Firearm Barrel Safety Device with Integrated Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry-fire practice systems for firearms lack realism and accuracy, often requiring modifications to the firearm and relying on cumbersome video or wearable sensor setups that require human interpretation, and existing illuminators provide fleeting and difficult-to-identify virtual points of impact.
Innovation Solution
A smart safety contraption is mounted within a firearm's barrel, featuring an image capturing device and controller that captures images correlated with trigger motions, including a graphic element indicating a virtual point of impact, and communicates with endpoint devices for analysis and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video-based or wearable sensor-based systems are used to capture motion, then motion analysis capability is provided, but device complexity and requirement for human interpretation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image capturing function from complex external video systems or wearable sensors and integrates it directly into the firearm barrel as a simple, self-contained module. This eliminates the need for external equipment setup and reduces system complexity while maintaining motion analysis capability through the simplified image capture and processing mechanism.
2Loss of information
If existing illuminators are used to indicate virtual point of impact, then indication is provided, but the indication terminates rapidly and is difficult to identify
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing images at specific moments correlated with trigger motion before the impact occurs. The image capturing device takes snapshots that include the virtual point of impact indication, allowing the user to review and analyze the exact moment of intended impact. This eliminates the rapid termination problem by preserving the indication state in captured images for later examination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dry-fire practice systems modify firearm properties, then practice capability is provided, but realism is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a visual representation of the virtual point of impact within captured images rather than physically modifying the firearm. The image capturing device records the position and characteristics of the virtual impact point, providing feedback that replicates the experience of actual firing without changing the firearm's physical properties, thus maintaining realism.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart safety contraption for use with a firearm. The smart safety contraption includes of a tubular body adapted to fit into a barrel of the firearm. The tubular body having a front end having a first diameter and a back end having a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. At least part of the front end is positioned within the barrel directed to a muzzle of the firearm. The smart safety contraption further comprises an image capturing device installed within the front end and directed to objects located in front of the barrel. The smart safety contraption further includes a control unit adapted to cause an image to be captured by the image capturing device upon receiving an indication corresponding to, e.g. a motion of the trigger. The image may include a graphic element designed to indicate a virtual point of impact.