Camera integrated firearm system and method

Abstract

A camera integrated firearm system replaces the original recoil spring and guide assembly of a firearm with a casing which includes a camera, a gunshot impact sensing and switching module, an image memory module, and output data ports. When the weapon is discharged, the sensing and switching module senses this discharge and immediately turns on the camera. The camera, utilizing ambient light plus the light generated by muzzle flash, i.e. the jet of fire exiting the barrel at the instant the bullet exits the weapon, takes and saves, in memory, a closely spaced sequential stream of digital photographs or, alternatively, video recordings. Using the data outputs, the images can then be downloaded for viewing.

1 . A firearm with a barrel and trigger, said firearm comprising:
 a highspeed camera;   means for sensing discharge of the firearm upon pulling the trigger and, upon sensing discharge of the firearm, actuating the camera for recording highspeed visual images;   means for storing the visual images;   means for retrieving said visual images;   casing means for enclosing the camera, the sensing and actuating means, and the image retrieving means; and   a recoil spring externally circumscribing the casing means, the casing means and recoil spring being located within the barrel of the firearm.   
   
   
       2 . The firearm as in  claim 1  further comprising means located within the casing means for powering the camera. 
   
   
       3 . The firearm as in  claim 2  wherein the means for powering comprises a battery. 
   
   
       4 . The firearm as in  claim 2  further comprising means located within the casing means to transfer power from the powering means to the sensing and actuating means, the camera, the means for storing the visual images, and the means for retrieving the visual images. 
   
   
       5 . The firearm as in  claim 4  wherein the means to transfer power comprises a power/data adapter. 
   
   
       6 . The firearm as in  claim 1  wherein the camera comprises a lens extending from the casing means. 
   
   
       7 . The firearm as in  claim 1  wherein the means for retrieving visual images comprises means for outputting data. 
   
   
       8 . A firearm recoil spring camera assembly for a firearm having a barrel and a trigger, said assembly comprising:
 a highspeed camera;   means for sensing the discharge of a firearm upon pulling its trigger and, upon sensing discharge, actuating the camera for recording highspeed visual images;   means for storing the visual images;   means for retrieving said visual images;   casing means for enclosing the camera, the sensing and actuating means, and the image retrieving means; and   a recoil spring externally circumscribing the casing means, the casing means and spring being configured to be positioned within the barrel of the firearm.   
   
   
       9 . The firearm assembly as in  claim 8  further comprising means for powering the camera located within the casing means. 
   
   
       10 . The firearm assembly as in  claim 9  wherein the means for powering comprises a battery. 
   
   
       11 . The firearm assembly as in  claim 9  further comprising means located within the casing means to transfer power from the powering means to the sensing and actuating means, the camera, the means for storing the visual images, and the means for retrieving the visual images. 
   
   
       12 . The firearm assembly as in  claim 11  wherein the means to transfer power comprises a power/data adapter. 
   
   
       13 . The firearm assembly as in  claim 8  wherein the camera comprises a lens extending from the casing means. 
   
   
       14 . The firearm assembly as in  claim 8  wherein the means for retrieving visual images comprises means for outputting data. 
   
   
       15 . A firearm with a barrel and trigger, said firearm comprising:
 a casing located in the barrel of the firearm;   a highspeed camera located within the casing;   a gunshot impact and switching module located within the casing, said module comprising means for sensing gunshots and means for switching on the camera;   memory means for storing visual images taken by the camera, said memory means being located within the casing; and   a recoil spring externally circumscribing the casing.   
   
   
       16 . The firearm as in  claim 15  further comprising means for powering the camera located within the casing. 
   
   
       17 . The firearm as in  claim 16  wherein the means for powering comprises a battery. 
   
   
       18 . The firearm as in  claim 16  further comprising means located within the casing to transfer power from the powering means to the module sensing and actuating means, the camera, the means for storing the visual images, and the means for retrieving the visual images. 
   
   
       19 . The firearm as in  claim 18  wherein the means to transfer power comprises a power/data adapter. 
   
   
       20 . The firearm as in  claim 15  wherein the camera comprises a lens extending from the casing. 
   
   
       21 . The firearm as in  claim 15  wherein the means for retrieving visual images comprises means for outputting data. 
   
   
       22 . A method for recording visual images simultaneously with the discharge of a firearm comprising the steps of:
 providing a firearm with a barrel and a trigger;   providing a casing having a highspeed camera;   positioning the casing within the barrel of the firearm;   pulling the trigger of the firearm to discharge said firearm;   sensing the discharge of the firearm from within the casing;   actuating the camera for recording highspeed visual images from within the casing;   storing the visual images recorded by the camera within the casing; and   retrieving said stored visual images from the casing.   
   
   
       23 . The method as in  claim 22  wherein a gunshot impact and switching module positioned within the casing senses the discharge of the firearm and actuates the camera.