IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0470062
(2006-09-05)
|
등록번호 |
US-7684020
(2010-04-21)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Marti, Jed
- Brendley, Keith
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
10 인용 특허 :
4 |
초록
▼
A relatively low-cost sensor can accurately detect, identify and track rapidly moving objects such as missiles, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), mortars, explosive-driven fragments, bullets, shells, sports projectiles (baseballs, golf balls, tennis balls, arrows, etc.), and other types of objects.
A relatively low-cost sensor can accurately detect, identify and track rapidly moving objects such as missiles, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), mortars, explosive-driven fragments, bullets, shells, sports projectiles (baseballs, golf balls, tennis balls, arrows, etc.), and other types of objects. Systems that would incorporate such a sensor include military devices such as Active Protection System (APS), warning sensor systems, counter-fire systems; commercial devices such as an accurate baseball strike zone monitor, tennis ball line monitors, and arrow speed and flight characteristics monitors. The optical sensing system detects, identifies and tracks rapidly moving objects. The system is designed to be low-cost, rugged, highly reliable, and have a low False Alarm Rate (FAR). The system can accurately record signals from rapidly moving targets and then process this information with sufficient time to send a firing signal or take other action as appropriate.
대표청구항
▼
We claim: 1. A threat countermeasure system for detecting a rapidly moving object and automatically deploying a countermeasure to respond to incoming threats, the system comprising: a radar that warns of an incoming projectile; an array of light emitting diodes illuminating an array of optical sens
We claim: 1. A threat countermeasure system for detecting a rapidly moving object and automatically deploying a countermeasure to respond to incoming threats, the system comprising: a radar that warns of an incoming projectile; an array of light emitting diodes illuminating an array of optical sensors, said array of optical sensors detecting light emitted by said light emitting diode array that is affected by projectiles passing between said light emitting diode array and said optical sensor array, said array of optical sensors scanning for very rapid changes in luminosity; at least one processor coupled to said optical sensor array, said processor receiving signals from said optical sensor array and being responsive to said radar warning, said processor distinguishing rapidly moving projectiles from objects moving at lower velocities at least in part based on said luminosity detected by said optical sensor array and spatial correlation of said detected changes in luminosity across said array of optical sensors, to determine if a sensed pattern is compatible with a projectile threat; wherein said at least one processor can discriminate very rapidly moving projectiles from slower moving objects at least in part from signals generated by many optical sensors in said array and compares said signals to determine whether detected objects constitute an incoming threat, and computes position of incoming projectiles at least in part in response to said spatial correlation; and a countermeasure deployment arrangement coupled to said at least one processor that automatically responds to incoming projectiles by commanding deployment of a countermeasure in time to defeat the projectile. 2. A method for detecting and profiling very rapidly moving projectiles comprising: receiving signals from an optical sensor array comprising many sensors each having a restricted, linear field of view, said sensors aimed to provide a cross-hatch pattern; discriminating very rapidly moving projectiles based on from signals generated by many sensors in said array including comparing said signals to determine whether detected objects meet a profile by spatially correlating detected changes in luminosity across said optical sensor array to determine if a pattern is compatible with a projectile threat; and generating fire control signals at least in part in response to said discrimination and said comparing to command a firing of a countermeasure in time to defeat the projectile. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said radar provides additional sensing, and said system compares signals from at least one block of interrupted sensors with a threat profile and automatically generates a fire control command to fire a countermeasure at least in part in response to said comparison and said radar sensing. 4. The method of claim 2 further including sensing objects using radar, comparing signals from at least one block of interrupted sensors with a threat profile, and automatically firing a countermeasure at least in part in response to said comparing and said radar sensing. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein said projectile comprises a rocket propelled grenade. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one processor records signals from rapidly moving projectiles and processes said information in sufficient time to send a firing signal to said countermeasure deployment arrangement. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said optical sensors in said array exhibits a restricted field of view so that it senses along a line. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensors are formed in a cross-hatch pattern. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical sensor array comprises plural planes of sensors, the plural planes being oriented at different angles, and said at least one processor calculates both horizontal and vertical position of an incoming projectile. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical sensor array is disposed on a bar within a bar armor set. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical sensor array operates as a break screen. 12. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical sensor array has a sensor density of about one sensor per centimeter. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said countermeasure comprises a linear array of bullets shot simultaneously in a plane perpendicular to the projectile line of flight. 14. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical sensor array is activated in response to radar warning. 15. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical sensor array includes filters that make the sensors sensitive substantially only to the wavelength emitted by the light emitting diodes. 16. The system of claim 1 wherein the array of optical sensors are coupled to at least one shift register that loads sensor values and shifts the loaded values to the processor at a high rate of speed. 17. The system of claim 1 wherein the optical sensor array has a cycle time of 10 microseconds or less. 18. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one processor isolates an appropriate occluded area and times a countermeasure deployment sequence within a few microseconds. 19. The system of claim 1 wherein said system is disposed at least in part within reactive bar armor including upper and lower bars, the radar is used to arm the system and provide gross speed, location and threat classification information, and as a projectile passes between the upper and lower bars it occludes the light emitting diodes so the at least one processor detects projectile position with a high signal to noise ratio, and wherein the at least one processor profiles the projectile to better identify the projectile, determines projectile speed and selects an aimpoint for the countermeasure. 20. The method of claim 2 wherein said array is disposed at least in part within reactive bar armor including upper and lower bars, and the method includes using radar to arm and provide gross speed, location and threat classification information, a projectile passing between the upper and lower bars occluding light emitters on one of the bars to thereby allow detection of projectile position with a high signal to noise ratio, and the method further includes profiling the projectile to better identify the projectile, determining the speed of the projectile, and selecting an aimpoint for the countermeasure.
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