Fingerprint-actuated padlock

• US 7,043,060 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BioMETRX, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Niccole Family Trust
• Inventors: Quintana, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bali, Vikkram
• Application Number:
  US09/908,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20030016847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/116, 382124-127, 382/312, 235/379, 235/380, 356/71, 356/451, 713/185, 713/186, 340/5.53, 340/5.83, 70/25
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns

Abstract

A microprocessor-operated keyless entry padlock includes a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint and comparing it to at least one fingerprint stored in memory in the padlock. If a match is found the padlock may be manually opened by a knob or automatically opened by actuating a drive gear to move a gear portion connected to a locking bar to open the locking bar.

Claims

1. A fingerprint-operated padlock, comprising:

a fingerprint sensor mounted on a padlock body having a locking bar;

a gear portion secured to the locking bar;

an actuating mechanism secured to a drive gear held in the body;

the drive gear cooperating with the gear portion;

a locking element cooperating with the drive gear;

a latch arm held in the padlock body and connected to the locking element;

a solenoid operable to move the latch arm and release the locking element from the drive gear;

a microprocessor and a power source held in the padlock body and operatively connected between the fingerprint sensor and the actuating mechanism to allow the locking bar to be opened if a fingerprint stored in a memory is matched to a fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor; and

a button held on the padlock body to activate the power source.

2. The fingerprint-operated padlock of claim 1 wherein the actuating mechanism includes a manually actuated knob, rotatably held in the padlock body.

3. The fingerprint-operated padlock of claim 2, further including a keyswitch operated between three positions to open or close the padlock, or to record a plurality of fingerprints into memory.

4. The fingerprint-operated padlock of claim 1 wherein the actuating mechanism includes an electric motor.

5. The fingerprint-operated padlock of claim 4, further including a keyswitch operated between three positions to open or close the padlock, or to record a plurality of fingerprints into memory.