Combined speed detection, video and timing apparatus

• US 8,446,467 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2007
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jr., William Clifford Robinson, Scott K. Tilton
• Original Assignee: Jr., William Clifford Robinson
• Inventors: Tilton, Scott K., Robinson, William Clifford Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moise, Emmanuel L
• Assistant Examiner(s): DRABIK, SARAH E
• Application Number:
  US11/743,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20070257814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,210 Days
• Field of Search: 340901-905, 340/933, 340936-938, 340463-467, 348155-159, 702142-143, 701/117, 701/119, 382104-107, 342/104, 342/115
• US Class Current: 348/143
• 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, wherein the front of the barrel is pointed at an object traveling at a speed;

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

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

a control or controls for operating said first speed-detection assembly and said first video-camera assembly;

a first stop-watch timer disposed in or on said barrel, with stop-watch start, stop and reset functions operable through stop-watch controls, wherein said stop-watch controls are separate from said first speed-detection assembly and first video-camera assembly controls, further wherein the stop-watch timer is adapted to display a stop-watch timing function and is not used to calculate or measure the speed of the object; and

a display mounted in or on the back of said barrel to display video images, speed data from the first speed-detection assembly, or timer data from the first stop-watch 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 removably attached to the barrel.

4. 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.

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

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second speed-detection assembly is radar-based.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second speed-detection assembly is laser-based.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video images are digital in format.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

display controls located near or adjacent to the display.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display comprises an LCD or CRT monitor.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a data storage device, disc or drive.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a trigger on the handle, wherein said trigger is used to control the operation of both the first speed-detection assembly and the first video-camera assembly.

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

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of said operational controls for the first speed-detection assembly, first video-camera assembly, or first stop-watch timer, or a combination thereof, are located on a remote control unit in wired or wireless communication therewith.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a first trigger on the handle, said first trigger used to control the operation of the first speed-detection assembly, and a second trigger on the handle, said second trigger used to control the operation of the video-camera assembly.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a USB port in the barrel.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Bluetooth communications device.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video images or speed data, or both, are encrypted.