Firearm safety systems and methods

Abstract

A firearm safety system, including a firearm and a uniform. The firearm includes a directional transmitter, a directional receiver, and a locking mechanism. The uniform includes an omnidirectional transmitter, an omnidirectional receiver, and an alert mechanism. The directional transmitter and directional receiver are proximate and substantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm. The locking mechanism prevents the firearm from launching a projectile if the firearm is targeting the uniform. The alert mechanism provides feedback to an individual equipped with the uniform if the uniform is targeted by the firearm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm safety system, comprising:
 a firearm;   a directional transmitter configured to transmit a directional signal substantially parallel to and/or generally in a line of sight of the firearm; and   a uniform comprising:
 an omnidirectional receiver configured to receive the directional signal transmitted by the directional transmitter; and 
 an alert mechanism configured to output feedback to an individual equipped with the uniform in response to the omnidirectional receiver receiving the directional signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The firearm safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the directional signal is transmitted in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the alert mechanism is configured to output feedback in response to the omnidirectional receiver receiving the directional signal a number of times that exceeds a first threshold and/or for a duration that exceeds a second threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the alert mechanism is configured to generate haptic feedback. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the alert mechanism is configured to generate audible feedback. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the uniform further comprises a display and the alert mechanism is configured to output visual feedback on the display in response to the omnidirectional receiver receiving the directional signal. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm safety system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the firearm further comprises a location determination device configured to determine a location of the firearm;   the directional signal includes data indicating the location of the firearm; and   the visual feedback includes information regarding the location of the firearm.   
     
     
         8 . The firearm safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the omnidirectional receiver comprises a plurality of sensors and the alert mechanism is configured to generate haptic feedback proximate to the sensor that detects the directional signal. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the directional transmitter is configured to encrypt the directional signal and the omnidirectional receiver is configured to decrypt the directional signal. 
     
     
         10 . A firearm safety system, comprising:
 a uniform comprising an omnidirectional transmitter configured to transmit an omnidirectional signal; and   a firearm comprising:
 a directional receiver configured to receive the omnidirectional signal transmitted by the omnidirectional transmitter; and 
 a locking mechanism configured to prevent the firearm from firing, in response to the directional receiver receiving the omnidirectional signal. 
   
     
     
         11 . The firearm safety system of  claim 10 , wherein the omnidirectional transmitter operates in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm safety system of  claim 10 , wherein the omnidirectional transmitter operates in radio frequencies. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm safety system of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a backfire mechanism configured to cause injury to an individual operating the firearm when activated. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm safety system of  claim 13 , wherein the firearm further comprises a trigger and the backfire mechanism is configured to cause injury to the individual operating the firearm in response to the trigger being depressed while the firearm is targeting the uniform. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm safety system of  claim 13 , wherein the backfire mechanism comprises an explosive. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm safety system of  claim 13 , wherein the backfire mechanism comprises electroshock devices configured to deliver a shock to the individual operating the firearm. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm safety system of  claim 13 , wherein the backfire mechanism is configured to automatically engage in response to the firearm targeting the uniform a number of times that exceeds a first threshold and/or for a duration that exceeds a second threshold. 
     
     
         18 . A firearm safety system, comprising:
 a firearm comprising:
 a directional transmitter configured to transmit a directional signal generally along a path in which the firearm is pointing; 
 a directional receiver; and 
 a locking mechanism; and 
   a uniform comprising:
 an omnidirectional transmitter configured to transmit an omnidirectional signal; 
 an omnidirectional receiver configured to receive the directional signal transmitted by the directional transmitter; and 
 an alert mechanism configured to output feedback to an individual equipped with the uniform in response to the omnidirectional receiver receiving the directional signal, wherein: 
   the directional receiver is configured to receive the omnidirectional signal transmitted by the omnidirectional transmitter, and   the locking mechanism is configured to prevent the firearm from firing in response to the directional receiver receiving the omnidirectional signal.   
     
     
         19 . A firearm safety system of  claim 18 , wherein the directional receiver is further configured to store information regarding signals received by the directional receiver. 
     
     
         20 . A firearm safety system of  claim 18 , wherein the omnidirectional receiver is further configured to store information regarding signals received by the omnidirectional receiver. 
     
     
         21 . A firearm, comprising:
 at least one processor;   a transceiver controllable by the at least one processor; and   a locking mechanism configured to prevent the firearm from firing;   wherein the transceiver is configured to:
 transmit positional data of the firearm based on instructions from the at least one processor, and 
 receive from a remote source lock and unlock codes that, when processed by the at least one processor, respectively prevent and enable operation of the firearm. 
   
     
     
         22 . A firearm safety system, comprising:
 at least one processor;   a plurality of the firearms set forth in  claim 21 ;   a database storing a record for each said firearm, each said record including contact information for at least one person; and   an alert module that, in cooperation with the at least one processor, is configured to:
 receive lock and unlock codes for the firearms and transmit received lock and unlock codes to the firearms when provided over a communication link from a verified user, and 
 generate and transmit alert messages using the contact information when unauthorized and/or unexpected uses and/or movements of the respective firearms are detected. 
   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the alert module is further configured to automatically send a lock signal to a firearm when an unauthorized and/or unexpected use and/or movement is detected. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein lock and unlock codes are transmittable to the firearms via cellular and/or packet switched networks. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the contact information includes a telephone number.