Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/627,401 filed Nov. 12, 2004 by Magne H. Nerheim, incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention relate to weapon systems, electronic control devices, and electronic control devices having audio and/or video recording capability. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Conventional electronic weaponry includes, for example, hand guns, batons, shields, projectiles, and area protection devices among other apparatus generally suitable for ensuring compliance with security and law enforcement. In an important application of electronic weaponry, terrorists may be stopped in assaults and prevented from completing acts involving force to gain unlawful control of facilities, equipment, operators, innocent citizens, and law enforcement personnel. In other important applications of electronic weaponry, suspects may be arrested by law enforcement officers, and the cooperation of persons in custody may be maintained by security officers. An electronic weapon generally includes a circuit that generates a stimulus signal and one or more electrodes. In operation, for example to stop a terrorist act, the electrodes may be pressed against the person to be stopped or are propelled from the electronic weaponry toward the person to be stopped or controlled. After contact or impact, a pulsing electric current is conducted between the electrodes sufficient for interfering with the person&#39;s use of his or her skeletal muscles. Interference may include involuntary, repeated, intense, muscle contractions at a rate of 5 to 20 contractions per second. 
   In many countries, government officers are accountable to citizens as to appropriate use of force against suspects. It is desirable to improve the data communication capability and the user interface of electronic weaponry to facilitate data gathering and data analysis. It is also desirable to facilitate collection of audio and/or video data that would help to describe and/or explain particular uses of electronic weaponry should those uses be called into question by those critical of the electronic weaponry operator&#39;s choices related to those uses. 
   Many forms of electronic weaponry are powered from limited electrical supplies such as batteries. Conservation of battery power results in extended use of the weaponry between required recharging of the batteries. It is desirable to use the electrical energy provided by the battery in a more efficient manner to facilitate audio and video recording. 
   Without systems and methods according to various aspects of the present invention, wide and effective use of audio and/or video recording in conjunction with use of electronic weaponry will not occur. Use of electronic weaponry may consequently be limited. Without electronic weaponry, injuries of law enforcement officers, civilians, suspects, and terrorists will continue with fatalities and with the loss of the opportunity to interrogate civilians, suspects, and terrorists. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention impedes locomotion by a human or animal target. The apparatus includes a high voltage pulse generator, an operator input interface, a data interface, and a processor. The high voltage pulse generator provides a current through the target via a provided electrode. The current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target. The operator input interface allows user specification of a duration of a period. A provided module may be coupled to the data interface. The processor receives software from the module via the data interface. The processor performs the software received via the data interface. The processor controls the generator to provide the current at a first time. The processor provides to the module via the data interface indicia of the duration of the period and indicia of the first time. A processor of the module may then identify recorded audio and/or video information for the period beginning prior to the first time. Use of the apparatus to impede locomotion by the target is documented by recorded audio and/or video information for the period. 
   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 electrode for conducting a current through the target. The apparatus includes a circuit and a module. The circuit provides the current in response to assertion of a first signal of the circuit. The current produces contractions in skeletal muscles of the target to impede locomotion by the target. The module is coupled via an interface to the circuit. The module includes a rechargeable battery and an audio and/or video recorder that records audio and/or video information for a period that begins prior to assertion of the first signal. The module provides battery power to the circuit. The interface facilitates coupling and decoupling, by an operator of the apparatus, of the module from the circuit, the module being decoupled from the circuit for at least one of recharging of the battery and receiving the information from the module. 
   A battery module, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes an interface, a battery, and an audio and/or video recorder. The interface facilitates attachment of a provided weapon module to the battery module for electrical coupling between the battery module and the weapon module. The battery provides current via the interface for operation of the weapon module. The audio and/or video recorder records audio and/or video information for a period beginning prior to assertion of a first signal. The battery module receives the first signal via the interface. Use of the weapon module is documented by recorded audio and/or video information for the period. 
   A weapon system, according to various aspects of the present invention, includes an electronic control device, a battery module, a charging base, and an electrode module. The electronic control device includes a first interface and a second interface. The battery module couples to the electronic control device via the second interface. The battery module includes a third interface. The charging base receives the battery module via the third interface for recharging a battery of the battery module. The electrode module couples to the electronic control device via the first interface for deployment of an electrode from the electrode module, and couples to the battery module via the third interface for storage of the electrode module. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described with reference to the drawing, wherein like designations denote like elements, and: 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an electronic control device according to various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a battery module of  FIG. 1  in use with a charging base according to various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective diagram of an implementation of the battery module of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective diagram of an implementation of an electronic control device of  FIG. 1  without electrode module  103 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective diagram of an implementation of the charging base of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective diagram of the battery module of  FIG. 3  mounted on the charging base of  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective diagram of the electronic control device of  FIG. 4  mounted on the charging base of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   An electronic control device, according to various aspects of the present invention, may include audio and/or video recording capability integral to the electronic control device. In a modular weapon system, the audio and/or video recording capability may be packaged in a module for use to expand the capabilities of a modular electronic control device that otherwise lacks one or more of audio and video recording capabilities. For example, electronic control device  100  of  FIG. 1  includes battery module  101  and weapon module  102 . Electronic control device  100  may be loaded with a conventional electrode module  103  (e.g., a cartridge) comprising a delivery system  172  and electrodes  174  launched by the delivery system for a single use of electronic control device  100 . 
   A battery module, according to various aspects of the present invention, may include a video camera component for capturing images (e.g., video and/or still images) and converting the captured images into a digital format, an audio component for capturing audio information (e.g., sounds) and converting the audio information into a digital format, a memory device (e.g., a non-volatile memory such as, for example a flash memory) for storing the captured images and audio information, and a power supply such as a battery for providing power to the various components of the battery module and/or to a weapon module (e.g., an electric discharge device) coupled to the battery module. A processor may also be included in such a battery module for controlling the various components of the battery module. An interface component may also be provided in the battery module that is coupled to a portion or all of the components of the battery module (e.g., the memory, the processor, the power supply and the video camera component and/or audio component) and includes one or more interfaces adapted for coupling to one or more outside devices (such as, for example, an electric discharge device) to permit communication between the various components of the battery module and the other devices. 
   The interface component of a battery module may include an interface (e.g., having electrical connector contacts) suitable for coupling to a similar interface (e.g., having electrical connector contacts) in the electric discharge device that are coupled to the processor of the electric discharge device so that one or more of the video camera component, the audio component, the memory device, and the processor in the battery module are under the control of the electric discharge device&#39;s processor. 
   A battery module may further contain an optical light source. The light may be infrared, visible, white, or any color of light. 
   For example, battery module  101 , of  FIG. 1 , includes base interface  109 , battery  105 , pick-up circuit  106 , serial I/O  107 , memory  110 , audio/video processor  112 , audio/video memory  114 , microphone  116 , camera  118 , RF transceiver  120 , antenna  122 , and light source  124 . Battery module  101  may be coupled to a charging base  204  of  FIG. 2  for communication via signals  230  or  240 . Battery module  101  may be coupled to a weapon module  102  for communication via signals  130 . 
   A weapon module performs the functions of an electronic control device (e.g., a baton, shield, hand gun, mine, grenade, projectile, or area protection device) herein also called an electronic disabling device or an electric discharge device. For example, weapon module  102  includes weapon processor  140 , serial I/O  142 , date/time clock  144 , display  146 , memory  148 , laser sight  150 , safety  152 , trigger  154 , illumination selector  156 , high voltage pulse generator  158 , and electrode module interface  160 . 
   Battery module  101  may communicate with weapon module  103  through a communication interface (e.g., a serial communication interface  107 ,  108 ,  142 ) that may be electrically coupled to weapon processor  140  of weapon module  102 . Weapon processor  140  may be adapted for controlling various functions of electric discharge device  100 . The communication interface may be utilized to tell battery module  101  (or one or more components therein) that the weapon module  102  is in an active mode (i.e., a mode in which the electric discharge device is ready to be discharged, for example, after the actuation of a trigger  154 ), what date and time the electric discharge device is fired (i.e., discharged), and any pertinent data that may relate to a discharge of the electric discharge device, such as, for example: date and time of firing, duration of discharge, ambient temperature (inside weapon module  102 ), and remaining battery capacity as a percentage. 
   Battery module  101  may sense (e.g., by cooperation of audio/video processor  112  of battery module  101  via serial interface  107  coupled to weapon module  102 ) when safety  152  of the electric discharge device is moved from an “off” position to a firing position or “on” position. After sensing a change of position of safety  152  to the firing position, battery module  101  may automatically start storing video and/or sound in audio/video memory  114 . 
   Battery module  101  may be configured by a user via an operator input  147  of electric discharge weapon  100  to not store video and/or audio. In this case, battery module  101  functions only as a conventional DPM (e.g., as a DPM in a TASER International model X26). The storing of video and/or audio may also be configurable so that it starts by either pulling trigger  154  or pressing a selector switch (not shown) provided on the electric discharge weapon. In a preferred mode of operation, battery module  101  may start storing video and audio as soon as safety  152  of the electric discharge weapon  100  is moved to the firing position. 
   The audio/video memory  114  in battery module may be divided into two blocks. A first block may be used for storing video and/or audio inside a predetermined amount of time herein called a window (e.g., a plus and minus 20-second window) around a trigger event (e.g., pulling of trigger  156  that causes, for example, the discharge of the electric discharge weapon  100 ). A second block may be used for storing video and audio outside the window (e.g., outside the 40-second window of the first block). Both memory blocks may function in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) mode. In such a mode, the oldest events may be overwritten with more recently captured information (i.e., newer information). 
   Each firing event may be described by data stored in three segments: the firing data, and the two video and audio streams discussed as blocks above (e.g., one stream inside the predetermined amount of time window and the other stream outside the predetermined amount of time window). A separate data information file inside battery module  101  may be used to keep track of which segments fit together. The data information file may be utilized to tie together the firing information with the video information. In one embodiment, time stamp information (which may include date information) may be associated with each captured data segment (e.g., video segment, audio segment and firing segment) and be used to tie the firing information with the video and/or audio information. In such an implementation, the time stamp may be measured relative to the occurrence of some event, such as for example, the setting of safety  152  to a firing position, and/or the actuation of trigger  154  of the electric discharge device  100 . 
   A memory device (not shown) may be located in a cartridge or electrode module. The armed or loaded electric discharge device (i.e., having an electrode module mounted or loaded) may be coupled to a battery module so that the information captured by the video and audio components of the battery module is stored in the memory device of the cartridge. In such a manner the information more relevant to the discharge of a particular cartridge may be stored locally in that cartridge. The data may then be accessed by removing the spent cartridge and coupling its memory device to a computer via common interfaces (not shown). 
   Battery module  101  may include one or more frame buffers for buffering the captured image and/or audio information from the captured data streams before they are stored in a memory suitable for downloading. Including such frame buffers in battery module  101  may provide a way for facilitating the allocating of the captured data into the two memory blocks as discussed above. For example, in one implementation, the frame buffers may be capable of storing an amount of data that can be captured by the video camera and/or audio components during an interval of time at least equal to the predetermined window of time. When a discharge of the electric discharge device occurs, the data stored in the frame buffers may then be stored in the first block of memory for data captured during the trigger window. Events occurring just before the actuation of the trigger (e.g., up to 20 seconds before) may be included in this block of memory. The use of frame buffers may also permit the rewriting over older data in a frame-by-frame manner. 
   Battery module  101  may include logic for compressing/processing the captured data into a compressed format (e.g., MPEG and/or MP3). All or only a portion of the captured data may be stored in the memory suitable for downloading. For example, in one such implementation, the image captured by the video camera component may be cropped so that only a region of the image is stored. This way, more relevant information may be stored in the memory while less relevant information is discarded. For example, if the electric discharge device  100  includes a laser sight  150 , the captured image may be cropped so that only a region proximal to the point where the laser sight is visible in the image is stored in the memory. Audio/video processor  112  may use image analysis, pan, and zoom technologies to maintain a preferred frame contents with respect to the point where the laser sight is visible in the image stored in memory. This way image information relating to the aiming of the electric discharge device  100  toward a target is stored while portions of the captured image remote from the point on which the laser sight is targeted (i.e., information less likely to be relevant) is cropped from the image before it is stored. 
   The duration of the trigger window may be set (i.e., defined) by a user of electric discharge device  100  via an operator interface  147  of weapon module  102 . In another implementation, the audio/video processor  112  of the electric discharge device  100  may define the duration of the trigger window. In a further implementation, the duration of the trigger window may be defined by an organization and information for setting the duration of the trigger window may be provided in memory device  110  of battery module  101  and uploaded by the processors of battery module  101  and/or electric discharge device  102  for use in controlling the operation of the video camera component  118  and/or audio component  116 . 
   Software updates intended for weapon module  102  may be stored in battery module  101  so that the updates may be uploaded into weapon module  102  upon coupling of battery module  101  to weapon module  102 . In one such implementation, configuration information for controlling the components of battery module  101  and/or weapon module  102  stored in memory  110  of battery module  101  may be custom-configured to suit the needs or rules of a particular organization (e.g., a police department of a particular city). 
   Battery module  302  may include a dual function interface  320 . Interface  320  may be used as a cartridge holder, for example, located on the bottom of battery module  302  for storing an unloaded electrode module (e.g., an extra cartridge) for electric discharge device  100 . This may help to provide a convenient way to carry an extra cartridge so that a user can quickly re-load the electric discharge device with the extra cartridge after a loaded cartridge has been discharged. A discharged cartridge is herein also called a spent cartridge. 
   Battery module  101  may include rechargeable batteries  105  as a power supply. To charge the batteries in one such implementation, battery module  101  may be mounted on a charging base  204  via a base interface  109 . In battery module  302 , the extra cartridge, discussed above, may be removed from interface  320  and battery module  302  may then be mounted at interface  320  on charging base  502  that has a mechanical interface  504  formed like a cartridge (i.e., having dimensions and a contour matching that of a cartridge). 
   Charging of the rechargeable battery  105  may occur through a magnetic non-contact interface. In such an implementation, electrical conductors of the charging circuit may be isolated from the outside of the battery module  101  (i.e., conductors  230  omitted). In one such implementation, charging base  204  may include an induction circuit  224  having a primary winding that is coupled to an AC power supply  222  and is also inductively coupled to a pick-up circuit  106  of battery module  101 . Pick-up circuit  106  may include a secondary winding coupled to a rectifier coupled to the rechargeable battery  105  of battery module  101 . 
   Wireless interface  244  may be based on optical or radio technology. Data downloads from battery module  101  may go through an optical interface (not shown) into charging base  204 . Battery module  101  and charging base  204  may both include RF transceivers  120 ,  228  to permit RF communication of data and other information between battery module  101  and charging base  204 . Both battery module  101  and charging base  204  may have an optical transceiver (e.g., in place of transceiver  120 ,  228 ) to accomplish data communication (e.g., IR transmitters and receivers). 
   A battery module may be removed from an electric discharge device and inserted top first into a charging base so that the interface  130  is coupled to the charging base. In such an embodiment, the charging base and battery module may make physical electrical contact (e.g., a conductive connection) with each other. The video and/or audio data may then be transmitted serially from battery module  101  to charging base  204 . 
   Charging base  204  may also have a high speed serial digital interface  226  (e.g., a USB interface, a Firewire interface) that downloads the data to a computer  202  through a corresponding data cable  506 . Depending on the desired battery recharging speed, the charging base may draw power either from a USB interface  506  or from an interface to AC power  508 . 
   The power supply management in battery module  101  may follow a similar methodology as described in the discussion below regarding the use of data consumption tables in an electric discharge device. Battery module  101  may have a memory  110  (e.g., EPROM) that is accessible via an interface  107  to a microcontroller  140  of a weapon module  102 . Battery tables in memory  110  may describe  105  the battery capacity, the type of battery, how much the various discharge rates are for the various components, the power consumption rates/information for the various components of battery module  101  at various operating temperatures, and various information relating to the manufacturer. As the batteries  105  in battery module  101  are being depleted, the weapon processor  140  may write this information to the memory  110  of battery module  101 . 
   The weapon module  102  may display power consumption information on a display  146  which may be located on the back of the electric discharge device  100  as described below. The display may present the charge status of the batteries, from 99% (fully charged) to 0% (fully discharged). In such an embodiment, when battery module  101  is coupled to charging base  204 , charging base  204  may read the charge status of the battery and start charging it (if it is rechargeable) while charge status information indicates that the battery  105  has a charged capacity less the 100%. When battery  105  is fully charged, the information in battery module memory  110  may be rewritten to indicate a fully charged battery. In one embodiment, power consumption information (and any other information) intended for updating power consumption information displayed by weapon module  102  may be written into the memory  110  via the same or a similar data interface provided in the charging base. This information may then be uploaded into the electric discharge device when battery module  101  is coupled to weapon module  102  via an appropriate interface  130 . 
   Power consumption information may include prioritization information for some or all of the functions of electric discharge device  100  and/or battery module  101 . The prioritization information may be utilized to limit the usage of certain elements, for example, less important elements, when the power capacity of the power supply is below a threshold level. The prioritization information may include ranking information that ranks the importance of the various components of the electric discharge device and/or battery module and may include threshold information that sets one or more power capacity thresholds for the power supply of the electric discharge device and/or battery module where at each threshold a defined range of low ranked components (i.e., for less important functions) may be disabled. In an exemplary embodiment, a threshold may be provided so that when the power supply is below a certain percentage of the total original capacity of the power supply, less important functions, (e.g., a flashlight) of electric discharge device  100  are disabled. This way power is saved for use of more important functions and components. In one implementation, highly ranked components (i.e., most important functions) may include those components of the electric discharge device, battery module, and/or DPM that are associated with the electric discharge functions used to incapacitate a target. 
   A tactical flashlight may be included in battery module  101 . For example, light source  124  may be on/off controlled by a weapon processor  140  through an interface  130  between battery module  101  and weapon module  102 . In one such implementation, when safety  152  is moved to the firing position, light source  124  is turned “on” and provides illumination toward the target. Depending on configuration, the light source may come “on” with a maximum brightness or a less than maximum brightness. If the electric discharge device  100  is configured to turn the flashlight “on” at a less than maximum brightness, then in one implementation the brightness level may be immediately changed by the user pressing illumination selector  156  (e.g., a switch provided on the electric discharge device  100 ). If light source  124  is “off” and safety  152  is in the firing mode, light source  124  may be immediately turned “on” via actuation of illumination selector  156 . 
   In an embodiment where video camera component  118  is placed under the control of weapon processor  140 , weapon processor  140  may also be in communication with auto-focus logic included in camera  118 . This way, lighting information obtained by the auto-focus logic may be passed on to the controlling processor. 
   In an embodiment where the video camera component  118  is placed under the control of weapon processor  140 , the weapon processor  140  may also control operation of another light source (not shown) of weapon module  102 . 
   In one implementation, of  FIGS. 3 through 7 , battery module  302  may have dimensions that allow it to be mounted into a digital power magazine (DPM) slot of a weapon module  304  to form an electric discharge device  402 . In other words, battery module  302  may replace a conventional DPM. 
   A battery module, according to various aspects of the present invention, may be implemented with interfaces for mechanical and electrical cooperation with a weapon module to form an electronic control device. The battery module, weapon module, cartridges, and a charging base may form a weapon system (e.g., as in  FIGS. 3-7 ) having particular synergies as a result of the use of mechanical and electrical interfaces common among the modules. For example, battery module  302  of  FIG. 3  may include all of the structures and functions of battery module  101  discussed herein. Battery module  302  includes interface  130 , comprising an electrical connector having six butt contacts; a dual purpose interface  320 ; a light source  124 , a camera  118 , and a microphone  116 . Dual purpose interface  320  is compatible with interface  160  to receive and store an electrode module  103 ; and is compatible with a base interface  109  to accept a current from a charging base for recharging a battery  105  of the battery module. 
   Electronic control device  402  (of  FIG. 4 ) is of the hand-held type for local and remote stun functions. Device  402  includes weapon module  404  coupled to battery module  302 . Weapon module  404  may include all of the structures and functions of weapon module  102  discussed above. Weapon module  404  has an electrode module interface  160  (shown prior to loading an electrode module or cartridge) that receives one cartridge. Weapon module  404  further includes a safety  152 , a trigger  154 , and a display  146  visible from the rear of weapon module  404 . 
   In one implementation, weapon module  404  is of the type known as a model X26 marketed by TASER International. Because the battery module can supply replacement and/or amended software for use by the weapon processor  140  of weapon module  404 , and because communication between weapon module  404  and battery module  302  is implemented as additional serial communication via the serial communication capability of the model X26, existing model X26 electronic control devices may be easily retrofitted in the field to add audio and/or video recording. For example, a conventional battery module (e.g., a digital power magazine (DPM)) for the model X26 may be replaced with battery module  302 . 
   Charging base  502  (of  FIG. 5 ) may include all of the structures and functions of charging base  204 , discussed above. Base  502  provides an interface  504  compatible with an electrode module interface of a battery module. For providing energy to the charging base to recharge a battery of the battery module, household AC power may be supplied to the charging base via conventional cable  508  or DC power may be supplied to the charging base via conventional USB cable  506 . Cable  506  couples base  502  to a computer  202 . Interface  504  includes a physical/mechanical structure shaped like a cartridge and having the equivalent of the conventional fasteners used by a cartridge to couple the cartridge to a weapon module. Equivalent fasteners are used in interface  504  to support and couple a battery module to the base. As shown in  FIG. 5 , interface  504  of base  502  may have no exposed electrical conductors. Interface  504  as shown illustrates an implementation where signals  240  are used in place of signals  230 , as discussed above. 
   For example, assembly  600  of  FIG. 6  includes base  502  supporting and electrically communicating with battery module  302 . Communication via interface  504  to battery module  302  may include transfer of recorded audio/video information and transfer of software for performance by weapon processor  140  as discussed above. Communication may further include recharging one or more batteries  105  of battery module  302 . 
   As another example, assembly  700  of  FIG. 7  includes base  502  supporting electronic control device  402 . Because battery module  302  has a first interface to a weapon module separated with sufficient mechanical clearances from a second interface to a charging base, an electronic control device  402  may be coupled to base  502  without removal of battery module  302  from weapon module  404  of device  402 . 
   The foregoing description discusses preferred embodiments of the present invention which may be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. While for the sake of clarity of description, several specific embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the invention is intended to be measured by the claims as set forth below.