Secure smartphone-operated gun lock with means for overriding release of the lock

• US 8,931,195 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2013
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl F. Milde Jr
• Original Assignee: Karl F. Milde Jr
• Inventors: Milde, Karl F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Bret
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEMAN, JOSHUA E
• Application Number:
  US14/140,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20140215883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 42/701.1, 42/700.1, 42/700.7, 42/700.6, 42/66, 42/84
• US Class Current: 42/70.11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• 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: F41A 35/00 Accessories or details not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00325 and the lock having only one limited data transmission range
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00174 Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun keys are provided to transmit gun lock/unlock data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to a gun control signal transmitted by one of the gun key devices with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device. The logic device automatically locks the gun when it is located in a prohibited area, such as a school. The logic device also locks the gun when the gun user is intoxicated or acting in an irrational manner. Once locked, the user must set a timer which allows the gun to be unlocked only after a specified “wait” time.

Claims

1. Apparatus for locking and unlocking a gun to control its use, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a gun lock device configured to be disposed on a gun and responsive to at least one electric signal to select between two operative states, a locked state which prevents the gun from firing and an unlocked state which enables firing, said gun lock device comprising;

(1) a data receiver for receiving (i) a gun control signal that specifies one of a looked and an unlocked state, and (ii) gun security data;

(2) a data memory for storing gun security data; and

(3) a first logic device, coupled to the data receiver and to the data memory, for comparing gun security data received by the data receiver with gun security data stored in the data memory, and for producing the at least one electric signal to actuate the gun lock device in dependence upon the state specified by the gun control signal and upon whether the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

wherein the first logic device is operative to cause the gun lock device to either enable the gun to be fired or to prevent the gun from being fired in response to the gun control signal when the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

(b) a first gun key device having a data transmitter for transmitting a first gun control signal and first gun security data to the data receiver, said first gun key device including;

(1) a first input device, for inputting information from a first putative authorized person who wishes to control the gun; and

(2) a second logic device, coupled to each of the data transmitter and the input device, for generating the first gun security data defined by the first putative authorized person for transmission to the data receiver;

wherein the first putative authorized person is recognized as a person authorised to control the gun in the event the first gun security data is substantially similar to gun security data stored in the data memory; and

(c) a second gun key device having a second data transmitter for transmitting a second gun control signal and second gun security data to the data receiver, said second gun key device including;

(1) a second input device, for inputting information from a second putative authorized person who wishes to control the gun; and

(2) a third logic device, coupled to each of the second data transmitter and the second input device, for generating the second gun security data defined by the second putative authorized person for transmission to the data receiver;

wherein the second putative authorized person is recognized as a person authorized to control the gun in the event the second gun security data is substantially similar to gun security data stored in the data memory; and

wherein the first logic device responds to the second gun control signal transmitted by the second gun key device with priority over the first gun control signal transmitted by the first gun key device.

2. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gun security data includes a pseudo-random number.

3. The gun look apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gun security data includes data identifying a putative authorized person who wishes to control the operation of the gun.

4. The gun lock apparatus of claim 3, wherein the gun security data includes biologic data identifying the putative authorized person.

5. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information inputted by the first putative authorized person includes a password chosen by the first putative authorized person.

6. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information inputted by the first putative authorized person includes biologic identifying information of the first putative authorized person.

7. The gun lock apparatus of claim 6, wherein the stored gun security data includes security data representing at least one biologic identifier of at least one authorized person.

8. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first input device is a first camera and wherein the second logic device is operative to process an image of the first putative authorized person as a biologic identifier and to generate the first gun security data therefrom.

9. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first input device is a first microphone, and wherein the second logic device is operative to process a voiceprint of the first putative authorized person as a biologic identifier and to generate the first gun security data therefrom.

10. The gun look apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first input device is a first alphanumeric keyboard;

wherein

(i) the first putative authorized person may input a first alphanumeric code; and

(ii) the first putative authorized person is recognized as an authorized person in the event the inputted code matches gun security data stored in the data memory.

11. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information inputted by the second putative authorized person includes a password chosen by the second putative authorized person.

12. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information inputted by the second putative authorized person includes biologic identifying information of the second putative authorized person.

13. The gun lock apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stored gun security data include security data representing at least one biologic identifier of at least one authorized person.

14. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second input device is a second camera and wherein the third logic device is operative to process an image of the second putative authorized person as a biologic identifier and to generate the first gun security data therefrom.

15. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second input device is a microphone, and wherein the third logic device is operative to process a voiceprint of the second putative authorized person as a biologic identifier and to generate the second gun security data therefrom.

16. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second input device is a second alphanumeric keyboard;

wherein

(i) the second putative authorized person may input a second alphanumeric code; and

(ii) the second putative authorized person is recognized as an authorized person in the event the inputted code matches gun security data stored in the data memory.

17. The gun look apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a GPS locater connected to said first logic device, and wherein the first logic device is operative to set the gun said first logic device is operative to maintain the gun in a locked state and prevent the gun from being fired when said gun is in a prescribed area.

18. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said second logic device is responsive to information received by said first input device to maintain the gun lock device in the locked state upon the occurrence of at least one of the following:

(1) the first putative authorized person tests positive for an intoxicating substance;

(2) the first putative authorized person fails to answer certain questions correctly.

19. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first gun key device is attachable to the gun with said gun look device.

20. The gun lock device of claim 1, wherein said first gun key device has a GPS locater coupled to said second logic device, and wherein said second logic device is operative to cause said data transmitter to transmit a gun control signal to set the gun in a locked state and prevent its firing when said first gun key device is in a prescribed area.

21. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third, master gun key device having a fourth logic device, coupled to a third data transmitter, for generating and transmitting a third gun control signal and third gun security data for transmission to the data receiver, wherein the first logic device responds to the third gun control signal transmitted by the third gun key device with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device.

22. The gun lock apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second logic device is responsive to an unlock command received from the first input device to maintain said gun lock device in the locked state for a prescribed time and thereafter to change the gun look device to the unlocked state.

23. Apparatus for locking and unlocking a gun to control its use, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a gun look device configured to be disposed on a gun and responsive to at least one electric signal to select between two operative states, a locked state which prevents the gun from and an unlocked state which enables firing, said gun lock device comprising;

(1) a data receiver for receiving (i) a gun control signal that specifies one of a locked and an unlocked state, and (ii) gun security data;

(2) a data memory for storing gun security data; and

(3) a first logic device, coupled to the data receiver and to the data memory, for comparing gun security data received by the data receiver with gun security data stored in the data memory, and for producing the at least one electric signal to actuate the gun lock device in dependence upon the state specified by the gun control signal and upon whether the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

wherein the first logic device is operative to cause the gun lock device to either enable the gun to be fired or to prevent the gun from being fired in response to the gun control signal when the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

(b) a first gun key device having a data transmitter for transmitting a first gun control signal and first gun security data to the data receiver, said first gun key device including;

(1) a first input device, for inputting information from a first putative authorized person who wishes to control the gun; and

(2) a second logic device, coupled to each of the data transmitter and the first input device, for generating the first gun security data defined by the first putative authorized person for transmission to the data receiver;

wherein the first putative authorized person is recognized as a person authorized to control the gun in the event the first gun security data is substantially similar to gun security data stored in the data memory;

wherein said first gun key device has a GPS locater coupled to said second logic device, and wherein said second logic device is operative to cause said data transmitter to transmit a gun control signal to set the gun in a looked state and prevent its firing when said first gun key device is in a prescribed area.

24. Apparatus for locking and unlocking a gun to control its use, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a gun lock device configured to be disposed on a gun and responsive to at least one electric signal to select between two operative states, a locked state which prevents the gun from firing and an unlocked state which enables firing, said gun lock device comprising;

(1) a data receiver for receiving (i) a gun control signal that specifies one of a locked and an unlocked state, and (ii) gun security data;

(2) a data memory for storing gun security data; and

(3) a first logic device, coupled to the data receiver and to the data memory, for comparing gun security data received by the data receiver with gun security data stored in the data memory, and for producing the at least one electric signal to actuate the gun lock device in dependence upon the state specified by the gun control signal and upon whether the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

wherein the first logic device is operative to cause the gun lock device to either enable the gun to be fired or to prevent the gun from being fired in response to the gun control signal when the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

(b) a first gun key device having a data transmitter for transmitting a first gun control signal and first gun security data to the data receiver, said first gun key device including;

(1) a first input device, for inputting information from a first putative authorized person who wishes to control the gun; and

(2) a second logic device, coupled to each of the data transmitter and the input device, for generating the first gun security data defined by the first putative authorized person for transmission to the data receiver;

wherein the first putative authorized person is recognized as a person authorized to control the gun in the event the first gun security data is substantially similar to gun security data stored in the data memory; and

(c) a second and master gun key device having a third logic device, coupled to a second data transmitter, for generating and transmitting a second gun control signal and second gun security data for transmission to the data receiver, wherein the first logic device responds to the second gun control signal transmitted by the second gun key device, with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by the first gun key device.

25. Apparatus for locking and unlocking a gun to control its use, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a gun lock device configured to be disposed on a gun and responsive to at least one electric signal to select between two operative states, a locked state which prevents the gun from firing and an unlocked state which enables firing, said gun lock device comprising;

(1) a data receiver for receiving (i) a gun control signal that specifies one of a locked and an unlocked state, and (ii) gun security data;

(2) a data memory for storing gun security data; and

(3) a first logic device, coupled to the data receiver and to the data memory, for comparing gun security data received by the data receiver with gun security data stored in the data memory, and for producing the at least one electric signal to actuate the gun lock device in dependence upon the state specified by the gun control signal and upon whether the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

wherein the first logic device is operative to cause the gun lock device to either enable the gun to be fired or to prevent the gun from being fired in response to the gun control signal when the stored gun security data and the received gun security data are substantially similar;

(b) a first gun key device having a data transmitter for transmitting a first gun control signal and first gun security data to the data receiver, said first gun key device including;

(1) a first input device, for inputting information from a first putative authorized person who wishes to control the gun; and

(2) a second logic device, coupled to each of the data transmitter and the input device, for generating the first gun security data defined by the first putative authorized person for transmission to the data receiver;

wherein the first putative authorized person is recognized as a person authorized to control the gun in the event the first gun security data is substantially similar to gun security data stored in the data memory; and

wherein said second logic device is responsive to an unlock command received from the first input device to maintain said gun lock device in the locked state for a prescribed time and thereafter to change the gun lock device to the unlocked state.