close quarters weapon include disassembly of the weapon by the user to permit applying a stimulus signal for causing skeletal muscle contractions through tissue of a human or animal target between locations on the target that are independently determined by the user.
A bracket orients and/or supports a guest object from a host structure that includes one or more sheets that may overlap. The sheets may include a fastener. For example, a bracket may orient a video camera/recorder supported by an article of clothing worn by a law enforcement officer. The bracket bears at least part of the weight of the object and maintains an orientation of the object. Friction between the bracket and one or more of the host sheets may resist movement of the bracket with respect to the sheet. The bracket ma be installed by passing a portion of the bracket through an orifice of the sheet. When used with an overlapping arrangement of two sheet edges, friction between the bracket and each sheet edge may resist movement of the bracket with respect to each sheet edge.
An electronic control device for interfering with locomotion by a human or animal target includes a processor and stimulus signal generator. Upon engagement of a trigger by an operator, a stimulus signal is provided to electrodes for a time period to interfere with the skeletal muscles of the target. An indication is provided to the operator corresponding to the time period to alert the operator before deactivation of the stimulus signal. In response to the alert, the operator may reengage the trigger to continue or resume the stimulus signal.
An electronic weapon with an installed deployment unit, from which at least one wire- tethered electrode is launched, provides a stimulus current through a target to inhibit locomotion by the target. The wire tether, also called a filament, conducts the stimulus current. The one or more electrodes, according to various aspects of the present invention, perform one or more of the following functions in any combination: binding the filament to the electrode, deploying the filament from the deployment unit, piercing material or tissue at the target, lodging in material or tissue of the target, focusing an electric field prior to ionization or while conducting a stimulus current, forming an ionized path for a stimulus current across one or more gaps, and spreading a current density with respect to a region of target tissue and/or a volume of target tissue. For an electrode that includes a body, spear, and filament, spreading may be accomplished by an end portion of the filament that extends forward of the body and activates the spear by ionization of air or by conduction through target tissue.
An electronic weapon may be used with a unit for deployment to cause skeletal muscle contractions in a human or animal target. The unit for deployment when electrically coupled to the electronic weapon, may include at least two electrodes, an indicator, and a propellant for deploying the electrodes to enable delivery, through the target, of a stimulus current to incapacitate the target by causing contractions of the skeletal muscles of the target. The indicator indicates, to the electronic weapon, indicia of a first property of the unit for deployment prior to operating the propellant, and indicia of a second property of the unit for deployment after operating the propellant. Another unit for deployment includes at least two electrodes, an indicator, and a stimulus signal generator, coupled to the electrodes to enable delivery, through the target, of a stimulus current to incapacitate the target by causing contractions of the skeletal muscles of the target. The indicator indicates, to the electronic weapon, indicia of a first property of the unit for deployment prior to operating the stimulus signal generator, and indicia of a second property of the unit for deployment after operating the stimulus signal generator.
A primary subsystem communicates to a secondary subsystem a description of an incident. The primary subsystem includes a detector, a user interface, and a recorder. The detector detects data related to the incident. The user interface determines a revision related to the data. The recorder records the data and the revision for communication to the secondary subsystem.
G06F 7/08 - Sorting, i.e. grouping record carriers in numerical or other ordered sequence according to the classification of at least some of the information they carry
G06F 7/24 - Sorting, i.e. extracting data from one or more carriers, re-arranging the data in numerical or other ordered sequence, and re-recording the sorted data on the original carrier or on a different carrier or set of carriers
26.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONDITIONAL ACTIVATION OF A CARTRIDGE
A weapon conditionally activates a cartridge. The cartridge has a projectile and a first mechanical feature. The weapon includes an activator and a station. The activator includes a second mechanical feature. The station positions the cartridge so that the first feature opposes the second feature. On condition that the first feature does not mechanically interfere with the second feature, the activator activates the cartridge to launch the projectile from the cartridge. On condition that the first feature mechanically interferes with the second feature resulting in an excess head space, the activator is inhibited by the excess head space from activating the cartridge.
F42B 30/00 - Projectiles or missiles, not otherwise provided for, characterised by the ammunition class or type, e.g. by the launching apparatus or weapon used
27.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A PROJECTILE HAVING A STABILIZER FOR SPIN STABILIZATION
A round, according to various aspects of the present invention, launches an electrified projectile for spin stabilized flight. The projectile provides a current through a target to incapacitate the target by causing skeletal muscle contractions. The projectile includes a body and a stabilizer. The stabilizer has a first torsion stored along a first axis and a second torsion stored along a second axis. Torsions are released to deploy the stabilizer and to bias the stabilizer during flight.
F42B 10/00 - Means for influencing, e.g. improving, the aerodynamic properties of projectiles or missiles; Arrangements on projectiles or missiles for stabilising, steering, range-reducing, range-increasing or fall-retarding
F42B 15/01 - Arrangements thereon for guidance or control
28.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEPLOYING AN ELECTRODE USING TORSION
An electrified projectile, according to various aspects of the present invention, delivers a current through electrodes and through a human or animal target. The projectile stows the electrodes with a film and deploys the electrodes in the absence of the film. Deployment is accomplished by a release of torsion. A spur may include two electrodes and a loop. The spur may store the torsion and conduct the current.
An apparatus (100) for interfering with locomotion of a target (1 14) by conducting a current through the target includes according to various aspects of the present invention a transformer, a capacitance, a charge detector (120), and a processor (102). The transformer has a secondary winding that is coupled to the target to provide the current. The capacitance is in series with the secondary winding and is charged to a voltage. The charge detector detects a charge provided through the target by the capacitance and the secondary winding. The processor sets the voltage (e.g., for charging for a next pulse) responsive to the charge detected by the charge detector.
F41B 15/04 - Batons; Truncheons; Sticks; Shillelaghs with electric stunning-means
F41C 9/00 - Other smallarms, e.g. hidden smallarms or smallarms specially adapted for underwater use
F42B 30/00 - Projectiles or missiles, not otherwise provided for, characterised by the ammunition class or type, e.g. by the launching apparatus or weapon used
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.
A product is sold at retail in an unusable state. Activation fo the product does not require any steps be taken by the retail seller. To activate the product, the purchaser uses a phone or personal computer to interact with a registration server for this type of product. After the consumer has provided sufficient identifying information, the registration server interacts with a qualification server that determines whether the purchaser meets the qualifications set for this type of product. For a weapon sale, this is typically a criminal background check. If qualified, the registration server receives an indication of qualification from the qualification server. The registration server and product communicate over a network to establish trust, store information in the product, and then activate the product. The product receives information via a network appliance, for example, a phone or personal computer. The receiver may sense sound from a speaker or light from a display of the network appliance. The product transmits information onto the network directly when the network appliance has a suitable receiver. Otherwise, the product provides the information to the purchaser who enters the information into a user interface of the network appliance. The user interface may perform voice recognition or accept data via a pointing device or keyboard. The serial number of the product is transmitted to the registration server. A description of the purchaser and/or qualification results are stored in the product.
An apparatus (100) produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by the target. The apparatus is us with a provided deployment unit (104) that deploys an electrode away from the apparatus (100). The electrode conducts a current through the target. The apparatus (100) includes a bus (306), a plurality of ports (107) and a controller (130). Each port couples a module (105) to the bus. The controller (130) is coupled to the bus to communicate with each module (105) to determine a descript of each module.
A launch device, according to various aspects of the present invention, stuns a target. The launch device includes a detector and a processing circuit. The detector detects indicia from a provided deployment unit. The deployment unit deploys an electrode to stun the target. The processing circuit performs a function of the launch device in accordance with the indicia. A method, according to various aspects of the present invention, is performed by a launch device that stuns a target. The method includes in any practical order: (a) detecting indicia from a deployment unit that deploys an electrode to stun the target; and (b) performing a function of the launch device in accordance with the indicia.
An deployment unit for a provided electronic weapon includes a mechanism or circuit that describes the deployment unit to the electronic weapon and a mechanism or circuit that propels a first electrode of the deployment unit in response to the electronic weapon. The first electrode conducts a current through a human or animal target to impede locomotion by the target.
An electronic nonlethal weapon includes a first control that initiates a launch function, a second control that does not initiate any launch function, and a signal generator. In response to the second control, the signal generator either provides an arc to warn the target or stuns the target For example, in use, the weapon may cooperates with a deployment unit having first and second electrodes. The first control in a first operation initiates launching of the first electrode toward a first target. The first control in a second operation initiates launching of the second electrode toward a second target. The signal generator, responsive to one operation of the second control, provides a first current through the first electrode to stun the first target and provides a second current through the second electrode to stun the second target.
An apparatus (100) for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through a load (102), which includes an energ source (132), an ionization detector (140), a charge detector (184) for detecting a charge provided through the load (102), a controll (104) including a processor (114) for setting a voltage to a next pulse in response to the charge detected by the charge detector (184) and a pulse generator (146) receiving the energy from the energy source (132) for providing a current though the load (102)
A driver (100) includes an energy source circuit (132), an ionization detector (140), a controller (104) and a pulse generator (146) for providing a current through a load circuit (102) including an ionizing path. The controller (104) determines, in response to the detector (140), a respective quantity of energy for each pulse of a plurality of pulses. The pulse generator (146) receives the respective quantity of energy from the energy source circuit (132), provides a voltage to ionize the ionization path and provides the current through the load circuit (102).
A cartridge (108, 304) for use with an electronic control device includes an electrode (342, 343), a propellant (340), a first conductor, and a second conductor. The electrode conducts a current through the target to stun the target. The propellant, when activated, propels the electrode toward the target. The first conductor couples the launch device to the propellant to activate the propellant. The second conductor couples the launch device to the electrode for supplying the current. The propellant is not coupled to the second conductor.
Software (120) hosted on a server (102) aids a user (110) having a possibly defective product (160) at a user workstation (108) coupled by a network (112) to the server (102) in performing diagnostics of the product (160), and as needed, perparing a label (164-) for shipping the product to a service depot for analysis, test, maintenence, repair, upgarde, and/or replacement. The software (120) includes a product support database (130) having records for preparing presentations to the user. As a consequence of the use of the software (120), products (160) are less likely to be sent to the depot, and turnaround time at the depot is reduced, thereby improving customer satisfication with the product and product support.
A weapon, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes a receiver, a trigger, and a cartridge store. The receiver receives a cartridge. The cartridge applies a deterrent force to the target. The trigger activates the cartridge. The cartridge store stores a plurality of provided cartridges. The cartridge store, then the trigger, and then the receiver are arranged in sequence proceeding linearly away from a user of the weapon.
An electronic control device includes an audio and/or video recorder, for example, packaged as a user-replaceable battery module. The audio and/or video recorder records audio and/or video information for a period beginning prior to receiving of a signal by the module. The signal may be a trigger signal, provided by the electronic control device. Use of the weapon module is documented by recorded audio and/or video information for the period, for example, extending a while before and after operation of the trigger.
A signal generator provides an output signal having a series of pulses and a pulse repetition rate. The signal generator includes an energy storage circuit (224) and a switch control circuit (223). The energy storage circuit includes a switch operated by the switch control circuit. After delivery of a pulse of the output signal, the switch control circuit operates the switch in a first mode to provide the pulse repetition rate of the output signal. The switch control circuit also operates the switch in each of the first mode and a second mode at a switching rate, wherein relatively more energy from a battery (207) is stored as a consequence of the second mode than is stored as a consequence of the first mode. Energy from the battery is stored for delivery in a pulse of the output signal. The switching rate is compensated in accordance with a temperature of the battery and a voltage of the battery. Compensation maintains the battery voltage above a minimum value. Operation according to the value avoids current draw from the battery at a rate that may lead to an under-voltage condition of the battery. In one implementation, the power supply provides a high voltage for charging a capacitor for each cycle of an electric discharge weapon. Another value conveyed by the serial data provides a maximum pulse delivery rate for such a weapon.
Embodiments of an electric discharge weapon system and methods of use are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, the weapon system may include a weapon that includes a body portion adapted for discharging a force (such as, for example, an electric discharge or an electric discharge projectile) towards a target, a handgrip coupled to the body portion, a trigger adapted for initiating the discharge of the force, and a display coupled to the body portion.
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