Patent Application
20180129920
The invention relates generally to associating data with a tactical asset and, more particularly, to a system and method for associating data, such as identification information, to tactical assets, such as firearms.
It is well-known that tactical assets, such as pistols, rifles, stun guns, Tasers®, and guns generally, collectively referred to herein as “firearms”, can provide its user with considerable physical force, which can be used for legitimate defensive and protective ends. However, if firearms are not properly secured, they could be stolen or otherwise misappropriated, and potentially pose a significant public danger. Therefore, proper security and accountability of firearms is important. Accordingly, what is needed is an accountability system and method for readily tracking, recording, maintaining, and accessing information relating to firearms, and preferably also for periodically scheduling a full review in which all information relating to firearms is maintained and accounted for.
The present invention, accordingly, provides an accountability system and method effective to readily track, record, and maintain encoded information relating to firearms, and to schedule a full review of same periodically. This is achieved by engraving onto a firearm a computer-readable code, or marking, such as bar code or a 2D code such as QR code or Data Matrix code. The marking is preferably engraved using a fiber laser, and the information stored in the marking may be any suitable information, such as a firearm owner's name, address, last four digits of their social security number, concealed handgun license (“CHL”) number, business name, personal message for gifting, or any other text desired. Such information is preferably stored and backed up to an easy-to-use and easy-to-edit cloud-based database.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the encoded information is embedded in a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip positioned on or embedded within the firearm.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the encoded information is embedded in both a visible marking and an RFID chip embedded within the firearm.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. In the interest of conciseness, well-known elements may be illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail, and details concerning various other components known to the art, such as firearms, bar codes, QR codes, Data Matrix codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, scanners, and the like, have not been shown or discussed in detail inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
As used herein, the term “substantially” is to be construed as a term of approximation. Additionally, the term “firearm” shall be used herein in a collective manner to refer to rifles, pistols, stun guns, Tasers®, guns generally, and the like.
Referring to
In accordance with features of the invention, the encoded information may be stored in a visible computer-readable marking 104, such as a bar code, a QR code, a Data Matrix, or the like, to which the encoded information is applied and/or linked via a unique ID code to a database (as discussed below with respect to
Marking 104 is preferably applied by means of laser 106, which laser is preferably a fiber laser. To be effective, though, marking 104 must have sufficient contrast so that dark and light portions of the marking are distinguishable by a scanner. There are a number of different ways that contrast of the computer-readable marking 104 may be made visible, depending on the finish of the firearm. If the firearm is painted, marking 104 will preferably be laser-engraved at about 2000 mm/ps so that only the paint is removed and the silver of the metal under it shows. If the firearm is nickel-plated or fabricated from stainless steel, marking 104 may be applied by moving laser 106 at a slower speed so the marking is etched a little deeper into the metal and to provide a textured feel, thereby providing sufficient contrast to be read. Alternatively, marking 104 could be annealed onto the gun by way of deflecting the laser's focus at 5-10 mm so that the laser colors, rather than engraves, the marking into the firearm metal. The color may be controlled by the amount of heat applied to the metal which raises the temperature of the metal, just as an oxy/acetylene torch can do to metal.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 110 is securely positioned on, or embedded within, the firearm, and the encoded information is embedded in the RFID chip. A scanning antenna and transceiver (not shown) are then used in a conventional manner to read the encoded information stored on or in connection with the RFID chip.
In a further embodiment of the invention, encoded information is embedded in both a visible marking 104 and an RFID chip 110 embedded within the firearm.
In operation, as shown in
Once the marking is applied to a firearm, it is then preferably scanned using a 2D scanner (e.g., a code scanner, a “smart” phone camera). In one embodiment, the information is communicated to a computer configured to decode the encoded information residing in the marking, and then displaying the decoded information on a display, as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the scanned marking is then communicated to a custom software database, preferably residing in the cloud and accessible via the Internet, that will preferably allow the data to be altered for a new issue of a firearm, a reissue of a firearm, checking out of a firearm, returning of a firearm, and the like. The program preferably includes other features, such as profile management of employees, firearm management, and the ability to add a firearm with full description and information. All information is preferably stored with a date and time stamp which is linked to a calendar so a user can obtain a full view of a firearm and its full history with full user accountability, as well as a maintenance folder for all firearms with open editable tabs to input any and all firearm data that may be needed, including maintenance scheduling and ability to print a work order to repair a firearm. All data will preferably be printable to spreadsheets for analysis.
Once the encoded information is scanned and uploaded to the cloud server, then, as shown in
The system of the present invention may be sold as a kit to gun stores with training on use, and may include fully customizable personal information in encoded form. Operation of the present invention may be provided as a service at gun stores and gun shows that allow customers to have their personal information engraved or stored onto a firearm using a computer-readable marking or RFID. Alternatively, an owner of a firearm may drop-off or mail in the firearm to a business that would engrave the marking or code the RFID with desired encoded information, and then the owner could link the marking to the desired information, which information the user or business would preferably fill in through the website or mobile phone application (“app”). The app or website would preferably include a link to click on to save the scanned information to a database residing on, or accessed by, the app or website.
The invention may also be utilized by police departments, private security agencies, military departments, and any other organizations that use firearms, to issue, track, and keep a full record of issued firearms and any other tactical assets.
It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, its use is not limited to firearms, but could be readily adapted for use with other assets, particularly tactical assets, such as vehicles (e.g., Humvees, MRAPs, squad cars, patrol cars, and the like), weapons, and special tactical assets, such as drones and robotic equipment. The database storing the encoded information may be adapted to include a maintenance folder to schedule repairs or maintenance for assets with routine maintenance and work order scheduling. A portion or all of the information applied to a firearm could be applied in a form readable by a human.
In a further variation and embodiment of the invention, the invention may be used to track persons, such as employees, by way of user (i.e., employee) name and password, or by way of ID cards which may be entered or scanned into a database. This embodiment could be used to clock-in and clock-out employees for purposes of accounting and payroll, preferably using cloud software which would integrate with accounting programs such as Quickbooks®. Additionally, this embodiment could be used to track who checks-out and checks-in issued equipment, such as tactical gear.
In a still further variation and embodiment of the invention, a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) transmitter and accelerometer are preferably secured to an asset, e.g., a firearm, and are preferably powered by battery. The battery is preferably a small, short-life rechargeable battery that includes micro-mechanisms effective for converting movement of the asset to electrical energy for charging the battery. In operation, movement of the asset charges the battery and would be detected by the accelerometer for activating the GPS to determine and transmit the GPS location to a designated person. For example, if the GPS transmitter is secured to a father's firearm, the father tells a son to not move the firearm, and the son moves the firearm, then the GPS would be activated and automatically send a signal (e.g., via a push notification) to an app on the father's mobile phone informing the father that the firearm has been moved, e.g., by the son or a thief. In another application, a receiver is integrated into the transmitter and, if the location of the asset, such as a firearm, is unknown, a signal may be sent to the receiver to activate the GPS and transmit a signal indicative of the location of the asset. Still further, the GPS on the asset, such as a firearm, may be configured to geofence or geolock into its position, so that if the asset is moved outside of the geofence or moved from its locked position, it would send an alert to a designated person indicating, for example, the firearm may have been stolen.
Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/413,310, filed Oct. 26, 2016, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62413310 | Oct 2016 | US |
