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US 2006/0234191 A1Published application
Auto-aiming dazzler
OwnerJacques Ludmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system is disclosed to aim a light beam at a retro-reflecting target such as an eye by emitting a probe beam through an Alvarez lens pair and detecting a retro-reflected glint on a focal plane array to determine the direction from which he glint is received and move a moving element of the Alvarez lens pair so as to point a light source directly at the retro-reflecting target. A ranging device may be incorporated to adjust the intensity of the light source.
Claims16
A light beam aiming system comprising:
- a base;
- an Alvarez lens pair further comprising at least one moving element an X-Y motion controller mounted on said base and on which is mounted said moving element;
- a probe beam light source capable of emitting a probe beam, said probe beam light source being mounted on said base so as to direct said probe beam thru said Alvarez lens pair;
- a second light source capable of emitting a second light beam and mounted on said base so as to direct said light beam through said Alvarez Lens pair;
- a focal plane array capable of sensing light of the same wavelength as said probe beam, said focal plane array capable of providing an position signal in response to light of the same wavelength as said probe beam;
- a reflector mounted so as to receive at least one reflection from objects illuminated by said probe beam through said Alvarez lens pair and so as to direct said at least one reflection onto said focal plane array;
- control electronics configured so as to move said x-y position controller and hence said moving element of said Alvarez lens pair in response to said position signal.
4 more elements
A method of aiming a beam of light at a retro-reflecting target comprising:
- providing a base;
- further providing a first light source on said base able to emit a first light beam;
- further providing an Alvarez lens pair further mounted on said base comprising at least one movable element and providing an X-Y motion controller on which said moving element is mounted;
- providing a search probe source and of emitting a search beam through said Alvarez lens pair;
- providing a focal plane array and a reflector mounted on said base so as to receive a retro-reflection of the said search beam;
- said focal plane array further providing a position signal responsive to the position of said reflection on said focal plane array;
- providing control electronics to receive said position signal and to provide a signal to said motion controller to move said moving element of said Alvarez lens pair in response to said signal;
- directing the said first light source to emit said first light beam through the said Alvarez lens pair.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.