Auto-aiming dazzler

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.

1 . 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.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a holographic beam combiner/filter disposed between said Alvarez lens pair and said probe beam source, said holographic beam combiner/filter being constructed to variously pass and refract different wavelengths of light.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a ranging beam source capable of emitting a ranging beam and mounted on said base so as to direct said ranging beam through said Alvarez lens pair and further comprising a range beam sensor electrically connected to said range beam source and capable of receiving at least one reflection of said ranging beam from an object in a path of said ranging beam, said range beam sensor having electronics so as to be able to measure a time interval between emitting said range beam and receiving said reflection.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said ranging beam and said probe beam are of different wavelengths and in invisible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said probe beam and said probe beam are bent in different amounts by said holographic beam combiner/filter.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second light source is a laser.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second light source produces an incoherent beam.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising at least one lens disposed between said second light source and said Alvarez lens pair so as to collimate said second light beam.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said range beam sensor comprises circuitry further comprising the range beam sensor providing a time signal responsive to said measured time interval to said control electronics, and wherein said control electronics is capable of triggering said second light beam source so as to emit a beam with an intensity which varies in response to said time signal.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said reflector is a dichroic.  
   
   
       11 . 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.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further providing a holographic beam combiner/filter mounted between said Alvarez lens pair and said first light source, said beam combiner/filter constructed so as to variously pass and refract different wavelengths of light.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising providing a ranging beam source mounted on said base and directing a ranging beam through said Alvarez lens pair; further providing a range beam sensor electrically connected to said range beam source, said range beam sensor positioned so as to receive at least one range reflection of said range beam, said range beam sensor having electronics so as to be able to measure a time interval between emitting said range beam and receiving said range reflection, and further said electronics providing a range signal responsive to said time interval.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further using said range signal to adjust the intensity of said first light beam responsive to said range signal.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further providing control electronics to receive said range signal and said control electronics causing said x-y controller to move responsive to said range signal.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said ranging beam and said probe beam are of different wavelengths and in invisible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.