An apparatus, method, and computer program product for a biometric power tool. The biometric power tool includes: a portable power tool having an electric motor operable in response to a current flow from a power supply to the electric motor; a power control system, interposed between the electric motor and the power supply and responsive to a biometric control signal, for selectively enabling the current flow to the electric motor in an enable-mode when the biometric control signal is asserted and for selectively disabling the current flow to the electric motor in a disable mode when the biometric control signal is deasserted; and a biometric system, coupled to the power control system, for obtaining a biometric profile of a user and comparing the biometric profile against a set of validated users, the biometric system setting the biometric control signal responsive to a validation of the biometric profile against the set of validated users to control the modes wherein the electric motor is inoperable when the biometric profile is not validated and wherein the electric motor is operable when the biometric profile is validated.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention for a biometric-switched power tool.
Claims
1. An biometric-power tool, comprising:
a portable power tool having an electric motor operable in response to an output from a power supply to said electric motor;a power control system, interposed between said electric motor and said power supply and responsive to a biometric control signal, for selectively enabling said output to said electric motor in an enable-mode when said biometric control signal is asserted and for selectively disabling said output to said electric motor in a disable mode when said biometric control signal is deasserted; anda biometric system, coupled to said power control system, for obtaining a biometric profile of a user and comparing said biometric profile against a set of validated users, said biometric system setting said biometric control signal responsive to a validation of said biometric profile against said set of validated users to control said modes wherein said electric motor is inoperable when said biometric profile is not validated and wherein said electric motor is operable when said biometric profile is validated.
2. The biometric-power tool of claim 1 further comprising a timer, coupled to said biometric system and to said power control system, for asserting said biometric control signal for a predetermined period after a successful validation to enable said output to said electric motor during said predetermined period, said timer deasserting said biometric control signal at an expiration of said predetermined period to disable any ouptut to said electric motor.
3. The biometric-power tool of claim 1 wherein said power supply is a line source communicated to said electric motor through a power cord coupled to said line source.
4. The biometric-power tool of claim 1 wherein said power supply is a battery source communicated to said electric motor.
5. An apparatus, comprising:
a power source for providing an output;a motor operable upon an application of said output;a biometric profiler for producing a biometric profile of a prospective operator of said motor; anda biometric controller, responsive to biometric profile, for applying selectively said output to said motor upon an authorization event wherein said biometric profile sufficiently matches an authorized operator, said biometric controller disabling said application of said output to said motor until said authorization event.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said biometric controller disables said application of said output upon a termination event.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said termination event includes expiration of a timer started upon said authorization event.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said power source provides said output from a power input to a power generator and termination event includes an interruption of said power input.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said power generator is a power socket and said power input is provided via a power cord wherein said interruption includes unplugging said power cord from said power socket.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said power source provides said output from a power input to a power generator and wherein said termination event is selected from the events group consisting essentially of one or more of expiration of a timer started upon said authorization event, an interruption of said power input, and combinations thereof.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said termination event occurs upon a first detection of one of said events.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said termination event occurs upon one of said events following occurrence of the other of said events.
13. An biometric-power tool, comprising:
a portable power tool having an electric motor operable in response to a current flow from a power supply to said electric motor;a power control system, interposed between said electric motor and said power supply and responsive to a biometric control signal, for selectively enabling said current flow to said electric motor in an enable-mode when said biometric control signal is asserted and for selectively disabling said current flow to said electric motor in a disable mode when said biometric control signal is deasserted;a biometric system, coupled to said power control system, for obtaining a biometric profile of a user and comparing said biometric profile against a set of validated users, said biometric system setting said biometric control signal responsive to a validation of said biometric profile against said set of validated users to control said modes wherein said electric motor is inoperable when said biometric profile is not validated and wherein said electric motor is operable when said biometric profile is validated; anda timer, coupled to said biometric system and to said power control system, for asserting said biometric control signal for a predetermined period after a successful validation to enable said current flow to said electric motor during said predetermined period, said timer deasserting said biometric control signal at an expiration of said predetermined period to disable any current flow to said electric motor.
14. A method, comprising:
a) obtaining a biometric profile from a user;b) comparing said biometric profile against a set of valid biometric profiles;c) asserting an authorization event when said biometric profile sufficiently matches an authorized operator of a portable, electrically powered tool; andd) enabling an application of an output of a power source to operating components of said tool only upon assertion of said authorization event, until then said operating components are inoperable.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
e) disabling said application of said output upon occurrence of a termination event after said authorization event.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said power source accesses power from a power outlet via a power cord coupled to a power outlet, said termination event includes unplugging said power cord from said outlet.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein said termination event includes expiration of a timer, said timer upon said authorization event.
Patent Application
20070171027
