Portable multi colour hostile camera countermeasure device

Abstract

A multi-fiber, multi-color, laser-based remote hostile camera countermeasure apparatus, including one or more fiber optic based lasers, each emitting laser light through a respective fiber optic, at least one fiber combiner, one or more fiber collimators and a controller, configured to control all operational aspects of the laser-based countermeasure apparatus. Each of the fiber optic based lasers emits a respective laser beam of wavelength, a respective intensity, and a respective transmission mode: either continuous wave or a controllable pulsed mode. The at least one fiber combiner is configured to combine together all the laser beams into a combined output laser beam, and the one or more fiber collimators are configured to collimate the combined output laser beam, yielding a countermeasure, collimated output laser beam. Preferably, all lasers are fiber optic based lasers and emit visible light and, optionally, near-infrared light.

Description

[0001] PORTABLE MULTI COLOUR HOSTILE CAMERA COUNTERMEASURE DEVICE

[0002] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application is a PCT application which claims priority and the benefit of Israeli Patent Application No. 310220 filed on January 7, 2024, and Israeli Patent Application No. 311723 filed on March 26, 2024. The contents of each application are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure relates to laser-based countermeasure devices for hostile camera dazzling / jamming / destroying, and methods of use. Preferably, the lasers are fiber optic based lasers wherein each laser may operate at a different wavelength, different power level and different operation mode: pulsed or continuous wave (CW). The countermeasure device further includes one or more fiber combiners and one or more fiber collimators.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] The use of security cameras has become a cornerstone in ensuring public safety, crime prevention, and the monitoring of critical infrastructures. However, they are also used by criminal entities and terrorist as a warning device of law enforcements forces deployments, as well as guided ammunition (such as missiles, rockets, bombs and mortars) that are becoming smarter and enable guided heads incorporating cameras and camera sensors (such as CMOS and CCDs). Therefore, there is a need for camera disabling devices, that jam or destroy targeted cameras.

[0008] It should be appreciated that dazzling / jamming of a target camera is achieved by saturating the camera pixels. Although most current art cameras may automatically control the gain and the exposure time in order to overcome saturation effects, there are limits to the camera electronic correction capabilities. The first one is a physical limit that is determined by the maximal number photons that saturates a pixel. This value is known as saturation capacity [photons] which is of the order of 10,000 photons. Once the number of photons that reach the pixel is larger than the saturation capacity, the pixel is saturated. Given the above considerations it is possible to dazzle / jam a target camera either by illuminating the camera sensor, using a continuous wave (CW) laser power at a certain wavelength, or by using a pulsed laser at a certain wavelength. During CW operation the laser saturates the camera pixels so that an image cannot be formed. Since the non-lethal laser incapacitation constraint does not apply here, the high-power density of the laser is set above the sensor saturation capacity, so that the sensor reaches its image acquisition physical limitation.

[0009] Auto Exposure (AE) and Auto Gain Control (AGC) in cameras algorithms that work together to achieve proper exposure of the image. AE is the algorithm that adjusts the exposure settings based on the light levels detected in the scene. AGC is one component of AE and specifically refers to the electronic amplification of the signal in the camera. The rate at which these algorithm work determines how fast the camera can compensate for fluctuating light levels. This rate is of the order of a few milliseconds. During pulsed mode operation, the laser illuminates the image sensor at peak power densities above a certain value at certain pulse width and at a certain repetition rate. Since the auto gain and auto exposure algorithms work to compensate for the fluctuating power density the image is distorted, and details cannot be seen.

[0010] An alternative method is to destroy the camera sensor or cause it physical damage by illuminating it with high power CW laser or high peak power laser pulses. In this way either the sensor’s pixels are burnt and can disable the conversion of photons to electrons, or critical camera components such as the lens or a window that covers the sensor are damaged, which cause image blurring. Alternatively, the high laser power may also damage optical components (lenses, windows etc.) that are placed before the image sensor. The damage obscures the image, and details cannot not be observed.

[0011] Laser jammers have gained significant attention in both military and civilian applications due to their ability to temporarily disrupt and / or impair the vision of cameras (or individuals) at varying distances. Laser dazzling, also known as non-lethal laser incapacitation, involves the use of high-intensity laser beams to cause temporary visual impairment, disorientation, and glare in the targeted subjects.

[0012] Laser camera jamming involves the deliberate use of high-intensity lasers to disrupt the functioning of cameras, rendering them temporarily inoperable. Laser camera dazzling operates on the principle of overwhelming the camera's sensor with intense light, causing overexposure, blooming, and, in some cases, permanent damage to the sensor pixels. By exploiting the sensitivity of camera sensors to external light sources, it is possible to impair the camera's ability to capture clear and accurate images or videos. This deliberate interference can occur in both indoor and outdoor environments, affecting a wide range of surveillance systems, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, body-worn cameras, and autonomous drones and other vehicles equipped with cameras.

[0013] Currently laser dazzling / jamming systems are used for various applications. For example:

[0014] • Non-lethal crowd control, checkpoint security, and to deter or neutralize potential threats without causing permanent harm. They often have a range of several hundred meters.

[0015] • Jamming optically guided military ammunition, targeting systems, including missile guidance sensors and electro-optical devices.

[0016] • Deterring birds from airfields, and thereby reducing the risk of bird strikes.

[0017] • Neutralizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones by disrupting their cameras and sensors, causing them to lose their ability to navigate effectively.

[0018] United States patent US9574749 a non-lethal laser dazzler configured targeting of unfriendly or hostile forces. The non-lethal laser dazzler that includes one or more lasers, a collimator, and a controller. The one or more lasers are configured to generate laser illumination. The described laser configuration provides a way to couple the one or more lasers to one fiber optic or two fibers optic . It is based on free space optical components. This configuration is cumbersome, difficult to build and to align. Furthermore, it requires a cooler to cool the laser dazzler, and it cannot be portable by a single person.

[0019] The following prior art applications were cited in the IL application

[0020] United States patent application US 2002 / 0154498 describes a non-lethal method and devices for dispersing nuisance birds from a preselected area.

[0021] United States patent application US 2022 / 0412700 describes a system for disabling or destroying an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0022] United States patent application US 2012 / 0098693 describes a system to identify authorized electro-optic devices and unauthorized electro-optic devices within a scene.

[0023] United States patent application US 2015 / 0184835 describes an adaptive multiwavelength laser illuminator.

[0024] The electro-optic devices described in the above US applications are not portable and not carriable by a single person, as well as lack at least the control and modular design laser beam of the present application, with respect to adjustable hues and intensities of the beam controlled via a central controller, in real time. Furthermore, they do not provide fiber optic that can deliver a single mode laser beam or proximal thereto. The present invention eliminates free-space optical elements used in prior art, to thereby make the system lightweight and carriable by a single person.

[0025] There is further a need for simple, portable, lightweight, and carriable by a single person laser-based devices for camera countermeasure activities such as by dazzling / jamming / destroying and methods of use thereof. The device should include one or more high energy light emitting sources, such as lasers, each having a preconfigured wavelength. Preferably, with no limitation, the laser device should be coupled with a fiber optic (FO), wherein each high energy light emitting source operates at a different wavelength. Furthermore, the high energy light emitting sources should be individually controlled and fiber combined together to yield one single intensified output beam that propagated thorough fibers optic, wherein the yield beam can be then transmitted through a fiber collimator to a target destination, and wherein the intensity, wavelength and operation (transmission) mode of each high energy fiber-based light emitting source can be controlled.

[0026] SUMMARY

[0027] The present invention describes a preferably all-fiber laser-based device and method for camera countermeasure effects such as dazzling / jamming / destroying. The device includes one or more fiber optic based lasers. Each laser may operate at a different wavelength, different power level and different operation mode (pulsed or CW). Furthermore, different wavelength and operation modes may be used at different day times.

[0028] The lasers are each fiber based with a respective fiber optic, and the fibers optic are further combined together using one or more fiber optic combiners. The fiber combiners enable combining all the lasers to one single output, and to transmit them through a fiber collimator, wherein the power contribution of each laser is controlled by a controller.

[0029] It should be appreciated that countermeasure a camera may be achieved by saturating the pixels of the image sensor of the camera. Although most cameras may automatically control the gain and the exposure time to try and overcome the saturation effects, there are limits to the camera electronic correction capabilities. The first one is a physical limit that is determined by the maximal number photons that saturates a pixel. This value is known as saturation capacity [photons] which is in the order of 10,000 photons. Once the number of photons that reach the respective pixel is larger than the saturation capacity that pixel, the pixel is saturated.

[0030] It should be further appreciated that when aiming the countermeasure at a UAV, a drone, a vehicle, a complex, a compound, a camera guided ammunition (rocket, missile, etc.), or any other unmanned target, the non-lethal laser incapacitation constraint does not apply.

[0031] It is a principal intention of the present disclosure, to provide a small, lightweight and mobile countermeasure device that facilitates carrying the device by a single person. The present invention eliminates free-space optical elements used in prior art, to thereby make the system lightweight and carriable by a single person.

[0032] It should be further appreciated that the fiber-based lasers are coupled to operate with Beam Quality Preserving (BQP) optical fibers, wherein the BQP optical fiber is preferably configured to either preserve and transfer a single mode laser beam (or close to a single mode beam), to a telescopic device; or to improve the quality of a multi-mode laser beam, making it close to a single mode beam. The telescopic device is configured to transfer the single mode (or close to a single mode) laser beam to the target hostile camera, when aimed thereon.

[0033] Preferably, the BQP optical fiber has a large diameter clad optical fiber and a large clad to core ratio in order to help preserve the single mode (or close to a single mode) operation of the laser, while avoiding the challenges presented by small diameter core optical fibers. Common large core optical fibers have the same order of clad diameter as that of the core. For example, with no limitations, the core may have a 200 microns diameter, and the clad may have a 220 microns diameter, that is a clad / core diameter ratio of 1.1. Preferably, with no limitations, the fiber clad / core ratio of the BQP optical fiber of the present invention is at least 1.5.

[0034] The present invention provides an optimized color and power efficiency:

[0035] * Color mixing for enhanced dazzling: the system leverages color mixing to achieve custom hues for effective dazzling, optimized for color and monochrome camera sensors, adapting to the environmental light conditions.

[0036] • Energy efficiency through wavelength selection: using visible light for daytime operations and NIR for low-light scenarios, the apparatus is described as energy-efficient and well-suited for tactical applications. It should be appreciated that the present invention eliminates free-space optical elements used in prior art, to thereby make the system lightweight and carriable by a single person.

[0037] According to the teachings of the present disclosure there is provided a portable multi-fiber, multi-color, laser-based remote hostile camera countermeasure apparatus, including: a) an all-fiber laser generator having: i. one or more fiber optic (FO) based lasers, each emitting laser light through a respective fiber optic; and ii. at least one fiber combiner; b) one or more beam collimators; and c) a controller, configured to control all operational aspects of the laser-based countermeasure apparatus, wherein each FO based laser emits a respective laser beam of wavelength ( i), a respective intensity (li), and a respective transmission mode: either continuous wave (CW) or a controllable pulsed mode (Pi) wherein the fiber combiners are configured to combine together all of the laser beams into a combined output laser beam; wherein the beam collimator is configured to collimate the combined output laser beam, yielding a collimated output laser beam; and wherein the collimated output laser beam is set to deliver a controlled laser spot, having a damaging power density, onto a visually selected section of a targeted camera or a section thereof.

[0038] The FO based architecture maintains beam quality preservation by reducing modal dispersion and eliminating free-space optics, to thereby enhancing the thermal stability and reducing external cooling requirements

[0039] Preferably, the laser-based remote hostile camera countermeasure apparatus further includes an aiming telescope.

[0040] Preferably, the multiple emitted optical beams flow there-between the optical elements of the countermeasure apparatus via fiber optics, without the use of free-space optical elements.

[0041] Optionally, the telescopic device is configured to receive an input beam via a fiber optic. Preferably, at least some of the fibers optic are Beam Quality Preserving (BQP) optical fibers.

[0042] Preferably, the combiner is an n-fused fibers combiner, fusing together the n FO based lasers into a fibers-optic bundle, wherein the fibers-optic bundle is tapered towards the open end of the fibers-optic bundle, and wherein the tapered-buddle ends with tapered cylindrical waist that is fittingly attached to a receiving delivery-fiber-optic, configured to stream the yield a mixture of the input beams composed from the n input laser beam.

[0043] Preferably, all lasers emit visible light.

[0044] Preferably, the operating modes of the at least one FO collimator further includes at least one near-infrared-based operation mode, in which mode the collimated output laser beam includes near-infrared light.

[0045] Optionally, the intensity of each the laser beams is controllable by the controller.

[0046] Optionally, the controller is configured to adjust the intensity of the laser beams of one or more selected the FO based lasers, to thereby adjust the hue and intensity of the collimated output laser beam.

[0047] Optionally, the intensity of the collimated output laser beam is controlled by the controller by either controlling the input current of participating fiber optic-based lasers or by modulating the laser power of the participating fiber optic-based lasers so that the average output power is changed.

[0048] Optionally, the intensity of the collimated output laser beam affects the respective target camera either temporarily or permanently.

[0049] Optionally, the operating modes of the at least one FO collimator include at least one near-infrared-based operation mode, in which mode the collimated output laser beam includes near-infrared light.

[0050] Optionally, the operating modes include at least one continuous wave (CW) mode and at least one pulsed mode having controlled flashing frequency and pulse width and amplitude, and wherein the operating modes are controlled by the controller.

[0051] Optionally, the collimator is configured to adjust at least one of: a degree of collimation, a divergence, and to direct the respective laser illumination towards a single or multiple target cameras.

[0052] Preferably, the controller is configured to control the multiple FO-based lasers and the collimator so that the preset intensity of the FO-based lasers does not exceed a pre-set intensity.

[0053] Typically, the controller is configured to control the output laser beam wavelength. Typically, the controller is configured to control the output laser transmission mode.

[0054] Optionally, the controller is configured to identify the threshold amount based on a distance to each individual target camera.

[0055] Preferably, the countermeasure device is carriable by a single person.

[0056] Preferably, all laser beams flow via FO based units towards the one or more collimators.

[0057] According to the teachings of the present disclosure there is provided a countermeasure method for impairing a remote hostile camera, including: a) providing: i. a multi-fiber, multi-color, laser-based remote hostile camera countermeasure apparatus; ii. at least one fiber combiner; iii. one or more FO based lasers, each emitting laser light through a respective fiber optic; iv. at least one fiber combiner; v. one or more collimators; and vi. a controller, configured to control all operational aspects of the camera countermeasure apparatus, wherein each FO based laser emits a respective laser beam of a selected wavelength (zi), a selected intensity (Fi), and a selected transmission mode: either continuous wave (CW) or a selected pulsating mode (Pi); wherein the fiber combiners combine together all the laser beams into a combined output beam; a) wherein the at least one collimator collimates the output laser beam; b) selecting a countermeasure mode; c) visually directing the laser illumination towards one or more target cameras; and d) activating the remote camera countermeasure apparatus.

[0058] Preferably, the countermeasure method further includes the steps of: a) generating laser illumination using the one or more FO based lasers, each emitting laser light through a respective fiber optic; b) combining the one or more lasers lights by at least one fiber combiner, yielding a combined laser beam; c) collimating the combined laser beam yielding a collimated output laser beam, wherein the collimated output laser beam is set to deliver onto a selected remote target a controlled laser spot having a controlled power density; and d) controlling, by the controller, the multiple lasers wavelength (zi), intensity (7i), and transmission mode: either continuous wave (CW) or a controllable pulsed mode (Pi).

[0059] Preferably, all lasers are FO based lasers.

[0060] Preferably, the intensity of each of the laser beams is controllable by the controller.

[0061] Preferably, the controller is configured to adjust the intensity of the laser beams of one or more selected the FO based lasers, to thereby adjust the hue and intensity of the collimated output laser beam.

[0062] Preferably, the intensity of said collimated output laser beam is controlled by the controller by either controlling the input current of participating fiber optic-based lasers or by modulating the laser power of the participating fiber optic-based lasers so that the average output power is changed.

[0063] Optionally, the intensity of the collimated output laser beam affects the respective target camera either temporarily or permanently.

[0064] Preferably, the fiber combiners are configured to transmit a single output beam towards the one or more collimators via fibers optic.

[0065] Optionally, the at least one collimator is a FO based collimator.

[0066] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present disclosure, and wherein:

[0068] Fig. 1 is an example schematic illustration of a lightweight, multi-colour, multi-fiber, laserbased countermeasure apparatus, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0069] Fig. 2 illustrates a non-limiting example cross-section of a BQP optical fiber having a clad / core diameter ratio of 4:1, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] Fig. 3a illustrates an example UV wavelength output beam profile in a common optical fiber, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0071] Fig. 3b an example UV wavelength output beam profile in a BQP optical fiber, according to embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates an example laser generator that includes an n- fused fibers output combiner, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0072] Fig. 5 illustrates an example multi-colour mixing of wavelengths.

[0073] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0075] An embodiment is an example or implementation of the respective disclosure. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Although various features of the disclosure may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the disclosure may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the disclosure may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

[0076] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the disclosures. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

[0077] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as to which the disclosure belongs, unless otherwise defined. The present disclosure can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

[0078] It should be noted that orientation related descriptions such as “bottom”, “up”, “upper”, “down”, “lower”, “top” and the like, assumes that the associated item, such as the firearm system or a portion thereof, is operationally situated.

[0079] The following invention describes a portable, multi color, laser-based apparatus for counter measuring a hostile camera and / or a camera sensor, by dazzling / jamming / destroying the hostile camera, and methods of use thereof. The countermeasure apparatus includes one or more fiber coupled lasers, wherein each laser may be configured to operate at a different wavelength, different power level and different pulsed mode: pulsed or continuous wave (CW). Furthermore, different wavelength and operation modes may be used at different day times.

[0080] Reference is now made to the drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates an example schematic illustration of a lightweight, multi-fiber, multi-colour, laser-based countermeasure apparatus 100, having a number of lasers 110 each having a respective wavelength i, a respective controllable intensity li and transmission mode: either a continuous wave (CW) or a controllable pulsed mode Pi, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Each laser 110i is pre-coupled and pre-aligned with a respective fiber-optic (FO) 120i to form a fiberoptic based laser 115i, wherein: laser 1101 is pre-coupled with a respective fiber optic 1201 to form a fiber-optic based laser 115i; laser IIO2 is pre-coupled with a respective fiber-optic 12(h to form a fiber-optic based laser 1152; laser IIO3 is pre-coupled with a respective fiber optic 12(h to form a fiber laser 115,; laser IIO4 is pre-coupled with a respective fiber-optic 1204 to form a fiber-optic based laser 1154; and so on: laser 110n is pre-coupled with a respective fiber-optic 120n to form a fiber-optic based laser 115n.

[0081] The lightweight laser-based countermeasure apparatus 100 can be carried by a single person. Preferably, some or all of the fiber-optic used throughout laser-based countermeasure apparatus 100 are Beam Quality Preserving (BQP) optical fibers, including the fiber-optic based laser 115. The BQP optical fiber is designed to maintain single mode output laser beam 160 or a near single mode laser beam 160, and thereby maintain a high quality and individually controllable laser beam 160.

[0082] A BQP fiber-optic 120i has a large diameter clad inside the optical fiber in order to form a thick wall, in order to help preserve the single mode operation of the laser, while avoiding the challenges presented by small diameter core optical fibers. For example, with no limitations, the core may have a 200 microns diameter, and the clad may have a 220 microns diameter, that is a clad / core diameter ratio of 1.1:1. Preferably, with no limitations, the fiber clad / core ratio of the BQP optical fiber of the present invention is at least 1.5:1. Reference is also made to Fig. 2 that illustrates a non-limiting example of cross-section view of a BQP optical fiber 120 having a clad / core diameter ratio of about 4: 1. BQP optical fiber 120 has a clad (121) radius rciad and a core (122) radius rCore, wherein, in this non-limiting example, the clad / core diameter ratio is about 4:1 . Reference is also made to Fig. 3a that illustrates an example UV wavelength output beam profile in a common optical fiber; and to Fig. 3b that illustrates an example UV wavelength output beam profile in a BQP optical fiber 120, introduced in the present invention. In the formed beams, as demonstrated in the examples depicted in Figs. 3a and 3b. Fig. 4a exemplifies a beam formed inside a fiber 200A with core / clad diameter ratio of 400p.m / 440pm results with M2=42, whereas, as shown in Fig. 4b, a beam formed inside a fiber 200B with core / clad diameter ratio of 400pm / 1400pm results with M2=30.

[0083] Hence, an improved beam quality metrics (e.g., M2values) is achieved using BQP fibers with clad-to-core ratios of 1.5 or greater.

[0084] The laser generator 131 is optically interconnected to a telescopic optical delivery device, using optical fiber. The optical fiber may be a simple optical fiber or made of a BQP optical fiber that is configured to hinder evolution and propagation of high order laser modes and thus, preserves the laser beam quality. This in turn may also reduce the size of the laser beam delivery optics, such as a telescope. Preferably, the BQP optical fiber is pre-coupled with the fiber-based laser generator. It should be appreciated that the BQP optical fiber improves upon the prior art. laser generators, by enabling maintaining a single-mode operation and by enhancing the beam control, which is particularly useful for precision targeting of hostile cameras or sensors.

[0085] It should be further appreciated that the present invention eliminates free- space optical elements used in prior art, to thereby make the system lightweight, flexible, more reliable and carriable by a single person.

[0086] Reference is made to Fig. 4 that illustrates an example laser generator 131 that includes an n-fused fibers output combiner 130, according to embodiments of the present invention. The fiber-optic combiners 130, is configured to receive n fiber-optic based lasers 115. The n- fused fiber-optic combiner 130 enable combining the beams of all the input lasers 110 into one single output beam, via a delivery FO 140, and to further transmit the combined output beam via one or more fiber collimators 150 that are configured to collimate the output laser beam 160. Optionally, a collimator 150 may be a non-fiber collimator.

[0087] It should be appreciated that the use of fiber-optic based lasers 115 substantially simplifies the laser-based countermeasure apparatus 100 and the use of multi colors, laserbased collimate the output laser beam 160 to impair a remote hostile target camera. Furthermore, laser-based countermeasure apparatus 100 facilitates production of small form, portable, lightweight countermeasure device aimed to impair a remote hostile target camera.

[0088] It should be further appreciated that the use of fiber-optic based lasers 115 and the n-fused fibers output combiner 130, facilitates a smooth optical flow through an all fiberoptic based path, commencing with the n fiber-optic based lasers 115, all the way to the one or more fiber collimators 150 and optionally, an aiming telescope 152. It should be appreciated that the laser generator 131 output is interconnected to a telescopic beam steering de vice 152, either by a common optical fiber or a BQP optical fiber. The telescopic 152 device is a fiber coupled optical device that reshapes the laser beam in terms of the spot size and the divergence angle. The anti-UAS laser-based system may further include a controller that is configured to remotely controlling the laser generator 131 and optionally, the telescopic device 152. It should be further appreciated that thermal management is achieved intrinsically through reduced optical losses in the fiber-based pathway of the beams, substantially eliminating the need for active cooling systems.

[0089] Laser-based countermeasure apparatus 100 further includes a controller 105, configured to control all operational aspects of laser-based countermeasure apparatus 100. Controller 105 controls the hue and intensity of each individual fiber-optic based lasers 115, and sets the continuous or pulsed mode of the respective fiber-optic based lasers 115. In pulsed mode, controller 105 controls the pulse width and repetition rate. In operational modes where selected fiber-optic based lasers 115 are operated one after the other or simultaneously, wherein controller 105 also controls the order in which fiber-optic based lasers 115 are operated. Controller 105 is further configured to control the power density on the target by controlling tunable divergence collimator(s) 150 being tunable divergence collimators. Controller 105 is further configured to control the output wavelength of the countermeasure device 100 by controlling the power emitted by each fiber-based laser 115 simultaneously. Controller 105 not only manages the wavelength and intensity the output laser beam 160, but also dynamically adjusts power density based on target distance, enabling precise effects (temporary or permanent) on the target camera.

[0090] Collimator 150 is preconfigured to emit a beam 160 having divergence angle suitable for dazzling / jamming / destroying the target camera. Furthermore, divergence angle of output beam 160 may be tuned to set the power density on the target by controller 105, in order to either dazzle the camera or destroy it. It should be appreciated that the intensity of the collimated output laser beam 160 is controlled by controller 105, by either controlling the input current of participating fiber-based lasers 115 or by modulating the laser power of the participating fiber-optic based lasers 115, so that the average output power is changed. It should be further appreciated that the intensity of the collimated 160 output laser beam affects the respective target camera either temporarily or permanently. It should be further appreciated that the modulation of the output laser power may be achieved either by modulating the laser current of a respective fiber-optic based lasers 115, or by using an external modulator.

[0091] Reference is made back to Fig. 4 illustrating an example n-fused multi fiber-optic combiner 130, according to embodiments of the present invention. Multi fiber-optic combiner 130 includes n optical-fibers inlets 132 configured to fittingly host the n optical- fibers 120. Multi fiber-optic combiner 130 may further includes a cylindrical capillary tube 135 configured to tighten down the n optical-fibers 120 into a preconfigured diameter of the pointed end. Typically, cylindrical capillary tube 135 is a low index capillary tube.

[0092] Cylindrical capillary tube 135 includes a cylindrical tightening region 134 fitted to adjacently host the n optical-fibers 120. Cylindrical capillary tube 135 further includes a tapered region 136 of the capillary tube configured the tighten down the n optical-fibers 120 into a preconfigured diameter of the pointed end region 137. Preferably, multi fiber-optic combiner 130 further includes a cylindrical waist 138 fitted to be optically connected to a delivery-fiber-optic 140 configured to efficiently stream the yield mixture of input beams, composed from the n input laser beam. The composition includes both the combined power level, and the hue obtained from the mixture of laser input colors.

[0093] Given the nature of the target image sensor monochrome / color, an optimized dazzling wavelength range could be devised. Although color image sensor can be dazzled using a single wavelength range it is more efficient to use several wavelengths ranges such as red, green, and blue to dazzle the image sensor. For monochrome sensor a single wavelength could suffice. Furthermore, different wavelength ranges could work better during daylight while other wavelength ranges should be used during low light scenarios.

[0094] Both image types of image sensors, color and monochrome, have peak sensitivity in the visible wavelength range, usually at the green wavelength range. Therefore, it is efficient to use lasers in the visible range during daytime since the required laser power is lower than other wavelength ranges. On the other hand, during low light time the AE and AGC algorithms electrically increases the sensor sensitivity therefore using NIR laser radiation in the 700nm - l lOOnm wavelength range, where the image sensor has lower sensitivity, are more efficient in saturating the sensor.

[0095] The jamming of a color image sensor may require several lasers having different wavelengths. However, semiconductor lasers do not always have the desired wavelength range at the desired laser power. Although other types of lasers may be used, for example dye lasers or Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO), these lasers are large in size, cumbersome and may require frequent maintenance. Overcoming this obstacle is possible by using wavelength mixing, controlled by controller 105. By combining two or more wavelengths it is possible to achieve a new wavelength range. Fig. 3 illustrates an example schematic illustration of a multi-colour mixing.

[0096] It should be appreciated that providing wavelengths of just the classical 3 visible colors: Red, Green and Blue (RGB) may not be enough. For example, near infra-red (NIR) light may be used to damage CCD cameras and / or complementary metal-oxide- semiconductor (CMOS) chips. NIR light is also used for low-light scenarios.

[0097] The new wavelength, being the mixing result of the combined wavelengths, is given by the following equation, where:

[0098] Color = wR(IntensityR-LaserR) + wG(IntensityG-LaserG) + wB(IntensityB-LaserB), where wR, wG, wB represent the wavelength of the red, green and blue color, respectively;

[0099] LaserR, LaserG, LaserB represent the light emitted from the red, green, and blue lasers, respectively; and

[0100] IntensityR, IntensityG, IntensityB represent the intensities of the red, green, and blue lasers, respectively.

[0101] For example (see Fig. 3): it is possible to achieve a yellow wavelength 215 by mixing red and green; it is possible to achieve a magenta wavelength 235 by mixing red and blue; it is possible to achieve a cyan wavelength 225 by mixing blue and green; and it is possible to achieve a white wavelength 245 by mixing red, blue and green.

[0102] By mixing power intensities of colored lasers, any color hue for the output laser beam 160 can be achieved, using controller 105. The system leverages color mixing in order to achieve custom hues for effective dazzling, optimized for color and monochrome camera sensors, and controllably adapting to current light conditions. The system leverages color mixing to achieve custom hues for effective dazzling, optimized for color and monochrome camera sensors, adapting to light conditions.

[0103] Illuminating a target camera sensor may be either using CW or pulsed mode operations, controlled by controller 105. The illumination may be simultaneously using all wavelengths, some wavelengths or one wavelength at a time, depending on the wavelengths range, the time in the day and required wavelength range.

[0104] The invention being thus described in terms of several embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications, as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A portable multi-fiber, multi-color, laser-based remote hostile camera countermeasure apparatus, comprising: a) an all-fiber laser generator having: i. one or more fiber optic (FO) based lasers, each emitting laser light through a respective fiber optic; and ii. a fiber combiner; b) a beam collimator; and c) a controller, configured to control all operational aspects of the laser-based countermeasure apparatus, wherein each said FO based laser emits a respective laser beam of wavelength (2i), a respective intensity (li), and a respective transmission mode: either continuous wave (CW) or a controllable pulsed mode (Pi) wherein said fiber combiner is configured to combine together all said laser beams into a combined output laser beam; wherein said beam collimator is configured to collimate said combined output laser beam, yielding a collimated output laser beam; and wherein said collimated output laser beam is set to deliver a controlled laser spot, having a damaging power density, onto a visually selected section of a targeted camera or a section thereof.

2. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said remote hostile camera countermeasure apparatus further comprises an aiming telescopic device.

3. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multiple emitted optical beams flow there-between the optical elements of the countermeasure apparatus via fiber optics, without the use of free-space optical elements.

4. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 2, wherein said telescopic device is configured to receive an input beam via a fiber optic.

5. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least some of said fibers optic are Beam Quality Preserving (BQP) optical fibers.

6. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said combiner is an TI -fused fibers combiner, fusing together said n FO based lasers into a fibers-optic bundle, wherein said fibers-optic bundle is tapered towards the open end of said fibers-optic bundle, and wherein said tapered- buddle ends with tapered cylindrical waist that is fittingly attached to a receiving delivery-fiber- optic, configured to stream the yield a mixture of the input beams composed from said n input laser beam.

7. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein all said lasers emit visible light.

8. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operating modes of said at least one FO collimator further includes at least one near-infrared-based operation mode, in which mode said collimated output laser beam includes near- infrared light.

9. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intensity of each said laser beams is controllable by said controller.

10. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 9, wherein said controller is configured to adjust said intensity of said laser beams of one or more selected said FO based lasers, to thereby adjust the hue and intensity of said collimated output laser beam.

11. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 10, wherein the intensity of said collimated output laser beam is controlled by said controller by either controlling the input current of participating fiber optic -based lasers or by modulating the laser power of said participating fiber optic-based lasers so that the average output power is changed.

12. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 10, wherein said intensity of said collimated output laser beam affects the respective target camera either temporarily or permanently.

13. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operating modes of said at least one FO collimator include at least one near-infrared-based operation mode, in which mode said collimated output laser beam includes near- infrared light.

14. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 9, wherein said operating modes includes at least one continuous wave (CW) mode and at least one pulsed mode having controlled flashing frequency and pulse width and amplitude, and wherein said operating modes are controlled by said controller.

15. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said collimator is configured to adjust at least one of: a degree of collimation, a divergence, and to direct the respective laser illumination towards a single or multiple target cameras.

16. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control the multiple FO-based lasers and said collimator so that said preset intensity of said FO-based lasers does not exceed a pre-set intensity.

17. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control said output laser beam wavelength.

18. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to control said output laser transmission mode.

19. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to identify the threshold amount based on a distance to each individual target camera.

20. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein the countermeasure device is carriable by a single person.

21. The countermeasure apparatus of claim 1, wherein all laser beams flow via FO based units towards said one or more collimators.

22. A countermeasure method for impairing a remote hostile camera, comprising: a) providing: i. a multi-fiber, multi-color, laser-based remote hostile camera countermeasure apparatus; ii. at least one fiber combiner; iii. one or more FO based lasers, each emitting laser light through a respective fiber optic; iv. at least one fiber combiner; v. one or more collimators; and vi. a controller, configured to control all operational aspects of the camera countermeasure apparatus, wherein each said FO based laser emits a respective laser beam of a selected wavelength (2i), a selected intensity (li), and a selected transmission mode: either continuous wave (CW) or a selected pulsed mode (Pi) wherein said fiber combiners combine together all said laser beams into a single output beam; a) wherein said at least one collimator collimates said output laser beam; b) selecting a countermeasure mode;c) visually directing the laser illumination towards one or more target cameras; and d) activating said remote camera countermeasure apparatus.

23. The countermeasure method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of: a) generating laser illumination using said one or more FO based lasers, each emitting laser light through a respective fiber optic; b) combining said one or more lasers lights by at least one fiber combiner, yielding a combined laser beam; c) collimating said combined fiber-output laser beam yielding a collimated output laser beam, wherein said collimated output laser beam is set to deliver onto a selected remote target a controlled laser spot having a controlled power density; and d) controlling, by said controller, the multiple lasers wavelength (2i), intensity (Zi), and transmission mode: either continuous wave (CW) or a controllable pulsed mode (Pi).

24. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein all said lasers are FO based lasers.

25. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said intensity of each said laser beams is controllable by said controller.

26. The countermeasure method of claim 31, wherein said controller is configured to adjust said intensity of said laser beams of one or more selected said FO based lasers, to thereby adjust the hue and intensity of said collimated output laser beam.

27. The countermeasure method of claim 26, wherein the intensity of said collimated output laser beam is controlled by said controller by either controlling the input current of participating fiber optic -based lasers or by modulating the laser power of said participating fiber optic-based lasers so that the average output power is changed.

28. The countermeasure method of claim 26, wherein said intensity of said collimated output laser beam affects the respective target camera either temporarily or permanently.

29. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said fiber combiners are configured to transmit said single output beam towards said one or more collimators via fibers optic.

30. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said at least one collimator is a FO based collimator.

31. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein all said lasers emit visible light.

32. The countermeasure method of claim 30, wherein the operating modes of said at least one FO collimator further includes at least one near-infrared-based operation mode, in which mode said collimated output laser beam includes near- infrared light.

33. The countermeasure method of claim 31, wherein said operating modes includes at least one continuous wave (CW) mode and at least one pulsed mode having controlled flashing frequency and pulse width and amplitude, and wherein said operating modes are controlled by said controller.

34. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said one or more collimators are configured to adjust at least one of: a degree of collimation, a divergence, and to direct the laser illumination towards a single or multiple targets.

35. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said controller is configured to control the multiple FO based lasers and said collimator so that said preset intensity of said FO-based lasers does not exceed a pre-set intensity limit.

36. The countermeasure method of claim 35, wherein said pre-set intensity limit determines whether the damage caused to the respective target camera is either temporary or permanent.

37. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said controller is configured to control said output laser beam wavelength.

38. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said controller is configured to control said output laser transmission mode.

39. The countermeasure method of claim 22, wherein said controller is configured to identify the threshold amount based on a distance to each individual target camera.

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