Integrated Marker System for Weight Reduction and IFF Interrogation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marker systems require multiple devices for personnel identification and IFF interrogation, leading to issues with weight, real estate, and limited range and directionality, as well as complexity in maintaining and controlling multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A single marker system with a controller, emitters, and detectors that emit and respond to light signals, providing multiple wavelengths, intensities, and modes, including IFF interrogation capabilities, integrated into a low-profile housing for mounting on helmets or equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple marking devices are carried to meet operational needs, then identification and marking capabilities are improved, but weight and real estate requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate marking devices (chemical light, electronic light, strobe light, helmet-mounted light, IFF response device) into a single integrated marker system that can perform all these functions. The system uses a common power source, control circuitry, and housing to unify previously separate devices, directly reducing weight and space requirements while maintaining all identification and marking capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker system is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple functions: visible light emission, infrared emission, strobe modes, continuous operation, and IFF interrogation response. By making the device multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing the overall weight and real estate requirements while improving adaptability to different operational scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple marking devices are carried to meet operational needs, then identification and marking capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple device control systems into a single integrated control unit. The controller manages all emitters (visible and infrared), power distribution, and IFF response functions through unified circuitry. This consolidation simplifies maintenance procedures and control operations compared to managing multiple separate devices, directly addressing the complexity issue while preserving full operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal marker system employs a single controller that handles all operational modes (visible, infrared, strobe, continuous) and IFF response functions. This centralized control approach reduces the complexity of maintaining and operating multiple separate devices, as users interact with one unified system rather than coordinating multiple independent devices with different maintenance schedules and control mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If IFF response device is located on arm or shoulder, then integration is simplified, but range, directionality and feedback flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the IFF response capability from a two-dimensional surface attachment (arm/shoulder patch) to a three-dimensional spatial positioning on the head/helmet. This dimensional change enables the device to project light signals in multiple directions (front, back, sides, upward) rather than being constrained to a single orientation, thereby significantly improving range, directionality, and feedback flexibility while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized mounting interfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Combines multiple functions into a single device, offering multi-directional signal emission and acquisition, reducing weight and complexity while enhancing visibility and safety through programmable identification and response features.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least one emitter emits the first light responsive to a flow of electrical current through that emitter
Implementation Method 2
The detector(s) are for detecting light in of a specific wavelength and converting the light to an electrical signal that is then received by the controller
Data Source
AI summary
A marker system includes a controller with a plurality of emitters electrically interfaced to the controller such that, upon the controller initiating a flow of electric current though one or more of the emitters, the one or more of the emitters emit light. There is also at least one detector electrically interfaced to the controller. The detector(s) are for detecting light in of a specific wavelength and converting the light to an electrical signal that is then received by the controller. Software is stored on a non-transitory storage associated with the controller. The software monitors the at least one detector for an incoming IFF signal and the software initiating the flow of electric current through a selected set of the plurality of emitters responsive to receiving the incoming IFF signal from the at least one detector.