Detecting and tracking of gunshots in a physical space

• US 10,789,831 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2019
• Issued: 09/29/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2019
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dahm Endeavor LLC
• Original Assignee: Dahm Endeavor LLC
• Inventors: Dahm, Matthew Vincent, Dahm, II, Kevin Wayne, Dahm, Jeanmarie, Dahm, Kevin Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Akki, Munear T
• Application Number:
  US16/536,126
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/08 Actuation involving the use of explosive means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/12 Actuation by presence of radiation or particles, e.g. of infrared radiation or of ions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/00 Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/001 Signalling to an emergency team, e.g. firemen
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/223 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/38 using flashing light
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

Active shooters are becoming a common threat in public areas. Detection and analysis of a gunshot in a public area can aid administrative and first responder personnel in determining that a gun has been fired and in stopping the threat quickly. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to solutions for detecting and analyzing gunshots and fires, and transmitting that information to administrative personnel and first responders.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a gunshot in a physical space, the method comprising:

utilizing a particulate sensor in the physical space to detect an increase in particulate matter, wherein the increase is less than 10 micro particles to greater than 100 micro particles;

determining by the particulate sensor whether the increase in particulate matter is due to a gunshot;

transmitting from the particulate sensor an indication about the gunshot to an administrative user computing device based on the determination; and

wherein transmitting the indication about the gunshot to the administrative user further comprises mapping by the administrative user computing device a received signal from the particulate sensor to an electronic interactive map of the physical space.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particulate sensor can detect substances that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical space is a multi-room building or a single room.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein an administrative user is a building administrator, central dispatch or a first responder.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic interactive map of the physical space has an icon for each sensor and the icon changes color, size or flashes at variable speeds when a gunshot is detected.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the administrative user computing device transmits information about the detected gunshot to first responders.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the administrative user computing device transmits information about the gunshot to a user computing device.

8. A system comprising:

a particulate sensor in a physical space to detect an increase in particulate matter, wherein the increase is less than 10 micro particles to greater than 100 micro particles, the particulate sensor configured to determine whether the increase in particulate matter is due to a gunshot in the physical space;

a communication network;

an interactive electronic map on an administrative user computing device for the physical space with a known marked location for each of the sensors; and

a processor configured to execute instructions to;

receive information from the particulate sensor regarding a gunshot detected in the physical space; and

transmit information regarding the gunshot detected in the physical space to the administrative user computing device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor is a particulate sensor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sensor can detect substances that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the physical space is a multi-room building or a single room.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the administrative user is a building administrator, central dispatch, or a first responder.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication network can be wired or wireless.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the transmitting information regarding the gunshot detected in the physical space to the administrative user further comprises mapping a received signal from the sensor to an electronic interactive map of the physical space.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic interactive map of the physical space has an icon for each sensor and the icon changes color, size or flashes at variable speeds when a gunshot is detected.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein the administrative user computing device transmits a location of the gunshot to first responders.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the administrative user computing device transmits a location of the gunshot to a user computing device.

18. A method for detecting a gunshot in a physical space, the method comprising:

utilizing a particulate sensor in the physical space to detect an increase in particulate matter, wherein the increase is less than 10 micro particles to greater than 100 micro particles;

determining by the particulate sensor whether the increase in particulate matter is due to a gunshot;

transmitting by a computer an indication about the gunshot to an administrative user computing device based on the determination; and

wherein transmitting the indication about the gunshot to the administrative user further comprises mapping by the administrative user computing device a received signal from the particulate sensor to an electronic interactive map of the physical space.