U.S. patent application number 11/422180 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for photographic firearm apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Terry J. Gordon.
Application Number | 20060201046 11/422180 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24142170 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060201046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gordon; Terry J. |
September 14, 2006 |
Photographic Firearm Apparatus and Method
Abstract
A telescopic firearm scope/sight which is fully integrated with
a compact digital camera, and which has size, shape and weight
characteristics that are substantially the same as those of a
conventional, camera-less telescopic scope, is used to photograph a
target proximate the instant at which the target is fired upon. To
configure the weapon for photography and firing, the scope is
simply placed on the firearm in the same manner as a conventional
scope, and the firearm is then fired in the conventional manner.
Photographs are recorded, alternatively, in response to the sound
of, or the recoil from, the firearm firing. An alternative
embodiment eliminates the telescopic sight, but maintains all of
the digital photography components, and is particularly useful for
smaller-scale firearms such as pistols.
Inventors: |
Gordon; Terry J.;
(Keeseville, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF JAY R. YABLON
910 NORTHUMBERLAND DRIVE
SCHENECTADY
NY
12309-2814
US
|
Family ID: |
24142170 |
Appl. No.: |
11/422180 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10711267 |
Sep 7, 2004 |
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11422180 |
Jun 5, 2006 |
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10250148 |
Jun 6, 2003 |
6792206 |
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10711267 |
Sep 7, 2004 |
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10063033 |
Mar 13, 2002 |
6580876 |
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10250148 |
Jun 6, 2003 |
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09537325 |
Mar 29, 2000 |
6363223 |
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10063033 |
Mar 13, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/119 ; 33/266;
42/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/54 20130101; F41C
27/00 20130101; F41G 1/38 20130101; G03B 17/00 20130101; H04N
5/2252 20130101; F41A 33/00 20130101; G03B 29/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/119 ;
033/266; 042/123 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/38 20060101
F41G001/38 |
Claims
1. A firearm apparatus, comprising: a laser for emitting a laser
beam to strike a target to enhance firing accuracy toward said
target; and digital photography means for creating an evidentiary
record in connection with firing said apparatus at said target
struck by said laser beam; and an activation detector activating
said digital photography means in response to detecting a specified
condition.
2. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising
a pressure detector activating said digital photography means in
response to said specified condition comprising detecting a
pressure applied to said firearm.
3. The apparatus of [claim 2], said pressure detector activating
said digital photography means in response to said pressure being
applied to a grip of said firearm.
4. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising
a manual switch activating said digital photography means in
response to said specified condition comprising detecting
activation of said manual switch.
5. The apparatus of [claim 4], said manual switch activating said
digital photography means in response to said activation being
applied to a grip of said firearm.
6. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising
a heat detector activating said digital photography means in
response to said specified condition comprising detecting a change
in nearby heat.
7. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising
an optical detector activating said digital photography means in
response to said specified condition comprising detecting a change
in light striking said optical detector.
8. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising
a motion detector activating said digital photography means in
response to said specified condition comprising detecting a motion
of said firearm.
9. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising
an electronic detector activating said digital photography means in
response to said specified condition comprising detecting a change
in an electronic condition caused by displacing said firearm.
10. The apparatus of [claim 1], said activation detector comprising
a retinal detector activating said digital photography means in
response to said specified condition comprising detecting a human
eye proximate thereto.
11. A method for recording photographs in connection with the
firing of a firearm, comprising the steps of: activating a digital
photography means for creating an evidentiary record in connection
with firing said apparatus at a target struck by a laser beam, in
response to detecting a specified condition; striking said target
with said laser beam to enhance firing accuracy toward said target;
capturing images of said target struck by said laser beam, in
connection with firing said apparatus at said target, using said
digital photography means activated by said activation
detector.
12. The method of [claim 11], said specified condition comprising
detecting a pressure applied to said firearm.
13. The method of [claim 12], said pressure being applied to a grip
of said firearm.
14. The method of [claim 11], specified condition comprising
activation of a manual switch of said firearm.
15. The method of [claim 14], said activation being applied to a
grip of said firearm, said grip comprising said manual switch.
16. The method of [claim 11], said specified condition comprising
detecting a change in nearby heat.
17. The method of [claim 11], said specified condition comprising
detecting a change in light striking said optical detector.
18. The method of [claim 11], said specified condition comprising
detecting a motion of said firearm.
19. The method of [claim 11], said specified condition comprising
detecting a change in an electronic condition caused by displacing
said firearm.
20. The method of [claim 11], said specified condition comprising
detecting a human eye proximate to a retinal detector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/711,267 filed Sep. 7, 2004, which in turn is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 10/250,148 filed Jun. 6, 2003, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,792,206 issued Sep. 14, 2004, which in turn is a continuation
of application Ser. No. 10/063,033 filed Mar. 13, 2002, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,580,876 issued Jun. 17, 2003, which in turn is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 09/537,325 filed Mar. 29,
2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,223 issued Mar. 26, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] This field relates to the fields of both firearms and
photography, an particularly, relates to an improved device and
method for photographing a firearm target in connection with the
shooting thereof.
[0003] Game hunting is a popular recreational pastime in the United
States and many other countries of the world. Hunters have long
prized their kills beyond their value as food and/or skin, and it
is common practice, for example, to mount the head of a deer or
other hunting "kill" on a wall as a trophy, to display one's past
successes. Even more interest can be added, however, if the hunter
has a simple, straightforward way to photograph his or her
prey/target just before, during, and/or after the kill, as desired
by the hunter.
[0004] Even for practice purposes, the ability to photograph a
target in connection with the firing of a shot can assist the
hunter to improve his or her accuracy and adjust his or her rifle
scope, by providing an independent photographic record of what was
viewed through the scope just as a shot was fired, in contrast with
where the shot actually struck on the target.
[0005] The ability to photograph a target in connection with the
shooting thereof has possible military and law-enforcement
applications as well. For example, the evidentiary record for
recent high-profile court cases involving controversial shootings
of citizens by law-enforcement personnel could have been greatly
enhanced if the weapons used in these shootings had produced
photographs of the target at the time of the shooting.
[0006] Several prior art devices do combine a rifle and rifle scope
with a photographic camera, yet all of these devices have severe
limitations that make them very cumbersome to use and also limit
the flexibility of the shooter to precisely determine the timing of
the photographic activity in relation to the firing of the
weapon.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,262, for example, discloses a still
picture camera (30) mounted onto a special housing (12) which is in
turn mounted onto a standard telescopic sight (20). The housing
(12) transfers the image of the target through the sight (20) to
the camera (30) (column 3, lines 52-56). The camera (30) is a
separate, conventional camera which is activated to photograph a
single still image when the rifle trigger (11B) is pulled to fire a
shot, via a cable mechanism (30B) connecting the trigger (11B) to
the shutter release (30A) of the camera (30) (column 4, lines
39-50).
[0008] This device requires an unnatural and cumbersome
modification to the rifle, since one must mount a separate camera
housing (12) as well as a separate camera (30) to the rifle sight
(20). This adds extra steps to the assembly of the rifle, and it
substantially alters both the shape and the weight distribution of
the telescopic sight. In addition, the cable connection (30B)
between trigger (11B) and shutter release (30A) of the camera (30)
adds even further work to the assembly of the rifle, and places a
new, potentially interfering device (cable (30B)) in direct contact
with the trigger. Further, a trigger-activated approach such as
disclosed in this patent would not enable the hunter to precisely
fine tune the instant at which the photograph is taken relative to
the firing of the shot.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,095 discloses a camera mounting bracket
(18) which supports a camera (12) in substantially parallel
orientation to the line of sight of the telescopic sight (16). As
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,062, the camera (12) is activated by means
of a cable connection (24) to the rifle trigger (30) using a
plunger-type button (32). This too makes setup more cumbersome,
interferes with the trigger, and limits the opportunity to fine
tune the instant at which the photograph is take relative to the
actual firing of a shot. By requiring a bracket (18) separate from
the sight (16), as well as a separate camera (12), the rifle setup
remains more cumbersome than a conventional (camera-less) setup,
and the shape and weight distribution of the rifle and rifle scope
are altered. Additionally, since the camera (12) in this
arrangement does not obtain its photographic image through the
scope, one further needs to ensure proper camera alignment with
respect to the line of sight, and one could not obtain a
substantially "exact" replica of what the hunter saw through the
scope just as the shot was fired.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,644, is simply a rifle simulation,
wherein the camera is again trigger activated, and wherein the
rifle and scope, when assembled for photography, is much more
cumbersome than a conventional rifle and scope.
[0011] U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,545,356; 3,785,261; 3,911,451; 4,936,190;
4,970,589; and 5,285,273 all appear to combine a telescope and
camera site with a firearm, however, they lack sequential timing
for photography and the recording of photographic information at
specified time intervals.
[0012] It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a means and
method for taking pictures of a target proximate the instant at
which a shot is fired from a weapon that does not require any
connection to or activation from the rifle trigger.
[0013] It would further be desirable to eliminate the need for a
separate camera and camera housing.
[0014] It would further be desirable to take these pictures through
a fully-integrated photographic rifle scope that combines all
necessary telescopic and photographic components into a complete,
compact unitary device that is substantially identical in shape and
weight distribution to a conventional, camera-less rifle scope.
[0015] It would further be desirable to enable the shooter to fine
tune with precision, the exact instant at which the target
photograph is taken in relation to the firing of the rifle.
[0016] It would further be desirable to enable a weapon such as a
pistol, which does not ordinarily have a telescopic scope, to
nevertheless take photographs of its target at or near the time of
shooting.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0017] One embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is a
telescopic rifle scope/sight which is fully integrated with a
compact digital camera, and which has size, shape and weight
characteristics that are substantially the same as those of a
conventional, camera-less telescopic scope. To configure the weapon
for photography and firing, the scope is simply placed on the rifle
in the same manner as a conventional scope without any additional
steps, and the rifle is then fired in the conventional manner.
[0018] An alternative embodiment of the invention eliminates the
telescopic rifle scope, but maintains the compact digital camera.
This embodiment is particularly useful in combination with pistols
and similar small-scale firearms which ordinarily do not include a
telescopic scope, and in which the shooter views the target
directly without the aid of a scope. To configure the weapon for
this embodiment, the digital camera and other related components
are simply placed on the pistol or similar firearm using a suitable
mount. Alternatively, a pistol or similar firearm can be
manufactured at the outset to include the digital camera and the
other related components of this embodiment.
[0019] In the telescopic sight embodiments, the compact digital
camera is preferably initiated by an infrared detector which
detects body heat from the hunter's face when the rifle is moved
into position for firing and the hunter's eye is moved into
position for viewing thorough the scope. Once initiated, the
digital camera photographs a series of images spaced apart from one
another by fractions of a second (i.e., at a given frame rate such
as, for example, 30 frames per second), and stores these images in
an image memory. The hunter then pulls the trigger and fires the
rifle in the conventional way. Once the shot is fired, an acoustic
detector, or, alternatively, an acceleration detector detects
either the sharp sound of the firing or the recoil due to the
firing, and sends a signal to the digital camera to permanently
record one or more of the images it contains.
[0020] In the embodiments that eliminate the telescopic scope,
initiation preferably takes place by detecting the removal of the
pistol from its holster or other concealed location, using optical
or kinetic detection means.
[0021] By timing the recording of the photograph with reference to
the actual crack of the firing, or the actual recoil of the firing,
and by having information on the distance of the target and the
speed of the ammunition, this device enables the hunter to fine
tune the precise instant at which a photograph is recorded relative
to both the firing of the weapon and the bullet striking its
target. Further, no cumbersome and interfering connection need be
established between trigger and camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The features of the invention believed to be novel are set
forth in the appended claims. The invention, however, together with
further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by
reference to the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawing(s) in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a photographic and telescopic rifle
scope according to a first primary embodiment of the invention,
with schematic illustration of its various components.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the photographic components of
this rifle scope according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the photographic rifle scope
according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 as mounted for use on a rifle
or similar firearm.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a digital camera and its related
components, according to a second primary embodiment of the
invention which eliminates the telescopic scope aspects of FIG. 1
but maintain maintains all other aspects thereof, with schematic
illustration of its various components.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the photographic components of
the embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 as mounted
for use on a pistol or similar firearm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate the photographic firearm apparatus
1 of two primary embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 1, a target
image 100 is sighted through photographic firearm apparatus 1
including a telescopic scope, and light from that image travels
through photographic firearm apparatus 1 along the direction
indicated by arrows of line 101. Image delivery means 102 such
as--but not limited to--a split prism similar to that employed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,262 (as component 16 therein) has a reflective
surface on one side, and allows target image 100 to pass through to
the hunter's eye 103 along line 104, and also to be reflected
upward along line 105 and delivered into a digital photography
means 106. It is understood that someone of ordinary skill in the
optical arts may utilize equally-suitable means to deliver target
image 100 to digital photography means 106, within the scope of
this disclosure and its associated claims. This embodiment of FIG.
1 is particularly suited to rifles and other large, ling-range
forearms.
[0030] FIG. 4 eliminates the telescopic scope of FIG. 1, but
maintains all of the other elements. Target image 100 is sighted
directly by the shooter without viewing the target through any type
of scope. This is the conventional practice, for example, in firing
a pistol rather than a rifle. Thus, image delivery means 102 such
as a split prism is not necessary, since the image traveling along
line of sight 101 need not be delivered to both the hunter's eye
103 and digital photography means 106, but only to digital
photography means 106. The image presented to digital photography
means 106 may still be a telescopic (magnified) image, or not, as
desired. But the key difference between FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 is that
in FIG. 1, target image 100 is viewed by the shooter through
photographic firearm apparatus 1, while in FIG. 4 it is viewed
directly by the shooter without the aid of photographic firearm
apparatus 1. So in FIG. 4, it is only necessary that target image
100 be delivered to digital photography means 106.
[0031] When photographic firearm apparatus 1 is mounted to a large,
long-range firearm 3 such as a rifle with conventional mounting
hardware 31 and trigger 32 as shown in FIG. 3, an infrared detector
101 (such as heat detectors well-known in the art) located
proximate the viewing end of photographic firearm apparatus 1
detects a change in nearby heat due to the proximity of infrared
detector 101 to the hunter's face, and consequently activates (108)
photography means 106, in a preferred embodiment. In an alternative
preferred embodiment, the hunter uses a manual switch 109 to
activate (108) photography means 106. Infrared detector 101 may
also comprise a retinal detector (such retinal detectors are an
elemental component known in the art) which detect the presence of
a human eye, so that activation only takes place once someone looks
through the rifle scope.
[0032] When photographic firearm apparatus 1 is used in connection
with a small short-range firearm 3 such as a pistol as shown in
FIG. 6, an optical element 402 detecting a change in the light
striking photographic firearm apparatus 1 when it is removed from a
holster or other concealed location activates (108) photography
means 106. Alternatively, a suitable motion detector 404 can be
used to detect the kinetic motion of firearm 3 as it is being
drawn, and to thereby activate (108) photography means 106. Manual
switch 109 also remains an option to activate (108) photography
means 106. Alternatively, a pressure sensor 406 can be used to
detect when the firearm handle is being gripped with a
predetermined pressure, to activate (108) photography means 106.
Note that pressure sensor 406 is also illustrated in connection
with the pistol handle of FIG. 6, so that FIGS. 4 and 6 together
schematically illustrate that the pressure detected on the grip
(FIG. 6) causes the photography means 106 to be activated (FIG. 4).
Alternatively, an electronic sensor 408 can be used to detect when
the firearm is being removed from a holster or other concealed
location, to activate (108) photography means 106. For example, not
limitation, the holster can include a magnet, and the electronic
sensor 408 can include a magnetic sensor. When firearm 3 is removed
from its holster, the magnetic sensor is removed from proximate the
magnetic field, and this removal from the magnetic field causes
electronic sensor 408 to signal for activation (108) of photography
means 106. Other substitutions or equivalents for all of the above
detectors are also considered to be within the scope of this
disclosure and its associated claims. Similarly, use of the
aforementioned sensors, as appropriate, is considered to be within
the disclosure and associated claims for both a long-range firearm
such as a rifle, and a short-range forearm such as a pistol; in
short, for all firearms for which a given detector is sensible.
These detectors shall be referred to collectively as activation
detectors which detect some specified condition and activate 108
photography means 106 in response thereto.
[0033] FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate in further detail, the
configuration and operation of digital photography means 106, for
both primary embodiments. In its preferred embodiments, digital
photography means 106 makes use of digital photographic
technologies that have been developed in the recent years. The
principles and operational methods for these technologies are well
known in the art.
[0034] Once digital photography means 106 is activated (108),
reflected image 105 in FIG. 1, or the input target image traveling
along 101 as in FIG. 4, passes through a photographic lens 20 and
is captured onto a digital imaging array 21 comprising a series of
light-sensitive computer chips, as known in the art. At present,
the two types of chip most widely used in digital imaging arrays
such as 21 are charge-coupled devices (CCD) and complimentary
metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS). It is recognized, however, that
new or improved digital imaging arrays 21 may be developed in the
future the use of which, in accordance with this invention, would
be fully encompassed by this disclosure and its associated
claims.
[0035] Once light from the target image 100 strikes imaging array
21, the electrical charge generated thereby is then analyzed and
translated into a digital image by an imaging processor 22, as
known in the art. Optionally, as part of image processing (22) the
image can be "flipped" to compensate for the parity reversal that
takes place when it is reflected off of split prism 102 in the
embodiment of FIG. 1. This processed digital image is in turn saved
into an image memory 23. The image memory 23 can be an on-board
memory (e.g., non-removable), or it can be removable (e.g., a
removable memory card). There are of course a wide range of
computer disk-type storage devices known in the art (e.g., hard
disk drives, floppy disk drives, miniature memory cards, solid
state devices, etc.) which can be used to provide image memory 23.
As is common in the art, images stored in image memory 23 can be
erased as desired, and thus the storage space of memory 23 can be
reused indefinitely, as desired. That is, image memory 23 is a
read/write memory in the conventional fashion. Similarly, specified
images can be marked to be saved, i.e., protected from deletion
until the programmer takes further action to delete them.
Photography means 106 is of course powered overall by a power
source 24, which may be a battery or similar power source known and
used in the art to power digital cameras.
[0036] Once a single image has been produced, i.e., captured (21),
processed (22) and stored (23) as described, a second image, and
subsequent images, are similarly produced at fixed, small time
intervals. Common variables in digital photography include the
frame rate (i.e., how many still images are produced, per second),
resolution (i.e., pixel density), and storage capacity (i.e., how
many distinct still images can be stored in image memory 23, which
in turn depends, among other things, on frame rate and resolution).
These variables depend on the specific components used for each of
imaging array 21, processor 22 and image memory 23, and for a
purchaser of a digital photography device, these will in turn be
related to cost. However, it is well within the ability of
presently-available, off-the-shelf digital photography technology
to record at 30 frames per second, capture over 500,000 color
pixels, and store several thousand distinct still images. For
purposes of the discussion to follow--but not to limit the
disclosure or claims in any way--it is assumed that 30 still images
per second are captured (21), processed (22) and stored (23), and
that the image memory 23 is capable of storing at least several
(e.g., five) seconds worth of still images (hence, approximately
150 stills), at whatever resolution is desired.
[0037] When firearm 3 with photographic firearm apparatus 1 is
raised for firing and photography means 106 is activated (108) as
described above (heat 101, manual 109, optical 402 or kinetic 404),
imaging array 21, processor 22 and image memory 23 begin to capture
(21), process (22) and store (23) images of the target at--for
example only--the rate of 30 frames per second. The shooter can,
optionally, save this entire photographic sequence as a moving,
camcorder version of his or her shooting experience, by switching
the photographic firearm apparatus into "camcorder" mode. However,
if the shooter is primarily interested in saving selected still
photographs of the shooting, then the actual firing of the weapon
defines the critical reference time relative to which these
selected still photographs are to be identified. Thus, for example,
the shooter may wish to save still photographs taken while the
target is sighted through photographic firearm apparatus 1, before
the shot is fired. Or, the shooter may desire to save photographs
taken just after the shot is fired, but before impact. Or, for
macabre tastes, the shooter may wish to preserve a picture showing
the precise moment of impact. In all events, the moment of firing
establishes time "zero," and the still photographs to be preserved
will be defined either at x seconds before firing (zero minus x) or
at x seconds after firing (zero plus x). Whatever preferences the
hunter may have in this regard (e.g., camcorder moving picture
option, still photographs at specified times before or after
firing), these are programmed by programming means 115 into a
timing control computer 110, the operation of which will be
described in further detail below.
[0038] In the prior art discussed earlier, a plunger is placed
proximate the rifle trigger 32, and the physical pulling of the
trigger 32 also activates the plunger, which in turn activates the
camera via a connecting cable. According to the present invention,
this form of activation is discarded in favor of a firing detector
to detect when a round actually has been fired, using either recoil
or acoustic detection. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the
firing detector is an acceleration detector 111 such as an
accelerometer (including micro-electro-mechanical chip-based
accelerometers). In an alternative preferred embodiment, the firing
detector is an acoustic detector 112 (such as a decibel meter)
which detects a sudden elevation of sound level due to the firing
of the weapon. In either event, the firing detector detects the
precise moment at which the rifle recoils from firing, or creates a
sharp sound from firing, and this information is provided via a
firing signal (shown by unnumbered arrows from 111 and 112) to
timing control computer 110. Timing control computer 110 is in turn
interconnected and exchanges information with digital photography
means 106, to identify which still photograph was recorded at time
zero, and hence, to relate all other prior and subsequent stored
photographs with respect to time zero. By using actual sound or
motion detection in this way, the instant of firing is defined more
precisely than by using a manual plunger near the trigger 32, due
to variations which will occur in plunger positioning and in
trigger sensitivity. In the alternative where acoustic detector 112
is used, it is preferred to provide this detector with sound
shielding and to provide highest sensitivity orientation toward the
housing from which the firing sound emanates. This minimizes the
chance of a "false" firing being detected from other noises, e.g.,
the firing of a nearby weapon by someone else in the same shooting
party.
[0039] Once firearm 3 has been fired and time zero established
based on this actual firing, timing control computer 110 utilizes
data pre-programmed (115) by the shooter to determine which images
in memory 23 are to be saved for permanent reproduction, and which
may be erased so that the storage space they occupy can be later
reused for other images. The programming (115) of timing control
computer 110 can be achieved in a variety of ways all of which will
be obvious to someone of ordinary skill. A few examples are
provided below for illustration, not limitation.
[0040] Generally, the saving/identification of still photographs in
memory 23 for permanent reproduction will proceed based on the time
of firing (time zero), and/or the time of impact (time zero, plus
bullet travel time from rifle to impact). Additionally, to
supplement the above, an optional viewing monitor 113 which is
either attached directly to or can be plugged into photographic
firearm apparatus 1 is used to manually sequence through and view
images stored in memory 23, so that images to be saved and
discarded can be manually specified. And, as noted earlier, the
option exists to simply maintain the entire recorded sequence as a
moving picture. Finally, photographic firearm apparatus 1 can be
used as an ordinary digital camera by itself, independent of any
shooting activities, by adding a standard camera activation switch
116 to initiate capture (21), processing (22) and storage (23) of a
single still image. In this way, the shooter has the means readily
available to take an ordinary digital photograph of a target image
that he or she may not otherwise wish to fire ammunition at,
without toting along an added camera.
[0041] To save images based on time of firing, the shooter
preprograms computer 110 to establish how long before, or how long
after firing of the rifle the desired photographs are to be. For
example, a typical rifle has a lock time (the time between pulling
of trigger 32 and discharge of the rifle) of approximately 7
milliseconds. If the shooter desires to preserve the photograph
taken just as the trigger 32 is pulled, then computer 110 would be
programmed for zero minus 0.007 seconds. This would identify and
mark for permanent reproduction, the still frame taken at
substantially 0.007 seconds before the recoil or sharp acoustic
excitation from firing was detected. This also serves to avert the
blurring of images that would naturally occur while firearm 3 is in
recoil. If the shooter wishes save the images photographed, say,
0.1 second after firing (which provides time for the firearm to be
stabilized after recoil and therefore for a non-blurred image to be
recorded), then computer 110 is programmed for zero plus 0.1
seconds. In general, if t designates how long before (negative t)
or after (positive t) firing time zero the desired image is to be,
if f designates the recording frame rate (number of frames per
second), and if i designates an image number, where the image
recorded at firing is image number zero, images before firing are
designated by a negative integer, and images after firing are
designated by a positive integer, then image number of the desired
image to be saved for permanent recording is easily calculated
generally to be: i=t.times.f, (1)
[0042] with appropriate rounding as necessary.
[0043] To save images in relation to the time of target impact, two
additional parameters must be known, namely, the distance from the
rifle to the target, and the (average) speed of the bullet over
that target distance.
[0044] The target distance can, of course, be estimated by the
shooter and programmed into computer 110. Alternatively, a distance
detector 114 such as a laser range detector is integrated into
photographic firearm apparatus 1, as is already known and often
practiced in the art. Distance detector 114 bounces a finely-tuned
laser signal off target 100 and detects the return of that signal
to the firearm. Based on the total travel time of the signal and
the known speed of that signal, distance detector 114 can thus
detect the distance to target 100. This distance, d, once known, is
provided as input to computer 110.
[0045] The (average) bullet speed, s, can also be determined by the
shooter and programmed into computer 110. Ordinarily, this is done
by means of a ballistics table, in which the bullet speed is a
function of the firearm caliber, the bullet type and weight, and
the target distance (since the average speed is decreased for
longer flight distance). Alternatively, appropriate ballistics
information is pre-programmed into computer 110, so that the
shooter merely specifies the firearm caliber and the bullet
type/weight, with target distance provided by distance detector
114.
[0046] Thus, with distance d and speed s known, the travel time
t=t.sub.travel from firing to impact is t.sub.travel=d/s, and so,
combining this with eq. 1, the image number of the image recorded
at impact is i=(d/s).times.f, (2)
[0047] with appropriate rounding. So if the shooter desires, for
example, to permanently save the image t1 seconds before (negative
t1) or after (positive t1) impact, i.e., t=t.sub.travel+t1 seconds
after firing, the image number to be saved is determined, using
eqs. 1 and 2, according to: i=(d/s+t1).times.f, (3)
[0048] again, with appropriate rounding.
[0049] As noted earlier, optional viewing monitor 113 serves to
further supplement all of the above. Thus, for example, if the
shooter designates the desired photographs to be those taken 0.2
seconds before impact (t1=-0.2), computer 110 might identify the
still photograph taken most closely to this specified time, display
this photograph up on monitor 113, and enable the shooter to then
scroll forward or backward through other photographs taken just
after or before this photograph. Then, with the range of
photographs narrowed, the shooter can manually review the
photographs to make a final determination which are to be saved for
printing. Similarly, it is not required that the shooter specify
the desired times before firing the weapon. So long as the
recordings are made in the manner described above, and the (zero)
time of firing is established, the shooter can always choose
photographs after firing by asking for the photograph that was
already taken, e.g., 0.3 seconds before impact, or 0.2 seconds
before firing, etc., as desired.
[0050] Finally, once the desired photograph or photographs have
been identified and saved according to the various procedures
outlined above, all that remains is the permanent recording or
printing of those photographs. As noted earlier, while a wide range
of storage media are suitable for image memory 23, that memory is
generally either an on-board, non-removable memory, or it is
removable (e.g., a removable memory card). If image memory 23 is
non-removable, then the desired images are downloaded to a computer
and/or printer via an download adapter 25, using devices and
methods well-known in the art. If image memory 23 is removable,
then an appropriate removable card or disk 26 is removed from the
photographic firearm apparatus 1 as depicted, and then connected
for downloading to a computer and/or printer, again, using devices
and methods well-known in the art. Once the desired photographs
have been printed or otherwise recorded in a download device or
medium separate from photographic firearm apparatus 1, the storage
locations storing the original images in the photographic firearm
apparatus's image memory 23 can be erased and reused, as known in
the art.
[0051] The fact that imaging processor 22 and timing control
computer 110 have been illustrated herein as two distinct devices
does not in any way foreclose the possibility of combining these
into a single computer or processor as one mode of practicing this
invention. This separation is helpful simply as a way of observing
that certain processing functions standard to all digital
photography are conducted by imaging processor 22, and that certain
other timing and image selection functions specifically required
for this invention but not generally needed for digital photography
are conducted by timing control computer 110. Again, however, one
of ordinary skill can readily combine these processors, as well as
any memories needed to support their operation, into a single
computing / processing device.
[0052] Further, while imaging processor 22and timing control
computer 110 perform various processing functions as described
above, it is certainly possible to perform some of the processing
steps (e.g., flipping the image, removal or addition or crosshairs,
etc.) using an external computer, after the desired images have
been downloaded (25) or removed (26). Color, brightness, contrast,
sharpness, and many other features of the photographs can easily be
modified using computerized image processing techniques that are
well-known in the art. The fact that some processing functions may
be carried on externally, rather than internally to photographic
firearm apparatus 1, is obvious, and is fully considered to be
within the scope of this invention.
[0053] Finally, it is to be observed that FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5
schematically illustrate the operation of this invention by showing
novel interrelationships among known elements such as digital
imaging array 21, imaging processor 22, image memory 23, digital
photography means 106, timing control computer 110, accelerometer
111, acoustic detector 112, etc., so as to yield the invention as a
whole disclosed and claimed herein. The actual physical positions
of these various elements within the photographic firearm apparatus
can be varied as desired to optimize compactness, weight balance,
component interrelationships, etc., and so the specific positioning
illustrated in these figures should not be considered to limit this
disclosure and its claims with respect to the many options
available for practicing this invention.
[0054] The net result, illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 6, is that this
invention allows the photographic and timing elements described
above to be fully and completely integrated into a unitary
photographic firearm apparatus 1 that is attached (31) to a firearm
3 and used during shooting just as any ordinary rifle scope or
pistol attachment, without any additional steps. In the embodiment
of FIG. 1, photographic firearm apparatus 1 is universally
adaptable to a wide variety of rifles to the same degree as any
conventional scope. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, photographic
firearm apparatus 1 attaches 31 through any of a variety of
mounting means that would be obvious to someone of ordinary skill,
to a pistol or similar small firearm. Alternatively, photographic
firearm apparatus 1 can be manufactured as part of the rifle,
pistol or other firearm at the outset, rather than as a separate
add-on unit for later attachment.
[0055] There is no cumbersome interference with or connection
required to the firearm trigger 32, because of the combination with
acoustical and/or recoil detection rather than a physical plunger
and cable. The use of compact digital photography components
enables all photographic components to be tightly integrated and
embodied into a single photographic firearm apparatus 1 without
materially altering the photographic firearm apparatus's size,
weight distribution, or shape, which in turn contributes to the
fact that photographic firearm apparatus 1 can be attached and used
in hunting just like a conventional scope (FIG. 3), or can be
easily mounted to a pistol or small firearm (FIG. 6). Cumbersome
camera adapters, separate cameras, and interfering triggering
cables are totally avoided. Additionally, these digital photography
elements, in combination with acoustical and/or recoil detection,
enable the very exact photographic precision described above, which
cannot be achieved by a conventional film/chemically-based camera,
or by manual triggering of the camera via a plunger and cable.
[0056] While this disclosure refers throughout to a rifle or
pistol, and to a photographic firearm apparatus, it is understood
that this invention can be applied generally to any firearm which
utilizes a scope for viewing the target, as well as, in the
embodiment of FIGS. 4 through 6, to any firearm that does not use a
scope, but instead relies on direct line of sight. While this
disclosure discusses the use of this device in connection with
hunting or shooting (or target practice), it is understood that
other applications are also envisioned within the scope of this
disclosure. For example, a police department may wish to monitor
the use of weapons by its officers by requiring them to utilize the
photographic features of this invention whenever a weapon is fired
at a suspect being pursued. Similar use can be envisioned for
military applications. And, indeed, this invention can be utilized
in any situation where it may be desired or required to capture a
photographic record of the discharge of a firearm.
[0057] As is known in the art, a firearm 3 such as a pistol may
optionally comprise a laser 61 which emits a sharp laser beam 62
toward the target and casts a "spot" of light on the target near
where the bullet is expected to impact, as a means of enhancing
shooting accuracy. The use of such a laser 61 as part of firearm 3,
or as part of photographic firearm apparatus 1, in combination with
the other features of the invention as disclosed, is fully
considered to be within the scope of this invention and its
associated claims.
[0058] While only certain preferred features of the invention have
been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes will
occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *