Wireless Holster with Segmented Shell and Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holsters lack remote communication capabilities, making it difficult to monitor and control the environment and operations of the holster, especially in extreme conditions encountered by law enforcement and military personnel.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a wireless communication system with sensors and actuators into the holster, allowing for two-way communication with remote devices via wireless technologies, enabling real-time monitoring and control of temperature, humidity, location, and other parameters, as well as automated operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a holster is made rigid and stable to allow repeated drawing and re-holstering, then the structural stability is improved, but the comfort and adaptability for extended wear is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The holster is divided into multiple segments including a rigid shell for structural stability, a flexible backer for comfort against the body, and a separate retention mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the rigid shell provides stability for repeated operations while the flexible backer adapts to the wearer's body for extended comfort.
2Loss of information
If remote communication capabilities are added to the holster, then the monitoring and control functionality is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The holster integrates multiple functions including mechanical retention, environmental sensing (temperature, humidity, location), wireless communication (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular), and power management into a single device. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate systems, providing comprehensive monitoring and control capabilities while managing overall device complexity through integrated design.
3Loss of information
If sensors and communication systems are integrated into the holster, then the remote monitoring capability is improved, but the weight of the holster is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors and electronic components are strategically positioned within the holster structure rather than uniformly distributed. The communication antenna is integrated into the shell, sensors are placed in compact arrangements, and the battery is positioned to balance the center of gravity. This local quality approach ensures monitoring capabilities are achieved while minimizing overall weight increase through optimized component placement and integration.
Data Source
AI summary
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a communication system integrated with or coupled to a holster for an implement (such as a handgun, or other tool, or the like). The communication system includes a wireless transceiver capable of communicating with one or more remote computing devices (such as a mobile device, e.g., smartphone, smart watch, tablet, etc.) via one or more wireless technologies (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, near-field communication, etc.). In various embodiments, the communication system communicates directly with a remote computing device or communicates with the remote computing device via a network, such as a WiFi network, the Internet, a cellular network, or another network configured for wireless communication.