Photographic firearm apparatus and method

• US 6,792,206 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2003
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Town of Markham
• Original Assignee: Town of Markham
• Inventors: Gordon, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US10/250,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20030180038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 396/502, 396/263, 396/426, 396/429, 348/143, 348/552, 348/61
• US Class Current: 396/263
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/38 Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance telescopic sights in general G02B; Supports or mountings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/54 Devices for testing or checking ; Tools for adjustment of sights
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

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.

Claims

1. A method for recording photographs in connection with the firing of a firearm, comprising the steps of:

detecting a time zero when live ammunition is actually discharged from the firearm;

saving at least one photographic image frame of an image of a target based upon detecting said time zero; and

detecting said time zero without directly engaging a trigger of said firearm.

2. The method of claim 1, said step of detecting said time zero comprising the step of:

detecting a recoil of said firearm when said firearm is fired.

3. The method of claim 1, said step of detecting said time zero comprising the step of:

detecting a sound of said firearm when said firearm is fired.

4. The method of claim 1, said step of detecting said time zero comprising the step of:

integrally detecting said time zero and saving said at least one photographic image frame using a firearm scope.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said firearm scope is separate from said firearm, further comprising the step of:

attaching and detaching said firearm scope to and from said firearm.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

using a firearm comprising said firearm scope integral thereto.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining a travel time of ammunition fired by said firearm, from firing to impact with said target; and

saving said at least one photographic image frame of said image additionally based upon said travel time.

8. A photographic firearm apparatus, comprising:

firing detecting means for detecting a time zero when live ammunition is actually discharged from the firearm to which said apparatus is attached; and

image saving means for saving at least one photographic image frame of an image of a target based upon detecting said time zero;

wherein;

said firing detecting means omits any direct engagement with a trigger of said firearm.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, said firing detecting means comprising:

an acceleration detector detecting a recoil of said firearm when said firearm is fired.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, said firing detecting means comprising:

an acoustic detector detecting a sound of said firearm when said firearm is fired.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, in combination with a firearm scope:

said firearm scope comprising said apparatus integral thereto.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said firearm scope is separate from, and attachable and detachable to and from, said firearm.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, in further combination with said firearm:

said firearm comprising said firearm scope integral thereto.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

travel time determination means for determining a travel time of ammunition fired by said firearm, from firing to impact with said target; and

said image saving means for saving said at least one photographic image frame additionally based upon said travel time.

15. A method for recording photographs in connection with the firing of a firearm, comprising the steps of:

detecting an actual discharge of live ammunition from the firearm;

saving at least one photographic image frame of an image of a target based upon detecting said actual discharge;

integrally detecting said actual discharge and saving said at least one photographic image frame using said firearm; and

detecting said actual discharge without directly engaging a trigger of said firearm.

16. A photographic firearm apparatus in combination with a firearm, comprising:

firing detecting means for detecting an actual discharge of live ammunition from the firearm to which said apparatus is attached;

image saving means for saving at least one photographic image frame of an image of a target based upon detecting said actual discharge;

said firearm comprising said firing detecting means and said image saving means integral thereto; and

said firing detecting means omitting any direct engagement with a trigger of said firearm.