A fiber optic directional sensor has a substantially hemispherical dome surface and a substantially flat surface. The sensor is formed from a plurality of optical fibers fused to one another, and each optical fiber extends from the dome surface to the flat surface. One end of each optical fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's dome surface, and the opposite end of the fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's flat surface such that an end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the dome surface, and another end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the flat surface. The sensor further includes an optical element which expands the field of view of the sensor and chromatically controls the incoming light. Using the sensor, light from projectiles, such as missiles, bullets, and other weaponry, can be detected, and the locations of the projectiles can be determined.

A fiber optic directional sensor has a substantially hemispherical dome surface and a substantially flat surface. The sensor is formed from a plurality of optical fibers fused to one another, and each optical fiber extends from the dome surface to the flat surface. One end of each optical fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's dome surface, and the opposite end of the fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's flat surface such that an end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the dome surface, and another end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the flat surface. The sensor further includes an optical element which expands the field of view of the sensor and chromatically controls the incoming light. Using the sensor, light from projectiles, such as missiles, bullets, and other weaponry, can be detected, and the locations of the projectiles can be determined.

An example unmanned aerial vehicle includes an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sensor. The EMR sensor detects a signal indicative of a direction of emission of the signal. The unmanned aerial vehicle also includes a nozzle to eject the substance based on the direction of emission.

A photosensor having a plurality of light sensitive pixels each of which comprises a light sensitive region and a plurality of storage regions for accumulating photocharge generated in the light sensitive region, a transfer gate for each storage region that is selectively electrifiable to transfer photocharge from the light sensitive region to the storage region, and an array of microlenses that for each storage region directs a different portion of light incident on the pixel to a region of the light sensitive region closer to the storage region than to other storage regions.

A photosensor having a plurality of light sensitive pixels each of which comprises a light sensitive region and a plurality of storage regions for accumulating photocharge generated in the light sensitive region, a transfer gate for each storage region that is selectively electrifiable to transfer photocharge from the light sensitive region to the storage region, and an array of microlenses that for each storage region directs a different portion of light incident on the pixel to a region of the light sensitive region closer to the storage region than to other storage regions.

A self-position estimation apparatus includes: a light reception unit that receives a light emission signal from a transmission apparatus via a pixel; and a position calculation unit that selects at least one, in accordance with the number of the light emission signals acquired by the light reception unit and which are used for a calculation of a self-position, from a plurality of algorithms in which the self-position is estimated and calculates the self-position by using the selected algorithm.

A self-position estimation apparatus includes: a light reception unit that receives a light emission signal from a transmission apparatus via a pixel; and a position calculation unit that selects at least one, in accordance with the number of the light emission signals acquired by the light reception unit and which are used for a calculation of a self-position, from a plurality of algorithms in which the self-position is estimated and calculates the self-position by using the selected algorithm.

In an automotive collision avoidance sensor system installed at both the fore and aft of a vehicle, there is provided an output lens, an input lens, and a transmit laser. The transmit laser is adapted to transmit a pulsed beam through the output lens to impact roadway, surrounding vehicles or objects fore, aft, port and starboard of the vehicle, with return signals from the roadway, surrounding vehicles or objects reflecting off the input lens. A sensor of the system adapted collects the return signals from the input lens to convert them into output voltages and signals, and has a data processor configured to analyze the output voltages and signals so as to calculate real-time 3-dimensional situation awareness measurements and safety metrics which are constantly measured and updated to prevent possible collision.

A quantum dot (QD) lightning detection and warning (LDW) system and method. This LDW system and method find broader applicability to spark and other transient optical event detection as well. The QDs are operable for receiving ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), visible, x-ray, and/or gamma ray radiation emanating from lightning or the like and generating visible radiation that may be detected and utilized to generate topological event information, such that property, human life, and the like may be safeguarded.

A quantum dot (QD) lightning detection and warning (LDW) system and method. This LDW system and method find broader applicability to spark and other transient optical event detection as well. The QDs are operable for receiving ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), visible, x-ray, and/or gamma ray radiation emanating from lightning or the like and generating visible radiation that may be detected and utilized to generate topological event information, such that property, human life, and the like may be safeguarded.