Computerized simultaneous laser marking and targeting system

• US 7,343,231 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2006
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Filep Zoltan
• Original Assignee: Filep Zoltan
• Inventors: Zoltan, Filep
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton; Christopher W
• Application Number:
  US11/641,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20070094878A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 33/181
• US Class Current: 701/23
• 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

The complete automation of a remote marking process. It is completely computer controlled and made possible by laser printer type marking/pointer equipment. 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. The using of a discrete information vector not only as a beacon but also as a selector for the marking of more than one target objects. 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 substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects, comprising optically encoding information into a beam emitted from a laser source, projecting the encoded information onto the surface of at least one of the targeted objects, using the encoded information, when reflected off the objects, for guidance and as a selector to differentiate and identify the targeted objects by one or more processing units.

2. The method for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein the beam is a coherent information carrier being focused and convergent on a surface of at least one of the targeted object(s).

3. The method for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein the beam carries discrete information to at least one of the targeted objects.

4. The method for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said discrete information is reflected by said targeted objects, marking the said targeted objects by associating said discrete information with each of them.

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

6. The method for substantially simultaneously 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 substantially simultaneously 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 substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, wherein said discrete information contains at least one identification code and at least one processing code.

9. The method for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of claim 1, further comprising the steps of repeatedly scanning at high speed a processing zone and repeatedly marking the targeted objects making the marking substantially simultaneous.

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

a simultaneous marking means comprising a computer and process control means for command and control of marking and processing units, an input means having a human-machine interface for manual target and procedure selection, and an input-output means comprising substantially simultaneous discrete targeting equipment including a laser beam having encoded therein target-specific information for the marking of the targeted objects;

a discrete guiding means comprising a discrete decoder means, for reading and decoding discrete information reflected by the target and selection of the target by the processing unit, and a guiding means for guiding units directed by the processing unit towards the selected target.

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

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

13. The system for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects of claim 10, wherein said discrete guiding system uses reflected discrete information as a beacon for orientation and as a selector for identification of the targeted object.

14. The system for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects of claim 10, wherein the targeting equipment uses a coded laser beam as a discrete information vector, and repeatedly projects the coded laser beam on the surfaces of the targeted objects.

15. The system for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects of claim 10, wherein said coded laser beam is deflected from the surface of a mirror in motion to scan a predetermined area.

16. The system for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects of claim 10, wherein a calibration raster is used to align the cameras and the targeting equipment.

17. The system for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects of claim 10, wherein a laser control unit encodes data into the laser beam by digitizing the laser beam.

18. The system for substantially simultaneously marking and guiding for processing of one or more targeted objects of claim 10, wherein the substantially simultaneous effect is achieved by repeated high speed marking.