U.S. patent application number 09/997289 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for automatic weapon user identification and safety module.
Invention is credited to Frydman, Hershel, Harling, Gord, Miller, Rodney.
Application Number | 20020112390 09/997289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27400743 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020112390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harling, Gord ; et
al. |
August 22, 2002 |
Automatic weapon user identification and safety module
Abstract
An automatic weapon safety system where power consumption is
reduced and safety is increased is disclosed. The system includes a
movement detector operatively associated with the handgrip of a
weapon for detecting the presence of a hand on the handgrip. The
system also has a transceiver operatively associated with the
movement detector for sending a coded signal when the weapon has
been gripped. The coded signal is received by at least one remote
token which receives the coded signal and transmits a coded
acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the coded signal. A system
is provided for enabling and disabling the weapon, operatively
connected to the transceiver for allowing operation of the weapon
when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received. The system
may include two tokens, which are worn by the authorized user. In
this case, the transceiver further includes an anti-collision
module to discriminate between the different tokens and select
which one will be permitted to issue the coded acknowledgement
signal. Also preferably, the transceiver includes an anti-jamming
module. Verification of the token can be done every time the
trigger is depressed. Alternately, verification can be done only
once, when the weapon is first gripped, and authorization remains
until the handgrip is let go. Furthermore, since bi-directional RF
communication is effected only when the trigger is depressed, power
consumption is reduced.
Inventors: |
Harling, Gord; (Nepban,
CA) ; Frydman, Hershel; (Montreal, CA) ;
Miller, Rodney; (Westmount, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY
600 13TH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3096
US
|
Family ID: |
27400743 |
Appl. No.: |
09/997289 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60253950 |
Nov 30, 2000 |
|
|
|
60253949 |
Nov 30, 2000 |
|
|
|
60253948 |
Nov 30, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 17/066 20130101;
H04K 3/20 20130101; H04K 2203/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/70.11 |
International
Class: |
F41A 017/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic weapon safety system comprising: a handgrip sensor
for detecting when a person grips a handle of a weapon, said
handgrip sensor being integral to said weapon; a unit including a
transceiver means operatively associated with said handgrip sensor
for sending a coded signal when said sensor has been activated,
said unit means forming a part of said weapon and including power
means; at least one remote token for receiving said coded signal
and for transmitting a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of
said coded signal and further including power means; means for
enabling and disabling said weapon operatively associated with said
transceiver means for allowing operation of said weapon when said
coded acknowledgement signal has been received.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein: said unit includes: an
antenna; a receiver coupled to said antenna for receiving said
coded acknowledgement signal; an encoding/decoding module for
creating said coded signal; and a transmitter coupled to said
antenna for transmitting said coded signal.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein: said at least one remote
token comprises: an antenna; a receiver coupled to said antenna for
receiving said coded signal; an encoding/decoding module for
creating said coded acknowledgement signal; and a transmitter
coupled to said antenna for transmitting said coded acknowledgement
signal.
4. A system according to claim 3, wherein: said system comprises
more than one token, and said transceiver further comprises an
anti-collision technique for discriminating between said more than
one token and selecting which one of said more than one token is
permitted to issue said coded acknowledgement signal.
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said coded signal further
includes status information.
6. A system according to claim 4, wherein said transceiver further
includes an anti-jamming module.
7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system further
includes a trigger movement sensor for detecting a movement of said
trigger, said trigger movement sensor being operatively connected
to said unit for sending a coded signal upon movement of said
sensor.
8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said weapon is a
firearm.
9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said weapon is a stun
gun.
10. A system according to claim 8, wherein said firearm includes a
magazine for holding ammunition, said power means forming part of
said magazine, and said unit associated with said handgrip sensor
is integral to the firearm.
11. A system according to claim 8, wherein said firearm includes a
mechanical trigger for firing the firearm, and wherein said means
for enabling and disabling said weapon include a trigger lock.
12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said firearm includes an
electronic system for firing said firearm, and wherein said means
for enabling and disabling said firearm includes means for blocking
and passing electronic pulses used to fire ammunition.
13. A system according to claim 9, wherein said means for blocking
and passing electronic pulses include an enable/disable switch.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic weapon user
identification and safety module.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] One of the dangers associated with firearms is that they may
be operated by a person other than the owner of the firearm. In the
context of the present invention, this other person will be
hereinafter referred to as "unauthorized user" and the owner, or
person authorized to operate the firearm will be hereinafter
referred to as "authorized user".
[0003] A situation which all too frequently arises is that a
firearm is taken from a police officer (the authorized user) by an
unauthorized user and used against the police officer, resulting in
injury or death. However, it should be understood that the present
invention is equally applicable to any other situation where an
unauthorized user takes control of a firearm.
[0004] Many patents have been proposed to attempt to solve this
problem. These patents describe different safety mechanisms to
prevent the discharge of a firearm by an unauthorized user.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,149 describes a keypad
interface located on the firearm, with a trigger lock system using
a solenoid. In order to enable the firearm, the user must punch a
code into the keypad. However, this mechanism reduces the
effectiveness of the firearm in emergency situations and does not
prevent the firearm from being used by an unauthorized user once
the firearm is enabled.
[0006] Biometric systems have also been proposed for authorized
user recognition. These systems verify the fingerprint or the voice
of the authorized user prior to enabling the firearm, which is
usually disabled. Examples of these systems can be found in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,603,179 and 5,560,135. Typically, these systems enable
the firearm when the user is approved by a recognition interface
which compares a measured sample with a memorized template in the
firearm. The drawback of these systems is that, for example, a
police officer requires that the firearm be enabled immediately,
particularly when facing a suspect. Fingerprint and voice
recognition systems still have a high probability of rejecting the
authorized user due to an incorrect measurement, or large
variations in the biometric sample (due to, for example, stress),
which can have disastrous effects for the police officer.
Furthermore, these systems require more response time depending on
the accuracy and precision of the recognition template.
[0007] Another example of a safety system is U.S. Pat. No.
4,682,435 where the firearm is normally enabled. The system
consists of a remote transmitter carried by the authorized user
which uses RF communications to disable the firearm. A receiver is
integrated in the firearm with a locking mechanism using a solenoid
to disable the firing pin or to block the trigger bar. The user is
expected to disable the firearm by triggering the RF signal, which
is unsafe in an emergency situation or in the case where the
authorized user is unconscious.
[0008] Yet another example of a safety system is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,168,114. The system consists of a remote RF transmitter
worn by a user and a receiver incorporated in the firearm. The
locking mechanism is a solenoid electrically connected to the
receiver. The firearm is normally disabled and the locking
mechanism will unlock the firearm only when the transmitter, held
or worn by the authorized user, is located at a predetermined
distance from the firearm. The firearm will not fire if the
receiver is unable to properly receive the coded RF signal from the
transmitter. In this system, the transmitter transmits continuously
and the locking system enables and disables the locking system
depending on the distance between the firearm and the transmitter.
This system has an important drawback in that the transmitter
consumes a great amount of power since it is continuously
transmitting. Accordingly, small batteries, suitable for
incorporation into a small transmitter and receiver, are not
adequate to provide long operational life.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,844 describes a similar system, making
use of a motion detector on the trigger of the firearm. The trigger
detector requires authentication of the user each time that the
firearm is discharged and this authentication must be carried out
in a very short time if it is not to interfere with the firearm
use. This leads to high power consumption and a severe limitation
on the time allowed for encryption, anti-jamming protocols, and
mechanical blocking of the trigger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an
automatic weapon safety module where power consumption is reduced.
In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a
module comprising a unit integral with a firearm. The unit includes
handgrip detection means operatively associated with the handgrip
of a weapon for detecting the preparation of the weapon for use by
the user grasping the handgrip. The unit also comprises transceiver
means, preferably RF, operatively associated with the handgrip
detection means for sending a coded signal when the handgrip
detector on the handgrip has been activated. The coded signal is
received by at least one remote token which receives the coded
signal and transmits a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of
the coded signal. Means for enabling and disabling the weapon are
operatively associated with the RF transceiver means for allowing
operation of the trigger and thereby the firing of the weapon when
the coded acknowledgement signal has been received by the
transceiver means.
[0011] Preferably, the system includes at least one token worn by
an authorized user. In this case, the unit integral to the weapon
further uses a collision avoidance technique to discriminate
between the different signals sent by more than one token. Also
preferably, the integral unit uses an anti-jamming technique.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the system is used in a
firearm using electronic ammunition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention and its advantages will be more easily
understood after reading the following non-restrictive description
of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the
following drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an firearm
incorporating the system according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a token for use with the system
according to the preferred embodiment of the invention incorporated
into a bracelet;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the bracelet of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the trigger movement
detection means associated with the trigger of a firearm;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the handgrip
detection means associated with the handgrip of a firearm;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the components of
the unit integrated in the firearm; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the components of
the token.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] As mentioned above, the invention is directed to an
automatic safety system for a weapon 1. In the context of the
present invention, weapon includes firearms such as rifles,
handguns, pistols, etc., and also includes stun guns, and, more
broadly, any weapon which includes a handgrip for a user to grip.
The invention may easily be adapted to any type of weapon 1, with
the proper modifications. For the purposes of explaining the
functioning of the present invention, it will be described as
incorporated in a handgun 1, shown in FIG. 1. The handgun 1 has a
barrel 3, a handgrip 5, a trigger 7 and a firing mechanism, all of
which are well known. However, it should be understood that the
following description is equally applicable for any type of
weapon.
[0022] The system according to a preferred embodiment thereof
includes a unit which is integrated into the firearm 1, and at
least one token 40 which is remote from the firearm 1. The unit
which is integrated into the firearm is sometimes referred to as a
"master", and the token, a "slave".
[0023] The unit includes handgrip detection means 21 operatively
associated with the handgrip 5 of the firearm 1, for detecting the
presence or absence of the user's hand on the handgrip 5. Such
handgrip detection means 21 are readily available and can take the
form of a mechanical switch, position sensor, motion sensor,
pressure sensor, capacitive sensor, temperature sensor, optical
detector, etc., as long as the handgrip detection means 21
immediately respond to presence of the user's hand on the handgrip
5. As mentioned previously, the handgrip detection means 21 are
integral with the firearm 1. The trigger detection means 20 are
shown in the same diagram. Trigger detection means 20 are readily
available and can take the form of a mechanical switch, position
sensor, motion sensor, pressure sensor, capacitive sensor,
temperature sensor, optical detector, etc., as long as the trigger
movement detection means 20 immediately respond to trigger
movement.
[0024] An aspect of the invention lies in the use of a hand-grip
detection device to initiate the authentication sequence. Hand-grip
detection occurs early in the cycle of preparation for use of the
firearm and several hundred milliseconds are available to the
system to perform authentication. Hand-grip detection can be very
reliable and impervious to errors caused by the wearing of gloves,
the `handedness` of the user, or other operational issues. Handgrip
detection also implies that the user of the firearm is only
authenticated once, when the firearm is prepared for use. In
weapons with large ammunition clips this drastically reduces the
power required by the authentication circuit and increases the
operational life of the circuitry. In such a case, when
authentication is performed only once, the unit integral with the
weapon places itself into a sleep mode and the weapon is
operational until the handgrip is let go (i.e. the handgrip
detector is disabled).
[0025] The unit also includes transceiver means 30, preferably RF,
operatively associated with the handgrip detection means 21 for
sending a coded signal when the handgrip or trigger detector has
been activated. The transceiver means 30 are integral with the
firearm, and are preferably located in the handle 5 of the firearm
1, or, alternately, are included with a magazine for a firearm. The
transceiver means 30 are better shown in FIG. 5, preferably include
an antenna 31, a receiver 33 coupled to the antenna 31, an
encoding/decoding module 35 and a transmitter 33 coupled to the
antenna 31 for sending the coded signal. In a preferred embodiment
shown in FIG. 5, the receiver 33 and the transmitter 33 are
incorporated into a single interface. The transceiver means 30 also
includes power means, such as a battery 32, for powering the
transceiver means 30.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transceiver
means are integral with the weapon. The battery is preferably part
of the magazine, allowing for quick battery replacement in the
field.
[0027] The system further includes at least one token 40 for
receiving the coded signal and for transmitting a coded
acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the coded signal. The at
least one token 40 is separate from the firearm 1, but nonetheless
located in close proximity thereof. The token 40, as better shown
in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, includes an antenna 41, a receiver 43 coupled
to the antenna 41 for receiving the coded signal generated by the
transceiver means 30, an encoding/decoding module 45 for creating a
coded acknowledgement signal and a transmitter 43 coupled to the
antenna 41 for transmitting the coded acknowledgement signal. In a
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the receiver 43 and the
transmitter 43 are incorporated into a single interface. The token
40 also includes power means, such as a battery 42, for powering
the token 40.
[0028] Preferably, the system only works if the token 40 is located
in close proximity to the firearm 1. Accordingly, both the
transceiver 30 and the token 40 can be programmed to respond to the
coded signal and to the coded acknowledgement signal when the
signal strength is above a predetermined threshold, indicating
proximity. Typically, this proximity is no greater than
approximately 45 cm (or 18 inches).
[0029] The system also includes means 50 for locking and unlocking
the trigger operatively associated with the transceiver means 30
for allowing operation of the trigger and thereby the firing of the
firearm when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received.
The means 50 for locking and unlocking include an enable/disable
switch, so that the trigger can be normally disabled (for example
in the case of a firearm which is in a house, so that unauthorized
users cannot fire the firearm) or normally enabled (for example for
a police officer). It should be noted that the means 50 for locking
can take the form of a trigger lock, a pin lock or a hammer
lock.
[0030] Alternately, in the case where the firearm uses electronic
pulses to fire, the system includes means 51 for blocking or
passing the electronic pulses used to fire the ammunition and
operatively associated with the transceiver means 30 for allowing
operation of the firearm when the coded acknowledgement signal has
been received. The means 51 for blocking or passing the electronic
firing pulses include an enable/disable switch, so that the firing
pulses can be normally disabled (for example in the case of a
firearm which is in a house, so that unauthorized users cannot fire
the firearm) or normally enabled (for example for a police
officer).
[0031] One of the advantages of the present invention lies in the
bi-directional communication between the transceiver 30 and the
token 40. This bi-directional communication considerably reduces
the power consumption required, since the system will be used only
when the handgrip detector on the handgrip 5 has been activated,
i.e. only when a person wishes to prepare the firearm 1 for
use.
[0032] Accordingly, the communication protocol between the
transceiver 30 and the token 40 is done through RF. When the
handgrip 5 is seized by the user and the handgrip detector 21 is
activated or if the trigger detector is activated, the transceiver
30 transmits a coded RF signal. Preferably, this coded signal is
encrypted, using known encryption techniques and a secret key 37.
The token 40 receives the coded signal and decrypts it using a
secret key 37, again using known decryption techniques. If the
received request is valid, i.e. if it uses a secret key known to
the token 40, then the token 40 transmits an encrypted
acknowledgement back to the transceiver 30. Upon receipt and
decoding, i.e. decrypting of the acknowledgement signal, the
transceiver 30 changes the state of the electronic blocking means
50. It should be understood that the blocking/unblocking step
depends on the state of the electronic blocking means 50, i.e.
enabled or disabled. If the electronic blocking means 50 are
disabled, then the receipt of the valid acknowledgement signal will
enable it, meaning that the electronic firing pulses will be
permitted to fire the firearm when the t rigger is pulled. However,
if the electronic blocking means 50 are enabled, they will remain
enabled upon receipt of a valid acknowledgement signal and will be
disabled if there is no acknowledgement, or if it is invalid.
[0033] The bi-directional nature of the communication also
increases the safety of the firearm 1, since an acknowledgement
signal is requested each time the handgrip 5 is seized or the
trigger detector is actuated.
[0034] Other features may be incorporated in the system according
to the present invention by transmitting additional information
from the transceiver 30 to the token 40, such as status of the
firearm 1 after each firing cycle, the number of shots fired,
battery status etc. Of course, if such information is transmitted,
the token 40 is preferably equipped to either store the information
for future downloading, or to display such information on an LCD
display 61, or both.
[0035] As mentioned previously, an authorized user may carry more
than one token 40. In such a case, the communication protocol must
include anti-collision detection and resolution in the
communication protocol, in order to differentiate between the
various tokens 40, and accept a coded acknowledgement signal only
from one of them. This is the case, for example, where a police
officer is a two-handed shooter and carries a token about each
wrist. The anti-collision module will also be necessary where many
officers are present at a location, each carrying at least one
token. If the distances between each are relatively close, the
transceiver 30 in the firearm 1 will be receiving acknowledgement
signals from all tokens and must be able to discern between them.
It should be noted that the system according to the present
invention may also be enabled by more than one token, and
currently, the system supports up to 55 tokens for any given weapon
(or master).
[0036] The technique that is proposed to prevent such a problem is
a transmit and stand-off technique. When a coded signal has been
sent by the transceiver 30, all the tokens 40 transmit, for
example, a pseudo-random sequence of pulses and dead time to see if
another token is actually transmitting. The sequence could include
10 to 12 symbols of a random number generated by the token 40. The
transceiver 30, through a variety of known techniques such as peak
detection, synchronous detection, carrier detection or a
combination thereof, determines if there are one or more tokens 40
present, and selects from which token 40 the coded acknowledgement
signal must be received. This technique is well known in the
art.
[0037] Furthermore, the system must also be jamming-resistant, in
order to ensure communication between the token and the transceiver
regardless of the electromagnetic environment the authorized user
is in.
[0038] The transceiver may also include a self-test to determine if
a communication fault is due to an internal problem or to the
absence of a token within a predetermined distance.
[0039] Although the present invention has been explained
hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be
pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment
within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or
change the nature and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *