Patent · US Expired

Multiple designation missile system

US5273236A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
3References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1992
Grant dateDec 28, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF41G9/002
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus (10) is provided for designating a plurality of objects (E1-E3) within a field of view (FOV) and for thereafter simultaneously tracking each of the objects. A field of view is first defined in which one or more objects may be located. A laser beam generator (12) generates a laser beam (B) and directs it into the field of view. A beam steering mechanism (14) steers the laser beam throughout the field of view for it to strike each of the objects appearing therein. A coder unit (22) generates a code uniquely designating each object. A multiple target tracker (20) thereafter simultaneously tracks each separate object. The tracker controls the steering mechanism to sequentially steer the laser beam to each designated object. The laser, via the steering mechanism, illuminates all, or one or more, of the desginated, tracked targets within the field of view.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.