Infrared light is detected in a vehicle computer via an infrared sensor from a source outside the host vehicle. The computer can further determine that the infrared light was generated from a source in a second vehicle, detect the second vehicle based at least partly on the detected infrared light and possibly also partly on input from a host vehicle collision detection sensor.

A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner.

A system for providing integrated detection and countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicles include a detecting element, a location determining element and an interdiction element. The detecting element detects an unmanned aerial vehicle in flight in the region of, or approaching, a property, place, event or very important person. The location determining element determines the exact location of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The interdiction element can either direct the unmanned aerial vehicle away from the property, place, event or very important person in a non-destructive manner, or can cause disable the unmanned aerial vehicle in a destructive manner.

A sparse optical phased array transmitter/receiver includes, in part, a multitude of transmitting/receiving elements that are sparsely positioned. Accordingly, the transmitting/receiving elements are not uniformly distributed at equal distance intervals along a one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or a three-dimensional array. The positions of the transmitting/receiving elements may or may not conform to an ordered pattern.

A method and a system for the optical detection, with hyperacuity, of a contrasted target, allowing the detection of the relative position of said target in relation to said detection system and therefore the acquisition and the pursuit of such a target. One or more embodiments is applicable to the field of autonomous robotic systems, especially for the positioning of drones or robots on a target.

A method and a system for the optical detection, with hyperacuity, of a contrasted target, allowing the detection of the relative position of said target in relation to said detection system and therefore the acquisition and the pursuit of such a target. One or more embodiments is applicable to the field of autonomous robotic systems, especially for the positioning of drones or robots on a target.

A method and apparatus are provided to control artificial lighting using accurate geographical location, date and time, in order to activate such electrical activity only during needed periods of actual terrestrial darkness related to sun elevation. Accurate, real-time calculation of sun elevation relative to geographical location and date/time allow natural lighting characteristics such as natural light spectrum and intensity to be matched to artificial lighting, in order to provide a smooth transition in ambient lighting and to save energy. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a global positioning system (GPS) element for determining latitude, longitude, altitude, date and time and a calculation element for determining sun elevation angle accurately. A specific embodiment requires only desired sun elevation angle inputs from the user for controlling electrical switches in a control system.

A method and apparatus are provided to control artificial lighting using accurate geographical location, date and time, in order to activate such electrical activity only during needed periods of actual terrestrial darkness related to sun elevation. Accurate, real-time calculation of sun elevation relative to geographical location and date/time allow natural lighting characteristics such as natural light spectrum and intensity to be matched to artificial lighting, in order to provide a smooth transition in ambient lighting and to save energy. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a global positioning system (GPS) element for determining latitude, longitude, altitude, date and time and a calculation element for determining sun elevation angle accurately. A specific embodiment requires only desired sun elevation angle inputs from the user for controlling electrical switches in a control system.

A dual-band semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system incorporating a dual-passband filter. According to one example, a semi-active laser sensing system includes a detector assembly and an aperture lens. The SAL sensing system further comprises a dual-passband filter having a stopband, a first passband and a second passband, the first and second passbands being distinct and non-overlapping and spectrally separated from one another by a portion of the stopband, the filter being configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the aperture lens and to filter the electromagnetic radiation to pass a first wavelength range within the first passband and a second wavelength range within the second passband. The SAL sensing system further includes a lens assembly configured to receive the first and second wavelength ranges from the filter and to focus the first and second wavelength ranges onto the detector assembly.

A dual-band semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system incorporating a dual-passband filter. According to one example, a semi-active laser sensing system includes a detector assembly and an aperture lens. The SAL sensing system further comprises a dual-passband filter having a stopband, a first passband and a second passband, the first and second passbands being distinct and non-overlapping and spectrally separated from one another by a portion of the stopband, the filter being configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the aperture lens and to filter the electromagnetic radiation to pass a first wavelength range within the first passband and a second wavelength range within the second passband. The SAL sensing system further includes a lens assembly configured to receive the first and second wavelength ranges from the filter and to focus the first and second wavelength ranges onto the detector assembly.