Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes allocation circuitry to allocate a graphical feature for a virtual environment to a respective layer from a plurality of respective layers in dependence upon one or more properties for the graphical feature, where the plurality of respective layers comprise a mobile layer and at least one of a mobile re-projection layer and a static re-projection layer, rendering circuitry to render graphical features allocated to respective different layers of the plurality of respective layers with a different rendering quality, and an output image generator to generate an image for display according to a viewpoint of a virtual camera, where the image includes graphical features allocated to respective different layers of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: An anthropometric measurement device for measuring anatomical features includes: a sheet having a width and a length; a plurality of incisions extending from an edge of the sheet, each of the plurality of incisions spaced apart a distance so as to define a plurality of slats between the incisions. The slats are configured to be displaced in a direction normal to the plane of the sheet and held in position when the edge of the sheet is pressed over the anatomical feature, so as to indicate a dimension of the feature.

Abstract: A content generation system operable to generate one or more actions to be performed by an agent, the system comprising an input receiving unit operable to receive information defining an input action, the input action being an action associated with the agent, a constraint identifying unit operable to identify one or more constraints associated with the input action, and an action generation unit operable to generate, using a machine learning model, one or more actions in dependence upon the information defining the input action and the identified constraints wherein the one or more actions are variations of the defined action.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes receiving circuitry to receive a plurality of images of an environment captured from respective different viewpoints, detection circuitry to detect a plurality of feature points in the plurality of captured images and to associate image information with each detected feature point indicative of an image property for a detected feature point, where each detected feature point represents a candidate landmark point for mapping the environment, selection circuitry to select one or more of the plurality of candidate landmark points, the one or more selected landmark points corresponding to a subset of the plurality of candidate landmark points, and mapping circuitry to generate, for the environment, a map including one or more of the selected landmark points, where each landmark point included in the map is defined by a three dimensional position and the associated image information for that landmark point.

Abstract: A method of environment mapping comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of images from respective different viewpoints; using a simultaneous localisation and mapping ‘SLAM’ process, detect feature points in the plurality of images; classifying one or more objects within the plurality of images as being objects of interest; determining the position of the or each object of interest using feature points corresponding to the objects of interest in the images; and providing an indication of the position of one or more objects of interest to a user of a virtual display; and wherein the step of determining the position of the or each object of interest using their feature points is repeated, more frequently than for other feature points in the images.

Abstract: A content generation system operable to generate one or more actions to be performed by an agent, the system comprising an input receiving unit operable to receive two or more actions for the agent, a model generation unit operable to input the actions to a machine learning model so as to generate a trained machine learning model, and an action generation unit operable to generate an action to be performed by the agent, wherein the generation comprises the selection of a latent space interpolation state associated with the trained machine learning model.

Abstract: A system includes a head-mountable display (HMD) configured to receive one or more signals via a wired connection with an external device, processing circuitry to generate an output indicative of at least one of a predicted disconnect event and a detected disconnect event for the wired connection, and control circuitry to instruct one or more operations to be performed by the HMD in response to the generated output.

Abstract: A system includes one or more sensors to detect one or more properties for a current user wearing a head-mountable display (HMD), control circuitry to select a user profile from a plurality of stored user profiles in dependence upon one or more of the detected properties, where each stored user profile is associated with a respective user and includes data indicative of one or more reference properties for the respective user, where the selected user profile includes data indicative of at least one reference property that is substantially the same as at least one of the one or more of the detected properties, and processing circuitry to generate at least one of audio and video content for output by the HMD in dependence upon the selected user profile and in response to the selection of the user profile.

Abstract: A method for determining subject specific digital audio data can comprise providing at least one respective audio signal input to each of a plurality of loudspeaker elements supported in a predetermined spatial relationship, in which respective locations of an effective point source of each loudspeaker element all lie in an imaginary surface that at least partially contains a spatial region where at least one aural cavity of a subject is located, thereby providing a distance between each respective location and each aural cavity of less than 1.5 meters. Responsive to at least one audio signal output from at least one of the loudspeaker elements, via at least one microphone element located at or within an aural cavity of the subject, respective subject specific audio data output is provided and is processed via an audio processing system, the subject specific audio data output, thereby providing subject specific digital audio data.

Abstract: A system comprising a feedback device comprising one or more elements operable to generate an output in response to an input from a processing device, a microphone operable to capture one or more audio inputs, an input detection unit operable to detect one or more inputs to the feedback device from the processing device, and a response generation unit operable to generate a response to the detected input in dependence upon the input and at least a distance between an element associated with the corresponding output and the microphone.

Abstract: A system comprising an input device comprising one or more elements operable to generate an output in response to an input from a processing device, a microphone operable to capture one or more audio inputs, an input detection unit operable to detect one or more inputs to the input device from the processing device, and a response generation unit operable to generate a response to the detected input in dependence upon the input and at least a distance between an element associated with the corresponding output and the microphone.

Abstract: A head mountable display, HMD, system to display images to a user via an HMD comprises an illumination detector to detect an illumination level of an ambient environment around the HMD; an operation detector to detect one or more operations indicative of one or both of: (i) initiation of the HMD being put on by the user; and (ii) initiation of the HMD being taken off by the user; and a controller to control the illumination level of the display images, the controller being configured to generate and apply a temporary illumination level variation to the display images in response to a detection of the one or more operations by the operation detector.

Abstract: A system for generating interactive content for a user, the system comprising an environment identification unit operable to identify a virtual environment for interaction by a user, an element arrangement unit operable to generate an arrangement of a plurality of elements within the environment in dependence upon one or more parameters, a content modification unit operable to modify the virtual environment so as to include the plurality of elements in the generated arrangement, and a content rendering unit operable to render one or more images of the modified virtual environment.

Abstract: A system for determining the impulse response of an environment, the system comprising an audio emitting unit operable to emit a predetermined sound in the environment, an audio detection unit operable to record the sound output by the audio emitting unit, and an impulse response generation unit operable to identify an impulse response of the environment in dependence upon a frequency response of the audio emitting unit and/or the audio detection unit, and a difference between the predetermined sound and the recorded sound.

Abstract: A head-related transfer function, HRTF, dataset modification system, the system including an HRTF identifying unit operable to identify a first HRTF from an HRTF dataset, a filter generating unit operable to generate a filter in dependence upon the first HRTF, and an HRTF modification unit operable to modify the first HRTF by applying the generated filter to generate an output HRTF, where the generating comprises the steps of: identifying a spectral response of the first HRTF, identifying a plurality of second HRTFs within the HRTF dataset, each within a predetermined distance of the first HRTF, and a spectral response associated with each of the second HRTFs, generating an average of each of the identified spectral responses of the first and second HRTFs, and generating a filter using the inverse of this average.

Abstract: An audio personalisation method for a user, to reproduce an area-based or volumetric sound source, includes the steps of, for a head related transfer function ‘HRTF’ associated with the user, smoothing HRTF coefficients relating to peaks and notches in the HRTF's spectral response, responsive to the size of the area or volume of the sound source; filtering the sound source using the smoothed HRTF for the notional position of the sound source; and outputting the filtered sound source signal for playback to the user.

Abstract: An audio personalisation method for a user includes: testing the user with an audio test, the audio test comprising: moving a portable device, comprising a position tracking mechanism and a speaker, to a plurality of predetermined test positions relative to the user's head; when within a threshold distance of a predetermined test position, playing a test sound through the speaker of the portable device; and detecting the test sound using a microphone proximate to each of the user's ears, and associating resulting measurement data with the predetermined test position, where the resulting measurement data derived from the detected test sounds is characteristic of the user's head morphology; for a corpus of reference individuals for whom respective HRTFs have been generated, comparing the measurement data from the user's audio test or a head-related transfer function ‘HRTF’ derived from this measurement data with corresponding measurement data of some or all respective reference individuals in the corpus or HRTF

Abstract: A user input method includes the steps of inputting real events arising from a user acting as a spectator of content, analysing the real events to estimate user sentiment, and modifying an aspect of computer-controlled character behaviour in response to estimated user sentiment.

Abstract: A laundry machine (1) having cabinet (2) housing a chamber (3) for treating laundry having a rotation axis (RR), a porthole (8) for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber (3), a hinge (11) to pivot the porthole (8) to the cabinet (2), an electromechanical lock (12) having a first member (13) on the porthole (8) and a matching member (14) on the cabinet (2), and a grip-only handle (15). The porthole (8) has at least one frame (30, 30a, 31), and a glass (32) secured to the at least one frame (30, 30a, 31). The electromechanical lock (12) is configured to be released by applying a force beyond a threshold onto the porthole (8) away from the cabinet (2).