Abstract: Evidence collecting and recording apparatus for collecting and preserving evidence of an event relating to the use of a gun, for example when it is removed from its holster and aimed at a person who might be a threat. The apparatus comprises an electronic camera and a short-range wireless transmitter, configured to be disposed on the gun, for creating and transmitting a video stream, and an electronic relay device, such as a smartphone, for wirelessly re-transmitting the video stream to a remote central station for display on a video screen. The electronic relay device and/or the central station includes a logic device for processing the video stream to determine the identity of any person appearing in the video images. Advantageously, facial recognition is used to identify the person or persons in the video images.

Abstract: Evidence collecting and recording apparatus for collecting and preserving evidence of an event relating to the use of a gun, for example when it is removed from its holster and aimed at a person who might be a threat. The apparatus comprises an electronic camera and a short-range wireless transmitter, configured to be disposed on the gun, for creating and transmitting a video stream, and an electronic relay device, such as a smartphone, for wirelessly re-transmitting the video stream to a remote central station for display on a video screen. The electronic relay device and/or the central station includes a logic device for processing the video stream to determine the identity of any person appearing in the video images. Advantageously, facial recognition is used to identify the person or persons in the video images.

Abstract: A method for alerting the authorities that a person with a gun has entered a safe zone includes the steps of: (a) downloading to an app-enabled, and GPS-enabled, smartphone the coordinates of one or more safe zones in which the unauthorized presence of guns is prohibited; (b) when said smartphone enters a safe zone, sensing the presence of any gun that is in the vicinity of said smartphone; and (c) if the presence of a gun is sensed in the vicinity of said smartphone, transmitting an alert message by means of said smartphone to a central office for the attention of security forces. Apparatus for carrying out this method includes a transponder tag attached to a gun and an app-enabled, and GPS-enabled, smartphone capable of determining when the smartphone is within a safe zone and capable of sensing the presence of the transponder tag.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting a person in aiming a gun includes an electronic camera configured to be disposed on the gun, which produces a digital signal representing an image of an area at which the gun is aimed. The camera has a telephoto lens for magnifying the image of the aiming area. A digital display, configured to be disposed on the gun and coupled to receive the digital signal, displays the image together with an indication of the point, within the aiming area, at which the gun is aimed. A control device, coupled too the telephoto lens, is provided for adjusting the degree of magnification of the telephoto lens.

Abstract: Apparatus for locking and unlocking a gun to control its use includes a gun lock device that selects between two operative states: a locked state which prevents the gun from firing and an unlocked state which enables gun firing. An electronic imaging device which is mounted on the gun produces digital images of the area at which the gun is aimed. Electronic shooting protection apparatus, which is coupled to the gun lock device and to the electronic imaging device, produces a gun control signal that selects locked state when the gun is aimed a protected person or object.

Abstract: When a person intending to use a gun is a safety risk, the authorities (e.g., the police) should be notified and a gun held by that person should be locked to prevent its firing. Apparatus for doing just that comprises an electronic testing device for determining an emotional state and/or the competency of a person intending to use a gun and for producing a signal when the emotional state and/or competency of the person is not considered appropriate or adequate for a safe and proper use of a gun. An electronic warning device, coupled to said testing device, can be provided to alert the authorities that the person intending to use a gun is at risk of using a gun in an unsafe manner.

Abstract: A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun keys are provided to transmit gun lock/unlock data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to a gun control signal transmitted by one of the gun key devices with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device. The logic device automatically locks the gun when it is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a prescribed protected area. The logic device also locks the gun when the gun user is intoxicated or acting in an irrational manner. Once locked, the user must set a timer which allows the gun to be unlocked only after a specified “wait” time.

Abstract: Apparatus for locking and unlocking a gun to control its use includes a gun lock device that selects between two operative states: a locked state which prevents the gun from firing and an unlocked state which enables gun firing. An electronic imaging device which is mounted on the gun produces digital images of the area at which the gun is aimed. Electronic shooting protection apparatus, which is coupled to the gun lock device and to the electronic imaging device, produces a gun control signal that selects locked state when the gun is aimed a protected person or object.

Abstract: A battery-powered trigger-locking device, which is configured to be disposed on a gun with a trigger for firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a trigger-locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the gun to be fired. A separate electronic gun key is provided to transmit gun unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This gun unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.

Abstract: A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun keys are provided to transmit gun lock/unlock data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to a gun control signal transmitted by one of the gun key devices with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device. The logic device automatically locks the gun when it is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a prescribed protected area. The logic device also locks the gun when the gun user is intoxicated or acting in an irrational manner. Once locked, the user must set a timer which allows the gun to be unlocked only after a specified “wait” time.

Abstract: A gun lock device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether security data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as security data stored in the data memory. One or more separate smartphones are provided to transmit the security data and a gun lock/unlock signal to the gun lock device. The smartphone and the gun lock device operate together to automatically lock the gun when the gun is aimed in the direction of the authorized gun user (e.g. the gun owner) or the direction of any of the gun user's friends who have accepted the user's friend request from the app “Find Friends.”.

Abstract: A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun keys are provided to transmit gun lock/unlock data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to a gun control signal transmitted by one of the gun key devices with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device. The logic device automatically locks the gun when it is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a prescribed protected area. The logic device also locks the gun when the gun user is intoxicated or acting in an irrational manner. Once locked, the user must set a timer which allows the gun to be unlocked only after a specified “wait” time.

Abstract: A battery-powered trigger-locking device, which is configured to be disposed on a gun with a trigger for firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a trigger-locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the gun to be fired. A separate electronic gun key is provided to transmit gun unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This gun unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.

Abstract: A battery-powered locking device, such as a trigger-lock which is configured to be disposed on a gun with a trigger for firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a trigger-locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the gun to be fired. A separate electronic gun key is provided to transmit gun unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This gun unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.

Abstract: A battery-powered locking device, such as a trigger-lock which is configured to be disposed on a gun with a trigger for firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a trigger-locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the gun to be fired. A separate electronic gun key is provided to transmit gun unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This gun unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.

Abstract: A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun keys are provided to transmit gun lock/unlock data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to a gun control signal transmitted by one of the gun key devices with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device. The logic device automatically locks the gun when it is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a prescribed protected area. The logic device also locks the gun when the gun user is intoxicated or acting in an irrational manner. Once locked, the user must set a timer which allows the gun to be unlocked only after a specified “wait” time.

Abstract: A gun lock device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether security data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as security data stored in the data memory. One or more separate smartphones are provided to transmit the security data and a gun lock/unlock signal to the gun lock device. The smartphone and the gun lock device operate together to automatically lock the gun when the gun is aimed in the direction of the authorized gun user (e.g. the gun owner) or the direction of any of the gun user's friends who have accepted the user's friend request from the app “Find Friends.

Abstract: A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun keys are provided to transmit gun lock/unlock data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to a gun control signal transmitted by one of the gun key devices with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device. The logic device automatically locks the gun when it is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a prescribed protected area. The logic device also locks the gun when the gun user is intoxicated or acting in an irrational manner. Once locked, the user must set a timer which allows the gun to be unlocked only after a specified “wait” time.

Abstract: A gun trigger-locking device which is configured to be manually installed on a gun with a trigger-blocking member disposed behind the trigger to prevent the gun from being fired. The device includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the trigger-blocking member to be manually removed from the gun so the gun can be fired. A separate electronic key is provided to transmit unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.

Abstract: A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed on or in a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether security data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the saris, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun key devices are provided to transmit security data and gun control signals to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to the gun control signals transmitted by one of the gun key devices to lock or unlock the gun, respectively, when the received security data and the security data stored in memory are substantially similar. The logic device also automatically locks the gun when the gun is located more than a prescribed distance from the gun key device.