Target marker having quantum cascade laser for thermally marking a target
AssigneeLaserMax, Inc.
InventorSusan Houde-Walter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A handheld target marker is provided, wherein the target marker includes a housing retaining a quantum cascade laser, a collimating or focusing lens, a driver and a power supply. The quantum cascade laser produces a thermal infrared beam which can be selectively directed to impinge upon a target. The impinging beam is viewable by a thermal imager. The handheld target marker operates at ambient temperatures and incorporates the driver and power supply necessary for operation of the quantum cascade laser.
Claims43
A handheld target marker viewable by a thermal imaging system, the marker comprising:
- (a) a handheld housing having an interior and an exterior;
- (b) a quantum cascade laser retained in the interior of the housing for emitting a beam at a thermal infrared wavelength along a beam path, a portion of the beam path extending from the housing to a target being substantially optically direct, the beam forming part of a thermal image of the target;
- (c) a driver retained within the housing and operably connected to the quantum cascade laser causing the quantum cascade laser to emit the beam along the beam path
- (d) a lens located in the beam path;
- and
- (e) a power supply retained within the housing and operably connected to at least one of the driver and the quantum cascade laser.
A method of marking a target comprising:
- (a) intersecting a thermal infrared beam from a quantum cascade laser retained in handheld housing at room temperature with the target, a portion of a beam path extending from the housing to the target being substantially optically direct;
- (b) capturing a portion of the beam;
- and
- (c) forming part of a thermal image of the target with the captured portion of the beam.
A weapons-mounted target marker viewable by a thermal imaging system, the marker comprising:
- (a) a housing mounted to a firearm, the housing having an interior and an exterior;
- (b) a quantum cascade laser retained in the interior of the housing for emitting a beam at a thermal infrared wavelength along a beam path, the beam forming part of a thermal image;
- (c) a driver retained within the housing and operably connected to the quantum cascade laser;
- (d) a lens located in the beam path;
- and
- (e) a power supply retained within the housing and operably connected to the quantum cascade laser.
A handheld target marker viewable by a thermal imaging system, the marker comprising:
- (a) a handheld housing having an interior and an exterior;
- (b) a quantum cascade laser retained in the interior of the housing for emitting a beam at a thermal infrared wavelength along a beam path, a portion of the beam path extending from the housing to a target being substantially optically direct, wherein the quantum cascade laser is retained within a sealed subhousing in the interior of the housing;
- (c) a driver retained within the housing and operably connected to the quantum cascade laser causing the quantum cascade laser to emit the beam along the beam path;
- (d) a lens located in the beam path;
- and
- (e) a power supply retained within the housing and operably connected to at least one of the driver and the quantum cascade laser.
A weapons-mounted target marker viewable by a thermal imaging system, the marker comprising:
- (a) a housing mounted to a firearm, the housing having an interior and an exterior;
- (b) a quantum cascade laser retained in the interior of the housing for emitting a beam at a thermal infrared wavelength along a beam path, wherein the quantum cascade laser is retained within a sealed subhousing in the interior of the housing;
- (c) a driver retained within the housing and operably connected to the quantum cascade laser;
- (d) a lens located in the beam path;
- and
- (e) a power supply retained within the housing and operably connected to the quantum cascade laser.
A method of marking a target comprising:
- (a) intersecting a thermal infrared beam from a handheld housing at room temperature with the target, a portion of a beam oath extending from the housing to the target being substantially optically direct;
- (b) viewing the intersected beam with a remote thermal imaging device;
- (c) capturing a portion of the beam;
- and
- (d) forming part of a thermal image of the target with the captured portion of the beam.
A method of marking a target comprising:
- (a) intersecting a thermal infrared beam from a quantum cascade laser retained in a housing mounted to a firearm at room temperature with the target;
- (b) capturing a portion of the beam;
- and
- (c) forming part of a thermal image of the target with the captured portion of the beam.
A method of marking a target comprising:
- (a) intersecting a thermal infrared beam from a housing mounted to a firearm at ambient temperature with the target;
- (b) viewing the intersected beam with a remote thermal imaging device;
- (c) viewing the intersected beam comprises capturing a portion of the beam;
- and
- (d) forming part of a thermal image of the target with the captured portion of the beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.