Abstract: A compact spectrometer system comprising an improved detector is provided herein. The spectrometer system herein disclosed can comprises a filter, a Fourier transform optical element, and a detector. The detector can comprise a custom detector having a shape that corresponds to the pattern of light incident on the detector. The custom detector may comprise a plurality of separate detection areas, each area configured to detect a portion of the light pattern incident on the detector. The custom detector may comprise a material capable of detecting wavelengths in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) range. The custom detector may be configured to require a relatively low number of electrical connections such that it may be implemented using standard, low-cost electronic packaging techniques. An improved, custom detector as described herein can provide the functionality of a two-dimensional pixel array detector while being relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A flash detection device comprises at least a first and a second sensor module, wherein each of the sensor modules comprises at least a photodiode for detecting an irradiance emitted by a source, and the first sensor module comprises at least an angular efficiency attenuator configured for attenuating the irradiance received by the photodiode according to a predetermined angular efficiency profile, wherein the at least first and second sensor modules are configured for collecting light from substantially the same field of view, and the angular efficiency attenuator of the first sensor module causes the first and second sensor modules to have complementary predetermined angular efficiency profiles, so that, for angles of view within a common field of view of the first and second sensor modules, a combination of irradiance measurements of the first and second sensor modules enables to derive an irradiance source angle of the source.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method including memorizing a sequence of high-resolution images of a scene in a buffer, obtaining radiation emission readings from one or more photo detectors, detecting a suspected flash event based on processing the radiation emission readings from the one or more photo detectors. The method may further include that the detecting occurs at a first instant, retrieving from the buffer high-resolution images of the scene including at least one image that was captured prior to said first instant, and processing the high-resolution images of the scene to determine a geolocation of the suspected flash event.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical system suitable for detecting muzzle flashes in a scene, the optical system comprising: a first optical module customized for detecting flashes at short range of the optical system by analyzing irradiance received on a first infrared sensor; a second optical module customized for detecting flashes at long range of the optical system by analyzing irradiance received on a second infrared sensor; wherein: the first and second optical modules are configured to share a common field of view and to operate independently of each other.

Abstract: A method includes, using a processor, obtaining a digital building information model (BIM) that models a building plan for a building by virtue of defining a plurality of BIM objects associated with respective planned portions of the building, each BIM object having location information that indicates a respective location of the planned portion of the building associated with the BIM object, obtaining a reconstructed three dimensional model (RTDM) of the building that was reconstructed from information acquired by one or more optical sensors, using the location information of one or more of the BIM objects, identifying a correspondence between a portion of the RTDM and at least one of the BIM objects, by registering the RTDM and the BIM to one another, and modifying the portion of the RTDM, based on the corresponding BIM object. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A compact spectrometer system comprising an improved detector is provided herein. The spectrometer system herein disclosed can comprises a filter, a Fourier transform optical element, and a detector. The detector can comprise a custom detector having a shape that corresponds to the pattern of light incident on the detector. The custom detector may comprise a plurality of separate detection areas, each area configured to detect a portion of the light pattern incident on the detector. The custom detector may comprise a material capable of detecting wavelengths in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) range. The custom detector may be configured to require a relatively low number of electrical connections such that it may be implemented using standard, low-cost electronic packaging techniques. An improved, custom detector as described herein can provide the functionality of a two-dimensional pixel array detector while being relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A flash detection device comprises at least a first and a second sensor module, wherein each of the sensor modules comprises at least a photodiode for detecting an irradiance emitted by a source, and the first sensor module comprises at least an angular efficiency attenuator configured for attenuating the irradiance received by the photodiode according to a predetermined angular efficiency profile, wherein the at least first and second sensor modules are configured for collecting light from substantially the same field of view, and the angular efficiency attenuator of the first sensor module causes the first and second sensor modules to have complementary predetermined angular efficiency profiles, so that, for angles of view within a common field of view of the first and second sensor modules, a combination of irradiance measurements of the first and second sensor modules enables to derive an irradiance source angle of the source.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method including memorizing a sequence of high-resolution images of a scene in a buffer, obtaining radiation emission readings from one or more photo detectors, detecting a suspected flash event based on processing the radiation emission readings from the one or more photo detectors. The method may further include that the detecting occurs at a first instant, retrieving from the buffer high-resolution images of the scene including at least one image that was captured prior to said first instant, and processing the high-resolution images of the scene to determine a geolocation of the suspected flash event.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a receiver, a transmitter, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the receiver, coordinates of a position sensor coupled to a portion of a crane, a configuration of the crane changing over time due at least to movement of the portion of the crane relative to a tower of the crane, to compute, in response to the received coordinates, a flight path that passes under a boom of the crane while circumventing the crane, and to cause the UAV to follow the computed flight path, by transmitting flight instructions, via the transmitter, to the UAV. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes an imaging device. The apparatus includes a touch screen and a processor. The processor is configured to (i) receive a gesture that is performed on the touch screen with respect to an image captured by the imaging device, (ii) estimate a distance from the UAV to a given point represented in the image, (iii) compute a scale factor that is based on the estimated distance, and (iv) communicate a control signal that causes the UAV to execute a flying maneuver that is suggested by the gesture and is scaled by the scale factor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes an imaging device is described. The apparatus includes a touch screen and a processor, configured to (i) receive a gesture that is performed, on the touch screen, with respect to a first image acquired by the imaging device, the gesture indicating a requested change with respect to the first image, (ii) communicate, to the UAV, a first control signal that causes the UAV to begin executing a flying maneuver that is suggested by the gesture, (iii) identify a plurality of features in a subsequent image acquired by the imaging device, (iv) ascertain that respective positions of the features indicate that the flying maneuver has effected the requested change, and (v) in response to the ascertaining, communicate, to the UAV, a subsequent control signal that causes the UAV to stop execution of the flying maneuver. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising: memorizing a sequence of high-resolution images of a scene in a buffer; obtaining radiation emission readings from one or more photo detectors; detecting a suspected flash event based on processing the radiation emission readings from the one or more photo detectors, wherein said detecting occurs at a first instant; retrieving from the buffer high-resolution images of the scene including at least one image that was captured prior to said first instant; and processing the high-resolution images of the scene to determine a geolocation of the suspected flash event.

Abstract: A method for autonomously operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes one or more imaging devices is provided. The imaging devices are pointed away from a direction in which the UAV is flying, and subsequently, an upcoming portion of a current flight path of the UAV is imaged, using the imaging devices. In response to the imaging, an obstacle on the current flight path is detected, and an alternate flight path is planned in response thereto. The UAV is then flown along the alternate flight path, instead of the current flight path. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for autonomously operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes one or more imaging devices is provided. The imaging devices are pointed away from a direction in which the UAV is flying, and subsequently, an upcoming portion of a current flight path of the UAV is imaged, using the imaging devices. In response to the imaging, an obstacle on the current flight path is detected, and an alternate flight path is planned in response thereto. The UAV is then flown along the alternate flight path, instead of the current flight path. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical system suitable for detecting muzzle flashes in a scene, the optical system comprising: a first optical module customized for detecting flashes at short range of the optical system by analyzing irradiance received on a first infrared sensor; a second optical module customized for detecting flashes at long range of the optical system by analyzing irradiance received on a second infrared sensor; wherein: the first and second optical modules are configured to share a common field of view and to operate independently of each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising: memorizing a sequence of high-resolution images of a scene in a buffer; obtaining radiation emission readings from one or more photo detectors; detecting a suspected flash event based on processing the radiation emission readings from the one or more photo detectors, wherein said detecting occurs at a first instant; retrieving from the buffer high-resolution images of the scene including at least one image that was captured prior to said first instant; and processing the high-resolution images of the scene to determine a geolocation of the suspected flash event.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention a laser directed infrared countermeasures system (hereinafter: “LDIRCM system”) is mountable on a platform. According to some embodiments of the invention, a LDIRCM system may include a plurality of sector units. Each sector unit may include at least one laser unit and a laser guidance module. The laser unit may be adapted to generate a laser beam or laser energy that is intended for jamming a guidance system of a threat. The laser unit may be coupled to the laser guidance module. The laser guidance module may be adapted to steer at least a laser beam generated by the laser unit towards a threat.

Abstract: A light projection optical system is presented. The system comprises a cooling chamber containing: a light source operative at a cool temperature being lower than 240K; a cooler unit capable of cooling said light source to said cool temperature during the light source operation, an optical window permitting light emergence outside from the cooling chamber; and an optical unit accommodated in the optical path of light emitted by said light source and enabling emergence of this light through said optical window outside from the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A light projection optical system is presented. The system comprises a cooling chamber containing: a light source operative at a cool temperature being lower than 240K; a cooler unit capable of cooling said light source to said cool temperature during the light source operation,- an optical window permitting light emergence outside from the cooling chamber; and an optical unit accommodated in the optical path of light emitted by said light source and enabling emergence of this light through said optical window outside from the cooling chamber.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention a laser directed infrared countermeasures system (hereinafter: “LDIRCM system”) is mountable on a platform. According to some embodiments of the invention, a LDIRCM system may include a plurality of sector units. Each sector unit may include at least one laser unit and a laser guidance module. The laser unit may be adapted to generate a laser beam or laser energy that is intended for jamming a guidance system of a threat. The laser unit may be coupled to the laser guidance module. The laser guidance module may be adapted to steer at least a laser beam generated by the laser unit towards a threat.