Gunshot detector and notification system

Abstract

A gunshot detection system includes a firearm and a communication device. The firearm includes a transceiver circuit that detects the discharge of an ammunition round. Upon the discharge occurring, the transceiver circuit emits an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is received by the communication device, which may be a cellular telephone or two-way radio. The communication device is equipped with a geographic location sensor, like a GPS receiver for example. Software within the communication device then causes an informational message that includes geographic information to be transmitted to a remote device. For instance, when a police officer discharges his firearm, an informational message stating “Officer 1234 has just fired 3 shots at the intersection of Cucumber and Vine—please respond” may be transmitted. The informational message may change as information like the geographic location change.

1 . A system for transmitting firearm discharge information, comprising: 
 a. a firearm comprising: 
 i. a barrel;  
 ii. a chamber for carrying ammunition;  
 iii. a trigger;  
 iv. a firing pin capable of discharging the ammunition; and  
 v. a transceiver circuit capable of detecting an ammunition discharge; and  
   b. a communications device comprising a geographic location sensor;    wherein the transceiver circuit detects the ammunition discharge by detecting the actuation of a firearm component selected from the group consisting of the firing pin, a hammer, a slide, and a cylinder,    wherein when the transceiver circuit detects the ammunition discharge, a transmission is sent from the transceiver circuit to the communications device;    further wherein when the transmission is received by the communications device, an informational message comprising geographic location in information is transmitted to a remote device.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the informational message comprises information selected from the group consisting of firearm identification information, ammunition identification information, discharge quantity information, temporal discharge information, firearm user identification information and prerecorded announcement information.  
   
   
       4 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver circuit comprises: 
 a. a transmission circuit;    b. a transmission antenna;    c. a switch; and    d. a battery.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver circuit comprises electronic circuitry that responds to interrogation signals from the communications device, wherein when both the electronic circuitry receives an interrogation signal from the external device and the transceiver circuit detects an ammunition discharge, the electronic circuitry causes the informational message to be emitted from the firearm.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver circuit is actuated when the firearm is drawn from a holster.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel comprises an antenna for transmitting the informational message.  
   
   
       10 . A gunshot detecting system, comprising: 
 a. firearm comprising a transceiver circuit, wherein the transceiver circuit is actuated when an ammunition round is discharged by the firearm, wherein discharge is detected by detecting the actuation of a firearm component selected from the group consisting of the firing pin, a hammer, a slide, and a cylinder; and    b. a communications device comprising at least a geographic location sensor;    wherein when the electromagnetic signal is emitted from the firearm, the communication device causes an informational message comprising at least geographical information to be broadcast.    
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the transceiver circuit comprises an ammunition discharge detector and an RF transmitter.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the transceiver circuit comprises a circuit that transmits upon receiving an interrogation by an external device, further wherein the transceiver circuit changes state when the discharge of the ammunition round is detected.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the informational message changes as the geographic location sensor detects changes in geographic location.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the informational message comprises firearm identification information.