Systems and methods for area denial
View Patent ↗Systems and methods inhibit locomotion of a human or animal target in a denial zone. Acquiring the target includes forming a prediction of at least two locations of impact on the target and testing the prediction according to criteria that may include whether the locations are within a boundary corresponding to the target and whether the locations are separated by a minimum physical and/or electrical distance.
1. A method for area denial, performed by an apparatus that inhibits locomotion in or through an area by a human or animal target using a current between a plurality of electrodes, the method comprising:
forming a prediction comprising at least two locations, each location for impact on the target of an electrode of the plurality and a probable distance between the locations;
testing whether the prediction meets at least one criterion for successful area denial due to the current; and
providing a signal for launching at least one electrode of the plurality in response to testing.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein forming comprises predicting a probable electrical distance for a current between the electrodes through the target.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein testing comprises comparing the at least two locations to a boundary.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein testing comprises comparing the probable distance to a minimum distance.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprises adjusting the at least one criterion in accordance with a result of launching.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising detecting indicia of the current through the target, the result being in accordance with the indicia.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein forming comprises combining a planar projection of probable impact for each electrode of the plurality and a planar boundary corresponding to at least a portion of the target.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein testing comprises testing whether the probable distance exceeds a minimum distance and whether the planar boundary contains the planar projection of probable impact for each electrode.
9. An apparatus for acquiring a human or animal target for area denial, the apparatus comprising:
a processing subsystem that, in accordance with indicia of the target, forms a prediction comprising at least two locations, each location for impact on the target of an electrode of a plurality of electrodes and a probable distance between the locations; and
a launch subsystem that controls deployment of the plurality of electrodes, wherein control is responsive to testing whether the prediction meets at least one criterion for a successful area denial due to a current through the target and between at least two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the criterion comprises whether the probable distance is greater than a threshold.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a stimulus signal generator that provides the current.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the indicia of the target comprises a video image.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:
the apparatus further comprises a detector responsive to indicia of the current through the target; and
the processing subsystem forms a subsequent prediction in accordance with a result of the detector.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the subsequent prediction is in accordance with an adjustment of predicting.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the probable distance comprises a probable electrical distance for a current between the electrodes through the target.
16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the processing subsystem forms the prediction to include a planar projection of probable impact for each electrode of the plurality and a planar boundary corresponding to at least a portion of the target.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein testing comprises testing whether the probable distance exceeds a minimum distance and whether the planar boundary contains the planar projection of probable impact for each electrode.