IP Library Granted Patent US 11,674,767
Granted Patent B2
US 11,674,767 · App. 17/211,760 · Granted Jun 13, 2023

Techniques for indicating gun state information

Inventors: Kai Thorin Kloepfer (Denver, CO); Bryan Edward Rogers (Aurora, CO); Benjamin William Dwyer (Golden, CO); Donna Kelley (Louisville, CO); Jack Hugo Thiesen (Firestone, CO); Christopher James Owens (Denver, CO)
Assignee: Biofire Technologies Inc.
F41A17/06F41G1/345
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,674,767
App. No.
17/211,760
Granted
Jun 13, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides techniques, systems, and devices that support indicating gun state information. One or more electronic components may be used to indicate the gun state information, and the electronic components may be coupled with a gun. The gun may identify a state of the gun based on a compute component including a data signal, and the compute component may be coupled with the gun. The gun may select a representation of the state of the gun, where the representation of the state of the gun is compatible with an electronic component coupled with the gun. The gun may indicate, at the electronic component and based on the compute component, the state of the gun with the representation of the state of the gun. Indicating the state of the gun may include displaying an icon, illuminating the electronic component with a color, or pulsating the electronic component.

Claims (52)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

perform a user authentication procedure to determine that a user of the apparatus is authorized to operate the apparatus;

identify, based on the user authentication procedure, a state of the apparatus;

select a color representing the state of the apparatus, wherein a front iron sight of the apparatus includes a light-emitting source that is capable of emitting the color of light; and

illuminate the front iron sight of the apparatus with the color representing the state of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

select the color representing the state of the apparatus based on a configuration file indicating that the user of the apparatus has a preference of illuminating the front iron sight with the color.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

measure a brightness value using an ambient light sensor of the apparatus; and

modify a brightness level of the front iron sight, wherein the brightness level of the front iron sight is based on the brightness value.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

terminate the illumination of the front iron sight.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the terminating the illumination of the front iron sight is in response to the user releasing the apparatus, expiration of a timer, an apparatus battery power level satisfying a threshold, removal of a magazine from the apparatus, or firing a projectile from the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

produce a light pulse pattern at the front iron sight.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

generate a haptic pulse indicating the state of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

identify user input indicating a desired change in the color representing the state of the apparatus; and

modify the color in response to the user input.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the user input comprises a button press.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the front iron sight does not include any optical lenses.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

enable error reporting, wherein the error reporting comprises displaying an error message as text on an electronic component of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the state of the apparatus corresponds to a ready state, a locked state, an unlocked state, an error state, a charging state, a battery power state, a magazine present state, a magazine not present state, a round chambered state, or a round not chambered state.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a gun.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

means for performing a user authentication procedure to determine that a user of the apparatus is authorized to operate the apparatus;

means for identifying, based on the user authentication procedure, a state of the apparatus;

means for selecting a color representing of the state of the apparatus, wherein a front iron sight of the apparatus includes a light-emitting source that is capable of emitting the color of light; and

means for illuminating the front iron sight of the apparatus with the color representing the state of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:

means for generating a haptic pulse at a grip portion of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:

means for producing a light pulse pattern at the front iron sight.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:

means for terminating the illumination of the front iron sight.

18. A method, comprising:

performing a user authentication procedure to determine that a user of an apparatus is authorized to operate the apparatus;

identifying, based on the user authentication procedure, a state of the apparatus;

selecting a color representing the state of the apparatus, wherein a front iron sight of the apparatus includes a light-emitting source that is capable of emitting the color of light; and

illuminating the front iron sight of the apparatus with the color representing the state of the apparatus.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

generating a haptic pulse at a grip portion of the apparatus.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

producing a light pulse pattern at the front iron sight.

21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

terminating the illumination of the front iron sight.

22. The method of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus comprises a pistol, a rifle, or a shotgun.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2021
From: KLOEPFER, KAI THORIN; ROGERS, BRYAN EDWARD; DWYER, BENJAMIN WILLIAM; KELLEY, DONNA; THIESEN, JACK HUGO; OWENS, CHRISTOPHER JAMES
To: BIOFIRE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 056187/0604 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220307786A1 · Sep 29, 2022
Cited By (4)
US 1,114,922 US 1,142,819 US 12,320,614 US 12,455,131