Handheld Laser Targeting and Geolocation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size and weight of existing laser targeting and geolocation devices limit soldiers' flexibility during deployment, as they need to carry both devices, which reduces their ability to provide targeting information to vehicles and weapons and limits their carrying capacity for ammunition and rations.
Innovation Solution
A compact, handheld device that combines laser targeting and geolocation capabilities, featuring a housing with integrated laser range finder, digital imaging camera, thermal imager, and a controller that calculates object locations and provides alerts based on risk-estimate distances, allowing for both visible and infrared imaging and targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a soldier carries both a laser targeting device and a geolocation device, then targeting capabilities are improved, but the weight and volume of equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines laser targeting and geolocation capabilities into a single handheld device. The housing contains both a laser range finder for distance measurement and a geolocation module for position determination, eliminating the need to carry separate devices and reducing overall equipment weight while maintaining full targeting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device is designed as a multi-functional tool that performs both laser targeting and geolocation functions. The device can provide laser designation for weapons while simultaneously determining and transmitting its own position coordinates, making it a universal targeting system that replaces multiple specialized devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If a soldier carries both a laser targeting device and a geolocation device, then targeting capabilities are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate devices (laser targeting device and geolocation device) into one integrated handheld unit. The housing contains both functional modules, reducing the number of devices from two to one and simplifying the equipment loadout while preserving all necessary targeting capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a universal platform that handles both laser designation and geolocation tasks. The controller manages multiple functions including laser emission, range finding, position calculation, and data transmission, creating a single multi-purpose tool that eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices
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
The device enhances soldiers' flexibility by providing both targeting and geolocation functions in a single, lightweight unit, enabling efficient targeting and reducing the burden of carrying multiple devices, thus improving their operational capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a laser range finder arranged in the housing and operable to emit a first pulsed laser beam towards an object, receive a returned first pulsed laser beam reflected by the object, and calculate a distance to the object based on a characteristic of the returned pulsed laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a first lens arranged in the housing and configured to transmit visible light to a digital imaging camera arranged in the housing
Implementation Method 3
a laser targeting marker arranged in the housing and operable to emit a second pulsed laser beam towards an object
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld targeting device that includes a geolocating system and a laser targeting system is provided. The geolocating system includes a laser range finder operable to emit a first pulsed laser beam toward an object from the first end of the housing and receive a returned first pulsed laser beam to calculate a distance to a target. By combining the calculated distance with a compass direction and position of the targeting device, a location of the object can be calculated. The laser targeting system includes a laser targeting marker operable to emit a second pulsed laser beam toward the object from the first end of the housing. Other vehicles or weapons can detect the second pulsed laser beam for indication of or guidance to the target. In one aspect, the laser range finder can share an optical lens with a thermal imager that captures infrared images.