Trail camera with interchangeable hardware modules

Abstract

A trail camera having hardware modules captures one or more images of wildlife or other objects in outdoor or other environments. The trail camera is compatible with various hardware modules that are removably attached to provide various functionality. Each hardware module may include various hardware features including image storage, power supply, communication, and image processing capabilities. This allows a user to select one or more hardware modules he or she desires to suit particular needs, environment, or use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trail camera comprising:
 a first module comprising a first enclosure and one or more cameras, wherein the one or more cameras capture one or more images when wildlife is detected; and   a second module comprising:
 a second enclosure comprising one or more mounts for mounting the trail camera to a structure and one or more channels; 
 one or more power sources; and 
 an interface that transmits power from the one or more power sources to the first module, the interface at a bottom end of the second enclosure; 
   wherein the first module and the second module are removably attached to one another by slidably engaging a portion of the first enclosure with the one or more channels;   wherein the first enclosure is external to the second enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The trail camera of  claim 1 , wherein when the one or more channels extend vertically at an exterior portion of the second enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The trail camera of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mounts and the one or more channels are at opposing sides of the second enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The trail camera of  claim 1 , wherein the first module comprises one or more illuminators. 
     
     
         5 . The trail camera of  claim 1 , wherein the first module comprises one or more communication devices that transmit the one or more images to one or more external devices. 
     
     
         6 . The trail camera of  claim 1 , wherein the first module comprises one or more storage devices that store the one or more images. 
     
     
         7 . The trail camera of  claim 1 , wherein the second enclosure comprises one or more compartments that house the one or more power sources. 
     
     
         8 . A trail camera comprising:
 a first module comprising a first enclosure and one or more cameras, wherein the one or more cameras capture one or more images when wildlife is detected; and   a second module comprising:
 a second enclosure comprising one or more mounts for mounting the trail camera to a structure and one or more attachments, wherein the one or more attachments consist of one or more flanges or channels at an exterior portion of the second enclosure; 
 one or more power sources; and 
 an interface that transmits power from the one or more power sources to the first module, the interface positioned below at least one of the one or more attachments; 
   wherein the first module and the second module are removably attached to one another by engaging a portion of the first enclosure with the one or more attachments;   wherein the first enclosure is external to the second enclosure.   
     
     
         9 . The trail camera of  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the first enclosure and the one or more attachments form a barrier above the interface when the first module and the second module are removably attached to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The trail camera of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more mounts and the one or more attachments are at opposing sides of the second enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The trail camera of  claim 8 , wherein the first module comprises one or more illuminators. 
     
     
         12 . The trail camera of  claim 8 , wherein the first module comprises one or more communication devices that transmit the one or more images to one or more external devices. 
     
     
         13 . The trail camera of  claim 8 , wherein the first module comprises one or more storage devices that store the one or more images. 
     
     
         14 . The trail camera of  claim 8 , wherein the second enclosure comprises one or more compartments that house the one or more power sources. 
     
     
         15 . A method for assembling a trail camera comprising:
 providing a first module comprising a first enclosure and one or more cameras, wherein the one or more cameras capture one or more images when wildlife is detected;   providing a second module comprising:
 a second enclosure comprising one or more mounts for mounting the trail camera to a structure and one or more channels; 
 one or more power sources; and 
 an interface that transmits power from the one or more power sources to the first module, the interface at a bottom end of the second enclosure; and 
   removably attaching the first module to the second module by slidably engaging a portion of the first enclosure with the one or more channels;   wherein the first enclosure is external to the second enclosure.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising attaching the trail camera to an outdoor structure via the one or more mounts. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein when the one or more channels extend vertically at an exterior portion of the second enclosure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more mounts and the one or more channels are at opposing sides of the second enclosure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first module comprises one or more illuminators. 
     
     
         20 . The trail camera of  claim 1 , wherein the second enclosure comprises one or more compartments that house the one or more power sources.