Patent Application
20150062886
The present invention relates to a helmet-mounted or helmet-integrated combination marker light and active “Identification Friend or Foe” (IFF) infrared laser acquisition and response device.
The device is a combination helmet-mounted or helmet-integrated marker light and active “Identification Friend or Foe” (IFF) infrared acquisition and response device that provides acquisition and processing of an incoming infrared (IR) laser IFF interrogation and then sends one or more user-defined responses to either or both the interrogator and the user/wearer. The device combines multiple passive visible and infrared marking/emission capabilities (also referred herein as “functions”) with the ability to acquire and recognize interrogation from remote infrared (IR) lasers (usually weapon or vehicle-mounted) and to provide automatic responses that provide both an infrared “I am friendly—do not shoot” signal to the interrogator and a tactile, visual or aural notification to the user/wearer that he/she has been interrogated. The marking/emission capability of the device is multi-mode and multi-functional with dual user-selectable operating modes and at least two user-selectable functions within each operating mode; the “IFF” capability of the device is user-defined to respond to user-selected, specific IR laser interrogation devices or other devices that provide means to interrogate with user-defined IR laser frequency, wavelength, and/or modulation characteristics.
It is an object of the invention to provide a photo sensor array to acquire and process incoming infrared laser signals from any line-of-sight direction and then to emit a response to that incoming signal that will communicate to the source of the incoming signal (the interrogator) that the invention is being worn by a “friendly” combatant.
It is another object of the invention to provide electronic means to alert the user/wearer of the invention with tactile, visual and/or aural signals that the device has received an incoming infrared laser interrogation signal.
It is another object of the invention to provide the user/wearer with an operating status check (OSC) switch to confirm that the device is in an active, already-operating mode including visible or infrared emission functions and/or IFF interrogation reception mode.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a low profile housing with a curved, minimally obstructive shape on all sides and edges to mount on helmets or other equipment or structures, and particularly to provide minimal snag potential or interference with objects that may be encountered during ground combat operations or parachuting, including interference with parachute lines and risers.
It is another object of the invention to provide the ability to select between two distinct and independent operating modes (e.g., overt and covert) with two or more discreet visible and/or infrared function profiles within each operating mode, and to effectively separate and segregate these independent sets of functions by two separate mechanical switching means.
It is another object of the invention to provide a variety of emitters to allow a user-defined selection of different functions in the visible and/or infrared spectrum.
It is another feature of the invention to (a) preclude snag-prone protuberances which otherwise might violate the curvilinear, dome-like shape of the exposed surfaces of the device and thus further reduce potential interference (snagging) on external objects which could cause injury to the user/wearer, and (b) provide an uninterrupted curvilinear, dome-like surface through which emitted light may radiate in substantially all directions defined by line-of-sight visual access to the invention in its mounted/installed condition.
It is another feature of the invention to be configured so as to facilitate secure, conformal mounting directly to the helmet or helmet cover through interfacing means such as mating hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), patches, self-adhesive features, or intermediate attachment means.
It is another feature of the invention to be configured so as to facilitate secure, conformal mounting to standard attachment means built onto the helmet structure (e.g., Picatinny rails) via intermediate security means.
It is another feature of the invention to be configured as a purpose-built modular device designed to interface with attachment/interface features integrated directly into the helmet structure and specifically designed to secure the invention to the helmet.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a multi-mode, multi-function marker/signaling device for steady and flash-coded identification in the visible and/or infrared spectrum, and to provide a photosensor array to acquire incoming infrared laser interrogation, and to provide an electronic means to process and interpret incoming infrared laser interrogation, and to emit a user-specified infrared response in the same or different wavelength in accordance with user-specified interrogation processing and response criteria.
To attain this, the present invention comprises a lens/cover formed of material permitting the passage of light, having first switch means comprising a three-position main/function switch and second switch means comprising a two-position operating mode switch separately disposed on the lens/cover. The material may be clear, tinted or translucent, making the cover clear or translucent is necessary to give omni-directional emission. A base is secured to the lens/cover by attachment means such as screws, ultrasonic welding, or sealing adhesives. An O-ring or other seal provides waterproofing and dust proofing for the space housing the electronics and captured between the lens/cover and the base.
An electronic circuit board having a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit (the second switch electronics is mounted on the main board) is mounted within the waterproof space defined by the cover and base. The main/function switch is mounted within a first (main) switch means cavity of the lens/cover and the operating mode switch is mounted within a second (operating mode) switch means cavity of the lens/cover.
A main electronic circuit board having a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit is mounted within the waterproof space defined by the lens/cover and base. The main/function switch and the operating mode switch are in electronic communication with the electronic circuit board and the corresponding switch circuits.
A variety of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or infrared (IR) emitters are mounted on the electronic circuit board. The LEDs and emitters can be multi-colored, white, or any infrared (IR) spectrum. The switch means are capable of being set to different positions to interact with the programmable circuitry on the electronic circuit board in order to actuate a different combination of visible or infrared (IR) functions, depending on the pre-programmed settings.
A primary (non-rechargeable) or secondary (rechargeable) battery provides the power source. A battery containment compartment comprises an integral part of the base or lens/cover with access to that compartment arrayed so as to be accessible for battery replacement in the field. A sealing battery cover secures and protects the battery within the containment compartment.
A photosensor array designed to detect and identify incoming infrared laser signals is connected to the main electronic circuit board and is positioned within the waterproof space defined by the lens/cover and base. The array is arranged to provide omni-directional, line-of-sight sensing over at least the full hemisphere defined by the base plane of the intersection of the lens/cover and base.
An electronic circuit which processes IR laser inputs to the photosensor array, determines whether or not those inputs have originated from a user-specified IR laser interrogation device and, if so, then causes the IR emitters in the invention to emit a user-specified signal in the same or different wavelength that can be “seen” directly by a human interrogator equipped with night optical equipment or by other sensing means or equipment capable of identifying the source of the emitted response signal as a “friendly” asset.
A detachable user feedback module (UFM) comprising a feedback means at one end (e.g., vibratory/tactile, aural, light emitting/fiber optic), an intervening cable, and a connector to the invention that communicates with the electronics and sensor array in a manner so as to provide a user/wearer alert when infrared laser interrogation has been detected.
An operating status check (OSC) switch allows the user/wearer to confirm, on demand, that the device is in an active mode (e.g., emitting/operating as a marker, and/or in an IFF “stand-by-ready-to-receive” mode).
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
The present invention 10 will now be described in greater detail. Referring to
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Any of the emitter sources 58a, 58b, 58c can be operated at the same time individually or in tandem with other emitter sources, each in either flashing or steady ON. For example, in one operating mode four RGB light sources 58a are operating in constant Green/Steady while two high intensity white light sources 58b are operating intermittently in a flashing mode. Furthermore the electronic circuit board 52 can be programmed to allow the emitter sources 58a, 58b, 58c mounted at one end of the electronic circuit board 52 to be set in different color/intermittent/steady modes from the light sources 58a, 58b, 58c at the opposed end of the electronic circuit board 52.
The multi-function, multi-emission, multi-mode features of the invention 10 are facilitated by a programmable integrated circuit (PIC) located on the electronic circuit board 52. The steady ON and flashing functions can be programmed with variable oscillation patterns and peaks and sequencing to provide increased intensity/visual acuity and/or coded or information-containing pulses. The battery 44 outputs to the emitter sources 58a, 58b, 58c are controlled by the electronic circuit board 52 having programmable integrated circuits. Voltage regulator devices and/or circuits are added to the electronic circuit board 52 to match emitter input requirements and/or to achieve optimized output for specific mission requirements.
The general configuration of the device incorporates the sliding main/function switch 60 and the sliding operating mode switch 66 and provides a minimum of four functions. There are a total of two modes of operation (e.g., Mode A and Mode B), with a minimum of two functions (Function “1” and Function “2”) in each operating mode. The sliding main/function switch 60 is either in the OFF (Function “0”) or ON (Function “1” or Function “2”) position. The two-position sliding operating mode switch 66 can be either in Mode A or Mode B. Furthermore, the electronic circuit board of the device has the ability to re-program the function or mode of operation by cycling the main/function switch through a pre-established pattern of movements among main/function switch positions “0,” “1,” or “2.” The integral programmable integrated circuit (PIC) would detect these switch movements as powering ON and OFF through a pre-programmed code which, when detected by the PIC, would initiate a routine which would result in a change to a function or an operating mode.
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Specific infrared emissions (wavelengths and modulations and/or codes) from the infrared LEDs 58c are programmed to respond to user-specified military infrared laser devices or other sources with user-specified combinations of power level, wavelength, frequency, and modulation. The wavelength of response emissions may be different from the incoming interrogation lasers. Once a remotely generated infrared laser signal is detected by the photosensor array, the signal is processed by on-board electronics to determine if the incoming signal meets the pre-determined requirements for response. If so, the on-board electronics signals the device 10 to respond per user-defined specifications—both to the interrogator as an indication that the user/wearer is “friendly” and to the user/wearer as an alert that a laser interrogation has occurred.
If the on-board electronics recognizes the incoming infrared laser signal as meeting the user-defined criteria to deliver a response, the on-board electronics signals the device within microseconds to emit a user-specified infrared emission, emission/pulse or emission/pulse pattern that can be seen by the interrogator. This IFF response emission can use the same infrared emitters that are used in the standard operating functions or other emitters/wavelengths selected specifically for the IFF response. The IFF response will override standard marking emissions (from the infrared emitters as well as the other spectrum emitters) to provide a unique, unambiguous signal that can identity the user/wearer as a “friendly” force to the interrogator. The interrogator is usually a combatant with a weapon or vehicle-mounted IR laser interrogator/illuminator device or an aircrew member in an aircraft in flight, equipped with such a device. The combatant or aircrew member is looking at the user/wearer “target” through infrared-sensitive night optical equipment.
There are three activity states of operation for the device 10: ON, OFF/STANDBY, and OFF/SLEEP. In the first two states (ON and OFF/STANDBY), the IFF features are in “stand-by, ready-to-receive and respond” mode. In the third state of operation (OFF/SLEEP) all features including IFF are deactivated. In the ON state, the main/function switch 60 is in either Function “1” or “2” and is emitting in one of the four user-defined operating functions, and the IFF functions are in a “stand-by, ready-to-receive and respond” mode. In the OFF/STANDBY activity state, the main/function switch 60 is off and the IFF features are in a “stand-by, ready-to-receive and respond” mode. In the OFF/SLEEP activity state, the main/function switch 60 is off (Function “0”) and the IFF acquisition/response features are deactivated. The device will not respond to IR laser interrogation in the OFF/SLEEP activity state.
Upon receipt immediate response to the infrared laser interrogation by the invention, the interrogator can, with confidence, identify the user/wearer of the device as a “friendly” and make the decision not to engage the target. This response feature is usually ON at all times, except when the device 10 has been deliberately placed in an OFF/SLEEP mode (e.g., in cases where a specific mission profile requires that forward operators be 100% “lights-out”). The device is automatically changed from the OFF/SLEEP mode to one of the other two active states whenever either or both of the switch means are moved from their current position, as defined by the user.
If on-board electronics recognize an incoming infrared laser as meeting the user-defined criteria to a deliver a response, user feedback means 100 generates an alert signal to the user/wearer. The alert signal may be tactile with a vibrating motor, visual with a remote emitter electronically connected to the device 10 or aural with an independent electronic component which emits a sound that can be heard by the user. As shown in
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A tactile signal to the user/wearer of the device 10 that a specified military infrared laser interrogation has occurred is also provided by one or more vibration motors in the vibratory pad 104 or the vibratory motor 108 embedded in base 28 and in electrical communication with the electronic circuit board 52. Tactile vibration can be felt by the user/wearer via the vibratory pad 104 located within the helmet, or through vibrations imparted to the helmet through the vibratory motor 108 embedded in base 28.
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A second option of the OSC switch 120 is to confirm the operational status of the device 10 relative to functions in a standard operating mode (ON or OFF). Two separate feedback methods, one in the vibratory pad 104 in the feedback means 100 and the other in the vibratory motor 108 embedded in the base 28 are provided. If the OSC switch 120 is pressed and there is no vibration from either the vibratory motor 110 in the vibratory pad 104 or the vibratory motor 108 embedded in base 28 the device is in either the OFF/SLEEP or OFF/STANDBY mode and the invention 10 is not emitting in a standard operating mode. In one embodiment, the OSC switch 120 is pressed and there is vibration imparted to the hand pressing the OSC switch 120 from the vibratory motor 108 in the base 28, then the device 10 is emitting in a standard operating mode
A third option of the OSC switch 120 is to confirm both the status of the IFF function (SLEEP or STANDBY) and the operational status (ON or OFF). Two separate feedback methods, one the vibratory pad 104 in the feedback means 100 and the other the vibratory motor 108 embedded in the base 28 are provided. If the OSC switch 120 is pressed and there is no vibration from either the vibratory pad 104 or the vibratory motor 108 the device is in OFF/SLEEP mode and the invention 10 is disabled with respect to the IR laser/IFF interrogation and is not emitting in a standard operating mode. If the OSC switch 120 is pressed and there is vibration from the vibratory pad 104 only, then IFF functions are enabled and the device 10 is not emitting in a standard operating mode. If there is vibration feedback from both the vibratory pad 104 and the vibratory motor 108 after the OSC switch 120 is pressed, then the IFF functions are enabled and the device 10 is in a standard operating mode. If there is tactile vibration from the vibratory motor 108 only, then the IFF functions are enabled, the device 10 is in a standard operating mode, but the vibratory pad 104 in feedback means 100 has been removed or is inoperable.
At any time during a mission, the user of the device 10 can verify the IFF is in the active mode by pressing the OSC switch 120.
The electronic components disposed within the lens/cover 12 and base 28 and upon the electronic circuit board portions 52, 54, and 56 are protected by the O-ring seal 38 or other sealing method such as ultrasonic welding to prevent moisture and dust intrusion. If attachment is made by mechanical means such as screws 26, they would be installed with either 0-rings or other compounds with sealant qualities.
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There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting the scope and intent of the invention.
