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: A vehicle includes a reconfigurable door having a first surface and a second surface. There is also an arrangement for configuring the door so that in a first configuration at least part of the first surface is external to the vehicle, and in a second configuration at least part of the second surface is external to the vehicle. The first surface and/or the second surface includes at least one device mounting arrangement.

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 computational ghost imaging apparatus comprising a first electromagnetic radiation source (100) and a control system configured to cause electromagnetic radiation from said first source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of an atmospheric volume between a second electromagnetic radiation source (110) and object or region of interest (106) so as to heat or ionise the air within said selected portions and create an atmospheric spatial radiation modulator (108) of a specified pattern for causing said object or region of interest to be irradiated with spatially modulated electromagnetic radiation in said specified pattern, the apparatus further comprising a detector for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from said object or region of interest (106), and a processing module for reconstructing an image of said object or region of interest using data output by said detector.

Abstract: A directed-energy weapon counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of a focused electromagnetic energy beam (204) emitted by a directed energy weapon system so as to deflect it from a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in the path of the focused electromagnetic radiation beam (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air with in said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an atmospheric electromagnetic radiation path modifying element (40) operative to simulate a physical optical device, the method comprising applying electromagnetic radiation to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions (12—FIG. 3) of an atmospheric volume (10) so as to heat and/or ionise the air within said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: A counter measure apparatus and method for modifying a path of an electromagnetic detector signal (204) so as to prevent incidence thereof on a platform (200), the apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, communicably coupled to a control system. The control system is configured to create an atmospheric element (202) operative to simulate a physical electromagnetic radiation path modifying device within an atmospheric volume located in said electromagnetic detector signal path (204) by causing electromagnetic radiation from the source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of said atmospheric volume so as to heat and/or ionise the air within said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken, three-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: A control system for an unmanned vehicle includes a control processing unit which receives input signals from one or more sensors and supplies output signals to one or more actuators. Processing modules are divided into a plurality of successively linked stages. In a first stage, multiple processing modules produce substantially equivalent payload data when operating correctly. Message cryptography units generate cryptographically signed messages containing the payload data. In a second stage, a voting cryptography unit receives and examines the cryptographically signed messages, and applies voting logic to derive a validated payload data for use by the respective processing module of the second stage.

Abstract: A long range electromagnetic radiation sensor apparatus comprising a sensing system for receiving electromagnetic radiation signals from an object or area of interest and at least one electromagnetic radiation sensor, the apparatus further comprising an electromagnetic radiation source and a control system configured to cause electromagnetic radiation from said source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of an atmospheric volume between said optical system and said object or area of interest (204) so as to heat and/or ionise the air within said portions, wherein said selected portions are spatially located together in a three-dimensional configuration so as to simulate an electromagnetic radiation path modifying device (202) for capturing said electromagnetic signals from said object or area of interest and directing and/or converging said captured signals toward said electromagnetic radiation sensor of said sensing system.

Abstract: A holographic projector apparatus comprising an electromagnetic radiation source (204) communicably coupled to a control system and a three dimensional (3D) image projector (202) for outputting a plurality of image signals (200) representative of a subject, the control system being configured to cause electromagnetic radiation to be applied to a plurality of sets of selected three-dimensional portions of a gaseous volume so as to heat and/or ionise the gas within said selected portions, wherein each set of selected three-dimensional portions of said gaseous volume intersects a path of a respective one of said image signals (200), and wherein said selected portions of each of said set are spatially located together in a substantially unbroken three-dimensional configuration and selectable orientated and configured to simulate an electromagnetic radiation path modifying element (208) for directing a respective image signals incident thereon to a selected location within a viewing region (210).

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 vehicle control, e.g. flight, simulator comprising a headset (100) for placing over a user's eyes, in use, said headset including a screen, the simulator further comprising a processor configured to display on said screen a three dimensional environment consisting of virtual scenery, one or more interactive controls (204) for enabling a user (200) to simulate vehicle control actions, said processor being further configured to receive, from said one or more interactive controls, data representative of one or more parameters determinative of vehicle movement and update said scenery displayed on said screen in accordance with said parameters so as to simulate vehicle movement therein.

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: 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: 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: A method of manufacturing a graphene sheet comprising the steps of: providing a container containing liquid and a volume above the liquid; supplying carbon atoms to the volume; and allowing carbon atoms to settle on the surface of the liquid and to coalesce to form the graphene sheet.

Abstract: A system for displaying multiple sources of data within a mixed reality environment, comprising a headset with a visor which is placed over a user's eyes in use. The visor includes a screen and the system further comprises a processor for generating a three-dimensional virtual environment to be displayed on the screen, and within which the data is arranged for viewing by the user. The system includes one or more cameras for capturing real world images in the vicinity of the user, and provides a facility for enabling selected objects from the captured images to be blended and included in the 3D virtual environment displayed on the screen. An extension of the system provides the facility for tailoring a mixed reality environment for a given application.