U.S. patent application number 14/595911 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-16 for firearm with video capturing and recording device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Raymond C. Ling. Invention is credited to Raymond C. Ling.
Application Number | 20150198406 14/595911 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53521083 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150198406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ling; Raymond C. |
July 16, 2015 |
FIREARM WITH VIDEO CAPTURING AND RECORDING DEVICE
Abstract
A video recording device may include a firearm, a video
recording device and a holster. The video recording device may
include a recording unit, a lighting unit and a sensing unit. In
one embodiment, a magnetic sensor can be installed inside the
holster. When the firearm is disposed inside the holster, the
magnetic force between the magnetic sensor and a magnetic sensing
unit on the firearm can be maintained, and when the firearm is
pulled out from the holster, the magnetic force therebetween
disappears to trigger the video recording device to be turned on.
In another embodiment, a body-worn camera is synchronized with a
magnetic sensing unit of the video recording device, so when the
magnetic sensing unit is triggered, the body-worn camera can be
turned on along with the recording unit.
Inventors: |
Ling; Raymond C.; (McKinney,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ling; Raymond C. |
McKinney |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53521083 |
Appl. No.: |
14/595911 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61926754 |
Jan 13, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 33/0254 20130101;
F41G 11/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41A 35/00 20060101
F41A035/00; F41G 1/00 20060101 F41G001/00; F41C 33/02 20060101
F41C033/02 |
Claims
1. A video recording system for a firearm comprising: a firearm; a
video recording device mounted on said firearm, including a
recording unit, a lighting unit and a first sensing unit; and a
holster having a second sensing unit operatively communicated with
the first sensing unit of the video recording device, wherein the
recording unit of the video recording device is off in said
holster, and when the firearm is pulled out from the holster, the
first sensing unit of the video recording device and the second
sensing unit of the holster are separated to trigger the recording
unit of the video recording device to record the usage of the
firearm.
2. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 1, wherein the
video recording device is mounted underneath a muzzle of the
firearm.
3. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 1, wherein the
first sensing unit is a first magnetic sensor disposed on the video
recording device while the second sensing unit is a second magnetic
sensor disposed on the holster to magnetically communicate with
said first magnetic sensor.
4. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 3, wherein
when the firearm is pulled out from the holster, a magnetic force
between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor
suddenly disappears to trigger the recording unit of the video
recording device to record the usage of the firearm.
5. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 1, wherein the
recording unit of the video recording device is automatically
turned off when the first sensing unit of the video recording
device is coupled the second sensing unit of the holster while the
firearm is put back to the holster.
6. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 1, wherein the
first sensing unit is a first mechanical sensor disposed on the
video recording device while the second sensing unit is a second
mechanical sensor disposed on the holster corresponding to said
first mechanical sensor, and said first mechanical sensor and
second mechanical sensor are engaged when the firearm is disposed
in the holster.
7. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 6, wherein
when the firearm is pulled out from the holster, the first
mechanical sensor and the second mechanical sensor are disengaged
to trigger the recording unit of the video recording device to
record the usage of the firearm.
8. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 1, wherein the
first sensing unit is a light sensor, and when the firearm is
pulled out from the holster, the light sensor is triggered due to
the change of light intensity to turn on the recording unit of the
video recording device.
9. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 8, wherein the
light sensor of the first sensing unit is used to detect the light
intensity of the environment to determine whether to turn on the
lighting unit of the video recording device.
10. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 1, further
comprising a body-worn camera.
11. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 10, wherein
the body-worn camera is triggered to be turned on when the first
sensing unit of the video recording device and the second sensing
unit of the holster are separated to trigger the recording unit of
the video recording device to record the usage of the firearm.
12. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 11, wherein
the first sensing unit is a first magnetic sensor disposed on the
video recording device while the second sensing unit is a second
magnetic sensor disposed on the holster to magnetically communicate
with said first magnetic sensor.
13. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 12, wherein
when the firearm is pulled out from the holster, a magnetic force
between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor
suddenly disappears to trigger the recording unit of the video
recording device and the body-worn camera to simultaneously record
the usage of the firearm.
14. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 11, wherein
the first sensing unit is a first mechanical sensor disposed on the
video recording device while the second sensing unit is a second
mechanical sensor disposed on the holster corresponding to said
first mechanical sensor, and said first mechanical sensor and
second mechanical sensor are mechanically engaged when the firearm
is disposed in the holster.
15. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 14, wherein
when the firearm is pulled out from the holster, the first
mechanical sensor and the second mechanical sensor are disengaged
to trigger the recording unit of the video recording device and the
body-worn camera to simultaneously to record the usage of the
firearm.
16. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 11, wherein
the first sensing unit is a light sensor, and when the firearm is
pulled out from the holster, the light sensor is triggered due to
the change of light intensity to turn on the recording unit of the
video recording device and the body-worn camera simultaneously.
17. The video recording system for a firearm of claim 1, wherein
the firearm is either a lethal or non-lethal weapon.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/926,754,
filed on Jan. 13, 2014, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a firearm with a video recording
device, and more particular to a firearm with a video recording
device that can be automatically turned on when the firearm is
taken out from a holster and automatically turned off when the
firearm is put back to the holster.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A video record for evidentiary or historical purposes is
desirable in various situations. For example, when an automobile
accident happens, a video image of the circumstances existing
immediately prior to and after an accident is helpful to better
understand how the accident happened and who was at fault.
Additionally, in security applications, it would be highly
desirable to be able to record a video image of the circumstances
existing immediately prior to an event triggering an alert
condition and following the triggering of such a condition.
[0004] Another example is to record a video image for exercises and
simulations for training individuals in the use of firearms,
including military personnel, law enforcement officers, and firearm
permit owners. Recently, more and more disputes arise regarding
when the law enforcement officers should use the firearm, so it
would be desirable to have a recorded video image for evidentiary
purposes involves the firing of a lethal or non-lethal targetable
firearms. In the event an individual is injured or killed by a
police officer acting in the line of duty, lawsuits are sometimes
filed against the officer and the municipality in which it is
asserted that the shooting of the victim was without justification
and unlawful. Such suits are typically accompanied by large damage
claims. In these circumstances, a video record to show the scene as
viewed by the police officer at the time the gun was fired would be
important and helpful to determine whether the officer's use of
lethal weapon is justified.
[0005] Thus, firearms with a video recording device mounted thereon
have been developed for a long period of time. U.S. Pat. No.
4,835,621 to Black discloses a conventional video camera. recording
device onto a structure resembling a. rifle which can be raised to
the shoulder and sighted at an object in the same way that a gun is
usually raised to the shoulder and aimed. More specifically, the
video camera recording device generates a signal visible through
the viewfinder of the video camera and, therefore, is recordable on
the recording media so that the user can effect, following an
activating of the video camera, an aiming of the line of sight of
the device at a target so as to bring the target into view through
the viewfinder and to simultaneously record the target on the
recording medium, aligning the target with the gun sight structure
and the line of sight, activating a trigger to activate the signal
generating device and to simultaneously record the signal on the
recording medium thereafter followed by a deactivation of the video
camera recorder device.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,480 to Guissin discloses video camera
and recording device integrated with a real or toy weapon to
provide video recording of the assault and aiming process of the
weapon holder in operational training, actual combat, hunting,
sports and gaming scenarios. However, in both Black and Guissin,
the user of the firearm has to manually activate and deactivate the
video recording device mounted on the firearm. Also, during panic
or critical situations, even if the police officers have normal
body-worn cameras that can be used to videotape the scene, they may
need to focus on the suspect and draw the weapon rather than turn
on the camera. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and
improved gun with a video recording device to overcome the problems
stated above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a video
recording system for a firearm to automatically videotape the usage
of the firearm when the firearm is pulled out from the holster.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
video recording system for a firearm to synchronize with a
body-worn camera to simultaneously videotape the usage of the
firearm when pulled out.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
video recording system for a firearm which always has at least one
video recording device/camera on when the firearm is pulled
out.
[0010] In one aspect, a video recording system for a firearm may
include a firearm, a video recording device, and a holster. In one
embodiment, the video recording device may include a recording unit
and a lighting unit, and the video recording device can mounted in
front of a trigger at a lower portion of a muzzle of the firearm.
In another embodiment, the video recording device can be mounted on
the Picatinny rail. In an exemplary embodiment, the recording unit
of the video recording device can be automatically turned off when
the firearm is put into the holster. On the other hand, the
recording unit of the video recording device can be automatically
turned on when the firearm is taken out from the holster.
[0011] In still another embodiment, a magnetic sensor can be
installed inside the holster. When the firearm is disposed inside
the holster, the magnetic force between the magnetic sensor and a
corresponding magnetic sensing unit on the firearm can be
maintained, and when the firearm is pulled out from the holster,
the magnetic force therebetween suddenly disappears to trigger a
switch on the video recording device to automatically turn on the
video recording device. In a further embodiment, the corresponding
magnetic sensing unit can be disposed directly on the video
recording device. Thus, when the user pulls out the firearm, the
video recording device will be turned on to record the usage of the
firearm. When the user finishes using the firearm, the firearm can
be put back to the holster. At this time, the magnetic force
between the magnetic sensor and the corresponding sensing unit on
the firearm resumes to trigger the switch to automatically turn off
the video recording device.
[0012] In another aspect, a body-worn camera is configured to
synchronize with the sensing unit, either through the magnetic
sensing unit, mechanical sensing unit, or light sensor. Namely,
when the sensing unit is triggered, the body-worn camera can also
be turned on remotely as well as the recording device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a video recording
system including a firearm and a video recording device in the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2. illustrates a front view of the video recording
system including the firearm and the video recording device in the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates schematic view of a video recording
system including a firearm stored in a holster.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a body-worn camera that can be
synchronized with the video recording system in the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the body-worn camera
that is synchronized when the firearm is pulled out.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a
description of the presently exemplary device provided in
accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention
may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that
the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished
by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0019] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those
described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention,
the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.
[0020] All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for
the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs
and methodologies that are described in the publications that might
be used in connection with the presently described invention. The
publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the
text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing
date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed
as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate
such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.
[0021] In one aspect, a video recording system for a firearm, as
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, includes a firearm 100, a video recording
device 110, and a holster 200. In one embodiment, the video
recording device 110 may include a recording unit 112 and a
lighting unit 114, and the video recording device 110 can mounted
in front of a trigger 130 at a lower portion of a muzzle 120 of the
firearm 100. In another embodiment, the video recording device 110
can be mounted on the Picatinny rail. In an exemplary embodiment,
the recording unit 112 of the video recording device 110 can be
automatically turned off when the firearm 100 is put into the
holster 200. On the other hand, the recording unit 112 of the video
recording device 110 can be automatically turned on when the
firearm 100 is taken out from the holster 200. It is noted that the
firearm can be either lethal or non-lethal weapon.
[0022] In still another embodiment, a magnetic sensor 210 can be
installed inside the holster 200. When the firearm 100 is disposed
inside the holster 200, the magnetic force between the magnetic
sensor 210 and a corresponding magnetic sensing unit 150 on the
firearm 100 can be maintained, and when the firearm 100 is pulled
out from the holster 200, the magnetic force therebetween suddenly
disappears to trigger a switch on the video recording device 110 to
automatically turn on the video recording device 110. In a further
embodiment, the corresponding magnetic sensing unit 150 can be
disposed directly on the video recording device 110. Thus, when the
user pulls out the firearm 100, the video recording device 110 will
be turned on to record the usage of the firearm 100.
[0023] When the user finishes using the firearm 100, the firearm
100 can be put back to the holster 200. At this time, the magnetic
force between the magnetic sensor 210 and the corresponding sensing
unit on the firearm 100 resumes to trigger the switch to
automatically turn off the video recording device 110.
[0024] In still a further embodiment, a mechanical sensor can be
used to automatically turn on/off the video recording device 110.
For example, when the firearm 100 is put back to the holster 200, a
mechanical sensor 220 in the holster 200 can be mechanically
engaged with a corresponding mechanical sensing unit 160 at the
firearm 100 or the video recording device 110 to automatically turn
on/off the video recording device 110. When the firearm 100 is
pulled out from the holster 200, the mechanical sensor 220
disengages with the corresponding mechanical sensing unit 160 to
turn on the video recording device 110 automatically. In another
embodiment, a light sensor 170 can be installed on the firearm 100
or the video recording device 110 to control on/off of the video
recording device 110. More specifically, when the firearm 100 is
pulled out from the holster 200, the light sensor 170 is triggered
due to the change of the light intensity of the environment to turn
on the recording unit 112. On the contrary, when the firearm 100 is
put back in the holster 200, the light sensor 170 can be triggered
to turn the video recording device 110 off because the environment
in the holster 200 is much darker than outside.
[0025] In another aspect, the video recording system for the
firearm in the present invention can synchronize with a body-worn
camera 300, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Body-worn cameras have been
widely used among police officers and may become more and more
popular after several incidents regarding the timing for the police
to use lethal weapons. As discussed above, when the firearm 100 is
pulled out from the holster 200, the recording unit 112 of the
video recording device 110 is configured to be turned on. In an
exemplary embodiment, the body-worn camera 300 is configured to
synchronize with the sensing unit, either through the magnetic
sensing unit 150, mechanical sensing unit 160, or light sensor 170.
Namely, when the sensing unit is triggered, the body-worn camera
300 can also be turned on remotely as well as the recording device
112. So, even if the recording unit 112 does not work properly, the
body-worn camera 300 can still be turned on to record the scene
simultaneously, and vice versa. Namely, when the firearm 100 is
pulled out, at least one video recording apparatus, either the
video recording device 110, or the body-worn camera 300, or both,
would be turned on. In another embodiment, the body-worn camera 300
can be manually turned on. In a further embodiment, the sensing
unit and the body-worn camera 300 are communicated through Wifi,
Bluetooth or infrared.
[0026] Having described the invention by the description and
illustrations above, it should be understood that these are
exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as
limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as
limited by the foregoing description, but includes any
equivalents.
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