EP1038148B1 - Detent for a handgun - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a detent for a handgun, comprising at least one sensor for determining the identity of the user on the basis of at least one finger. According to the invention, a sensor determines the capacitance between a sensor surface and a section of the finger, an image of the finger section is generated from the voltage differences and said image is compared with memorized finger sections.

Description

The present invention relates to a fuse for a Hand gun with at least one sensor for identification of their user using at least one finger.

Previously known security system for small arms, i.e. for handguns or long weapons, work according to mechanical Principles of conventional design. By means of mechanical Bolts are used to lock functional elements of the weapon.

In the case of a weapon of another design, an electrical one is found Ignition of the ammunition instead. A backup of this electrical ignition is by blocking or removing the Current source causes (Caliber / 5.1991, page 14).

Other fuses are in Caliber / 5.1991, page 65 and DWJ / 1.1992, page 29.

A backup of the above Art goes from the G 92 07 173 U1 forth. This system takes fingerprints Scanner modules to then lock the weapon or to release. The fingerprints through conventional scanner modules is very complex and computationally intensive. The other systems are not suitable to protect the weapon against unauthorized use.

US 5,603,179 describes a safety device for Handguns for recognizing hand or fingerprints from different people. Thereby a Scanner sensor with infrared light is used gradually scanned individual skin structures of a fingerprint and in a bad, roughly resolved form the individual Points of the fingerprint as a reference value Checks for the permissible user. Disadvantageous the fact is that such scanning is inaccurate and is extremely time consuming. There are a number of Sensors assigned to the trigger directly to a Scan skin structure. Quick intervention does not position the finger exactly and exactly on the sensor, so that, if necessary, a saved one due to shifts Skin structure can not be recognized exactly.

The present invention is based on the object secure protection of a weapon against unauthorized use to ensure that this is quick and inexpensive should be done.

This is achieved by means of a sensor the capacitance between a sensor surface and one Finger section determined from the voltage differences creates an image of the finger section and this with stored fingerprints is compared.

Such sensors are known and serve, for example Removal of an access block to a network or the Identification of people. For the present case they are particularly suitable for unlocking one Handgun.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the sensor is said to be a Be a scanner camera that uses an opto-digital or electronic recording of the fingerprint and / or the Finger contouring.

A scanner camera has a scanner module Advantage that they unite in fractions of a second Capture fingerprint and feed it to a computing unit which can then save the fingerprint with Compares fingerprints. The scanner camera is working compared to a scanner module much faster and safer. The image captured by the scanner camera can be digitized immediately.

Misuse is impossible, since the weapon is only from that authorized users can be made functional can. Even if violence is used and the For example, authorized users are forced to To include the weapon, the weapon will be released after releasing the Blocked by the user again, so that the violent can’t do anything with the weapon.

A similar solution to the task at hand will also achieved by making the sensor an electrochemical Is a sensor that performs DNS fingerprinting. The sensor can also be an ultrasound scanning sensor, which by means of acoustic signal measurement the user's fingerprints decreases. It is also possible to use heart rate sensors the determination of the user by a Perform a comparison measurement of the heart rate. Such sensors are commercially available, so that on a detailed description is omitted.

The at least one scanner camera is preferred for recording of the fingerprint in a handgun grip built-in. However, the arrangement is also conceivable elsewhere, however, the arrangement in the handle preferred because the handle is usually from the user to proper use of the weapon must be embraced.

A computer unit is assigned to the scanner camera in turn is powered by a power source. Both Elements are also preferably in the handle the weapon.

Furthermore, the computing unit is preferably one Storage unit assigned in which the fingerprints of the authorized user or users. This Storage unit should be designed so that it can cannot be cracked by a third party.

The main locks used are electromechanical locks Question which one, for example, on a deduction, a Lock lever, hammer or the like. That is, she block one or more of these functional elements, can be unlocked by applying current.

Another option is to use a Block magazine holder. So that's it for one Unauthorized users cannot remove the magazine from the handle.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the Invention for which separate protection is also sought the handgun is assigned a radio signal transmitter, which connected to a satellite navigation system can be brought. So that this doesn't happen all the time, however, what is also possible is the radio signal transmitter be put into action after a certain period of time, unless an authorized user by enclosing of the handle of the computer unit indicates that the weapon is still in possession of one User. For example, this time can be around 12 Hours, as within this time, be it for Insert the weapon into a holster, be it for removal the weapon from the holster after finishing a job, for example, a police officer, it is necessary that this takes the handle in hand.

Figur 1 einen teilweise schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch einen Teil einer Handfeuerwaffe;

Figur 2 eine blockschaltbildliche Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen optodigitalen bzw. elektronischen Griffsicherung;

Figur 3 eine teilweise dargestellte Draufsicht auf ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemässen Handfeuerwaffe;

Figur 4 einen Teil eines vergrössert dargestellten Querschnitts durch einen erfindungsgemässen Sensor.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawing; this shows in

Figure 1 is a partially schematic cross section through part of a handgun;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram representation of an optodigital or electronic grip lock according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a partially shown top view of a further exemplary embodiment of a handgun according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows part of a cross section, shown enlarged, through a sensor according to the invention.

In Figure 1 is essentially a handgun Handle 1 shown, in which there is a space 14 for a magazine shown in more detail. This magazine is published by held a magazine holder 8 in the room 14, wherein this magazine holder 8 rotates about an axis 9 and with a latch 10 in a corresponding recess in the Magazine can snap into place.

In the locked position, the magazine holder 8 is by means of a electromechanical lock 2 held in the present Embodiment is designed as a bolt can be surrounded, for example, by a coil former, which causes the bolt when the Coil former extends or retracts with current.

Furthermore, a trigger 12 for actuation is schematic of a striking organ, not shown, which also locked by an electromechanical lock 11 can be.

Below the magazine holder 8 are three opto-digital ones Sensors 3.1 to 3.3 schematically indicated, which as Scanner cameras are designed. These sensors 3.1 to 3.3 serve to take fingerprints of a human Hand from middle finger, ring finger and small one Finger.

As indicated in Figure 2, the sensors 3.1 to 3.3 connected to a computer unit 5, which is also in the handle 1 is located. The computing unit 5 is from a power source 4, which, for example, as Button battery can be formed. Separate is still with 6 a memory unit of the computer indicated.

In the handle 1 there is also a radio signal transmitter 7 integrated with a satellite surveillance system Can connect. This radio signal transmitter 7 is also coupled to the computing unit 5.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

The are outside of the position of use electromechanical lock 11 and the electromechanical Lock 2 for the magazine holder in the locked position. This means that the weapon is inoperable.

An authorized user wants to use the weapon take, he grips the handle with his shooting hand 1, so middle finger, ring finger and pinky on the sensors 3.1 to 3.3 rest. The scanner cameras take the fingerprints from these fingers and conduct the computer unit 5. In the computer unit 5 the fingerprints with stored fingerprints the storage unit 6 compared. Will be a match of the fingerprints, so the electromechanical locks 2 and 11 released so that deduction and magazine are released. The weapon can now be without more can be used.

If the weapon is used by an unauthorized user added, the computing unit 5 finds it Fingerprints are not in the storage unit 6, so that too no unlocking of electromechanical locks 2 and 11 he follows. The weapon is unusable.

If the weapon is used by the authorized user after a given period not used, so the computing unit determines the radio signal transmitter 7 that it to send corresponding radio signals. These radio signals are from a known satellite navigation system caught, which in turn determines where the weapon is located at the moment. This can be a lost one or stolen weapon can be found again at any time.

Another exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS of a sensor 3.4 according to the invention. It acts it is a capacitive sensor that measures the capacitance between a sensor surface 13 and a Finger section 14 measures. This results in different voltage values, whereby from the Voltage differences an image of the finger section 14 can be created. This happens, for example, on digital Path.

The sensor 3.4 has a frame 15, which is preferably for Housing is grounded. This means that the frame 15 one possibly on the surface of the finger Overvoltage discharges to the housing.

Furthermore, a large number of connections 16 are indicated, with which the sensor 3.4 is connected to a computer, in which the image of the finger section 14 is generated. In the computer also has several sections of the finger stored, the calculator making an association between the determined image of the finger section and the stored images.

Such a sensor 3.4 should also on the opposite side of the handle 1.1 provided so that the handgun can also be used by one Left-handed can be operated. For example, it is also one Circuit possible, which determines the usability of the weapon maintains when first right hand is taken and then transferred to the left hand. If after a certain short time from the second If there is no signal, the weapon is locked again.

Claims (12)

1. Safety device for a handgun, having at least one sensor (3.1 to 3.4) for determining its user with reference to at least one finger, characterised in that the capacitance between a sensor surface (13) and a finger portion is detected by means of a sensor (3.4), an image of the finger portion (14) is produced from the voltage differences, and said finger portion is compared with stored finger portions (14).
2. Safety device for a handgun, having at least one sensor (3.1 to 3.4) for determining its user with reference to at least one finger, characterised in that the sensor (3.1 to 3.3) is a scanner camera, which takes an opto-digital or respectively an electronic photograph of the fingerprint and/or of the ringer contour (fingerprinting).
3. Safety device for a handgun, having at least one sensor (3.1 to 3.4) for determining its user with reference to at least one finger, characterised in that the sensor is an electrochemical sensor, which accomplishes DNA fingerprinting.
4. Safety device for a handgun, having at least one sensor (3.1 to 3.4) for determining its user with reference to at least one finger, characterised in that a copy of the fingerprint is effected by ultrasound scanning sensors (acoustic signal measurement).
5. Safety device for a handgun, having at least one sensor (3.1 to 3.4) for determining its user with reference to at least one finger, characterised in that a determination of the user is effected by a comparative measurement of a heart-rate audio-frequency by means of a heart-rate audio-frequency sensor.
6. Safety device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one sensor (3.1 to 3.4) is incorporated in a butt (1) of the handgun.
7. Safety device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a computer unit (5) and power source (4) in the weapon are associated with one sensor (3.1 to 3.4).
8. Safety device according to claim 7, characterised in that a final control element (2, 11), which locks the operation of the weapon, is connected to the computer unit (5).
9. Safety device according to claim 8, characterised in that the final control element is an electromechanical lock (2, 11), which locks a trigger (12), a safety lever, a hammer or the like.
10. Safety device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that a lock (2) for blocking a magazine holder (8) is connected to the computer unit (5).
11. Safety device for a handgun, characterised in that a radio signal transmitter (7) is provided, which communicates with a satellite navigation system.
12. Safety device according to claim 11, characterised in that the radio signal transmitter (7) is activatable, after a prescribed time, via a computer unit (5).

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