APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISRUPTING NIGHT VISION DEVICES

• US 20160255700A1
• Filed: 05/01/2014
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apollo Design Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Apollo Design Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: TOLLINGTON, Alex, Nichols, Joel A.
• Application Number:
  US14/267,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20160255700A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light

Abstract

Apparatus, systems and methods for disrupting night vision ability in an area surrounding the apparatus, where a first trigger is configured for generating a first activation signal for the apparatus. A sensor may be configured to detect a physical characteristic in or around the apparatus. A second trigger may be operatively coupled to the sensor to provide a second activation signal based on the detected physical characteristic in the sensor. A control circuit, which may include a strobing circuit, may be operatively coupled to the first and second trigger. A plurality of light emitting diodes may be arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the control circuit is configured to cause illumination of each of the plurality of light emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern to disrupt night vision in the area.

Claims

1. An apparatus for disrupting night vision ability in an area surrounding the apparatus, comprising:

a first trigger for generating a first activation signal for the apparatus;

a sensor configured to detect a physical characteristic in or around the apparatus;

a second trigger, operatively coupled to the sensor, wherein the second trigger provides a second activation signal based on the detected physical characteristic in the sensor;

a control circuit, operatively coupled to the first and second trigger, the control circuit comprising a strobing circuit; and

a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the control circuit is configured to cause illumination of each of the plurality of light emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern to disrupt night vision in the area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diodes comprise infra-red emitting diodes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diodes comprise infra-red emitting diodes and white light emitting diodes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is configured to illuminate the infra-red emitting diodes and white light emitting diodes in a predetermined sequence.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer, and wherein the second trigger provides the second activation signal based on the physical characteristic sensed by the accelerometer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising communications operatively coupled to the control circuit, wherein the communications is configured to transmit and receive data wirelessly.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein data comprises information regarding the detected physical characteristics in the sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communications is configured to receive instructions to produce the second activation signal.

9. A method for disrupting night vision ability in an area surrounding an apparatus, comprising the steps of:

detecting, via a sensor in the apparatus, a physical characteristic in or around the apparatus;

providing an activation signal in the apparatus based on the detected physical characteristic;

activating a control circuit in the apparatus from the activation signal to cause illumination of each of a plurality of light emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern to disrupt night vision in the area.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the light emitting diodes comprise infra-red emitting diodes.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the light emitting diodes comprise infra-red emitting diodes and white light emitting diodes.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein activating the control circuit comprises illuminating the infra-red emitting diodes and white light emitting diodes in a predetermined sequence.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer, and wherein the activation signal is provided based on the physical characteristic sensed by the accelerometer.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising communications operatively coupled to the control circuit, wherein the communications is configured to transmit and receive data wirelessly.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein data comprises information regarding the detected physical characteristics in the sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the communications is configured to receive instructions to produce the second activation signal.

17. An apparatus for disrupting night vision ability in an area surrounding the apparatus, comprising:

a trigger, configured to provide an activation signal based on a stimulus;

a control circuit, operatively coupled to the trigger, the control circuit comprising a strobing circuit; and

a plurality of light emitting diodes comprising a plurality of diode types arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the control circuit is configured to independently cause illumination of each diode type of the plurality of light emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern to disrupt night vision in the area.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light emitting diodes comprise infra-red emitting diodes and white light emitting diodes.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the control circuit is configured to illuminate the infra-red emitting diodes and white light emitting diodes in a predetermined sequence.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising communications operatively coupled to the control circuit, wherein the communications is configured to transmit and receive data wirelessly, and wherein the data comprises the stimulus.

21. A method for disrupting night vision ability in an area surrounding an apparatus, comprising the steps of:

detecting and/or tracking, via radar, a physical characteristic in or around the apparatus;

providing an activation signal in the apparatus based on the detected physical characteristic;

activating a control circuit in the apparatus from the activation signal to cause illumination of each of a plurality of light emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern to disrupt night vision to the detected physical characteristic;

following and tracking the physical characteristic.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the light emitting diodes comprise infra-red emitting diodes.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the light emitting diodes maybe focused on to the tracked physical characteristic.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the physical characteristic could be an aircraft such as airplane or helicopter.