Patents Assigned to QinetiQ
  • Publication number: 20120251237
    Abstract: A load-limiting device is formed from a length of wire with a coil at each end defining eyes by which the device can be connected into a system adapted to be loaded in tension. The coils are of different diameter and the larger diameter coil is adapted to unwind by plastic deformation of the wire when the device is subject to a tensile load of a predetermined magnitude. The use of such devices in a system for deploying a vehicle arresting device across a roadway is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Philip John Dandy, David Peter Banks-Fear
  • Patent number: 8276582
    Abstract: A respirator assembly e.g. for NBC protection is formed from two separate sub-assemblies. The first sub-assembly comprises a flexible hood (or other suitable headgear), a rigid mounting ring and a peripheral face seal. The second sub-assembly comprise a face plate with lens, oronasal mask and inlet and outlet valves, and is demountably attachable to the ring. The first sub-assembly can be worn on its own with the user breathing ambient air through the front end, the second sub-assembly being added if and when a hazard is encountered. The positioning of the face seal in the first sub-assembly means that a comfortable and reliable fit can be ensured when the sub-assembly is donned prior to a mission, but the user is relieved of the physiological burden of wearing the complete respirator unless and until protection is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Peter Clive Bridges, Adrian Huggins, Barry Short
  • Publication number: 20120236288
    Abstract: Ranging apparatus capable of projecting patterns of structured light tailored for use at particular ranges or depth regimes. Detected light points in a scene can be compared to pre-determined pattern templates to provide a simple and low cost gesture recognition system, for example as an interface to a smartphone or PDA. A structured light generator can be adapted to switch back and forth between said first and second structured patterns, either automatically according to a timing control, or adaptively in response to sensed information from the illuminated scene. Alternatively the structured light generator can be adapted to project the first and second patterns simultaneously. Separate light generators may be employed for the different patterns, or alternatively components can be shared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventor: Maurice Stanley
  • Patent number: 8270730
    Abstract: A method of target recognition performs a 3D comparison of target and reference data. Translation invariant signatures are derived from the two data sets, and an estimate of the orientation of the target with respect to the reference is obtained. Rotational alignment and comparison can then be achieved. The 3D data sets can be represented on an axi-symmetric surface such as a sphere and rotational convolution, over a discrete set of selected rotation angles can be performed. Optic flow can be used to derive the estimate of orientation or the target relative to the reference, in terms of a displacement field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Graham Howard Watson
  • Publication number: 20120230547
    Abstract: An eye tracking apparatus and method of eye monitoring, comprising a target display adapted to project a moveable image of a target into a user's field of vision, an illumination source adapted to project a reference point onto a user's eye, a sensor adapted to monitor a user's eye, and a processor adapted to determine the position of a feature of a user's eye relative to the reference point, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that said determined position provides a direct indication of eye direction relative to the target direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Laurence Durnell, Donald Nigel Jarrett
  • Patent number: 8265370
    Abstract: A method for automated selection of image regions (“tiles”) in an overall image includes computing a gray-level co-occurrence matrix and entropy of a green plane of the overall image, applying morphological closing to the matrix and thresholding the matrix and entropy image to provide binary masks. The matrix and entropy masks are combined with a vignette mask, the combination indicating areas of acceptable tissue from which tiles are selected randomly. For cancer grading; image data is transformed to Hue, Saturation and Value; for steroid/protein expression analysis it is transformed to cyan and a Sobel of cyan is computed. A feature measure is computed for each tile based on color and texture, and is carried out randomly but influenced by feature measure. Finally, from the further selection, tiles are chosen which combine high feature measure with low overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Ducksbury, Margaret Jai Varga
  • Publication number: 20120226914
    Abstract: A system for automated checking of data content includes content checkers (208) to (214) arranged in parallel and connected between an input sub-system (204) and an output sub-system (216). The content checkers (208) to (214) check different data formats. Incoming data from an external computer system (202) is passed by the input sub-system (204) to the checkers (208) to (214), which report check results to both input and output sub-systems (204) and (216). From the four check results, the input sub-system (204) judges the data's acceptability for forwarding to a sensitive computer system (218). Unacceptable data is discarded; acceptable data passes to the output sub-system (216), which also judges the data's acceptability from the four check results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Robert Wiseman, Katherine Jane Hughes
  • Publication number: 20120226917
    Abstract: A data content checker arrangement for protecting communication between a sensitive computer system (102) and an external computer system (104). The arrangement includes a store (108) connected to input and output sub-systems (106) and (114) and to content checkers (110) and (112) arranged in parallel. The input and output sub-systems (106) and (114) are connected to the external computer system (104) and the sensitive computer system (102) respectively. Data received from the external computer system (104) is encrypted by the input sub-system (106) using an encryption key to which the content checkers (110) and (112) have access. The content checkers (110) and (112) can therefore decrypt, read and check the data. If the data passes a content checker's checks, the checker digitally signs and stores it, decrypted, in the store (108); if the checks are not passed, the checker discards the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Robert Wiseman, Katherine Jane Hughes
  • Patent number: 8256350
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel insensitive munition comprising one warhead and also munitions comprising one or more warheads. In particular, the invention lies in the field of insensitive munition warheads. There are further provided methods of preparing the warheads of the invention, methods of controllably detonating the warheads and a kit suitable for preparing such a warhead. The warhead comprises at least two portions of high explosive separated by a non-detonative material, wherein each portion has a cross section below its critical detonation cross section, and wherein the at least two portions are arranged such that the total cross section of the at least two portions exceeds the critical detonation cross section of said high explosive, such that in use only simultaneous detonation of the at least two high explosives causes detonation to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Peter J Haskins
  • Publication number: 20120217845
    Abstract: A multistage flextensional transducer includes at least one inner elongate driver member within and mechanically coupled to an inner shell that is nested within an outer shell; the inner shell comprising a pair of contact portions abutting the driver member and a pair of transmission portions on opposite sides of the inner shell between the contact portions; the outer shell being arranged so that the transmission portions act as bridging driver members between the said inner and outer shells, flexure of the outer shell being driven, on actuation of the transducer, by movement of the bridging driver members. The transducer may act as a push or pull actuator or sensor, may magnify displacement and may employ smart materials as driver members. Also cylindrical modules containing thin flextensional actuators may provide axial displacement in a downhole environment and may move a device axially along a downhole pipe or close a valve opening or inch along the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Ahmed Yehia Amin Abdel RAHMAN, Jonathan Geoffrey GORE, Fiona Louise LOWRIE, Richard Carson MCBRIDE
  • Patent number: 8254079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation of electron spin EPR pairs and manipulation of such entangled electrons. The invention comprises a static quantum dot located part way along a quantum wire with means for adjusting the confining potential of the quantum dot. The quantum wire may for instance be formed by gate electrode (4, 6) with the quantum dot formed by a further gate electrode (8). The invention also comprises means for generating a electrostatic wave propagating along the wire, such as a surface acoustic wave transducer (10). In use a pair of electrons may be loaded into the static quantum dot and allowed to relax to a singlet ground state, in which the electrons are spin entangled. The propagating electrostatic wave acts as a series of quantum dots moving along the quantum wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: John Henry Jefferson, Michael Fearn, George Giavaras
  • Patent number: 8245620
    Abstract: A shield system for an ordnance having a fuse sensitivity includes a frame and a flexible net subsystem supported by the frame. Chords of net material intersect at nodes forming mesh openings and a hard point is attached to at least select nodes. The net material has a breaking strength such that a chord will break upon impact of an ordnance fuse with the chord for a predetermined percentage (e.g., 100%) of ordnance fuse impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: QinetiQ North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Farinella, William Lawson, Matthew Ebbs
  • Patent number: 8249119
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising an optical fiber laser having at least two laser cores and means arranged to combine laser output from the at least two laser cores at a first end of the optical fiber laser to produce a combined laser output having one or more beat signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: David Maurice Taylor, David Mark Benton, Charlotte R H Bennett, Laurent Michaille, Terence John Shepherd
  • Patent number: 8248589
    Abstract: A method of interrogating a phase based transducer by providing a pulsed input including two different wavelengths in which the different wavelength components can be used to derive a phase change experienced by a synthetic wavelength, and by arranging for the synthetic wavelength to be significantly greater that the component wavelengths, the phase so detected has a reduced sensitivity, and is less susceptible to overscaling effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Jolyon DeFreitas, Roger Ian Crickmore
  • Patent number: 8245621
    Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: QinetiQ North America
    Inventors: Michael D. Farinella, Robert Lee Cardenas, William R. Lawson, Brendan LaBrecque, Frances Rush, David Hoadley, Michael Wheaton, Michael Anderson, Thomas Mann, Abed Kanaan, Patrick Callahan
  • Patent number: 8245622
    Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: QinetiQ North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Farinella, Robert Lee Cardenas, William R. Lawson, Brendan LaBrecque, Frances Rush, David Hoadley, Michael Wheaton, Michael Anderson, Thomas Mann, Abed Kanaan, Patrick Callahan
  • Publication number: 20120207612
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes a multilayer composite structure including a first reflective layer, and a second layer including a plurality of resistive circuit analogue (CA) elements. The CA elements are tuned so as to interact with said first layer to provide absorption of electromagnetic (EM) energy over a desired frequency range. The parameters of the CA elements can be varied to provide for frequency tuning and to maintain absorption at a specific frequency range despite varying layer separation, while at the same time ensuring that the mechanical properties of the CA layer are compatible with integration into the turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Greg Peter Wade Fixter, Christopher Douglas James Spooner, Christopher James Perry
  • Publication number: 20120188533
    Abstract: A method of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) whereby the derivative or rate of change of a signal backscatted from a fibre is measured. The change, or derivative of the phase measured in this way has a much smaller amplitude than the signal itself if the difference between the two times at which the signal is measured is much less than the period of the signal being measured, resulting in lower sensitivity. Frequency shifts can be applied to temporally displaced return signals to compare the rate of change, for example by employing an output interferometer arranged to modulate the signal in each arm by a different frequency shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Roger Ian Crickmore, David John Hill
  • Patent number: 8229165
    Abstract: A method of processing for a coded aperture imaging apparatus which is useful for target identification and tracking. The method uses a statistical scene model and, preferably using several frames of data, determines a likelihood of the position and/or velocity of one or more targets assumed to be in the scene. The method preferably applies a recursive Bayesian filter or Bayesian batch filter to determine a probability distribution of likely state parameters. The method acts upon the acquired data directly without requiring any processing to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm John Alexander Strens
  • Patent number: 8229388
    Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus and programs for computers for operating geolocation devices are provided. The methods include determining the duration of a time interval during which the device is configured to remain active, responsive to a comparison between an estimate of benefit of remaining on for that time interval and an estimate of cost of remaining on for that time interval. The estimates of cost and benefit may be determined in response to user-selected parameters where by the end-user may effect a trade-off between battery life and receiver sensitivity. The methods also include varying the maximum duration of each listening period whereby to conserve battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Sanchez, Peter Fleming