EP2354748A1

EP2354748A1 - Control system for firearms and a control device for firearms

Info

Publication number: EP2354748A1
Application number: EP10152130A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Manuel Guerra Navas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-01-29
Filing date: 2010-01-29
Publication date: 2011-08-10

Abstract

A control system and a device for controlling firearms that comprises the detection of movement that is generated by a firearm on being fired and the capturing of the sound waves generated by the firearm on being fired, in such a way that the data captured corresponding to the detection of the movement and the sound waves are transmitted to a control device capable of storing such data in a file and subsequently transmitted to an external device in which all of the previous data are stored.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the present invention is related to a system and control device for firearms that incorporates appreciable innovations and advantages in respect of the state of the art.
More specifically, the invention refers to a control and security system for firearms, such as, a shotgun, a rifle, a revolver, etc., in order to allow the competent authorities to have a greater control over the use of the firearms.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

At the present time the applicant is not aware of the existence of devices for firearms that allow the control of their use by the competent authorities in any exact manner. The use given to a firearm is very difficult to control, likewise the moment in which use has been made of it and in what manner, this being therefore an impossible task for the competent authorities. Accordingly, there is a need to find a system and a device for it without this meaning a high cost of manufacture and maintenance for the user.
The applicant does not have any knowledge of the existence of a system for the control and security of firearms that has all of the features that are described in this memorandum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This present invention has been developed for the purpose of providing a system for a control and security system for firearms that solves the above-mentioned disadvantages, in addition contributing other additional advantages that will become clear from the description that is given below.
It is therefore the object of this invention to provide a control system for firearms, that is characterised in that it comprises the detection of movement that is generated by the firearm on being fired and the capturing of the sound waves generated by the firearm on being fired, in such a way that the data captured corresponding to the detection of the movement and the sound waves on being fired are transmitted to a control device capable of storing said data in an internal file, being subsequently transmitted to an external device in which all of the previous data are stored for the control and examination by the relevant authorities.
Another object of the invention is to provide a highly reliable and resistant control device for firearms, both for the type referred to as short firearms and equally those referred to as long firearms, which comprises an electronic motherboard which comprises an accelerometer that is sensitive to the weapon movement generated by a shot and a sound receiver system, these are then connected to an EEPROM memory that picks up the data coming from said accelerometer and sound receiver system, the motherboard being supplied by at least one main battery, and having provided connecting means to transmit the stored data to an external device. In addition the device has a GPS-GPRS system and an electronic compass connected to the EEPROM memory in such a way that it stores the information corresponding to the data on the geographical point where the discharge has taken place and the direction of the discharge, being possible, in addition, its location in real time.
Thanks to these features, it allows a system to be obtained for the control of the use of the weapons as it is possible to have knowledge of the data, such as the date, place and time when the firearm has been fired, likewise the direction in which the shot has been fired. In this way the competent authorities can inspect the data files generated by the discharges made by a specific weapon when and at what time, likewise the storage of the above stated data in its own control system. This fact can be especially useful for the control of poaching. This control system can be carried out by means of the previously described control device.
Another aspect of the invention is the fact that the EEPROM memory is supplied with power in an independent manner by means of an additional battery, in such a way that in the case of the removal or exhaustion of the main battery, the data contained in the memory, likewise that of the sundry discharges that may be made without the main battery will remain stored for such consultations as are required.
With reference to the connecting means for the downloading of the data it can be a MINI USB port such as those used in mobile telephones or another of the current technologies.
In addition, the device includes warning means on the situation of the main battery, said warning means consisting of an light source connected to the motherboard.
Advantageously, the electronic motherboard is housed inside of the housing of the recoil pad, whose inside is covered with a silicone material.
Other features and advantages of the control system object of this present invention will become clear from a description of a preferred embodiment, which is not exclusive. Said embodiment is shown in the attached drawings which are illustrative, but not being in any way limiting.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- An exploded side elevation view of a rifle together with a detailed view of various parts of the control device according to the invention;
Figure 2.- An exploded side elevation view of a pistol with the control device of the invention with its corresponding grips broken down; and
Figure 3. - A side elevation view of a pistol with the control device object of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As and how described in the attached figures, a control device intended for the control of firearms, whether they are short or long firearms, i.e., hand guns or rifles, comprises a housing 1 that has a substantially rectangular shape on the inside of which an electronic motherboard is housed, as well as a main conventional type of rechargeable battery 11, such as a lithium ion battery with sufficiently reduced size connected with a plug 12 to a connector 16. It is clear for an expert in the subject that the housing 1 can have any other suitable shape, according to the design of the firearm into which it is to be assembled. This housing is sealed so it is waterproof to the outside so as to prevent damage to the inside, having additionally been provided with a covering of silicone to absorb the knocks and bangs that the firearm may be subjected to. In the case of a handgun, the housing 1 and the battery 11 are separate from each other so as to take advantage of the small space possible that there is in the firearm and connected to each other by connections as and how will be detailed below.
Making special referent to the electronic motherboard comprises an accelerometer chip of the MENSIC 2125 type or one that is similar, which has the main purpose of receiving and analysing the brusque movement generated by the weapon when the shot is fired. The data generated are sent to an EEPROM memory in which the information corresponding to the discharge is stored with its date and time. In addition, said electronic motherboard 1 includes a GPS-GPRS chip as well as an electronic compass, for example the MMC212XM type with a MENSIC magnetic sensor or similar with an intelligent algorithm correction function that automatically calibrates the compass and compensates the magnetic interferences, likewise the angle of the firearm at the moment of the discharge in 360°. In this way it will enable the direction of the discharge to be determined and the exact geographical position when the user discharges the weapon that is fitted with such a control device.
Another element fitted into the electronic motherboard is a sound receiver device, likewise of reduced size that is able to receive the sound wave produced when the bullet is fired and the information is also sent to the EEPROM memory.
In the two firearms examples described here, a rifle in figure 1 and a hand gun represented in figures 2 and 3, the same numerical references are used to designate common elements.
In figure 2 the grips 3 and 4 can be seen dismantled in such a way that the inside can be seen where cavities are provided for the housing of the main parts of the control device.
In the case of the handgun 2 the plug 12 goes through a hole 17 made in it (see figure 2) so as to be fixed in the magazine holder of the firearm through the grips 3 and 4 with fixing screws 8 or in the butt plate 15 in the case of a rifle 14 (see figure 1). The electronic motherboard and the main battery 11 are introduced into the housings 9 and 10 in the hand gun 2 and in the housing 9 of the butt plate 15 of the rifle 14.
The housing 9 in both examples is provided with two holes 6 and 7 in which there is an illuminated warning element, such as a LED 13 indicating the state of the battery in such a way that when the predetermined charge level of the main battery 11 is reached, said LED will flash giving the user a warning that the battery must be recharged again, and a MINI USB 5 port connector can be used for the recharging of the main battery 11 likewise an element to transmit the stored data in the EEPROM memory to an external electronic device for the subsequent monitoring and control of security. The LED 13 has a clear rubber cover on the outside. The connector 5 has a rubber cover to protect it against water, dust or mud which could affect the correct working of the stated connector 5.
Once the control device is placed into the handgun (figures 2 and 3), the grips 3 and 4 or in the case of a rifle 14 its butt plate 15, they are put into place and held by means of screws 8.
In addition, the control device is fitted with an additional button type battery (not shown) that is connected to the EEPROM memory which enables the data stored in said EEPROM memory to be kept even when the main battery (11) is removed, which prevents non-authorised manipulation.
The details, shapes, sizes and other accessorial elements, likewise the materials used in the manufacture of the control device of the invention can be appropriately substituted by others that are technically equivalent and do not stray away from the essentiality of the invention or the scope defined by the claims that are included below.

Claims

A control system for firearms characterised in that it comprises:
- detecting the movement generated by a firearm on being fired;

- capturing the sound waves generated by the firearm on being fired;
in such a way that, the data gathered corresponding to the detection of the movement and sound waves are transmitted to a control device capable of storing such data in a file and being transmitted to an external device in which all of the above data are stored.
A control system for firearms according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a GPS-GPRS system, in such a way that the firearm is geographically locatable in real time.
A control system for firearms according to claim 1, characterised in that the control device is provided with an EEPROM memory in such a way that the data are stored including time data.
A control device for firearms (2, 14), characterised in that it comprises an electronic motherboard which comprises an accelerometer that is sensitive to the weapon movement generated by a shot and a sound receiver system, which are connected to an EEPROM memory that picks up the data coming from said accelerometer and sound receiver system, the motherboard being supplied with power by at least one main rechargeable battery (11), and having provided connecting means to transmit the stored data to an external device;
and which comprises a GPS-GPRS system and an electronic compass related to the EEPROM memory in such a way that it stores the information corresponding to the data of a geographical point and the direction where the shot has been fired.
A control device for firearms (2, 14) according to claim 4, characterised in that the EEPROM memory is supplied with power in an independent manner by means of an additional battery.
A control device for firearms (2, 14) according to claim 4, characterised in that the connecting means consists of a MINI USB (5) port connector.
A control device for firearms according to claim 4, characterised in that it includes a warning means on the state of the main battery.
A control device for firearms (2, 14) according to claim 7, characterised in that said warning means consists of a LED-type light source (13) connected to the motherboard.
A control device for firearms (2, 14) according to claim 4, characterised in that the electronic motherboard is housed inside an anti-shock housing (1).
A control device for firearms (2, 14) according to claim 9, characterised in that the electronic motherboard is covered with anti-damp silicone.