System and method for authenticating an identity for a biometrically-enabled gun

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention may include a biometrically-enabled gun. The biometrically-enabled gun may detect a presence of a user. In response to detecting a presence of a user, a processor may be awoken from a power-saving mode. The processor may query for a presence of a finger of a user. A fingerprint image may be captured. A template of the captured fingerprint image may be generated. A correlation between the template and one or more authorized user templates may be determined. In response to the correlation exceeding a threshold, a processor may cause an actuator may unlock the gun. In response to a lapse of user contact with the gun, a processor may cause the actuator to lock the gun.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 authenticating a user by ascertaining a correlation between a captured biometric template corresponding to captured biometric data and an authorized user template stored in a database; and   in response to authenticating the user, causing an actuator to position a lever obstructing a trigger bar of a gun such that the lever does not obstruct the trigger bar of the gun, wherein the trigger bar is configured to connect a trigger to a striker of the gun.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting a lapse in capturing biometric data from the user; and   in response to detecting the lapse, causing the actuator to position the lever such that the lever obstructs the trigger bar of the gun.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the captured biometric data includes fingerprint data, retinal data, voice data, grip data, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lever includes a counterweight. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting, by a sensor of the biometrically-enabled gun, a presence of a user; and   in response to detecting the presence of the user, waking the processor from a power-saving mode.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is affixed to the lever such that changes in shape of the actuator cause the lever to move about an axis. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a deformed shape of the actuator causes a portion of the lever to obstruct movement of the trigger bar; and
 wherein a relaxed shape of the actuator causes a portion of the lever to not obstruct movement of the trigger bar.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying an electric current to the actuator causes the actuator to have a first shape, and wherein terminating an electric current to the actuator causes the actuator to have another shape. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein heating the actuator causes the actuator to have a first shape, and wherein terminating heating of the actuator causes the actuator to have another shape. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises at least one of:
 a shape memory device;   a solenoid;   an electric motor;   an electromagnet;   a piezoelectric actuator; and   a voice coil.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein applying an electric current to the shape memory alloy causes the shape memory alloy to have a first shape, and wherein terminating an electric current to the memory shape alloy causes the memory shape alloy to have another shape. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first shape is associated with an austenite crystal lattice formation of the shape memory alloy, and wherein the another shape is associated with a martensite crystal lattice formation of the shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the actuator to position the lever such that the lever does not obstruct the trigger bar of the gun includes delivering an electric current to the actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor detecting an ambient temperature; and   adjusting the electric current delivered to the actuator based on the detected ambient temperature.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the actuator to position the lever such that the lever obstructs the trigger bar of the gun includes terminating delivery of an electric current to the actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an input via an enrollment button;   capturing, by a sensor, data associated with a fingerprint of a finger of a user;   generating the authorized user template based on the captured data; and   storing the authorized user template in the database.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 retrieving, by the processor, a serial number from a serial number integrated circuit within the gun;   in response to identifying a match between the serial number from the serial number integrated circuit and a serial number of a printed circuit board, retrieving the authorized user template stored in the database of the printed circuit board.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to detecting an imminent low energy condition, performing the following:
 initiating a haptic feedback device; 
 initiating a light emitting diode; 
 shutting down one or more computing components; 
 releasing the actuator from the counterweight lever; or any combination thereof. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 querying a secondary biometric device for biometric information of the user; and   capturing, by the secondary biometric device, data associated with the biometric information of the user.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 receiving data associated with the biometric information of a user from one or more biometric sensors in a proximity of a gun;   authenticating a user by ascertaining a correlation between the captured data and authorized user data stored in a database; and   in response to authenticating the user, causing an actuator to position a lever obstructing a trigger bar of the gun such that the lever does not obstruct the trigger bar of the gun, wherein the trigger bar is configured to connect a trigger to a striker of the gun.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 monitoring, by the processor, the user's contact with the gun; and   in response to detecting a lapse in contact with the gun, causing the actuator to position the lever such that the lever obstructs the trigger bar of the gun.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the one or more biometric sensors is a glove worn by a user configured to retrieve the biometric information of the user. 
     
     
         23 . A system for comprising:
 a lever configured to move about an axis, wherein a force draws the lever toward a first position obstructing a trigger bar of a gun;   an actuator fastened to the lever, the actuator configured to overcome the force to draw the lever toward a second position not obstructing the trigger bar of the gun, wherein the trigger bar is configured to connect to a striker of the gun;   a processor executing instructions to perform a method comprising:
 authenticating a user by ascertaining a correlation between a captured biometric template corresponding to captured biometric data and an authorized user template stored in a database; and 
 in response to authenticating the user, causing the actuator to overcome the force. 
   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 monitoring the user's contact with the gun; and   in response to detecting a lapse in contact with the gun, deactivating the actuator such that the lever returns to the first position obstructing the trigger bar of the gun.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a driver configured to deliver an electric current to the actuator.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 delivering an electric current, by a driver initiated by the processor, to causing the actuator to overcome the force,   wherein causing the actuator to overcome the force comprising altering the crystal lattice structure of a material of the actuator.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claims 23 , further comprising:
 an integral serial number integrated controller.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 retrieving a serial number from the integral serial number integrated controller;   in response to identifying a match between the serial number from the integral serial number integrated controller and a pre-determined serial number associated with the gun, retrieving the authorized user template.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a haptic feedback device.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 activating the haptic feedback device in response to:
 determining, based on available energy storage detected, the charge state of the battery; 
 capturing, by a biometric sensor, data associated with biometric information of the user; 
 receiving an input via an authorized user enrollment button; 
 storing the authorized user template in the database; 
 causing the actuator to overcome the force; 
 connecting the gun to another computing device; 
 receiving an input from another computing device; 
 or any combination thereof.