Abstract: A camera array and method are disclosed for capturing and processing images of an area of terrain. For each of a plurality of time-steps within a time period, using each of a plurality of cameras in a camera array, an exemplary method includes: generating an image of a respective portion of terrain, wherein the cameras in the camera array have substantially fixed positions relative to each other, and the portions of terrain are such that the whole of the area of terrain has been imaged by the end of the time period; selecting a subset of the images such that the whole of the terrain is covered by the portions of the terrain in the images in the subset; and for an image not in the subset, if an object of interest is in that image, extracting a sub-image containing the object from that image.

Abstract: A camera assembly is disclosed for mounting on a vehicle (e.g. an aircraft). An exemplary camera assembly can include: a fixture (e.g. a rotatable drum); a camera; and a mirror; wherein the fixture is arranged to be rotated relative to the vehicle about an axis; the camera is mounted on the fixture such that the camera has a substantially fixed position relative to the fixture; the mirror is mounted on the fixture such that, if the fixture rotates, the mirror rotates; the mirror is rotatable relative to the fixture about a further axis, the further axis being substantially perpendicular to the axis; and the camera is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the mirror. The axis and the further axis may intersect.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of processing sensor data, the method including: using a sensor, measuring values of a parameter over a region of interest to produce an image of the region of interest, the image having a plurality of pixels; for each pixel, determining an orientation of a gradient of the parameter, at that pixel, using the measured parameter values; for each of a plurality of predetermined ranges of gradient orientation values, determining a number of pixels that have a gradient orientation value within that range; identifying the predetermined ranges that correspond to a number of pixels above a threshold value; and for each identified predetermined range, identifying as corresponding to a feature of an object, pixels that have gradient orientation values within that predetermined range.

Abstract: A camera assembly is disclosed for mounting on a vehicle (e.g. an aircraft). An exemplary camera assembly can include: a fixture (e.g. a rotatable drum); a camera; and a mirror; wherein the fixture is arranged to be rotated relative to the vehicle about an axis; the camera is mounted on the fixture such that the camera has a substantially fixed position relative to the fixture; the mirror is mounted on the fixture such that, if the fixture rotates, the mirror rotates; the mirror is rotatable relative to the fixture about a further axis, the further axis being substantially perpendicular to the axis; and the camera is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the mirror. The axis and the further axis may intersect.

Abstract: A camera array and method are disclosed for capturing and processing images of an area of terrain. For each of a plurality of time-steps within a time period, using each of a plurality of cameras in a camera array, an exemplary method includes: generating an image of a respective portion of terrain, wherein the cameras in the camera array have substantially fixed positions relative to each other, and the portions of terrain are such that the whole of the area of terrain has been imaged by the end of the time period; selecting a subset of the images such that the whole of the terrain is covered by the portions of the terrain in the images in the subset; and for an image not in the subset, if an object of interest is in that image, extracting a sub-image containing the object from that image.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of processing sensor data, the method including: using a sensor, measuring values of a parameter over a region of interest to produce an image of the region of interest, the image having a plurality of pixels; for each pixel, determining an orientation of a gradient of the parameter, at that pixel, using the measured parameter values; for each of a plurality of predetermined ranges of gradient orientation values, determining a number of pixels that have a gradient orientation value within that range; identifying the predetermined ranges that correspond to a number of pixels above a threshold value; and for each identified predetermined range, identifying as corresponding to a feature of an object, pixels that have gradient orientation values within that predetermined range.