Gun with user notification

• US 20050066567A1
• Filed: 06/18/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reginald Hill Newkirk, Tony N. Newkirk, Toy M. Newkirk
• Original Assignee: Reginald Hill Newkirk, Tony N. Newkirk, Toy M. Newkirk
• Inventors: Newkirk, Reginald Hill, Newkirk, Toy M., Newkirk, Tony N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/70.110
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/06 Electric or electromechanical safeties F41A17/04, F41A17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/029 combined with electronic devices, e.g. GPS

Abstract

A gun is disclosed having conventional components and a holster. The gun has means for detecting removal of the gun from the holster, means for processing the output of the detection means, and means for authenticating the user of the gun. The gun has means for notifying remote authorities that the gun has been removed from the holster, means for receiving remote commands to lock the trigger and/or initiate a global positioning system. The gun has means for selectively locking the trigger from a remote location and means for selectively activating a global positioning system from the remote location.

Claims

1. (cancelled)

2. (cancelled)

3. A method of monitoring the use of a gun, the gun having an authorization code input and a holster, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing the removal of the gun from the holster by a user; and

receiving an authorization code from the user by means of the code input.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said code input includes telephone circuitry that creates a communication link between the user of the gun and a third party to authorize the user if the user fails to provide the authorization code.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the gun has a global positioning system (GPS) that is activated upon receiving an activation code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the gun has a video transmitter, the method further comprising the steps of:

providing video imagery of the user to the third party;

monitoring for a break in the communication link between the user and the third party; and

reestablishing communication with the third party when the link is repaired.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the gun has a lock that locks the trigger or hammer upon receiving a lock code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

8. A method of monitoring the use of a gun, the gun having a processor, memory, at least one sensor, mobile telephony technology including voice over IP, and a holster, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing the removal of the gun from the holster by a user; and

creating a two way communication link between the user of the gun and a third party to authorize the user.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the gun has a lock that is activated upon receiving a lock code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the gun has a GPS system that is activated upon receiving an activation code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the gun has one of a keyboard or microphone through which the user may provide an authorization code.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the gun has a video transmitter, the method further comprising the steps of:

providing video imagery of the user to the third party;

monitoring for a break in the communication link between the user and the third party; and

reestablishing communication with the third party when the link is repaired.

13. The method of claim 8 including receiving an authorization code from the user or third party.

14. A method of monitoring the use of a gun comprising:

sensing the removal of the gun from the holster by a user;

contacting a third party to authorize the user; and

receiving a lock code from the third party for locking the trigger or hammer if the user fails to be authorized.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the gun has a speaker and microphone for receiving communications from the user, and the gun creates a two way communication link between the user and the third party to authorize the user.

16. The method of claim 14 including receiving a code from the third party for activating a GPS system if the user fails to be authorized.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the gun has a keyboard or microphone through which the user provides an authorization code to the gun.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said gun has a video transmitter for providing video imagery of the user to the third party.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the gun monitors for a break in the communication link between the user and the third party and reestablishes communication with the third party when the link is repaired.

20. A gun comprising a processor, memory, at least one sensor and a holster, wherein:

the sensor senses the removal of the gun from the holster by a user; and

the processor receives an authorization code from the user.

21. The gun of claim 20 wherein the gun has a mobile telephone circuitry which contacts a third party to authorize the user.

22. The gun of claim 20 wherein the gun has a lock that the trigger or hammer upon receiving a lock code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

23. The gun of claim 20 wherein the gun has a GPS system that is activated upon receiving an activation code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

24. The gun of claim 20 wherein the gun has a video transmitter that provides video imagery and audio feed of the user to the third party.

25. A gun comprising a holster and, within said gun, at least one sensor and mobile telephone circuitry, wherein:

the sensor senses the removal of the gun from the holster by a user; and

the telephone circuitry creates a two way communication link between the user of the gun and a third party to authorize the user.

26. The gun of claim 25 including a trigger or hammer lock that is activated upon receiving an activation code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

27. The gun of claim 25 having a GPS system that is activated upon receiving an activation code from the third party if the user fails to be authorized.

28. The gun of claim 25 having a keyboard or microphone so that the user may provide the gun with an authorization code.

29. The gun of claim 25 having a video transceiver, wherein the gun:

provides video imagery and audio feed of the user to the third party;

monitors for a break in the communication link between the user and the third party; and

reestablishes communication with the third party when the link is repaired.

30. The gun of claim 29 including receiving an authorization code by the user or third party and scanning for replacement of the gun in the holster.

31. A gun and holster combination, comprising:

means for detecting removal of the gun from the holster;

means for receiving authorization for authorizing the user of the gun in response to receiving output from the detection means.

32. The gun and holster combination of claim 31 including means for notifying remote authorities in response to the output from the authorization means, said notification means capable of being terminated.

33. The gun and holster combination of claim 31 including means for receiving remote commands from the remote authorities to either lock the trigger or initiate a GPS system.

34. The gun and holster combination of claim 31 including means for locking the trigger or means for activating a GPS system.

35. The gun of claim 31 having means for resetting the software following the termination of the notification means.