U.S. patent application number 11/668033 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for gun with user notification.
Invention is credited to Reginald Hill NEWKIRK, Tony N. NewKirk, Toy M. Newkirk.
Application Number | 20070277420 11/668033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36793496 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070277420 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NEWKIRK; Reginald Hill ; et
al. |
December 6, 2007 |
GUN WITH USER NOTIFICATION
Abstract
A gun is disclosed having conventional components and a holster.
The gun has means for detecting removal of the gun from the
holster, means for processing the output of the detection means,
and means for authenticating the user of the gun. The gun has means
for notifying remote authorities that the gun has been removed from
the holster, means for receiving remote commands to lock the
trigger and/or initiate a global positioning system. The gun has
means for selectively locking the trigger from a remote location
and means for selectively activating a global positioning system
from the remote location.
Inventors: |
NEWKIRK; Reginald Hill;
(Valley Village, CA) ; Newkirk; Toy M.; (Valley
Village, CA) ; NewKirk; Tony N.; (Valley Village,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOTTLIEB RACKMAN & REISMAN PC
270 MADISON AVENUE
8TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10016-0601
US
|
Family ID: |
36793496 |
Appl. No.: |
11/668033 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10871283 |
Jun 18, 2004 |
7168198 |
|
|
11668033 |
Jan 29, 2007 |
|
|
|
60480311 |
Jun 23, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/06 20130101;
F41A 17/063 20130101; F41C 33/029 20130101; F41A 17/066
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/070.01 |
International
Class: |
F41A 17/00 20060101
F41A017/00 |
Claims
1.-2. (canceled)
3. A gun comprising a processor, memory, at least one sensor and a
holster, wherein: the sensor senses the removal of the gun from the
holster by a user; and the processor receives an authorization code
from the user for activating or deactivating said gun.
4. The gun of claim 3 wherein the gun has a mobile telephone
circuitry which contacts a third party to authorize the user.
5. The gun of claim 3 wherein the gun has a lock that the trigger
or hammer upon receiving a lock code from the third party if the
user fails to be authorized.
6. The gun of claim 3 wherein the gun has a GPS system that is
activated upon receiving an activation code from the third party if
the user fails to be authorized.
7. The gun of claim 3 wherein the gun has a video transmitter that
provides video imagery and audio feed of the user to the third
party.
8. A gun and holster combination, comprising: means for detecting
removal of the gun from the holster; means for receiving
authorization for authorizing the user of the gun in response to
receiving output from the detection means.
9. The gun and holster combination of claim 8 including means for
notifying remote authorities in response to the output from the
authorization means, said notification means capable of being
terminated.
10. The gun and holster combination of claim 8 including means for
receiving remote commands from the remote authorities to either
lock the trigger or initiate a GPS system.
11. The gun and holster combination of claim 8 including means for
locking the trigger or means for activating a GPS system.
12. The gun of claim 8 having means for resetting the software
following the termination of the notification means.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to firearms and more
specifically to firearms capable of being remotely tracked for
security purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Guns enhanced for security purposes are known in the
art.
[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,580,876 and 6,363,223 to Gordon (commonly
referred to as "Gordon") disclose a "Photographic Firearm Apparatus
and Method" and are incorporated herein by reference. Gordon
discloses enhancing a gun with a digital camera. The purpose of the
camera is to take pictures of the target. A variety of means are
disclosed to activate the camera. Once activated, the camera waits
for instruction to take pictures. The gun has an accelerometer and
circuitry which instructs the camera to take pictures responsive to
the accelerometer detecting impulse movement, such as when the gun
is fired.
[0004] Regarding the means for activating the camera, Gordon
discloses a heat sensor that is capable of sensing the body heat of
a user. Gordon also discloses an IR sensor that senses when the gun
is near the face of a user. The IR switch could consist of a retina
scanner which activates the camera upon detecting a retina.
Alternatively, Gordon discloses a manual switch for activating the
camera. Another alternative is a pressure sensor or strain gauge
potentiometer that detects the pressure from a person's grip. An
electronic sensor can be used to detect when the firearm is removed
from a holster. An electromagnetic sensor can be placed in the gun
and the holster that senses when the gun is removed from the
holster.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,636 to German discloses an "Eye Safe
Laser Security Device" incorporated herein by reference. German
teaches a gun, a camera and a remote console. The camera is mounted
to the gun and responsive to a person using the gun, the camera
sends images of the target to the remote console. German also
teaches a power source and a laser diode mounted on the gun. The
laser diode illuminates following a firing of the gun.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,149 to Pike teaches a "Weapon Use
Monitoring and Recording System" and is incorporated herein by
reference. Pike discloses a gun for a police officer, where the gun
has an audio sensor and a location sensor. In response to the gun
being removed from the holster, the sensors record information. The
recorded information is transmitted to the police station which can
then provide required assistance.
[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,989,024 to Myers and 4,835,621 to Black
both teach guns capable of recording images of targets through the
gun barrel in lieu of shooting projectiles.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,464 to Carter et al. discloses a
"Remotely Controlled Radar Gun and Video Recording Apparatus."
Carter teaches placing video cameras in and around a police car
capable of recording outside, front seat and backseat activity. A
plurality of actuators is used to activate each camera without
having to actually engage each camera. Remotely located screens are
capable of displaying images recorded by the cameras.
[0009] The above patents, separately or in the aggregate, fail to
consider two-way communication between the gun and for example, law
enforcement agencies, to confirm that the user of the gun is the
registered owner of the gun. The patents also fail to consider a
trigger that is capable of being remotely locked. A gun with these
features would prevent inappropriate use of guns by thieves,
helping to deter crimes in general.
SUMMARY
[0010] A gun is disclosed having conventional components and a
holster. The gun has means for detecting removal of the gun from
the holster, means for processing the output of the detection
means, and means for authenticating the user of the gun. The gun
has means for notifying remote authorities that the gun has been
removed from the holster, means for receiving remote commands to
lock the trigger and/or initiate a global positioning system. The
gun has means for selectively locking the trigger from a remote
location and means for selectively activating a global positioning
system from the remote location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] In order that the manner in which the above recited
objectives are realized, a particular description of the invention
will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that
are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are
not therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the
invention will be described and explained with additional
specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gun;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the gun;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a rear view of the gun;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the gun;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a front view of the gun;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a view of a keypad located on the gun;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a view of a mercury switch capable of indicating
if the gun has been removed; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of using the gun.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] A gun is disclosed that in response to being removed from a
holster is capable of notifying authorities of potential use by an
unregistered user, the gun capable of being remotely locked by the
authorities.
[0021] Turning to FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 3, a pistol is illustrated, it
being understood that the invention is equally applicable to other
types of guns such as rifle and other assault weapons and firearms.
The gun 1 has such typical components as a chamber/grip 2, trigger
3, trigger safety 4, and barrel with Visierung 6 (front and rear
sight components). The gun 1 can be manual, semiautomatic, or fully
automatic. The chamber 2 is capable of accepting typical cartridges
and the barrel is capable of firing typical caliber bullets for the
gun type.
[0022] A holster (not shown) is used for storing the gun. The
holster may be stationary, such as part of a home or office cabinet
or gun rack, or on an automobile gun rack. The holster may be
portable, such as a belt mountable or automobile mountable
holster.
[0023] Turning to FIG. 5, means for detecting removal of the gun
from the holster are illustrated. The detection means could be a
mercury switch integrated into the gun 1. Alternatively, the
detection means could be a strain gauge potentiometer attached to a
flexible membrane within the holster or grip. Yet alternatively,
the detection means could be an electromagnetic switch. Further,
the detection means could be an electromechanical switch that is
automatically or manually tripped when inserting the gun into and
taking the gun from the holster. Alternatively, the holster may be
provided with a gun detecting member.
[0024] The detection means is capable of producing an output signal
which is indicative of the gun position or location. For example,
the output signal consists of two different analog voltage signals,
one signal is indicative of the gun being in the holster and one
signal is indicative of the gun being out of the holster. The
detection means has output ports which are capable of delivering
the signals.
[0025] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 6, the gun has means 10 for
processing the output of the detection means. Depending on the
signal provided by the detection means, the processing means 10 is
capable of determining if the gun is in the holster or if the gun
is removed from the holster.
[0026] The processing means 10 comprises input ports 11 that are
capable of receiving the output from the detection means. To handle
the signals, the processing means 10 has standard computer
components. For example, the processing means includes a standard
analog to digital converter 12, a CPU 13, permanent and temporary
memory (not shown) and other standard components for performing the
required tasks.
[0027] The processing means includes a software operating system
such as a Windows or a Palm based operating system. Through the
software, the processing means continually checks the output from
the detection means. It is to be appreciated that "continually"
could mean checking at a frequency of every half a second.
[0028] The procession means also includes a screen 5, a keyboard 6
and means 14 for accessing the internet. The internet access means
would also be integral with the gun 1. Through these devices, the
user is capable of upgrading the software and operating system. The
user can also access online services and databases that could
provide gun and user specific information. For example, the user
might be able to determine how often the user or other person has
removed the gun from the holster over a given period of time.
[0029] The internet access means is, for example, mobile telephony
technology 15, where the user might be required to subscribe to a
known carrier for accessing the internet. The internet access means
could also comprise input/output connectors 11 on the gun or serial
port emulators integral with the CPU. The connectors 11 would
include standard connectors such as an RJ-11 phone jack, an RJ-45
Ethernet jack, a USB port.
[0030] The serial port emulators for the internet access means
could include an IR port or a Bluetooth transceiver 16. If
Bluetooth circuitry is used, a second Bluetooth transceiver would
need to be located proximal to the gun 1. The second transceiver
would provide the gun 1 with internet access using known
protocols.
[0031] The gun has means 17 for authenticating the user of the gun.
The authentication means is activated by the processing means after
the processing means determines that the gun has been removed from
the holster. The purpose of the authentication means is to
determine if the gun user is the registered owner.
[0032] The authentication means comprises a software routine that
is capable of functioning through the same components used with the
processing means. The software causes the gun to request a personal
identification number (PIN) from the user. The PIN could be a
pre-assigned or pre-selected data unit known to the user before the
user has the opportunity to remove the gun from the holster.
[0033] The authentication means is capable of requesting the PIN by
stating the request on the screen. Alternatively, the
authentication means comprises a speaker 7 (FIG. 3A) for audibly
requesting the PIN. The gun is capable of receiving the response to
the request through the keyboard 6. Alternatively, the
authentication means comprises a microphone 8 capable of receiving
the PIN response. The microphone may be a two way microphone
integral with the speaker or may be a separate microphone 8.
[0034] The authentication means would be programmed to allow the
user to enter the PIN over a pre-selected period of time. For
example, the user is provided with thirty seconds to enter the PIN.
Accordingly, the user has the time to enter the correct number and
be appropriately identified.
[0035] The authentication means is capable of processing the input
from the user, or lack of input from the user. If the user inputs
the correct PIN, the authentication means determines that the user
is the registered user. At this point, the user is capable of using
the gun without regard to the system software. The system software
is capable of being automatically reset for monitoring when the gun
is placed again in and subsequently, removed from the holster.
[0036] The gun has means for notifying remote authorities that the
gun has been removed from the holster. The notification means is
required for the occasion when the authentication means has
determined that user has failed to input the correct PIN or failed
to enter any authenticating PIN. Such an occasion would arise when,
for example, the gun has been stolen from the holster by a
thief.
[0037] The notification means is executed through software and
comprises hardware provided with the processing means. Through the
notification means, appropriate authorities are capable of being
contacted for purposes of further attempting to authenticate the
user. Through the notification means, the authorities are capable
of taking the appropriate action if the user is ultimately, unable
to be authenticated.
[0038] To contact authorities, the notification means comprises
mobile telephony technology 15 along with the speaker 7 and
microphone 8 built into the gun. As a backup, the notification
means may also comprise voice over IP. Voice over IP would be
available if the gun were in a wireless "hotspot" such as LAN
access points 16 located throughout many modern cities.
Alternatively, voice over IP is accessible using the Bluetooth
transceiver along with a proximally located Bluetooth transceiver,
where the latter has access to the internet.
[0039] Through the disclosed technologies, the notification means
is capable of contacting "911" or other pre-selected authority. The
notification means is also capable of contacting the registered
owner of the gun.
[0040] Once the pre-selected party is contacted, the notification
means activates the speaker and microphone. The notification means
comprises a video monitor 8 for providing a visual image of the
situation to the notified parties. Through these elements, the
contacted parties, such as the authorities and the registered owner
of the gun, are capable of communicating with the user of the
gun.
[0041] Once contacted, the remote parties are capable of
determining if the gun is being used by, for example, a thief.
Alternatively, the authorities are capable of confirming that the
gun is being used by the registered owner and whether the
registered owner is in an emergency situation requiring
assistance.
[0042] While the communication occurs with the pre-selected party,
the notification means is capable of continuously monitoring to see
if the communication has terminated. If the communication has
terminated, the notification means is capable of determining if the
termination was purposeful or accidental. Accidental termination
would occur, for example, due to a lost signal. If the termination
was accidental, then the notification means is capable of
reconnecting the call.
[0043] The gun has means for receiving remote commands executed by
the contacted parties. The remote command may occur because the
contacted party determines that an improper party is using the gun.
The contacted party would send a signal, which could be an analog
or digital signal (i.e. voice or data signal), ordering the locking
of the gun trigger. Alternatively, the remote command could be sent
to turn on a standard global positioning system (GPS).
[0044] The remote command means is executed through software and
comprises hardware provided with the processing means. The remote
command means comprises a scanner that is capable of scanning for
the signals. The scanning rate is substantially continuous at, for
example, predetermined intervals of time. The remote command means
is capable of operation only during the life of the call initiated
by the notification means. The output from the remote command means
would be in the form of an output voltage that was created by the
a/d converter previously used by the processing means. The signal
is capable of being transferred through standard computer
cables.
[0045] The system has means for locking the trigger which is
capable of being activated upon the reception of the output voltage
from the remote command means. The trigger lock means comprises,
for example, an electromechanical solenoid that locks the trigger
hammer or trigger. Alternatively, the trigger lock means comprises
an electromagnetic lock for locking the hammer or trigger.
[0046] The system has means for resetting the software following
the termination of the call and the execution of the remote
commands. The reset means is executable though software and is
capable of receiving a reset code supplied through the keyboard or
microphone. As a result of entering the code, the trigger, if
locked, will be released and the global positioning system will
become deactivated.
[0047] Once the reset means as deactivated the safety precautions,
The system will then scan to determine when the gun is replaced
into the holster. Until that time, it will be oresumed that the gun
is being used by the registered owner and no further safety
precaution will be taken.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 7, the method of operation for the
invention is disclosed. Initially, at Step S1, the detection means
determines if the gun is in the holster.
[0049] During this period, the processing means continuously
monitors the output voltage from the detection means as illustrated
in Step S2.
[0050] Upon removal of the gun from the holster, the processing
means activates the authentication means at Step S3. There, the
system provides the user with the preset period of time to provide
the authentication PIN at Step S4. The system is capable of
receiving the code in the requisite period of time at Step S5, and
the authentication means analyzes the code for correctness at Step
S6.
[0051] If the received code is correct, then the system will
monitor for when the gun is placed back into the holster. Until
that time, no further safety precautions will be taken. Once the
gun is replaced into the holster, the detection means will begin
checking for when the gun is again removed from the holster.
[0052] After Step S4, the system might not have received a PIN or
the PIN might have been incorrect. In either case, the system
proceeds to activate the notification means in Step S7. Here, the
system initiates a two way conference call with authorities. The
system may also contact the registered owner on a conference call
with the authorities.
[0053] During the call, the system monitors to see if the call is
terminated at Step S8. If the call has been terminated, the system
determines if the termination was purposeful at Step S9. If the
termination was accidental, due to the lost signal, then the system
restarts the call. If the system determines that the termination
was purposeful, then the system activates the reset means at Step
S16.
[0054] During the call, the remote command means monitors for the
reception of remote commands from the authorities at Step S10. The
monitoring period is for example, a thirty second duration that
continues to repeat during the life of the call. If the command is
not given in that period of time, the system determines if the call
has been terminated and then again scans for a command at Step S11.
This loop helps prevent the system from monitoring for commands
after the termination of the communication with the
authorities.
[0055] Upon receiving remote commands, an output signal is received
by the trigger lock means and the global positioning system at
steps S12 and S14. If the command was intended to activate the
trigger lock means, then that means responds accordingly at Step
S13. On the other hand, the global positioning system is capable of
responding at Step S15 to the activation command.
[0056] Following the execution of the remote command, the system
again monitors for another remote command. Accordingly, both the
SPS and the trigger lock are capable of being activated by remote
commands.
[0057] Upon the termination of the call, the reset means is
activated and the system requests the input of a reset code at Step
S16. A timer is set at Step S17 to receive the code. If the code is
not received during the preset time period, the system will again
ask for the code at Step S18.
[0058] This loop prevents the gun from being used again until the
authorities or registered owner enters the reset code.
[0059] Only when the corrected code has been entered, at Step S19,
will the system be reset at Step S20. Once reset, the GPS and
trigger lock are released. The system will then monitor for the
replacement of the gun into the holster and the subsequent removal
of the gun from the holster at Step S2.
[0060] A gun has been disclosed that, in response to being removed
from a holster, is capable of notifying authorities of potential
use by an unregistered user, the gun capable of being remotely
locked by the notified persons.
[0061] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not as restrictive. The scope
of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
and their combination in whole or in part rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their
scope.
* * * * *