# US 2017/0257552 A1 · Radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0257552 A1 - Document ID: US20170257552A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/059,427 - Filed: 2016-03-03 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-03 - Inventors: Donald Kennair, JR. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170257552A1 ## CPC - H04N 23/66: Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices - F41A 19/09: Auxiliary trigger devices (F41A19/08 takes precedence) - H04N 7/181: {for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources} - H04N 7/188: {Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position (signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253)} - F41A 17/063: {comprising a transponder} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - F41A: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE ## Abstract A radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus and method for transmitting a radio-frequency signal coordinated with the pulling of a trigger on a weapon such as a firearm, causing cameras on the weapon, the shooter's person, nearby persons or vehicles, and nearby fixed-position cameras to activate, if needed, to flag photographs and videos taken, and optionally to log and notify an appropriate authority of the pulling of the trigger. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus and method for a weapon having a trigger, comprising: (i) a signal-transmitting unit, comprising: (a) a power source adapted to fit unobtrusively in or on the weapon and to provide power for occasional brief short-range radio-frequency transmissions; (b) a trigger-pull sensor adapted to activate upon a predetermined amount of trigger pull; and (c) a radio-frequency transmitter adapted to transmit a brief short-range radio-frequency signal, using power from said power source, upon activation of said trigger-pull sensor; and (ii) at least one signal-receiving unit, comprising: (a) a radio-frequency receiver adapted receive a signal from said radio-frequency transmitter, and to control a camera by activating the camera if activation is needed, and by flagging photos and videos taken at the time of receipt of the signal; where the signal from said radio-frequency transmitter causes all cameras within range of the radio-frequency signal and equipped with said radio-frequency receiver to become activated if not already activated, and causes all photos and videos captured by the cameras to be flagged for the purposes of identification and preservation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where said radio-frequency transmitter is further adapted to include identifying information in the radio-frequency signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where at least one said radio-frequency receiver is further adapted to log and relay the signal to an appropriate authority. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where the predetermined amount of trigger pull to activate said trigger-pull sensor is less than the amount needed to fire the weapon. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where the predetermined amount of trigger pull to activate said trigger-pull sensor is essentially equal to the amount needed to fire the weapon. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where said trigger-pull sensor is further adapted to activate in a first mode by an amount of trigger pull less than needed to fire the weapon, and to activate in a second mode by an amount of trigger pull essentially equal to the amount needed to fire the weapon. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where said radio-frequency transmitter is further adapted to transmit a first-mode signal upon first-mode activation of said trigger-pull sensor, and a different second-mode signal upon second mode activation of said trigger-pull sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a trigger lock adapted to prevent firing of the weapon if said radio-frequency transmitter is rendered inactive. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where said radio-frequency trigger signal system is used by military or law-enforcement personnel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus of claim 1, where said radio-frequency trigger signal system is made mandatory and used to capture unlawful use of weapons. ### Claim 11 A radio-frequency trigger signal system method for weapons having a trigger, comprising: (i) providing a radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus, comprising: (a) a signal-transmitting unit, comprising: (1) a power source adapted to fit unobtrusively in or on the weapon and to provide power for occasional brief short-range radio-frequency transmissions; (2) a trigger-pull sensor adapted to activate upon a predetermined amount of trigger pull; and (3) a radio-frequency transmitter adapted to transmit a brief short-range radio-frequency signal, using power from said power source, upon activation of said trigger-pull sensor; and (b) a signal-receiving unit, comprising: (1) at least one radio-frequency receiver adapted receive a signal from said radio-frequency transmitter, and to control a camera by activating the camera if activation is needed, and by flagging photos and videos taken at the time of receipt of the signal; where the signal from said radio-frequency transmitter causes all cameras within range of the radio-frequency signal and equipped with said radio-frequency receiver to become activated if not already activated, and causes all photos and videos captured by the cameras to be flagged for the purposes of identification and preservation; and (ii) using said radio-frequency trigger signal system apparatus for capture and identification of photos and videos relevant to the pulling of the trigger of a weapon. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where said radio-frequency transmitter is further adapted to include identifying information in the radio-frequency signal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where at least one said radio-frequency receiver is further adapted to log and relay the signal to an appropriate authority. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where the predetermined amount of trigger pull to activate said trigger-pull sensor is less than the amount needed to fire the weapon. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where the predetermined amount of trigger pull to activate said trigger-pull sensor is essentially equal to the amount needed to fire the weapon. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where said trigger-pull sensor is further adapted to activate in a first mode by an amount of trigger pull less than needed to fire the weapon, and to activate in a second mode by an amount of trigger pull essentially equal to the amount needed to fire the weapon. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where said radio-frequency transmitter is further adapted to transmit a first-mode signal upon first-mode activation of said trigger-pull sensor, and a different second-mode signal upon second mode activation of said trigger-pull sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, further comprising a trigger lock adapted to prevent firing of the weapon if said radio-frequency transmitter is rendered inactive. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where said radio-frequency trigger signal system is used by military or law-enforcement personnel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The radio-frequency trigger signal system method of claim 11, where said radio-frequency trigger signal system is made mandatory and used to capture unlawful use of weapons.