Portable target locator system

• US 4,949,089 A
• Filed: 08/24/1989
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
• Inventors: Ruszkowski, Robert A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hellner, Mark
• Application Number:
  US07/398,188
• Time in Patent Office: 355 Days
• Field of Search: 342/52, 342/357, 342/352, 342/54, 342/56, 342/58, 89/41.03
• US Class Current: 342/52
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/02 using an independent line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/06 with rangefinder rangefinders per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations

Abstract

A portable target locator system capable of being transported and utilized by an individual combatant is disclosed. The portable target locator system comprises a rifle-like target locator and a transmitter/modem capable of transmitting target location coordinates to a weapons delivery system. The rifle-target locator preferably includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver capable of determining the location coordinates of the target locator automatically and with a high degree of accuracy from signals transmitted from a network of orbiting satellites. A laser rangefinder and digital azimuth and inclination sensor are then utilized to accurately determine the range, azimuth and inclination of an identified target from the target locator. This information is then processed in conjunction with the location coordinates of the target locator to generate location coordinates for the selected target. The target location coordinates are then coupled to the transmitter/modem for transmittal to a remotely located control system, such as a weapons delivery system. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention a non-volatile memory is provided and multiple target coordinate sets are then stored within the memory and subsequently transmitted to the weapons delivery system during a single transmission.

Claims

1. A portable target locator system for determining the location coordinates of a selected target and coupling said coordinates to a remotely located control system, said portable target locator system comprising:

location determination means for accurately and automatically determining the location coordinates of said portable target locator system;

rangefinder means for determining the range from said portable target locator system to a selected target;

azimuth sensor means for determining the azimuth from said portable target locator system to said selected target;

processor means coupled to said location determination means, said rangefinder means and said azimuth sensor means for determining the location coordinates of said selected target; and

communication means for coupling said location coordinates of said selected target to said remotely located control system.

2. The portable target locator system according to claim 1 wherein said location determination means comprises a Global Positioning System receiver for receiving satellite transmitted signals and means for processing said satellite transmitted signals to accurately and automatically determine the location coordinates of said portable target locator system.

3. The portable target locator system according to claim 1 wherein said rangefinder means comprises a laser rangefinder including means for transmitting a short burst of laser energy and means for detecting the scattering of said burst at said selected target.

4. The portable target locator system according to claim 3 further including an optical sighting device for sighting said laser rangefinder.

5. The portable target locator system according to claim 1 wherein said azimuth sensor comprises a digital magnetic compass.

6. The portable target locator system according to claim 4 further including an inclination sensor means for measuring the inclination from horizontal of said optical sighting device and wherein said processor means is coupled to said location determination means, said rangefinder means, said azimuth sensor means and said inclination sensor means for determining the location coordinates of said selected target.

7. The portable target locator system according to claim 1 wherein said processor means comprises an appropriately programmed microprocessor.

8. The portable target locator system according to claim 1 wherein said communication means comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

9. A portable target locator system for determining the location coordinates of selected targets and coupling said coordinates to a weapons delivery system, said portable target locator system comprising:

location determination means for accurately and automatically determining the location coordinates of said portable target locator system;

rangefinder means for determining the range from said portable target locator system to a selected target;

azimuth sensor means for determining the azimuth from said portable target locator system to said selected target;

processor means coupled to said location determination means, said rangefinder means and said azimuth sensor means for determining the location coordinates of said selected target;

memory means coupled to said processor means for storing said location coordinates of said selected target; and

communication means coupled to said memory means for coupling said location coordinates of said selected target to said weapons delivery system.

10. The portable target locator system according to claim 9 wherein said location determination means comprises a Global Positioning System receiver for receiving satellite transmitted signals and means for processing said satellite transmitted signals to accurately and automatically determine the location coordinates of said portable target locator system.

11. The portable target locator system according to claim 9 wherein said rangefinder means comprises a laser rangefinder including means for transmitting a short burst of laser energy and means for detecting the scattering of said burst at said selected target.

12. The portable target locator system according to claim 11 further including an optical sighting device for sighting said laser rangefinder.

13. The portable target locator system according to claim 9 wherein said azimuth sensor comprises a digital magnetic compass.

14. The portable target locator system according to claim 12 further including an inclination sensor means for measuring the inclination from horizontal of said optical sighting device and wherein said processor means is coupled to said location determination means, said rangefinder means, said azimuth sensor means and said inclination sensor means for determining the location coordinates of said selected target.

15. The portable target locator system according to claim 9 wherein said processor means comprises an appropriately programmed microprocessor.

16. The portable target locator system according to claim 9 wherein said communication means comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

17. The portable target locator system according to claim 9 wherein said memory means stores the location coordinates of a plurality of selected targets and wherein said communication means couples the location coordinates of said plurality of selected targets to said weapons delivery system.

18. A portable target locator system for determining the location coordinates of selected targets and coupling said coordinates to a weapons delivery system, said portable target locator system comprising:

a rifle-like target locator including;

location determination means within said rifle-like target locator for accurately and automatically determining the location coordinates of said portable target locator system;

rangefinder means within said rifle-like target locator for determining the range from said portable target locator system to a selected target;

azimuth sensor means within said riflelike target locator for determining the azimuth from said portable target locator system to said selected target;

processor means within said rifle-like target locator coupled to said location determination means, said rangefinder means and said azimuth sensor means for determining the location coordinates of said selected target;

memory means within said rifle-like target locator coupled to said processor means for storing said location coordinates of said selected target and a plurality of target identification indicia;

target selection means within said rifle-like target locator for permitting an operator to select a particular one of said plurality of target identification indicia; and

communication means coupled to said memory means for coupling said location coordinates of said selected target and said particular one of said plurality of target identification indicia to said weapons delivery system.

19. The portable target locator system according to claim 18 wherein said location determination means comprises a Global Positioning System receiver for receiving satellite transmitted signals and means for processing said satellite transmitted signals to accurately and automatically determine the location coordinates of said portable target locator system.

20. The portable target locator system according to claim 18 wherein said rangefinder means comprises a laser rangefinder including means for transmitting a short burst of laser energy and means for detecting the scattering of said burst at said selected target.