Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes a physical computer, one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS, and a payload. The physical computer can execute software to cause the physical computer at least to instantiate a plurality of virtual computers that include a mission virtual computer and a payload virtual computer for: controlling the one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS using the mission virtual computer, communicating with the payload using the payload virtual computer, determining whether a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, and after determining that a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, preventing the software fault from causing a fault on a different virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can include core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, a physical computer, a network, and a power system. The network can enable the physical computer to communicate with the auxiliary systems using a second communications tier and with the payload using a third communications tier. The network and the physical computer can logically separate the second and third communications tiers. The power system can provide a first, second, and third power domains respectively for the core systems, the auxiliary systems, and for the payload. The power system can include circuitry that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first and second power domains and that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes a network, auxiliary systems, and a payload, where the network can connect the auxiliary systems and the payload. A network switch of the network can logically separate the network into at least a second tier of communications and a third tier of communications. The network can be used to control the UMS by at least: controlling the auxiliary systems using messages communicated by the second tier of communications, and communicating with the payload using messages communicated by the third tier of communications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes a network, auxiliary systems, and a payload, where the network can connect the auxiliary systems and the payload. A network switch of the network can logically separate the network into at least a second tier of communications and a third tier of communications. The network can be used to control the UMS by at least: controlling the auxiliary systems using messages communicated by the second tier of communications, and communicating with the payload using messages communicated by the third tier of communications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, and a power system. The power system can provide uninterruptible power for a first power domain that includes the core systems. The power system can provide interruptible power for each of a second power domain and a third power domain. The second power domain can include the auxiliary systems, and the third power domain can include the payload. First circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in either the first power domain or the second power domain. Second circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, and a power system. The power system can provide uninterruptible power for a first power domain that includes the core systems. The power system can provide interruptible power for each of a second power domain and a third power domain. The second power domain can include the auxiliary systems, and the third power domain can include the payload. First circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in either the first power domain or the second power domain. Second circuitry of the power system can prevent a single overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can be provided that includes a physical computer, one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS, and a payload. The physical computer can execute software to cause the physical computer at least to instantiate a plurality of virtual computers that include a mission virtual computer and a payload virtual computer for: controlling the one or more auxiliary systems for the UMS using the mission virtual computer, communicating with the payload using the payload virtual computer, determining whether a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, and after determining that a software fault has occurred on one virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers, preventing the software fault from causing a fault on a different virtual computer of the plurality of virtual computers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling unmanned systems (UMSs), such as unmanned aircraft, are provided. A UMS can include core systems, auxiliary systems, a payload, a physical computer, a network, and a power system. The network can enable the physical computer to communicate with the auxiliary systems using a second communications tier and with the payload using a third communications tier. The network and the physical computer can logically separate the second and third communications tiers. The power system can provide a first, second, and third power domains respectively for the core systems, the auxiliary systems, and for the payload. The power system can include circuitry that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the third power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first and second power domains and that inhibits an overcurrent fault in the second power domain from causing an electrical fault in the first power domain.

Abstract: An aggregator is provided in connection with advertisement swapping. The aggregator can be implemented in an interactive television system so as to perform real-time aggregation of trigger information for advertisement swapping through cooperation with content providers or third-party entities. The aggregated information can then be made available to set top boxes and/or ancillary devices of subscribers. Advertisement swapping may be performed via use of the trigger information to perform channel switching to a channel that broadcasts substitute advertisements or via use of the trigger information to retrieve substitute advertisements from a storage unit. The advertisement swapping may be performed by devices of opted-in subscribers, or by devices at a broadcast center.

Abstract: An interactive information aggregator is provided for off-broadcast access to trigger information, which can include interactive television triggers, accompanying content and data, network addresses. The aggregator can be implemented in an interactive television system so as to perform real-time capture and aggregation of trigger information through cooperation with content providers, use of a network of collection devices deployed in the interactive television system, or generation of trigger information by third-party entities. The aggregated information can then be made available to ancillary devices used by viewers, independently of being provided to a set top box and television. For instance, the aggregated information can be provided to ancillary devices that do not have direct access or capability to process television broadcast signals.

Abstract: An aggregator is provided in connection with advertisement swapping. The aggregator can be implemented in an interactive television system so as to perform real-time aggregation of trigger information for advertisement swapping through cooperation with content providers or third-party entities. The aggregated information can then be made available to set top boxes and/or ancillary devices of subscribers. Advertisement swapping may be performed via use of the trigger information to perform channel switching to a channel that broadcasts substitute advertisements or via use of the trigger information to retrieve substitute advertisements from a storage unit. The advertisement swapping may be performed by devices of opted-in subscribers, or by devices at a broadcast center.

Abstract: An interactive information aggregator is provided for off-broadcast access to trigger information, which can include interactive television triggers, accompanying content and data, network addresses. The aggregator can be implemented in an interactive television system so as to perform real-time capture and aggregation of trigger information through cooperation with content providers, use of a network of collection devices deployed in the interactive television system, or generation of trigger information by third-party entities. The aggregated information can then be made available to ancillary devices used by viewers, independently of being provided to a set top box and television. For instance, the aggregated information can be provided to ancillary devices that do not have direct access or capability to process television broadcast signals.