Biometrically activated lock and enablement system

• US 6,260,300 B1
• Filed: 04/21/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Parent, Gerard G., Constant, Robert L., Klebes, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Palo, Francis T.
• Application Number:
  US09/296,014
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 42/700.6, 42/700.7, 42/701.1, 211/4, 211/64
• US Class Current: 42/70.11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/06 Containers for carrying smallarms, e.g. safety boxes, gun cases F41C33/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle

Abstract

A system for locking, storing, enabling and disabling a device such as a conventional firearm, or an electronic firearm through the use of a control system that is responsive to biometric data input utilizes biometric data input devices to enable both unlocking of a locking box or a trigger lock apparatus, as well as operation and firing of an electronically-controlled firearm that has such features as an electronic locking system onboard or an electronic firing system, in a single authorization entry of biometric data.

Claims

1. A locking system for securing a firearm, said system comprising

a first body portion adapted to receive said firearm therein;

a second body portion adapted to mate with said first body portion in order to enclose said firearm therein when said second body portion is in a closed position;

locking means for selectively locking said second body in said closed position, said locking means being selectively actuated between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to a locking signal;

data input means for receiving user-input data;

a first control means for generating said signal in response to said user-input data;

a second control means associated with said firearm for activating and deactivating an operating mode of said firearm; and

communication means for transmitting an operating signal from said first control means to said second control means, whereby said operating signal activates operation of said firearm.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein

said user-input data comprises biometric data.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein

said user-input data comprises fingerprint data.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein

said locking means comprise

a lock mechanism;

and

a solenoid having a bar movably responsive to an unlocking signal generated by said first control means in order to fix said lock mechanism in a locked position.

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising

second control means, said second control means being associated with said firearm for activating and de-activating an operating mode of said firearm;

and

communication means for transmitting an operating signal from said first control means to said second control means, whereby said operating signal activates operation of said firearm.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein

said communication means comprise a plug-type electrical connection between said first control means and said second control means.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein

said communication means comprise an infra red connection between said first control means and said second control means.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein

said communication means comprise a radio frequency connection between said first control means and said second control means.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein

said data input means comprise a fingerprint sensor.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein

said fingerprint sensor has a screen located on said first body portion.

11. A system according to claim 5, wherein

said second control means are located on said firearm.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein

said first control means are located on said first body portion.

13. A locking system for securing a firearm as in claim 1 further comprising a first body portion is adapted to receive said firearm entirely therein.

14. A method of releasing and enabling a secured, disabled firearm in a system having electronic controls, said method comprising the steps of

entering data signals indicative of a user into a controller associated with said system;

comparing said user data to pre-stored data indicative of authorized users;

generating a first signal in response to a match between said user data and said pre-stored data;

activating lock release means in a locking structure in response to said first signal to enable releasing of the firearm; and

generating an enablement signal in response to said first signal, for presentation to a security apparatus affixed to said firearm to enable operation of said firearm.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein

said biometric data comprises fingerprint data.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein

said lock release means are activated for only a predetermined time period.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein

said lock release means comprise a solenoid having a movable member for selectively securing and releasing a locking component that secures said firearm.

18. A method according to claim 14, further comprising

generating an enablement signal in response to said first signal, whereby said enablement signal enables operation of said firearm.

19. A method according to claim 14, further comprising

selectively enrolling one or more sets of said pre-stored data in one or more data storage locations in said system.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein

said enablement signal is received and processed by a firearm controller located on said firearm, where said firearm controller enables operation of said firearm.

21. A method according to claim 14, wherein

said locking structure comprises a box having a lid and being adapted to securely enclose said firearm within.

22. A method according to claim 14, wherein

said locking structure comprises a trigger lock assembly adapted to engage said firearm around a trigger area to disable operation of a trigger mechanism associated with said firearm.

23. A method of releasing and enabling a secured, disabled firearm as in claim 14, said method further comprising the steps of

maintaining said system in SLEEP mode when no input signal is present, thereby conserving power.

24. A locking system for securing a firearm, said system comprising

a first body portion adapted to receive said firearm therein;

a second body portion adapted to mate with said first body portion in order to enclose said firearm therein when said second body portion is in a closed position;

locking means for selectively locking said second body in said closed position, said locking means being selectively actuated between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to a locking signal;

input means for receiving signals corresponding to user-input data;

a controller for generating said locking signal in response to said user-input data signals, said control means further including

a means for intializing operation of said controller to enable the generation of said locking signal only in response to signals corresponding to defined parameter values;

a means for establishing a controller SLEEP mode in which said controller operation is ceased to minimize power consumption without requiring reinitialization of said controller;

a means for re-establishing operation of said controller in response to a wake-up signal; and

a sensor responsive to physical input for generating said wake-up signal.

25. A locking system according to claim 24 wherein said sensor further comprises a biometric sensor.

26. A locking system according to claim 24 wherein said sensor further comprises a pressure sensor.

27. A locking system according to claim 24 wherein said data input means automatically times out after a predetermined time causing said controller to revert to said SLEEP mode.

28. A locking system according to claim 24 wherein said controller automatically times out after a predetermined time, thereby causing said controller to revert to said SLEEP mode.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of providing biometric data signals indicative of an authorized user as said input data signals.

30. A method of releasing and enabling a secured firearm in an electronic locking system, said method comprising the steps of

initializing operation of a controller to enable the generation of a locking signal only in response to signals corresponding to defined user parameter values;

entering user input data signals into said controller;

comparing said entered data signals to pre-stored user authorized data signals;

generating a match signal in response to a match between said entered data and said pre-stored data signals; and

generating said locking signal activating a lock release in response to said match signal to enable release of the firearm;

establishing a SLEEP mode in which said controller operation is ceased to minimize power consumption without requiring reinitialization of said controller;

generating a wake-up signal in response to a sensed physical input to the electronic locking system; and

re-establishing operation of said controller in response to a wake-up signal.