Energy-Responsive Material for Selective Device Disabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively prevent unauthorized use of firearms and digital systems without modifying existing devices, and existing ammunition technologies do not allow selective disabling based on location or time.
Innovation Solution
A material that changes state in response to an energy wave, disrupting mechanical or electrical links to disable devices, using an energy wave generator to induce vibration and cause material degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing devices are modified to prevent unauthorized use, then security is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary material positioned between the firing pin and primer that acts as a selective barrier. This material mediates the interaction between authorized and unauthorized users without modifying the fundamental firearm structure, thereby improving security while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical authorization systems with a material-based solution that responds to vibrational energy. Instead of using RFID chips, biometric scanners, or electronic locks, the system uses a material that passively responds to mechanical vibrations, simplifying the overall system while maintaining security
2Reliability
If existing devices are modified to prevent unauthorized use, then security is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary material can be manufactured separately and integrated into existing ammunition or firearm components using conventional processes, avoiding the need for complex assembly lines or specialized manufacturing facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The material's response characteristics can be adjusted by changing its physical or chemical parameters during manufacturing, allowing for flexible production without requiring different manufacturing processes for different security levels
3Reliability
If selective disabling technology is implemented, then unauthorized use is prevented, but loss of time for legitimate use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The material is designed to respond only to specific periodic vibrational patterns that match authorized firing actions. Normal authorized use follows predictable temporal patterns that do not trigger the disabling mechanism, while unauthorized attempts with incorrect patterns do trigger it
Solution Approach 2:
The material requires a specific threshold of vibrational energy to activate. Normal firing produces vibrations below this threshold, while unauthorized attempts exceed it, allowing the system to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate use without impeding normal operation
4Reliability
If material degradation is used to disable devices, then security is improved, but reliability of material performance under various conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The material's degradation response is triggered by changes in vibrational parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration) rather than by environmental factors. This ensures the material remains stable across different temperatures, humidities, and storage conditions while still responding reliably to authorized disabling commands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vibrational energy fields instead of environmental exposure to trigger material degradation. This substitution protects the material from degradation due to temperature, humidity, or chemical exposure while maintaining controlled degradation capability through mechanical means
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
Prevents unauthorized use of firearms and disables compromised systems without altering existing devices, providing a practical solution for millions of firearms and systems.
Implementation Method 1
the energy wave being emitted at a frequency tuned to induce a vibration of the material when the material is positioned within the protected space, thereby causing the material to mechanically degrade
Implementation Method 2
causing at least a portion of the material to mechanically degrade from a first state to a second state. When the material is in the first state, the material forms a mechanical or electrical link with the mechanism such that a force or an electrical current can be transmitted through the material. When the material is in the second state, degradation of at least the portion of the material disrupts the mechanical or electrical link and inhibits transmission of the force or electrical current
Data Source
AI summary
Various types of structures, along with associated systems, are disclosed herein and configured for responding to an energy wave for changing a state of a mechanism to which said structures are operatively coupled. In at least one embodiment, the structure provides a material selectively changeable upon exposure to the energy wave to cause at least a portion of the material to mechanically degrade from a first state to a second state. When the material is in the first state, the material forms a mechanical or electrical link with the mechanism such that a force or an electrical current can be transmitted through the structure. When the material is in the second state, degradation of at least the portion of the material disrupts the mechanical or electrical link and inhibits transmission of the force or electrical current through the structure.