SMART TACTICAL FLASHLIGHT AND SYSTEM THEREOF

• US 20120020063A1
• Filed: 01/19/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innovative Wireless Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovative Wireless Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Mironichev, Sergei Y., Mechling, Christopher D.
• Application Number:
  US13/009,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20120020063A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/191
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/025 the light sources being of different shape or type
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/36 with infrared light source
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An advanced capability flashlight and tactical system where multiple flashlights can be controlled remotely is disclosed herein. The system employs a novel remote control configuration wherein signals are modulated to avoid jamming and can further perform in environments with low signal-to-noise ratio. The system additionally employs programmable electronics to the flashlight covered by a polyurethane protection layer to provide functionality in extreme conditions. Different head lamps can be easily switched out to an individual flashlight employing more LED lamps and different wavelengths of light as desired by a user. Additionally, a remote control device is disclosed that can be configured to a rail system of a firearm.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a head lamp portion;

a tubular body releasably coupled to the head lamp portion;

an end cap portion releasably coupled to the tubular body and opposite the head lamp portion, the tubular body between the head lamp portion and the end cap portion, wherein the end cap houses programmable electronics; and

remote control capabilities, the remote control capabilities comprising a remote controller, the remote controller comprising;

a printed circuit board having programmable electronics;

a microprocessor having a transceiver for transmitting control signals, the transceiver employing a phase-shift keying system for individual electronic addressing of a multitude of flashlights also providing resistance to electronic interference and jamming.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the end cap programmable electronics and the remote control programmable electronics are each covered by a polyurethane protection layer to maintain functionality in adverse conditions including extreme temperature, underwater pressure, and excessive forces due to acceleration, and wherein the individual electronic addressing further employs a code length of 64 bytes, and further wherein the remote controller is encased in shrink-wrap plastic to provide a waterproof seal thereto.

3. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising:

a radio beacon configured to be activated remotely or programmably; and

an anodized aluminum material to the tubular body, head lamp portion, and end cap portion providing blast proof characteristics to the flashlight.

4. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the headlamp portion is modular and interchangeable providing a plurality of options, the plurality of options comprising:

a plurality of colors;

an IR illumination headlamp; and

a UV type illumination headlamp.

5. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a three-axis gyroscope wherein the programmable electronics are selectively configured to activate or deactivate the flashlight depending on an orientation of the flashlight as sensed by the gyroscope.

6. The flashlight of claim 1, the remote control capabilities comprising first and second remote control buttons, wherein the first remote control button comprises:

a base portion having a circular hollow interior;

a circular ridge inside and about the circular hollow interior;

a first printed circuit board having programmable electronics configured on a side thereto, wherein the programmable electronic are faced down with respect to the circular ridge, wherein the first printed circuit board is supported by the circular ridge around an edge thereof;

an annular ring configured wherein the edge lies between the circular ridge and the annular ring;

a circular battery configured to fit inside the annular ring;

a cap portion configured to engage threads of the base portion, the cap portion having a button coupled to a second printed circuited board, the second printed circuit board coupled to the circular battery via a spring contact.

7. The flashlight of claim 6, wherein the first and second remote control button are physically separated and wherein each comprises a clamp configured to be coupled to a rail of a firearm.

8. The flashlight of claim 6, wherein the first remote control button serves to activate or deactivate the flashlight, and wherein the second remote control button selects a flashlight mode and a brightness, wherein the flashlight mode is changed from a steady beam to a strobe by momentarily clicking the second remote control button, and wherein the flashlight brightness is adjusted by pressing and holding the second remote control button.

9. A tactical flashlight network comprising:

a first flashlight, the first flashlight further comprising;

a head lamp portion;

a tubular body releasably coupled to the head lamp portion; and

an end cap portion releasably coupled to the tubular body and opposite the head lamp portion, the tubular body between the head lamp portion and the end cap portion;

a second flashlight; and

a unified controller for activating or deactivating said first flashlight and said second flashlight, the unified controller for use by a team leader in a tactical environment.

10. The tactical flashlight network of claim 9, further comprising a first remote control device in wireless electronic communication with the first flashlight, the first remote control device comprising:

a microprocessor having programmable flash memory and further having a transceiver for transmitting control signals, the transceiver employing a phase-shift keying system for individual electronic addressing of a multitude of flashlights also providing resistance to electronic interference and jamming; and

a signal amplifier for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio.

11. The tactical flashlight network of claim 9, further comprising a first remote control device in wireless electronic communication with the first flashlight, the first remote control device comprising:

a base portion having a circular hollow interior about an axis;

a circular battery configured to fit inside the base portion;

a cap portion configured to engage threads of the base portion, the cap portion having a button coupled to printed circuited board, wherein the base portion, the circular battery and the cap portion are axially aligned.

12. The tactical flashlight network of claim 11, wherein the first remote control base portion is configured to engage a rail mount system of a rifle.

13. The tactical flashlight network of claim 11, wherein the first flashlight comprises:

a GPS receiver; and

a radio beacon for sending encrypted radio signals with GPS data, the radio beacon configured to transmit either remotely or programmably.

14. A tactical flashlight network comprising:

a first flashlight, the first flashlight further comprising programmable electronics and a radio beacon for providing location information in emergency situations;

a second flashlight; and

a unified controller for activating or deactivating said first flashlight and said second flashlight, the unified controller for use by a team leader in a tactical environment.

15. The tactical flashlight network of claim 14, the first flashlight further comprising:

a head lamp portion;

a tubular body releasably coupled to the head lamp portion; and

an end cap portion releasably coupled to the tubular body and opposite the head lamp portion, the tubular body between the head lamp portion and the end cap portion, wherein the end cap houses the programmable electronics, wherein the programmable electronics are covered by a polyurethane protection layer to maintain functionality in adverse conditions including extreme temperature, underwater pressure, and excessive forces due to acceleration.

16. The tactical flashlight network of claim 14, wherein the programmable electronic employ a wide-impulse modulation method to provide power to a first flashlight lamp, and further wherein power is diverted from the lamp when not in use.

17. The tactical flashlight network of claim 14, further comprising remote control capabilities, the remote control capabilities comprising a remote controller, the remote controller comprising:

a printed circuit board having programmable electronics;

a transmitter for transmitting control signals; and

shrink-wrap plastic encasing the remote controller to provide a waterproof seal thereto.