Helmet mounted, laser detection system

• US 5,914,661 A
• Filed: 01/22/1996
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Gross, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/589,723
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 340/557, 340/600, 340/556, 340/555, 250/206.2, 250/216, 250/214 A, 250/336.1, 250/225, 250/227, 356/141.5, 356/141.2, 434/22
• US Class Current: 340/600
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/04 Protection helmets crash helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/495 Counter-measures or counter-counter-measures using electronic or electro-optical means

Abstract

A portable, low cost, laser detection system which generates an alarm signal that can be used to produce visual and/or audible warnings indicating the range, location and type laser energy detected. Such laser detection system utilizes a cooperating quadraplex sensor assembly, to provide a complete 360 degree laser detection coverage, mounted on a helmet assembly which includes a helmet shell, a cushioned impact liner coextensive with the interior surface of the helmet shell and a suspended crown support liner the combination of which provides enhanced protection of the user and stabilization of the laser detection system.

Claims

1. A helmet including a laser detection system comprising:

a plurality of sensors, said sensors adapted to generate an output signal in response to detected laser energy;

a viewing screen coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal for forming a visual display; and

an amplifier coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal to produce a signal having a corresponding amplitude, a processor in communication with the amplifier to evaluate the signal amplitude and produce a corresponding quadrant detection signal and generate a video and audio signal;

a display drive module, coupled to said processor and responsive to said detection, video and audio signals to provide a warning signal and video display signal;

a sensor display module coupled to said display drive module and further coupled to said viewing screen;

wherein the sensor display module is responsive to said video display signal for forming said visual display on said viewing screen; and

a headset assembly coupled to said helmet and responsive to said audio signal to provide an audible tone responsive to the level of laser energy.

2. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said sensors are mounted on the highest location on the soldier.

3. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said sensors are aimed away from the helmet center and oriented 45 degrees relative to a longitudinal center line of the helmet.

4. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said sensors are positioned such that said sensors provide a 360 degree field of view.

5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein said laser detection system further comprises a battery cell integral with said laser detection system, operably connected to provide power to said detection system.

6. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a switch electrically connected to said detection system for initiating operation of said detection system.

7. The laser detection system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors further comprises a housing having electromagnetic shielding.

8. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said sensors are mounted on the helmet to provide a hard mount that maintains the relative orientation of said sensors in an eye-centered coordinate frame.

9. The helmet of claim 6 wherein said sensors are positioned on the rear and front of said helmet.

10. A helmet including a laser detection system comprising:

a plurality of sensors, said sensors adapted to generate an output signal in response to detected laser energy;

a viewing screen coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal for forming a visual display; and

an amplifier coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal to produce a signal having a corresponding amplitude, a processor in communication with the amplifier to evaluate the signal amplitude and produce a corresponding quadrant detection signal and generate a video and audio signal;

a display drive module, coupled to said processor and responsive to said detection, video and audio signals to provide a warning signal and video display signal;

a sensor display module coupled to said display drive module and further coupled to said viewing screen;

wherein the sensor display module is responsive to said video display signal for forming said visual display on said viewing screen wherein said display drive module and said sensor display module are mounted on the helmet; and

a headset assembly coupled to said helmet and responsive to said audio signal to provide an audible tone responsive to the level of laser energy.

11. A helmet including a laser detection system comprising:

a plurality of sensors, said sensors adapted to generate an output signal in response to detected laser energy;

a viewing screen coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal for forming a visual display; and

an amplifier coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal to produce a signal having a corresponding amplitude, a processor in communication with the amplifier to evaluate the signal amplitude and produce a corresponding quadrant detection signal and generate a video and audio signal;

a display drive module, coupled to said processor and responsive to said detection, video and audio signals to provide a warning signal and video display signal;

a sensor display module coupled to said display drive module and further coupled to said viewing screen;

wherein the sensor display module is responsive to said video display signal for forming said visual display on said viewing screen wherein said display drive module and said sensor display module are mounted on the helmet wherein said display drive module and said sensor display module are positioned to balance the weight of the helmet; and

a headset assembly coupled to said helmet and responsive to said audio signal to provide an audible tone responsive to the level of laser energy.

12. A helmet including a laser detection system comprising:

a plurality of sensors, said sensors adapted to generate an output signal in response to detected laser energy;

a viewing screen coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal for forming a visual display wherein said viewing screen is monocular;

an amplifier coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal to produce a signal having a corresponding amplitude, a processor in communication with the amplifier to evaluate the signal amplitude and produce a corresponding quadrant detection signal and generate a video and audio signal;

a display drive module, coupled to said processor and responsive to said detection, video and audio signals to provide a warning signal and video display signal;

a sensor display module coupled to said display drive module and further coupled to said viewing screen;

wherein the sensor display module is responsive to said video display signal for forming said visual display on said viewing screen;

a headset assembly coupled to said helmet and responsive to said audio signal to provide an audible tone responsive to the level of laser energy.

an optical system assembly coupled to said sensor display module and responsive to said video display signal for forming said visual display on said viewing screen.

13. The helmet of claim 12, wherein said sensors are oriented upon said helmet to provide overlapping field of view laser detection coverage.

14. In a fully integrated, multi-functional, soldier-centered, computer enhanced warfare system, a compact selectively activated laser detection system comprising:

a mobile platform having equally divided quadrants wherein said mobile platform is a helmet;

a plurality of sensors mounted on said mobile platform for the detection of infrared emission by a laser, wherein each sensor of said plurality of sensors is assigned to one of said quadrants;

a video monitor mounted on said mobile platform for forming a visual display; and

a control assembly including circuitry coupled to said sensors for determination of the direction, type and range of said infrared emission by the laser and activation of said video monitor.

15. In a fully integrated, multi-functional, soldier-centered, computer enhanced warfare system, a compact selectively activated laser detection system comprising:

a mobile platform having equally divided quadrants wherein said mobile platform is a helmet, wherein said helmet further comprises an annular snap-in rim member connected to the rim of said helmet for mounting wiring of the laser detection system;

a plurality of sensors mounted on said mobile platform for the detection of infrared emission by a laser, wherein each sensor of said plurality of sensors is assigned to one of said quadrants;

a video monitor mounted on said mobile platform for forming a visual display; and

a control assembly including circuitry coupled to said sensors for determination of the direction, type and range of said infrared emission by the laser and activation of said video monitor.

16. In a fully integrated, multi-functional, soldier-centered, computer enhanced warfare system, a compact selectively activated laser detection system comprising:

a mobile platform having equally divided quadrants wherein said mobile platform is a helmet, wherein said helmet further comprises an annular snap-in rim member connected to the rim of said helmet for mounting wiring of the laser detection system wherein the snap-in rim member includes ports for mounting the laser detectors;

a plurality of sensors mounted on said mobile platform for the detection of infrared emission by a laser, wherein each sensor of said plurality of sensors is assigned to one of said quadrants;

a video monitor mounted on said mobile platform for forming a visual display; and

a control assembly including circuitry coupled to said sensors for determination of the direction type and range of said infrared emission by the laser and activation of said video monitor.

17. A compact laser warning system for detecting a laser pulse mounted on a helmet, said laser system comprising:

a cooperative quadraplex sensor assembly which responds to the laser pulse by producing an output signal having a voltage level proportional to the energy content of said laser pulse;

an amplifier coupled to said sensor assembly and responsive to said output signal to produce a signal having a corresponding amplitude, a processor in communication with the amplifier to evaluate the signal amplitude and produce a corresponding quadrant detection signal and generate a video and audio signal;

a display drive module, coupled to said processor and responsive to said detection and video signals to provide a warning video display signal;

a sensor display module coupled to said display drive module and responsive to said video display signal for forming a visual display; and

a headset assembly coupled to said helmet and responsive to said audio signal to provide an audible tone responsive to the level of laser energy.

18. A helmet including a laser detection system comprising:

a plurality of sensors, said sensors adapted to generate an output signal in response to detected laser energy;

a viewing screen coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal for forming a visual display and said viewing screen is monocular;

an amplifier coupled to said sensors and responsive to said output signal to produce a signal having a corresponding amplitude, a processor in communication with the amplifier to evaluate the signal amplitude and produce a corresponding quadrant detection signal and generate a video and audio signal;

a display drive module, coupled to said processor and responsive to said detection, video and audio signals to provide a warning signal and video display signal;

a sensor display module coupled to said display drive module and further coupled to said viewing screen;

wherein the sensor display module is responsive to said video display signal for forming said visual display on said viewing screen;

a headset assembly coupled to said helmet and responsive to said audio signal to provide an audible tone responsive to the level of laser energy;

an optical system assembly coupled to said sensor display module and responsive to said video display signal for forming said visual display on said viewing screen, wherein said optical system assembly is a monocular viewing screen attached to said helmet wherein said image is disposed.