Abstract:
An indicator light for filming is provided having a button wirelessly coupled to an illumination device. The button is placed on a camera while the illumination device is placed on the barrel of a gun. The button is depressed on the camera to indicate that the shooter is free to take the shot.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to alerting system further including an indicator light assembly adapted to be mounted to a firearm, a switch adapted to be mounted to a recording device; and a wireless communication between the indicator light assembly and switch. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hunting is a sport that requires stealth. Documentation of sporting events, especially through pictorial and video recording, requires communication and coordination. Communicating and coordinating with others while maintaining a stealthy composure proves to be difficult in most situations. The two (2) activities tend to be mutually exclusive, forcing those engaging in such activities concurrently to exercise discretion as to when to exploit the effects of one activity and when to compromise the effects of the other. Most sports do not require the level of stealth associated with hunting, making it extremely difficult for a documenter to coordinate with the hunter or even have the hunter telegraph his intentions. It is similarly difficult for a hunter to know if the documenter has obtained a vantage point of view to adequately record the hunter&#39;s actions before the hunter takes such action. 
     Current methods of communication between a hunter and a documenter are conducted through voice commands and hand signals. Both methods compromise a hunter&#39;s stealthy composure and are limiting in that the documenter must be within an adequate range of sight/acoustics for such communications to be effective. Other methods of distant communication either further compromise stealth or are cost-prohibitive. It is desirous to have a device to enable a hunter and documenter to covertly communicate in order to achieve proper documentation of the hunter&#39;s hunt. It would be beneficial for this device to be of light-weight, compact, retrofittable to existing equipment, and cost effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an indicator light and signaling system for covert communication between a hunter and a documenter while performing documentation through filming. The system comprises a camera button assembly and an indicator light assembly. The camera button assembly further comprises of a plate, a bottom surface, a first set of internal electrical components, a battery, and a signal transmitter. The bottom surface is provided with a first fastening means. The indicator light further comprises of a translucent dome, a light source, a base, a second set of internal electrical components, a battery, and a signal receiver. The base is further provided with a second fastening means. 
     The camera button is attached to an existing camera of the documenter. The indicator light is removably attached to an existing firearm. The documenter depresses the camera button thereby emitting a wireless signal. The indicator light receiver detects the signal and converts it to electrical current to illuminate the light source. The illuminated light informs the hunter that the documenter is in a proper position and is ready to record a hunter&#39;s action. A second embodiment is to have an indicator light without a base and to have the indicator light embedded into a rifle scope. A third embodiment is to have a remote hand-held signal transmitter as the camera button rather than having the button affixed to a side of a camera. 
     Hunters and documenters wishing to document the sport of hunting through pictorial and video recording techniques must have a means to communicate and coordinate activities without compromising the stealthy composure of the hunter. This means of communication should be simplistically effective and covert, in that the hunter&#39;s prey should not be alerted or aware of such communication. The development of the present invention fulfills that need. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an indicator light for filming  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of a camera button  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is another upper perspective view of the camera button  20  depicting a depressed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the camera button  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a broken away perspective view of the camera button  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of an indicator light  50  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the indicator light  50  depicting a strap  64 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective view of the indicator light  50  depicting placement of the strap  64 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an electric block diagram of the indicator light for filming  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternate indicator light  76 , according to an alternate embodiment  70  of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a remote  80 , according to an alternate embodiment  70  of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 12  is an electric block diagram of the alternate indicator light  76 , according to an alternate embodiment  70  of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  indicating light for filming 
               11  camera 
               12  hunter 
               13  existing firearm 
               14  illumination 
               20  camera button 
               22  body 
               24  plate 
               26  bottom surface 
               28  spring 
               30  camera button circuitry 
               32  camera button battery 
               34  transmitter 
               40  signal 
               50  indicator light 
               52  dome 
               54  base 
               56  slot 
               58  light-emitting diode 
               60  indicator light battery 
               62  receiver 
               64  strap 
               66  fastener 
               70  alternate embodiment 
               72  purchased firearm 
               74  scope 
               76  alternate indicator light 
               80  remote 
               82  remote switch 
               84  aperture 
               86  key ring 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 9  and alternately within  FIGS. 10 through 12 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     The present invention describes an indicating light for filming (herein described as the “system”)  10 , which provides a wireless signaling apparatus to alert a hunter  12  that a potential game target is being recorded by a camera  11 . In other words, the system  10  enables a camera operator to inform a hunter  12  that the hunted game is in the camera&#39;s  11  frame and the hunter  12  may take the a shot and it will be recorded by the camera  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system  10  comprises a camera button  20  and an indicator light  50 . The camera button  20  is attached to an existing camera  11  or other similar video recording device. The indicator light  50  is removably attached to an existing firearm  13  in a location that easily is seen by the hunter  12 . In use when the camera button  20  is activated a signal  40  is sent to the indicator light  50  to visually inform the hunter  12  via an illumination  14  that a shot may be taken and said shot will be video recorded. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 5 , various views of the camera button  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The camera button  20  comprises a cylindrical body  22  further comprising a plate  24 , bottom surface  26 , and internal electrical components. The plate  24  provides an operating means to the camera button  20 . The plate  24  operates via a spring  28  which enables the camera button  20  to activate and transmit the signal  40  to the indicator light  50 . The spring  28  is attached to camera button circuitry  30  which electrically interconnects the spring  28  to a camera button battery  32  and a transmitter  34 . The camera button circuitry  30  is comprised of a printed circuit board which retains the camera button battery  32  and the transmitter  34 . The camera button battery  32  is preferably a long lasting disc-type battery which supplies the camera button  20  with current to operate. The transmitter  34  preferably utilizes radio frequencies to transmit the signal  40 , yet it is known that other communication signals may be utilized without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     A bottom surface  26  of the body  22  of the camera button  20  includes a fastening means such as a tacky surface, magnetic surface, or the like which either permanently or temporarily attaches the camera button  20  to the camera  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 through 8 , various views of the indicator light  50 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed.  FIG. 6  depicts an upper perspective view of the indicator light  50 ,  FIG. 7  depicts a bottom perspective view of the indicator light  50  depicting the strap  64 , and  FIG. 8  depicts another perspective view of the indicator light  50  depicting placement of the strap  64 . The indicator light  50  comprises a dome  52 , a base  54 , and other electrical components. The dome  52  enables illumination  14  of a light-emitting diode  58  to shine through, thereby alerting the hunter  12 . The dome  52  is preferably fabricated from a translucent plastic and is integral to the base  54 . The base  54  is cylindrical and is preferably comprised of a magnetic material which enables the indicator light  50  to be removably attached to a magnetic portion of the existing firearm  13 . The base  54  also comprises a pair of opposing slots  56 . The slots  56  enable a textile strap  64  to be inserted. Opposing end portions of the strap  64  include a fastener  66  such as a hook-and-loop fastener which enables the strap  64  to encompass and fasten around a desired item or portion of the existing firearm  13  in lieu of utilizing the magnetic base  54 . The width of the strap  64  is slightly smaller than the inner width of the slots  56  to enable insertion. 
     Within the base  54  are the light-emitting diode  58 , an indicator light battery  60 , and a receiver  62 . The light-emitting diode  58  is a common light source which creates an illumination  14  when the signal  40  is received by the receiver  62 . The indicator light battery  60  is similar to the camera button battery  32  and supplies current to the indicator light  50 . The receiver  62  intercepts the radio frequency signal  40  sent by the transmitter  34  and converts the signal  40  to the illumination  14  of the light-emitting diode  58 , thereby visually alerting the hunter  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an electric block diagram of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. When the plate  24  is depressed on the camera button  20 , current is sent via the camera button battery  32  to the transmitter  30  to transmit the signal  40 . The receiver  62  intercepts the signal  40  and the light-emitting diode  58  illuminates  14  and alerts the hunter  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a side view of the alternate indicator light  76 ,  FIG. 11 , a perspective view of a remote  80 , according to the alternate embodiment  70  of the present invention, and  FIG. 12 , an electrical block diagram of the alternate indicator light  76 , are disclosed. An alternate embodiment  70  may also be manufactured enables a hunter  12  to purchase a firearm  72  which was manufactured with an alternate indicator light  76  upon a scope  74  which produces an illumination  14 . The alternate indicator light  76  operates identical to the abovementioned indicator light  50  and comprises electrical components as abovementioned, yet does not include the base  54 . The alternate embodiment  70  also includes a remote  80  which would be given to the camera operator. The remote  80  operates identical to the camera button  20  and comprises electrical components as abovementioned, but provides a handheld device including a remote switch  82  which activates the transmitter  34  to transmit the signal  40 . The remote  80  also comprises an aperture  84  to attach a key ring  86 , thereby enabling the remote  80  to be suspended from a desired item. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the system  10 ; attaching the bottom surface  26  of the camera button  20  onto an accessible surface of a camera  11 ; attaching the indicator light  50  onto an existing firearm  13  via the magnetic base  54  or the strap  64 ; enabling the camera operator to depress the plate  24 , thereby transmitting a signal  40  via the transmitter  34 ; enabling the receiver  62  to intercept the signal  40  and activate the light-emitting diode  58 , thereby alerting the hunter  12  via the illumination  14  that the camera operator has the game in the frame and the shot may be executed; utilizing the system  10  as desired; and, providing the ability to easily capture the hunting process on camera  11 , without the possibility of scaring the game away, in a manner which is not only quick, easy, and effective, but foolproof as well. 
     The alternate embodiment  70  of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     The method of utilizing the alternate embodiment  70  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a purchased firearm  72  which comprises a scope including an alternate indicator light  76 ; acquiring the remote  80  and ensuring the camera operator is given the remote  80 ; enabling the camera operator to depress the remote switch  82 , thereby transmitting the signal  40  via the transmitter  34 ; enabling the receiver  62  to intercept the signal  40  and activate the light-emitting diode  58 , thereby alerting the hunter  12  via the illumination  14  that the camera operator has the game in the frame and the shot may be executed; utilizing the alternate embodiment  70  as desired; suspending the remote  80  via the key ring  86  as desired; and, providing the ability to easily capture the hunting process on camera  11 , without the possibility of scaring the game away, in a manner which is not only quick, easy, and effective, but foolproof as well. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.