Here's a video of tracking using, if I recall, a fairly cheap camera - https://youtu.be/kuaMcVf501Y?t=4
And here's one of the associated papers - http://cdcl.umd.edu/papers/rsi2012.pdf
This paper in particular is interesting because, at the time I was working with an optics expert, and one of the major limitations at the consumer level was what this new paper aims to addresses (power output and safety). One observation we made was that, for consumers there are not too many laser 'things' in the home that are not fully enclosed. Basically, the FDA takes laser safety extremely seriously. People often think only about looking directly into a laser, but backscatter can also be dangerous.
History says no, but maybe there is a different system.
The main in-action of patent I have seen is patents being hoarded in big corporations. If the engineers work nights and weekends at those it is their own fault.
That’s not exactly accurate. IV creates spin-out companies that commercialize particular inventions created by IV inventors. Photonic Sentry is the commercialization vehicle for this mosquito zapper that was invented by IV inventors. Other examples are Kymeta, Terrapower and Echodyne.
IV does not typically commercialize inventions (patents) that it purchases — but the patent purchasing piece of the business is distinct from the invent and commercialize piece.