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.

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.