Personal Defense Device with Communication Capabilities

Abstract

A personal defense device and method incorporating Bluetooth technology into a container with an irritant agent, such as pepper spray. The container is provided with Bluetooth-enabled wireless communication circuit that allows generation of an alarm signal every time pepper spray is dispensed. The alarm signal is capable of being received by a cellular telephone and capable of generating a predetermined responsive action by the cellular telephone, such as activation of a speakerphone, dialing of an emergency number, and activation of a global positioning system locator. A panic actuator is optionally provided on the container; the panic actuator is independently connected to the wireless communication circuit to generate the alarm signal even if the pepper spray is not dispensed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A personal defense device, comprising:
 a rigid portable container retaining a pre-determined quantity of a repellant agent;   a manually activated means for dispensing the repellant agent mounted on the container, said dispensing means comprising a spray nozzle;   a wireless communication circuit associated with the container, said wireless communication circuit generating an alarm signal capable of being received by a cellular telephone and capable of generating a predetermined responsive action by the cellular telephone, wherein the predetermined responsive action is at least one of activation of a speakerphone, dialing of an emergency number, and activation of a global positioning system locator.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising an activation switch operationally connected to the means for dispensing the repellant agent. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the dispensing means comprises a depressible member movable in relation to a rigid wall of the container, the depressible member carrying the spray nozzle, and the activation switch is operationally connected to the depressible member such movement of the depressible member causes activation of the wireless communication circuit through associated movement of the activation switch. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , said activation switch is a tactile switch. 
     
     
         5 . The device as of  claim 1 , wherein the alarm signal is communicated to the cellular telephone through a Bluetooth connection on the cellular telephone and the wireless communication circuit. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the repellant agent is pepper spray. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , said wireless communication circuit comprising a battery. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , said container being provided with a recharging port connected to the battery. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a safety switch operationally connected to the dispensing means. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , said container carrying a panic actuator a distance from the dispensing means, said panic actuator being operationally connected to the wireless communication circuit. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the panic actuator is capable of generating an alarm signal through the wireless communication circuit independently from the dispensing means. 
     
     
         12 . A method of self-defending against an assailant, comprising the steps:
 providing a rigid portable container;   depositing a pre-determined quantity of a repellant agent into the container;   providing a manually activated means for dispensing the repellant agent mounted on the container, wherein the repellant agent contains a capsaicin-containing substance;   providing a manually activated means for dispensing the repellant agent mounted on the container, said dispensing means comprising a spray nozzle;   providing a wireless communication circuit mounted on the container, said wireless communication circuit generating an alarm signal capable of being received by a cellular telephone and capable of generating a predetermined responsive action by the cellular telephone, wherein the predetermined responsive action is at least one of activation of a speakerphone, dialing of an emergency number, and activation of a global positioning system locator;   providing a wireless communication circuit activation switch on said container and operationally connecting the wireless communication circuit activation switch to the dispensing means such that dispensing of the repellant agent causes an alarm signal to be generated and transmitted to the cellular telephone.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , said activation switch is a tactile switch. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the alarm signal is communicated to the cellular telephone through a Bluetooth connection on the cellular telephone and the wireless communication circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising a step of providing a battery incorporated into the wireless communication circuit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising a step of providing said container with a recharging port connected to the battery. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising a step of providing a safety switch operationally connected to the dispensing means which, upon being moved into position, allows communication between the activation switch and the wireless communication circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising a step of providing the container with a panic actuator a distance from the dispensing means, said panic actuator being operationally connected to the wireless communication circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the panic actuator is capable of generating an alarm signal through the wireless communication circuit independently from the dispensing means.