Patent ID: 6357156
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: F41A,G06K

Abstract:
An authorization module for activating a firearm, the module comprising:a housing defining a cavity, and including an electrical interface for communicating with an electronic device, said housing being in the shape of a firearm magazine for insertion into a magazine well of a firearm; a fingerprint sensor supported on and facing outwardly of the housing for generating a fingerprint signal indicative of a fingerprint pattern detected by the fingerprint sensor; and a fingerprint identification circuit disposed within the cavity of the housing and communicating with the fingerprint sensor for receiving the fingerprint signal and for comparing the fingerprint pattern derived from the fingerprint with an authorized user's pattern stored in the identification circuit, the identification circuit communicating with the electrical interface for transmitting an authorization signal to activate an associated electronic device if the sensed fingerprint pattern substantially matches the authorized user's fingerprint pattern.