1. Field
The present invention relates generally to devices to deliver electro control energy via a projectile or dart fired from a gun. Particularly, influence is gained over an animal or human without substantial neurological distress of the same through combination of sound correlated with electric shock delivered via a dart or projectile to a target.
2. Related Art
It is known to apply electric shock for conditioning and corralling animals such as livestock. It is also known to fire projectiles or electric leads into a target and to apply electric energy to the target.
Above-ground electric fences take a variety of forms. Electrical fences are typically energized with a low level electrical pulse. One limitation of these fences is that a conditioned target is only conditioned as to identity of the electric fence and its location. Other animal control systems implement buried wires, commonly known as invisible fences. These invisible fences include a transmitter which generates a coded signal that is radiated by a wire loop antenna buried a few inches underground and which defines an area for containing or restricting the animal. Electrical fence systems involve costly installation of a physical structure and require maintenance.
Use of electrified projectiles requires substantial attention to monitor the physical condition of livestock, animal or human as the target so as not to abuse the target. The application of electricity is not correlated or associatable with anything other than the presence of instigator of the electric shocks. Further, electric shock is only applied for a short time and is not uniformly accompanied by any other conditioning or treatment.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed toward overcoming many of the above-identified shortcomings of known techniques.
Embodiments and techniques described herein relate to an electronic conditioning device that comprises sound sequence circuitry that generates a sound sequence such as a recorded human voice. The sound sequence includes sounds, each sound having one of various levels of intensity. A sound generator emits the sound sequence audibly. A power supply is electrically connected to the sound sequence circuitry and sound generator and provides energy to a shock inducer. The shock inducer has one or more electrodes which are designed to impact and stick to or embed under the skin of a target. The shock inducer is configured to generate voltage spikes in coordination with and approximately at a same time as at least some of the sounds of the sound sequence so as to condition the target. The conditioning allows the target to associate certain sounds (e.g., a word, phrase, siren, tone) with an electric shock. The electric shock may include voltage spikes that are correlated with the pitch, intensity, presence or other aspect of the sounds of the sound sequence. Power may be supplied by a battery, or a piezoelectric flexible film or movable magnet that converts kinetic motion into electric energy. Preferably, the device is applied to a target by loading the device into a shotgun shell and firing the loaded shell at the target from a rifle, pistol or shotgun.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, and thus is not intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
While the appended claims set forth the features of the disclosure with particularity, the disclosure, together with its objects and advantages, is more readily appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout, like numerals generally refer to like parts. Unless specifically indicated, the components and drawings are not shown to scale.
Overview. The present disclosure solves many of the shortcomings of known devices and methods of administering electrical signals or electric shock to a target and conditioning the target to react to one or more predetermined or designated audible signals, sounds, speech and so forth. The device is projected at a target. Electrodes engage the skin and facilitate electrical shocks to the target via a power source. The device coordinates the electrical shocks with audible tones such that the target associates the audible tones with the sensation and stimulation of the electrical shocks. The following disclosure provides further details.
The device 1 includes a housing 12 having a proximal end 26 and a distal end 27. The housing 12 encloses other components of the device 1. The device 1 includes a sound generator 13 which in turn includes a piezoelectric speaker. The sound generator 13 is powered by a power source. The sound generator 13 is recordable for approximately 6-15 seconds. The sound may be an animal, human or siren-type noise. The message repeats as long as power is available. The sound generator 13 is electronically connected with circuitry 14 and a power source which includes various components in the device 1. The circuitry 14 may include controlling elements that direct actuation of the other elements in the device 1 such as the sound generator 13 or electrodes 4 for delivering conditioning shocks. According to a variation, the circuitry 14 includes an element for recording and storing the sounds that are then passed to the sound generator 13.
At least part of the power source includes an earth magnet 18 affixed to a flexible reed 19 that is held at a distal end by a foot 19A. Affixed to the proximal end of the reed 19 is a counter weight 15 that facilitates bending and motion of the reed 19 and magnet 18 within or proximate to low voltage electric coils 16. The reed 19 oscillates back and forth by inertia during initial impact and movement of the target after receiving the device 1. Electromotive force (EMF) is generated thereby. The power source may also include high-voltage electric coils 17 and one or more high-voltage capacitors 21. The reed 19 and coils 16 may provide power to the high-voltage electric coils 17 and high-voltage capacitors 21. The power source provides electrical energy to the sound generator 13, the electrodes 4 and circuitry 14. In the figures shown herein, not all electrical leads and connections are shown for the sake of simplicity of illustration only so as to not obscure the operation and structures of the disclosure.
Referring again to
Sound is released by the dart or device 1 by the sound generator 13 at impact. According to one implementation, the sound may be similar to or a recording of a human voice yelling at 85 dB. The sound is provided contemporaneously with the electrical shock. This method is for compliant behavior modification and recognition of the human voice or the sound of the recording in the device. This method (application of the device 1) trains the target to avoid human contact so as to associate pain with a human voice. The high voltage of the shock provided through the electrodes 4 may be modulated along with the intensity of the voice sound emitted from the device 1. As the words are emitted from the sound generator 13, the voltage or amount of shock felt by the target is modified or changed to match that of the enunciation of the words. The highs and lows of the speech match the shock and absence of shock, respectively. This method is referred to as psychotronic technology. More description of this technology is provided herein in relation to other figures, especially
Referring again to
The device 1 also includes electrodes 13 that extend outward from the distal end 27 of the housing 12 and yet still within the cartridge 10. The electrodes 13 are designed to embed in the skin of the target and persist the projectile on the target for at least a designated time. The size, shape and number of electrodes may be varied to accomplish this end. That is, the shape, composition, length and other aspects of the electrodes 13 are selected based on an amount of time that the device 1 is designed to work. Such characteristics may be selected based on type of animal or situation for which the device 1 is intended to be used. That is, various models of the device 1 may be manufactured depending on the intended use without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Preferably, the housing 12 (projectile) fits inside a 12-gage shotgun shell 10 so that the device 1 works with conventional shotguns and other known or established projecting means.
A multi-pointed star-shaped nozzle 28 is illustrated in
In this way, the shape of the ink or dye, or the color of the dye, on the target may be correlated or mapped to a particular time, date or other datum of use (or attribute) of the device 1 on the particular target. This bit of information may be especially useful when the device 1 has fallen off of the target and information about application and use of the device 1 is observed at a later time when an observer encounters a treated target. According to another variation, the shape of the nozzle 28 may be correlated to color or other attribute of the device 1 or dye.
Identification and tracking of use of the device 1 is done by a human observer who can recognize the dye. Various colors or types of dyes may be applied to a target based on previous encounters so that progressive application of the device 1 and prolonged conditioning may be tracked. That is, the device 1 may be loaded with one of several different colors, types or kinds of dyes so that a user may select an appropriate dye for use with a particular type or identity of target.
At least part of the power source includes a piezoelectric film 31 affixed to a base 32. The base 32 may be long enough to reach the sides of the housing 12 so as to provide a substantial, fixed surface or base from which the proximal end of the film 31 may vibrate. A weight 15 may be attached or formed to the proximal end of the piezoelectric film 31 to facilitate more substantial movement of the piezoelectric film 31, and to thereby increase power generation for prolonged conditioning for each application of a device 1 to a target. The film 31 oscillates back and forth by inertia during initial impact and movement of the target after receiving the device 1. Electromotive force (EMF) is generated by the deceleration of impact and movement of the target.
The power source may also include high-voltage electric coils 17 and one or more high-voltage capacitors 21. The piezoelectric film 31 may provide power to the high-power or high-voltage electric coils 17 and high-voltage capacitors 21. The piezoelectric film 31 may be formed from a non-hard ceramic material and is considered a cantilevered electric generator for power harvesting. The power source provides electrical energy to the sound generator 13, the electrodes 4 and circuitry 14. The power source include one or more batteries or capacitors (not shown) that supplement the power provided by the piezoelectric film 31. The motion of the piezoelectric film 31 is shown by a motion arrow 33. The sound generator 13 is recordable for approximately 6-15 seconds and, when activated, repeats the message for as long as power is available.
The length 34 of the device 1 is preferably about two inches, and the diameter 35 is approximately 0.690 inches. The diameter 35 may be selected based on a gun shell size such as for a 12-gage shotgun. The diameter 35 is preferably uniform as measured anywhere along its length 34 from a proximal end 26 to a distal end 27. Grooves or fins (not shown) may be formed around or along the outer surface of the housing 12 so as to facilitate a rotation or spiraling of the device 1 when the device 1 is projected from a gun. At least the housing 12 is constructed from an impact resistant or high-impact plastic. Preferably, the device 1 weighs approximately 20 grams or less when fully assembled at no more than 300 feet per second (fps) with a targeted speed of 260 fps. A target range for the projectile is 100 feet before substantial projectile path degradation is observed.
Referring again to
The device 1 also includes electrodes 13 that extend outward from the distal end 27 of the housing 12 and yet still within the cartridge 10. The electrodes 13 are designed to embed in the skin of the target and persist the projectile on the target for at least a designated time. The shape, composition, length and other aspects of the electrodes 13 are selected based on an amount of time that the device 1 is designed to work. Such characteristics may be selected based on type of animal or situation for which the device 1 is intended to be used. That is, various models of the device 1 may be manufactured depending on the intended use without departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Preferably, the housing 12 (projectile) fits inside a 12-gage shotgun shell 10 so that the device 1 works with conventional shotguns and other projecting means.
With reference to
According to one implementation, the voltage 44 is modulated upward in coordination with release or generation of sound by the sound generator 13. The modulation may be up to a 100 volts, or may be modulated by high voltage components in the device to a much higher voltage. The voltage 44 varies directly proportionally to the intensity of the sound emitted from the sound generator. A recorded or generated sound sequence or a voiced set of expressions 50 is presented below the voltage graph 40. The sound sequence 50 includes human enunciated words 51 separated to pauses 52, preferably according to typical human expression as if a person were present near the target and uttering the sound sequence 50. As illustrated, this sound sequence or set of expressions is the phrase, “GET . . . out . . . of . . . here! Go! . . . GET . . . GET . . . GET . . . out . . . of . . . here.”
According to one implementation, a component of the device 1 such as the sound generator 13 or circuitry 14 includes a memory loaded with amplitude data or an amplitude function correlated with a time or with content of the sound sequence 50. The amplitude data or amplitude function is used to generate a signal to the other components so as to deliver an attenuated or modulated voltage 44 to the target. According to another implementation, a volume of sound emitted from the sound generator 13 or signal generated thereby is used modulate the voltage 44.
Referring to
While human expression 50, including words 51, is illustrated, the sound or set of sounds emitted and repeated by the sound generator 50 may be any sound including such things as a car horn, a police siren, and an all-clear signal at a work site. The sound recorded and used in the device is preferably selected consistent with what is most appropriate for the type of target. For example, when a campground has trouble with bears, and humans are likely to use car horns to scare off or warn the bears, the device may be loaded with car horn sounds and administered to bears in the area. In this way, use of the device can be very narrowly tailored to each specific situation to maximize the impact of conditioning of targets for the benefit of all involved.
The power source includes a container or bladder of electrolyte 56. The electrolyte 56 can be sulfuric acid such as a dilute or a concentrated solution of the same. The size and concentration of the bladder 56 may be varied depending on desired use and application of the device 1. On impact, one or both power terminals 57, 59 are combined with the electrolyte 56, and thereby form a complete battery or energy source. In the implementation shown, one of the electrodes 6 impacts the target and pushes one power terminal 57 into the electrolyte 56. Additionally, for sake of illustration, a separate mechanical mechanism, the rectangular block shown proximate to the second power terminal 59 located between the two electrodes 6, is slid toward the left upon impact which causes the second power terminal 59 to enter into the bladder 56. A barb 58 on each proximal end of the power terminals 57, 59 cause the power terminals 57, 59 to enter the bladder 56 and to remain therein for the life of the device 1.
In the previous description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures, devices, systems and methods are shown only in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or implementation is included in at least one embodiment or implementation of the invention. Appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.
It will be evident that the various modification and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit of the description. In this technology, advancements are frequent and further advancements are not easily foreseen. The disclosed embodiments may be readily modifiable in arrangement and detail as facilitated by enabling technological advancements without departing from the principles of the present disclosure.
This application claims the benefit and filing date of U.S. provisional patent application filed on 29 Sep. 2014 and having Ser. No. 62/057,212.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62057212 | Sep 2014 | US |