U.S. patent application number 10/975563 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for weapon and input device to record information.
Invention is credited to Thomas Dudchik, T. Yates Exley, Robert Gruder, Joseph Valencic.
Application Number | 20060086032 10/975563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36204873 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060086032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Valencic; Joseph ; et
al. |
April 27, 2006 |
Weapon and input device to record information
Abstract
The system of the preferred embodiments includes a weapon, an
input device coupled to the weapon and adapted to record
information, a memory device coupled to the input device and
adapted to store recorded information, and a security device
coupled to the memory device and adapted to inhibit unauthorized
tampering of the recorded information. The system has been
specifically designed to record information during the use of a
weapon. If used properly, the recorded information should increase
the accountability of army personnel and police officers.
Inventors: |
Valencic; Joseph; (Lake
Forest, CA) ; Dudchik; Thomas; (East Hadaam, CT)
; Exley; T. Yates; (Charlotte, NC) ; Gruder;
Robert; (Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHOX PLC
209 N. MAIN STREET #200
ANN ARBOR
MI
48104
US
|
Family ID: |
36204873 |
Appl. No.: |
10/975563 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 13/0025 20130101;
H05C 1/06 20130101; F41H 13/0018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/070.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a weapon; an input device coupled to the
weapon and adapted to record information; a memory device coupled
to the input device and adapted to store recorded information; and
a security device coupled to the memory device and adapted to
inhibit unauthorized tampering of the recorded information.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the weapon includes: a first
electrical member adapted to contact a recipient at a first
location; a second electrical member adapted to contact the
recipient at a second location; a power source having opposing
charges; and an activation circuit adapted to selectively connect
one of the opposing charges to the first electrical member and
connect the other of the opposing charges to the second electrical
member.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the weapon includes a body
defining a chamber adapted to engage a first dart cartridge.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the power source is connected to
the input device.
5. The system of claim 3 further comprising a trigger mechanism
that automatically powers the input device upon the imminent use of
the weapon.
6. The system of claim 2 wherein the weapon includes a protective
shield having a user surface and a recipient surface, wherein the
first electrical member is a first strip coupled to the recipient
surface, and wherein the second electrical member is a second strip
coupled to the recipient surface.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein the weapon includes a housing,
wherein the first electrical member is a first probe extending from
the housing, and wherein the second electrical member is a second
probe extending from the housing.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the weapon includes a chamber
adapted to engage a gun cartridge.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a
microphone adapted to record audio information.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a
camera adapted to record video information.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a
microphone adapted to record audio information, a camera adapted to
record video information, and a sensor adapted to record
environmental information.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory device is removably
mounted to the weapon.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the security device is further
adapted to require a physical key before allowing access to the
recorded information.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the security device is further
adapted to require an electronic authorization before allowing
access to the recorded information.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory device is mounted to
the weapon in a manner to inhibit removal of the memory device from
the weapon.
16. The system of claim 15 further comprising an output device
coupled to the memory device and adapted to facilitate transfer of
the recorded information from the memory device to another
device.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the output device includes a
wireless transceiver, and wherein the security device is further
adapted to require an electronic authorization before allowing
access to the recorded information.
18. The system of claim 16 wherein the output device includes a
wired port.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the security device is further
adapted to require an electronic authorization before allowing
access to the recorded information.
20. The system of claim 18 wherein the security device is further
adapted to require a physical key before allowing access to the
recorded information.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to the weapons field, and
more specifically to a weapon with an input device, such as a
camera or a microphone.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Stun guns are less-than-lethal weapons used by army
personnel and police officers as protection against terrorist and
criminal attacks. Stun guns work by applying a high-voltage, but
low-current, electrical charge. Since the nervous system in the
human body works by sending electrical charges through neural
pathways, the electrical charge provided by a stun gun "confuses"
the nervous system. This confusion can cause a recipient of an
electrical charge from a stun gun to feel paralyzed for a brief
instant, or can cause a spasm or convulsion in an area of their
body. Because stun guns are considered less-than-lethal, they have
become a weapon of choice by many law enforcement agencies
throughout the world.
[0003] Stun guns could, however, be abused by law enforcement
officials because of the potential to cause temporary paralysis
without leaving substantial visible marks on the human body.
Careful training largely eliminates this concern. Nevertheless,
there is a need in the stun gun field, and in the broader weapon
field, to create a system that allows a user to restrain a
recipient during a terrorist or criminal attack and that also
increases the accountability of the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0004] FIGS. 1 and 2 are representations of the first variation of
the weapon and of the first variation of the memory device and the
security device.
[0005] FIGS. 3 and 4 are representations of the second and third
variations of the weapon, respectively.
[0006] FIG. 5 is a representation of the fourth variation of the
weapon.
[0007] FIG. 6 is a representation of the gun cartridge used with
the fourth variation of the weapon.
[0008] FIGS. 7 and 8 are representations of the third variation of
the memory device and the security device.
[0009] FIGS. 9 and 10 are representations of the fourth and fifth
variations of the memory device and the security device,
respectively
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] The following description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these
preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in
the art to make and use this invention.
[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 10 of the preferred
embodiments includes a weapon 12, an input device 14 to record
information, a memory device 16 to store recorded information, and
a security device 18 to inhibit unauthorized tampering of the
recorded information. The system 10 has been specifically designed
to record information while the weapon 12 is used. The recorded
information should increase the accountability of army personnel
and police officers. The system 10 may also be used by individuals
to provide evidence of a terrorist, criminal, or personal
attack.
[0012] The weapon 12 of the preferred embodiments functions to
restrain or wound a recipient during an attack. The weapon 12 is
preferably one of several variations. In the first, second, and
third variations, the weapon 12 is an electronic stun device 20.
The electronic stun device 20 preferably includes a first
electrical member 22 to contact a recipient at a first location, a
second electrical member 24 to contact the recipient at a second
location, a power source 26 having opposing charges, and an
activation circuit 28 to selectively connect one of the opposing
charges to the first electrical member 22 and connect the other of
the opposing charges to the second electrical member 24. These
connections send an electrical charge through the recipient, which
can cause the recipient to feel temporarily paralyzed. The
variations of the electronic stun device 20 may include other
suitable devices and components, as discussed below. In the fourth
variation, the weapon 12 is a conventional firearm. Although there
are certain advantages to these particular variations, the weapon
12 may take any suitable form.
[0013] In the first variation of the weapon 12, the weapon 12 is
generally an electronic stun device 20 and more specifically an
electronic stun taser 30. The electronic stun taser 30 preferably
includes a body 32. The body 32 functions to house the first
electrical member 22, the second electrical member 24, the power
source 26, and the activation circuit 28. The body 32 preferably
includes a handle 34, but may alternatively include other holding
devices. The body 32 is preferably made of a durable, lightweight
plastic, but may alternatively be made of any suitable
material.
[0014] In the first variation of the weapon 12, the first
electrical member 22 of the electronic stun taser 30 is a first
tether 36 and a first dart 38, and the second electrical member 24
of the electronic stun taser 30 is a second tether 40 and a second
dart 42. Preferably, the first tether 36, the first dart 38, the
second tether 40, and the second dart 42 are combined with a
propellant 44 into a dart cartridge 46. Alternatively, the first
tether 36 and the first dart 38 may be combined with a first
propellant into a first dart cartridge, while the second tether 40
and the second dart 42 are combined with a second propellant into a
second dart cartridge. To house the dart cartridge 46, the body 32
of the electronic stun taser 30 preferably includes a dart chamber
48. The body 32 may include two dart chambers, with each dart
chamber functioning to engage either one or more dart cartridges.
For example, the electronic stun taser 30 may include a primary
dart cartridge and a secondary dart cartridge (for a total of four
darts) with an appropriate activation circuit, such as the
cross-wire arrangement described in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/957,301 (which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by
this reference).
[0015] In the first variation of the weapon 12, the power source 26
functions to provide the electrical charge to the recipient.
Preferably, the power source 26 is a 3.3 volt lithium ion or
lithium polymer battery. Alternatively, the power source 26 may be
any suitable device that supplies an electrical charge. The power
source 26, like all batteries, includes opposing charges, which are
commonly referred to as a positive charge and a negative charge.
Preferably, the power source 26 is also connected to the input
device 14. More preferably, the power source 26 is connected to the
electronic stun device 20 and to the input device 14 such that if
the power source 26 has enough electrical charge to power the
electronic stun device 20, then it must have enough electrical
charge to power the input device 14. In this manner, the system 10
could not be used without the ability to record information.
Alternatively, the input device 14 may be connected to the power
source 26 in any suitable manner or may be connected to any other
suitable power device.
[0016] In the first variation of the weapon 12, the electronic stun
taser 30 also preferably includes a control unit 50 that includes a
trigger mechanism 52, a deployment circuit 54, the activation
circuit 28, and a transformation circuit 56. The trigger mechanism
52 functions to receive an input from the user of the electronic
stun device 20. The trigger mechanism 52 is preferably an
electromechanical device, but may alternatively be any suitable
device that receives an input. Preferably, the trigger mechanism 52
automatically and simultaneously powers both the electronic stun
device 20 and the input device 14. The input device 14 may
alternatively be triggered by other devices, such as a safety lock
or any other suitable device.
[0017] The deployment circuit 54 functions to ignite the propellant
44 after an input from the user has been received by the trigger
mechanism 52. The activation circuit 28 functions to selectively
connect one of the opposing charges to the first electrical member
22 and connect the other of the opposing charges to the second
electrical member 24. The deployment circuit 54 and the activation
circuit 28 are preferably conventional circuits, such as the
circuits described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,073 (which is hereby
incorporated in its entirety by this reference). The deployment
circuit 54 and the activation circuit 28 may alternatively be any
suitable circuits.
[0018] The transformation circuit 56 functions to transform the
supplied electrical charge from the power source 26 into an
appropriate electrical charge for the electronic stun device 20. An
appropriate electrical charge preferably includes 50,000 volts at
4-6 milliamps, but may alternatively include other suitable
electrical parameters.
[0019] In the first variation of the weapon 12, the electronic stun
taser 30 may include a sight, which functions to assist in the
aiming of the electronic stun taser 30. Preferably the sight
includes a conventional laser or a conventional blade, but may
alternatively include other suitable devices to assist in the
aiming of the electronic stun taser 30.
[0020] In the second variation of the weapon 12, as shown in FIG.
3, the weapon 12 is also generally an electronic stun device 20,
but is more specifically an electronic stun shield 58. The
electronic stun shield 58 preferably includes a protective shield
60 having a user surface 62 and a recipient surface 64. The
protective shield 60 functions to provide protection against
terrorist and criminal attacks and to house a first electrical
member 22, a second electrical member 24, a power source 26, and an
activation circuit 28. The protective shield 60 preferably includes
a pair of handles 34, but may alternatively include other holding
devices. The protective shield 60 is preferably made of a durable,
lightweight material, such as LEXAN polycarbonate resin, but may
alternatively be made of any suitable material.
[0021] In the second variation of the weapon 12, the first
electrical member 22 is a first strip 66 mounted on the recipient
surface 64, and the second electrical member 24 is a second strip
68, mounted to the recipient surface 64. The first strip 66 and the
second strip 68 are preferably arranged in interlocking "E"
patterns and are preferably made of metallic material, but may
alternatively be arranged in any suitable manner and made of any
suitable material.
[0022] In the second variation of the weapon 12, the power source
26 is preferably identical to the power source 26 of the first
variation of the weapon 12. The power source 26 may, however, be
sized or formed in any suitable manner to accommodate the different
form factor of the electronic stun shield 58.
[0023] Like the first variation of the weapon 12, the second
variation of the weapon 12 preferably includes a control unit 50.
The control unit 50 of the second variation of the weapon 12,
preferably includes a trigger mechanism 52, the activation circuit
28, and a transformation circuit 56. The control unit 50 does not,
preferably, include the deployment circuit 54, since there is
preferably nothing to deploy in the second variation of the weapon
12.
[0024] In the third variation of the weapon 12, as shown in FIG. 4,
the weapon 12 is also generally an electronic stun device 20, but
is more particularly an electronic stun gun 70. The electronic stun
gun 70 preferably includes a housing 72, which functions to house a
first electrical member 22, a second electrical member 24, a power
source 26, and an activation circuit 28. The housing 72 preferably
includes a handle 34, but may alternatively include other holding
devices. The housing 72 is preferably made of a durable,
lightweight plastic, but may alternatively be made of any suitable
material.
[0025] In the third variation of the weapon 12, the first
electrical member 22 is a first probe 74 extending from the housing
72, and the second electrical member 24 is a second probe 76
extending from the housing 72. The first probe 74 and the second
probe 76 are preferably made of metallic material, but may
alternatively be made of any suitable material.
[0026] In the third variation of the weapon 12, the power source 26
is preferably identical to the power source 26 of the first and
second variations of the weapon 12. The power source 26 may,
however, be sized or formed in any suitable manner to accommodate
the different form factor of the electronic stun gun 70.
[0027] Like the second variation of the weapon 12, the third
variation of the weapon 12 preferably includes a control unit 50
with a trigger mechanism 52, the activation circuit 28, and a
transformation circuit 56.
[0028] In the fourth variation of the weapon 12, as shown in FIGS.
5 and 6, the weapon 12 is a firearm 78. The firearm 78 preferably
includes a chamber 80, which functions to engage a gun cartridge
82. The gun cartridge 82 preferably includes a case 84, which
substantially encloses a bullet 86, a propellant 88, and a primer
90. The case 84 is preferably made of a metallic material, but may
alternatively be made of any suitable material. The bullet 86
functions to penetrate the recipient. The bullet 86 is preferably
made of a metallic material, but may alternatively be made of any
suitable material. The propellant 88 functions to propel the first
dart 38 and second dart 42 toward the recipient. The propellant 88
is preferably a smokeless powder, which includes nitrocellulose
flakes, but may alternatively be any suitable propellant including
compressed gas. The primer 90 functions, upon the activation of the
firearm 78, to ignite the propellant 88. The primer 90 is
preferably a small charge of an impact-sensitive chemical that may
be located at the center of the case 84 head (centerfire
ammunition) or at its rim (rimfire ammunition). The primer 90 may,
however, be any suitable device or compound, including--in some
cases--an electronic device.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the input device 14 of the
preferred embodiments functions to record information during the
use of the weapon 12, which should increase the accountability of
army personnel and police officers. The input device 14 is
preferably one of several variations. In a first variation, the
input device 14 includes a microphone that functions to record
audio information. The microphone is preferably a conventional
microphone, but may be any suitable device able to record sound. In
a second variation, the input device 14 includes a camera that
functions to record video information. The camera is preferably a
conventional camera, but may be any suitable device able to record
images using visual and/or infrared light waves. In a third
variation, the input device 14 includes a sensor adapted to record
environmental information, such as temperature, humidity, time, and
date, which can be used to analyze the effectiveness of the weapon
12. The sensor is preferably a conventional sensor, but may be any
suitable device able to record environmental parameters or
conditions. In alternative variations, the input device 14 may
include any suitable combination or permutation of the above input
devices. Although there are certain advantages to these particular
variations, the input device 14 may take any suitable form.
[0030] The input device 14 of the preferred embodiments may also
include a processor 92, which functions to code and/or compress the
captured information. When using a camera and microphone, the
processor 92 preferably codes and compresses the audio and video
information using the MPEG-4 compression formats, but may
alternatively use any suitable compression format. The processor 92
is preferably a conventional processor 92, but may alternatively be
any suitable device able to code and/or compress the captured
information.
[0031] The memory device 16 and the security device 18 of the
preferred embodiments function to store recorded information and to
inhibit unauthorized tampering of the recorded information,
respectively. As used in this document, "inhibit" means "to
prohibit or to discourage," "unauthorized" means "without the legal
or ethical right," and "tampering" means "altering or
transferring." Like the weapon 12, the memory device 16 and the
security device 18 are preferably one of several variations. In the
first and second variations, the memory device 16 is mounted to the
weapon 12 in a manner to allow removal of the memory device 16 from
the weapon 12. In the third, fourth, and fifth variations, the
memory device 16 is mounted to the weapon 12 in a manner to inhibit
removal of the memory device 16 from the weapon 12.
[0032] In the first variation of the memory device 16 and the
security device 18, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the memory device 16
is removably mounted to the weapon 12 and the security device 18 is
adapted to require a physical key 110 before allowing access to the
memory device 16. This variation is preferably accomplished with a
flash device 94 as the memory device 16 and with a mechanical lock
96 on a hinged portion 98 of the weapon 12 as the security device
18. The variation may, however, be alternatively accomplished with
other suitable devices and methods.
[0033] The second variation of the memory device 16 and the
security device 18 is preferably similar to the first variation,
except that the security device 18 is adapted to require an
electronic authorization before allowing access to the recorded
information. This variation is preferably accomplished with a
software-encoded password lock on the flash device 94. The
variation may, however, be alternatively accomplished with other
suitable devices and methods.
[0034] In the third, fourth, and fifth variations of the memory
device 16 and the security device 18, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, the
memory device 16 is mounted to the weapon 12 in a manner to inhibit
removal of the memory device 16 from the weapon 12. This variation
is preferably accomplished by enclosing the weapon 12 around the
memory device 16, but may alternatively be accomplished by any
other suitable devices or methods. The memory device 16 of these
variations is preferably a conventional memory chip 100, such as
RAM, but may alternatively be any suitable device able to store
information. These variations preferably include an output device
102 coupled to the memory device 16 and adapted to facilitate
transfer of the recorded information from the memory device 16 to
another device 104.
[0035] In the third variation of the memory device 16 and the
security device 18, as shown in FIG. 7, the output device 102
includes a wireless transceiver 106, and the security device 18 is
further adapted to require an electronic authorization before
allowing access to the recorded information. The wireless
transceiver 106 is preferably a Bluetooth short-range transceiver,
but may alternatively be any suitable device that wirelessly
communicates information. The wireless transceiver 106 is
preferably a conventional security method, such as Extensible
Authentication Protocol, but may alternatively be any suitable
security method that requires authorization or authentication.
[0036] The fourth variation of the memory device 16 and the
security device 18 is preferably similar to the third variation,
except that the output device 102 includes a wired port 108, as
shown in FIG. 8. The wired port 108 preferably includes a USB port,
but may alternatively include any suitable device that communicates
information from one device to another device 104.
[0037] The fifth variation of the memory device 16 and the security
device 18 is preferably similar to the fourth variation, except
that the security device 18 is adapted to require a physical key
110 before allowing access to the recorded information, as shown in
FIG. 10. This variation is preferably accomplished with a magnetic
read switch 112 embedded in the weapon 12 and a magnet 114 embedded
in a cradle 116. When sufficiently aligned, the magnet 114 flips
the magnetic read switch 112, which allows use of the output device
102. The cradle 116 is preferably designed to allow sufficient
alignment when the weapon 12 is placed within the cradle 116. The
variation, of course, may be alternatively accomplished with other
suitable devices and methods.
[0038] The sixth variation of the memory device 16 and the security
device 18 is preferably similar to the third variation. In this
variation, however, the output device 102 includes a wireless
transmitter 106 and the memory device 16 is preferably located in a
remote location from the weapon 12. The memory device 16 may be
located and secured, for example, in a police vehicle.
[0039] Although omitted for conciseness, the preferred embodiments
include every combination and permutation of the various weapons,
the various input devices, the various memory devices, and the
various security devices.
[0040] As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the
previous detailed description and from the figures and claims,
modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments
of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *