WO2004010070A1

WO2004010070A1 - Weapon with electronic safety device

Info

Publication number: WO2004010070A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/007745
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Schumacher
Original assignee: Heckler & Koch Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-07-18
Filing date: 2003-07-16
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Also published as: DE10232634A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a weapon, especially a manual firearm, comprising an safety device (10, 18, 24) consisting of a detector device (10) for the detection of authentication data of the user of said weapon, an authentication circuit (18) which is coupled to the detector device (10) and used for the authentication of the user of the weapon according to the detected authentication data, in addition to a release circuit (24) which is used to release the weapon (2) if authentication of the user of the weapon is successful. The weapon (2) is characterised in that the release circuit (24) is coupled to an electronic ignition device (26, 28) which is integrated into the weapon (2) and which is used for electronic ignition of a cartridge (6) which is loaded into the weapon and which can be ignited electronically. The electronic ignition unit (26, 28) electronically ignites the loaded cartridge (6) only when the weapon (2) is in a released state.

Description

Gun with electronic weapon protection

The present invention relates to a weapon, in particular a handgun, with an electronic weapon security device, a detection device for detecting authentication data, an authentication circuit coupled to the detection device for authenticating the weapon operator on the basis of the detected authentication data, and an unlocking circuit for unlocking the weapon when the weapon operator is successfully authenticated includes.

Weapons with electronic weapon security are already known, in which a sensor authentication data

(specifically biometric data, such as the fingerprint, etc.) of the weapon operator and the weapon is only released after successful authentication of the weapon operator on the basis of the detected authentication data. This release takes place in the generic DE 198 31 690 in that the weapon safety device comprises an electromechanical lock, which acts, for example, on the trigger, a safety lever, a hammer, the firing pin and / or the ammunition feed mechanism and lock it if there is no release and only after receipt unlock an electrical release signal. The disadvantage of these weapon safeguards is that this blocking element can be easily manipulated, so that the weapon can be fired "after manipulation without an appropriate authentication.

Weapons with electronic ignition are also known, which are sold, for example, by the company Krico under the name "Kricotronic". Such an electronic ignition includes, for example, an electric one conductive firing pin which is in contact with the bottom of the cartridge loaded in the barrel for ignition. When the trigger is actuated, an electrical ignition pulse is directed to the base of the cartridge via the ignition pin, which ignites the primer within the cartridge and thus causes the cartridge propellant to explode.

The invention has for its object to further increase the security of the known weapon safeguards.

It solves this problem with the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred exemplary embodiments are described in the subclaims.

Thereafter, in the case of a generic weapon, the unlocking circuit is coupled to an electrical ignition integrated in the weapon for electrically igniting a cartridge loaded in the weapon, which can be ignited electronically, the electronic ignition electrically igniting the loaded cartridge only when the weapon is unlocked.

Further advantages and features of the invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a highly schematic representation of a weapon according to the invention; and ^" Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the weapon of the invention shown in Figure 1.

FIG. 1 shows a highly schematized weapon 2 with a weapon barrel 4 into which a cartridge 6 is loaded in the state of charge of the weapon 2 shown in the figure, and a weapon grip 8. The weapon 2 shown is an hand gun, which is of course not to be understood as restrictive, since firearms such as rifles and assault rifles, machine guns, submachine guns, shotguns, grenade launchers, etc. may also be the subject of the present invention.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, a fingerprint sensor 10 is integrated into the weapon handle 8, which detects a fingerprint of the weapon operator. Of course, instead of the fingerprint sensor 10, other biometric sensors can be integrated into the weapon 2, such as an iris scanner (which, for example, is integrated in a target device and reads in the iris pattern of the weapon operator when he is aiming through the target device) or a sensor for reading the ear shape, etc. For this purpose, reference is also made to the prior art mentioned at the beginning, which shows such different biometric sensors. The fingerprint sensor 10 can detect the fingerprint in a capacitive, optical or other way. Replaced in the optical ER- the sensor surface of the Fingje ^'is rabdrucksensors 10, for example illuminated laterally, wherein the launched finger leaves his fingerprint on the light-sensitive sensor surface (CCD sensor or the like.) In the fluoroscopic a characteristic light-dark pattern. A person's fingerprint with its characteristic lines is absolutely unique and individual. With capacitive fingerprint capture, individual voltage points of the fingertip are read. The finger lines represent a series of the smallest elevations and depressions, which are at different voltages due to electrochemical processes in the human body. Due to the individual shape of the finger lines, the tension points are just as individual as the fingerprint. In addition, the fingerprint sensor 10 can preferably also detect whether the fingerprint of a living finger is read or not. This happens, for example, via characteristic light-dark fluctuations in the detected light caused by the oxygen content of the blood oxygen (ratio of the lighter oxyhemoglobin to the darker carboxyhemoglobin), which change characteristically over time with the pulse rate and / or the pressure of the finger on the sensor surface and the associated constriction of the blood vessels.

The sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor 10 can be arranged on the outer surface of the weapon handle 8 such that the thumb of the hand of the weapon operator, which grips the weapon handle 8 for firing a shot, comes to rest on it. Preferably, an individual finger guide 12, which is adapted to the thumb shape of the authorized weapon operator, can be plugged over the sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor 10. Different weapon operators can therefore put thumb-specific finger guides 12 on the sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor 10 and thus ensure a more reliable recognition of their fingerprint in an emergency. A handle back 14 is also attached to the weapon grip 8 and can be shaped differently depending on the weapon operator. For example, the depth T of the handle back 14 shown in FIG. 1 can vary depending on the weapon hand. In the case of a smaller gun hand, a handle back 14 with a smaller depth T is placed on the gun handle 8 and vice versa. Overall, the relative distance between the outer edge of the handle back 14 and the position of the sensor surface of the fingerprint sensor 10 can thus be adapted to the weapon hand. Alternatively, the fingerprint sensor 10 can also be slidably attached to the weapon grip 8 and can be adapted to the weapon hand by shifting its position. According to the alternative shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fingerprint sensor 10 is integrated in the removable handle back 14 of the weapon grip 8. The back of the handle 14 is designed such that it encompasses the weapon handle 8 almost over its entire side surface. By exchanging the handle back 14 with integrated fingerprint sensor 10, the weapon is customized Gun hand of the gun operator adapted, since the various interchangeable handle backs 14 are designed such that the relative distance between the back edge of the handle back 14 and the position of the sensor surface on the handle back 14 is adapted to the gun hand of the gun operator. The weapon 2 can also be adapted for left-handed or right-handed people with different handle backs 14, in that the fingerprint sensor 10 is arranged on the corresponding side surface of the handle back 14. The perspective side view of FIG. 2 illustrates the ergonomic arrangement of the fingerprint sensor 10, which protrudes from the side wall of the weapon grip 8 at a slight lateral angle and thus adapts the corresponding slight angle of the thumb tip to the thumb when the weapon hand is placed on it. The fingerprint sensor 10 can preferably be integrated into the weapon grip 8 like the thumb rest for sport pistols. Alternatively, it can also be integrated in the trigger lever 46 so that it reads in the fingerprint of the trigger finger. Of course, the fingerprint sensor 10 can be arranged at any other point on the weapon 2, preferably at a point at which the fingerprint of the weapon operator can be read in a position ready to fire.

According to an alternative exemplary embodiment (not shown in the drawing), the weapon 2 comprises, instead of the fingerprint sensor 10, a receiving means for receiving the authentication data from a transmitter arranged outside the weapon 2. For example, the transmitter can be integrated in a bracelet that the weapon operator can wear around his arm. The transmitter and the receiving means can be coordinated with one another in such a way that the receiving means only receives the authentication data up to a distance of the order of magnitude of a human being. If, for example, the transmitter (or the wristband) is further than 0.4 m away from the receiving means in the weapon 2, the latter cannot Identification data received. The data sent can also be encoded. The received data are then decoded in the receiving means and the decoded data are transmitted as authentication data to an authentication circuit (see below), the transmitted data being compared there with stored data for authentication. The sender and receiving means can send and receive the authentication data by infrared, radio, ultrasound or the like (possibly as a directed beam).

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the fingerprint sensor as 10 as a recording device for recording the authentication data is further described in detail. _{However, the} structure of the weapon is essentially unchanged if the receiving means in the weapon 2 is used instead of the fingerprint sensor 10. The enumeration of the Fingerabdrucksensorts 10 and the receiving ^means' are / inserted for this is not meant to be limiting, the fingerprint sensor 10 is connected via a contact 16 with an authentication circuit 18, whereby - Further, instead of the receiving means, a further alternative sensing means may for detecting authentication data.. the contact 16 only establishes an electrical connection between the fingerprint sensor 10 and the authentication circuit 18 when the handle back 14 is suitably fitted in. The authentication circuit 18 is coupled to a first memory 20, in which the fingerprint of the weapon operator is stored 10 received fingerprint with the fingerprint stored in the memory 20 and authenticates the weapon operator if there is a corresponding match. The authentication circuit 18 is not further described here precisely because it is known in the prior art. Of course, the first memory 20 can be designed such that it has several fingerprints for the Use of the weapon saves 2 authorized weapon operators. The authentication circuit 18 thus compares the read fingerprint with all the fingerprints stored in the first memory 20 and, if one of the stored fingerprints matches the read fingerprint sufficiently, outputs a corresponding signal.

The authentication circuit 18 is also connected to an interface 22 to which an external charging station for loading authorized fingerprints into the first memory 20 can be connected. Such external charging stations can also be used to delete fingerprints already stored in the first memory 20 and to replace them with other fingerprints. Of course, such charging stations should be secured against unintentional use by taking appropriate safety precautions (for example password-protected, etc.).

In addition to the y-fingerprint sensor 12 and the authentication circuit 18, the weapon security system also includes an unlocking circuit 24 which is coupled to a circuit 26 of an electronic ignition. This circuit 26 is used to generate an ignition pulse which is applied to the cartridge 6 for its ignition. In this case, the ignition pulse can, for example, be transmitted inductively to the cartridge 6, a resonance circuit integrated in the cartridge 6 receiving the ignition signal and thereby igniting an ignition charge within the cartridge 6. Here, too, there are various possibilities known in the prior art for igniting the cartridge 6 in an electrical manner.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electronic ignition comprises an ignition pin 28 which is movably guided within a carriage 30 of the weapon 2. The carriage 30 is used in a conventional manner for reloading cartridges 6 into the gun barrel 4 and the Closure of the gun barrel 4 to fire a shot.

For this purpose, the carriage 30 is biased, for example, via a breech spring 32 against the barrel end lying in the weapon 2 and is removed from the barrel end by the recoil against the spring tension, ejects the empty cartridge case and, when the breech spring 32 is released, takes one in the meantime through the cartridge magazine inserted the breech 6 and pushes it into the cartridge chamber of the gun barrel 4th

The firing pin 28 now sits in the place of the conventional firing pin, as is provided in a mechanical firing mechanism. Of course, in addition to the illustrated design of the weapon 2, all other known locking mechanisms for the combination of electronic ignition with electronic weapon protection are also conceivable. It is shown by way of example only in FIG. 1 that the carriage 30 also carries an electric drive mechanism 34, preferably in the form of an electromagnet, which can move the firing pin 28 back and forth within the carriage 30. For this purpose, the ignition plug 28 is further preferably biased against the slide 30 by means of a spring 38, which is arranged at its end facing away from the cartridge 6. The spring 38 thus moves the firing pin 28 into a rest position, in which the end of the firing pin 28 facing the cartridge base is removed from the latter. When the electromagnet 34 is not energized, the ignition pin 28 is thus in its rest position, in which it cannot transmit an ignition pulse to the cartridge 6. It is only when the electromagnet 34 is energized that it pulls the projection 36 and thus moves the firing pin 28 in the direction of the cartridge base until it strikes the cartridge base in the ignition position. However, this drive mechanism 34 can also be omitted without affecting the function of the weapon 2. The ignition pin 28 is in the inner bore of the

First slide contact 40 arranged on slide 30 is connected to a second slide contact 42 arranged on the outer wall of slide 30, which is only closed in the "weapon closed" position of slide 30 and is in electrical connection with circuit 26 of the electronic ignition. The electromagnet 34 can also be connected to the circuit 26 of the electronic ignition via a sliding contact 44 arranged on the outer wall of the slide 30 only when the slide 30 is in the "weapon closed" position. Overall, the ignition pin 28, electromagnet 34 with spring 38 and projection 36, sliding contacts 40, 42 and 44 can be encapsulated in the carriage so that manipulation is almost impossible.

The trigger 26 of the weapon 2 is also connected to the circuit 26 of the electronic ignition via an associated electrical switch 48, and (optionally) an unlocking switch 50 attached to the weapon 2 for manual unlocking of the weapon 2. This unlocking switch 50 can be dependent on Externally, the weapon type should be designed similarly to the mechanical weapon safeguards and merely comprise an electrical switch instead of a mechanical interior, which applies an electrical signal to the circuit 26 of the electronic ignition. The same also applies to the trigger lever 46, which can also be configured in such a way that it simulates the trigger resistance of a mechanical trigger. For this purpose, for example, corresponding spring elements or the like. provided that simulate the pressure point of a mechanical trigger.

The entire electronic circuit of the weapon 2 is electrically supplied by a battery 52, which is connected to the electronic circuit in the weapon 2 via a main switch 54 integrated in the weapon handle 8 for switching the electrical supply on and off. The bat Series 52 can be designed to be rechargeable and integrated in the back of the handle 14, so that the battery 52 can be recharged by pulling off the back of the handle 14 alone and inserting the same into an appropriate electrical charging station. This is the battery

52 further via a sliding contact 56 with the electrical

Circuit connected in the weapon 2.

The operation of the weapon 2 thus functions as follows: If an authorized weapon operator takes the weapon 2 in his hand and thereby grips the weapon grip 8 with his weapon hand, he automatically actuates the main switch 54, which switches on the electrical supply for the electronic circuit inside the weapon , In a next optional step, the weapon operator “unlocks the weapon 2 via the unlocking switch 50, which emits a corresponding signal to the circuitry of the electronic ignition 26. He also places his thumb on the fingerprint sensor 10, which reads his fingerprint and transmits it to the authentication circuit 18. The latter checks the read fingerprint by comparison with authorized fingerprints stored in the first memory 20 and signals the unlocking circuit 24, if there is a corresponding match, to release the weapon 2. The unlocking circuit 24 is now designed such that it releases a release signal for a predetermined period of time (for example a few seconds) to the electronic ignition circuit 26. After the specified time interval has elapsed, it only applies this release signal to the circuit 26 after the authentication has been carried out again by reading in the fingerprint. Of course, the fingerprint 12 is read in at shorter time intervals than the predetermined time interval, so that the weapon 2 is also permanently unlocked when the thumb is permanently applied. In this unlocked state, the electronic ignition 26 optionally applies an electrical signal to the electromagnet 34 and thus moves the ignition pin 28 into its ignition Position, in contact with the cartridge bottom (without such an electromagnet 34, the firing pin 28 can alternatively already be in the closed state of the weapon 2 against the cartridge bottom, or the firing pulse is transmitted to the cartridge at all wirelessly, possibly even without the firing pin 28, Etc.). This signal can only be applied to the electromagnet 34 when the carriage 30 is in the "weapon loaded" position. Overall, the unlocking signal of the unlocking circuit 24 and optionally the unlocking signal of the unlocking switch 50 must be present in the circuit 26 and the carriage must be in the "weapon closed" position so that the circuit 26 excites the electromagnet 34. Actuated weapons operator now the trigger 46, the associated electrical switch _^ applies a corresponding signal to the circuit 26 again via the sliding contacts 40 and 42 a corresponding ignition pulse to the firing pin 28 and thus rests against the cartridge 6 48th As a result, the cartridge 6 is ignited and the carriage 30 moves as a result of the recoil from its "weapon loaded" position into the cartridge reloading position. The sliding contact 44 is interrupted, which de-energizes the electromagnet 34 and pulls the firing pin 28 into the carriage 30 due to the spring tension of the spring 38. Thus, the firing pin 28 does not interfere with the ejection operation of the used cartridge case and the reloading of a new cartridge 6. Only when the carriage 30 has returned to the "gun loaded" position and has loaded a new cartridge 6 into the cartridge chamber of the gun barrel 4, the sliding contact 44 is closed again, as a result of which the electromagnet 34 is energized and the firing pin 28 is placed on the newly loaded cartridge. If the weapon operator continues to hold the trigger 46 depressed, a new ignition pulse is now applied to the ignition pin 28 by the electronic ignition circuit 26 and a further cartridge 6 is thus ignited. In this respect, a permanent fire can also be realized with this circuit. If the weapon operator now- the more the user lifts his thumb from the fingerprint sensor 10 for longer than the predetermined time interval, the unlocking circuit 24 blocks the electronic ignition and the shooting is stopped. Should the weapon operator put his weapon 2 completely out of his hand, he thus switches off the main switch 54, which among other things has the consequence that the firing pin 28 is moved into the rest position by de-energization of the electromagnet 34.

The entire electronic circuit also includes an optical signal transmitter 58, for example in the form of a light-emitting diode, which is integrated in the weapon handle 8 so that it is visible from the outside and accordingly indicates whether the weapon 2 is locked or unlocked. Alternatively, this signal generator can also emit an acoustic, tactile or other signal. The electronic circuit also includes a second memory 60 and a timer 62 coupled to it. The timer 62 contains, for example, an additional current source in the form of an exchangeable battery which supplies it with current even when the main switch 54 is switched off. The timer 62 thus supplies the current date and time over the lifetime of the weapon 2 and writes these to the second memory 60 when a shot is fired. In addition to the time and date details, an identification number of the authenticated weapon operator and / or his read fingerprint can also be provided (or the authentication data acquired) are written into the second memory 60. In addition, a weapon number individually programmed for the weapon 2, possibly an individual cartridge number (a corresponding reading device for reading the identification number of the cartridge 6 loaded into the cartridge chamber of the weapon barrel 4) is provided for each shot in the second memory - rather 60 are written. The entire electronic circuit is integrated, for example, as a cast chip in the form of an ASIC in the weapon grip 8.

Claims

claims:

1. Weapon, in particular handgun, with an electronic weapon safety device (10, 18, 24), the one

Detection device (10) for detecting authentication data of the weapon operator, an authentication circuit (18) coupled to the detection device (10) for authenticating the weapon operator on the basis of the authentication data, and an unlocking circuit (24) for unlocking the weapon (2) upon successful authentication of the weapon operator includes, characterized in that the enable circuit (24) _^ a integrated in the gun (2) electronic ignition (26, 28) for electrical ignition of a loaded in the gun (2) cartridge (6) which can be electronically ignited, is coupled to the electronic ignition (26, 28) the loaded cartridge (6) was only ^'' 'in the unlocked supply electrically ignites the weapon (2).

2. Weapon according to claim 1, wherein the detection device (10) is a biometric sensor for detecting biometric data as authentication data.

3. Weapon according to claim 2, wherein the biometric sensor (10) is a fingerprint sensor that detects a fingerprint of the weapon operator.

4. Weapon according to claim 3, which is designed as a handgun with a weapon grip (8) and in which ^" the fingerprint sensor (10) comprises a sensor surface (10) via which the fingerprint of the weapon operator is read, which is in the weapon grip (8) is integrated.

5. Gun according to one of the preceding claims, in which the detection device (10) is a receiving means for wireless reception of the authentication data from a transmission means arranged outside the weapon.

6. Weapon according to claim 5, in which the transmission means is designed such that it can be attached to the body of the weapon operator, the transmission and reception means being coordinated with one another in such a way that the authentication data sent by the transmission means only up to a maximum distance in the Order of magnitude of a human being can be received by the receiving means.

7. Weapon according to claim 6, in which the authentication signal is electronically encoded. r ~

8. Weapon according to one of the preceding claims, in which the unlocking circuit (24) is designed such that it unlocks the weapon (2) after successful authentication for a predetermined period of time and locks after this period in the absence of renewed authentication.

9. Weapon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the weapon safety device (10, 18, 24) comprises a signal transmitter (58) which indicates to the weapon operator that the weapon (2) is locked and unlocked.

10. -Weapon according to claim 9, in which the signal transmitter (58) is of an optical type and is integrated in the weapon handle (8) so that it is visible from the outside.

11. Weapon according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic weapon safety device (10, 18, 24) comprises a switch (54) attached to the weapon (2) for manually switching the power supply for the weapon (2) on and off ,

12. Weapon according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic weapon safety device (10, 18, 24) is integrated in the weapon grip (8).

13. Weapon according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic ignition (26, 28) comprises an ignition pin (28) which is in ignition position in contact with the loaded cartridge (6) for the ignition of the loaded cartridge (6) via which an electrical ignition signal is passed to the cartridge (6) in the ignition position for igniting the cartridge (6). v ^■ 14. A weapon according to claim 13, wherein the firing pin (28) in longitudinal direction of a gun barrel (4) of the weapon

(2) is displaceably guided between its rest position and its ignition position and is in contact with the base of the loaded cartridge (6) in its ignition position.

15. Weapon according to claim 13 or 14, with a movably guided carriage (30) for loading a cartridge (6) into the gun barrel (4) which carries the firing pin (28) with drive mechanism (34, 38), firing pin (28 ) and drive mechanism (34, 38) are connected to the unlocking circuit (24) via sliding contacts (42, 44) provided between the slide (30) and the gun barrel (4), which are arranged in such a way that they only make contact when the weapon (2) is closed.

16. Gun according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic ignition (26, 28) comprises an electrical trigger (46, 48).

17. A weapon according to claim 16, in which the electrical trigger (46, 48) is designed such that it simulates the trigger resistance of a mechanical trigger.

18. Gun according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the authentication circuit (10, 18, 24) comprises a first memory (20) for storing the authentication data of a weapon operator and an external interface (22), via the authentication data from an external charging station can be loaded into the first memory (20).

19. The weapon of claim 18, wherein the first memory (20) is configured to store a plurality of sets of authentication data from different weapon operators.

20. Weapon according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic ignition (26, 28) comprises a timer (62) and a second memory (60) coupled to it, wherein when a shot is fired, the timer (62) reads out at this time - Its time is written into the second memory (60).

21. A weapon according to claim 20, in which the weapon safety

(10, 18, 24) is coupled to the second memory (60) such that when a shot is fired the authenticated weapon operators and / or the acquired authentication data are written into the second memory (60).

22. Gun according to one of the preceding claims, in which a rechargeable battery (52) for supplying power to the electronic ignition (26, 28) and weapon safety device (10, 18, 24) is provided in the weapon grip (8).

23. Weapon according to claim 22, in which a main switch (54) between the battery (52) on the one hand and electronic ignition (26, 28) and electronic weapon protection (10, 18, 24) on the other hand for switching the power supply of these units ( 26, 28; 10, 18, 24) is provided.