Abstract: An apparatus produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by an animal or human target. The apparatus is used with at least one electrode for conducting a current through the target. The apparatus may be implemented as an electronic disabling device. The apparatus includes two circuits. The first circuit includes a transformer and a first capacitor. The second circuit includes a second capacitor and a secondary winding of the transformer. The second circuit is a series circuit with the electrode. In operation with the electrode, the transformer impresses a voltage on the electrode of greater magnitude than the first voltage, and the current is responsive to discharge of the first capacitor and discharge of the second capacitor.

Abstract: Locomotion by a target is inhibited by passing a current through the target according to various aspects of the present invention. For instance, a circuit having a processor and a signal generator controlled by the processor to provide the current may perform a method that includes: (a) providing the current for a first duration to interfere with the target's voluntary use of its skeletal muscles as a consequence of contractions of the muscles responsive to the current, the current for the first duration comprising a first series of pulses; and (b) providing the current for a second duration sufficient to cause, in the response to the current, contractions of skeletal muscles of the target or pain in the target, the current for the second duration comprising a second series of pulses. The first series of pulses delivers a first power through the target and the second series of pulses delivers a second power through the target less than the first power.

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 terminal; a producing sub-system for producing an electric arc to warn the target without conducting a current through the target; a conducting sub-system for conducting the current in series through the terminal and through the target; an initiating sub-system for initiating deployment of the electrode; and an operator interface. The operator interface facilitates, prior to deployment of the electrode, repeated operation of any one or both of the producing sub-system and the conducting sub-system.

Abstract: An electronic weapon impedes locomotion by a target by conducting a current through an electrode and through the target to produce contractions in skeletal muscles of the target. The weapon may include a deployment unit to deploy one or more electrodes in trajectories toward the target. The deployment unit may include covered tubes for the electrodes. Removing the cover may be accomplished with a ram urged against the interior of the cover by an electrode. The cover may include frangible material with grooves for repeatable material separation. The cover may include fasteners that simplify assembly of the cover onto the body of the deployment unit. The fasteners may include hooks with grooves that disjoin from the cover enabling a more repeatable removal of the cover. Electrode trajectories are more accurate as a result of operation of the rams and the structures of the frangible cover.

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.

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.

Abstract: An electrified projectile, according to various aspects of the present invention, delivers a current through electrodes and through a 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.

Abstract: A product is sold at retail in an unusable state. Activation of 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. Alter 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through the target includes according to various aspects of the present invention a transformer, a capacitance, a charge detector, and a processor. 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.

Abstract: A method for immobilization of a human or animal target passes a current through a circuit that includes tissue of the target. The current causes pain compliance or interferes with skeletal muscle control by the target. The method includes in any practical order: (a) generating a first compliance signal of the current, the first compliance signal having a first maximum amplitude; and (b) generating a second compliance signal of the current, the second compliance signal having a second maximum amplitude. The absolute value of the second maximum amplitude is less than the absolute value of the first maximum amplitude. A system that performs such a method may include a processor, a signal generator, and electrodes or terminals for forming the circuit through tissue of the target. Systems, according to various aspects of the present invention, may include stun guns, dart weapons, electronic control devices, electrified projectiles, and mines, to name a few applications.

Abstract: An electronic disabling device includes first and second electrodes positionable to establish first and second spaced apart contact points on a target having a high impedance air gap existing between at least one of the electrodes and the target. The power supply generates a first high voltage, short duration output across the first and second electrodes during a first time interval to ionize air within the air gap to thereby reduce the high impedance across the air gap to a lower impedance to enable current flow across the air gap at a lower voltage level. The power supply next generates a second lower voltage, longer duration output across the first and second electrodes during a second time interval to maintain the current flow across the first and second electrodes and between the first and second contact points on the target to enable the current flow through the target to cause involuntary muscle contractions to thereby immobilize the target.

Abstract: An apparatus 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 bus; a plurality of ports, and a controller. Each port couples a module to the bus. The controller is coupled to the bus to communicate with each module to determine a description of each module.

Abstract: A projectile provides a stimulus signal through a human or animal target for immobilizing the target. The projectile includes a transceiver and a waveform generator. The transceiver receives a first signal and transmits a second signal. The waveform generator provides the stimulus signal through the target for immobilizing the target. The stimulus signal has a signal characteristic controlled by the waveform generator in accordance with the first signal. The second signal comprises a status of the stimulus signal.

Abstract: A method is performed by an electronic weapon system. The electronic weapon system is aimed in a first direction toward a target. The method includes, deploying an electrode of the system in a second direction different from the first direction, to compensate for drag of a tether wire deployed with the electrode. For example, a tether wire deployed from a tether wire store located adjacent to a cavity from which the electrode is propelled may exert a drag force causing inaccuracies of the propelled electrode. Compensation is accomplished, for example, by virtue of shaping the cavity. Compensation improves accuracy of the electrode striking the target.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method is performed by a deployment unit for an electronic weapon. The method includes describing the apparatus to a launch device of the weapon; and propelling the electrode in response to the launch device. The electrode conducts a current through a provided target to impede locomotion by the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via numerous electrodes select particular electrodes to use for the stimulus signal. Subsets of electrodes may be tested by applying a test signal and monitoring the energy or charge delivered during a prescribed time. If the delivered energy or charge using a particular subset of electrodes as indicated by monitoring test pulse amplitude suitably compares to a limit, then the particular subset is selected for applying the stimulus signal. A first stimulus signal may be applied to a first subset of electrodes to prompt movement of the target toward an electrode that, when better coupled to the target as a consequence of movement of the target will provide a more effective subset of electrodes for further stimulus.

Abstract: An apparatus produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by an animal of human target. The apparatus is used with at least one electrode for conducting a current through the target. The apparatus may be implemented as an electronic disabling device. The apparatus includes two circuits. The first circuit includes a transformer and a first capacitor. The second capacitor and a secondary winding of the transformer. The second circuit is a series circuit with the electrode. In operation with the electrode, the transformer impresses a voltage on the electrode of greater magnitude than the first voltage, and the current is responsive to the first capacitor and discharge of the second capacitor.