CEW Power Management via Motion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) face challenges in power management, as they continuously consume energy even when not in use, leading to reduced battery life and increased frequency of replacements.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a motion detection system that uses accelerometers and finite impulse response filters to detect periods of inactivity, allowing the CEW to power down non-essential components progressively, thereby conserving energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the CEW remains continuously powered on to ensure immediate readiness for use, then the response time and operational readiness are improved, but the battery life is reduced and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The CEW implements dynamic power management by transitioning between different operational states (active, standby, sleep) based on real-time motion detection feedback. The system dynamically adjusts its power consumption profile while maintaining the ability to respond quickly when needed, resolving the contradiction between immediate readiness and continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic motion detection sampling to monitor usage conditions and transitions between power states at predetermined time intervals during inactivity. This periodic monitoring allows the CEW to conserve power during extended idle periods while maintaining the capability to quickly reactivate when motion is detected, balancing response time requirements with power conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Duration of action of moving object

If the CEW powers down components during inactivity to conserve energy, then the battery life is extended, but the response time to become operational increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The CEW divides its power management into segmented levels (full power, partial power, minimal power) corresponding to different operational states. This segmentation allows the system to progressively power down components based on inactivity duration while maintaining critical subsystems that enable quick reactivation, thus extending battery life without significantly compromising response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motion detection system performs preliminary monitoring of usage conditions before triggering full power-down sequences. By detecting motion in advance and providing warning transitions between power states, the system prepares for potential use before complete shutdown occurs, reducing the actual response time penalty while still achieving significant power savings during extended inactivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the CEW uses motion detection to manage power states, then the power consumption is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motion detection system serves as an intermediary sensor that automatically detects usage conditions and triggers appropriate power state transitions. This intermediary component simplifies the overall control logic by providing clear, objective motion-based signals that automatically drive power management decisions, reducing the need for complex user interface interactions or sophisticated power management algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly extends the battery life of CEWs by shutting down unnecessary components during inactivity, reducing the need for frequent replacements and optimizing power usage.

Implementation Method 1

a motion detector that detects movement of the CEW

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS11287227B2Methods and apparatus for a conducted electrical weapon with power saving responsive to inactivity

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 AXON ENTERPRISE INC

AI summary

A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) launches electrodes to provide a stimulus signal through a target to impede locomotion of the target. After use of the CEW, the user of the CEW may forget to turn the CEW off thereby wasting energy from the power supply (e.g., battery). The CEW includes a motion detector that detects movement of the CEW, or handle of the CEW. If the CEW does not move for a period of time, it is assumed that the CEW is no longer being used, so the CEW powers itself down to conserve energy. The components of the CEW that have been powered down may have power restored responsive to detecting operation of a control (e.g., safety) of the CEW.