US5685636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eye safe laser security device
Assignee: Vencore Services and Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1995-08-23
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Granted: 1997-11-11
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Expires: 2015-08-23
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a fixed or portable non-lethal laser security device and method for use of such device as a non-damaging weapon and security system to provides warning and visual impairment upon an intruder. At a predetermined laser wavelength and intensity, this invention utilizes laser light in the visible portion of the wavelength spectrum to create temporary visual impairment, hesitation, delay, distraction, and reductions in combat and functional effectiveness through the effects of glare, flashblind, and psychological impact. The preferred embodiment of the laser security device in the present invention involves the use of laser technology with a remotely operated security system. The device should have a housing structure to protect the internal components from damage or destruction, the ability to produce and transmit visible laser light over various wavelengths and intensities, a power source to drive the laser light, a collimating lens to focus the laser light, and should also be capable of coupling and communicating with an existing security device such as a remote-control closed circuit television camera mounted upon a pan and tilt head. Upon detection of an intruder, the laser security device is capable of visually warning the intruder of the detection. If the intruder further intrudes, the laser security device impairs the intruder's visual capabilities by the effects of flashblind and glare, allowing security forces time to respond to the intrusion and intercept the intruder.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. German
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:10
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H13/00; F41H13/0043; F41H13/005; F41H13/0056; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0064; F41A; F41A33/00; F41A33/02; F21Y; F21Y2115/00; F21Y2115/10; F21Y2115/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A self contained, portable device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability of a human by either glare or flashblinding without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising: (a) a single housing; (b) a laser positioned in said housing, said laser being a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of up to 0.0583 watts/cm 2 at a range of 3-1000 meters; (c) a lens positioned in said housing for altering the spread and, therefore, the intensity of said laser beam; (d) a power source positioned in said housing; (e) a switch positioned in said housing; and (f) a power source circuit positioned in said housing, interconnecting said power supply and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level of intensity at which significant glare and flashblinding effects occur but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A self contained, portable device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability of a human by either glare or flashblinding without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising: (a) a single housing; (b) a laser positioned in said housing, said laser being a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of up to 0.0583 watts/cm 2 at a range of 3-1000 meters; (c) a lens positioned in said housing for altering the spread and, therefore, the intensity of said laser beam; (d) a power source positioned in said housing; (e) a switch positioned in said housing; and (f) a power source circuit positioned in said housing, interconnecting said power supply and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level of intensity at which significant glare and flashblinding effects occur but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser is a continuous laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser is a repetitively pulsed laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said laser operates in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said laser is a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said power source includes at least one battery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device as set forth in claim 1, further including means to adjust the position of said lens relative to the laser output aperture, whereby said beam spread can be altered so that the diameter of said beam and said intensity can be varied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said position adjusting means is a ring mounted on said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said housing has the general exterior configuration of a conventional flashlight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said power source is one or more conventional batteries.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as set forth in claim 11, further including a heat sink positioned in said housing in heat transfer relationship with said laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as set forth in claim 1, further including an optical fiber to couple said laser to said lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said housing has the general configuration of a police baton.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as set forth in claim 15, wherein said housing is a sturdy tube which can also function as a baton.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing is the size and shape of a cartridge for a hand held firearm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device as set forth in claim 17, wherein said housing is size and shape of a conventional 12 gauge shotgun shell, whereby said housing can be chambered in a conventional 12 gauge shotgun.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as set forth in claim 18, wherein said switch generates a laser triggering signal upon impact by the firing pin of said shotgun.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as set forth in claim 19, wherein said switch is a piezo crystal triggering generator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as set forth in claim 19, wherein said power supply circuit includes a triggering circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as set forth in claim 18, wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery, and further including means for recharging said battery.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth is claim 18, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as set forth in claim 23, further including a heat sink positioned in said housing in heat transfer relationship with said laser.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
126 words
A device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability in a human by either glare or flashblinding, without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising: (a) a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of up to 0.0583 watts/cm 2 at a range of 3-1000 meters, said laser including a housing and optics for altering the spread of said beam; (b) a power source for energizing said laser; (c) a switch; (d) a power supply circuit interconnecting said power source and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level at which significant glare and flashblinding effects can occur, but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
126 words
A device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability in a human by either glare or flashblinding, without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising: (a) a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of up to 0.0583 watts/cm 2 at a range of 3-1000 meters, said laser including a housing and optics for altering the spread of said beam; (b) a power source for energizing said laser; (c) a switch; (d) a power supply circuit interconnecting said power source and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level at which significant glare and flashblinding effects can occur, but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device as set forth in claim 25, further including a closed circuit television camera and a remotely located operator monitor electronically coupled to said camera, said camera and said laser housing mounted adjacent to each other, so that both are at the same location, remote from said monitor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device as set forth in claim 26, further including a pan and tilt mount and electronics for controlling the movement of said mount, said camera and said laser both being secured to said mount, said monitor including a pan and tilt control.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth in claim 27, wherein said switch is located on said monitor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as set forth in claim 26, wherein said laser is a continuous laser.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth in claim 26, wherein said laser is a repetitively pulsed laser.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as set forth in claim 26, wherein said laser operates in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as set forth in claim 31, wherein said laser is a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as set forth in claim 31, wherein said laser is a semiconductor diode laser.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
160 words
A device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability in a human by either glare or flashblinding, without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising: (a) a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of no more than 0.0583 watts/cm 2 at a location a fixed distance from said laser along the path of said beam, said laser including a housing and optics for setting the spread of and, hence the intensity, of said beam; (b) a power source for energizing said laser; (c) means for sensing the presence of a moving individual within a predetermined are, said sensing means including a switch; and (d) a power supply circuit interconnecting said power and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level of intensity at which significant glare and flashblinding effects can occur, but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
160 words
A device to reduce or temporarily impair the visual ability in a human by either glare or flashblinding, without long-term visual impairment, said device comprising: (a) a low energy laser, when energized said laser producing a beam of visible laser light having an intensity of no more than 0.0583 watts/cm 2 at a location a fixed distance from said laser along the path of said beam, said laser including a housing and optics for setting the spread of and, hence the intensity, of said beam; (b) a power source for energizing said laser; (c) means for sensing the presence of a moving individual within a predetermined are, said sensing means including a switch; and (d) a power supply circuit interconnecting said power and said switch with said laser, said circuit limiting the power output of said laser to a level of intensity at which significant glare and flashblinding effects can occur, but below the threshold intensity for permanent eye damage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-10 | 2001-05-12 | 2001-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-10 | 2005-05-12 | 2005-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-10 | 2009-05-12 | 2009-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |