Firearm tracking device

Abstract

A firearm tracking device may include a housing having a shape at least partially defined by a cavity disposed within a firearm. The tracking device may include a communication device disposed within the housing and configured to send and receive wireless communications. The tracking device may include a controller disposed within the housing and configured to control operations of the communication device. The tracking device may include a power source disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the communication device and the controller. The tracking device may include an attachment mechanism removably connected to the housing. The attachment mechanism may include a tamperproof screw configured to pass through an aperture disposed in the firearm and removably engage a portion of the housing. While the attachment mechanism selectively retains the housing in an engaged state, the tracking device is immobilized with respect to firearm.

1 . A firearm tracking device comprising:
 a housing having a shape at least partially defined by a cavity disposed within a firearm;   a communication device disposed within the housing, the communication device configured to send and receive wireless communications;   a controller disposed within the housing, the controller being configured to control operations of the communication device;   a power source disposed within the housing, the power source operatively coupled to the communication device and the controller; and   an attachment mechanism removably connected to the housing, the attachment mechanism comprising a tamperproof screw configured to pass through an aperture disposed in the firearm and removably engage a portion of the housing;   wherein, while the attachment mechanism selectively retains the housing in an engaged state, the tracking device is immobilized with respect to the firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is shaped to substantially fill the volume of the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the body is formed from a material that permits passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 3 , wherein the portion of the body is formed from plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a threaded recess, and wherein the attachment mechanism, while in an engaged state, is threadedly engaged with the recess formed in the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the tamperproof screw comprises a screw having a drive selected from one of:
 a snake eye drive,   a security Torx drive,   a security hex drive,   a 5-lobe Torx drive,   a one-way clutch drive,   a sentinel drive,   a 7-point drive, or   a proprietary drive.   
     
     
         7 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device comprises a device configured to send and receive Bluetooth signals. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 7 , wherein the communication device sends and receives communications compatible with a Bluetooth asset tracking network. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the communication device to send and receive the communications periodically. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 9 , wherein the length of a period between the communications is determined based on one or more of:
 a time of the day,   a day of the week, or   a change in position of the firearm.   
     
     
         11 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a replaceable battery. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises an access door configured to allow a user to access the replaceable battery. 
     
     
         13 . A firearm tracking device comprising:
 a housing including two opposing pieces defining a housing cavity therebetween, the housing being formed from a plastic material and shaped to substantially fill a cavity of a firearm when inserted therein;   a communication device comprising a Bluetooth transceiver configured to communicate with an asset tracking network;   a controller configured to manage communications to and from the communication device; and   a tamperproof screw configured to pass through an aperture disposed in the firearm and removably engage a portion of the housing.   
     
     
         14 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 13 , wherein the communication device and the controller are disposed with the housing cavity and substantially surrounded by the two opposing pieces of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing comprises a threaded recess formed in at least one of the opposing pieces, and wherein the tamperproof screw is configured to threadedly engage the threaded recess. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the communication device to send and receive the communications periodically. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm tracking device of  claim 16 , wherein the length of a period between the communications is determined based on one or more of:
 a time of the day,   a day of the week, or   a change in position of the firearm.   
     
     
         18 . A method for tracking a firearm, comprising:
 receiving a tracking device within a cavity of a firearm;   enclosing the tracking device within the cavity;   engaging an attachment mechanism to immobilize the tracking device relative to the firearm;   tracking the firearm based on the tracking device;   disengaging the attachment mechanism;   removing the tracking device from the firearm; and   accessing the tracking device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the cavity is disposed adjacent to the magazine, within a grip of the firearm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein accessing the tracking device comprises replacing a power source used to power at least one component of the tracking device.