Patent ID: 6097330
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A mobile optical detection system for determining whether an unidentified object is hostile or friendly, comprising:a first transmitter/receiver unit operable to initiate and transmit a coded optical signal and a second transmitter/receiver unit operable to receive said coded optical signal transmitted by said first transmitter/receiver unit and, upon determining that said coded signal corresponds with a predetermined code stored at said second transmitter/receiver unit, to cause a second coded optical signal to be transmitted to said first transmitter/receiver unit;an indicating means coupled to said first transmitter/receiver unit and operable to provide an indication signal upon receipt by said first transmitter/receiver unit of said second coded optical signalwhereby said first transmitter/receiver unit further comprises a first transmitter for transmitting a first series of optical pulses towards an unidentified object; anda first receiver coupled to said first transmitter and operable to receive optical signals from a remote transmitter;whereby said second transmitter/receiver is associated with said unidentified object and further comprises a second receiver operable to receive and decode said first series of optical pulses; anda second transmitter coupled to said second receiver, wherein said second transmitter is operable to transmit a second series of optical pulses back towards said first transmitter/receiver after said second receiver receives said first series of optical pulses; andwherein said indicating means provides a signal after said second series of optical pulses are received by said first receiver, thereby providing an indication as to whether said unidentified object is friendly.