Patents by Inventor Patrick W. Smith

Patrick W. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090251533
    Abstract: A method for coordinated collection of data regarding an incident. An electronic control device performs the method. The electronic control device provides a stimulus signal to a target and logs each delivery of the stimulus signal. The method includes in any practical order: (a) receiving a request to collect the data regarding the incident; (b) recording the request in the log; (c) notifying an operator of the electronic control device regarding the request; and (d) providing an instruction to the operator for orienting a detector toward the incident to collect the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Nache D. Shekarri, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Publication number: 20090219664
    Abstract: Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via electrodes provide the stimulus signal in accordance with a strike stage, a hold stage, and a rest stage. Systems include a launch device and separate projectile, where the projectile includes a battery, a waveform generator, and electrodes. The strike stage and hold stage may include pulses at a pulse repetition rate, for example, from 10 to 20 pulses per second, each pulse delivering a predetermined amount of charge, for example, about 100 microcoulombs at less than about 500 volts peak. The hold stage may continue immobilization at a lesser expenditure of energy compared to the strike stage. Because the strike stage and hold stage may immobilize by interfering with skeletal muscle control by the target's nervous system, a rest stage may allow the target to take a breath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090180234
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Publication number: 20090064557
    Abstract: A method performed by a weapon, includes interacting with a user of the weapon to receive a first code; determining whether the first code is consistent with a second code in a memory of the weapon to produce a result of determining; testing whether the weapon is in a zone; performing an operation of the weapon in accordance with the result and the weapon being in the zone. Interacting may include monitoring a switch that is operated by the user; and receiving may include determining the first code in accordance with a time between successive operations of the switch. The method may further include disabling performance of the operation in accordance with the weapon being not in the zone. And, after disabling, requiring a repeat performance of interacting and determining whether the first code is consistent with the second code before enabling performing a further operation of the weapon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Paul J. Hughes, Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim, Ryan C. Markle, Nache D. Shekarri, John F. Szakach
  • Patent number: 7327549
    Abstract: An apparatus for impact with a target includes electrodes deployed after contact is made between the apparatus and the target. Spacing of deployed electrodes may be more accurate and/or more repeatable for more effective delivery of an immobilizing stimulus signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Publication number: 20070271830
    Abstract: A product is sold at retail in an unusable state. Activation of the product does not require any steps be taken b y 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Jason J. Holt, Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim, Ryan C. Markle
  • Patent number: 7280340
    Abstract: Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via electrodes provide the stimulus signal in accordance with a strike stage, a hold stage, and a rest stage. Systems include a launch device and separate projectile, where the projectile includes a battery, a waveform generator, and electrodes. The strike stage and hold stage may include pulses at a pulse repetition rate, for example, from 10 to 20 pulses per second, each pulse delivering a predetermined amount of charge, for example, about 100 microcoulombs at less than about 500 volts peak. The hold stage may continue immobilization at a lesser expenditure of energy compared to the strike stage. Because the strike stage and hold stage may immobilize by interfering with skeletal muscle control by the target's nervous system, a rest stage may allow the target to take a breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Patent number: 7234262
    Abstract: An apparatus for interfering with locomotion by a human or animal target includes a microprocessor programmed to track date and time, to initiate and maintain for a period an electrical current, and to record tracked date and time for each initiation of the current. The current, when conducted through the target, interferes with use by the target of the skeletal muscles of the target during the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7158362
    Abstract: An apparatus for interfering with locomotion by one or more targets being animal or human, uses a plurality of delivery circuits that each deliver current through any target of the one or more targets. The apparatus includes a capacitance, a switch, a trigger; and a control circuit that controls the switch. Each delivery circuit includes a respective transformer. The switch, in response to operation of the trigger, conducts energy discharged from the capacitance into the transformer of a first delivery circuit to enable operation of the first delivery circuit; and conducts energy discharged from the capacitance into the transformer of a second delivery circuit to enable operation of the second delivery circuit. The respective transformer provides the current causing contraction of skeletal muscles of the one or more targets, interfering with locomotion by the one or more targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Taser International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7075770
    Abstract: A hand-held stun gun incapacitates a human target by generating a series of powerful electrical output pulses of pulse energy of from 0.9 Joules to 10 Joules which generate a series of output current pulses have an RMS current flow of from 100 milliamps to 500 milliamps when the first and second output terminals are applied to a human target. A battery power supply includes an electronic switch, an energy storage capacitor and a transformer for converting low voltage, direct current into a series of high voltage output pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W Smith
  • Patent number: 7057872
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Patent number: 7042696
    Abstract: An apparatus for immobilizing a target includes electrodes deployed after contact is made between the apparatus and the target. Spacing of deployed electrodes may be more accurate and/or more repeatable for more effective delivery of an immobilizing stimulus signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: TASER International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Magne H. Nerheim
  • Patent number: 6636412
    Abstract: A hand-held stun gun incapacitates a human target by generating a series of powerful electrical output pulses across first and second spaced apart output terminals in response to closure of a trigger. A battery power supply includes an electronic switch, an energy storage capacitor and a transformer for converting low voltage, direct current into a series of high voltage output pulses across the first and second output terminals. Each output pulse includes a pulse energy of from 0.9 joules to 10 joules. The series of output current pulses have an RMS current flow of from 100 milliamps to 500 milliamps when the first and second output terminals are applied to a human target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Taser International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030106415
    Abstract: A dart weapon prevents locomotion by a human being or other animal by generating pulses with a select profile and by applying the pulses to the human being to cause contractions of skeletal muscles sufficient to prevent the normal voluntary use of the skeletal muscles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Patent number: 4157542
    Abstract: An alarm and outlet assembly for use in displaying small appliances and the like comprises a housing defining a plurality of female electrical outlet receptacles. A normally-closed switch is associated with each receptacle and is arranged to be operated into an open state upon engagement of a male electrical connector plug in the corresponding receptacle. Conductors are provided for supplying electrical power to the receptacle and the switches. The switches are defined by a pair of spaced contact conductors in the housing and, for each switch, a movable contact which is spring biased into bridging relation to the contact conductors. Each movable contact is carried on a reciprocable actuator having a head which, in the closed position of the switch, is positioned in the corresponding receptacle to be engaged and depressed by the body of a plug inserted into the receptacle, thus moving the movable contact out of bridging relation to the contact conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith