Laser designation verification tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10704865-B2
Application number	US-201715669640-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2017
Priority date	Aug 4, 2017
Publication date	Jul 7, 2020
Grant date	Jul 7, 2020

Abstract

Techniques are provided for a laser designation verification device and a method of laser designation verification using the device. The laser designation verification device includes: a lens to sense a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; an electronic processing element to decode the sensed first reflection into a first code; and a portable electronic annunciator to provide identification of the first target to an operator of the device based on the decoded first reflection. The method includes: sensing a first reflection using the lens, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target; decoding the sensed first reflection into a first code using the processing element; and providing, by the annunciator to an operator of the device, identification of the first target based on the decoded first reflection.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A laser designation verification device comprising:
a lens to receive a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target;
an electronic processing element to decode the first reflection into a first code, wherein the electronic processing element includes a single avalanche photodiode (APD);
a portable electronic annunciator to provide identification of the first target based on the first reflection detected by the single APD;
a power source; and
a housing to secure the lens, the electronic processing element, the portable electronic annunciator and the power source without any external electrical or wireless connectivity, and
wherein the laser designation verification device is a standalone device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the lens receives a second reflection, the second reflection coming from an encoded second laser beam reflecting off a second target,
the processing element decodes the second reflection into a second code different than the first code, and
the annunciator provides identification of the second target based on the second reflection.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the lens receives a second reflection, the second reflection coming from the first laser beam reflecting off a second target,
the processing element decodes the second reflection into the first code, and
the annunciator provides identification of the second target based on the second reflection.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the processing element determines a direction of the first target from the first reflection, and
the annunciator provides the direction of the first target.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the processing element determines a strength of the first reflection, and
the annunciator provides the strength of the first reflection.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a battery to power the device as the power source; and
a power switch to turn the device on and off;
wherein the housing secures the battery and the power switch.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the identification comprises the first code,
the annunciator comprises a multi-digit display to display the first code, and
the annunciator displays the first code on the multi-digit display.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein
the processing element determines a target count from the decoded first reflection, and
the annunciator displays the target count.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the annunciator comprises an audible indicator or a visual display.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the lens provides a wide angle forward view.

11. A method of laser designation verification using a standalone device comprising a lens, an electronic processing element, and a portable electronic annunciator in a housing, wherein the electronic processing element includes a single avalanche photodiode (APD), an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a microprocessor, the method comprising:
receiving a first reflection using the lens, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target, wherein the single APD detects the first reflection and converting to a digital signal by the ADC;
decoding the digital signal from the first reflection into a first code using the microprocessor; and
providing, by the annunciator, identification of the first target based on the first reflection without any external electrical or wireless connectivity.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving a second reflection using the lens, the second reflection coming from an encoded second laser beam reflecting off a second target;
decoding the second reflection into a second code using the processing element, the second code being different than the first code; and
providing, by the annunciator, identification of the second target based on the decoded second reflection.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving a second reflection using the lens, the second reflection coming from the first laser beam reflecting off a second target;
decoding the second reflection into the first code using the processing element; and
providing, by the annunciator, identification of the second target based on the decoded second reflection.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining a direction of the first target from the first reflection using the processing element; and
providing, by the annunciator, the direction of the first target.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
determining a strength of the first target from the first reflection using the processing element; and
providing, by the annunciator, the strength of the first reflection.

16. A portable standalone laser designation verification tool comprising:
a lens to receive a first reflection, the first reflection coming from an encoded first laser beam reflecting off a first target;
an electronic processing device to decode the first reflection into a first code, wherein the electronic processing device comprises a single avalanche photodiode (APD), an analog to digital converter, and a microprocessor;
an electronic annunciator to provide a target device count, the target count comprising the first target;
a battery to power the tool; and
a housing to secure the lens, the processing device, the annunciator, and the battery into a portable package, wherein the lens is on a first side of the housing and the annunciator is on a second side of the housing, without any external electrical or wireless connectivity.

17. The tool of claim 16 , wherein
the lens receives a second reflection, the second reflection coming from an encoded second laser beam reflecting off a second target,
the processing device decodes the second reflection into a second code different than the first code, and
the annunciator provides the target count or the second code, the target count further comprising the second target.

18. The tool of claim 16 , wherein
the lens senses a second reflection, the second reflection coming from the first laser beam reflecting off a second target,
the processing device decodes the sensed second reflection into the first code, and
the annunciator provides the target count, the target count further comprising the second target.

Assignees

• Bae Sys Inf & Elect Sys Integ

Inventors

• Steenson Jr James H
• Janiak Derek P

Classifications

• F41G7/301

  Details · CPC title

• F41G7/2293

  using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves · CPC title

• F41G7/226

  Semi-active homing systems, i.e. comprising a receiver and involving auxiliary illuminating means, e.g. using auxiliary guiding missiles · CPC title

• F41G7/007 Primary

  Preparatory measures taken before the launching of the guided missiles · CPC title

• F41G7/001 Primary

  Devices or systems for testing or checking · CPC title