Computerized simultaneous laser marking and targeting system

• US 20070094878A1
• Filed: 12/18/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoltan Filep
• Original Assignee: Zoltan Filep
• Inventors: Filep, Zoltan
• Granted Patent: US 7,343,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/18.1
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/145 using a target illuminator
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/2233 Multimissile systems
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/226 Semi-active homing systems, i.e. comprising a receiver and involving auxiliary illuminating means, e.g. using auxiliary guiding missiles
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/2266 Systems comparing signals received from a base station and reflected from the target
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/2293 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

What is new in this invention, it is the complete automation of the remote marking process. It is completely computer controlled and made possible by laser printer type marking/pointer equipment. Also, completely new is the concept of embedding digital information into a laser beam or other coherent information vector and attaching this way data/information to any object or place. New is the idea of using a discrete information vector not only as a beacon but also as a selector for the marking of more than one target objects. New is the idea of completely software controlled computerized digital marking of places or objects for closing motion control loops. No on-site human operators/soldiers needed. No position sensors needed anymore, nothing is bolted down, easy to reconfigure any environment. The invention is a major step in robotics and controls, improving considerably the eye-hand coordination of robots, making fully possible the action of the digital world on the real/physical world.

Claims

1. A method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects, comprising projecting information vectors on the surface of said targeted objects, said reflected information vectors are used as beacon for guidance and as selector to differentiate and identify the targeted objects by the processing units.

2. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said information vector is a coherent information carrier being focused and convergent on the surface(s) of said targeted object(s).

3. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said information vector is carrying a discrete information to each said targeted object.

4. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said discrete information is reflected by said targeted objects, marking the said targeted objects by physically attaching said discrete information to them.

5. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said reflected information vector is used as a beacon for guidance by said processing units.

6. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said reflected discrete information is read and decoded by the processing unit.

7. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said reflected discrete information is used as a selector to identify and select the targeted object by the processing unit.

8. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said discrete information is containing at least one identification code and one or more optional processing code.

9. The method for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said information vector is repeatedly scanning at high speed the processing zone and it is repeatedly marking the targeted objects making the marking simultaneous.

10. A system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects comprising:

a simultaneous marking means composed of;

a computer and process control means for command and control of the marking and the processing units, and

an input means, having a human-machine interface for manual target and procedure selection, and

an input-output means, having a simultaneous discrete targeting equipment for the visual inputs and physical marking of the targeted objects;

a discrete guiding means composed of;

a discrete decoder means, for reading and decoding the discrete information reflected by the target and selection of the target by the processing unit, and

a guiding means, for guiding the processing unit towards the selected target.

11. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein said input-output means is comprising a simultaneous laser targeting unit, a video camera and an optional laser control camera.

12. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein said computer and process control is processing information received from a digital video camera, a human-machine interface and/or an image recognition software in combination with at least one database.

13. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein said computer and process control is controlling said simultaneous discrete targeting equipment and said processing units according to inputs and processed data.

14. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein said discrete guiding system is using reflected discrete information as a beacon for orientation and as a selector for identification of the targeted object.

15. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein said simultaneous laser targeting unit is using a coded laser beam as a discrete information vector, repeatedly projecting it on the surfaces of the targeted objects.

16. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein said coded laser beam is deflected from the surface of a mirror in motion with the purpose of scanning a certain area.

17. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein the scanning area is identical to the visual field of the video camera, the laser control camera and the displayed area on the HMI.

18. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein a calibration raster is used to align the cameras and the simultaneous laser targeting unit.

19. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein a laser control unit is coding the laser by digitizing the continuous laser beam.

20. The system for simultaneous marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said simultaneous discrete targeting equipment by repeated high speed marking is achieving the simultaneous effect.