GUN LOCK WITH ALARM SYSTEM SUPERVISORY BY ZONE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to gun locks, and more specifically, a gun lock with motion sensing and a wireless interface to an alarm control panel of a premises security system.

BACKGROUND

Gun security (that is, securing a gun, such that only certain people have operational access to the gun) is important not only in keeping guns safely secured from theft, but also in avoiding accidental injury and/or death due to operation by an unauthorized person. It is well documented that a significant percentage of deaths and injuries could be avoided if firearms were properly locked away and out of reach of children or thieves. It is therefore important to keep firearms from falling into the wrong hands and to recover them in case that they do.

SUMMARY

Certain aspects of the subject matter described can be implemented as a system. The system includes a gun lock (for mounting to a trigger guard of a gun) and an alarm controller. The gun lock includes a first portion, a second portion separate from the first portion, a lock, and a lock controller. The first portion is configured to fit on the trigger guard of the gun. The second portion is configured to fit on the trigger guard of the gun opposite the first portion. The lock is configured to lock the first portion and the second portion together. The lock controller is carried by one of the first portion of the second portion. The lock controller includes a wireless transceiver configured to transmit a signal in response to sensing movement of the gun lock while the gun lock is locked. The wireless transceiver is configured to transmit a status signal in response to receiving a status request. The alarm controller includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores programming instructions for execution by the processor. The alarm controller includes a transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor, and the programming instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include wirelessly monitoring multiple premises devices for an alarm condition, in which one of the premises devices is the gun lock. The operations include periodically, wirelessly transmitting a status request to each of the premises devices. The rate at which the alarm controller periodically transmits the status request to the gun lock is independently adjustable from the rate at which the alarm controller periodically transmits the status requests to another of the premises devices. The operations include wirelessly listening for a status signal from the premises devices after each transmittal of the status request. The operations include transmitting a first signal to a remote device in response to receiving the signal from the gun lock signifying sensed movement of the gun lock.

This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features.

The first portion can include a body and a lock pin protruding from the body. The lock pin is movable between a first position and a second position. The lock can be configured to lock the lock pin in the second position, and the second portion can be configured to receive and latch to the lock pin when the lock pin is in the second position.

The lock pin can include a grooved profile. The second portion can include a latch having a grooved profile corresponding to the grooved profile of the lock pin. While the lock pin is received by the second portion, the grooved profile of the latch is not aligned with the grooved profile of the lock pin when the lock pin is in the first position. While the lock is received by the second portion, the grooved profile of the latch is aligned with the grooved profile of the lock pin when the lock pin is in the second position, thereby latching the latch to the lock pin.

The lock controller can include a processor and a memory. The processor can be communicatively coupled to the wireless transceiver of the lock controller. The lock controller can include a lock sensor communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to determine whether the lock is locked. The lock controller can include a motion sensor communicatively coupled to the processor.

The gun lock can include an alarm sounder carried by one of the first portion or the second portion. The alarm sounder can be communicatively coupled to the lock controller, and the lock controller can be configured to cause the alarm sounder to sound an alarm in response to sensing movement of the gun lock while the lock is locked.

The gun lock can include a Global Positioning Services (GPS) locator carried by one of the first portion of the second portion. The GPS locator can be communicatively coupled to the lock controller, and the lock controller can be configured to cause the wireless transceiver to transmit a location signal to at least one of the alarm controller or a remote cellular device.

The transceiver of the alarm controller can be configured to transmit a second, different signal to the remote device in response to determining that the gun lock has not responded with the status signal.

The wireless transceiver of the lock controller can be configured to, in response to sensing movement of the gun lock while the lock is locked, transmit the signal to at least one of the alarm controller or a remote cellular device.

The lock can include a fingerprint reader and can be communicatively coupled to the lock controller.

Certain aspects of the subject matter described can be implemented as a method. Multiple premises devices are monitored for an alarm condition. One of the premises devices is a gun lock. A status request is periodically, wirelessly transmitted to each of the premises devices. A rate at which the status request is periodically transmitted to the gun lock is independently adjustable from a rate at which the status request is periodically transmitted to another of the premises devices. A status signal from the premises devices is wirelessly listened for after each transmittal of the status request. A first signal is transmitted to a remote device in response to receiving a signal from the gun lock signifying sensed movement of the gun lock.

This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features.

A second, different signal can be transmitted to the remote device in response to determining that the gun lock has not responded with the status signal.

A status request can be transmitted to another premises device at a different rate from the rate at which the status requests are transmitted to the gun lock.

A Global Positioning Services (GPS) location of the gun lock can be tracked in response to determining that the gun lock has not responded with the status signal.

Certain aspects of the subject matter described can be implemented as a system. The system includes a gun lock for mounting to a trigger guard of a gun. The gun lock includes a first portion configured to fit on the trigger guard of the gun. The first portion includes a body and a lock pin protruding from the body. The lock pin is movable between a first position and a second position. The first portion includes a lock configured to lock the lock pin in the second position. The gun lock includes a second portion separate from the first portion. The second portion is configured to fit on the trigger guard of the gun opposite the first portion. The second portion is configured to receive and latch to the lock pin when the lock pin is in the second position. The gun lock includes a controller carried by one of the first portion or the second portion. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The controller includes a lock sensor communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to determine whether the lock pin is in the second position. The controller includes a motion sensor communicatively coupled to the processor. The controller includes a wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to cause the wireless transceiver to transmit a signal in response to sensing movement, via the motion sensor, of the gun lock while the lock pin is in the second position. The processor is configured to cause the wireless transceiver to send a status signal in response to receiving a status request. The system includes a premises alarm system. The premises alarm system includes a processor and a memory. The processor of the premises alarm system is configured to be communicatively coupled to multiple devices, of which one of the devices is the wireless transceiver of the gun lock. The processor of the premises alarm system is configured to enable each of the devices be assigned to one of multiple supervisory zones and to enable each of the supervisory zones be attributed with a corresponding polling rate. The corresponding polling rate attributed to the supervisory zone assigned to the gun lock is adjustable independent of the polling rates attributed to the remaining supervisory zones. The premises alarm system includes a wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor of the premises alarm system. The processor of the premises alarm system is configured to cause the wireless transceiver of the premises alarm system to periodically transmit a status request to the wireless transceiver of the gun lock, at the corresponding polling rate attributed to the supervisory zone assigned to the gun lock. The processor of the premises alarm system is configured to cause the wireless transceiver of the premises alarm system to transmit a first signal to a device remotely connected to the premises alarm system in response to receiving the signal from the wireless transceiver of the gun lock signifying sensed movement of the gun lock. The processor of the premises alarm system is configured to cause the wireless transceiver of the premises alarm system to transmit a second, different signal to the device remotely connected to the premises alarm system in response to determining that the gun lock has not responded with the status signal.

The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter of this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example gun lock with a gun.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E are a top view, a bottom view, a front view, a right side view, and a left side view, respectively, of a male portion of the gun lock.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a top view, a bottom view, and a front view, respectively, of a female portion of the gun lock.

FIG. 3D is a rear, top perspective view of the female portion of the gun lock.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front, bottom perspective views of the male portion and the female portion of the gun lock separated and joined together, respectively.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front, top perspective views of the male portion and the female portion of the gun lock separated and joined together, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a top view and a front, bottom perspective view, respectively, of the male portion of the gun lock with a switch in a first position.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a top view and a front, bottom perspective view, respectively, of the male portion of the gun lock with the switch in a second position.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of example electronics that can be implemented with the gun lock.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an example controller that can be implemented with the gun lock.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of example premises security systems that can be implemented with the gun lock.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example method for monitoring a gun that is locked with the gun lock.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an example computer that can be included in a premises security system.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes a gun lock with motion sensing capability and a wireless transceiver for communicating with an alarm control panel of a premises security system. The gun lock can fit on a trigger guard of a gun and prevent firing of the gun. When locked, the gun lock can sense movement of the gun lock and sound an alarm in response. In some implementations, the gun lock can transmit a movement signal to the alarm control panel in response to sensing movement. The alarm control panel can alert the gun owner (for example, by sending a text notification to an owner's cellular device) in response to the movement signal. The alarm control panel can be configured to periodically transmit a status request to the gun lock and listen for a status signal after each transmittal of the status request. The polling rate at which the alarm control panel periodically transmits the status request to the gun lock can be independently adjustable from the polling rates for other devices/sensors which are also monitored by the alarm control panel of the premises security system. The gun lock can be configured to respond with the status signal in response to receiving the status request, when the gun lock is within range of the transceiver of the alarm control panel. The alarm control panel can alert the gun owner if it does not receive a status signal from the gun lock within a certain time period after transmitting the status request to the gun lock (meaning the gun lock is no longer within range of the alarm system transceiver). In some implementations, the alarm system can also contact a facility remote from the premises, such as a central monitoring station or municipal emergency services (e.g., police).

FIG. 1 shows a view of an example gun lock 100 with respect to a gun 199 (shown in dashed lines). The gun lock 100 can be fitted on the trigger guard of the gun 199 to prevent use of the gun 199. For example, the gun lock 100 can occlude the trigger of the gun 199, so that a user cannot operate the gun 199 unless the user unlocks the gun lock 100 and removes the gun lock 100 from the trigger guard of the gun 199. The gun 199 can be any type of gun, for example, a pistol, a revolver, a rifle, or a shotgun. The gun lock 100 can be fitted on guns of various sizes.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E show various views of a male portion 110 of the gun lock 100. The male portion 110 is configured to fit on the trigger guard of the gun 199 (not shown). The male portion 110 can include a body 120 and a lock pin 121 protruding from the body 120. The gun lock 100 includes a lock 111 that is configured to lock the male portion and a female portion (150, shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D and described in more detail later) together. The lock 111 can be included in the male portion 110 (as shown in FIGS. 2A through 2E). Although not shown, in some implementations, the lock 111 can be included in the female portion 150. In some implementations, the lock 111 is a number combination lock. For example, the lock 111 is a combination lock having one or more rotary dials, each formed with a series of combination indicia (such as letters or numbers). When the correct combination of indicia is aligned, the lock 111 can be unlocked. For all other combinations, the lock 111 cannot be unlocked. Thus, in order to release the gun lock 100 from the trigger guard, it is necessary for a user to know the correct opening combination of the lock 111. Although not shown, in some implementations, the lock 111 is a physical key lock that can be unlocked with a physical key. For example, the lock 111 can be a warded lock, a pin tumbler lock, a wafer tumbler lock, a disc tumbler lock, a lever tumbler lock, or a magnetic keyed lock. Although not shown, in some implementations, the lock 111 is an electronic lock. For example, the lock 111 can be a keycard lock that can be unlocked with a keycard with a matching signature. For example, the lock 111 can be a remote keyless lock that can be unlocked with a smart key radio transmitter. For example, the lock 111 can be a biometric lock, such as a fingerprint or retinal scanner.

The male portion 110 can include a switch 123 that is coupled to the lock pin 121 and movable to move the lock pin 121 between a first position and a second position. The switch 123 and the lock pin 121 can be configured to be switched between first position and second position together. For example, when the switch 123 is in first position, the lock pin 121 is in first position, and when the switch 123 is in second position, the lock pin 121 is in second position. In some implementations, the switch 123 and the lock pin 121 are part of a unitary body (that is, formed as one member). The lock pin 121 can be partially enclosed within a lock pin housing 125 that protrudes from the body 120. The lock pin 121 can be moved between the first and second positions while residing within the lock pin housing 125, by manipulation of the switch 123. The lock pin 121 can include a grooved profile 121a, and moving the lock pin 121 between the first and second positions can move the grooved profile 121a. For example, in the first position, the grooved profile 121a is not exposed through an opening of the lock pin housing 125 (that is, the grooved profile 121a is occluded), and in the second position, the grooved profile 121a is exposed through the opening of the lock pin housing 125. FIGS. 2C and 2E show the grooved profile 121a exposed through the opening of the lock pin housing 125 when the lock pin 121 is in the second position (an example of the lock pin 121 in the second position is shown in FIG. 7B). The lock 111 can lock the lock pin 121 in the second position.

As shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E, the male portion 110 can optionally include one or more rods protruding from the body 120. The one or more rods can be spring loaded to protrude outward from the body 120. When the male portion 110 and the female portion 150 are locked together over the trigger guard of the gun 199 (not shown), the one or more rods can prevent the gun 199 from moving (for example, shifting around) with respect to the gun lock 100, so that the trigger guard remains occluded (and the trigger remains out of reach from a user).

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D show various views of a female portion 150 of the gun lock 100. The female portion 150 is separate from the male portion 110, and both of the male portion 110 and the female portion 150 together form the gun lock 100. The female portion 150 is configured to fit on the trigger guard of the gun opposite the male portion 110. The female portion 150 is configured to receive and latch to the male portion 110. The male portion 110 and the female portion 150 can be joined and locked together (examples are shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, and 6B).

The female portion 150 can include a latch 161. As shown in FIG. 3D, the latch 161 of the female portion 150 can have a grooved profile 161a that corresponds to the grooved profile 121a of the lock pin 121 of the male portion 110. When the female portion 150 receives the lock pin 121 of the male portion 110 while the lock pin 121 is in the first position, the grooved profile 161a of the latch 161 is not aligned with the grooved profile 121a of the lock pin 121. When the female portion 150 receives the lock pin 121 of the male portion 110 while the lock pin 121 is in the second position, the grooved profile 161a of the latch 161 is aligned with the grooved profile 121a of the lock pin 121, thereby latching the latch 161 to the lock pin 121 (and latching the female portion 150 and the male portion 110 together). The latch 161 can be spring loaded to facilitate latching of the latch 161 to the lock pin 121.

The gun lock 100 includes a lock controller 140. The lock controller 140 can be carried by the female portion 150 (as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D). Although not shown, in some implementations, the lock controller 140 can be carried by the male portion 110. The lock controller 140 is configured to transmit signals in response to various triggering events (for example, movement of the gun lock 100 while the gun lock 100 is locked). The lock controller 140 provides a wireless interface to an alarm system of an integrated security system for remote monitoring, which in turn can provide an alert to the gun owner if the gun 199 is moved or handled while it is locked by the gun lock 100. The lock controller 140 is also shown in FIG. 8 and described in more detail later. In implementations where the lock controller 140 is carried by the female portion 150, the female portion 150 can include a transmission window 151 and a battery holder 153. The transmission window 151 does not need to be physically soft (although it can be). The transmission window 151 is made of a material that allows for better transmission of signals to or from the lock controller 140. The battery holder 153 can house a battery (which can power the lock controller 140) and can include a cover to help physically secure the battery. The transmission window 151 and the battery holder 153 can be located anywhere in the vicinity of the lock controller. Although not shown, in implementations where the lock controller 140 is carried by the male portion 110, the male portion 110 can include the transmission window 151 and the battery holder 153.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3C, and 3D, the female portion 150 can optionally include a textured profile protruding from the female portion 150. The textured profile can help the female portion 150 to “grip” the trigger guard of the gun 199. The textured profile can serve a similar purpose as the one or more rods of the male portion 110. The textured profile can help prevent the gun 199 from moving (for example, shifting around) with respect to the gun lock 100, when the male portion 110 and the female portion 150 are locked together. The one or more rods can be spring loaded to protrude outward from the body 120.

FIG. 4A shows a view of the male portion 110 and female portion 150 of the gun lock 100 separated. FIG. 4B shows a view of the male portion 110 and female portion 150 of the gun lock 100 joined together. In some implementations, the male portion 110 and female portion 150 can each include padding material on one or more of their mating surfaces. For example, the male portion 110 can include rubber as the padding material on a surface of the body 120 from which the lock pin 121 protrudes. For example, the female portion 150 can include rubber as the padding material on a surface of the female portion 150 that receives the lock pin 121 of the male portion 110. The padding material can protect the male portion 110 and female portion 150 from hitting each other, which can potentially cause damage. The padding material can help the male portion 110 and female portion 150 to grip the gun lock 100 to the gun 199 and prevent sliding of the gun 199 with respect to the gun lock 100. FIG. 5A shows another view of the male portion 110 and female portion 150 of the gun lock 100 separated. FIG. 5B shows another view of the male portion 110 and female portion 150 of the gun lock 100 joined together. The view provided in FIG. 5A shows how the female portion 150 defines a hole that can receive the lock pin 121 of the male portion 110.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show views of the male portion 110 with the switch 123 in a first position. As described previously, when the switch 123 is in first position, the lock pin 121 is in first position. In first position, the grooved profile 121a of the lock pin 121 is occluded. In first position, the lock pin 121 cannot latch to the latch 161 of the female portion 150 because the grooved profile 121a of the lock pin 121 is occluded and cannot be aligned to the grooved profile 161a of the latch 161.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show views of the male portion 110 with the switch 123 in a second position. As described previously, when the switch 123 is in second position, the lock pin 121 is in second position. In second position, the grooved profile 121a of the lock pin 121 are exposed through the opening of the lock pin housing 125. In second position, the lock pin 121 can latch to the latch 161 of the female portion 150 because the grooved profile 121a of the lock pin 121 can be aligned to the grooved profile 161a of the latch 161. The gun lock 100 can be described as being locked when the male portion 110 and the female portion 150 are latched together by the lock pin 121 and the latch 161, when the lock pin 121 is in second position.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of example electronics of the gun lock 100. The lock controller 140 can be a printed circuit board. The lock controller 140 includes a microcomputer 50 communicatively coupled to a wireless transceiver 48. The microcomputer 50 can include a processor and a memory. Another example of the microcomputer 50 is shown in FIG. 12. The wireless transceiver 48 may use any suitable transmission protocol including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15.4 (e.g., Bluetooth and Zigbee), Z-Wave (an 800-900 MHz protocol promulgated by Silicon Laboratories, Inc., on frequencies of 319 MHz), 345 MHz, 319 MHz, 900 MHz, cellular (e.g., voice, SMS, and data protocols), and/or in other frequencies and protocols. In some implementations, the transceiver 48 is an array of transceivers or multiple transceivers that enable the lock controller 140 to use multiple transmission protocols. The lock controller 140 can include an antenna 12 coupled to the wireless transceiver 48. In some implementations, the lock controller 140 includes a tilt sensor, which can register tilting of the gun lock 100 within a frame of reference. For example, the tilt sensor can include a three-axis magnetic sensor having an x-axis sensor 43, a y-axis sensor 45, and a z-axis sensor 47, each of which can be individually connected to an amplifier 49 and fed to an A/D converter 42 via individual filters 41. Signals from the A/D converter 42 can be transmitted to the microcomputer 50 and transmitted wirelessly via transceiver 48 and antenna 12 to a remote alarm system (such as the alarm controller 1060 of the alarm system 1000 shown in FIG. 10 or other remote computer). In some implementations, the lock controller 140 includes an angle sensor 52 that connects with the A/D converter 42 through an amplifier 49 and a filter 41 in the same manner as the axes of the magnetic tilt sensor.

In some implementations, the lock controller 140 includes an alarm sounder 18 communicatively coupled to the microcomputer 50. The alarm sounder 18 can produce an audible alarm. In some implementations, the lock controller 140 includes a lock sensor 16, which can detect whether the gun lock 100 is locked. The lock sensor 16 can include a switch connected to the microcomputer 50 to register its action and thereby arm, disarm and/or cancel the alarm. The lock controller 140 can be configured to cancel an alarm (such as the audible alarm produced by the alarm sounder 18), for example, when the proper code is used to unlock the gun lock 100. In some implementations, the lock controller 140 includes a status indicator light 13 that is communicatively coupled to the microcomputer 50 and visible outside of the gun lock 100. The status indicator light 13 can include, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The status indicator light 13 can visually indicate operational status of the gun lock 100 and can emit a continuous light or a blinking light. The lock controller 140 can be configured to cause the status indicator light 13 to emit a first light (for example, a green light) when the gun lock 100 is locked. The lock controller 140 can be configured to cause the status indicator light 13 to emit a second light (for example, an orange light) in response to sensing movement of the gun lock 100 while the gun lock 100 is locked. The lock controller 140 can be configured to cause the status indicator light 13 to emit a third light (for example, a red light) in response to the alarm sounder 18 sounding an alarm. In some implementations, the lock controller 140 includes a Global Positioning Services (GPS) locator 20 communicatively coupled to the microcomputer 50, which can allow tracking of the gun 199 location if stolen.

The lock controller 140 can be configured to transmit a movement signal to the alarm controller 1060 in response to sensing movement of the gun lock 100 while the gun lock 100 is locked. If the gun lock 100 is unlocked (for example, by entering the correct combination) within a certain time limit (for example, two minutes), then an alarm is not triggered. In some implementations, the lock controller 140 is configured to cause the alarm sounder 18 to produce a first sound (for example, beep every two seconds), the status indicator light 13 to emit the second light (for example, a blinking orange light), or both, along with transmitting the movement signal. In such implementations, if the gun lock 100 is unlocked within the time limit, then the lock controller 140 can cause the alarm sounder 18 to cease producing the first sound. The lock controller 140 can be configured to transmit an alarm signal to the alarm controller 1060 if the gun lock 100 remains locked past the time limit. In some implementations, the lock controller 140 is configured to cause the alarm sounder 18 to produce a second sound (for example, a horn sound every second), the status indicator light 13 to emit the third light (for example, a blinking red light), or both, along with transmitting the alarm signal.

In some implementations, a movement signal is not transmitted and the alarm sounder 18 does not produce a sound in response to sensing movement of the locked gun lock 100, and the lock controller 140 transmits an alarm signal to the alarm controller 1060 and causes the alarm sounder 18 to produce a sound if the gun lock 100 remains locked past the time limit after sensing movement of the locked gun lock 100. In some implementations, the lock controller 140 is configured to transmit a GPS location signal periodically after transmission of the alarm signal.

In some implementations, the lock controller 140 can also function as a presence sensor. In such implementations, when the lock controller 140 is within range of the alarm controller 1060, the lock controller 140 is configured to transmit a status signal in response to receiving a status request from the alarm controller 1060.

In some implementations, the alarm controller 1060 can be programmed to make a siren sound, chime, or to speak an alarm status. The phone 70 may communicate by SMS, email, or cellular, and may run an application that gives the owner the ability to summon police. In some embodiments, the tilt sensor may facilitate compound alert sequences based on tilt patterns. For example, it can be possible to detect, by angle and/or sway motion, whether the gun 199 is being carried, transported in a car, etc. The alarm controller 1060 can be programmed to respond according to an initiating event. For example, the alarm controller 1060, in response to registering movement of the gun 199 (based on a movement signal received from the lock controller 140), can send a message to the owner. As another example, the alarm controller 1060, in response to detecting that the gun 199 has left the premises (based on not receiving a status signal from the lock controller 140 in response to a status request), can sound an audible alarm, contact the remote monitoring center 1070, alert the owner (for example, via the phone 70), or any combination of these.

In some implementations, the gun lock 100 may not need to be unlocked and/or removed before the gun can fire and the above-mentioned sensing of unique tilt patterns of “fingerprints” may be used to detect its manner of use. For example, a discharge from the gun can trigger a recognizable tilt signature by which the discharge can be recognized, and each time that the microcomputer 50 registers a discharge/tilt, the microcomputer 50 may escalate the situation by sending a “shot fired” signal to the alarm controller 1060, the remote monitoring server 1070, the phone 70, or any combination of these.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a specific example of the microcomputer 50 and transceiver 48 circuitry. Specifically, microcomputer 50 can be a PIC12F635/PIC16F636/639 high-performance RISC microcontroller connected as shown with a general purpose data output (GP2) driving the data input of transceiver 48. Specifically, transceiver 48 is a Maxim Integrated® MAX7044 crystal-based, ASK MAX7044 VHF/UHF transmitter for transmitting OOK/ASK data in the 300 MHz to 450 MHz frequency range. Transceiver 48 can be clocked by a crystal oscillator 43, preferably a high-frequency superheterodyne crystal-reference oscillator (for example, an XTAL 10.687 Mhz oscillator). The output of transceiver 48 can be sent to antenna 12. The foregoing components can be built into a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) VHF/UHF transmitter reference design clocking at 1/16th the crystal frequency, e.g., a range of 300 MHz to 450 MHz, supporting data rates up to 100 kbps, and providing output power up to +13 dBm. The design can be powered at Vcc by, for example, an on-board 3V coin-cell battery.

FIG. 10A schematically illustrates a premises alarm system 1000 installed on a premises 1050, such as a home or business. The premises alarm system 1000 includes the alarm controller 1060 and is of the type configured to sound an audible alarm at the premises and/or contact a facility remote from the premises, such as a central monitoring station or municipal emergency services (e.g., police, fire and/or medical services), in response to specified conditions. For example, the premises alarm system 1000 can monitor for opening or breakage of doors and windows of a building or house, monitor for a presence of a person within rooms of the building or house, monitor for the presence of fire or smoke on the premises, and/or monitor for and alarm on occurrence of other specified conditions. Then, the system 1000 can respond in a specified manner, including any one or combination of sounding an audible alarm and contacting either directly, or via the central monitoring station, emergency services (e.g., the police upon detection of an unauthorized person on the premises or fire services upon detection of a fire at the premises) and/or contacting a user of the alarm system 1000 via a telephone call, SMS, via an application on the user's personal smart device (e.g., smart phone, computer, tablet, wearable or other smart devices), or in another manner.

The illustrated controller 1060 can be a standalone panel, having the needed hardware and software to operate an alarm system (such as alarm system 1000). In other instances, the alarm system 1000 can be a distributed system having components distributed around the premises 1050, for example, having an alarm box with some components of the alarm system 1000 that is separate from the controller 1060. The alarm system 1000 can be programmed (for example, setting the various zones, assigning a sensor to a zone, setting a polling rate for a zone, or setting a response to a triggering event) at the alarm controller 1060. In some implementations, the alarm system 1000 can be programmed through a program or application installed, for example, on a computer or handheld device (such as a cell phone). The alarm system 1000 can be programmed by a user (for example, a homeowner), a security supervisor (for example, an alarm company tasked with overseeing security of a premises or object), or the remote monitoring center 1070. In some implementations, the alarm system 1000 is programmed with factory settings when manufactured.

The premises alarm system 1000 may be of a type that is permanently or semi-permanently installed at a residence or business, or can be a freestanding, portable alarm system. In some implementations, the alarm system 1000 is configured to communicate via a telephone network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Internet Protocol (IP) network or another telephone network. The alarm controller 1060 includes one or more wireless transceivers for communicating wirelessly with other wireless components of the alarm system 1000, such as sensors, home automation devices, as well as user's mobile devices. In certain instances, the transceivers communicate per Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (e.g., Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15.4 (e.g., Bluetooth and Zigbee), Z-Wave (an 800-900 MHz protocol promulgated by Silicon Laboratories, Inc., on frequencies of 319 MHz), 345 MHz, 319 MHz, 900 MHz, cellular (e.g., voice, SMS, and data protocols), and/or in other frequencies and protocols. In certain instances, the alarm system 1000 can also communicate with other components of the alarm system 1000 via wired connections.

The premises alarm system 1000 can include one or more user alarm control panels, either physical panels at the premises or soft user interfaces (e.g., web pages or applications), that allow the user to operate the alarm system 1000. The interface panels can include buttons for entering a code preset by the user for identifying an authorized user of the system and to arm/disarm the system. In some implementations, the premises alarm system 1000 can be configured to be armed in a number of configurations, including some where fewer than all of the available sensors are armed. For example, the premises alarm system 1000 is typically configured to be armed in an away mode and a stay mode, where the away mode arms all available sensors and the stay mode leaves certain sensors unarmed to allow a person to reside within a building or house on the premises without triggering an alarm. The alarm control panel can be provided with away and stay shortcut buttons for arming the alarm system 1000 to an away mode or a stay mode.

In addition to the typical garage door 1003b, window 1003c, door 1003d, motion, fire, and other sensors, the premises alarm system 1000 can also support various wireless presence sensors 1003a (one of which can be the lock controller 140 of the gun lock 100) designed to trigger a specified response by the alarm system 1000 if the sensor leaves the premises. The sensors are distributed throughout the premises 1050, for example, in rooms of the premises 1050. The presence sensors 1003a are of a type that may not have a triggered and set state, like a window sensor 1003c or door sensor 1003d, but rather the presence sensors 1003a operate simply by responding to an inquiry (for example, a status request) by the alarm system 1000 to verify the sensor is still active and able to communicate with the alarm system 1000. Such presence sensors 1003a can be attached to an object that is meant to be kept within the premises 1050 (for example, the gun lock 100 can be attached to the gun 199). In certain instances, an alarm system user might choose to affix the sensor to an object of value, like a painting, antique, or jewelry, or to a pet or person (e.g., a person with impaired mental abilities), or to another object. Although shown in FIG. 10A as having three presence sensors 1003a, the alarm system 1000 can include fewer or more presence sensors. When the alarm system 1000 detects that a presence sensor 1003a has left the premises 1050, i.e., has become inactive (unresponsive to status requests), the alarm system 1000 can respond in a specified manner, including any one or combination of sounding an audible alarm, contacting either directly, or via the remote monitoring center 1070, emergency services (e.g., the police) and/or contacting a user of the alarm system 1000 via a telephone call, SMS, via an application on the user's personal smart device (e.g., phone 70, computer, tablet, wearable or other smart devices) or in another manner.

The premises alarm system 1000 includes multiple hardwired or logical circuits, referred to as “zones,” that can be individually programmed with parameters relating to the characteristics of the sensor or sensors on the zone, the behavior of the alarm system 1000 in monitoring sensors on the zone, and the specified responses when a sensor on the zone is triggered. One or more of the zones can be set up as a “supervisory” zone where the premises alarm system 1000 periodically polls the sensors on the zone and/or periodically confirms that it has received a check-in signal from the sensors to ensure the sensors are active in the alarm system 1000. If a sensor is not active, for example, because it is out of wireless range (e.g., has left the premises 1050), or has otherwise failed or been disabled, it will not respond to the poll/send the check-in signal. The zone supporting the sensor can be set with a specified response when the alarm system 1000 determines the sensor is not active. The sensor will also send a signal when it is triggered, and the zone supporting the sensor can be set with a specified response (which may be different from the response to an inactive sensor) when the alarm system 1000 determines the sensor has been triggered.

The alarm system 1000 polls each of the sensors (1003a, 1003b, 1003c, and 1003d) by zone, at the polling rate assigned to each respective zone. The alarm system 1000 can be configured to include multiple zones. The alarm system 1000 can include two zones, three zones, four zones, or more than four zones (for example, about 100 zones, about 200 zones, or 300 zones). Different zones of the alarm system 1000 can be set to different parameters, including different supervisory polling rates (i.e., the frequency at which the alarm system 1000 sends a signal to the sensor(s) on the zone requesting a response or the frequency at which the alarm system 1000 checks to see that it has received a check-in signal from the sensor(s) on the zone). In certain instances, the polling rate can be short, such as less than a minute (e.g., 1 second, 10 seconds, or 30 seconds), every few minutes (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes), or it can be a longer polling period (e.g., every 70 minutes). The polling rate assigned to the presence sensor 1003a, such as the gun lock 100, can be independently programmable from other sensors of the alarm system 1000.

In FIG. 10A, the alarm system 1000 can be set with each of the presence sensors 1003a on a different zone and the system 1000 configured to poll each of the sensors 1003a at corresponding polling rates. In some implementations, the alarm system 1000 is configured to poll the sensors 1003a at the same frequency (for example, once every 10 minutes). In some implementations, the alarm system 1000 is configured to poll one or more of the sensors 1003a at different frequencies (for example, polling one of the sensors 1003 a once per hour and another one of the sensors 1003a, such as the gun lock 100, once every ten minutes).

The polling rate at which the alarm system 1000 polls each of the sensors 1003a can be adjusted based on the type of sensor, the zone within which the sensor is located, a combination of both, or based on other criteria the user may specify. For example, if presence sensor 1003a is affixed to an object, such that it is important to know quickly when it has left the premises (e.g., the gun 199, a child, a pet, a mentally infirm person, or a motorcycle) in comparison to other objects, then the alarm system 1000 can be configured to poll the zone supporting sensor 1003a at a higher frequency in comparison to the zones supporting other sensors. As another example, if sensor 1003a is in an area of the premises that is less secure (or perhaps easier to access) than the other areas of the premises, then the alarm system 1000 can be configured to poll the zone supporting sensor 1003a at a higher frequency in comparison to the other zones. In any example, for other zones of the alarm system 1000, the zones can be programmed with a much lower polling rate, for example, to support sensors that do not need to be monitored for their leaving of the premises (e.g., a door sensor 1003d or window sensor 1003c).

The alarm system 1000 is configurable to respond in different manners based on the received signal (or lack thereof, for example, in the case of expecting a returning status signal in response to a status request to a presence sensor 1003a). For example, the alarm system 1000 can be configured to, in response to detecting opening of a garage door (via garage door sensor 1003b), notify the remote monitoring center 1070 and/or the homeowner (for example, via phone 70) but not sound an alarm. For example, the alarm system 1000 can be configured to, in response to detecting opening of a door (via door sensor 1003d), sound a warning to enter the disarming code on the alarm panel, notify the remote monitoring center 1070 and/or the homeowner (for example, via phone 70), or any combination of these. The alarm system 1000 can be configured to sound an alarm, notify the remote monitoring center 1070 and/or the homeowner (for example, via phone 70), call emergency services (such as police), or any combination of these, if the disarming code is not entered on the alarm panel within a certain time limit (for example, one minute) after detecting opening of the door. In some implementations, the alarm system 1000 can be configured to cancel an alarm if an alarm cancel code is entered on the alarm panel (for example, stop transmission of an alarm signal or transmit a “false alarm” signal). Notifications can be any type of push notification. For example, the notification can be in the form of an SMS or a pop up notification through an application running on the phone 70.

As another example, the alarm system 1000 can be configured to, in response to receiving a movement or an alarm signal from the lock controller 140 of the gun lock 100, notify the remote monitoring center 1070 and/or the owner (for example, via phone 70). The alarm system 1000 can be configured to detect that the gun 199 has left the premises 1050 based on not receiving an expected return status signal from the gun lock 100 in response to the periodic status request. The alarm system 1000 can be configured to, in response to detecting that the gun 199 has left the premises 1050, notify the remote monitoring center 1070 and/or the owner (for example, via phone 70, call emergency services (such as police), or any combination of these.

FIG. 10B schematically illustrates a schematic view of a premises 1050 and a backyard 1052 of the premises 1050. Although not shown, the alarm system 1000 can monitor the premises 1050 and the backyard 1052 (along with objects and/or persons in either of the locations). A presence sensor 1003a may be attached to an object that does not normally move frequently (for example, the gun lock 100 locking the gun 199). A presence sensor 1003a may be attached to an object that moves frequently. For example, the sensor 1003a can be attached to a collar of a pet, which can move freely within the backyard 1052. Because the sensor 1003a is attached to an object that moves frequently, a user might choose for the alarm system 1000 to poll the sensor 1003a at a higher frequency in comparison to other sensors (for example, sensors that are not expected to move locations as often). For example, the alarm system 1000 can be configured to poll the sensor 1003a once every five minutes. In some implementations, the alarm system 1000 can be configured to poll a sensor (for example, sensor 1003a) at varying frequencies throughout a single day. For example, if the pet (wearing the collar upon which the sensor 1003a is attached) is left free to roam the backyard 1052 throughout the day but brought inside the premises 1050 at night, then the alarm system 1000 can be configured to poll the sensor 1003a more frequently during the day in comparison to the night.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example method for monitoring a locked gun (for example, the gun 199 locked with the gun lock 100). Sequence 1100A can be implemented by the alarm system 1000 in response to signals received from the gun lock 100. Sequence 1100B can be implemented by the alarm system 1000 to monitor the presence of the gun lock 100 within the premises 1050. Sequences 1100A and 1100B can be implemented by the same alarm system 1000 and can overlap temporally (that is, the alarm system 1000 can implement one or more steps of sequence 1100A while implementing one or more steps of sequence 1100B).

At step 1101, a movement signal from the gun lock 100 can be received. In response, a movement notification can be sent at step 1103. The movement notification can be any push notification and can be sent to the remote monitoring center 1070, the owner (for example, via phone 70), or both.

At step 1105, an alarm signal from the gun lock 100 is received. The alarm signal can be sent by the gun lock 100, for example, in response to detecting movement of the locked gun lock 100. In response, an alarm notification is sent at step 1107. The alarm notification can be any push notification and can be sent to the remote monitoring center 1070, the owner (for example, via phone 70), emergency services (for example, police), or any combination of these. In some implementations, an audible alarm is sounded, for example, by the alarm panel. In cases where the gun lock 100 does not send separate “movement” and “alarm” signals and instead sends one signal representing unauthorized gun 199 movement, steps 1101 and 1103 may be omitted.

At step 1102, a status request is sent to the gun lock 100. If a returning status signal from the gun lock 100 is received at step 1104 (meaning the gun 199 is still located on the premises 1050), sequence 1100B cycles back to step 1102 to continue monitoring the gun lock 100. Sending the status request to the gun lock 100 at step 1102 is therefore completed periodically. The frequency of step 1102 depends on the polling rate attributed to the zone of the gun lock 100. The polling rate attributed to the gun lock 100 (and therefore the frequency of step 1102) is adjustable by the user.

If a returning status signal from the gun lock 100 is not received at step 1104 (for example, within three seconds of sending the status request at step 1102), sequence 1100B progresses to step 1106. If the alarm system 1000 has not previously sensed movement of the gun lock 100 within a certain time period (for example, within the past 30 minutes) at step 1106, this can be indicative of a malfunction of the gun lock 100 or loss of power of the gun lock 100 (for example, the battery needs replacing). At step 1108A, a checkup notification signal is sent, for example, to the owner via phone 70. The checkup notification can notify the owner to perform a checkup on the alarm system 1000, the gun lock 100, or both.

If the alarm system 1000 has previously sensed movement of the gun lock 100 within the time period at step 1106, and the expected returning status signal from the gun lock 100 is not received at step 1104, this can be indicative of theft. The sequence 1100B progresses to step 1108B, in which a “left premises” notification is sent. The “left premises” notification” can be sent to the remote monitoring center 1070, the owner (for example, via phone 70), emergency services (for example, police), or any combination of these. In some implementations (for example, in cases where the gun lock 100 includes a GPS locator 20), the location of the gun lock 100 can be tracked at step 1110.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example computer 1202. The microcomputer 50 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) can be an implementation of the computer 1202. The alarm controller 1060 (shown in FIGS. 8 and 10A) can include an implementation of the computer 1202. The computer 1202 is intended to encompass any computing device such as a dedicated printed circuit board or a desktop/laptop/notebook computer, one or more processors within these devices, or any other suitable processing device, including physical or virtual instances (or both) of the computing device. Additionally, the computer 1202 can include an input device, such as a keypad, keyboard, touch screen, or other device that can accept user input, and an output device that conveys information associated with the operation of the computer 1202, including digital data, visual, audio information, or a combination of information.

The computer 1202 can include an input/output interface 1204, such as a wired interface or transceiver. For example, with respect to the alarm controller 1060, the input/output interface 1204 can be a control panel. Although illustrated as a single interface 1204 in FIG. 12, two or more interfaces 1204 may be used according to particular implementations of the computer 1202. The computer 1202 can be communicably coupled with a network via the interface 1204. In addition to communicating with sensors and other components of the alarm system, the interface 1204 is used by the computer 1202 for communicating with other systems that are connected to the network in a distributed environment. The interface 1204 may comprise software supporting one or more communication protocols associated with communications such that the network or interface's hardware is operable to communicate physical signals within and outside of the illustrated computer 1202.

The computer 1202 includes a processor 1205. Although illustrated as a single processor 1205 in FIG. 12, two or more processors may be used according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 1202. Generally, the processor 1205 executes instructions and manipulates data to perform the operations of the computer 1202 and any algorithms, methods, functions, processes, flows, and procedures as described in this specification.

The computer 1202 includes a memory 1207 that can hold data for the computer 1202 or other components (or a combination of both) that can be connected to the network. Although illustrated as a single memory 1207 in FIG. 12, two or more memories 1207 (of the same or combination of types) can be used according to particular needs, desires, or particular implementations of the computer 1202 and the described functionality. While memory 1207 is illustrated as an integral component of the computer 1202, memory 1207 can be external to the computer 1202. The memory 1207 can be a transitory or non-transitory storage medium. The memory 1207 stores computer-readable instructions executable by the processor 1205 that, when executed, cause the processor 1205 to perform the operations described herein. The computer 1202 can also include a power supply 1214.

Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications, substitutions, and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the previously described implementations do not define or constrain this disclosure, and other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

GUN LOCK WITH ALARM SYSTEM SUPERVISORY BY ZONE

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