EP1409945B1 - Handgun secured against unauthorized use - Google Patents

Abstract

Firearms protected from unauthorized use are disclosed. A disclosed firearm comprises a housing having a handle; a safety located in the housing to selectively prevent firing; and a module removably attachable to the handle and containing an electronic identification device to identify an authorized user. The electronic identification device controls the safety to prevent firing by unauthorized persons and to permit firing by the authorized user.

Description

The invention relates to a handgun with a handle, a device identifying the shooter and controlled by this safety device that keeps the weapon secured in case of missing or unsuccessful identification and this releases only in the case of a successful identification for the shot.

There are increasing voices calling for handguns, especially handguns, to prevent the use of the weapon by unauthorized persons.

• a) Ordonnanzwaffen im Kriegseinsatz:
  • solche Waffen müssen billig und absolut zuverlässig sein. Eine Sicherung, so einfach sie auch sein mag, verzögert die Anwendung der Waffe. Ferner muß jeder Soldat imstande sein, jede Handfeuerwaffe, an der er ausgebildet ist, zu benutzen, wenn etwa seine defekt ist und er die Waffe etwa eines gefallenen Kameraden zur Verfügung hat. Identifizierende Einrichtungen sind hier in der Regel fehl am Platze.
• b) Ordonnanzwaffen im Zivileinsatz:
  • Militär, Polizei, aber auch die Mitarbeiter ziviler Wach- oder Personenschutzfirmen benötigen Waffen, die bei Antritt einer Wache, eines Einsatzes oder einer Dienstschicht durchaus eine gewisse Zeit in Anspruch nehmen können, um eine Identifikationsroutine durchzuführen. Während der Wache, des Einsatzes usw. soll die Waffe möglichst rasch schußbereit sein, bei Verlust unverzüglich unbrauchbar sein. Eine oder mehrere bestimmte Personen müssen zum Gebrauch ermächtigt sein; die Ermächtigung muß zurücknehmbar sein.
• c) Sportwaffen:
  • Sportwaffen dürfen durchaus eine geraume Zeit für die Benutzeridentifikation in Anspruch nehmen. Die Benutzung sollte aber gegebenenfalls auch durch eine andere Person als die identifizierte möglich sein, etwa bei Leihwaffen. Wird eine Waffe aus der Hand gelegt, braucht die Waffe nicht unverzüglich unbenutzbar zu werden.
• d) Private Verteidigungswaffen:
  • Die Identifikation muß möglichst ohne die Eingabe von Kennummern o. dgl. möglich sein, da sich der Benutzer möglicherweise nach jahrelangem Nichtgebrauch nicht mehr an diese erinnert. Problematisch sind auch die Batterien für die elektrisch/elektronische Einrichtung, da sie überaltern können. In der Regel wird es ausreichen, daß nur ein Benutzer von der Waffe identifizierbar ist.
• e) Sammelwaffen:
  • Solche Waffen werden meist stationär verwahrt; es genügt dann die sichere Unterbringung in einem Safe, einer gesicherten Waffenkammer usw.. Unter diesen Gruppe fallen auch Jagdwaffen, die nur selten benutzt werden. Ansonsten fallen Jagdwaffen, je nach Art der Benutzung, unter die Rubrik b) oder c).

Now you can divide small arms into the following groups:

• a) Ordonnanzwaffen in the war effort:
  • Such weapons must be cheap and absolutely reliable. A fuse, simple as it may be, delays the use of the weapon. Furthermore, every soldier must be able to use any handgun he is trained on, for example, if his is defective and he has the weapon of, say, a fallen comrade. Identifying devices are usually out of place here.
• b) Ordonnance weapons in civilian use:
  • Military, police, but also the employees of civilian security or personal protection companies need weapons, which can take a certain time when starting a guard, an employment or a service shift, in order to carry out an identification routine. During the guard, the deployment, etc., the weapon should be ready to fire as soon as possible be useless immediately if lost. One or more specific persons must be authorized for use; the authorization must be withdrawn.
• c) Sporting weapons:
  • Sporting weapons may well take a considerable amount of time for user identification. However, the use should also be possible if possible by another person than the one identified, for example in the case of loan weapons. If a weapon is put out of hand, the weapon does not need to be immediately unusable.
• d) Private Defense Weapons:
  • The identification must be possible without the input of identification numbers o. The like. Possible because the user may not remember after years of disuse. Also problematic are the batteries for the electrical / electronic equipment, as they can over age. In general, it will be sufficient that only one user of the weapon is identifiable.
• e) Collecting weapons:
  • Such weapons are usually kept stationary; Safe accommodation in a safe, a secured armory, etc. is sufficient. This category also includes hunting weapons, which are rarely used. Otherwise, hunting weapons, depending on the type of use, fall under the heading b) or c).

Now, a weapons manufacturer tries to make one and the same weapon, as far as possible, with as few modifications as possible for as many of the above uses. Large caliber handguns of the same basic design can be used in all types of use, but the requirements for the individual types of use are sometimes contradictory.

Finger or handprint scanning systems have already been proposed; however, these are unsuitable when the user is wearing a glove or bandage on the hand, or when the hand is soiled with paint, oil or mud.

It has also been proposed to push buttons or the like. to provide a personal identification number. However, this requires a separate construction of the weapon to provide a transfer space for the pushbuttons. Voice and speech recognition devices have also been proposed, but without worrying that hoarse, excited or whispering voices sound different from voices or words that were previously quietly entered into the arms shop as a comparative pattern.

Overall, the following references have become known: US Pat. No. 5,459,957; U.S. Patent 5,546,690; U.S. Patent 5,560,135; U.S. Patent 5,570,528; U.S. Patent 5,636,464; U.S. Patent 5,924,232; JP 0100258178AA; U.S. Patent 5,603,179; U.S. Patent 5,303,495; U.S. Patent 4,682,435; U.S. Patent 4,467,545; U.S. Patent 5,022,175; JP 0040109300AA; DE-OS 198 31 690 and DE-OS 198 05 306.

US 6,185,852 B1 shows an identification and a safety device, which are accommodated in a separate housing and the latter is housed in the handle of the weapon. The entire module is either glued to the gun handle or included as an integral part in the weapon handle. The content of this document contains the features of the preamble of claim 1.

US 5,896,691 also includes a module containing the identification and security device attached to the weapon frame is attached. The housing may be attached to a weapon handle portion and forms an essential part of an outside of the weapon on the weapon handle portion. It is so housed in the weapon body that it forms one side of the magazine shaft. In addition, the module is attached to the weapon so that it can only be removed by specialized personnel.

US 5,915,936 shows an identification device which is mounted as a palm sensor on the two outer sides of the weapon handle. Essentially, it recognizes the weapon hand embracing the weapon handle and thus identifies the shooter via its characteristic hand shape.

US 5,946,840 also shows an identification device and a safety device which are integrated into the weapon grip of a weapon.

WO 98/55817 shows a weapon with electronically ignitable ammunition, which also includes an identification device. The entire electronics for identifying the shooter and for triggering the electronically flammable ammunition can be present as an interchangeable slot, which can be inserted into the gun handle in magazine form.

The invention has the object to find another weapon with identification device.

This object is achieved with the subject matter of claim 1.

The entire identification device and also the preferred electromagnetic control of the safety device are thus located in a module. This forms part of the handle and is interchangeable with another module. This training is initially for users the weapons of the above category b), meaning users who share a common service weapon. Here each user has his own module and he receives at the beginning of the service a weapon without a module. By inserting his module, this weapon becomes, as it were, his own weapon, which only identifies him and records only the shots fired by him. This solves especially the problem with fluctuating staff, such as in unpleasant guard objects, to the guard staff is divided only on a regular basis. Because it is not necessary that with each newly added or withdrawn man, the electronics of the existing weapon needs to be reprogrammed because each man has his own electronics in his module. It is also possible to use any of several identical weapons, if about once a weapon should come into the maintenance or repair. Because every weapon can become a personal weapon assigned to a specific employee with the module.

Of course, it is also possible to provide the weapons with identifiers which correspond approximately to their serial number and to record the identifier in the module. So can be derived from the record of the module and the individual weapon that has led to the module associated man at a given time.

The module forms the handle back. In this case, it may form a part of the magazine shaft (for example in self-loading pistols) towards the front, so that a magazine identifier can be read and insertion of the magazine can be used to generate electricity. Towards the rear, the module can optionally protrude upwards over the hand holding the grip and carry the sensor for the iris recognition.

The handle back can now optionally with the identification device against another handle back with a be replaced other or without identification device.

The power supply for the identificatinseinrichtung and optionally for the magnetic drive for actuating the safety device provides according to a preferred embodiment (claim 2) a power storage, which may be a conventional accumulator, but also about a capacitor. It is not important for the capacitor to store the current over as long a period as possible, but to be reliably available for storing electricity over a very long period of time (decades).

For the feature of the current memory, in particular in connection with the preferred embodiments discussed below, the applicant reserves the right to independent protection.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention (claim 3) are not long-term batteries or rechargeable batteries used, but a short memory of the type mentioned, for charging the relative movement of two parts of the weapon is used. These mentioned parts are then assigned, for example, to a conductor or a magnetic field whose relative movement induces a current in the conductor. This is then stored only for a short time, but sufficient for the usual period of use to provide the electrical / electronic device or the security device with power. A weapon of this type has the advantage that it can remain unused for years as a domestic weapon, and yet it can be used immediately, since the relatively moving parts have supplied the weapon with the required electrical power before startup.

These relatively movable parts may preferably be the magazine and the handle (claim 4). Because the magazine anyway, with a strong jerk in the magazine shaft is pushed to ensure a reliable engagement, it is irrelevant if this movement requires a greater amount of force than usual, because this movement is used to generate electricity. In addition, the storage of the weapon is made even safer, because the user is caused to keep the magazine outside the weapon. For since the insertion of the magazine required for the commissioning of the weapon, the magazine would, it would remain in the gun, removed only before the operation of the weapon and reintroduced.

But the relatively movable parts can also be advantageously formed on the one hand by the handle and on the other hand by the closure or parts which are movable together with this (claim 5). Here not only the first load of a self-loading pistol would generate their necessary power, but the power storage would continue to charge each recharging or recharged. Also, this training promotes the safety of the weapon, since the weapon is not stored with a cartridge in the chamber, but in any case must be charged before the first shot - provided that the power storage is not already charged.

Relatively moving parts can, however, also be, for example, a movable fore-end or a revolver drum whose rotation activates the identification device during the first tightening.

The said power storage but can also be provided only as additional facilities for emergency, together with conventional batteries or batteries for normal operation, which are then charged, as in a watch company, before each shift as usual.

Further, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a piezoelectric element, such as a quartz, provided in the shock loads that occur during firing, are converted into electrical voltage and ultimately into electrical current, which is introduced into the power storage (claim 6) , The piezoelectric quartz can be acted upon by the closure, by the closing spring or by the combustion gases or a gas piston driven by these; Preferably, only the recoil energy is used, which the quartz is exposed to when shooting, if it is housed anywhere on the weapon and preferably in the handle.

As already mentioned, it is known to enter identification codes, such as a PIN (personal identification number), into the weapon in order to release it. According to one embodiment of the invention, for which the applicant also reserves independent protection, an identification tag is arranged on the magazine, which can be read by the weapon during insertion of the grip (claim 7).

This training is particularly important for weapons of the above category b). For example, a magazine is output to each employee of a plant protection company who bears an identification identifying the corresponding employee. The weapons to be used for a shift are programmed before the shift to the identifiers of the employees assigned to the shift. If a magazine is now inserted into one of the weapons, it is only released when the magazine carries the ID of an employee assigned to the shift. This employee can also be stored in the electronics of the weapon so that one can determine later, which employee has led the weapon.

This type of magazine identification has a significant advantage: the identifier can be read with absolute accuracy not only with relative accuracy (resolution), such as in the case of fingerprint identification or the like. There remains no residual uncertainty in any case.

Thus, the magazine identification can also be coupled with other identification methods. The resolution of the other identification can be reduced if the magazine identification is correct. If, for example, a weapon is loaded with a magazine that is not or incorrectly marked, the resolution of the other identification devices is increased. The result is that a shooter who is forced to use a foreign magazine can use the weapon set up for him, but only after a longer and more accurate identification of his peculiar characteristics. It may then also be necessary for him to wash his hands before using the weapon when his finger or Handabdrükke be checked.

If, on the other hand, the magazine has an appropriate identifier, the other identification methods can be coarsened and thus also shortened.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the identifying means comprises a microphone (claim 8). This microphone is used for sound detection and can record about a whistle with a special whistle that belongs to the weapon and whose frequency leads to the release of the weapon or contributes. Also, a tone sequence from a tone generator can be recorded by the microphone and sent to the evaluation, similar to remote answering machines. Conversely, the microphone can also detect the sound of fired shots and supply their number to a memory in which they are assigned and stored at about the time of the shots.

For the feature of the microphone, particularly in connection with the preferred embodiments discussed below, the applicant also reserves independent protection.

Preferably, however, the microphone is coupled to a voice and / or voice (word) recognition device (claim 9). This device recognizes a speaking voice or a spoken word by comparison with a voice frequency course or a stored word or with a plurality of stored words. Here, there is already a broad state of the art, and the problems resulting from the presence of strong background noise and the like more are largely solved (such as in the voice control of motor vehicles). To arrange the entire device together with the microphone only in the handle is new.

In the case of defense, there may also be the problem with the background noise, such as shouting, shots, etc. But there is another problem: it may be necessary to whisper the voice or speech pattern only (for example, if there are burglars in the house), the excitement Defense case may distort the voice, the user may be hoarse or drunk. In all these cases, the detection device must reliably release the weapon for the authorized user and lock it for the unauthorized user. In a further embodiment of the invention (claim 10), these changes are taken into account in the sound of the user's voice. For example, words are detected where the changes in the sound of the voice have little effect, and word patterns stored and recorded with a screaming, whispering, normal, hoarse voice are recorded. The identification can then be coarsened, if necessary, beforehand a preliminary check (For example, by means of the above-mentioned magazine identifier) was performed.

None of the known voice or voice identification devices yet accounts for such variations in the sound of the user's voice.

Preferably, the identification device is capable of learning, so it always adapts to the changing voice of the user over time. In an adaptive device, it is useful immediately after the acquisition of a weapon in the first few days to unlock them by means of spoken commands, it will be noted that the detection device is more reliable until it is completely reliable.

As already mentioned above, the microphone is preferably provided with a recording device which records at least the last shots (claim 11), preferably in association with other data, in particular about the time (claim 12) and / or the identification of the shooter (claim 13 ). Here, the recording capacity can be relatively small, so that only the last few dozen shots are recorded. For example, it is easier to clarify an incident in which firing was fired with guns than was previously possible.

It is therefore no longer possible that by security guards in a shift, such as privately procured ammunition, firing exercises are held, as it should have happened from time to time. Because after the shift could then be routinely read the recording device and thus determined when and by whom shots fired extra.

For the time assignment of the shots said electronics may have a timer. But it is better a radio-controlled clock, the radio pauses bridged by intrinsic function, but when restored wireless connection about occurred errors immediately corrected automatically again (claim 12). The recorded time is always correct in this case.

The recording device can also be designed so that all events are stored which have significance for the function of the weapon (claim 14). So it is possible, the maintenance or the necessary shutdown of the individual weapon much better than before, with the history of the weapon to couple, as was previously possible. For example, if only one and the same pistol is used by the many self-loading pistols of an infantry battalion for practice shooting, then this pistol is exposed to unusual and unexpected loads. So far, this could hardly be determined, so that it sometimes came to failures. With the recording according to the invention, the value of the total load of a weapon can be retrieved at any time, and the weapon can be taken out of service, before it comes to material fatigue.

The described speech and speech recognition is primarily for weapons of the aforementioned categories a), b) and d) of importance, in their use, there are cases in which not over the intended sighting, but instinctively shot out of the hip must become. This is in contrast to category c) (sports weapons), in which the shooter basically puts the weapon in the correct position before the shot. Here, ideally, the weapon is unlocked only when it is in the attack, not only to prevent the use of unauthorized persons, but also to avoid safety problems when depositing and handling the weapon.

Here, the invention proposes a measuring device for iris recognition, with an optical probe and optionally also with a small infrared headlamp (claim 15). These two elements may be located at the top of the back of the handle and aligned such that the optical axes of these devices intersect each other and the sight line at arm's length behind the weapon.

However, it is also possible to integrate the sensor and the infrared lamp in an optical aiming device, such as a riflescope, wherein it is ensured by means of semi-transparent mirror that all optical axes coincide.

Iris recognition devices have already been developed to the point of operational readiness, for example for use in door opening systems or in check card or ATM machines. There are numerous publications that the expert can call on.

For the feature of iris recognition devices, the applicant reserves independent protection.

The module has at least the control for the safety device. The control is preferably designed so that the weapon is automatically secured after removal of the module and remains secured until a new module is used and after successful identification of the weapon activated (claim 16). The safety device may be about a trained on the weapon, spring-loaded slide, which engages in its rest position in the spring guide rod of the striker and this determines. The controller may be an electromagnet which is mounted in the module and moves the slider out of its rest position if the identification was successful.

Furthermore, it is advantageous (claim 17) to provide a dummy module, which can be used in place of the module and, if necessary, unlocks the belonging to the weapon safety device. So it is possible to use the empty module to produce military weapons of category a), without having to make any changes to the actual weapon.

Likewise, a private citizen who sets off on a hunting expedition, for example, can equip his weapon with such an empty module in order to immediately have the weapon ready for immediate use without an identification routine. Even a home defense weapon that should be used by several people, may have a dummy module, as far as

it is ensured that the weapon can not fall into the hands of unauthorized persons. Last but not least, the manufacturer of such a weapon, which he offers with identification device, from the product liability, if the customer after the purchase of the weapon in turn then an empty module installed, but the weapon is insufficiently kept, so that an unauthorized person causes damage ,

Under a dummy module but also a module is understood that is completely dysfunctional and does not unlock the weapon. With such a dummy module, it is possible to exhibit weapons in a shop window, to hand over to a customer for viewing or to use as a room decoration at home. In such cases, theft of the weapon by an unauthorized person is not excluded. Nevertheless, the unauthorized person will not be able to use this weapon because it is secured and he can not unlock it.

Now a whole range of different modules can be offered, which take into account each purpose of the weapon and all legal requirements. A defective module can be sent, for example, the manufacturer or maintenance company, without having to take precautions for transport. If necessary, the weapon can be retrofitted with a new module, such as in the future further refined identification devices be available. In any case, however, the basic weapon has the same model, so that the production is simplified and cheapened, no matter how different the modules may be.

Moreover, it is also expedient to set up the modules so that a key-like special tool is necessary for their removal, so that the exchange of modules is not readily possible. The strictly limited

Delivery of such tools ensures that only each dealer receives such a tool and in turn does not pass it on.

Especially with handles that do not accommodate a magazine, such as certain sports pistols, the housing of a module that forms about the lower part of the handle, quite obvious.

According to a further embodiment (claim 18) is arranged on the back of such a module, a touch sensor which is coupled to the securing device and secures the weapon or even deletes the identification when the weapon is handed out of hand. The weapon is therefore particularly suitable for the above-mentioned category b).

The touch sensor may be a mechanical sensor such as a conventional handball safety device or an electrical / electronic touch sensor.

Overall, the invention succeeds to build a universal and expandable weapon, in which the actual basic model remains virtually unchanged, while the security components according to the respective state of the art, according to legal requirements and the need of the customer - even in hindsight - are modifiable.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. In the attached, schematic drawing, the single figure shows the side view of a self-loading gun according to the invention.

• eine Stimmidentifikationseinrichtungseinrichtung und/oder
• eine Sprachidentifikationseinrichtung und/oder
• eine Magazinidentifikationseinrichtung aufweist.

The gun has at the back of the handle an inserted module 1, which is a safety device or means for controlling a housed in the gun safety device and optional

• a voice identification device and / or
• a voice identification device and / or
• a magazine identification device.

The module 1 may also be a dummy module and after attachment to the gun, the security device of the weapon either permanently secured or permanently secure.

The magazine, when inserted into the magazine slot, may generate a surge that provides power to operate the identification device and the fuse controller. There may also be a piezoelectric quartz, which each emits a shock due to the recoil of each shot, so that the gun no battery o. The like. Needed.

At the back of the module 1, a touch sensor may be arranged.

The module 1 can also extend further upwards and have a sensor for detecting irises on the upper rear side.

Claims (18)

1. A small arm having a handle, an electric/electronic device that identifies the marksman and a safety device activated thereby, which keeps the safety of the arm on if identification is missing or unsuccessful and only releases it for firing if identification is successful,
   characterised in that the electric/electronic device with the device for activating the safety device or with a safety device that engages in and jams the mechanism is seated in a module that forms the rear of the handle and is exchangeably fixed in the handle of the arm.
2. An arm according to Claim 1 comprising a power supply,
   characterised in that the power supply comprises a storage device.
3. An arm according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that the storage device can be charged by the movement of a part that belongs to the arm and moves relative thereto.
4. An arm according to Claim 3,
   characterised in that the relatively moveable part is a magazine, which is preferably housed in the handle.
5. An arm according to Claim 3,
   characterised in that the relatively moveable part is the breech or can move together with said breech.
6. An arm according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that a piezoelectric element is provided, which delivers current to the storage device upon firing as a result of the stress caused by the recoil spring, the breech, a powder-gas driven device or the recoil.
7. An arm according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that the magazine comprises an identification code, which is recorded and evaluated by the device identifying the marksman.
8. An arm according to one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that the identifying device comprises a microphone.
9. An arm according to Claim 8,
   characterised in that the microphone is coupled to a voice recognition and/or word recognition device.
10. An arm according to Claim 9,
    characterised in that the voice recognition and/or word recognition device is set up to recognise the normal voice, whispering and the hoarse voice and/or words spoken thereby.
11. An arm according to one of Claims 8 to 10,
    characterised in that the microphone is connected to a recording device, which records at least the last shots.
12. An arm according to Claim 11,
    characterised in that a timer or a time signal receiver is provided, which assigns the time to the shot recordings and/or the speech recordings.
13. An arm according to one of Claims 11 or 12,
    characterised in that in the case of an arm that is set up for use by several persons, an identification of the marksman together with the shots is recorded.
14. An arm according to one of Claims 1 to 13,
    characterised in that a recording device is provided, which stores at least those events which are of significance for the maintenance of the weapon.
15. An arm according to one of Claims 1 to 14,
    characterised in that the electric/electronic device comprises a sensor for iris recognition, which is directed towards the eye used for firing.
16. An arm according to one of the preceding Claims,
    characterised in that the arm is secured after the module is removed.
17. An arm according to one of the preceding Claims,
    characterised in that a blank module, which either does not influence the mechanics of the weapon or engages in the safety device and releases it, can be installed instead of the module.
18. An arm according to one of the preceding Claims,
    characterised in that a contact sensor, which activates the safety device when the weapon is dropped, is seated in the module.

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