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A voice activated locking apparatus for handguns and rifles. The apparatus is designed to fit into handgrips that replace the factory provided handgrips. Flexible membrane circuitry is contained within the handgrips as well as the power source for the apparatus so that the unit does not have to be made part of the weapon and can easily be added at a later time. The only other modification of the weapon that is necessary is to make a slight change to the trigger assembly or trigger bar. The operator speaks into a small microphone exposed to the outside surface of the handle grip so that authentication of the operator's speech pattern is performed. A verified speech pattern by a voice recognition chip unlocks a solenoid mechanism that allows the weapon to be fired. The identifiable speech pattern stored within the voice recognition chip can be reprogrammed for another user via the micrphone and an interface keypad housed on the weapon grip.

Inventor: James W. Teetzel
Current U.S. Classification: 42/70.11; 42/70.05
International Classification: F41A 1706

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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US4682435Mar 14, 1986Jul 28, 1987Safety system for disabling a firearm
US5062232Feb 23, 1990Nov 5, 1991Safety device for firearms
US5459957Jun 9, 1994Oct 24, 1995Gun security and safety system

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US5636464Aug 22, 1996Jun 10, 1997Audio controlled gun locking mechanism with gun identification storage and retrieval capability
US5924232Jul 11, 1997Jul 20, 1999Programmable Safety Systems CorporationIntelligent firearm safety mechanism
US6185852Oct 26, 1998Feb 13, 2001Electronic weapon safety system
US6223461Nov 12, 1998May 1, 2001Technology Patents, LLCFirearm with remotely activated safety system
US6408555Sep 7, 2000Jun 25, 2002Electronic trigger lock apparatus and system
US6433245Jun 12, 2000Aug 13, 2002The Procter & Gamble CompanyFlushable fibrous structures
US6449892Jun 18, 2001Sep 17, 2002Xybernaut CorporationSmart weapon
US6477801Dec 3, 1999Nov 12, 2002Metal Storm LimitedFirearms security
US6499243Mar 1, 2002Dec 31, 2002SPID 2002 Corp.Firearm safety system
US6615814Jun 30, 2000Sep 9, 2003NPF LimitedPaintball guns
US6860259May 28, 2004Mar 1, 2005NPF LimitedPaintball guns
US6941693Jun 13, 2003Sep 13, 2005NPF LimitedPaintball guns
US7146761Jan 21, 2004Dec 12, 2006T.K.M. Unlimited, Inc.Gun barrel safety lock with hand ratcheting wrench
US7155855Jan 23, 2004Jan 2, 2007Heckler & Koch GmbHFirearms protected from unauthorized use
US7562480Dec 28, 2006Jul 21, 2009Heckler & Koch, GmbHFirearms protected from unauthorized use
US7886471Feb 4, 2004Feb 15, 2011Method for activating a weapon with an identification mechanism
US8093992Oct 23, 2008Jan 10, 2012L-3 Communications Insight Technology IncorporatedWireless controlled devices for a weapon and wireless control thereof

Claims

1. A voice activated locking apparatus for a weapon having handgrips and a trigger that when pulled activates a discharge assembly causing said weapon to discharge, said apparatus comprising:

a microphone, attached to one of said handgrips on said weapon, wherein said microphone is positioned to receive an operator's voice having a speech pattern;
locking means, connected to the discharge assembly of said weapon, for preventing the activation of said weapon when said trigger is pulled;
voice recognition means, connected to said microphone and said locking means, for evaluating the voice received by said microphone to verify that the speech pattern of the voice corresponds to only that of an authorized operator;
operator interface means, connected to said voice recognition means, for initiating recording of the authorized operator's voice pattern by said voice recognition means, such that if the voice pattern received by said microphone is authenticated by said voice recognition means, said voice recognition means causes said locking means to unlock said weapon.

2. The voice activated locking apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

code input means, connected to said voice recognition means, for allowing operator access to said voice recognition program.

3. The voice activated locking apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a power supply attached to said weapon, wherein said power supply provides electrical power to said apparatus, and wherein said voice recognition means further comprises power saving means for turning off said power supply after a pre-selected period of inactivity.

Drawings