Method for Tracking a Weapon

Abstract

The present method comprises the steps of providing a tracking device to be embedded in a weapon. The tracking device would be built into the weapon or an attachable grip or clip such that the user would not be able to visibly see the tracking device or easily remove it. The weapon would be functional and the device would still be capable of emitting a trackable signal. The tracking device would include a set of data regarding the weapon. The tracking device would be monitored by a reader device. The reader device or computer attached to the reader device would collect the set of data if the tracking device was within a range. If the set of data matched a set data profile a response would be triggered.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method for tracking weapons by providing weapons with tracking devices. More specifically, the method provides a tracking device having data which can be transferred to a reader device embedded in a weapon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, gun manufacturers stamp a serial number on every gun made. A serial number can be used to trace gun transactions and therefore the history of a gun. If a gun is stolen or used in a crime, the serial number is often a link to important information. However, a serial number merely traces the ownership and/or transactions of a particular gun. The serial number may lead to solving a crime but cannot stop a crime before it has been committed. Nor can the serial number provide data in real time regarding the location or data history regarding the weapon.

Therefore what is needed is a method for tracking and/or tracing of a weapon. The present invention achieves this objective, as well as others that are explained in the following description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present method comprises the steps of providing a weapon which includes a tracking device. The tracking device would be built into the weapon or an attachable grip such that the user would not be able to visibly see the tracking device or easily remove it. The weapon would be functional and the device would still be capable of emitting a trackable signal. The tracking device would include a set of data regarding the weapon. The tracking device could be any number of devices which permits tracking. The tracking device could be tracked and monitored by different sources or reader devices. Such tracking mechanisms could include wireless connections, infra red technology, metal detectors or radio frequency readers. The weapon could be monitored using the tracking device embedded in the weapon. A response may be triggered if the tracking device was within a particular selected range. Additionally, the tracking device could be activated and monitored by a Global Positioning System such that the gun could be easily located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing a weapon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing a weapon.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing a weapon having a removable clip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the attachment of a grip in a weapon.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view, showing the present system and method.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view, showing the present system and method.

FIG. 7 is a graphical view, diagramming the steps of the present method.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
10	weapon	12	slide
14	hammer	16	handle
18	grip	20	trigger
22	trigger guard	24	barrell
26	handle unit	28	tracking device
30	alert system	32	reader device
34	computer	36	signal
38	range	40	set of data
42	grip	44	clip
46	weapon	48	tracking device
50	tracking device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a method and system for tracking a weapon, and therefore owner information and other data, by way of providing a tracking device embedded in a weapon, preferably in the handle of a weapon. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tracking device would be built into the weapon 10 such that the user would not be able to visibly see the tracking device or easily remove the handle 16 or grip 18 and still have a functioning weapon.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tracking device 28 embedded within weapon 10. A set of data would be uploaded to the tracking device 28 in the manufacturing stage. In the present instance, the weapon is shown as a handgun. The handgun (weapon 10) generally consists of a hammer 14, slide 12, barrel 24, trigger 20, trigger guard 22, handle 16 and grip 18. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the handgun closely resembles a prior art gun, with the exception of the embedded tracking device 28. Unit 26 covers and secures tracking device 28 within weapon 10. However, the reader will appreciate that tracking device 28 can be embedded in an area of weapon 10 which will provide adequate signal capability while preventing the owner or user from tampering with tracking device 28. Each handle 16 would maintain a serial number for safety purposes.

In an existing weapon 46, shown as a handgun in FIG. 3, the tracking device 48 could be integrated with the clip 44 provided to the user. The clip 44 would include tracking device 48 which would again provide adequate signal capability without permitting removal of the tracking device 48 from the clip 44.

In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, a tracking device 50 embedded in a grip 42 could be permanently added to an existing weapon 46 by replacing the existing grip with the modified grip 42. The grip 42 would be permanently added to the weapon 16 with pre-loaded information on the tracking device 50 regarding the existing weapon 46.

A simplified schematic view of the present system is shown in FIG. 5. Any known device could be used as a tracking device 28 and a reader device 32. The tracking system could thus utilize wireless technology, infra red technology or metal detectors, as an example. The device could be monitored by Global Positioning System such that the weapon could be easily located.

Reader device 32 preferably has a defined or selected range 38 within which tracking device 28 can be monitored. When weapon 10, or existing weapon 46, having tracking device (28, 48 or 50), is within range 38, signal 36, emitted from reader device 32 is able to identify weapon 10 or existing weapon 46 using tracking device (28, 48 or 50). Tracking device (28, 48 or 50) is capable of storing and transmitting a set of data 40.

Set of data 40 can consist of information such as the ownership history, the type of weapon, the manufacturer name and any other pertinent information. The set of data 40 is preferably loaded onto the gun at the manufacturing stage. However, in an existing weapon 46, set of data 40 would be added upon integration with existing weapon 46. It is also conceivable that tracking device (28, 48 or 50) would be capable of collecting data and storing data based on interactions with reader devices 32. Thus, as an example, the tracking device (28, 48 or 50) may be capable of collecting and storing a history of the locations that a weapon has been discharged.

The reader device 32 collects or reads the set of data 40 and uses the information to trigger a response. The responses could vary greatly. For example, on a gun range, the monitor may want to simply cause the information to be recorded into a stored database in a connected computing device. In a gun-free area the reader device could cause an immediate alert, such as an alarm or an automatic call to the police. In another use, the information may be presented in a user-friendly form in response to a query by a person monitoring the device. Further, the alert system 30 or computer device 34, connected to reader device 32, may be set to only trigger a response when particular sets of data are presented which fit a selected profile. Thus, if a weapon is an authorized weapon (within a selected profile of data) a response may not be triggered, whereas if a weapon is unauthorized in a selected area a response may be triggered. The term “selected profile” could be modified dependent on the particular area. For example the selected profile may differentiate between governmental versus non-governmental issued weapon, the type of weapon permitted within the area or a registered weapon versus a non-registered weapon.

The reader will appreciate that any known action can be taken based on the desire of the user. For example, if the selected range 38 was a school zone, the alert system 30 may take action by sounding an alarm only if an unauthorized weapon is within the selected range 38. In another example, the action or response may be to trigger an automatic lock-down of a particular building.

FIG. 6 is another schematic view illustrating the present system and method. Set of data 40 stored on tracking device 28 can be transferred to reader devices 32, as stated above. Reader devices 32 can use set of data 40 for any known purpose. As set out above, set of data 40 can cause a variety of responsive actions. Reader device 32 could also be connected to a computing device 34. Computing device 34 could simply store the data collected as discussed above. The computing device 34 or the alert system 30 could also be connected to the interne for purposes of causing an automatic computerized alert to the authorities or storing information via an online database server.

Tracking device 28 can be any tracking device used for storing and transferring data. For example, tracking device could be an RFID chip. RFID uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to the object. Thus, the tracking device embedded in the gun would transfer tracking and identification information (set of data 40) to a reader (illustrated in FIG. 5) regarding the gun. If the RFID chip came into the range of the reader device 32, the reader would alert a third party monitor with information regarding the gun and/or gun owner.

A diagram illustrating the present method is shown in FIG. 7. In step 1, a weapon 10 having an integrated tracking device (28, 48 or 50) is provided (illustrated in FIG. 2). Tracking device 28 is capable of storing and transmitting a sot of data 40 (illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6). If tracking device (28, 48 or 50) does not enter a selected range 38, no action is taken, unless an authority activates tracking device (28, 48 or 50) by some other method such as GPS tracking to determine the location of tracking device (28, 48 or 50). If the tracking device (28, 48 or 50) enters a selected range 38 monitored by a reader device 32 (illustrated in FIG. 5), the reader collects a set of data 40 stored on tracking device (28, 48 or 50). If set of data 40 matches a selected data profile a response is triggered. If set of data 40 does not match a selected data profile, no action is taken unless overridden by a user.

The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, the reader may act by causing an immediate alert, a physical lockdown or simply cause the data to be recorded on a computing device. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A method and system for tracking a weapon, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a weapon having a tracking device, wherein said tracking device contains a set of data;

b. providing at least one reader device capable of collecting said set of data;

c. providing a range monitored by said reader device; and

d. wherein when said weapon having said tracking device is within said range, said reader device is capable of collecting said set of data from said tracking device and providing a response.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said set of data is automatically transferred from said tracking device to said reader device when said weapon is within said range.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said weapon is a handgun.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said tracking device is a RFID chip.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a computer to collect said set of data from said reader device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising an alert system, wherein said alert system causes an alarm to be set off when a weapon is within said range.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said response is a sound alarm.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said response is storing said set of data collected from within said range onto a computing device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said tracking device can be tracked via GPS positioning.

10. A method and system for tracking a weapon, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a tracking device to be embedded into said weapon, wherein said tracking device stores a set of data;

b. providing a reader device capable of collecting said set of data;

c. providing a selected range monitored by said reader device;

d. wherein when said tracking device is within said selected range said reader device collects said set of data; and

e. providing a response when said collected set of data fits a selected data profile;

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said response is a sounded alarm.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said response is an automatic lockdown of an area.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said tracking device is capable of collecting and storing data.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said tracking device is a RFID chip.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a computer to collect said set of data from said reader device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said computer triggers said response by monitoring said set of data and said selected data profile.

18. A method and system for tracking a weapon, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a tracking device to be embedded into a clip to be used in said weapon, wherein said tracking device stores a set of data;

b. providing a reader device capable of collecting said set of data;

c. providing a selected range monitored by said reader device;

d. wherein when said tracking device is within said selected range said reader device collects said set of data; and

e. providing a response when said collected set of data its a selected data profile.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said tracking device is a RFID chip.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said tracking device is capable of collecting and storing data.