Abstract: Laser systems are provided with a semiconductor laser having an emission face, a drive circuit adapted to supply electric energy to the semiconductor laser to cause the semiconductor laser to emit a beam; a user input system adapted to sense a user input action; a controller adapted to control the drive circuit based upon the sensed user input action; a housing within which the laser is positioned and having an opening with a window through which the semiconductor laser can emit the beam. The semiconductor laser is positioned to emit the beam through the window and the emission face of the semiconductor laser is sized to cause a divergence in the beam to create a patterned emission with a predetermined shape without passing the beam through beam shaping optics.

Abstract: A target marking system includes a light source configured to emit a beam of thermal radiation and to impinge the beam onto a target. The system also includes a detector configured to collect radiation passing from the target to the detector along a path. The radiation passing from the target in response to impingement of the beam onto the target. The system further includes an optics assembly disposed optically upstream of the detector along the path. The optics assembly includes at least one of an afocal power changer, a camera objective, a catadioptric lens, and a zoom system configured to condition the radiation passing from the target to the detector.

Abstract: A system for use in identifying a user includes a portable emitter transported with the user. The emitter includes a quantum cascade laser configured to emit a thermal beam identifying a location of the user in response to a command, the thermal beam having a wavelength between approximately 2 ?m and approximately 30 ?m.

Abstract: A deterrent device communication apparatus is linked to a deterrent device. When the deterrent device is in a ready state, the communication apparatus cooperates with an intermediate communication device to establish a communication path with an emergency response center through which the holder of the deterrent device can communicate.

Abstract: A target marking system includes a light source configured to emit a beam of thermal radiation and to impinge the beam onto a target. The system also includes a detector configured to collect radiation passing from the target to the detector along a path. The radiation passing from the target in response to impingement of the beam onto the target. The system further includes an optics assembly disposed optically upstream of the detector along the path. The optics assembly includes at least one of an afocal power changer, a camera objective, a catadioptric lens, and a zoom system configured to condition the radiation passing from the target to the detector.

Abstract: A system for use in identifying one of an unmanned ground vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a signal emitter associated with the unmanned vehicle. The signal emitter includes at least one quantum cascade laser. The signal emitter emits a signal having a wavelength between approximately 2 ?m and approximately 30 ?m, and the signal is detectable to identify the unmanned vehicle as friendly at a distance from the signal emitter greater than approximately 1 meter.

Abstract: A system for use in identifying a user includes a portable emitter transported with the user. The emitter includes a quantum cascade laser configured to emit a thermal beam identifying a location of the user in response to a command, the thermal beam having a wavelength between approximately 2 ?m and approximately 30 ?m.

Abstract: A system for interacting with a thermal detector includes at least one unmanned aerial vehicle and a sensor mounted to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. The sensor is configured to determine the presence of a component of the thermal detector and to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the component. The system also includes a beam emitter mounted to the at least one unmanned vehicle and in communication with the sensor. The beam emitter includes a beam source configured to direct a beam of thermal radiation to the thermal detector in response to the signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A target marking system includes a light source configured to emit a beam of thermal radiation and to impinge the beam onto a target. The system also includes a detector configured to collect radiation passing from the target to the detector along a path. The radiation passing from the target in response to impingement of the beam onto the target. The system further includes an optics assembly disposed optically upstream of the detector along the path. The optics assembly includes at least one of an afocal power changer, a camera objective, a catadioptric lens, and a zoom system configured to condition the radiation passing from the target to the detector.

Abstract: A system for use in identifying one of an unmanned ground vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a signal emitter associated with the unmanned vehicle. The signal emitter includes at least one quantum cascade laser. The signal emitter emits a signal having a wavelength between approximately 2 ?m and approximately 30 ?m, and the signal is detectable to identify the unmanned vehicle as friendly at a distance from the signal emitter greater than approximately 1 meter.

Abstract: Laser systems are provided with a semiconductor laser having an emission face, a drive circuit adapted to supply electric energy to the semiconductor laser to cause the semiconductor laser to emit a beam; a user input system adapted to sense a user input action; a controller adapted to control the drive circuit based upon the sensed user input action; a housing within which the laser is positioned and having an opening with a window through which the semiconductor laser can emit the beam. The semiconductor laser is positioned to emit the beam through the window and the emission face of the semiconductor laser is sized to cause a divergence in the beam to create a patterned emission with a predetermined shape without passing the beam through beam shaping optics.

Abstract: A deterrent device communication apparatus is linked to a deterrent device. When the deterrent device is in a ready state, the communication apparatus cooperates with an intermediate communication device to establish a communication path with an emergency response center through which the holder of the deterrent device can communicate.

Abstract: A system for interacting with a thermal detector includes at least one unmanned aerial vehicle and a sensor mounted to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. The sensor is configured to determine the presence of a component of the thermal detector and to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the component. The system also includes a beam emitter mounted to the at least one unmanned vehicle and in communication with the sensor. The beam emitter includes a beam source configured to direct a beam of thermal radiation to the thermal detector in response to the signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A target marking system includes a light source configured to emit a beam of thermal radiation and to impinge the beam onto a target. The system also includes a detector configured to collect radiation passing from the target to the detector along a path. The radiation passing from the target in response to impingement of the beam onto the target. The system further includes an optics assembly disposed optically upstream of the detector along the path. The optics assembly includes at least one of an afocal power changer, a camera objective, a catadioptric lens, and a zoom system configured to condition the radiation passing from the target to the detector.

Abstract: A system for use in identifying a user includes a portable emitter transported with the user. The emitter includes a quantum cascade laser configured to emit a thermal beam identifying a location of the user in response to a command, the thermal beam having a wavelength between approximately 2 ?m and approximately 30 ?m.

Abstract: Laser systems are provided with a semiconductor laser having an emission face, a drive circuit adapted to supply electric energy to the semiconductor laser to cause the semiconductor laser to emit a beam; a user input system adapted to sense a user input action; a controller adapted to control the drive circuit based upon the sensed user input action; a housing within which the laser is positioned and having an opening with a window through which the semiconductor laser can emit the beam. The semiconductor laser is positioned to emit the beam through the window and the emission face of the semiconductor laser is sized to cause a divergence in the beam to create a patterned emission with a predetermined shape without passing the beam through beam shaping optics.

Abstract: A deterrent device communication apparatus is linked to a deterrent device. When the deterrent device is in a ready state, the communication apparatus cooperates with an intermediate communication device to establish a communication path with an emergency response center through which the holder of the deterrent device can communicate.

Abstract: A deterrent device communication apparatus is linked to a deterrent device. When the deterrent device is in a ready state, the communication apparatus cooperates with an intermediate communication device to establish a communication path with an emergency response center through which the holder of the deterrent device can communicate.

Abstract: A system for interacting with a thermal detector includes at least one unmanned aerial vehicle and a sensor mounted to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. The sensor is configured to determine the presence of a component of the thermal detector and to generate a signal indicative of the presence of the component. The system also includes a beam emitter mounted to the at least one unmanned vehicle and in communication with the sensor. The beam emitter includes a beam source configured to direct a beam of thermal radiation to the thermal detector in response to the signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A system for use in identifying one of an unmanned ground vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle includes a signal emitter associated with the unmanned vehicle. The signal emitter includes at least one quantum cascade laser. The signal emitter emits a signal having a wavelength between approximately 2 ?m and approximately 30 ?m, and the signal is detectable to identify the unmanned vehicle as friendly at a distance from the signal emitter greater than approximately 1 meter.