Portable target locator apparatus and method of use

• US 7,295,296 B1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems LP (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems LP (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Galli, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ratcliffe; Luke D.
• Application Number:
  US11/304,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 356/139.01
• US Class Current: 356/139.01
• 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 for use by a ground observer to accurately determine the location of a target and transmit location information and firing instructions to an unmanned vehicle so the unmanned vehicle can locate the target and perform an operation based on the firing instructions. The apparatus comprises optics for permitting a user to see a magnified view of the target; a location determining component for determining a location of the apparatus; rangefinder for determining a range from the apparatus to the target; an Azimuth sensor for determining an Azimuth from the apparatus to the target; a processor for determining the location of the target based on the location of the apparatus, the range to the target, and the Azimuth from the apparatus to the targets, a transmitter for transmitting the location information and the firing instructions to the unmanned vehicle, and a portable handheld housing.

Claims

1. A portable target locator apparatus for determining a location of a target and for sending location information to an unmanned vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

optics for permitting a user to see a magnified view of the target;

a location determining component for determining a location of the apparatus;

a rangefinder for determining a range from the apparatus to the target;

an Azimuth sensor for determining an Azimuth from the apparatus to the target;

a processor coupled with the location determining component, the rangefinder and the Azimuth sensor for determining the location information for the target based on the location of the apparatus, the range to the target, and the Azimuth from the apparatus to the target;

an input device operable by the user to input firing instructions; and

a transmitter for transmitting the location information and the firing instructions to the unmanned vehicle so the unmanned vehicle can locate the target and perform an operation on the target based on the firing instructions.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the optics include a daytime monocular and a night vision monocular.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the location determining component is a GPS receiver.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rangefinder is a laser rangefinder which includes a transmitter for transmitting a short burst of laser energy and a sensor for detecting the effect of the laser energy as it strikes the target.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including an inclination sensor for measuring a horizontal inclination of the apparatus, wherein the processor is coupled with the inclination sensor for determining the location of the target partially based on the inclination of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the firing instructions are selected from the group consisting of strafing instructions, missile delivery instructions, photograph acquisition instructions, and reconnaissance instructions.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including an input device for permitting the user to selectively control when the transmitter transmits the location information and the firing instructions to the unmanned vehicle.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including an input device for permitting the user to selectively control when the rangefinder is operated.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a display coupled with the processor for displaying information selected from the group consisting of an image of the target, the location of the apparatus, the location of the target, the range from the apparatus to the target, the Azimuth from the apparatus to the target, the inclination of the apparatus, and the firing instructions.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a power source selected from the group consisting of batteries, a solar cell, and an electrical connector for powering the location determining component, the rangefinder, the Azimuth sensor, the processor, and the transmitter.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including memory coupled with the processor for storing the location information and the firing instructions.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including a user identification device selected from the group consisting of a retinal scanner, a fingerprint scanner, and a password program for permitting only authorized users to operate the apparatus.

14. A portable locator apparatus for determining a location of an object and for sending location information to a nearby vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

optics for permitting a user to see a magnified view of the object;

a location determining component for determining a location of the apparatus;

a rangefinder for determining a range from the apparatus to the object;

an Azimuth sensor for determining an Azimuth from the apparatus to the object;

a processor coupled with the location determining component, the rangefinder and the Azimuth sensor for determining the location information based on the location of the apparatus, the range to the object, and the Azimuth from the apparatus to the object;

an input device operable by the user to input vehicle instructions; and

a transmitter for transmitting the location information and the vehicle instructions to the nearby vehicle so the nearby vehicle can locate the object and operate in accordance with the vehicle instructions.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of a military target, a fire, a biohazard, a chemical hazard, a person in need of rescue, and a supply drop zone.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the vehicle instructions are selected from the group consisting of routing instructions, rescue instructions, fire suppressant release instructions, biohazard remediation instructions, and chemical remediation instructions.

17. A method of controlling an unmanned vehicle with a portable handheld locator apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a current location of the apparatus;

determining a range from the apparatus to the target;

determining an Azimuth between the apparatus and the target;

calculating location information for the target based on the current location of the apparatus, the range to the target, and the Azimuth between the apparatus and the target;

receiving vehicle instructions in the locator apparatus; and

transmitting the location information and vehicle instructions from the locator apparatus to the unmanned vehicle so that the unmanned vehicle can locate the target and perform an operation in accordance with the vehicle instructions.