Systems And Methods For Demotivating Using A Drape

Abstract

A demotivator, according to various aspects of the present invention, may include a drape that comes into operating distance of a subject by deployment of the drape, movement of the drape toward the subject, or by movement of the subject toward the drape. The demotivator may pass a current through the drape and through the subject to cause skeletal muscle contractions or pain to interfere with locomotion by the subject. A drape may come into operating distance of the subject or remains within operating distance of the subject under the influence of the force of gravity. A drape may be deployed from an overhead structure to fall into draping contact with a subject.

1 . A system for demotivating a subject, the system operative with a first conductor, the system comprising:
 a second conductor to hang from an overhead structure to drape the subject; and   a stimulator to apply a current through the first conductor, the subject, and the second conductor, the current for causing contractions of skeletal muscles of the subject to interfere with locomotion by the subject.   
   
   
       2 . The system of claim  0  further comprising a reference for supporting the subject, the reference comprising the first conductor. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the reference comprises a plurality of conductors, each conductor for a respective zone. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the first conductor to hang from the overhead structure to drape the subject. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a drape that includes the second conductor. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the drape further includes the first conductor. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the first conductor comprises first portions for passing the current through the subject and first insulated portions;   the second conductor comprises second portions for passing the current through the subject and second insulated portions; and   the first and second portions for passing current through the subject are separated in height in the drape for causing skeletal muscle contractions in the subject.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein first and second portions for passing current through the subject are separated in height in the drape by at least 5 cm. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the drape comprises a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first conductor and a second plurality of conductors coupled to the second conductor each conductor of the first plurality and each conductor of the second plurality for independently draping the subject. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the drape comprises a tube for supporting a helical winding of the second conductor. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the drape comprises an optical fiber. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a support for supporting the second electrode; and   a release for removing support from the second electrode to hang the second electrode away from the support.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the support comprises a spool onto which the second conductor is wound. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the support comprises a container into which the second conductor is stacked. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second conductor comprises a bob for applying a tension to the second conductor to hang the second conductor. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the bob cannot pass current sufficient to interfere with locomotion of the subject. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the bob is deformable. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second conductor comprises a helical winding when hanging. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a control for applying the current to the second conductor in response to detecting a position of the subject. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a control for hanging the second conductor to drape the subject in response to detecting a position of the subject. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a retainer for maintaining the second conductor in a stowed position proximate to the overhead structure. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the retainer comprises at least one of a fastener; a hook; a magnet; a latch; a spring; a door; a hatch; a pin; a plate; a solenoid; and a servo. 
   
   
       23 . A method for demotivating a subject, the method comprising:
 releasing a first conductor to hang from an overhead structure to drape a subject to complete a circuit that comprises a stimulator, the first conductor, the subject, and a second conductor for passing a current through the circuit, the current for causing contractions of skeletal muscles of the subject to interfere with locomotion by the subject; and   after releasing, storing the first conductor proximate to the overhead structure in preparation for subsequently repeating releasing.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising concealing the first conductor until draping is desired. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein draping is accomplished by releasing. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the first conductor includes a free end; and releasing comprises decreasing a height of the free end with respect to the subject. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the first conductor includes a free end; and releasing comprises decreasing a horizontal distance between the free end and the subject. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein storing comprises winding the first conductor onto a spool. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 23  wherein storing the first conductor comprises stacking the first conductor. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 23  wherein storing comprises pulling at least one point along the first conductor toward the overhead structure. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 23  wherein releasing comprises propelling at least a portion of the first conductor away from a stored position. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 23  wherein:
 the method further comprises covertly detecting the subject; and releasing is responsive to detecting.   
   
   
       33 . A method for demotivating subjects within an area, the method comprising:
 defining a plurality of zones within the area by identifying one or more borders between zones;   hanging a respective conductor from an overhead structure over each border, each respective conductor for draping the subject when the subject crosses the respective border under the respective conductor; and   after the subject is draped by a particular conductor, passing a current through a circuit that includes a stimulator, the particular conductor, the subject, and a first conductor, the current for causing contractions of skeletal muscles of the subject to interfere with locomotion by the subject.   
   
   
       34 . A method for demotivating a subject, the method comprising:
 storing a first conductor in a loaded position at an elevated point;   releasing a first end of the first conductor to fall from the elevated point toward the subject;   applying a voltage between the first conductor and a second conductor to pass a current for a period through the subject to cause skeletal muscle contractions in the subject to interfere with locomotion by the subject thereby permitting arrest of the subject during the period; and   after lapse of the period, returning the first conductor to the loaded position.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the conductor is part of a drape; and the method further comprises, after releasing the conductor, illuminating the drape. 
   
   
       36 . A method for demotivating a subject, the method comprising:
 storing a plurality of drapes in respective loaded positions in an overhead structure;   releasing a respective free end of each of the plurality of drapes for the free end to fall away from the overhead structure;   determining a subset of the plurality of drapes that are part of one or more circuits, each circuit comprising the subject;   returning each drape that is not a member of the subset to its respective loaded position; and   passing a current through the one or more circuits for a period to cause skeletal muscle contractions in the subject to interfere with locomotion by the subject thereby permitting arrest of the subject during the period.   
   
   
       37 . A system for demotivating a subject, the system comprising:
 a drape to drape the subject;   a drape controller to position the drape and to activate the drape for demotivating the subject; and   a controller, coupled to the drape controller for performing scaled demotivating to effect scaled movement of the subject.   
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein performing scaled demotivating comprises performing each member demotivating function of a series of demotivating functions. 
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein performing scaled demotivating comprises performing for a respective duration each member demotivating function of a series of demotivating functions. 
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein increasing sequential members of the series are characterized by a respective increasing duration of performing the respective member demotivating function. 
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 38  wherein member functions of the series differ in intensity of the same form of demotivation. 
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the same form of demotivation comprises intended apprehension in the subject. 
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the same form of demotivation comprises intended pain in the subject. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the same form of demotivation comprises intended interference with use of skeletal muscles by the subject. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the same form of demotivation comprises intended inhibiting use of skeletal muscles by the subject. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the same form of demotivation comprises intended immobilization of the subject. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 38  wherein member demotivating functions of the series differ in respective forms of demotivation from a set of forms comprising intended apprehension in the subject, intended pain in the subject, intended interference with use of skeletal muscles by the subject, intended inhibiting use of skeletal muscles by the subject, and intended immobilization of the subject. 
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 38  wherein member demotivating functions of the series differ by a respective length of the drape. 
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 38  wherein member demotivating functions comprise positioning respective drapes. 
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 38  wherein member demotivating functions comprise activating respective drapes. 
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 38  wherein a sequence of member demotivating functions is characterized by intended increasing difficulty by the subject to escape. 
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the drape does not extend into a region near the floor provided for the subject to be out of range of current from the drape.