Patent Application
20210140732
The disclosure generally relates to firearm systems and more particularly relates to a wireless firearm system operable to remotely discharge firearms.
Traditional firearms are typically discharged through mechanical actuation from an exterior force acting on the firearm's trigger. For example, the firearm can include a single-stage trigger assembly embedded within the receiver. In a single-stage trigger assembly, an outside force acts on the trigger and causes the trigger to rotate within the trigger guard and receiver. The rotation of the trigger displaces the trigger interface away from the sear on the hammer component. The released sear permits the hammer to quickly rotate to a projectile cartridge primer within the receiver thereby causing discharge of the firearm. Once the projectile is discharged, the hammer swings back to a trigger disconnector, the outside force releases the trigger, and the sear reengages the trigger interface. Although a single-stage trigger assembly is the most common assembly in rifles, many other trigger assemblies can be embedded within a firearm receiver. Each of the trigger assemblies need a physical input to cause actuation of the assembly and discharge of the firearm. Accordingly, there is a need for a remote-controlled trigger assembly.
Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the wireless firearm system disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the wireless firearm system includes a device computer processor operable to execute a set of computer-readable instructions. Attached to the device computer process is a device memory operable to store the set of computer-readable instructions. The device memory is operable to receive a first set of firearm values from a first firearm transmitter, receive a firing sequence command, and determine a second set of firearm values based at least in part on the firing sequence command. The device memory can determine the first set of firearm values is less than the second set of firearm values and communicate the firing sequence command to a firearm memory.
Other features and aspects of the wireless firearm system will be apparent or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and the detailed description. All other features and aspects, as well as other system, method, and assembly embodiments, are intended to be included within the description and are intended to be within the scope of the accompanying claims.
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. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
Described below are embodiments of systems and methods for wireless communication and control of one or more firearms via a wireless firearm system. The wireless firearm system includes a user device and a firearm equipped with a firearm trigger computing assembly. The user device and the firearm trigger computing assembly are in communication with each other. For example, the user device can transmit, receive, and store information about the firearm equipped with the firearm trigger computing assembly disposed within the firearm. Similarly, the firearm can transmit, receive, and store information about the firearm to and from the user device. The user device and the firearm can operably communicate to remotely discharge the firearm at a given discharge rate, with a particular number of projectiles, and at a particular time interval (e.g., collectively referred to herein as a firearm sequence command). In this manner, a user can remotely operate the firearm in a variety of sequences and durations. In some instances, the user device may be in communication with a number of firearms equipped with a firearm trigger computing assembly.
These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be described in more detail through reference to the accompanying drawings in the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. This brief introduction is provided for the reader's convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims or the proceeding sections. Furthermore, the techniques described above and below may be implemented in a number of ways and in a number of contexts. Several example implementations and contexts are provided with reference to the following figures, as described below in more detail. However, the following implementations and contexts are but a few of many.
In certain embodiments, the firearm trigger computing assembly 106 and user device 102 communicate one or more values (e.g., default values and user input values). In some instances, the one or more values operably detail characteristics of the firearm and detail command inputs by the user 103. The one or more values include a first value, a second value, and a third value. In other instances, more than three values may communicate between the user device 102 and firearm trigger computing assembly 106. The first value includes a number of projectiles. The second value includes a firearm identification number (e.g., a randomized number or a detailed, specific number identifying a type of firearm). The third value includes a number of projectiles to discharge. One or more values are included in a set of values (e.g., a first set of firearm values, a second set of firearm values). For example, the first value and the second value are included in the first set of firearm values. The second set of values can include one or more of the values disclosed herein. In some instances, the user 103 may input a set of values (e.g., a firing sequence command) via the user device 102. Other values include discharge rates, lists of discharge rates, and time intervals.
The wireless firearm system 100 includes the firearm trigger computing assembly 106. In some instances, the firearm trigger computing assembly 106 includes a firearm computer processor 116 (as referred to as a computer) operable to execute a set of computer readable instructions and a firearm memory 118 operable to store the set of computer-readable instructions. The firearm computer processor 116 and memory 118 are disposed within the firearm lower receiver 112. In other instances, the firearm computer processor 116 and memory 118 are disposed within other components of the firearm, such as the butt stock, upper receiver, or on an exterior surface of the firearm. The firearm computer processor 116 and memory 118 may communicate with the network 104 and/or the user device 102 via a firearm transmitter 120. The firearm transmitter 120 is configured to send signals (e.g., radio signal) to the network 104 and/or user device 102. The firearm computer processor 116 may receive data from the network 104 and/or the user device 102 via a circuit board receiver 122 or the like.
The at least one firearm memory 118 includes a set of computer-executable instructions that can be executed by the at least one firearm computer processor 116 (e.g., one process shown in
The firearm trigger computing assembly 106 of the firearm is in communication with the trigger assembly 110 (e.g., as shown in
The firearm trigger computing assembly 106 of the firearm is in communication with a power source 108 disposed within the grip 114 of the firearm (e.g., as shown in
As depicted in
In certain embodiments, the firearm may include a keypad (not shown). For example, the keypad includes a keypad processor and keypad memory configured to lock the firearm trigger computing assembly 106. In this manner, the keypad restricts the operation of the firearm until a sequence code is entered into the keypad. In other instances, the keypad includes a grip sensor configured to receive input such as pressure or fingerprints of a user 103.
As shown in
The wireless firearm system 100 includes the user device 102, operable by the user 103, in communication with the network 104 and/or firearm trigger computing assembly 106. Any of user devices 102 and firearm trigger computing assemblies 106 may be configured to communicate with each other and any other component of the system via one or more networks. The network 104 may include, but is not limited to, any one or a combination of different types of suitable communications networks such as, for example, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, cellular networks, or any other suitable private and/or public networks. Further, the network 104 may have any suitable communication range associated therewith and may include, for example, global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal area networks (PANs). In addition, the network may include any type of medium over which network traffic may be carried including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted-pair wire, optical fiber, a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) medium, microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication mediums, satellite communication mediums, or any combination thereof. The user device 102 includes a user device receiver 138 and user device transmitter 140 to communicate with the network 104 and/or firearm trigger computing assembly 106.
As shown in
As discussed herein, the user device 102 includes one or more user device computer processors 142 that may include any suitable processing unit capable of accepting digital data as input, processing the input data based on stored computer-executable instructions, and generating output data. In some instances, the user device 102 includes a data storage 149. The computer-executable instructions may be stored, for example, in the data storage 149 and may include, among other things, operating system software and application software. The computer-executable instructions may be retrieved from the data storage 149 and loaded into the memory 144 as needed for execution. The processor may be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause various operations to be performed. Each processor may include any type of processing unit including, but not limited to, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) microprocessor, a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and so forth.
The data storage may store program instructions that are loadable and executable by the processors, as well as data manipulated and generated by one or more of the processors during execution of the program instructions. The program instructions may be loaded into the memory as needed for execution. Depending on the configuration and implementation of the user device 102, the memory may be volatile memory (memory that is not configured to retain stored information when not supplied with power) such as random access memory (RAM) and/or non-volatile memory (memory that is configured to retain stored information even when not supplied with power) such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and so forth. In various implementations, the memory may include multiple different types of memory, such as various forms of static random access memory (SRAM), various forms of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), unalterable ROM, and/or writeable variants of ROM such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and so forth.
Various program modules, applications, or the like may be stored in data storage that may comprise computer-executable instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors cause various operations to be performed. The memory may have loaded from the data storage one or more operating systems (O/S) that may provide an interface between other application software (e.g., dedicated applications, a browser application, a web-based application, a distributed client-server application, etc.) executing on the server computing device and the hardware resources of the server computing device. More specifically, the 0/S may include a set of computer-executable instructions for managing the hardware resources of the server computing device and for providing common services to other application programs (e.g., managing memory allocation among various application programs). The O/S may include any operating system now known or which may be developed in the future including, but not limited to, any mobile operating system, desktop or laptop operating system, mainframe operating system, or any other proprietary or open-source operating system.
The data storage includes computer-executable instructions for supporting functionality. For example, the data storage may include one or more applications. The user device 102 can include computer-executable instructions that in response to execution by one or more processors cause the firearm trigger computing assembly to facilitate discharging the firearm. The operations may also include receiving the first set of firearm values from the first firearm transmitter. The operations may also include receiving a firing sequence command from the user. The operations may also include determining a second set of firearm values based at least in part on the firing sequence command. The operations may also include determining the first set of firearm values is less than the second set of firearm values. The operations may also include communicating the firing sequence command to a firearm trigger computing assembly or firearm memory.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that any of the components of the wireless firearm system 100 and associated architecture may include alternate and/or additional hardware, software, or firmware components beyond those described or depicted without departing from the scope of the disclosure. More particularly, it should be appreciated that hardware, software, or firmware components depicted or described as forming part of any of the illustrative components of the wireless firearm system 100, and the associated functionality that such components support, are merely illustrative and that some components may not be present or additional components may be provided in various embodiments. While various program modules have been depicted and described with respect to various illustrative components of the wireless firearm system 100, it should be appreciated that the functionality described as being supported by the program modules may be enabled by any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. It should further be appreciated that each of the above-mentioned modules may, in various embodiments, represent a logical partitioning of supported functionality. This logical partitioning is depicted for ease of explanation of the functionality and may not be representative of the structure of hardware, software, and/or firmware for implementing the functionality. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the functionality described as being provided by a particular module may, in various embodiments, be provided at least in part by one or more other modules. Further, one or more depicted modules may not be present in certain embodiments, while in other embodiments, additional modules not depicted may be present and may support at least a portion of the described functionality and/or additional functionality. Further, while certain modules may be depicted and described as sub-modules of another module, in certain embodiments, such modules may be provided as independent modules.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the wireless firearm system 100 is provided by way of example only. Numerous other operating environments, system architectures, and device configurations are within the scope of this disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure may include fewer or greater numbers of components and/or devices and may incorporate some or all of the functionality described with respect to the wireless firearm system 100, or additional functionality.
Portions of the disclosure described above can be with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or computer program products according to example embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and the flow diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
Various block and/or flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatus, and/or computer program products can be described with respect to the above example embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto a special purpose computer or other particular machine, a processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer, processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. As an example, embodiments of the disclosure may provide for a computer program product, comprising a computer-usable medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions embodied therein, said computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements or operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elements or operations for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.
Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of elements or operations for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose, hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
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. Further, 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, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
