Biometric access control system

• US 8,947,201 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices LLC
• Original Assignee: Law Enforcement Intelligent Devices LLC
• Inventors: Crigger, Rick, Foster, Dave, Hoff, Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): SYED, NABIL H
• Application Number:
  US13/478,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20120228243A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.52, 340/5.53, 340/572.1, 340/568.1, 340/5.12, 340/5.73, 340/5.5, 42/701.1, 211/64, 211/4
• US Class Current: 340/5.52
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/005 Devices for storing or displaying rifles, guns, pistols or elongated objects such as fishing rods storing fishing rods or the like in vehicles B60R7/08; storing guns in vehicles B60R7/14; cases for carrying guns F41C33/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7441 Key

Abstract

A biometric access control system, and a weapon rack. The system may include an identification station including a biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, and a user interface, and an equipment structure in communication with the identification station and including a plurality of locks corresponding to a plurality of storage locations. The weapon rack may include a plurality of storage locations individually storing a plurality of weapons, and including a plurality of weapon stock receiving and supporting pockets to secure the weapons, a plurality of clamps corresponding to the plurality of storage locations to additionally secure the weapons, and a plurality of sensors aligned with the plurality of clamps to indicate presence or absence of the plurality of weapons.

Claims

1. A biometric access control system, comprising:

a weapon rack, comprising;

a plurality of storage locations individually storing a plurality of weapons assigned to the plurality of storage locations,

a plurality of clamps corresponding to the plurality of storage locations to additionally secure the weapons to prevent weapon removal by disassembly, wherein the clamps are individually powered and controlled to grip and release the weapons and the weapons are individually lockable and visible, and

a plurality of sensors aligned with the plurality of clamps to indicate presence or absence of the plurality of weapons; and

an identification station in communication with the weapon rack, and including;

a biometric reader to read biometric input from a user for recording the user'"'"'s identity,

an identification reader to read an identification of a weapon to be acquired or returned by the user, and

a user interface to receive input from the user, including an indication to acquire or return the weapon, and to display a plurality of categories of weapons authorized for use by the user, and to receive input from the user including the selection of one of the weapon categories and to receive additional input from the user including a selection of a specific weapon of the selected weapon category,

wherein an authorization signal from the identification station is receivable by the weapon rack to release a clamp of the plurality of clamps securing the selected specific weapon to permit removal of the selected specific weapon authorized for use by the user.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising

a processor in communication with the biometric reader, identification reader, and the user interface,

wherein the biometric reader, identification reader, and processor cooperate to log user identification and weapon acquisitions and returns, and generate transaction log reports.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the identification station also includes a remote access interface to allow remote user access to the transaction log reports.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the transaction log reports include video footage of user actions from user log in until logout.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface also displays the plurality of weapons from the selected weapon category.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the input from the user also includes an indication that a returned weapon requires maintenance, and a reason for the required maintenance, and the selected specific weapon is one that is not locked out from acquisition as requiring maintenance.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a processor in communication with the biometric reader, identification reader, and the user interface,

wherein the biometric reader, identification reader, and processor cooperate to enable logging of weapon acquisitions and returns and provide a history of weapon maintenance; and

wherein the authorization signal from the identification station is receivable to release the clamp securing the selected specific weapon to permit removal of the selected specific weapon that is not locked out from acquisition as requiring maintenance.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the identification station and weapon rack cooperate to provide an emergency override mode to permit access to all weapons not indicated as requiring maintenance.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of clamps include grips securing each individual weapon, and a solenoid operated magnetic lock individually actuated for release or reentry of a selected weapon.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of photo-electric sensors in communication with said identification station and corresponding to said plurality of clamps indicate presence or absence of a weapon assigned to a given storage location.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising pluralities of LED'"'"'s associated with each of said storage locations and including a first plurality for indicating a “

lock open”

condition, and a second plurality for indicating at least one of power, communication, or error.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein an authorization signal is receivable by the weapon rack to release only one of the plurality of clamps at a time to permit removal of only one weapon at a time.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light corresponding to each clamp of the plurality of clamps to indicate an open condition for each clamp.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of weapon stock receiving and supporting pockets to secure the weapons, a bottom to define the pockets, an upwardly extending body including side members, and a crosswise extending support mounted to the side members and carrying the plurality of clamps.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the crosswise extending support is vertically adjustably mounted to the side members.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a security bar carried by the side members to engage weapon stocks.