Abstract:
A safe is provided for securely storing property that may be accessed quickly. A biometric scanner is coupled to a latching mechanism which may be actuated upon input of a recognized pattern, such as a fingerprint. The safe door may be spring actuated to automatically open upon release of the locking mechanism. The latch positively locks the door so that it resists opening from sharp blows to the safe.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending, application Ser. No. 61/284,672, filed on Dec. 23, 2009, entitled INPRINT PERSONAL PROPERTY SAFE WITH BIOMETRIC SAFE LOCKING TECHNOLOGY. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a locking storage safe and, more particularly, to a locking storage safe that utilizes biometric data to provide access to the contents of the safe. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Lock boxes and safes for storage of personal property are known in the art. A variety of methods have been used to secure the contents such as pad locks, built in locks and combination locks, for example. One problem with these locking devices is the time needed to unlock the safe. With a key lock, the key must be located, placed in the lock then turned. Often the key is left in the lock so that it won&#39;t be misplaced thereby defeating the purpose of the lock and safe. 
         [0004]    A problem with a combination lock is the combination of three or more numbers must be memorized or stored in a readily accessible location for reference. In times of stress, numbers are often forgotten. If the combination is misplaced, it is difficult to gain access to the contents of the safe. Further, a combination lock cannot be opened quickly, if necessary. To open the safe requires one or both hands to manipulate the locking mechanism, actuate the latch and open the door to the safe. 
         [0005]    Additionally, if it is dark, a key may be difficult to locate, the keyhole may be difficult to locate, and a combination may be difficult to enter. The problem is particularly critical if the access to the safe is needed for personal safety, such as gaining access to a hand gun or other protective device in an emergency situation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention provides an apparatus for securely storing property that may be accessed quickly. A biometric scanner is coupled to a locking mechanism which may be actuated upon input of a recognized pattern, such as a fingerprint. The safe door may be spring actuated to automatically open upon release of the locking mechanism. The latch positively locks the door so that it resists opening from sharp blows to the safe. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the personal property safe of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the door assembly of the personal property safe of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the locking components and tray of the personal property safe of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the locking components of the personal property safe of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the latching assembly and hardware components in a locked position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the latching assembly and hardware components in an unlocked position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the motor and cam assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the override lock assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a functional block diagram of the electronic components of the personal property safe of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a software flow chart of the administration functions of the personal property safe of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a software flow chart of the operational function of the personal property safe of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0019]    Moreover, except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description and in the claims are to be understood as modified by the word “about” in describing the broader scope of this invention. Practice within the numerical limits stated is generally preferred. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the description of a group or class of materials as suitable or preferred for a given purpose in connection with the invention implies that mixtures or combinations of any two or more members of the group or class may be equally suitable or preferred. 
         [0020]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a personal property safe of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . The personal property safe includes a case shell  11 , a case bottom  12 , a door assembly  13  and a tray  14  for mounting the electronic components, mechanical components and hardware  15  within the case  11 . The door assembly  13  includes a rod hinge  16 , one or more torsion springs  17 , a door loop  18 , and a mounting block  19  for the door loop  18 . 
         [0021]    A functional block diagram of the electronic control components of a personal property safe  10  are generally indicated by reference numeral  20 . Generally, all system functions are controlled by a reduced instruction set computing (“RISC”) microcontroller  22 . In the preferred embodiment, the RISC microcontroller is a microchip PIC24FJ32GA004-I/PT, but one of ordinary skill in the art may choose a microcontroller appropriate for the present application. The RISC microcontroller  22  is flash based and in-circuit programmable. 
         [0022]    The RISC microprocessor  22  is coupled to a biometric fingerprint scanner subsystem  24 . The biometric subsystem  24  includes a swipe capacitive sensor  26  coupled to a processor  28 , such as an AZM processor, for example. The biometric subsystem  24  may be self-contained, such as the subsystem available from UPEK. The biometric subsystem  24  performs all biometric functions, such as enrollment of fingerprints, verification of fingerprint and fingerprint data storage, for example, at the direction of the RISC microcontroller  22 . 
         [0023]    Power may be supplied to the circuit  20  through a power input circuit  30  from a 9-volt battery  32  or 12-volt DC power source  34 , for example. The power sources  30  and  32  may be diode coupled, include a thermally resettable fuse to limit current draw and a transient voltage suppressor (“TVS”) to protect against external electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) events. The DC power source  34  is used when active to conserve the battery  32  power. The voltage of each power source is measured by a voltage measurement circuit  36  and monitored by the RISC processor  22 . The measurement circuit  36  is switched on by the RISC processor  22  only during normal operation or when the 12-volt DC power supply  34  is active to prevent the circuit from drawing the battery  32  when the system  20  is inactive. 
         [0024]    Input from the battery  32  and power source  34  to the power input circuit  30  is controlled by an onboard MOSFET transistor which shuts off the power input circuit  30  when the system  20  is not in use to maximize the shelf life of the battery  32 . 
         [0025]    A wake up/power latching circuit  38  drives the MOSFET transistor to turn on the power input circuit  30  which in turn applies power to a main voltage regulator  40  to turn on the RISC microcontroller  22 . The main voltage regulator  40  may be a linear or switching regulator. Triggering inputs to the wake up/power latching circuit  38  may include a capacitive finger sensor  42 , an administration momentary switch  44 , an external PC connection  46  and an external diagnostic connection  48 , for example. Any of these wake up sources may turn on the RISC microcontroller  22 , which may then latch the power on  38 . 
         [0026]    The capacitive finger sensor  42  is a low-power sensor that detects the proximity of a user&#39;s finger as it approaches the biometric scanner  24 . In the preferred embodiment a QPROX sensor available from ATMEL Corp. is used. The capacitive finger sensor  42  outputs a signal to the wake up/power latching circuit  38  when a user&#39;s finger touches or is close to the sensor  42  to apply power to the RISC microcontroller  22  and consequently the biometric subsystem  24 . The capacitive finger sensor  42  includes a dedicated 2.3 volt low-power regulator connected to the system power  32  and  34 . Other methods of activating the microcontroller  22  and biometric subsystem  24  may be used, such as a pushbutton or switch, or optical sensor, for example. 
         [0027]    The administrative button  44  is a pushbutton coupled to the wake up/power latching circuit  38  and is used to initiate the fingerprint enrollment and fingerprint database deletion functions described in detail below. 
         [0028]    The external PC port  46  is used to communicate with the biometric subsystem  24  for diagnostic and configuration purposes. The biometric processor  28  may be programmed via the PC port  46 . When a PC or other device (not shown) is connected to the PC port  46 , the RISC microcontroller  22  relinquishes control of the communication bus  50  to the biometric processor  28  giving the PC control of the communication bus  50 . 
         [0029]    The diagnostic port  48  may be used to connect an external PC or other device to the RISC microcontroller  22  for configuration and debugging. 
         [0030]    Upon receiving a triggering event, the RISC microcontroller  22  actuates a motor control circuit  52  which drives a DC motor  54 . The motor  54  rotates a cam  56 . As the cam  56  rotates, the lobe  58  of the cam  56  engages a primary latching arm  60  of a latching assembly  62 . The position of the cam  56  is determined from the output signal from a position sensor  64 , A magnet  66  is secured to the backside of the cam  56 , which may be detected by the position sensor  64  as the cam  56  is rotated by the motor  54 . In a home position, the lobe  58  of the cam  56  is not engaging the latching arm  60  of the latching mechanism  62 . As shown, the cam  56  is rotated by the motor  54  one complete revolution each time the motor control circuit  52  receives an activation signal from the RISC microcontroller  22 . 
         [0031]    The motor control circuit  52  outputs a pulse width modulated drive signal to the motor  54  to achieve a relatively constant speed over the full supply voltage range. Pulse width modulating the drive signal compensates for varying supply voltages. When an activation signal is received from the RISC microcontroller  22 , the motor control circuit  52  drives the motor  54  until a home signal is received from the position sensor  64 . The motor control circuit  52  may then continue to drive the motor  54  for a predetermined overtravel so that the cam  56  will stop at the correct mechanical position. In the preferred embodiment, a cam  56  with a single lobe  58  is used with a full revolution of the motor  54  per open cycle. A melt-lobed cam and a partial motor rotation per open cycle may be used, for example. 
         [0032]    Other sensors may be used to determine the position of the cam  54  such as optical sensors, limit switches or current sensing/measurement to the motor  54  to determine motor stalling against an end stop, for example. The motor  54  may be reversible between two home positions. A solenoid (not shown) may be used to engage the primary latching arm  60 . A stepper motor may be used providing precise position control eliminating the need for a position sensor. 
         [0033]    The latch assembly  62  includes a primary latch a  60  and a secondary latch arm  64 . The latch assembly  62  is mounted on a latch plate  66  which is mounted in a module housing  68 . The primary latch arm  60  includes an aperture (not shown) to receive a pin  70 , which is pressed into an aperture (not shown) in the latch plate  66 . A retention clip  72  rotatable secures the primary latch arm  60  to the pin  70 . The secondary latch arm  64  includes an aperture (not shown) to receive a pin  74 , which his pressed into an aperture (not shown) in the latch plate  66 . A retention clip  76  rotatable secures the secondary latch arm  64  to the pin  74 . 
         [0034]    The primary latch arm  60  is generally H-shaped with first and second spring arms  78  and  80  extending radially and in opposite directions from the pin  70 . Standoffs  82  and  84  extend from a side of each spring arm  78  and  80 . The standoffs  82  and  84  are received in one end of primary latch arm springs  86  and  88 , respectively. Hooks  90  and  92  extending from the latch plate  66  are received in the opposite end of the springs  86  and  88 , respectively. The springs  86  and  88  are retained in retention loops  94  and  96 , respectively. The springs  86  and  88  are identical and are installed under compression so that the push arm  98  and the retaining arm  100  are always forced against the cam  56  and secondary latch arm  64 , respectively. The equal force of the springs  86  and  88  applied to the primary latch arm  60  around its center of rotation prevents activation or rotation of the primary latch arm  60  by external forces such as by dropping or striking the personal property safe  10 . The primary latch arm  60  may include a torsion spring (not shown) wrapped around the pin  70  and coupled to the primary latch arm  60  to rotate the primary latch arm  60 . In this embodiment, the spring arms  78  and  80 , standoffs  82  and  84 , primary latch arm springs  86  and  88 , hooks  90  and  92 , and retention loops  94  and  96  could be eliminated, for example. 
         [0035]    The secondary latch arm  64  includes a standoff  106  which is received in an end of a secondary latch arm spring  108 . A hook  110  extending from the latch plate  66  is received in the opposite end of the spring  108 . A retention loop  112  retains the spring  108  which when installed is compressed so that a spring force is always applied to the secondary latch arm  64 . Opposite the standoff  106  is a hook  102  with a slot  104  for engaging and releasably securing the door loop  18 . The secondary latch arm  64  may include a torsion spring (not shown) wrapped around the pin  74  and coupled to the secondary latch arm  64  to rotate the secondary latch arm  64 . In this embodiment, the standoff  106 , secondary latch arm spring  108 , hook  110 , and retention loop  112  could be eliminated. 
         [0036]    The secondary latch arm  64  includes a notch  114  adapted to receive the retaining arm  100  of the primary latch arm  60 . When the retaining arm  100  is engaged in the notch  114 , the secondary latch arm  64  is prevented from rotating on the pin  74 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0037]    When the cam  56  is rotated by the motor  54 , the primary latch arm  60  rotates about pin  70  and retaining arm  100  is rotated away from secondary latch arm  64  and out of notch  114 . Once the retaining arm  100  clears the lip of the notch  114 , the spring  108  forces the secondary latch arm  64  to rotate about the pin  74  until a stop  116  encounters the retaining arm  100  preventing the secondary latch arm  64  from further rotation. When the secondary latch arm  64  is rotated as shown in  FIG. 7 , the door loop  18  is released, thereby unlocking the safe  10 . 
         [0038]    A keyed lock assembly  120  is mounted to a lock plate  122 , which is mounted above the latch plate  66 . The keyed lock assembly  120  includes an override lock  124 , a lock nut  126  to secure the override lock  124  to the lock plate  122 , a lock arm  128  secured to a shaft  130  of the override lock  124 , and a bushing  132  secured to the lock arm  128 . The override lock  124  may be used to open the safe  10  if the battery  32  goes dead or access using the biometric scanner  24  does not work, for example. Rotating the lock  124  with a key (not shown) rotates the lock arm  128  to engage the bushing  132  with an inside surface  134  of the first spring arm  78  of the primary latch arm  60 . Continued rotation of the lock  124  causes the bushing  132  to push against the inside surface  134  of the first spring arm  78  and rotate the primary latch arm  60  about the pin  70  until the secondary latch arm  64  is released by the retaining arm  100 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the admin functions are generally indicated by reference numeral  200 . If the admin button  44  is pressed  202 , power is applied  204  to the biometric scanner  24 . An LED indicator  68  is illuminated  206  to indicate that the system  20  is on. A timer is started  108  while the admin button  44  is pressed. If the timer expires  210  while the admin button  44  is held depressed, then the internal memory is cleared  212  and the LEDs  68  are all flashed  214  to indicate to the user that the memory has been cleared. The processing exits  216  and the RISC microcontroller  22  deactivates the wake up/power latching circuit  38 . 
         [0040]    If the timer does not expire  218 , indicating that the admin button  44  was pressed and released, then the system enters an enrollment mode  220 . A second LED  68  is illuminated  222  to indicate that user input is requested. Data is read  224  from the biometric scanner  26  and stored  226 . A timer is read to determine if it has expired  128 . The purpose of the timer is to conserve energy and thus extend the battery  32  life and to not inadvertently leave the system in enrollment mode when not attended. If the timer is expired  230 , processing exits  116  and the RISC microcontroller deactivates the wake up/power latching circuit  38 . 
         [0041]    If the timer has not expired  232 , then data is read from the biometric scanner  234  and compared to the temporary, stored data  136  to determine if it matches  238 . If the data does not match  240 , then processing returns to decision block  228 . If the scanned data matched the temporary stored data  242 , then a counter is incremented  244 , an LED  68  is flashed  246  to indicate that the scan matched. Next, the number of matches is checked  248 . If the counter is less than five  250 , then processing returns to decision block  128 . If five matches have been scanned  252 , the temporary data is stored  254 , the counter is cleared  256  and processing exits  258 . The enrollment process  220  may be repeated one or more times to store one or more fingerprint scans. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 10 , the run function is generally indicated by reference numeral  260 . If the finger sensor  42  is trig red  262 , power is applied  264  to the system  20  and the power LED  68  is illuminated  266 . The RISC microcontroller  38  waits for a signal from the biometric subsystem  24  to indicate that it is ready  268 . If it is not ready  270 , the RISC microcontroller  38  waits  272  a predetermined time  274  before deactivating the system power  278 . If the biometric subsystem  24  is ready  280  a ready LED  68  is illuminated  282  and a timer started  284 . If the timer expires  286 , the error LED  68  is flashed and processing exits  288 . 
         [0043]    If the timer has not expired  290  data from the biometric scanner swipe sensor  26  is read  292  and compared by the biometric processor  28  to the stored data  294  for matching data  296 . If the scanned data does not match any stored data  298 , an LED  68 , such as a red LED, is flashed  200  to indicate an error and processing returns to decision block  284 . A user may scan one or more fingers one or more times before the timer expires  284  or a scan matches stored data. 
         [0044]    If the scanned data matches a stored data  302 , then a signal is sent from the biometric processor  28  to the RISC microcontroller  72  which then activates  304  the motor control circuit  52  to energize the motor  54  and processing exits  306 . 
         [0045]    In operation, the personal property safe  10  may be programmed by pressing the admin button  44 . A green LED  68  may be illuminated to indicate that power has been applied to the system followed by an amber LED  68  to indicate that power has been applied to the biometric subsystem  24  and it is ready for user input. The user may then swipe his or her finger over the swipe sensor  26  to initiate the recognition sequence for programming the safe  10 . If a match swipe is read a predetermined number of times, indicating a good swipe, the fingerprint scan data is stored. Two or more different fingerprint scan data files may be stored for later recognition. This permits use of different fingers to open the safe or different users to have access to the safe, for example. 
         [0046]    Once the system is programmed, it is ready for use. To open the safe, a user may place his or her finger on the finger sensor  42 , which triggers the wake up voltage regulator  43  to trigger the power input circuit  30  and illuminate the green LED indicator  68 . The wake up/power latching circuit  38  applies power to the RISC microcontroller  22  to activate the biometric subsystem  24 . When the biometric subsystem  24  is ready, an amber LED indicator  68  is illuminated and the swipe sensor  26  is active. When the user swipes his or her finger over the swipe sensor  26 , biometric fingerprint scan data is read and compared to the stored scan data file(s). If a match is found, a match signal is sent from the biometric processor  28  to the RISC microcontroller  22 . The RISC microcontroller  22  triggers the motor control circuit  52  which in turn energizes the motor  54 . The motor  54  rotates the cam  56  which causes the primary latch arm  60  to rotate and release the secondary latch arm  64 , thereby releasing the door loop  18 . The hinge springs  17  force the door  13  open to provide access to the contents stored in the safe  10 . To close and lock the safe  10 , the door  13  is closed and the door loop  18  is forced against the retaining slot  104 . The secondary latch arm  62  rotates from the released position ( FIG. 6 ) to the locked position ( FIG. 5 ) compressing the secondary latch arm spring  108  until the retaining arm  100  snaps back into the notch  114  and the safe  10  is again locked. 
         [0047]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in so far as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof.