Patent Application
20230316895
The disclosure generally relates to firearms and more particularly relates to firearm monitoring platforms and systems.
Military and law enforcement officers often encounter danger in the field. In the face of these regularly encountered dangers, officers must quickly and effectively communicate details of any attacks or hostile engagements. However, these officers are primarily focused on the conflict, and may not be able to effectively communication information related to the attack. These individuals will also relay information based solely on their perception of the conflict, which may not accurately reflect or convey the realities of the situation. It therefore may be difficult for individuals to ask for and receive support, provide status updates, or inform other units that an engagement or attack has commenced.
The disclosure generally relates to firearms and, more particularly, firearm monitoring platforms and systems. In aspects, a system for monitoring a firearm is provided, which includes a sensor configured to generate a first output if the sensor detects gunfire, and a monitoring unit operably coupled to the sensor. The monitoring includes a processor and a monitoring platform. The processor is configured to receive the first output from the sensor and generate a second output if the first output is received. The monitoring platform is configured to receive the second output from the processor. Upon receiving the second output from the processor, the monitoring platform initiates a data collection module to gather gunfire data, such as the time, location, angle, and/or direction of the gunfire.
In other aspects, a method for monitoring a firearm is provided. The method includes the steps of determining whether the firearm has been fired, communicating an output to a monitoring unit, initiating a data collection module of the monitoring unit, collecting information regarding the gunfire, and communicating the information to a user device or an external device.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Throughout the disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
The present disclosure describes firearm monitoring systems and methods capable of transmitting information concerning the discharge of a firearm in real-time. In aspects, the firearm monitoring systems and methods include a sensor and a monitoring unit. The sensor may detect parameters indicative of gunfire. The monitoring unit may collect data, such as the location and direction of the firearm, when discharge of the firearm is detected. In aspects, the firearm monitoring system may be installed on multiple firearms to increase the availability of information. This may be particularly beneficial when identifying the direction, or directions, of fire when multiple individuals, such as law enforcement officers or military personal, are involved in a hostile engagement.
Referring to
The network 200 may include any one, or a combination of networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network, a cellular network, a cable network, a wireless network, and/or private/public networks, such as the Internet. For example, the network 200 may also support communication technologies, such as TCP/IP, Bluetooth, cellular, near-field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, machine-to-machine communication, man-to-machine communication, and/or visible light communications.
The firearm monitoring system 100 may also include one or more external devices 220 (e.g., servers or the like). The one or more external devices 220 may also be communicatively coupled to the monitoring unit 106 via the network 200. In some aspects, the external device 220 may be a server that collects and stores data transmitted via the network. The data stored on the external device 220 may be accessible at any point. Data may be accessed and used, for example, in trainings or to resolve legal disputes.
Referring now to
The monitoring unit 106 may include one or more processors 108, a communication system 110, a power source 112, and a memory 114 configured to store a data collection module 116. The monitoring unit may also include a collection of data components 118. The data components 118 may include a global positioning system (GPS) 120, compass 122, clock 124, and angle sensor 124.
The communication system 110 may include a wireless transceiver that allows the monitoring unit 106 to communicate with the sensor 102 and/or the user device 120. The wireless transceiver may use any of various communication formats, including Internet, Bluetooth, or cellular formats. The power source 112 provides power to the electrical components of the monitoring unit 106, and may include a primary cell or battery, a secondary (rechargeable) cell or battery, or a combination of both.
The memory 114, which is one example of a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be used to perform the stored data collection module 116. The data collection module 116 is provided in the form of computer-executable instructions that may be executed by the processor 108 to perform various operations in accordance with the disclosure.
The memory 114 may include a single memory element or any combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tap, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory 114 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. In the context of this disclosure, a “non-transitory computer-readable medium” can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples of a computer-readable medium would include a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random-access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (CD ROM) (optical). The computer-readable medium could even be paper, or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, since the program can be electronically captured, for example, via optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
Referring now to
If the sensor 102 detects discharge of the firearm 304, the sensor 102 will communicate an output 306 to the monitoring unit 106 via the wire 104. While the monitoring unit 106 is waiting for the output from the sensor 102, the monitoring unit 106 is continuously collecting data 308 from the data components 118. The data produced by these components 118 is readily available for processing when the monitoring unit 106 receives the output from the sensor 102.
When the output is received 310, the data collection module 116 is initiated. The data collection module 116 instructs the processor 108 to collect and record the information from the data components 118 corresponding to the output 312. The data collection module 116 may gather information related to, for example, the time the gun was fired from the clock 124 and the location of the fire from the GPS 120. The data collection module 116 may also gather information pertaining to the angle/direction of fire from the compass 122 and angle sensor 126. This data is then communicated to the user device 210 and/or external device 220 via the network 200.
The user device(s) 210 may be monitored by military or law enforcement agencies while officers are engaged in conflict in the field. In some aspects, the data may inform those monitoring the user device 210 that an anticipated conflict has begun. In other aspects, the data may inform those monitoring the user device 210 of an unanticipated conflict, in which case backup or support may be provided.
In aspects, an additional user device 210 may be linked to the monitoring system 100 and activated upon receiving a signal from the monitoring unit 106 that gunfire has ensued. In some aspects, the additional user device 210 is, for example, a video recording device, an audio recording device, or a GPS positioning device for collecting additional information regarding the situation surround the gunfire. In some aspects, this video, audio, or satellite information may be transmitted to military or law enforcement agencies along with the data collected directing from the monitoring unit 106.
Referring now to
In aspects, the sensor 102 and the monitoring unit 106 may be fixed to a firearm such that the sensor 102 and monitoring unit 106 cannot be moved by the user. In other aspects, a firearm may have a series of attachment points so that the sensor 102 and monitoring unit 106 can be moved and/or adjusted as necessary to fit a user's preferences. In further aspects, the sensor 102 and monitoring system 106 may be added to already manufactured firearms. Alternatively, new firearms may be produced with the sensor 102 and monitoring unit 106 already attached.
In aspects, the sensor 102 is cylindrical. The sensor 102 has a central lumen that is at least large enough to receive the barrel of a firearm. In other aspects, the sensor 102 may not be cylindrical, while still performing the functions previously described. The sensor 102 may also be any size, however the sensor 102 cannot be so large that it interferes with the user's line of sight or shooting.
In aspects, the monitoring unit 106 is rectangular. In other aspects, the monitoring unit 106 may be any other shape, while still performing the functions previously described. Similar to the sensor 102, the monitoring unit 106 may be any size so long as the size does not interfere with use of the firearm.
The sensor 102 and monitoring unit 106 may be contained within a housing. In some aspects, the housing includes a sensor portion and a monitoring unit portion. The housing, therefore, may be attached to the barrel and the base of the firearm. In other aspects, the enclosure includes a single compartment to house the sensor 102 and monitoring unit 106. The housing, therefore, may be attached either to the barrel or the base of the firearm.
Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments.
Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/325,761, filed on Mar. 31, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63325761 | Mar 2022 | US |
