Authorization module for activating a firearm and method of using same

• US 6,357,156 B1
• Filed: 07/26/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lenkarski, Lee M., Vaid, Pardip K., Klebes, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERONA, KIMBERLY SUE
• Application Number:
  US09/625,688
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 42/700.1, 42/700.2, 42/701.1, 42/84
• 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: G06V 40/1306 non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing

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.

Claims

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.

2. An authorization module as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing defines projections extending outwardly therefrom for frictionally engaging an inner surface of the magazine well of a firearm to secure the housing to the firearm.

3. An authorization module as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a longitudinal portion to extend outwardly of a firearm when the housing is inserted into a magazine well of a firearm, the longitudinal portion accommodating the fingerprint sensor.

4. An authorization module as defined in claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is a biometric fingerprint sensor.

5. An authorization module as defined in claim 1, further including a replaceable and/or rechargeable power supply disposed in the cavity of the housing for powering the fingerprint identification circuit.

6. An authorization module as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing has an outer surface defining a recess accommodating the fingerprint sensor, the recess having a width slightly larger than that of a human finger for guiding a finger into a sensing position over the fingerprint sensor.

7. An authorization module as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical interface includes a terminal block having electrical terminals for engaging complementary electrical terminals of an electronic device to transmit an authorization signal to the device.

8. A method of activating a firearm comprising the steps of:

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.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the step of detecting includes biometrically detecting a fingerprint pattern.