Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of weapons, particularly weapons which are controlled via a communications link, possibly at some distance from the weapon's location. The invention is to an apparatus comprising safety-critical and non-safety-critical functional parts wherein at least one of a plurality of safety-critical functional parts is only connected to at least one other of the plurality of safety-critical functional parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is an unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV, comprising a plurality of rotors, a camera and an explosive payload, wherein the UAV comprises a generally elongate body, and the camera and the payload are arranged substantially in-line within the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of weapons, particularly weapons which are controlled via a communications link, possibly at some distance from the weapon's location. The invention is to an apparatus comprising safety-critical and non-safety-critical functional parts wherein at least one of a plurality of safety-critical functional parts is only connected to at least one other of the plurality of safety-critical functional parts.

Abstract: A rotary-wing air vehicle comprising a main body (12) and at least two rotor devices (16a, 16b) arranged and configured to generate propulsion and thrust, in use, to lift and propel said air vehicle, said rotor devices (16a, 16b) being arranged and configured relative to said main body (12) such that the blades thereof do not cross through a central vertical axis of said main body (12) defining the centre of mass thereof, wherein said main body (12) is provided with an aperture (100) that extends therethrough to define a channel about said central vertical axis.

Abstract: A wing member (14b) for an air vehicle (10), said wing member comprising a core section (20) defining its longitudinal axis and having upper and lower surfaces, at least one of said surfaces comprising apparatus (22) selectively configurable between at least two positions, wherein in a fully extended position, at least portions of said apparatus extend outwardly from said respective surface so as to increase the effective cross-sectional area of said wing member and define an effective aerofoil in respect thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising a first envelope, a second envelope located inside the first envelope, and a tube connecting the first envelope to the second envelope. The first envelope and the second envelope are spaced apart so as to define a chamber between the first envelope and the second envelope. The chamber is filled with a lighter than air gas. A first opening of the tube is located at an external surface of the first envelope. A second opening of the tube is located at an internal surface of the second envelope, the second opening of the tube being at an opposite end of the tube to the first opening of the tube.

Abstract: An air vehicle comprising a main body and a pair of opposing wing members extending substantially laterally from the main body, at least a first propulsion device associated with a first of said wing members and a second propulsion device associated with a second of said wing members, each said propulsion device being arranged and configured to generate linear thrust relative to said main body, in use, the air vehicle further comprising a control module for generating a control signal configured to change a mode of flying of said air vehicle, in use, between a fixed wing mode and a rotary wing mode, wherein, in said fixed wing mode of flying, the direction of thrust generated by the first propulsion device relative to the main body is the same as the direction of thrust generated by the second propulsion device, and in said second mode of flying, the direction of thrust generated by the first propulsion device relative to the main body is opposite to that generated by the second propulsion device.

Abstract: An air vehicle (10) comprising a main body (12) and a pair of opposing wing members (14a, 14b) extending substantially laterally from the main body (12) having a principal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (20) of said wing members, at least a first propulsion device (16a) associated with a first of said wing members arranged and configured to generate a linear thrust relative to the main body in a first direction, and a second propulsion device (16b) associated with a second of said wing members arranged and configured to generate linear thrust relative to said main body in a second, substantially opposite, direction such that said wing members and said main body are caused to rotate about said principal axis, in use, the air vehicle further comprising an imaging system (100) configured to cover a substantially 360° imaging area about said principal axis and comprising at least one electro-optic sensor (102) mounted on a support member (104) and having a field of view (102a) covering a portion of said

Abstract: A mixed reality control apparatus for a system having at least one remote data source requiring at least one physical control input, the apparatus comprising a headset for placing over a user's eyes, in use, the headset including a screen, the apparatus further including a processor configured to receive data from the at least one remote data source and display the data on the screen within a three-dimensional virtual environment, and image capture means for capturing images of the real world environment in the vicinity of the user, the processor being further configured to: blend at least portions or objects of the images of the real world environment into the three-dimensional virtual environment to create a mixed reality environment, including the data, to be displayed on the screen; and generate a virtual representation of the at least one physical control input and blend the virtual representation into the mixed reality environment at a selected location, and generate a marker representative of the selec

Abstract: A mixed reality system for creating a terminal control station enabling communication with and/or control of remote functions and applications, the system comprising a headset (100) for placing over a user's eyes, in use, said headset including a screen (102), the system further comprising a processor (104) configured to receive data from multiple sources and display said data on said screen within a three-dimensional virtual environment, and an input for receiving control information data from an external data source within the real world environment, said processor (104) being further configured to receive image data representative of said external data source and blend said image data into said three-dimensional virtual environment to create a mixed reality environment, including a representation of said external data source and said control information data, to be displayed on said screen (102), the system being configured to allow a user, in use, to manipulate data displayed within said mixed reality env

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting a control action in respect of a function within a virtual or mixed reality system, the control action corresponding to a predefined bodily movement of an authorized user of said function, wherein an authorized user is defined by a predetermined criterion in respect of a selected body part and/or a passive device carried thereon. The apparatus comprises a detection module for detecting a predefined bodily movement; a multi-spectral imaging system for capturing spectral reflectance and/or emission data at a plurality of wavelengths in respect of said selected body part and/or the passive device carried thereon; and an analysis module for comparing at least a portion of the spectral data with data corresponding to an authorized user of said function to determine if said criterion is met, and outputting a signal to effect said control action only if said criterion is met.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising: an envelope containing a lighter than air gas, at least part of the envelope admitting the passage of light through the at least part of the envelope; and a directing device for selectively redirecting the light which passes through the at least part of the envelope. The vehicle may further comprises a plurality of devices for using incident light. The directing device for selectively redirecting the light may be for selectively redirecting the light onto a selected device, for example, by switching the positions of two or more devices into the path of the light.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively displaying an operational area comprising an internal and an external environment separated from another by at least one physical obstruction, the apparatus comprising a headset including a screen for placing over a user's eyes, the system further comprising a processor configured to generate a three-dimensional virtual environment, and an image capture device for capturing images of the internal environment, said processor being configured to blend image data representative thereof into said three dimensional virtual environment to create a mixed reality environment including a representation of said at least one physical obstruction, the processor configured to receive image data representative of said external environment and to remove at least a portion of said physical obstruction from said mixed reality environment displayed on said screen, and blend said image data of said external environment into said mixed reality environment wherein said physical obstruction appears to be

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising a first envelope, a second envelope located inside the first envelope, and a tube connecting the first envelope to the second envelope. The first envelope and the second envelope are spaced apart so as to define a chamber between the first envelope and the second envelope. The chamber is filled with a lighter than air gas. A first opening of the tube is located at an external surface of the first envelope. A second opening of the tube is located at an internal surface of the second envelope, the second opening of the tube being at an opposite end of the tube to the first opening of the tube.

Abstract: A mixed reality vehicle control system comprising a headset (100) including a screen (102), the system further comprising a processor (104) configured to display images representing virtual control elements (30) within a three dimensional virtual environment on said screen, wherein the system is configured to allow a user to interact with said virtual control elements (30) to control respective vehicle functions or operations, the system further comprising an image capture device for capturing images of the real world environment in the vicinity of the user within the user's field of view, including image data representative of physical control elements (70, 80) therein, and blend image data representative of at least portions of said user's field of view, including at least one of said physical control elements, into said three dimensional virtual environment to create a mixed reality vehicle control environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising: an envelope (34) containing a lighter than air gas (22), at least part of the envelope (34) admitting the passage of light (28) through the at least part of the envelope (34); and means for selectively redirecting the light (28) which passes through the at least part of the envelope (34). The vehicle may further comprises a plurality of devices (44, 50) for using incident light (28). The means for selectively redirecting the light (28) may be for selectively redirecting the light (28) onto a selected device (44, 50), for example, by switching the positions of two or more devices (44, 50) into the path of the light (28).

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting a control action in respect of a function within a virtual or mixed reality system, the control action corresponding to a predefined bodily movement of an authorised user of said function, wherein an authorised user is defined by a predetermined criterion in respect of a selected body part and/or a passive device carried thereon. The apparatus comprises a detection module for detecting a predefined bodily movement; a multi-spectral imaging system for capturing spectral reflectance and/or emission data at a plurality of wavelengths in respect of said selected body part and/or the passive device carried thereon; and an analysis module for comparing at least a portion of the spectral data with data corresponding to an authorised user of said function to determine if said criterion is met, and outputting a signal to effect said control action only if said criterion is met.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for determining depth in an original image captured by a light field image capture device, in which a light field analysis algorithm is applied a plurality of times to the original image, changing the focus setting each time, so as to generate a respective plurality of scene images focused at different depths; edge detection is performed in respect of each of the scene images to generate a respective plurality of edge detected images; area identification is performed in respect of each edge detected image to generate a respective plurality of area identification images indicative of areas of respective edge detected images in which edges have been detected; and the area identification images are applied to respective scene images so as to extract from the scene images respective image segments corresponding to the areas in which edges have been detected.

Abstract: A mixed reality control apparatus for a system having at least one remote data source requiring at least one physical control input, the apparatus comprising a headset for placing over a user's eyes, in use, the headset including a screen, the apparatus further including a processor configured to receive data from the at least one remote data source and display the data on the screen within a three-dimensional virtual environment, and image capture means for capturing images of the real world environment in the vicinity of the user, the processor being further configured to: blend at least portions or objects of the images of the real world environment into the three-dimensional virtual environment to create a mixed reality environment, including the data, to be displayed on the screen; and generate a virtual representation of the at least one physical control input and blend the virtual representation into the mixed reality environment at a selected location, and generate a marker representative of the selec

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for determining depth in an original image captured by a light field image capture device, in which a light field analysis algorithm is applied a plurality of times to the original image, changing the focus setting each time, so as to generate a respective plurality of scene images focused at different depths; edge detection is performed in respect of each of the scene images to generate a respective plurality of edge detected images; area identification is performed in respect of each edge detected image to generate a respective plurality of area identification images indicative of areas of respective edge detected images in which edges have been detected; and the area identification images are applied to respective scene images so as to extract from the scene images respective image segments corresponding to the areas in which edges have been detected.