Safety device for weapons and method for securing weapons provided with a safety device

Safety device for a hand-held weapon comprising a transponder for authenticating at least one authorized weapon user carrying or wearing the Transponder or for authenticating an allowed area for using the weapon. The transponder is adapted to emit a wireless preferably cryptified authenticating signal. The safety device further comprises a safety component for a grip of the weapon which is adapted to be necessarily activated by a hand of the user when the hand is holding the grip of the weapon and which upon activation emits a wireless request signal. The transponder is adapted to emit the authenticating signal upon receipt of the request signal from the safety component. The safety means receives and processes the authenticating signal from the transponder and permits firing of the weapon by the user upon receipt of an authenticating signal from the transponder authenticating an authorized user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a 371 of and claims priority of International patent application Serial No. PCT/EP2003/013100, filed Nov. 21, 2003, and published in English the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to weapons including a safety device for preventing firing of the weapon by an unauthorized user.

First of all weapons are used in various fields, e.g., in the police service, the security service, the military service, in riflemen's associations, hunters associations and in the private field.

In commonly known weapons usually each person can fire a weapon by simply releasing the safety of the weapon. Thus it is not possible to prevent firing of the weapon by persons which are not allowed thereto.

However, several attempts have been made in the prior art to prevent that a weapon can be fired by an unauthorized user.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,957 a security and safety mechanism is disclosed for a firearm including a disabling unit that interacts with a firearm grip safety in order to enable/disable the firearm. The firearm will remain in a disabled state unless verification means determines that a firearm user is an authorized firearm user. The security and safety mechanism utilizes voice recognition technology wherein a user utters a PIN Code into a microphone of the weapon creating a signal which is processed by a CPU and compared to a previously stored signal in a system memory of the weapon. If the signal is verified as the correct PIN and the correct voice a solenoid is activated to rotate a blocking lever out of the path of a grip safety thereby rendering the weapon ready to fire.

This system has the disadvantage that the voice recognition cannot reliably recognize the voice of an authorised user e.g. when the user is ill (for example has a cold) or is in a hectic or nervous mental condition or due to loud background noise. All those circumstances can have a very negative influence on the voice pattern of a user. Furthermore, the microphone can be easily damaged or get dirty so that the recording of the voice can be irritated and thus the weapon does not permit firing although the user is authorized.

In EP 0 912 871 B1 a device for securing a firearm is disclosed which comprises a locking mechanism and an identification system for wirelessly exchanging a non-changeable identification code. A transmitter and/or receiver unit is assigned to an authorized user and another is assigned to the identification system. The locking mechanism can be de-activated by the identification system at a distance or in a distance range of 0 to 1000 mm between the transmitter and/or receiver units of the authorized user and the identification system when their identification codes match.

The device has the disadvantage that the transmitter and/or receiver units are in a kind of stand by position wherein a signal is transmitted and can be received and further processed as soon as the transmitter and/or receiver units of the authorized user and the identification system have reached a certain distance between each other. Thus the device has a significant high energy consumption.

In WO 00/65291 a fire weapon control system is disclosed including safety means for preventing firing of the weapon by an unauthorized user. The system comprises a weapon having a weapon control means including a reader which is lodged in a hollow part of the weapon handle. Said reader comprises a transceiver composed of a signal transmitter means and signal receiver means. The output of the receiver means is used to control the position of the safety means. The system further comprises a user identification element such as a ring or bracelet which is worn by a user of the weapon. Said element has a transponder which is adapted to receive a signal from the transmitter means and to generate a transponder signal back to the weapon. The receiver means in the weapon have recognition means responsive to at least one coded identification carried by the transponder signal and means for generating an output signal to operate the safety means for release of the safety means to the armed position. Furthermore, the handgun control system comprises a switch for connecting a power supply to electric circuits of said control means when the user holds the handle of the handgun or when the pressure is applied to the trigger.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved safety device for weapons.

This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

The invention has the advantage that the safety means is necessarily activated by a hand of the user when the hand is holding the grip of the weapon. When activated, the safety means emits a wireless request signal. Since the safety means emits said request signal only when being activated the energy consumption can be reduced since it is not necessary that the safety means is held in a stand by position. Furthermore, the safety of the weapon cannot be released before the safety means are activated by a hand of the user when the hand is holding the grip of the weapon.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a transponder comprises a further switch for activating the transponder for a given period of time for emitting the authenticating signal. This has the advantage that the transponder can also be activated by a user and is only then, within a given period of time, able to send the authenticating signal. In the preferred embodiment the transponder further comprises a biometric sensor, preferably a fingerprint sensor, for identifying an authorized user before activating the transponder for a given period of time for emitting the authenticating signal. This prevents a miss-use of a weapon and the respective safety device in case a non-authorized user is in the possession of the weapon with the safety device and the respective transponder.

More preferably a safety disconnector is provided, preferably at the transponder, which is adapted to de-activate the transponder and/or the safety means in situations in which a non-authorised user wants to use the transponder or the weapon. This is particularly useful in case the weapon is in the hand of a non-authorised user but within the range of activity of the transponder. In this case the safety disconnector e.g. at the transponder can be used to de-activate the safety means of the weapon so that the non-authorised user cannot fire the weapon.

In an embodiment of the weapon1according to the invention, as shown inFIG. 1, a safety means is disclosed which comprises a switch3which is situated to be essentially activated by the users eminences of hand close to the thumb (Musculus abductor pollicis brevis). In other words, when the user takes the grip of the weapon in his hand he actuates the switch automatically with his eminences of hand without the necessity to additionally encompass with his hand. The switch corresponds with the symmetry of the hand.

In some weapons of the state of the art said switch has the function to prevent an unintentional release of the protection of the weapon, since said switch has to be actuated before the weapon can be fired. In other words, the switch releases the protection of the weapon when actuated. Thus the weapon cannot fire unintentionally e.g. when being dropped.

According to the present invention said switch3is preferably integrated into the safety means2. This has the advantage that no complicated and costly changes in the construction of the weapon1have to be made. Furthermore, since said switch3can be integrated into the safety means2user of weapons do not have to change their habits, that means a “Handsfree Operation” is possible. Furthermore, the safety means2can be actuated as long as the switch3is actuated.

In alternative embodiments of the invention instead of the switch3any other device can be provided which is suitable to be actuated by a hand of the user when the user is holding the grip of the weapon. For example a sensor can be provided which is “actuated” when it determines that a user takes the grip of the weapon in his hand. The sensor is preferably an optical sensor and/or a pressure sensitive sensor and/or a capacitive sensor and/or a resistance sensor.

In the following, the present invention will be described exemplary based on the switch3as one possibility among other possibilities to actuate the safety means2.

With reference toFIG. 2the present invention will be explained in more detail.

First of all, the weapon1disclosed inFIGS. 1 and 2is a hand gun. However, within the scope of the invention the weapon can be also any similar firearm such as a rifle or a rapid firing assault weapon etc.

As disclosed inFIGS. 1 and 2the weapon1comprises a switch3which is located at the grip7of the weapon. The switch3can be preferably actuated by the users eminences of hand5as disclosed inFIG. 1. As pointed out before any other device can be provided instead of the switch3which is suitable to be actuated by a hand of the user when the user is holding the grip of the weapon to actuate the safety means2.

The switch3which is actuated by the users eminences of hand5as disclosed inFIG. 1has the function in weapons known in the art to release the protection of the weapon when actuated. This prevents an unintentional firing of the weapon.

In the present invention the switch3is part of the safety means2. Said safety means2emits a wireless request signal when being activated by a hand of the user when the hand is holding the grip7of the weapon1. In the present case the safety means2is actuated by actuating the switch3. Preferably the safety means2comprises a sensor4to sense when the switch3is actuated. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the switch can be located at any position on the weapon which is suitable so that the switch can be actuated by a hand of the user when the user is holding the grip of the weapon.

The request signal of the safety means2is received by a transponder9.

Depending on the field in which the transponder9is used the transponder can be adapted to be carried by an authorized user of the weapon as shown inFIG. 2or as an alternative the transponder9can be installed in an area where one or more users of a weapon is allowed to use the weapon, e.g. in a shooting stand. This has the advantage that a localization can be achieved by an installation of one or more transponder stations at fixed positions e.g. in a riflemen's club-house.

In case the transponder9receives the request signal from the safety means2the transponder9emits an authenticating signal to the safety means2in case the user is authorized to use said weapon1. The safety means2receives and further processes the authenticating signal from the transponder9to permit firing of the weapon1by the user in case the authenticating signal from the transponder9authenticates an authorized user.

In an embodiment of the invention, the safety means2comprises an electronic control unit6to control a blocking mechanism or a blocking unit8of the weapon. When the safety means2receives the authenticating signal from the transponder9said signal is processed in said electronic control unit6which actuates the blocking unit8to release the protection of the weapon in case a user is identified as authorized thereto.

In case the user of the weapon1is not authorized, the transponder9emits no signal or a signal which does not authenticate the user as authorized. In the latter case the safety means2which has received the signal from the transponder9recognizes that the signal is not an authenticating signal and therefore does not communicate to the blocking unit8of the weapon to release protection of the weapon or does even block the safety means in the weapon e.g. for a given period of time.

In an alternative embodiment the transponder9does not send a signal in case a user is not authorized. Thus the weapon1remains blocked since the safety means2do not receive an authenticating signal from the transponder9.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the safety means and the transponder9communicates with each other by a bidirectional wireless signal transmission which is more preferably based on a challenge response algorithm. This has the advantage that the reliability of the identification can be further improved.

Furthermore, by including the switch3which is actuated by the eminences of hand to release the protection of the weapon in the safety means2no complicated construction is necessary to actuate the safety means2to emit a wireless request signal. In particular, the interface between the weapon1and the transponder9can be provided within a wide range, since the construction of the weapon1does not have to be changed essentially. Thus production costs and development costs can be reduced significantly.

In a further embodiment the safety means2is actuated as long as the switch3is actuated. That means in other words that the switch3is always actuated during the period of time the weapon1is used for firing. In case the switch3is released the weapon1is preferably blocked. To use the weapon again for firing the switch3has to be actuated so that the safety means2emits a new wireless request signal to the transponder9. As described above, upon receipt of an authenticating signal from the transponder9the safety means2permits firing of the weapon by the user by operating the blocking unit8.

In an embodiment of the invention the transponder9comprises a biometric sensor for example a fingerprint sensor to identify an authorized user before the transponder9is activated for a given period of time to emit an authenticating signal. This has the advantage that the security can be further improved since an unauthorized user cannot activate the transponder9to emit an authenticating signal. Furthermore, additional security features can be integrated in the transponder9such as e.g. the biometric sensor described above to verify if a user of the transponder9is authorized thereto etc. without the necessity of changing the construction of the weapon. Some other additional security features will be described in the following.

As an alternative to the biometric sensor or in addition thereto, the transponder9can be provided with a key (keys) to enter a personal code(s) (e.g. a PIN-code) for identifying an authorized user before the transponder9is activated to emit an authentication signal. It is clear that the invention is not limited to the biometric sensor and the keys for entering a code(s) to identify an authorized user(s) of the transponder. Any other sensors or devices suitable to identify an authorized user are within the scope of the invention.

The transponder9can be further configured to provide an authenticating signal within a certain range of e.g. approximately 20 cm to 1.5 m and preferably approximately 80 cm. This is advantageous for example when the transponder9has a fixed position e.g. in a shooting stand in which the transponder9is used to activate a weapon (weapons) therein. This allows e.g. that a transponder9can be located or worn in a protected area in which the transponder9is protected e.g. from being damaged or from attempts of manipulation etc. so that the transponder9can be activated and emit an authenticating signal to the safety means2of the weapon1e.g. outside said protected area. It is clear that the range in which the transponder9is configured to provide an authenticating signal can be varied depending on the field for which the transponder is used. That means that the invention is not limited to the range as mentioned above but can also provide a range considerably larger or smaller.

As mentioned before the transponder9can be adapted to be carried or worn by a user e.g. on the body, in a pocket or as a ring or a bracelet etc. As an alternative the transponder9can be also adapted to be mounted e.g. in an area for using weapons such as e.g. a shooting stand or in a private area or in a particular protected area. Preferably the weapon1can be fired as long as the switch3is actuated by the eminences of the hand of the user.

In an embodiment of the invention the transponder9can be configured to be used for different users of the weapon of the safety device. This has the advantage that one transponder9can be used for different users of a weapon1.

The transponder9and/or the safety means2correspond with each other and/or are programmable in order to authorize a user or a group of users. The transponder9and/or the safety means2communicate with each other and/or are programmable on a wireless basis, based on a bidirectional wireless signal transmission. The signal transmission is based on a Challenge response algorithm, with a magnetic frequency of approximately 2.5 kHz or by Bluetooth® wireless communication technology for exchanging data over short distances interfaces.

In a further embodiment of the invention different transponders9can be used for different users of the weapon of the safety device. This has the advantage that the weapon1can be actuated by different users having their own transponder9.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the request signal and/or the authenticating signal can be communicated by a magnetic frequency of approximately 25 kHz.

Furthermore, the safety means2of the invention can be adapted to permit firing of the weapon1under certain conditions once the safety means2has received an authenticating signal from an authorized user. The safety means2can permit firing of the weapon1as mentioned above during the period of time the switch3is actuated.

As an alternative or in addition the safety device can permit firing of the weapon1, e.g. for a given number of shoots and/or for a given period of time and/or in a certain transmitting range which must not be left by the user (e.g. a range of preferably approximately 80 cm when the transponder is not installed at a fixed position and a range up to 1.5 m in case the transponder is located at a fixed position). Preferably the given period of time and/or number of shots can be varied for different transponders9of different users of the weapon.

More preferably, the past activity of the weapon1can be documented. In this case, the safety means2can be regularly interrogated or inquired in case e.g. the switch3is actuated.

Further, the activities of the transponder9and/or the safety means2are preferably lodged and readable by a computer. This has the advantage that the activities of the weapon can be reconstructed and e.g. directly stored in the computer similar to a black box in airplanes.

Moreover, the transponder9can be adapted to also communicate with a compartment for weapons, such as a locker, in order to give an authorized person access to the compartment. This has the advantage, that the transponder9can be also used to prevent that an unauthorized user can open the compartment for weapons.

In an embodiment of the invention the safety device comprises a safety disconnector. Said safety disconnector is adapted to deactivate the transponder9and/or the safety means2in case of an emergency so that a user cannot fire the weapon1.

According to the invention the safety disconnector is preferably provided at the transponder. This has the advantage, that in case the weapon1has been stolen the authorized user can prevent that another person can assault him with his own weapon by actuating the safety disconnector of the transponder to deactivate the safety means2of the weapon, so that no firing of the weapon is permitted. Further the transponder can be also deactivated by the safety disconnector, so that an unauthorized user cannot make use of the transponder.

It is obvious for the person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.