Device for bio-digiscopy

Abstract

Device for bio-digiscopy, characterized in that a rail (1) is provided, at the rear end of which a shoulder rest (4) is arranged and on the underside of which at least one handle (5) is arranged, wherein a holder (6) for an eyepiece (7) with a sighting device (8) is arranged on the upper side of the rail, wherein a holder (9) for a mobile telephone is arranged such that its lens is aligned with the eyepiece (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for biodigiscopy.

[0002] Digiscoping is the process of taking photographs through a spotting scope.

[0003] A spotting scope is a monocular telescope mounted on a tripod and allowing observations with a magnification of 30–50x. Binoculars were invented by spectacle polisher Hans Lipperhey and first built in 1608. They have been continually developed, and in particular, the advances in the 1990s in magnifying the exit pupils of eyepieces, along with the concurrent development of digital photography, led to what is now known as digiscoping. This has led photographers to become interested in telescopes, and birdwatchers to become interested in photography. Digiscopes are thus devices that combine a collapsible telescope with a digital camera, but can only be set up securely using heavy tripods.

[0004] Biodigiscopy refers to digiscopying in the field of biology, specifically of animals and plants. Especially in the biodigiscopying of animals, it is crucial to be able to follow the animal's movements with the biodigiscopy device in order to capture a sharp image. This is hardly possible with conventional biodigiscopy devices. Furthermore, these are very expensive to purchase.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for biodigiscopy with which the movement of animals can be easily followed and which is inexpensive to purchase.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the present invention in that a rail is provided, at the rear end of which a shoulder rest is arranged and at the underside of which at least one handle is arranged, wherein a holder for a sighting device is arranged on the upper side of the rail, wherein a holder for a mobile telephone is arranged such that its lens is aligned with the sighting device.

[0007] This device can be rested on the user's shoulder and held with one hand, making it easy to follow an animal's movements. Instead of a heavy camera, a significantly lighter mobile phone is used. In conjunction with the optically magnifying eyepiece, this provides sufficient magnification to capture sharp images even from a distance. The target is aimed at the object to be photographed using the sighting device, and the mobile phone's photo or video function is then activated.

[0008] The photographed animals or plants can be identified immediately using an identification app downloaded onto the mobile phone.

[0009] The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for birdwatching, bird counting, bird identification and small animal photography (butterflies, beetles, dragonflies, lizards, etc.) as well as for photo safaris.

[0010] A further development of the invention consists in that the rail is provided with grooves in the longitudinal direction so that the individual components of the device can be moved along it in order to assume the position desired by the user.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention is that the rail has at least one hinge for folding it together and securing means for holding the rail in the unfolded state.

[0012] This makes it easier to transport the device.

[0013] A further embodiment of the invention consists in that two handles are provided, one handle being arranged approximately centrally on the rail and the other handle being arranged in the region of the front end of the rail.

[0014] In this design, the device is supported at three points on the human body: the outstretched right arm, the right armpit, and the focusing left hand (vice versa for left-handed people).

[0015] Furthermore, it is advantageous that a holder for a remote shutter release for the mobile phone is arranged on one of the handles.

[0016] The remote shutter release allows you to operate the photo or video function of your mobile phone without having to remove your hand from the handles.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that a holder for a lamp or a flashlight is arranged in the front area of ​​the rail.

[0018] This also makes it possible to take pictures at dusk or at night.

[0019] Finally, it is also within the scope of the invention that a shoulder strap is provided for carrying the device.

[0020] This can be attached to the rail, for example, which can be provided with eyelets.

[0021] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0022] It shows Fig. 1 a perspective view of the device from the front, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the device from behind, Fig. 3 a side view of the device.

[0023] The device for biodigiscopy according to the invention comprises a rail 1, which in the present case has an approximately centrally located hinge 2 for folding the rail 1 during transport. The rail 1 can be held in the unfolded state by means of securing means (not shown) to prevent unwanted folding.

[0024] The rail 1 is provided with grooves 3 in the longitudinal direction, which are designed to accommodate the fastening means of the individual components of the device. This allows the components to be moved along the rail 1 as desired by the user.

[0025] A shoulder rest 4 is arranged at the rear end of the rail 1 (the end facing the user), and at least one handle 5 is arranged on the underside of the rail 1. If only one handle 5 is present, it is arranged in the region of the front end of the rail 1. Preferably, two handles 5 are provided, with one handle 5 being arranged approximately centrally on the rail 1 and the other handle 5 being arranged in the region of the front end of the rail 1.

[0026] On the top of the rail 1 is a holder 6 for an eyepiece 7 with a sighting device 8—in this case arranged on it. A holder 9 for a mobile phone is arranged so that its lens is aligned with the eyepiece 7. The eyepiece 7 can be, for example, an 8x25 Minox macroscope. It is very compact, only 9.2 cm long, weighs 150 g, and can be used from a close range of 35 cm at 8x magnification. For comparison: The well-known Leica 400 mm Leitz-Telyt telephoto lens, also with 8x magnification, is much longer and heavier, namely 42 cm long and weighs 1.5 kg. It is waterproof, has a good twilight factor, and has a good exit pupil. Since the magnification achieved with it is optically achieved, the resolution is extremely rich in detail. This is important because only the optical zoom, not the digital zoom, provides truly improved resolution.

[0027] To be able to trigger the mobile phone without removing the hand from the handles 5, one of the handles 5 has a holder 10 for a remote shutter release, via which the mobile phone can be triggered, i.e., its photo or video function can be switched on or off. This holder 10 for a remote shutter release can be arranged, as shown here, on the front handle 5 or on the other handle 5.

[0028] In the front area of ​​the rail 1 there is a holder 11 for a lamp or a flashlight to illuminate the surroundings at dusk or at night.

[0029] A shoulder strap (not shown) may be provided to facilitate carrying the device.

Claims

[1] Device for bio-digiscopy, characterized by that a rail (1) is provided, at the rear end of which a shoulder rest (4) is arranged and on the underside of which at least one handle (5) is arranged, wherein a holder (6) for an eyepiece (7) with a sighting device (8) is arranged on the upper side of the rail, wherein a holder (9) for a mobile telephone is arranged such that its lens is aligned with the eyepiece (7). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the rail (1) is provided with grooves (3) in the longitudinal direction, so that the at least one handle (5), the holder (6) and the holder (9) for the mobile telephone can be moved on it in order to assume the position desired by the user. [3] Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized bythat the rail (1) has at least one hinge (2) for folding it together and securing means for holding the rail (1) in the unfolded state. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that two handles (5) are provided, one handle (5) being arranged approximately centrally on the rail (1) and the other handle (5) being arranged in the region of the front end of the rail (1). [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that a holder (10) for a remote shutter release for the mobile phone is arranged on one of the handles (5). [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a holder (11) for a lamp or flash unit is arranged in the front area of ​​the rail (1). [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that a shoulder strap is provided for carrying the device.

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