U.S. patent application number 09/867242 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for dischargeable hand weapons having reduced criminal usefulness.
Invention is credited to Martin, John Mikel.
Application Number | 20020178635 09/867242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25349400 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020178635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin, John Mikel |
December 5, 2002 |
Dischargeable hand weapons having reduced criminal usefulness
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for preventing the discharging of a hand
weapon in locations where it is not permitted by determining the
location of the weapon and receiving a signal for allowing
discharging from a permitting agency only when the weapon is at a
location where its discharging can be permitted.
Inventors: |
Martin, John Mikel;
(Brownsville, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John Mikel Martin
15 Charing Cross
Brownsville
TX
78521
US
|
Family ID: |
25349400 |
Appl. No.: |
09/867242 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 ;
42/70.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.11 ;
42/70.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 017/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus comprising: a dischargeable hand weapon; means for
transmitting a certain signal to an agency for permitting the
discharging of said weapon; means, in contact with said
transmitting means, for receiving in response to said signal, a
signal for permitting the discharging of said weapon based on said
transmitting means being at a geodetic location where the
discharging of said weapon can be permitted; and means, in contact
with said receiving means and said weapon, for preventing the
discharging of said weapon based on said receiving means not
receiving said permitting signal.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said certain signal
comprises information of the identity of said weapon, and wherein
said permitting signal is further based on there being no
illegalities relating to said weapon found by said agency.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said preventing is
further based on said permitting signal not being received within
an immediately preceding certain period of time.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said preventing means
comprises: means, in contact with and at the same location as said
receiving means, for providing an allowing signal based on said
receiving means receiving said permitting signal; means, in contact
with said providing means, for transmitting said allowing signal;
means, for receiving said allowing signal when within a certain
distance of said allowing signal transmitting means; and a
preventing part, in contact with and at the same location as said
allowing signal receiving means and said weapon, for preventing the
discharging of said weapon based on said allowing signal receiving
means not receiving said allowing signal.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising human
operated means, in contact with said providing means, for
controlling the functioning of said providing means so that said
providing means can be allowed to function or prevented from
functioning.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising means, in
contact with said providing means, for transmitting a certain
signal to an emergency agency based on said providing means
functioning after not having been functioning.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: means for
determining that the location of said determining means has
changed; and means, in contact with and at the location of said
determining means and said providing means, for preventing the
functioning of said providing means based on said determining means
determining that said location has changed.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means, in contact
with and at the same location as said transmitting means, for
determining the geodetic location of said determining means and
said transmitting means, and wherein said certain signal comprises
information of said location.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said weapon and all means are
part of one assembly, and further comprising means, in contact with
said determining means, for preventing the discharging of said
weapon based on said determining means determining that the
location of said assembly has changed by more than a certain
distance after said transmitting means has transmitted said certain
signal.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said preventing
means comprises: means, in contact with and at the same location as
said receiving means, for providing an allowing signal based on
said receiving means receiving said permitting signal; means, in
contact with and at the location of said determining means, said
transmitting means, and said providing means, for preventing the
functioning of said providing means based on said determining means
determining that the location of said determining means is more
than a certain distance from the location where said determining
means was when said transmitting means transmitted said certain
signal; means, in contact with said providing means, for
transmitting said allowing signal; means, for receiving said
allowing signal when within a certain distance of said allowing
signal transmitting means; and a preventing part, in contact with
and at the same location as said allowing signal receiving means
and said weapon, for preventing the discharging of said weapon
based on said allowing signal receiving means not receiving said
allowing signal.
11. A method for reducing the criminal usefulness of a hand weapon
comprising a communicating part and a discharging part comprising
the steps of: preventing the discharging of said weapon;
transmitting a certain signal from said communicating part to an
agency for permitting the discharging of said weapon; receiving
from said agency by said communicating part a signal for permitting
the discharging of said weapon based on said communicating part
being at a geodetic location where the discharging of said weapon
can be permitted; and allowing the discharging of said weapon.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said certain signal
comprises information of the identity of said weapon, and wherein
said permitting signal is further based on there being no
illegalities relating to said weapon found by said agency.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the locations of said
communicating part and said discharging part can be changed
independently of each other, wherein said allowing step comprises
the step of transmitting an allowing signal from the location of
said communicating part to the location of said discharging part,
and further comprising after said allowing step, the steps of:
increasing the distance between said communicating part and said
discharging part so that said communicating part and said
discharging part are more than a certain distance apart; and
preventing the discharging of said weapon based on said discharging
part not receiving said allowing signal because of said increasing
of distance.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said allowing step
further comprises the step of transmitting a certain signal to an
emergency agency based on said transmitting of said allowing
signal.
15. A method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising after said
preventing step and before said transmitting step, the step of
determining the geodetic location of said communicating part, and
wherein said certain signal comprises information of said
location.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising after said
allowing step, the steps of: changing the location of said weapon
by more than a certain distance; and preventing the discharging of
said weapon based on said changing.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the locations of said
communicating part and said discharging part can be changed
independently of each other, and further comprising after said
allowing step, the steps of: changing the location of said
communicating part by more than a certain distance; and preventing
the discharging of said weapon based on said changing.
18. A method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising after said
transmitting step and before said receiving step, the step of
determining the location of said communicating part.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 further comprising after said
allowing step, the steps of: changing the location of said
communicating part so that said communicating part is not a
geodetic location where the discharging of said weapon can be
permitted; and preventing the discharging of said weapon after a
certain period of time after receiving said permitting signal.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the locations of said
communicating part and said discharging part can be changed
independently of each other, and further comprising after said
allowing step, the steps of: changing the location of said
communicating part; and preventing the discharging of said weapon
based on said changing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to dischargeable hand weapons and in
particular to methods and apparatuses for reducing the criminal
usefulness of such weapons.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/845,123 discloses
methods and apparatuses for reducing the criminal usefulness of a
dischargeable hand weapon by using means for determining the
location of the weapon, means for storing information of at least
one area where discharging of the weapon is allowed, and means for
preventing its discharging if it is not in that area. The handgun
and claims of that application are similar to the handguns and
claims of this present application.
[0007] Colts has reportedly produced a prototype of a handgun that
can be fired only by persons authorized to fire it.
[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,423,142, 5,192,818, and 5,068989 disclose
several methods and apparatuses for reducing the criminal
usefulness of dischargeable hand weapons.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,435 discloses a safety system for
selectively disabling a firearm.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,763 discloses a device for preventing
the unauthorized firing of a weapon.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,827 discloses a safety system for
disabling a firearm.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,370 discloses a weapon system and method
for controlling the operation of a weapon to prevent it from being
accidentally operated or operated by an unauthorized person.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,014 discloses an apparatus for
preventing unauthorized activation of a touch-operable device.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,152 discloses a safety system for
firearms.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,393 discloses a safety mechanism that
prevents a weapon form being discharged while aimed toward a source
of electromagnetic waves.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Many dischargeable hand weapons are popular for the defense
of homes and businesses. Reducing the criminal usefulness of those
weapons would save many lives and reduce injuries. There are
several ways of accomplishing this. One way is by limiting a
weapon's area of usefulness. Accordingly, the main object of this
invention is to provide means and methods for preventing the
discharging of a hand weapon in locations where it is not
permitted.
[0017] The location of a hand weapon can be determined by use of
a:
[0018] 1. telephone that is part of the weapon and is communicating
while plugged into a fixed telephone outlet,
[0019] 2. wireless telephone (e.g., cellular telephone) that is
part of the weapon and is transmitting a signal that is received by
a locating means, or
[0020] 3. GPS (global positioning system) receiver that is part of
the weapon.
[0021] After determining the location of the weapon, an agency with
permitting authority can compare the weapon's location with
locations where discharging of the weapon is permitted. If
discharging of the weapon is permitted at the weapon's location, a
permitting signal can be transmitted to a means for allowing the
weapon to discharge. Accordingly, another object of this invention
is to provide methods and means for determining the location of a
weapon and subsequently to receive from a permitting agency a
signal for permitting discharging.
[0022] It is possible that determining of the location of the
weapon and receiving a signal might require an too much time in an
emergency situation. Therefore, another object of this invention is
to receive a permitting signal prior to any emergency situation,
and to allow the discharging of the weapon in the future if it is
located within a certain distance of where it was when the
permitting signal was received.
[0023] Knowledge that at a certain location there is a hand weapon
capable of discharging is valuable information for police to have
in case they have to go to that residence in the future. Therefore,
another object of this invention is to provide a method for
disclosing to police agencies the location of a hand weapon that is
capable of discharging.
[0024] Kowledge of the location where use of a hand weapon is
contemplated is valuable information for police and security
services to have. Therefore, another object of this invention is to
provide to provide means for disclosing the location where use of a
hand weapon is contemplated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The drawings are not to scale and some obviously necessary
parts are omitted (e.g., wires), or some parts are modified in
shape in order to allow for clearer illustration of other parts.
The arrows indicate control is exerted by one part over another
part in the direction of the arrow, or there is an electric power
or information flow from one part to another part in the direction
of the arrow.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a part of a handgun having
electronic and electromechanical parts.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view of the handgun of FIG. 1 with a
portion of it broken away to illustrate internal parts.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a part of a handgun having
electronic parts.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of the part of FIG. 3.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a part of a handgun having
electronic and electromechanical parts.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a side view of the part of FIG. 5 with a portion
of it broken away to illustrate internal parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In this application "dischargeable hand weapon", "hand
weapon", and "weapon" all mean a weapon or hunting device having a
triggered discharge and designed to be partly or totally hand held
while being discharged. Examples include handguns, rifles,
shotguns, hand held rocket launchers such as the Gyro-Jet,
crossbows, tear gas sprayers, and electric shocking devices.
Criminal usefulness of a hand weapon includes the usefulness of the
weapon for illegally threatening a person or injuring or killing a
person or an animal.
[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a handgun 10 that can be fired only
in locations where it is permitted to fire. That makes it
unsuitable for committing many crimes. In addition, since its
location is required to be known before firing, that information
can also be known by police departments. In order to be fired, the
handgun 10 is required to receive a permitting signal from a
permitting agency that has compared the location of the handgun 10
with locations where it can be permitted to be fired
[0034] Except for its electronic and electromechanical parts, the
handgun 10 is essentially a revolver of conventional design. During
operation, a rechargeable base battery 11 in combination with a
power supply 12, supplies necessary power to a semiconductor chip
13, a GPS receiver 14 having a GPS receiver antenna 15, and a
transceiver 16 having a transceiver antenna 17. Information from
the GPS receiver 14 goes to the chip 13. Information goes to and
from the transceiver 16 and the chip 13.
[0035] The power supply 12 comprises an induction coil, diode,
capacitor, and voltage regulator, and it provides power to the
system when the handgun 10 is placed in close proximity to an
external induction coil (not illustrated) energized by power from
household current.
[0036] The chip 13, can be any semiconductor chip, chipset,
microcontroller, or ASIC (application specific integrated circuit),
that is capable of functioning as described herein.
[0037] When its location allows it, the GPS receiver 14 constantly
receives radio signals from at least four GPS satellites and
functions as a means for determining the geodetic location of the
handgun 10 based on the transmitting and arrival times of the
signals and thus, their travel times. The location information,
provided as latitude and longitude data, is sent to the chip
13.
[0038] The trigger 18 and trigger blocking apparatus 19 of this
application are essentially the same as parts 60 through 70 of U.S.
Pat. No. 4,488,370. The trigger blocking apparatus 19 prevents
firing when it is not receiving power from the chip 13 by blocking
trigger movement, and it allows firing when it is receiving power
by not blocking any trigger movement.
[0039] The handgun 10 has two different modes of operation
depending on whether or not the handgun 10 is at a location where
its GPS receiver 14 can receive satellite signals. If it is, when
the handgun 10 begins receiving power, the chip 13 "instructs" the
transceiver 16 to transmit, a "requesting" signal to a permitting
agency that is equipped to communicate with the handgun 10. The
requesting signal indicates the serial number of the handgun 10 and
its location.
[0040] After receiving the signal, a check is made to determine if
the handgun 10 has been reported as stolen, and if it is licensed
(where required). If there are no illegalities and firing can be
permitted at its location, a "permitting" signal is transmitted to
the transceiver 16 and from there, to the chip 13. Once the chip 13
receives the signal, it begins to constantly sends power to the
trigger blocking apparatus 19, and that allows the handgun 10 to
fire by a pull of the trigger 18. Thus, the chip 13 and trigger
blocking apparatus 19 functions as a means for preventing the
firing of the handgun 10 based on the chip 13 not receiving a
permitting signal from the permitting agency.
[0041] If there is any illegality or if the handgun 10 can not be
permitted to be fired at its location, the permitting agency will
not transmit a permitting signal to the handgun 10, and the chip 13
will repeatedly wait until the GPS receiver 14 determines that the
location of the handgun 10 has changed by more than 50 feet to
reinitiate, until successful, the process of obtaining a permitting
signal.
[0042] Once the chip 15 receives a permitting signal, it will
continue to send power to the trigger blocking apparatus 19 as long
as the handgun's location as determined by the GPS receiver 14 does
not change by more than 200 feet since the time that the last
requesting signal was sent. If there is such a change, the GPS
receiver 14, chip 13, and trigger blocking apparatus 19 function as
a means for preventing the firing of the handgun 10 based on the
handgun 10 not being within 200 feet of the location it was in when
the transceiver 16 last transmitted a requesting signal.
[0043] If the GPS receiver 14 determines that the handgun's
location has changed by more than 200 feet, the chip 13 will
repeatedly wait until the GPS receiver 14 determines that the
location of the handgun 10 has changed by more than 50 feet to
reinitiate, until successful, the process of obtaining a permitting
signal.
[0044] In locations where the GPS receiver 14 cannot receive
satellite signals, the chip 13 will instruct the transceiver 16 to
transmit a requesting signal once every minute. If the agency's
equipment can determine the location of the handgun 10, the agency
will perform the same steps as previously disclosed, and will
transmit a permitting signal if it is warranted. In this case
however, firing will be allowed only for a maximum of 90 seconds,
and thus, the electronic and electromechanical part function as a
means for preventing the firing of the handgun 10 based on the chip
13 not receiving a permitting signal from the permitting agency
within the immediately preceding 90 second period of time. If the
location cannot be determined by either the GPS receiver 14 or the
permitting agency's equipment, no permitting signal will be
transmitted.
[0045] It is important that the handgun 10 has good resistance to
tampering and circumvention. Such resistance is provided by epoxy
potting 20 of the wiring, electronic parts, and as much of the
electromechanical parts as possible. In addition, those parts and
the part of the trigger 18 in contact with the trigger blocking
apparatus 19 are enclosed in a part of the handgun 10 that has been
welded shut. Additional tamper and circumvention resistance is
accomplished by the use of a trigger blocking apparatus 19 that
prevents firing when it is not receiving power instead of one that
prevents firing when it is receiving power (which could be easily
circumvented by removing the battery 11).
[0046] Many variations of this invention are possible. The
following are some examples. Other types of dischargeable hand
weapons may be used. A cellular telephone (a type of transceiver)
may be used instead of the transceiver 16. The process of receiving
a permitting signal may be required to be repeated every day when
the GPS receiver 14 is being used to determine location. When the
location is being determined by the permitting agency, the process
of receiving a permitting signal may be required to be repeated at
a time interval other than one minute, and the time allowed for
firing may be more or less than 90 seconds.
[0047] The handgun 10 has the disadvantage of not being useful when
it cannot receive GPS signals and the permitting agency cannot
determine its location when it transmits its requesting signals.
Another disadvantage is that it must communicate very often with
the permitting agency when depending on the permitting agency to
determine its location.
[0048] FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate a handgun 30 that does not have
the aforementioned disadvantages. It has a base part 31 and a
revolver part 32, and although it can be used for hunting or target
practicing, it is designed primarily for defensive use in a home or
business. It has firing requirements that make it unsuitable for
use in crimes where it would have to be transported to a location
shortly before a crime is to be committed there. In addition, when
using certain radio and telephone transmitting capabilities of the
handgun 30, its location and serial number can be determined by
police departments.
[0049] The handgun 30 has a base location requirement that requires
the establishment of a circular "base" area having a radius of 50
feet where the base part 31 must remain during use. After
establishing a base area, the revolver part 32 can then be fired
within 150 feet of the base part 31 so long as the base part 31 has
remained in the base area.
[0050] During operation, a rechargeable base battery 33 or battery
eliminator 34 having a flip-out 115 volt ac plug, supplies
necessary power to a semiconductor chip 35, a tilt switch 36, a GPS
receiver 37 having a GPS reciever antenna 38, a transceiver 39
having a transceiver antenna 40, and a cellular telephone 41 having
a cellular telephone antenna 42. Information from the tilt switch
36 and the GPS receiver 37 goes to the base chip 35. Information
goes to and from the base chip 35 and the following parts: the
transceiver 39, the cellular telephone 41, a numeric keypad 43, and
a telephone jack 45. Information from the base chip 35 goes to a
base jack 44. The internal electronic parts of the base part 31 are
potted in epoxy 46 that provides resistance to tampering.
[0051] The chip 35, can be any semiconductor chip, chipset,
microcontroller, or ASIC that is capable of functioning as
described herein. It is programmable by use of the keypad 43.
[0052] When its location allows it, the GPS receiver 37 constantly
receives radio signals from at least four GPS satellites and
functions as a means for determining the geodetic location of the
base part 31 based on the transmitting and arrival times of the
signals and thus, their travel times. The location information,
provided as latitude and longitude data, is then sent to the base
chip 35.
[0053] In locations where the signals are blocked (e.g., inside
certain buildings), the GPS receiver 37 cannot function. In that
case, the location of the base part 31 must be determined by means
that are external to the handgun 30. Possibly the cellular
telephone company will have means for determining the location. If
so, the cellular telephone signal can be used. If not, the base
chip 35 must be programmed to function as a telephone and to use
the telephone jack 45 and a cable (not illustrated) to connect from
the telephone jack 45 to a fixed telephone outlet. In that
situation, the location of the base part 31 can then be determined
by means such as used to determine the location of a telephone
making a 911 call.
[0054] After a base area has been established using the GPS
receiver 37, the location of the base part 31 will continue to be
constantly determined to ensure that the base part 31 remains
within the base area. Thus, the combination of the GPS receiver 37
and the base chip 35 serves as a means for determining if the base
part 31 has not changed location by more than 50 feet.
[0055] If the GPS receiver 37 cannot receive GPS signals and the
base area has been established by the permitting agency, the tilt
switch 36 serves as a means to determine that the base part 31 has
not changed location. The base chip 35 receives information from
the tilt switch 36 which serves as a means for detecting an event
relating to changing the location of the base part 31. That event
is a tilting of greater than 0.5 degrees that will surely occur
when a person handles the base part 31 to change its location. The
normally open tilt switch 36 closes (turns on) at angles of more
than 0.5 degrees from normal, and when it does, it sends that
information to the base chip 35. Like most tilt switches, it is
also affected by acceleration, with 0.0087 g (about 4 inches per
second per second) being capable of closing it.
[0056] It is possible to change the location of the base part 31
without detection by the tilt switch 36 if, for example, it is
moved very gently on a cart over a smooth floor. However, because
of the low probability of that occurring, especially in committing
a crime at a distant location, the base chip 35 disregards that
possibility in making its determinations. Therefore, if no tilt is
detected by the tilt switch 36, the combination of the tilt switch
36 and the base chip 35 also serves as a means for determining that
the base part 31 has not changed location by more than 50 feet.
[0057] The keypad 43 is accessible using a combination number and
it has a display for displaying programming menus and keying.
Selections and programming by use of the keypad 43 provides for
flexibility of use and possibly for fulfilling one or more legal
requirements of the jurisdiction where the handgun 30 is used.
[0058] When used where GPS signals can be received, the base part
31 can be kept anywhere, but preferably where 110 to 120 volt
current is accessible to avoid battery use. If GPS signals cannot
be received and the tilt switch 36 is to be used, the base part 31
would preferably be plugged into an accurately plumbed wall outlet
using the battery eliminator's flip-out plug.
[0059] After programming of the base chip 35 by the keypad 43, the
base chip 35, by way of the telephone jack 45 connected to a fixed
telephone outlet, or the cellular telephone 41, makes a connection
with a permitting agency that is equipped to communicate with the
base part 31. A "requesting" signal is then sent to the permitting
agency. The requesting signal indicates the serial number of the
handgun 30 and the location of the base part if it has been
determined by the GPS receiver 37. If the location has not been
determined by the GPS receiver 37, the permitting agency's
equipment must determine the base part's location by other means
for the process to continue.
[0060] After verifying that the handgun 30 can be permitted to
discharge at its location, a check is made to determine if there
are any firing area restrictions at the location of the handgun 30,
if the handgun 30 has been reported as stolen, and, where required,
if it is licensed. If there are no illegalities and firing is
permitted at the location, a "permitting" signal is transmitted to
the base part 31 that includes information on the maximum circular
area that the handgun 30 will be permitted to be fired in.
[0061] Once the base chip 35 receives the permitting signal, an
"allowing" signal with coding unique to the handgun 30 can be
generated by the base chip 35. According to laws of the
jurisdiction and owner preferences programmed into the base chip
35, one of the following scenarios occurs:
[0062] 1. The allowing signal is immediately and continuously sent
to the base jack 44. From there, the allowing signal can be
transmitted to the revolver by using a 25 foot electrical cable
(not illustrated) having a plug on both ends that fits into the
base jack 44 and the revolver jack 47.
[0063] 2. The allowing signal is immediately and continuously
transmitted by the transceiver 39. It can then be received by the
receiver antenna 48 and receiver 49 if the revolver part 32 is
within range of the base part 31.
[0064] 3. The allowing signal will be immediately and continuously
transmitted by the transceiver 39 only when it is switched on at
the level of the base chip 35. Preferably it should be switched on
only when firing is contemplated. Switching is accomplished by
keying a combination number on the keypad 43 or possibly more
conveniently, by use of a small transmitter (not illustrated) that
is equivalent to the fob transmitters that are used with vehicle
alarms. That transmitter can transmit a signal that is received by
the transceiver 39 and sent to the base chip 35 thereby causing
transmitting of the allowing signal by the transceiver 39. After
firing is no longer contemplated, transmitting by the transceiver
39 can be turned off by using the keypad 43.
[0065] 4. The allowing signal will be immediately and continuously
sent to the base jack 44 only when it is switched on at the level
of the base chip 35. Switching on and off is accomplished in the
same manner as explained in the third scenario.
[0066] 5. Scenario 3 or 4 occurs and whenever the allowing signal
is switched on, immediately the base chip 35, by way of the
telephone jack 45 connected to a fixed telephone outlet, or by way
of the cellular telephone 41, makes a connection with an emergency
agency such as 911 or a security agency contracted by the handgun's
owner. A signal is then sent that indicates the serial number of
the handgun 30, the fact that firing is being contemplated, and the
location of the handgun 30 if it has been determined by the GPS
receiver 37. If not, the agency's equipment can determine the base
part's location.
[0067] 6. Any one of the foregoing scenarios occurs and the base
chip 35 determines that the base part 31 has not remained within
the base area. In that case, the allowing signal can no longer be
transmitted until a base area is established once again.
[0068] 7. The sixth scenario occurs and the base chip 35
automatically attempts to reestablish a base area until it
succeeds.
[0069] The third and fourth foregoing scenarios are preferable over
the first or second scenarios from the standpoint of safety since
only persons knowing the combination number or having the
transmitter can enable the handgun to fire.
[0070] The allowing signal from the transceiver 39 has a frequency
that allows it to pass relatively easily through building walls
(e.g., 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz). Depending on laws and regulations, the
transmitting power of the transceiver 39 can be set by a component
of the permitting signal. Even at the minimum setting, the allowing
signal has a power that would allow it to be received by receivers
located similarly to cellular telephone company receivers. Such
receivers would be operated for or by a police and/or security
agency, and would be capable of locating and identifying the
handgun from the signal.
[0071] Firing can occur only if the revolver part 32 is receiving
the allowing signal when firing is desired. The allowing signal is
transmitted by way of the transceiver 39 or the base jack 44.
Receiving by the revolver part 32 occurs at the revolver receiver
49 through its antenna 48 or through the revolver jack 47. Thus,
the transceiver 39, revolver receiver 49, base jack 44, and
revolver jack 47 serve as a means for linking the base part 31 with
the revolver part 32 so that they can change locations
independently of each other and so that the allowing signal from
the base chip 35 can be received by the revolver chip 33.
Meanwhile, the keypad 43 serves as a means for allowing and
preventing the functioning of the linking means.
[0072] Use of the 25 foot cable to connect the base jack 44 with
the revolver jack 47 will allow the handgun to be fired within a
circular area having a radius of 25 feet. Use of the transceiver 39
and receiver 49 allows firing within a radius of 150 to 500 feet.
As mentioned, the permitting signal comprises information on the
maximum circular area that the handgun will be permitted to be
fired in. If the handgun is located at a city residence, the
permitting signal will comprise information that will permit the
base chip 35 to set the transceiver's output power to a level that
will allow firing within 150 feet of the base part 31. However, if
the handgun is located, for example, in a rural area, the
permitting signal will comprise information that will permit the
base chip 35 to set the transceiver's output power to a level that
will allow firing within 500 feet of the base part 31.
[0073] Except for its electronic and electromechanical parts, the
revolver part 32 is essentially a revolver of conventional design.
The revolver part 32 has a revolver battery 50 that sends power to
a normally open switch 51. Slightly pulling the trigger 52 for
firing closes the switch 51 thereby sending power to the revolver
receiver 49 and a revolver chip 53. Like the base chip 35, the
revolver chip 53 can be any semiconductor chip, chipset,
microcontroller, or ASIC, that is capable of functioning as
described herein.
[0074] The trigger 52 and trigger blocking apparatus 54 of this
application are essentially the same as parts 60 through 70 of U.S.
Pat. No. 4,488,370, and the switch 51 is the same as part 17 of
that same patent. The trigger blocking apparatus 54 prevents firing
when it is not receiving power from the revolver chip 53 by
blocking complete trigger movement, and it allows firing when it is
receiving power by not blocking any trigger movement. After the
trigger blocking apparatus 54 begins receiving power, firing can be
accomplished by a continuation of trigger pull. Because the
revolver's electronic processing is extremely fast, firing of the
revolver part 32 feels no different than firing a conventional
revolver.
[0075] When allowing signal is received by the revolver chip 53, it
sends power to the trigger blocking apparatus 54 and that allows
the revolver part 32 to fire. Thus, the trigger blocking apparatus
54 functions as a means for preventing the firing of the revolver
part 32 based on the revolver chip 53 not receiving the allowing
signal from the base chip 35.
[0076] It is important that the revolver part 32 has good
resistance to tampering and circumvention. Such resistance is
provided by epoxy potting 55 of the wiring, electronic parts, and
as much of the electromechanical parts as possible. In addition,
those parts and the part of the trigger 52 in contact with the
trigger blocking apparatus 54 are enclosed in a part of the handgun
30 that has been welded shut. Additional tamper and circumvention
resistance is accomplished by the use of a trigger blocking
apparatus 54 that prevents firing when it is not receiving power
instead of one that prevents firing when it is receiving power
(which could be easily circumvented by removing the revolver
battery 50).
[0077] Many variations of this invention are possible. The
following are some examples. Other types of dischargeable hand
weapons may be used. The transceiver 39 may use an antenna system
that would produce a noncircular area for reception of its signal.
Instead of using a telephone connection, an internet or other
connection may be used. The transceiver's power or the receiver's
sensitivity may be changed to increase or decrease the area that
the revolver part 32 can be fired in. The process of receiving a
permitting signal may be required to be repeated on a daily or
weekly basis. The permitting agency may be able to establish a
connection with the handgun 30 and nullify an existing permitting
signal.
[0078] While the above description contains many specificities,
they should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as exemplifications of the preferred
embodiments thereof. Many variations are possible without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims
and their legal equivalents.
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