Authorization module for activating a firearm and method of using same
First Claim
1. An authorization module for activating a firearm, the module comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity, and including an electrical interface for communicating with an electronic device, said housing being in the shape of a firearm magazine for insertion into a magazine well of a firearm;
a fingerprint sensor supported on and facing outwardly of the housing for generating a fingerprint signal indicative of a fingerprint pattern detected by the fingerprint sensor; and
a fingerprint identification circuit disposed within the cavity of the housing and communicating with the fingerprint sensor for receiving the fingerprint signal and for comparing the fingerprint pattern derived from the fingerprint with an authorized user'"'"'s pattern stored in the identification circuit, the identification circuit communicating with the electrical interface for transmitting an authorization signal to activate an associated electronic device if the sensed fingerprint pattern substantially matches the authorized user'"'"'s fingerprint pattern.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An authorization module is provided for activating an associated portable or hand-held electronic device such as a firearm. The authorization module includes a housing defining a cavity, and an electrical interface for communicating with the electronic firearm. The housing is preferably generally in the shape of a firearm magazine for insertion into a magazine well of the electronic firearm. A fingerprint sensor is supported on and faces outwardly of the housing for generating a fingerprint signal indicative of a fingerprint pattern detected by the fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint identification circuit is disposed within the cavity of the housing and communicates with the fingerprint sensor for receiving the fingerprint signal and for comparing the sensed fingerprint pattern with an authorized user'"'"'s fingerprint pattern stored in the identification circuit. The identification circuit communicates with the electrical interface for transmitting an authorization signal to activate the firearm if the sensed fingerprint pattern substantially matches the authorized user'"'"'s fingerprint pattern. The module is preferably powered by DC batteries disposed within the housing.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An authorization module for activating a firearm, the module comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity, and including an electrical interface for communicating with an electronic device, said housing being in the shape of a firearm magazine for insertion into a magazine well of a firearm;
a fingerprint sensor supported on and facing outwardly of the housing for generating a fingerprint signal indicative of a fingerprint pattern detected by the fingerprint sensor; and
a fingerprint identification circuit disposed within the cavity of the housing and communicating with the fingerprint sensor for receiving the fingerprint signal and for comparing the fingerprint pattern derived from the fingerprint with an authorized user'"'"'s pattern stored in the identification circuit, the identification circuit communicating with the electrical interface for transmitting an authorization signal to activate an associated electronic device if the sensed fingerprint pattern substantially matches the authorized user'"'"'s fingerprint pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of activating a firearm comprising the steps of:
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providing a fingerprint authorization module including a fingerprint sensor and a fingerprint identification circuit, said authorization module being in the shape of a firearm magazine for insertion into a magazine well of the firearm;
detecting a fingerprint pattern of a finger in sensing position over the fingerprint sensor and generating therefrom a fingerprint signal indicative of the sensed fingerprint pattern;
comparing by means of the identification circuit the sensed fingerprint pattern with an authorized user'"'"'s fingerprint pattern stored in the identification circuit; and
generating an authorization signal to be received by an associated electronic device to activate the device if the sensed fingerprint pattern substantially matches the authorized user'"'"'s fingerprint pattern. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification