Apparatus for detecting the discharge of a firearm and transmitting an alerting signal to a predetermined location

• US 5,917,775 A
• Filed: 02/07/1996
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 8X8, Inc.
• Inventors: Salisbury, Gary Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/597,704
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 340/323 R, 340/573, 340/686, 340/531, 340/540, 340/552, 340/573.1, 340/656.6, 379/39, 367/93, 367/94, 367/906, 367/135, 367/124
• US Class Current: 367/93
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 3/12 by electric means G01H3/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/001 Acoustic presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/906 Airborne shock-wave detection

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting the discharge of a firearm and transmitting an alerting signal to a predetermined location. The invention provides for detection circuitry having: (1) a microphone for detecting pre-set sensitivity levels, (2) a measuring means for measuring acoustic energy generated from the discharge of the firearm, resulting in acoustic energy information, (3) transferring means for transferring the acoustic energy information to a digital signal processor, which converts the acoustic energy information into digital format, resulting in digitized binary codes, (4) an analyzing means for comparing the digitized binary codes contained in the digital signal processor with a set of predetermined criteria, (5) a verification process, and (6) an alerting means for transmitting an alerting signal to a predetermined location in the event the digitized binary codes match the set of predetermined criteria.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting the discharge of a firearm and transmitting an alerting signal to a predetermined location comprising:

detection circuitry comprising;

a microphone for detecting pre-set sensitivity levels;

acoustic energy measuring means for measuring acoustic energy generated from the discharge of said firearm resulting in acoustic energy information, wherein said acoustic energy measuring means measures sound decibel level, duration, frequency, pitch, tone, and pressure level from said discharge of said firearm;

transferring means for transferring said acoustic energy information to a digital signal processor, wherein said acoustic energy information is converted into digital format resulting in digitized binary codes;

and an analyzing means for comparing said digitized binary codes contained in said digital signal processor with a set of predetermined criteria;

a verification process; and

an alerting means for transmitting an alerting signal to a predetermined location when said digitized binary codes match said set of predetermined criteria.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said microphone is a piezo electric microphone.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said microphone is adjustable for sensitivity to limit or increase the range of detection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said analyzing means comprises said digital signal processor and a first integrated circuit chip wherein said digitized binary codes are compared to predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said verification process either confirms or denies a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first integrated circuit chip effectuates a second integrated circuit chip in the event said verification process confirms a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second integrated circuit chip initiates said alerting means for transmitting an alerting signal to said predetermined location in the event said verification process confirms a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters and effectuates a third integrated circuit chip.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said third integrated circuit chip transmits a pre-programmed audio message containing pertinent information including location, operating hours, and notification of said discharge of said firearm for a predetermined duration for a predetermined number of cycles.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said detection circuitry is reset in the event said verification process denies a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters or said predetermined number of cycles has ended.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said predetermined location comprises an alarm monitoring station.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said alarm monitoring station comprises an alarm circuit board capable of ascertaining the location of said alerting means.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises an alarming means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said alarming means is selected from the group consisting of silent, audible, visual, and any combination thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alerting means utilizes technologies selected from the group consisting of standard telephone communications, radio frequency communications, cellular data telephone communications, and satellite communications.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detection circuitry and alerting means are independent of any existing alarm system.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detection circuitry and alerting means are incorporated within an existing alarm system.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detection circuitry and alerting means initiate an audio recorder, video recorder, automatic door or window locking mechanism, exterior audible alarm, still picture camera or any combination thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detection circuitry further comprises a battery.

19. An apparatus for detecting the discharge of a firearm and transmitting an alerting signal to a predetermined location comprising:

detection circuitry comprising;

a piezo electric microphone for detecting pre-set sensitivity levels wherein said microphone is adjustable for sensitivity to limit or increase the range of detection;

a converting means for converting data collected from said microphone into digital format resulting in digitized binary codes, wherein said converting means further comprises;

means for measuring acoustic energy generated from the discharge of said firearm resulting in acoustic energy information, wherein said acoustic energy measuring means measures sound decibel level, duration, frequency, pitch, tone, and pressure level from said discharge of said firearm; and

means for transferring said acoustic energy information to said digital signal processor for conversion into said digital format resulting in digitized binary codes;

a digital signal processor for receiving said digitized binary codes; and

an analyzing means for comparing said digitized binary codes contained in said digital signal processor with a set of predetermined criteria, wherein said analyzing means comprises said digital signal processor and a first integrated circuit chip wherein said digitized binary codes are compared to predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip;

a verification process which either confirms or denies a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters, wherein said first integrated circuit chip effectuates a second integrated circuit chip in the event said verification process confirms a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters, wherein second integrated circuit chip initiates said alerting means for alerting said predetermined location in the event said verification process confirms a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters and effectuates a third integrated circuit chip, wherein said third integrated circuit chip transmits a pre-programmed audio message containing pertinent information including location, operating hours, and notification of said discharge of said firearm for a predetermined duration for a predetermined number of cycles, wherein said detection circuitry is reset in the event said verification process denies a match between said digitized binary codes contained within said digital signal processor and said predetermined criteria contained within said first integrated circuit chip within predetermined parameters or said predetermined number of cycles has ended;

an alerting means for transmitting an alerting signal to a predetermined location in the event said digitized binary codes match said set of predetermined criteria, wherein said predetermined location comprises an alarm monitoring station further comprising an alarm circuit board capable of ascertaining the location of said alerting means, wherein said alerting means utilizes technologies selected from the group consisting of standard telephone communications, radio frequency communications, cellular data telephone communications, and satellite communications;

an alarming means selected from the group consisting of silent, audible, visual, and any combination thereof;

a battery; and

wherein said detection circuitry and alerting means are independent of any existing alarm system or are incorporated within an existing alarm system, wherein said detection circuitry and alerting means initiate an audio recorder, video recorder, automatic door or window locking mechanism, exterior audible alarm, still picture camera or any combination thereof.