Biometrically activated lock and enablement system

A method of releasing and enabling a secured, disabled firearm in a system having electronic controls, said method comprising the steps of

• entering data signals indicative of a user into a controller associated with said system;
• comparing said user data to pre-stored data indicative of authorized users;
• generating a first signal in response to a match between said user data and said pre-stored data;
• activating lock release means in a locking structure in response to said first signal to enable releasing of the firearm;
• and
• generating an enablement signal in response to said first signal, for presentation to a security apparatus affixed to said firearm to enable operation of said firearm.

A locking system for securing a firearm, said system comprising

• a first body portion adapted to receive said firearm therein;
• a second body portion adapted to mate with said first body portion in order to enclose said firearm therein when said second body portion is in a closed position;
• locking means for selectively locking said second body in said closed position, said locking means being selectively actuated between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to a locking signal;
• input means for receiving signals corresponding to user-input data;
• a controller for generating said locking signal in response to said user-input data signals, said control means further including
• a means for intializing operation of said controller to enable the generation of said locking signal only in response to signals corresponding to defined parameter values;
• a means for establishing a controller SLEEP mode in which said controller operation is ceased to minimize power consumption without requiring reinitialization of said controller;
• a means for re-establishing operation of said controller in response to a wake-up signal;
• and
• a sensor responsive to physical input for generating said wake-up signal.

A method of releasing and enabling a secured firearm in an electronic locking system, said method comprising the steps of

• initializing operation of a controller to enable the generation of a locking signal only in response to signals corresponding to defined user parameter values;
• entering user input data signals into said controller;
• comparing said entered data signals to pre-stored user authorized data signals;
• generating a match signal in response to a match between said entered data and said pre-stored data signals;
• and
• generating said locking signal activating a lock release in response to said match signal to enable release of the firearm;
• establishing a SLEEP mode in which said controller operation is ceased to minimize power consumption without requiring reinitialization of said controller;
• generating a wake-up signal in response to a sensed physical input to the electronic locking system;
• and
• re-establishing operation of said controller in response to a wake-up signal.