초록 ▼

A portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator (PILOTT device) in a single housing is provided having a laser designator assembly to produce a focused laser beam that is projected from the housing. A laser energy detector is located in the housing that detects reflected laser ener

A portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator (PILOTT device) in a single housing is provided having a laser designator assembly to produce a focused laser beam that is projected from the housing. A laser energy detector is located in the housing that detects reflected laser energy from any designation source (ground or airborne based), provides steering information, decodes the laser's frequency, and is used as a range finding receiver. The location of the laser energy provides automatic field alignment of the laser designator. An optical magnification scope is mounted in the housing and has an optical field of view that is parallel to and aligned with a beam path defined by the laser beam focusing optics. Any night scope can be added to the system to provide night situational awareness by being shown in the display. A visual electronic display is overlaid with the optical field of view. A main controller communicates with the controller of the laser energy detector and the visual electronic display, as well as a user input in order to control the PILOTT device. This allows the laser designation location to be displayed in the optical field of view, along with other data, for spotting, ranging and/or marking a designated target.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator, comprising: a housing;a laser designator assembly, including a laser beam generator, a laser controller and laser beam focusing optics to produce a focused laser beam, the laser beam generator and the laser beam focusing optics bein

1. Portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator, comprising: a housing;a laser designator assembly, including a laser beam generator, a laser controller and laser beam focusing optics to produce a focused laser beam, the laser beam generator and the laser beam focusing optics being mounted on a unitary laser assembly support connected to the housing;a laser energy detector that detects reflected laser energy;an optical magnification scope mounted in the housing and having an optical field of view that is parallel to and aligned with a beam path defined by the laser beam focusing optics;a visual electronic display overlaid with the direct optical field of view;a controller that communicates with the laser controller, the laser energy detector, the visual electronic display, GPS device, and compass;a 3-axis magnetic compass located in the housing that provides a bearing direction or heading signal and inclination to the controller;a user input for activating the controller that is at least one of located on or connected to the housing; andthe controller is configured to (a) range find by signaling the laser controller to emit a single laser pulse, receiving a signal indicating a reflection of laser beam from a designated target has been detected, and calculating a time of flight of the laser beam from and to the designated target and a distance based on the time of flight,(b) laser designate a target by receiving a user input frequency, signaling the laser controller to produce and emit a laser beam at the user input frequency, receiving signals from the laser energy detector which detects reflected laser energy at the user input frequency, and generating a signal to the display to show a laser dot in the optical field of view that indicates what the laser beam is designating,(c) display an electronic optical reticle in the optical field of view, and(d) electronically adjust a reticle position to align the reticle position with the path of the laser beam focusing optics. 2. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, further comprising a thermal (MWIR and LWIR), SWIR or night image input connected to the controller, the controller being further configured to display night image data received from the night image input on the visual electronic display in the optic field of view. 3. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 2, further comprising a connector located on the housing adapted to receive a thermal, SWIR, or night image scope, a thermal (MWIR and LWIR), SWIR or night image scope mounted to the connector and aligned with the optic field of view, and an output from the thermal, SWIR or night image scope connected to the thermal, SWIR or night image input to the controller. 4. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a picatinny rail or rails on the housing. 5. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, further comprising a GPS signal input connection on the housing or internally integrated in communication with the controller, the controller being configured to determine a GPS position of a designated target using the distance calculated to the designated target, the bearing direction or heading signal, the inclination signal and a GPS signal of a current location of the device. 6. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, further comprising a remote control connector connected to the housing and in communication with the controller, and a user input remote control connected to the remote control connector. 7. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable stand connected to the housing having actuators for adjusting a position of the housing for aligning the beam path defined by the laser beam focusing optics and the optical field of view with a desired target, and to adjust the position of the housing based on a user input for aiming or targeting. 8. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein the visual electronic display comprises an OLED, and the display is overlaid with the optic field of view via a beam splitter located in the optic path for the optical field of view. 9. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein laser energy detector comprises a laser energy quadrant detector that is configured to determine quadrant position of reflected laser energy being detected. 10. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein the housing is a light-weight housing allowing a total system weight to be 7 to 9 pounds. 11. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein the laser energy detector detects reflected laser energy from any designation source (ground or airborne based), provides accurate steering information, decodes the laser's frequency, and is used as a range finding receiver. 12. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to automatically position the reticle based on the laser dot in the optical field of view that indicates what the laser beam is designating to perform an automatic field alignment of the system. 13. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein a movable laser cover is located on the housing over a laser exit path, and a monitor determines a status of the laser cover and is adapted to signal the controller to disable the laser beam generator if the laser cover is not in a completely opened state. 14. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein vertical and horizontal ranging reticle tick marks are shown on the display denoting 10 meter increments (horizontal) and 10 milliradian (vertical) at the target range after the range has been measured. 15. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to output data via a USB connected with cable or Bluetooth. 16. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, further comprising an integrated camera in the visual path to capture images of the situation and remote the data as well as on screen display information through the USB. 17. The portable integrated laser optical target tracker and designator of claim 1, further comprising a separate range finder laser having an eyesafe laser output in a range of 1550 nm.