Eye safe laser security device

• US 5,685,636 A
• Filed: 08/23/1995
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Foster-Miller Incorporated (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Science Engineering Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: German, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US08/518,230
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 42/1.08, 42/1.16, 42/100, 42/103, 273/84 ES, 273/84 R, 361/232, 362/3, 362/8, 362/11, 362/12, 362/32, 362/102, 362/109-114, 362/183, 362/187, 362/259, 362/276, 362/294, 362/800, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/259
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0064 Health, life-saving or fire-fighting equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0056 for blinding or dazzling, i.e. by overstimulating the opponent's eyes or the enemy's sensor equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

This invention provides a fixed or portable non-lethal laser security device and method for use of such device as a non-damaging weapon and security system to provides warning and visual impairment upon an intruder. At a predetermined laser wavelength and intensity, this invention utilizes laser light in the visible portion of the wavelength spectrum to create temporary visual impairment, hesitation, delay, distraction, and reductions in combat and functional effectiveness through the effects of glare, flashblind, and psychological impact. The preferred embodiment of the laser security device in the present invention involves the use of laser technology with a remotely operated security system. The device should have a housing structure to protect the internal components from damage or destruction, the ability to produce and transmit visible laser light over various wavelengths and intensities, a power source to drive the laser light, a collimating lens to focus the laser light, and should also be capable of coupling and communicating with an existing security device such as a remote-control closed circuit television camera mounted upon a pan and tilt head. Upon detection of an intruder, the laser security device is capable of visually warning the intruder of the detection. If the intruder further intrudes, the laser security device impairs the intruder'"'"'s visual capabilities by the effects of flashblind and glare, allowing security forces time to respond to the intrusion and intercept the intruder.

Claims

1. A self contained, portable device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability of a human by either glare or flashblinding without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising:

(a) a single housing;

(b) a laser positioned in said housing, said laser being a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of up to 0.0583 watts/cm² at a range of 3-1000 meters;

(c) a lens positioned in said housing for altering the spread and, therefore, the intensity of said laser beam;

(d) a power source positioned in said housing;

(e) a switch positioned in said housing; and

(f) a power source circuit positioned in said housing, interconnecting said power supply and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level of intensity at which significant glare and flashblinding effects occur but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser is a continuous laser.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser is a repetitively pulsed laser.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser operates in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said laser is a frequency-doubled Nd:

YAG laser.

6. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power source includes at least one battery.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, further including means to adjust the position of said lens relative to the laser output aperture, whereby said beam spread can be altered so that the diameter of said beam and said intensity can be varied.

9. The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said position adjusting means is a ring mounted on said housing.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said housing has the general exterior configuration of a conventional flashlight.

11. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said power source is one or more conventional batteries.

12. The device as set forth in claim 11, further including a heat sink positioned in said housing in heat transfer relationship with said laser.

13. The device as set forth in claim 1, further including an optical fiber to couple said laser to said lens.

14. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.

15. The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said housing has the general configuration of a police baton.

16. The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein said housing is a sturdy tube which can also function as a baton.

17. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing is the size and shape of a cartridge for a hand held firearm.

18. The device as set forth in claim 17, wherein said housing is size and shape of a conventional 12 gauge shotgun shell, whereby said housing can be chambered in a conventional 12 gauge shotgun.

19. The device as set forth in claim 18, wherein said switch generates a laser triggering signal upon impact by the firing pin of said shotgun.

20. The device as set forth in claim 19, wherein said switch is a piezo crystal triggering generator.

21. The device as set forth in claim 19, wherein said power supply circuit includes a triggering circuit.

22. The device as set forth in claim 18, wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery, and further including means for recharging said battery.

23. The device as set forth is claim 18, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.

24. The device as set forth in claim 23, further including a heat sink positioned in said housing in heat transfer relationship with said laser.

25. A device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability in a human by either glare or flashblinding, without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising:

(a) a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of up to 0.0583 watts/cm² at a range of 3-1000 meters, said laser including a housing and optics for altering the spread of said beam;

(b) a power source for energizing said laser;

(c) a switch;

(d) a power supply circuit interconnecting said power source and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level at which significant glare and flashblinding effects can occur, but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.

26. The device as set forth in claim 25, further including a closed circuit television camera and a remotely located operator monitor electronically coupled to said camera, said camera and said laser housing mounted adjacent to each other, so that both are at the same location, remote from said monitor.

27. The device as set forth in claim 26, further including a pan and tilt mount and electronics for controlling the movement of said mount, said camera and said laser both being secured to said mount, said monitor including a pan and tilt control.

28. The device as set forth in claim 27, wherein said switch is located on said monitor.

29. The device as set forth in claim 26, wherein said laser is a continuous laser.

30. The device as set forth in claim 26, wherein said laser is a repetitively pulsed laser.

31. The device as set forth in claim 26, wherein said laser operates in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.

32. The device as set forth in claim 31, wherein said laser is a frequency doubled Nd:

YAG laser.

33. The device as set forth in claim 31, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.

34. A device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability in a human by either glare or flashblinding, without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising:

(a) a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of no more than 0.0583 watts/cm² at a location a fixed distance from said laser along the path of said beam, said laser including a housing and optics for setting the spread of and, hence the intensity, of said beam;

(b) a power source for energizing said laser;

(c) means for sensing the presence of a moving individual within a predetermined are, said sensing means including a switch; and

(d) a power supply circuit interconnecting said power and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level of intensity at which significant glare and flashblinding effects can occur, but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.