#1468: PointerShoot

Handguns are frequently equipped these days with a glorified laser pointer: so that even those users of firearms who can’t aim, can’t miss.

Today’s invention is a peaceful adaptation of this technology.

A point-and-shoot or cellphone camera is equipped with a small laser pointer. This has a beam splitter which sends a spot of light to show where each of the four corners of the image will be.

A user can thus compose their shot without having to inspect a display. When the shutter release is pressed, the dots are extinguished.

Pictures can therefore be taken without drawing attention to the photographer and the battery drain associated with running a large display screen is also massively reduced.