Methods and Systems for Enhancing Firearm Safety Through Wireless Network Monitoring

Abstract

A firearm includes a firing mechanism and a sensor device. The sensor device includes a subscriber identity module configured to communicate with a server over a signaling channel of a wireless communications network. The Sensor device is configured to enable/disable the firing mechanism in accordance with instructions received by the SIM from the server. Movements and/or attempted operations of the firearm may be monitored using an application running on a mobile device, which application receives information concerning the firearm over the signaling channel of the wireless communications network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm, comprising a firing mechanism and a sensor device, the sensor device including a subscriber identity module (SIM) configured to communicate with a server using common channel signaling over a signaling channel of a wireless communications network. 
     
     
         2 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor device is configured to enable or disable the firing mechanism of the firearm in accordance with instructions received by the SIM from the server. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the SIM comprises a SIM configured to communicate over a Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling channel is a signaling systems 7 (SS-7) signaling channel of a mobile telecommunications network. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor device includes a motion sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm of  claim 5 , wherein the SIM is configured to send information to the server upon the motion sensor detecting movement of the firearm. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the SIM is configured to respond to attempted voice communications from the server by returning information stored in a dial buffer of the SIM. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the SIM is configured to transmit information to the server upon one or more of: movement of the firearm, an attempted operation of the firearm, disabling of a safety of the firearm, and a change in mode of the firearm. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising a sensor device of a firearm including a subscriber identity module (SIM), and a home location register (HLR) storing information concerning the SIM, the SIM being configured to be in periodic communication with the HLR using common channel signaling over a signaling channel of a wireless communications network. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the HLR stores some or all of: information concerning permitted times and/or days for operation of the firearm, and geo-fence information for the firearm. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising an application running on a mobile device, the application configured to communicate with the SIM over the signaling channel of the wireless communications network. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor device is configured to inform the HLR upon one or more of: movement of the firearm, an attempted operation of the firearm, disabling of a safety of the firearm, and a change in mode of the firearm 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor device further includes a motion sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor device is configured to enable/disable operation of the firearm in accordance with instructions received by the SIM from the HLR. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor device is configured to enable/disable operation of the firearm in accordance with instructions received by the SIM from the application. 
     
     
         16 . A firearm, comprising a subscriber identity module (SIM) configured to communicate with a home location register (HLR) storing information concerning the SIM, the SIM being configured to be in periodic communication with the HLR using common channel signaling over a signaling channel of a wireless communications network, a controller coupled to receive signals from the SIM, and a solenoid coupled to receive signals from the controller and responsive to said signals to cause a blocking or gating means of the firearm to move from a first position to a second position or vice-versa. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm of  claim 16 , further comprising a rechargeable power source. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm of  claim 17  further configured to receive a charging clip. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising a solenoid coupled to receive signals from the sensor device and responsive to said signals to cause a blocking or gating means of the firearm to move from a first position to a second position or vice-versa. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the firearm further includes a solenoid coupled to be responsive to signals received by the SIM from the HLR, and to cause a blocking or gating means of the firearm to move from a first position to a second position or vice-versa.