Patent Application
20130019512
The present application relates to the concurrently filed co-pending application entitled “FIREARM LOCKING SYSTEM,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
Not Applicable
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to firearms and biometric systems, and more particularly to a firearm safety system that locks and prevents the operation of a firearm without valid biometric credentials. The present disclosure also relates to firearm locks that prevent the disengagement of safeties.
2. Related Art
Firearms are valuable tools that are commonly utilized for many legitimate purposes by civilians, military, and police alike. Chief among these purposes is personal defense, as firearms greatly level the field and equalize inherent power imbalances typical between criminal and potential victims. With the simple press of the trigger, for example, a weaker individual can thwart a much stronger, physically imposing criminal. Oftentimes, the mere presentation of the firearm is all that is necessary to stop the threat. According to some studies, it has been estimated that there are over 2.5 million defensive uses of firearms per year. These include incidents where no shots were fired. Police regularly deploy firearms to save the lives of others, as do the military to defend and ensure the safety the nation.
Besides defensive purposes, many firearms are kept for recreational and sporting purposes. Learning and practicing marksmanship, at times in informal ways (plinking) is regarded as somewhat of a national pastime. Furthermore, sanctioned competitive shooting events that emphasize speed, movement and marksmanship, going beyond the experience possible with static shooting ranges, attract many participants at the local, regional, and national levels. More traditional uses of firearms for hunting various game animals for sport and sustenance continues to be popular, and is an important aspect of implementing conservation policies. In addition to marksmanship, hunting is appreciated for the valuable outdoor survival skills it teaches, and for fostering an attitude of self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
Ownership of firearms and participation in activities that involve firearms are deeply ingrained in the culture of the United States. Firearms have played a crucial role in many significant points throughout its history from its founding to the present day, and are deserving of its venerated status in the country's heritage. With recent judicial decisions affirming an individual's right to keep and bear arms under the Constitution, in particular for purposes of self-defense, firearm ownership is likely to remain widespread. By some estimates, over 355 million guns are currently owned in the country, with 70 million being handguns. Across 70,000 licensed dealers nationwide, there are estimated to be over 2 million new handgun sales yearly.
As with any tool with destructive capabilities, there is a potential for abuse and misuse. Because of its lethality, the harm resulting from inappropriate uses of firearms are compounded or exacerbated. While the number of improper uses is greatly outnumbered by legitimate incidents, improvements with respect to safety are continuously sought. Firearm safety is generally approached from multiple fronts that each attempts to meet a distinct objective, with some efforts being more effective in fighting perceived deficiencies than others.
Before purchase, Federal and State laws mandate criminal and mental health background checks to ensure that firearms do not fall into the hands of otherwise prohibited individuals. Advancements in computer and database technology have made instant background checks possible, though some jurisdictions nevertheless impose waiting periods, ostensibly for the purposes of allocating extra time to conduct further background checks and for the purchaser to “cool off” instead of committing a crime of passion. Along the same lines as these restrictions, there are various safe storage and child safety lock laws that requires adults to safeguard firearms from access and accidental discharge by children.
Additionally, certain classes of firearms and those having certain characteristics have been banned or are heavily regulated. For example, restrictions on weapons capable of fully automatic fire have long existed, and there have been renewed calls for banning so-called semiautomatic “assault weapons” based on alleged military features such as pistol grips, flash suppressors, and the like. Still further, manufacturers are prohibited from selling handguns in some jurisdictions without meeting safety requirements such as loaded chamber indicators, magazine disconnects, passing drop tests.
Possibly the most important effort to improve firearm safety, though often overlooked, is raising individual competency levels in weapon manipulation, marksmanship and threat assessment. Safety is contingent on each firearm owner's adherence to the principles thereof, and depends on proper education. Many training opportunities are offered for a wide range of skill levels, and are relatively well attended.
Despite these wide-ranging measures, many may still be apprehensive of firearm ownership, both personally and by others. For instance, spouses or other family members may feel uncomfortable with keeping a loaded firearm in the home, no matter how remote the possibility of accidental shootings under proper storage conditions. Indeed, there have been incidents of a child somehow gaining access to a firearm and accidentally discharging it, resulting in injuries to bystanders. Furthermore, there are also worries that a firearm carried on the person may get used by a perpetrator against the actual owner after being inadvertently let go during a physical altercation. Due to these concerns, ordinary law-abiding citizens may forego purchasing a firearm, and even when able to do so under local laws, not carry it while going about their daily lives.
The possibility of a firearm being forcibly taken from a legitimate or authorized user by a dangerous criminal is a concern even for professionals such security personnel, law enforcement officers, and correction officers. Although legislated a “gun free zone,” educational institutions may be vulnerable to mass shooting attacks, necessitating armed guards. However, some parents may oppose this, citing the inherent dangers of firearms and the risk of it being taken from the guard to be used against students. Police officers are often required to use multi-level retention holsters that require the skillful manipulation of buttons and latches to release, and involve fine motor functions that may be difficult to perform under stress without substantial training. These additional retention mechanisms are necessary because officers typically come into close physical contact while making arrests, and holstered weapons are often within an arm's reach of detainees. Indeed, there are numerous reported incidents where the law enforcement officer is shot with his or her own firearm. Correction officers are prohibited from carrying firearms into the detention facility, and must rely on less lethal weapons such as electronic stun guns and pepper spray in case prisoners overtake the officers.
Any safety or locking system incorporated into a firearm must be readily accessible when needed, while otherwise rendering it safe and inert. These objectives are seemingly exclusive of each other: safeties that can be readily disengaged tend to render the firearm unsafe overall for that very reason, while safeties and locks that robustly secure the firearm tend to be cumbersome and time-consuming to disengage. Conventional designs are inevitably a compromise that emphasizes accessibility over safety, or vice-versa.
Even those firearms that are relied upon for defensive purposes are commonly stored in safes. Depending upon the unlocking mechanism, it can take up to half a minute or more to open. Although keyed locks are quick to open, in order to ensure that no unauthorized individuals access its contents, the keys must be kept secure, thereby increasing the likelihood of loss or damage. Combination locks do not require keys, but the entry of the combination via numeric keypads and dials can take a significant amount of time.
In addition to storing the firearm in a secure safe, there are additional measures that may be taken to decrease the likelihood of negligent discharges. These include separately locking the action with a cable lock device, keeping the firearm unloaded, with ammunition and ammunition feeding devices stored separately, removing and separately storing certain essential components of the firearm, and so forth.
All of these measures, including storage in a safe, unfortunately increase the length of time between detecting a threat and firing in self defense. Considering the speed with which various crimes are carried out, the targeted victim is in a position of substantial disadvantage, particularly where the perpetrator has the advantage of the element of surprise.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a firearm locking system that does not compromise between safety and accessibility, and enables and encourages responsible ownership. There is also a need in the art for a safety system that locks and prevents the operation of a firearm without valid biometric credentials, as well as a firearm lock that prevents the disengagement of existing safeties, among others.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a lock for a firearm with a grip safety, and a sear engageable to a biased hammer in a cocked position and releasable by a trigger is contemplated. The lock may include a housing defining a first bore within which a mainspring that biases the hammer is received. The housing may also define a second bore. Additionally, there may be a locking pin retractable into and extendible out of the second bore of the housing. When the locking pin is in an extended position, the grip safety is restricted to an engaged state, blocking movement of the trigger. There may also be an actuator disposed in the housing and cooperatively linked to the locking pin. The actuator may provide the motive force for retracting and extending the locking pin.
According to another embodiment, a firearm is disclosed. The firearm includes a frame, as well as a hammer that may be pivotally mounted thereto and defining at least one sear engagement surface corresponding to a cocked position. The hammer may also define a firing pin striking surface. There may also be a hammer strut linked to the hammer. Furthermore, the firearm may include a sear pivotally mounted to the frame and defining a hammer engagement surface frictionally engaged to the sear engagement surface of the hammer. There may also be a disconnector that is selectively engageable to the sear. The firearm may further include a trigger with a trigger bar in frictional engagement with the disconnector. There may be a mainspring housing assembly attached to the frame and defining a first bore receptive to a mainspring and a mainspring cap. The hammer strut may be retained in the mainspring cap in compression against the biasing of the mainspring. The hammer in the cocked position may be resultantly biased against the sear, with movement of the trigger bar against the sear releasing the hammer from the sear. The firearm may further include a safety latch having a set position that blocks movement of the sear, as well as a grip safety with a trigger stop. In released position, the safety latch blocks movement of the trigger bar and in a depressed position, allows movement of the trigger bar. There may be a secondary lock including a locking pin having a first position extending from the mainspring housing and a second position retracted within the mainspring housing. The pin blocks movement of the grip safety in the first position and permits movement of the grip safety in the second position.
The present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which:
Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.
The present disclosure relates to the concurrently filed co-pending application entitled “FIREARM LOCKING SYSTEM,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In general, the various embodiments disclosed herein contemplate locks and locking systems for firearms, as well as firearms utilizing the same. The firearm remains locked at all times but immediately unlocking when an authorized user holds the firearm normally without the necessity of additional devices or actions to perform before firing. The locks and locking systems are intended for seamless integration with existing firearms without permanent modifications thereto, though readily incorporated into new designs.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently contemplated embodiments of the firearm locks and locking systems, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the disclosed invention may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various functions and features in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities.
With reference to
Generally, the firearm 12 is comprised of a breech slide 14 that reciprocates along a frame 16 to locks an ammunition cartridge into a chamber of a barrel (not shown) before discharging, extracting the spent casing from the chamber upon firing, and ejecting the same to cycle a new cartridge. Based upon an actuation of a trigger 18, a hammer 20 is released to strike a firing pin (not shown) in the breech slide 14. The firing pin detonates an explosive primer of the ammunition cartridge and ignites the smokeless power contained therein, with the force of the resulting expanding gasses expelling the bullet from a muzzle end 22. The 1911 pistol relies upon force of recoil to cycle the breech slide 14 rearward after firing. During this movement an extractor (not shown) disposed in the breech slide 14 captures the spent casing and together moves rearward until hitting an ejector (not shown) mounted to the stationary frame 16. The force against the ejector pushes the casing outwards from an ejection port 25 defined by the breech slide 14. The 1911 pistol incorporates two external safeties including a thumb safety 24, and a grip safety 26, the engagement of either of which prevents the discharge of the firearm 12.
The firearm 12 is depicted as held by its grip 27 by a user 28, specifically in a right hand 30 thereof. Specifically, a little finger 30a, a ring finger 30b, and a middle finger 30c grasp the grip 27 and wrapped around a front strap 32 thereof. An index finger 30d is positioned near a trigger guard 34, for pressing the trigger 18. A thumb 30e and a portion of the palm 30f wraps around a rear strap 36, and the thumb 30e is positioned to engage and disengage the thumb safety 24.
As briefly mentioned above, various embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate the firearm 12 remaining locked at all times but unlocking when the user 28 is validated. The validation procedure involves the hand 30 being placed on the grip 27 in a normal firing position. This functionality is understood to be provided by the locking system 10. With additional reference to the block diagram of
There are several different imaging array sensors that can be utilized for capturing the fingerprint of the user 28. In accordance with one embodiment, the imaging array sensor is the TCS2 TouchChip sensor available from AuthenTec, Inc. of Melbourne, Fla. The imaging array sensor 38 is of the active capacitance type, in which a voltage is first applied to a surface 40 thereof. There is an electric field that is generated between the finger and the sensor that follows the ridge patterns in the skin. After discharge, the voltage across the skin and the sensor is compared against a reference voltage to determine the capacitance values at each sensor element. The relative heights of the ridges are calculated, with a data set of prominent features being generated therefrom. In some embodiments, it is possible to generate an image of the entirety of the fingerprint, rather than selected parts of the prominent features. As shown in
Referring to
Sandwiched between the left grip panel 48 and the left side 44 of the grip 27 is a circuit board 58, upon which the imaging array sensor 38 is mounted. With the circuit board 58 disposed underneath the left grip panel 48, the imaging array sensor 38 remains exposed through a sensor opening 60 defined by the left grip panel 48, and the angular placement of the imaging array sensor 38 is such that there is general conformance to the external contour of the same. Along theses lines, it is further contemplated that the positioning of the imaging array sensor 38 is optimized for fitting a wide range of users, such that the positioning and entry of the biometric input is instinctive impossible without additional training. The imaging array sensor 38 is disposed on the left side 44 of the grip 27 to accommodate right-handed users 28, who place the middle finger 30c in a normal strong-hand shooting position. An alternative configuration of left-handed users contemplates mounting the imaging array sensor 38, and hence the circuit board 58 and other components thereon, on the right side 36 of the grip 27.
The imaging array sensor 38 is connected to and in communication with a biometric input controller 62, which processes the input biometric feature data sets generated by the imaging array sensor 38 in various ways and generates outputs in response thereto. According to one embodiment, the aforementioned TCS2 TouchChip component includes the biometric input controller 62 and is thus part of the same package. The biometric input controller 62 includes a memory 64 in which biometric feature data sets corresponding to enrolled user identities are stored. In other embodiments, however, the memory 64 may be independent of and separate from the biometric input controller 62. Along these lines, there may be additional external memory modules that expand the capacity of the biometric input controller 62. There may be up to twenty separate identities and corresponding biometric feature data sets stored in the memory 64.
One of the processing operations may include a comparison of the most recently received biometric feature data sets to those stored in the memory 64 and identifying a correspondence to an existing identity. The results of such a comparison and identification operation may be generated as an output by the biometric input controller 62. In one embodiment, this output is referred to as a biometric input validation status indicator signal. There are several known fingerprint analysis algorithms that are known in the art, and any algorithm capable of completing the task within set time constraints based upon the data processing capabilities of the integrated discrete-time signal processor (DSP) may be utilized.
For power conservation purposes, the circuitry of the firearm locking system 10 remains switched off until use. As shown in
With the imaging array sensor 38 being a capacitive type, merely bringing the finger in close proximity thereto is operative to generate a signal that can be conveyed to the biometric input controller 62 without the entirety of the circuit being powered. Thus, the locking system 10 can be maintained in a semi-sleep state without draining excessive power. The initial signal detecting the presence of the finger can wake the biometric input controller 62, which can then activate the imaging function of the imaging array sensor 38 to capture the biometric feature data set. Once captured, the data can be transferred to the biometric input controller 62. From initialization to image capture, an elapsed time period of less than half a second is contemplated.
Referring again to the block diagram of
As shown in
The locking system 10 further includes an accelerometer 70 that may be mounted in a predetermined orientation to the firearm 12. Specifically, the accelerometer may be mounted to the circuit board 58 and electrically connected to the other components thereon. The accelerometer 70 senses the specific forces (g-forces) including on the firearm, and generates a corresponding specific force indicator signal. According to one embodiment, the accelerometer 70 is the MMA7341L 3-axis sensing accelerometer integrated circuit available from Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., of Austin, Tex. This device is understood to generate continuously, when activated, an analog output signal representative of the detected specific force. As will be described in more detail below, certain detected specific forces of the firearm 12 are understood to be associated with specific conditions, such as reloading, dropping, and so forth, and the locking system 10 can function accordingly. Depending on the sophistication level of motion and orientation detection involved, an accelerometer with more or less than three axes may be utilized.
The firearm locking system 10 includes a lock 72 having a set state and an unset state. With the lock 72 in the set state, substantial movement of any one or more fire control group components of the firearm 12 are inhibited.
The mainspring housing 88 defines a first bore 90 within which a coiled mainspring 92 is received, along with a mainspring housing pin retainer 94 disposed in the bottom portion thereof and a mainspring cap disposed in the top portion thereof. The mainspring cap 96 reciprocates upwards and downwards along the central axis of the first bore 90, and is in engagement with the hammer strut 84. Specifically, the mainspring cap 96 defines a recess within which the tip of the hammer strut 84 is received in a movable relationship. With the force of the mainspring 92, the mainspring cap 96 is biased upwards, and is compressed against the hammer strut 84. This translates to a counterclockwise (from the perspective shown in
The sear 74 defines a hammer engagement surface 98 upon which the hammer 20, and specifically the full cock sear engagement surface 78 thereof, is pressed. The sear 74 is pivotally mounted to the frame 16 with a sear pin 102, which also holds the disconnector 76 in selective engagement with the sear 74. In further detail, the trigger 18 includes a trigger bar 104 that reciprocates in a backward-forward direction along a trigger bar channel 106 defined by the frame 16. The disconnector 76 has a raised position in which it contacts the sear 74, as well as a lowered position in which it does not. The trigger bar 104 is in substantial contact with the disconnector 76, and when the trigger 18 is pressed, the disconnector 76 and the sear 74 is rotated in a counterclockwise (from the perspective shown in
As mentioned above, the 1911 type pistol includes the thumb safety 24 that includes a sear stop 108. The thumb safety 24 also includes an integral axis pin 110 for pivotally mounting to the frame 16. The axis pin 110 further pivotally mounts the grip safety 26 to the frame 16. When engaged or in a set position, the sear stop 108 blocks movement of the sear 74.
Referring to
Although details of the fire control group for a specific 1911 pistol have been described, many variations exist. One embodiment of the lock 72 is configured to cooperate with such a particular fire control group, and those having ordinary skill in the art will be able to readily make adjustment to cooperate with alternative fire control groups, including those firearms that are not 1911 type pistols.
As mentioned above, the lock 72 prevents the substantial movement of any one or more fire control group components of the firearm 12 when set. In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
Within the second bore 118, there is disposed an actuator 122 that retracts and extends the locking pin 120. Any type of actuator may be utilized, though in one embodiment, it is electromechanical. In this regard, the actuator 122 may be comprised of a servo motor 126 with a planetary gear that translates rotational motion to linear motion. It will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art, however, that the actuator 122 may be a solenoid, a stepper motor, a bimetallic strip, a piezoelectric actuator, or any other suitable electromagnetic device. A telescoping shaft 121 couples the shaft of the servo motor 126 to the locking pin 120. The actuator 122 may be driven to a state in which the locking pin 120 is extended based upon a first electronic signal, and to a state in which the locking pin 120 is retracted based upon a second electronic signal. Accordingly, the actuator 122 may include one or more input wires 123 terminated by a connector 124 for receiving these electronic signals.
In some cases, there may be a need to externally override the actuator 122, and so the second embodiment of the mainspring housing 88b defines an override key slot 128 through which a mechanical override 256 is accessed. According to one implementation, the mechanical override 256 includes a socket 258 that is mechanically linked to the actuator 122. By rotating the socket 258 with a key that is configured to be received therein, the telescoping shaft is retracted, thereby retracting the blocking wedge 254. Although one embodiment of the mechanical override 256 has been shown and discussed, those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other configurations are also possible.
Referring again to the block diagram of
The electrical current flowing through the H-bridge is monitored by a current sensor circuit 134, which may be utilized to determine when to stop the servo motor 126. As indicated above, the extension and retraction of the locking pin 120 or the blocking wedge 254 has mechanical limits, that is, the extent to which the locking pin 120 or the blocking wedge 254 can be extended or retracted is limited. When the servo motor 126 drives the locking pin 120 or the blocking wedge 254 to these limits, the shaft will not turn, but the current flow spikes. These spikes are detected by the current sensor circuit 134 and utilized to stop further power delivery. Thus, in any given extension cycle, the fit between the locking pin 120 or the blocking wedge 254 and the grip safety 26 can be tightened or maximized. Despite slight changes to the dimensions of various fire control group parts over time and use, and even with the introduction of grime and dirt, positive engagement to the grip safety 26 can be ensured.
The locking system 10 includes a system controller 136 that executes pre-programmed instructions with received inputs as parameters therefor, and generates outputs of the results of the processing. In various embodiments, the system controller 136 is an Intel 8051-based microcontroller integrated circuit, though any other data processing device may be utilized. The system controller 136 is understood to be mounted to the circuit board 58 and electrically connected to various components as described herein. A first set of outputs 138a-b are connected to the lock 72, and in particular, to the lock controller circuit 130 as discussed above. A first input 140 is connected to an output of the biometric input controller 62 to receive the biometric input validation status indicator signal. Since the output of biometric input controller 62 conforms to the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) connectivity standard, so does the first input 140. A second input 142 is connected to the aforementioned photodetector diode of the proximity sensor 66. Because the proximity sensor 66 depends on detecting a known optical signal, there is a corresponding light emitting diode, as discussed previously. The signal therefor is generated on a second output 144 of the system controller 136. A third input 146 is connected to the accelerometer 70 to receive the specific force indicator signal as generated as an analog voltage level thereby. Accordingly, the third input 146 is coupled to an analog to digital converter (ADC) that quantizes the voltage level to a discrete value. A fourth input 148 is similarly coupled to an ADC for converting the voltage generated by the current sensor circuit 134 to a discrete value.
The system controller 136 selectively actuates the lock 72 to the set state or the unset state based upon a received combination and sequence of the biometric input validation status indicator signal, the grip detection indicator signal, and/or the orientation indicator signal. At initialization, the lock 72 is in the set state to prevent actuation of the grip safety 26. As the user grips the firearm 12 in a natural hold, the user simultaneously places the finger upon the imaging array sensor 38. The resultant input biometric image is received by the biometric input controller 62, which compares the same against the stored biometric images. If there is a match detected, the system controller 136 is signaled that there has been a match, by means of the biometric input validation status indicator signal. In response, the system controller 136 generates a signal on the first set of outputs 138a-b, which are transmitted to the lock controller circuit 130. The signal drives the actuator 122 to retract the locking pin 120, thereby placing the lock 72 in an unset state. In various embodiments, it is envisioned that from initial grip to unlock, less than one second elapses. Similarly, from a rejection of a biometric input to again accepting another attempt, less than one second elapses. While in one implementation, each lock/unlock cycle involves the triggering of the actuator 122, the lock 72 may be mechanically biased or spring-loaded. Upon retraction of the actuator 122 to the unset state, the locking pin 120 remains biased against the grip safety 26, such that a release of the grip safety 26 causes the locking pin 120 to be extended, placing the lock 72 to the set state, without further activation of the actuator 122.
At this point, the grip safety 26 is capable of being depressed, and so long as the thumb safety 24 is disengaged, pressing the trigger on 18 on a cocked hammer 20 will release it. The 72 remains in the unset state so long as the proximity sensor 66 generates the grip detection indicator signal, that is, the firearm 12 has not been dispossessed. In accordance with another embodiment, the lock 72 also remains in the unset state so long as the orientation indicator signal is representative of a normal operating condition of a firearm, e.g., not resting on either side on the ground and hence dispossessed, etc. This analysis may involve multiple readings of the accelerometer 70 over certain period of time, with specific types of changes being generally correlated to abnormal operating conditions. Those having ordinary skill in the art will be able to ascertain the various combinations and sequences of the grip detection indicator signal and/or the orientation indicator signal that establish these abnormal events, and readily implement the same in the system controller 136.
Upon detecting the abnormal condition based upon the input of the grip detection indicator signal and/or the orientation indicator signal, the system controller 136 again signals the lock controller circuit 130 to drive the actuator 122 in a forward direction, thereby extend the locking pin 120. Now, the locking pin 120 blocks movement of the grip safety 26, preventing the firearm 12 from being discharged. A change in the grip detection indicator signal or the orientation indicator signal does not necessarily require an instant change in the condition of the lock 72. More particularly, there may be a timer in the system controller 136 that counts down for a predetermined period of time, keeping the lock 72 unset during the count down. A subsequent return of the grip detection indicator signal or a normal reading of the orientation indicator signal within the count down can stop and reset the timer to prevent the lock 72 from being set. At the expiration of the count down, the lock 72 can be set. The time period is variable, and can be optimized for typical defensive scenarios.
In the above example, the system controller 136 is understood to be in a standard security mode, in which one successful reading of the input biometric image, that is, there is a confirmed match between the input biometric image and a biometric image for one of the enrolled user identities, is operative to unset the lock 72. According to various embodiments, certain predefined sequences of the biometric input transitions the system controller 136 into a different operating state than the standard security mode. After repeated failures to match the biometric input to an enrolled user identity, the system controller 136 can transition to a high security mode in which multiple successful readings are required before unsetting the lock 72. Upon successful unlocking in the high security mode, the system controller 136 can transition back to the standard security mode. Furthermore, as will be described in greater detail below, other sequences of the biometric input can transition the system controller 136 to an administrative mode for configuring multiple users.
Beyond the simple mechanical feedback received by the user 28 in the form of a disengageable grip safety 26, various embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate visual indicators to provide additional feedback. With reference to
The user 28 can interact with the system controller 136 via the imaging array sensor 38 based upon visual feedback presented on the above-described array of three LEDs 150. Specific examples of illumination patterns of such feedback will now be described, but it will be appreciated that many other patterns representing the same information are possible. Referring to
When the locking system 10 is first activated, there are no user identities stored in the memory 64 of the biometric input controller 62. The present disclosure therefore contemplates various features for setting up the locking system 10 so that the normal unlocking and locking operations can proceed as described above. For various configuration purposes, there is understood to be administrative users and standard users. The administrative user is understood to have the capability to add and delete user identities, so this identity is configured at the initial startup. Referring to
After configuring one administrative user identity, additional user identities may be configured in an administrative mode, which is another one of the operating states of the system controller 135 mentioned previously. The administrative mode has a first submode for enrolling new user identities. It is possible to set up additional administrative user identities as well as additional standard user identities. More than one identity can be associated with a single user for minimizing the possibility of a misidentification-based lockout. The total number of identities stored in the memory 64 is limited by its capacity, and in one variation, the total number is twenty identities, though this is by way of example only and not of limitation. With reference to the flowchart of
The method may begin with validating the administrative user based upon multiple comparisons of a plurality of input biometric feature data sets of the physiological feature received on the imaging array sensor 38 to a stored biometric image corresponding to the identity of the administrative user. With further reference to
After entering the administrative mode and generating a confirmation of the same, the method continues with receiving, on the imaging array sensor 38, multiple input biometric feature data sets of the physiological feature associated with a new user identity in accordance with step 306. This is substantially the same procedure as enrolling the administrative user for the first time as discussed above. As shown in
The present disclosure also contemplates the deletion of users by the administrative user, and so the system controller 136 enters a deletion submode therefor. With reference to
The user enrollment and deletion steps described above are used in a standalone configuration in which the sole input modality is the imaging array sensor 38. According to some embodiments, these steps may be performed via an external setup module such as a personal computer that is in communication with the biometric input controller 62. Instead of the limited outputs on the LEDs 150, the requested actions and status indications may be generated in text form on the external setup module. As shown in the block diagram of
The external data communications connector 230 serves a dual purpose of providing electrical power to the locking system 10. More particularly, as best illustrated in
The power level of the battery 232 and its charging status is monitored by a charging control circuit 236, which provides data thereof to the system controller 136. This data is utilized to generate outputs to the LEDs to visually represent available power levels.
The locking system 10 is remains powered for an extended period of time without being charged by an external power source. Specifically, locking system 10 remains in a state in which the lock 72 can be unset for up to one year without recharging, and thus draws nearly zero standby idle current. The locking system 10 includes the power switching circuit 250 that interfaces the battery 232 to the rest of the circuitry, and cuts power components when deemed non-essential for that particular operating state. For example, in the idle state, the LEDs 150 are shut off, the proximity sensor need not generate a reflecting signal, and the accelerometer need not generate orientation indicator signals. As mentioned above, the imaging array sensor 38 is a capacitive type, and minimal power thereto can be supplied while retaining sensing capabilities that permit it to act as a power switch. The disclosed switch 65 also operates as a power switch. Further, as different components require different voltages, the power switching circuit 250 derives different voltage levels from the battery 232 for delivery the components. Most components including the biometric input controller 62, the proximity sensor 66, the accelerometer 70, select portions of the lock controller circuit 130, the LEDs 150, and the charging control circuit 236 uses 3.3V, while the motor driver circuitry in the lock controller circuit 130 utilizes 6V.
When the power level is within the 80% to 20% range, it is contemplated that 500 unlock/relock cycles are possible. When the power level get to below 20% or some other predetermined threshold, the LEDs 150, and specifically the third LED 150c, can be illuminated red and flashed to warn of this condition. One of the inputs of the system controller 136 can be connected to the output of a battery status monitor circuit 252 that checks the power level of the battery 232. The battery level may be checked during an unlock/relock cycle, with the third LED 150c also being illuminated at such time for a limited period. In some situations, the battery level may be checked outside of the unlock/relock cycle as well.
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present disclosure only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of the present invention with more particularity than is necessary, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
