Weapon differentiation notification system

Abstract

A holster includes a system for providing an audio and/or a visual notification differentiating a lethal weapon from a less lethal weapon when one of these weapons is removed from its holster. The holster includes a sensor for detecting the presence of a weapon therein as well as removal of the weapon. Upon receiving a signal from the sensor indicating drawing of the weapon, a microcontroller actuates a speaker and/or a visual display to indicate the type of weapon which was drawn. Others are made aware of the type of weapon being drawn or which is currently deployed. The wearer of the holster is also made aware of a mistake if the incorrect type of weapon is drawn.

Claims

1. A weapon differentiation notification system, comprising: a first holster body, the first holster body being structured to hold a first weapon within the first holster body, the first weapon being of a type of weapon and having a level of force for which the first weapon is used; a second holster body, the second holster body being structured to hold a second weapon within the second holster body, the second weapon being of a type of weapon which is different from the type of weapon of the first weapon, and the second weapon has a level of force for which the second weapon is used, and which is different from the level of force for which the first weapon is used; a control system; a first sensor disposed within the first holster body, the first sensor being operatively connected to the control system; a second sensor disposed within the second holster body, the second sensor being operatively connected to the control system; a first output device, the first output device being structured to provide an audible notification or a visual notification, the first output device being operatively connected to the control system; the control system being structured to receive a signal from the first sensor and to determine whether the first weapon is within the first holster body based on the signal from the first sensor; the control system being further structured to receive a signal from the second sensor and to determine whether the second weapon is within the second holster body based on the signal from the second sensor; the control system is further structured to, in the event that the signal from the first sensor changes from an indication of the first weapon being within the first holster body to the first weapon being absent from the first holster body, provide a signal to the first output device causing the first output device to output a first audible notification or a first visual notification, the first audible notification or first visual notification specifying either the level of force for which the first weapon is used or the type of weapon corresponding to the first weapon; and the control system is further structured to, in the event that the signal from the second sensor changes from an indication of the second weapon being within the second holster body to the second weapon being absent from the second holster body, provide a signal to the first output device causing the first output device to output a second audible notification or a second visual notification, the second audible notification or second visual notification specifying either the level of force for which the second weapon is used or the type of weapon corresponding to the second weapon.

2. The weapon differentiation notification system according to claim 1: further comprising a second output device; wherein the control system is further structured to, in the event that the signal from the first sensor changes from an indication of the first weapon being within the first holster body to the first weapon being absent from the first holster body, provide a signal to the first output device causing the first output device to output a first audible notification and to provide a signal to the second output device causing the second output device to output a first visual notification, the first audible notification and first visual notification specifying either the level of force for which the first weapon is used or the type of first weapon; and wherein the control system is further structured to, in the event that the signal from the second sensor changes from an indication of the second weapon being within the second holster body to the second weapon being absent from the second holster body, provide a signal to the first output device causing the first output device to output a second audible notification and to provide a signal to the second output device causing the second output device to output a second visual notification, the second audible notification and second visual notification specifying either the level of force for which the second weapon is used or the type of second weapon.

3. The weapon differentiation notification system according to claim 2, wherein the first output device is a speaker.

4. The weapon differentiation notification system according to claim 2, wherein: the second output device is structured to selectively emit light having a first color and light having a second color; the control system is structured to emit light having the first color in response to a signal from the first sensor corresponding to removal of the first weapon from the first holster; and the control system is structured to emit light having the second color in response to a signal from the second sensor corresponding to removal of the second weapon from the second holster.

5. The weapon differentiation notification system according to claim 1, wherein the first output device is a speaker.

6. The weapon differentiation notification system according to claim 1, wherein: the first output device is structured to selectively emit light having a first color and light having a second color; the control system is structured to emit light having a first color in response to a signal from the sensor corresponding to removal of the first weapon from the first holster; and the control system is further structured to emit light having a second color having the second color in response to a signal from the second sensor corresponding to removal of the second weapon from the second holster.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an example of a holster of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of another example of a holster of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of yet another example of a holster of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of a further example of a holster of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of the electronic components of a holster of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another example of the electronic components of a holster of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of yet another example of the electronic components of a holster of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is an environmental, perspective view of the system of the present invention, showing the system in use for both a lethal weapon and a less lethal weapon.

(9) Like reference characters denote like elements throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) Referring to the drawings, there is shown a weapon differentiation notification system 8 for a holster 10 (FIG. 1) for less-than-lethal device, which in the illustrated example is an electro-muscular disruption device or EMD 12. Additionally, the weapon differentiation notification system 8 is also shown with a holster 14 (FIGS. 2-4) for a lethal weapon, which in the illustrated example is a firearm 16. As used herein, the reference character 14A refers to the holster of FIG. 2, 14B refers to the holster of FIG. 3, 14C refers to the holster of FIGS. 4, and 14 (without a letter) refers to any of the holsters of FIGS. 2-4. The same convention is used for other reference characters within FIGS. 2-4. The holster 10 and holster 14 differ primarily in the weapon they are designed to carry, and the audible and/or visual alert they are structured to provide upon drawing the weapon. As used herein, holster includes not only holsters, but also any pouch or other container or device for removably securing equipment to a wearer. Holster may thus include, for example, a pouch for holding pepper spray, a holder for a baton or nightstick, and the like. As used herein, weapon refers to EMDs, stun guns, firearms, pepper spray, batons, night sticks, and any other presently available or later developed device which may be carried on a user's body and utilized for self-defense or to obtain compliance or apply proper use of force. In the event the holster contains pepper spray, the system could audibly and or visually announce, Spray, Spray, Spray.

(11) Although the illustrated example of a holster 10, 14 is an outside the waistband holster designed to be worn on the hip, the invention may be used in connection with a strong side hip holster, a cross draw holster, an inside the waistband holster, an appendix inside the waistband holster, a chest holster, a shoulder holster, a thigh holster, an ankle holster, a pocket holster, or the like without departing from the invention. The illustrated examples of holsters 10, 14 each include a holster body 18, 20, respectively, into which a firearm 16 or EMD device 12 (which in the illustrated example is an EMD device sold under the trademark TASER) may be inserted and secured. In the illustrated examples, a retention strap 22, 24 extends upward from the body 18, 20 for securing around the uppermost portion of an EMD device 12 or firearm 16. Other holster bodies 18, 20 may include various latching mechanisms to retain the weapon or to resist drawing the firearm by unauthorized individuals, and/or passive retention such as molding the holster body 18,20 sufficiently closely to the shape of the firearm 16 or EMD device 12 to retain the firearm 16 or EMD device 12 within the holster. The illustrated example of a holster 10, 14 also includes a body attachment for securing to a belt, a shoulder harness, or other presently known or later developed system for securing the holster 10, 14 to a wearer. In the illustrated example, the body attachment is a belt attachment, for example, a belt loop permits passage of a belt 30 therethrough to secure the holster 10. 14 to the wearer in a manner which is not shown but which is well-known to those skilled in the art of shooting. Other examples of the holster 10, 14 may use belt clips, J-hooks, shoulder harnesses, thigh straps, ankle straps, or the like.

(12) Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the holster 10, 14 includes an audible and/or visual notification system 34 for providing an audible and/or visual notification when the EMD device 12 or firearm 16 is drawn from the holster. As used herein, a reference character by itself refers to that component in any of FIGS. 5-7, A reference character followed by a D refers to the example of FIG. 5, a reference character followed by an E refers to the example of FIG. 6, and a reference character followed by an F or G refers to the example of FIG. 7. The audible and/or visual notification system 34 includes a sensor 36 for detecting the presence or absence of an EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon from the holster 10, 14. As used herein, sensor is defined as including any device which provides a signal in response to the presence or absence of the lethal or less than lethal weapon from the holster, including any suitable electronic sensor, mechanical switches, and the like. Some examples of the sensor 36 can be a pressure sensor such as an ultrasonic flow sensor, potentiometric sensor, piezoelectric sensor, strain gauge, and variable reluctance sensor. In other examples, the sensor can be a Hall effect sensor. inductive sensor which detects eddy currents, a capacitive sensor, a laser sensor, a confocal sensor, an interferometer to measure white light, an LVDT inductive sensor, a magneto-inductive sensor, a potentiometer based position sensor, a pulse encoding sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a vision sensor or optical linear sensor, a proximity sensor, a photo micro sensor, an infrared detector, or an occupancy light sensor. Some sensors may utilize a detection element 78 attached to the EMD device 12 or firearm 16, for example, a small magnet or other detection element which is detected by the sensor when in proximity to the sensor.

(13) Three examples of sensors 36 are illustrated. The holster 14A of FIG. 2 utilizes a normally closed switch 36A having an arm 70 which is pushed towards the housing 72 when the firearm 16 is in the holster 14A, opening the switch 36A. Removal of the firearm 16 removes the pressure from the arm 70, closing the switch 36A and providing a signal to the control system 38. The illustrated example of a switch 36A is a TAISS momentary micro limit switch. The holster 14B of FIG. 3 includes an infrared optocoupler 36B, which detects the presence of the firearm 16 through interruption of the infrared beam between the emitter 74 and the detector 76, and indicates that the firearm 16 was drawn when the detector 76 detects the beam. The holster 14C of FIG. 4 includes a Hall effect sensor 36C, which detects the presence or absence of the firearm 16 through changes in the magnetic field detected by the sensor. A small magnet 78 may be attached to the lethal or less than lethal weapon. When the magnet 78 comes into proximity with the sensor 36C, the presence of the weapon is detected. When the magnet 78 is moved away from the sensor 36C, the sensor 36C provides a signal to the control system 38 indicating that the weapon has been drawn.

(14) Other sensors are disclosed in the references which are discussed in the background information above, and the entire disclosure of each and every one of those references is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The signal from the sensor 36 is provided to the controller 38, which utilizes the signal to determine the presence or absence of an EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other device within the holster 10, 14. The controller 38 also provides power for the sensor 36.

(15) Referring back to FIGS. 5-7, any of the control systems 38 can be a general-purpose programmable microcontroller, a programmable logic device such as field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, a custom integrated circuit, or a custom non-integrated circuit. Some examples of the control system 38 will include or be connected to memory 42 containing executable instructions for performing the various functions described herein. Power is supplied by a battery 44. A power supply circuit 46, which is well known to those skilled in the art, is either incorporated into or connected to the control system 38, providing a conduit for power from the battery 44 to the control system 38. Depending on the type of battery selected, the power supply circuit 46 may also include battery protection components which are well known to those skilled in the art.

(16) Referring to FIGS. 5-8, some examples of the system include a speaker 48 connected to the controller 38. Other examples include a visual display 58. The visual display 58D of FIG. 5 is connected to the control system 38D. In the example of FIG. 5, all components are either part of the holster 10, 14, or are physically connected with appropriate wiring even if placed elsewhere on the officer's body. The visual display 58E of FIG. 6 includes its own control system 60E, with its own battery 62E and power supply circuit 64E, which communicates wirelessly with the control system 38E using the wireless communication system 66E. The wireless communication systems of FIGS. 5-7 may utilize any presently known or later developed wireless communication protocol, for example, near field communication (NFC), BLUETOOTH, Wi-Fi, and others. The example of FIG. 7 includes a controller 38F located on the base 80 of the visual display 58. The controller 38F also connects to the speaker 48F, memory 42F, microphone 50F, record message button 52F, and on/off switch 56F. This system 34F is useful for utilizing a plurality of holsters 10, 14 with a single visual display 58 and/or speaker 48F. Each holster 10, 14 includes a sensor 36F, 36G having its own control system 60F, 36G with its own battery 62F, 62G and power supply circuit 64F, 64G which communicates wirelessly with the control system 60F 60G.

(17) Referring to FIGS. 6-7, some examples utilizing remote output devices may include two speakers: a speaker 49E, 48F which is remote from the holster 10, 14 and a speaker 48E, 49F which forms a part of the holster 10, 14. In the illustrated example of such systems, the speaker 49F, 48E is the primary speaker. However, if communication between the holster 10, 14 and remote speaker 49E, 48F, then the speaker 48E, 49F will be utilized. This redundant capability ensures that even if the combined audible/visual notification provided by the speakers 49E, 48F and visual displays 58 is not provided due to a lost connection, a backup audible notification will be provided.

(18) As shown in FIG. 8, the illustrated example of a visual display includes one or more light emitters 80, which in the illustrated example are arranged to display the word Police or other identifying word. The light emitters 80 are arranged on the front surface 82 of a base 84, which in the illustrated example is a removable fabric patch having attachment structures 86, for example, either the hook or the loop component of hook and loop fasteners disposed on the back surface 88, to attach to the other hook and loop component 90 on the back 92 of the officer's uniform or body armor. The light emitters 80 may be a series of light emitting diodes, fiber optic emitters, and the like. Some examples may include at least one light emitter 80 having a first color, for example, white, and at least one second light emitter 80 having a second color, for example, red, so that the white light emitter(s) 80 can be illuminated if a less lethal weapon 12 is drawn, and the red light emitters 80 may be illuminated if a lethal weapon 14 is drawn. Other examples may include light emitters which are capable of emitting more than one color, for example, and LED which is capable of emitting more than one color. Some examples of the system 34 may thus include both a holster 10 and a holster 14 which are operatively connected to the same visual display 58. In these examples, a signal from the control system 38 for the holster 10 will cause the visual display 58 to illuminate the first color light emitters 80, and a signal from the control system 38 of the holster 14 will cause the visual display 58 to illuminate the second color light emitters. Similarly, the same speaker 48 may be operatively connected to both a holster 10 and a holster 14, so that when a weapon is drawn from one of the holster 10 or holster 14, the appropriate audible notification is output by the speaker 48.

(19) In examples including a speaker 48, when an EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon is removed from the holster 10, 14, a signal is sent to the speaker 48 to deliver a predetermined message. Some examples of the predetermined message will include either the level of force for which the weapon is used (for example, lethal) or the type of weapon, (for example, TASER or OC, which is known as an abbreviation for oleoresin capsicum, the active ingredient in pepper spray). Depending on the weapon which has been removed, the predetermined message could be, for example, TASER, TASER, TASER!, Lethal weapon, lethal weapon, lethal weapon!, OC. OC, OC!, or the like.

(20) In examples which include a visual display 58, when an EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon is removed from the holster 10, 14, a signal is sent to the display 58 to illuminate the display. Some examples may cause the display 58 to emit white light to display the word Police or other identifying indicia in the event that an EMD device, pepper spray, or other less lethal weapon is drawn. Other examples may cause the display 58 to emit red light to display the word Police or other identifying indicia in the event that a lethal weapon such as a firearm is drawn. Officers or supervisors arriving after weapons have been drawn will immediately be able to perceive which officers have deployed which type of weapon, enabling them to more rapidly assess the situation and determine which additional actions may be required. Some examples include both a speaker 48 and visual display 58, providing immediate audible communication differentiating the weapons being drawn to the suspect and the officers who are present, and providing continuous visual differentiation of the weapons which have been drawn to other officers and supervisors.

(21) In a system 34F of FIG. 7 in which both a holster 10 and a holster 14 may be included within the system, it is possible that both weapons 12, 16 will be removed from their holster 10, 14 simultaneously. This can occur, for example, if an officer initially believes that less lethal force is appropriate, and drops an EMD device 12 or other less lethal weapon while struggling with a suspect. In such a situation, the officer may find it necessary to draw the firearm 16. The audible notification will be provided at the time each weapon is drawn, but the visual notification must now address the fact that two weapons have been drawn. Some examples of the system 34F may prioritize the visual notification of the lethal weapon being drawn, displaying only the visual notification of the lethal weapon if both a lethal and less lethal weapon have been drawn. Other examples of the system 34F may provide a third visual notification indicating that both weapons have been drawn, for example, by illuminating a different color.

(22) The predetermined audio message may be selected and/or recorded in a variety of ways. As one example, the control system 38 may be pre-programmed with the desired message. As another example, the control system 38 may include the capability of recording a message. A microphone 50 may be connected to the control system 38 for receiving a spoken message upon a user pressing a record message button 52. Yet another example of the control system 38 may include or be connected to a wireless communication module 54 for connecting to a smart phone, tablet computer, smart watch, or the like which includes a software application or app that is structured to facilitate programming the control system 38. The wireless communication module 54 may utilize any presently known or later developed wireless communication protocol, for example, near field communication (NFC), BLUETOOTH, Wi-Fi, and others. Such systems may also utilize the speaker or any visual displays or illumination devices which may be present on a smart watch, smart phone, or the like having the appropriate app and which is in wireless communication with the control system 38, so that audible and/or visual notifications may be delivered using the smart phone, smart watch, or the like.

(23) Some examples of the holster 10, 14 may include an on/off switch 56 connected to the control system 38 to the speaker 36, or to the visual display 58 so that the audible and/or visual warning may be deactivated at times when silence and/or surreptitious approaches are desired.

(24) Some examples of the system 34 also communicate with a remote data storage system 68, so that the times at which a weapon is removed from a holster 10, 14 are recorded remotely. The times at which a weapon is returned to the holster 10, 14 are also recorded remotely. Some examples may include a clock 51E, 51F (FIGS. 6 and 7) so that time-stamped records of removal and replacement of a weapon may be recorded and stored either locally in memory 42D. 42E, 42F (FIGS. 5-7) and/or remotely in the remote storage system 68.

(25) In use, the EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon is placed into the holster 10, 14 having the desired audible notification recorded (for systems which include an audible notification) for use by the control system 38. The sensor 36 detects the presence of the EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon, and sends the appropriate signal to the controller 38. The on/off switch 56 is set to the desired position depending on the anticipated tasks of the user. If the on/off switch is set to on, and the user is required to draw the EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon, then the sensor 36 will detect the absence of the EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon, and send the appropriate signal to the controller 38. The controller 38 will then send the appropriate signals to the speaker 48 and visual display 58 to provide the predetermined audible and/or visual notification. If the user is, for example, a police officer acting with other police officers, the other police officers will be aware of the actions being taken, and will then be able to act accordingly themselves. If a mistake is being made, the user and others will be alerted to the mistake, and will then have an opportunity to prevent that mistake from being carried out to the point of creating a negative outcome. The visual display 58 (if present) will display an indication which differentiates a lethal weapon from a less lethal weapon, for example, by the color with which Police is illuminated by the light emitters 80 for the entire time that the weapon is out of the holster 10, 14, allowing later-arriving officers or supervisors to quickly and correctly assess the situation. Some examples of the visual display 58 may accomplish this by including at least one light emitter 60 in a first color, for example, white, and other light emitters 80 in a second color, for example, red. Once the EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon is returned to the holster 10, 14, the sensor 36 will detect the presence of the EMD device 12, firearm 16, or other weapon within the holster 10, 14, and will send the appropriate signal to the controller 38.

(26) The present invention therefore provides a system which provides an audible and/or visual notification differentiating a lethal weapon from a less lethal weapon when an officer must remove a weapon from its holster or pouch. The audible and/or visual notification identifies the type of weapon or device which has been withdrawn, alerting others who may be working cooperatively with the user so that they can take appropriate actions. The user and others are also notified of the specific weapon or device which is being drawn, providing an opportunity to recognize if a mistake has been made prior to the occurrence of any negative outcomes. Later-arriving officers or supervisors can quickly assess the situation by viewing the information provided by any visual notification provided by the system. Notifications may be turned on or off as determined by the user, permitting surreptitious approaches when such an approach is appropriate.

(27) Although the weapon differentiation notification system is anticipated to be used to differentiate lethal weapons, for example, firearms, from less lethal weapons, for example, EMD devices, the system could be used to distinguish two different lethal weapons or two different less lethal weapons without departing from the invention. For example, an EMD device, a chemical irritant, or a nightstick may all be regarded as having differing levels of force, even if all of these differing levels of force fall within the range of less lethal force. Similarly, different lethal weapons may be distinguished from each other. For example, notification of an officer deploying a shoulder-fired weapon such as a rifle or shotgun would indicate to other officers present or later-arriving officers that one officer perceives a heightened threat.

(28) A variety of modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. Thus, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The particular embodiments disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention. The appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, should be referenced to indicate the scope of the invention.