Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and system (10) for classifying vehicle behaviour, particularly abnormal behaviour of civil aircraft (12). The method may comprise receiving aircraft data from an aircraft (12) which is to be classified; and determining whether the received aircraft data comprises identification information for the aircraft (12). In response to a determination that the received aircraft data comprises identification information, the method may comprise using said identification information to classify the behaviour of the aircraft (12). In response to a determination that the received aircraft data does not comprises identification information, the method may comprise obtaining the position of the aircraft and comparing the obtained position to an expected route for the aircraft to classify the behaviour of the aircraft (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and system (10) for classifying vehicle behaviour, particularly abnormal behaviour of civil aircraft (12). The method may comprise receiving aircraft data from an aircraft (12) which is to be classified; and determining whether the received aircraft data comprises identification information for the aircraft (12). In response to a determination that the received aircraft data comprises identification information, the method may comprise using said identification information to classify the behaviour of the aircraft (12). In response to a determination that the received aircraft data does not comprises identification information, the method may comprise obtaining the position of the aircraft and comparing the obtained position to an expected route for the aircraft to classify the behaviour of the aircraft (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of classifying behaviour patterns. The method comprises configuring a simulation environment based on an operational arena, configuring an artificial agent to carry out a chosen activity within the simulation environment, generating training data from the agent's activity, and training a detection model using the training data.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning a set of vehicles (102) with respect to an object (104) and a set of targets (106). Embodiments can generate (302) an isovist using data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the object and use it to compute (304) an estimated position of each target with respect to the object. Embodiments can compute (306) a plurality of positions for each vehicle based on the estimated positions of the targets, with each position having an associated value representing a number of the targets at their estimated positions that are within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle at that position. Embodiments can select (308) a subset of the positions based on the associated values, and position (310) the set of vehicles based on the selected subset of the positions.

Abstract: A method and system for positioning a vehicle in relation to each moving target of an ordered set of moving targets. Each of the moving targets moves from an initial position at a constant velocity. Embodiments can compute an estimated time for the vehicle to be positioned within a predetermined proximity of one of the moving targets; compute an estimated location of the moving target at the estimated time, based on a current position of the moving target and the constant velocity of the moving target, and compute a required velocity for the vehicle to move from its current position to reach the estimated location by the estimated time. If the required velocity is less than or equal to a maximum velocity of the vehicle, outputting the estimated time and the estimated location for use in positioning the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for positioning a vehicle in relation to each moving target of an ordered set of moving targets. Each of the moving targets moves from an initial position at a constant velocity. Embodiments can compute (602) an estimated time for the vehicle to be positioned within a predetermined proximity of one of the moving targets; compute (604) an estimated location of the moving target at the estimated time, based on a current position of the moving target and the constant velocity of the moving target, and compute (606) a required velocity for the vehicle to move from its current position to reach the estimated location by the estimated time. If the required velocity is less than or equal to a maximum velocity of the vehicle, outputting (312) the estimated time and the estimated location for use in positioning the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning a set of vehicles (102) with respect to an object (104) and a set of targets (106). Embodiments can generate (302) an isovist using data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the object and use it to compute (304) an estimated position of each target with respect to the object. Embodiments can compute (306) a plurality of positions for each vehicle based on the estimated positions of the targets, with each position having an associated value representing a number of the targets at their estimated positions that are within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle at that position. Embodiments can select (308) a subset of the positions based on the associated values, and position (310) the set of vehicles based on the selected subset of the positions.

Abstract: A profiling approach for determining a path for an aircraft, using a method comprising the steps of determining at least two waypoints between a starting position and a desired terminal position for the aircraft, determining a path for the aircraft between the starting position and the terminal position, by performing a linear approximation of the heights of the waypoints such that the average height change between waypoints is minimized, and constrained by a maximum climb angle of said aircraft, and performing a linear approximation of arrival times for each of the waypoints and aircraft speeds between the waypoints, constrained by permissible velocity of said aircraft on the slope between the waypoints. In this way, the non-linear relationship between climb rate and speed is approximated with linear equations, because determination of the path between each set of two waypoints is broken into two linear problems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining a path (4) for a vehicle (2). The method comprises providing starting and final positions for the vehicle (2), and using the provided positions, determining an ordered sequence of points, thereby providing the path (4) for the vehicle (2). Performing the optimisation process comprises: minimising a distance between the final position and a last point in the sequence; for each point other than a last point in the sequence, constraining a distance between that point and the next point to be equal to a predefined distance; and, for each path point other than the first and last points, constraining an angle between a line that connects that point to the point that precedes it and a line that connects that point to the next point to be greater than or equal to a predefined angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining actions for entities (4, 6) such that a goal is accomplished constraints are satisfied. The method comprises: determining an initial plan comprising actions that, if performed by the entities (4, 6), the goal would be accomplished; determining that a constraint would not be satisfied if the initial plan was implemented; and iteratively performing steps (i) to (v) until a final plan that accomplishes the goal and satisfies the is determined. Step (i) comprises identifying a constraint that is not satisfied in part of the current plan. Step (ii) comprises determining a remedy that, if implemented, satisfies the identified constraint. Step (iii) comprises updating the goal specification to include the remedy. Step (iv) comprises, using the updated goal specification, determining a further plan that accomplishes the goal and the remedy. Step (v) comprises determining whether or not the further plan satisfies each constraint.

Abstract: A profiling approach for determining a path for an aircraft, using a method comprising the steps of determining at least two waypoints betweena starting position and a desired terminal position for the aircraft, determining a path for the aircraft between the starting position and the terminal position, by performing a linear approximation of the heights of the waypoints such that the average height change between waypoints is minimised, and constrained by a maximum climb angle of said aircraft, and performing a linear approximation of arrival times for each of the waypoints and aircraft speeds between the waypoints, constrained by permissible velocity of said aircraft on the slope between the waypoints. In this way, the non-linear relationship between climb rate and speed is approximated with linear equations, because determination of the path between each set of two waypoints is broken into two linear problems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining a path (4) for a vehicle (2). The method comprises providing starting and final positions for the vehicle (2), and using the provided positions, determining an ordered sequence of points, thereby providing the path (4) for the vehicle (2). Performing the optimisation process comprises: minimising a distance between the final position and a last point in the sequence; for each point other than a last point in the sequence, constraining a distance between that point and the next point to be equal to a predefined distance; and, for each path point other than the first and last points, constraining an angle between a line that connects that point to the point that precedes it and a line that connects that point to the next point to be greater than or equal to a predefined angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining actions for entities (4, 6) such that a goal is accomplished constraints are satisfied. The method comprises: determining an initial plan comprising actions that, if performed by the entities (4, 6), the goal would be accomplished; determining that a constraint would not be satisfied if the initial plan was implemented; and iteratively performing steps (i) to (v) until a final plan that accomplishes the goal and satisfies the is determined. Step (i) comprises identifying a constraint that is not satisfied in part of the current plan. Step (ii) comprises determining a remedy that, if implemented, satisfies the identified constraint. Step (iii) comprises updating the goal specification to include the remedy. Step (iv) comprises, using the updated goal specification, determining a further plan that accomplishes the goal and the remedy. Step (v) comprises determining whether or not the further plan satisfies each constraint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a trajectory for a vehicle are disclosed, wherein the method can include identifying a starting position (p0) for the vehicle; identifying a desired terminal position (P) for the vehicle; linearly approximating dynamics of the vehicle; and using the starting position (p0), the desired terminal position (P), and the linear approximation, determining the trajectory for the vehicle. The linear approximation can be constrained by requirements that: an acceleration of the vehicle during the trajectory is less than a threshold value for the acceleration; and the threshold value for the acceleration is dependent on an infinity norm of a velocity of the vehicle. The vehicle may have a curvature limit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a trajectory for a vehicle can include: identifying a starting position (p0) and desired terminal position (P) for the vehicle; linearly approximating dynamics of the vehicle; and using the starting position (p0), terminal position (P), and linear approximation, determining the trajectory; wherein the linear approximation can be constrained by a requirement (e.g., specification) that the vehicle may not travel in a region; a center point of the region is at a distance from a predetermined point on the vehicle substantially equal to a minimum turn radius of the vehicle, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a velocity of the vehicle; and a distance from the center point of the region to a point on a perimeter of the region is greater than or substantially equal to the minimum turn radius of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a trajectory for a vehicle, wherein the method includes: identifying a starting position (p0) for the vehicle; identifying a desired terminal position (P) for the vehicle; linearly approximating dynamics of the vehicle; and using the starting position (p0), the desired terminal position (P), and the linear approximation, determining the trajectory for the vehicle. The linear approximation can be constrained by a requirement (e.g., specification) that a magnitude of a velocity of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a threshold value for the velocity. The vehicle may have a curvature limit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a trajectory for a vehicle are disclosed, wherein, the method includes: identifying a starting position (p0) and a desired terminal position (P) for the vehicle; linearly approximating dynamics of the vehicle; and using the starting position (p0), desired terminal position (P), and linear approximation, determining the trajectory for the vehicle. The linear approximation can be constrained by requirements (e.g., specifications) that: (i) an acceleration applied to the vehicle at a point on the trajectory is relatively large when the acceleration acts in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the velocity of the vehicle; and (ii) an acceleration applied to the vehicle at a point on the trajectory is relatively small when the acceleration acts in a direction that is substantially parallel to the velocity of the vehicle. The vehicle may have a curvature limit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining actions to be performed by a plurality of assets such that a predetermined task is performed. Methods comprise receiving, by a task decomposition module (105), task information that specifies the predetermined task; using the task information, determining, by the task decomposition module (105), a plurality of sub-tasks, the sub-tasks being such that if each of those sub-tasks were performed, the predetermined task would be performed; using information relating to the plurality of assets and the determined sub-tasks, assigning, by an assignment module (115), each sub-task to an asset; for each asset to which a sub-task has been assigned, and for each sub-task assigned to that asset, determining, by a planner module (120), one or more actions, an action determined for an asset and sub-task being such that, if that action is performed by that asset, that sub-task is performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a trajectory for a vehicle can include: identifying a starting position (p0) and desired terminal position (P) for the vehicle; linearly approximating dynamics of the vehicle; and using the starting position (p0), terminal position (P), and linear approximation, determining the trajectory; wherein the linear approximation can be constrained by a requirement (e.g., specification) that the vehicle may not travel in a region; a centre point of the region is at a distance from a predetermined point on the vehicle substantially equal to a minimum turn radius of the vehicle, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a velocity of the vehicle; and a distance from the centre point of the region to a point on a perimeter of the region is greater than or substantially equal to the minimum turn radius of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a trajectory for a vehicle are disclosed, wherein the method can include identifying a starting position (p0) for the vehicle; identifying a desired terminal position (P) for the vehicle; linearly approximating dynamics of the vehicle; and using the starting position (p0), the desired terminal position (P), and the linear approximation, determining the trajectory for the vehicle. The linear approximation can be constrained by requirements that: an acceleration of the vehicle during the trajectory is less than a threshold value for the acceleration; and the threshold value for the acceleration is dependent on an infinity norm of a velocity of the vehicle. The vehicle may have a curvature limit.