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Portable target locator apparatus and method of usePortable target locator apparatus and method of use description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070273871, Portable target locator apparatus and method of use. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to target location devices and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable target locator apparatus for determining a location of a target and for sending location information and other information to an unmanned vehicle so the vehicle can locate the target and perform operations in accordance with the transmitted information. BACKGROUND [0002] The U.S. military increasingly relies on Close Air Support (CAS) to protect troops on the ground, especially when the troops are in close proximity to enemy forces or civilians. Manned aircrafts are commonly used for CAS operations because pilots or other operators of the aircrafts can accurately determine the locations of desired targets through visual observation and can make ultimate firing decisions. Target location acquisition is often aided by one or more ground observers or "men in the loop" who locate desired targets and communicate target location information and firing suggestions to the operators of the CAS vehicles. Such ground observers also help limit fratricide. [0003] Unfortunately, CAS operations are very dangerous for manned aircrafts due to enemy anti-aircraft weaponry. Armed, unmanned aircrafts are not currently used for CAS operations because the lack of pilots to observe targets and receive instructions and feedback from ground observers makes accurate target identification and location more difficult. [0004] Portable target locator devices for use by ground observers have been developed to alleviate some of the above-described problems. However, most if not all of these devices are designed for use with manned aircraft and therefore require a pilot or other operator to make ultimate targeting and firing decisions. [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved portable target locator apparatus and method that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of target location devices and methods. More particularly, the present invention provides a portable target locator apparatus for use by a ground observer to provide information to an unmanned aircraft or other vehicle. The apparatus accurately determines the location of a target and transmits both target location information and firing instructions to the unmanned vehicle so the unmanned vehicle can locate the target and apply weaponry to the target based on the firing instructions. The present invention may also be used to locate non-military targets or objects such as fires, biohazards, chemical hazards, persons in need of rescue, and supply drop zones. In fact, the present invention has utility in any situation in which the mission or surrounding environment is too dangerous, tedious, and/or costly for a manned aircraft. [0007] One embodiment of the present invention comprises: optics for permitting a user to see a magnified view of a target or other object; a location determining component for determining a current location of the apparatus; a rangefinder for determining a range from the apparatus to the target; an Azimuth sensor for determining an Azimuth from the apparatus to the target; a processor coupled with the location determining component, the rangefinder and the Azimuth sensor for determining the location of the target; an input device operable by the user to input firing instructions, vehicle instructions or other instructions; and a transmitter for transmitting the location information and the firing instructions, vehicle instructions, or other instructions to the unmanned vehicle so the unmanned vehicle can locate the target and apply weaponry to the target or perform other operations based on the firing instructions or other instructions. [0008] These and other important aspects of the present invention are described more fully in the detailed description below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: [0010] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation showing a user operating the portable locator apparatus of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a Global Positioning System (GPS) that may be used to implement certain aspects of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating some of the components of the portable locator apparatus. [0013] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0014] Turning now to the drawing figures, a portable locator apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 may be used by a ground observer 12 to determine a location of a target 14 and to send location information and instructions to an unmanned vehicle 16 so that the vehicle can locate the target 14 and apply weaponry or perform other operations in accordance with the instructions. The apparatus 10 is not limited to military uses and can be used in any situation in which a manned vehicle is not needed or desired. For example, the apparatus 10 can be used to accurately determine the location of a fire, a biohazard, a chemical hazard, a person in need of rescue, a supply drop zone, or any other object and to communicate the location of the object along with other instructions to an unmanned vehicle so that the vehicle may perform one or more desired operations such as releasing a fire suppressant or biological or chemical remediation agent, rescuing a victim, etc. [0015] The present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In preferred embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the invention is shown implemented with a portable target locator apparatus 10 broadly comprising optics 18, a location determining component 20, a rangefinder 22, an Azimuth sensor 24, an inclination sensor 26, a processor 28, input devices 30, an optional display 32, and a transmitter 34, all housed within a portable, lightweight, handheld housing 36. [0016] The optics 18 are preferably part of a pair of binoculars and include both a daytime monocular for permitting viewing of objects in relatively high light situations and an infrared (IR) night vision monocular for permitting viewing of objects in relatively low light situations. In this way, a user can look through either the daytime monocular or night vision monocular with one eye depending on the ambient light conditions. Alternatively, the optics 18 may include a pair of conventional monoculars or a pair of night vision monoculars so the apparatus is designed primarily for either daytime or nighttime use, respectively. [0017] The location determining component 20 is preferably a GPS receiver designed for use with the GPS system. The GPS system is a satellite-based radio navigation system capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and direction information for an unlimited number of users. Formally known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality of satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units. [0018] The GPS system is implemented when a device specially equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device can determine the precise location of that satellite via one of different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals. Implementing geometrical triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. Acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation. The positioning and velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited number of users. [0019] Although GPS enabled devices are often used to describe navigational devices, it will be appreciated that satellites need not be used to determine a geographic position of a receiving unit since any receiving device capable of receiving the location from at least three transmitting locations can perform basic triangulation calculations to determine the relative position of the receiving device with respect to the transmitting locations. For example, cellular towers or any customized transmitting radio frequency towers can be used instead of satellites. With such a configuration, any standard geometric triangulation algorithm can be used to determine the exact location of the receiving unit. In this way, personal hand held devices, cell phones, intelligent appliances, intelligent apparel, and others can be readily located geographically, if appropriately equipped to be a receiving unit. Continue reading about Portable target locator apparatus and method of use... Full patent description for Portable target locator apparatus and method of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable target locator apparatus and method of use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Portable target locator apparatus and method of use or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Sensor for lithographic apparatus and method of obtaining measurements of lithographic apparatus Next Patent Application: Devices for determining the longitudinal and angular positions of a rotationally symmetrical apparatus Industry Class: Optics: measuring and testing ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Portable target locator apparatus and method of use patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12639 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
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