Digital video recording flashlight
The present invention encompasses a flashlight device ( 10 ) that is capable of recording, storing, and replaying video images. The flashlight ( 10 ) comprises a light source ( 70 ) adapted to emit minimal levels of infrared light and a video sensor ( 80 ) adapted to convert images into an electronic signal. The flashlight device ( 10 ) also includes a control module ( 210 ) adapted to receive the electronic signal from the video sensor ( 80 ) and to store the images in a memory ( 280 ). A system that includes a monitor 370 or a computer 380 for utilizing such a flashlight device ( 10 ) is also disclosed.
1 . A flashlight device comprising:
a light source adapted to emit minimal levels of infrared light;
a video sensor adapted to convert images into an electronic signal; and
an control module adapted to receive the electronic signal from the video sensor and to store the images.
2 . The flashlight device of claim 1 wherein the light source is a solid state emitter.
3 . The flashlight device of claim 1 wherein the control module further includes an infrared filter.
4 . The flashlight device of claim 1 wherein the control module includes memory for storing the images.
5 . The flashlight device of claim 4 wherein the memory is removable.
6 . The flashlight device of claim 1 further including a microphone for recording audio signals and wherein the control module is adapted to receive the electronic signals from the microphone and to store the audio signals.
7 . The flashlight device of claim 1 wherein the control module include a digital signal processor.
8 . The flashlight device of claim 1 further including a power supply.
9 . The flashlight device of claim 8 wherein the power supply is rechargeable.
10 . A system for recording and displaying video images, the system comprising:
a handheld flashlight having a light source adapted to emit minimal levels of infrared light, a video sensor adapted to convert images into an electronic signal, and a control module adapted to receive the electronic signal from the video sensor, to store the images, and to produce an electronic signal representing the stored images; and
a computer operable to communicate with the control module, to receive the electronic signal produce by the control module, and to display the images represented by that electronic signal.
11 . The system of claim 10 further including a cradle shaped to receive the handheld flashlight, the cradle adapted to allow the control module to communicate with the computer.
12 . The system of claim 10 wherein the flashlight further comprises a power supply and cradle is further adapted to allow charging of the flashlight power supply.
13 . The system of claim 10 wherein the control module includes memory.
14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the memory of the control module contains a password required from a user before the user is allowed access to the memory.
15 . The system of claim 10 wherein the computer is operable to direct the control module to download image from the control module to the computer.
16 . The system of claim 10 wherein the flashlight light source is a solid state emitter.
17 . A system for recording and displaying video, the system comprising:
a handheld flashlight having a light source adapted to emit minimal levels of infrared light, a video sensor adapted to convert images into an electronic signal, and a control module adapted to receive the electronic signal from the video sensor, to store the images, and to produce an electronic signal representing the stored images; and
a monitor operable to receive the electronic signal produced by the control module and to display the images represented by that electronic signal.
18 . The system of claim 17 wherein the control module includes memory containing programming instructions for producing a menu on the monitor.
19 . The system of claim 18 further including a plurality of push buttons coupled to the control module and wherein the control module interprets the state of the push buttons to navigate through the menu.
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein the flashlight light source is a solid state emitter.