COMBINED SPEED DETECTION, VIDEO AND TIMING APPARATUS

• US 20070257814A1
• Filed: 05/03/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scott K. Tilton, William Clifford Robinson
• Original Assignee: Scott K. Tilton, William Clifford Robinson
• Inventors: Tilton, Scott K., Robinson, William Clifford
• Granted Patent: US 8,446,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/36 Speed measurement by electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/054 photographing overspeeding vehicles

Abstract

A combination speed-detection, video-recording, and timing device that can be hand-held. The device contains one or more speed detection means, including, but not limited to, a radar detection or laser detection device. The device includes a camera able to capture video in digital form, and a timing device, similar in function to a stopwatch. The device is pointed at the object whose speed is to be measured, or the events to be recorded, and can be operated by means of a trigger on a handle. The device may further include a display, along with display controls. Storage means is used to store the speed, video and timer data. The device may contain its own power supply, or may be externally powered.

Claims

1. A speed-detection, video-imaging apparatus, comprising:

a barrel with a front and back,

a first speed-detection assembly mounted in or on said barrel, wherein said first speed-detection assembly is adapted to measure the speed of an object at which the front of the barrel is pointed;

a first video-camera assembly mounted in or on said barrel, wherein said first video-camera assembly is adapted to record video or still images, or both, of the object whose speed is being measured or the event being recorded;

a first timer disposed in or on said barrel; and

display means mounted in or on the back of said barrel, said display means adapted to display video images, speed data from the first speed-detection assembly, or timer data from the first timer, or a combination thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a handle attached to the barrel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the handle is permanently attached to the barrel.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the handle is removably attached to the barrel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second speed-detection assembly mounted in or on said barrel, wherein said second speed-detection assembly is adapted to measure the speed of the same object as the first speed-detection assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first speed-detection assembly is radar-based.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first speed-detection assembly is laser-based.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second speed-detection assembly is radar-based.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second speed-detection assembly is laser-based.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video image data is digital.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

display controls located near or adjacent to the display means.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display means comprises an LCD monitor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a CRT monitor.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising data storage means.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising power supply means.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a trigger on the handle, wherein said trigger is used to control the operation of the speed-detection assembly, video-camera assembly, or timer, or a combination thereof.

17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be hand-held by the user.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more operational controls adapted to control the operation of the speed-detection assembly, video-camera assembly, or timer, or a combination thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein one or more of said operational controls are located on a remote control unit in wired or wireless communication with the apparatus.