Abstract: A resource management system is disclosed for managing deployment of one or more mobile drive apparatus in a transport hub. The system can include a data input module configured to receive data from one or more data sources, said data relating to the transport hub. The system can include a process director coupled to the data input module and configured to: analyse the data received via the data input module and determine whether one or more threshold criteria has been met. The system can include a resource communication module coupled to the process director. The resource communication module can be configured to issue a command instruction to one or more mobile drive apparatus when the process director has determined that the one or more threshold criteria has been met.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus is disclosed for use at a transport hub. The apparatus can include one or more drive motors configured to drive the apparatus from a first location to a second location within the transport hub. The apparatus can include a wireless communication module and antenna configured to form a wireless communications link with a resource management system and receive command instructions from the resource management system. The apparatus can include a control processor coupled to the one or more drive motors and coupled to the wireless communication module and antenna. The control processor can be configured to control the one or more drive motors to move the apparatus from the first location to the second location within the transport hub in response to receiving a command instruction from the resource management system via the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for use at a transport hub, having: a drive means configured to drive the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the hub; a wireless communication module configured to form a wireless communications link with a resource management system (301), and receive command instructions from the resource management system (301); and a control means coupled to the drive means and coupled to the wireless communication module. The control means is configured to control the drive means to move the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the transport hub, in response to receiving a command instruction from the resource management system (301) via the wireless communication module.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system (100) of instructing one or more weather drones (300). The method includes: analysing a first data set comprising flight path data indicative of the flight paths of one or more aircrafts over a predefined time period; identifying, based on said analysis, at least one geographical region which is not intercepted by or adjacent to, any of the flight paths of the one or more aircrafts; and instructing one or more weather drones (300) to fly to the at least one geographical region.

Abstract: The disclosed system can be used by cabin crew on-board an aircraft. At a location remote from the aircraft, a server can include a database. The server can selectively communicate with systems external to the server and external to the aircraft to retrieve information related to a flight to be made by the aircraft. The server can run an application for communicating with the external systems to send and receive data to and from the server. The external systems can include a source of baggage information. The server can be configured to transmit the passenger related baggage status information to the portable computing device for storage in the portable computing device database. The portable computing device can be on-board the aircraft. The portable computing device can have a portable storage device database for receipt and storage of flight related information received from the server during the flight.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for item handling. The drive apparatus comprises at least one platform for supporting an item; a drive means; and a movable door (5003, 5001) coupled to the at least one platform and configured to move between an open position in which the platform is accessible to a user and a closed position in which the platform is enclosed. The apparatus further comprises control means coupled to the drive means. The control means are configured to control the drive means to move the drive apparatus from a current location associated with an item pickup point to a second different location for processing by an item handling hub, in response to receiving an indication that a token presented by the user is a valid token.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for use at a transport hub, having: a drive means configured to drive the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the hub; a wireless communication module configured to form a wireless communications link with a resource management system (301), and receive command instructions from the resource management system (301); and a control means coupled to the drive means and coupled to the wireless communication module. The control means is configured to control the drive means to move the apparatus (1001) from a first location (401) to a second location (402) within the transport hub, in response to receiving a command instruction from the resource management system (301) via the wireless communication module.

Abstract: Methods for drone-assisted inspection of aircraft and other large, mobile structures are disclosed. The drone's camera identifies the mobile structure and an inspection routine is selected from available inspection routines. A flight plan is retrieved from a database corresponding to a portion of the identified mobile structure and comprising instructions to visit positions in three-dimensional space corresponding to the points of the structure identified for inspection in the inspection routine. The drone is operated according to the retrieved flight plan and at one or more of the positions visited, data indicative of the condition of corresponding point of the structure is captured. Points of the structure where the condition of the structure appears sub-optimal are identified and their coordinates saved. On completion of the inspection, one of more points identified as sub-optimal is revisited and a further, more detailed inspection is performed under the control of an operator.

Abstract: A reservation system for travel, accommodation, venue ticketing and other purposes may be accessed on-line, for example via a social networking website. A user enters their social networking identification into the reservation system. When a subsequent user makes a reservation, they also enter their social networking ID and the system retrieves a list of associated parties from the social networking website, which may be a friends or contacts list, and searches for reservations made by any of those parties which have an overlapping criterion, such as date and destination. The overlap may be used to identify parties who will be at the same destination at the same time as the subsequent user, and/or are travelling on the same flight or journey. On check-in, the system may use the list of associated parties to notify the party checking-in that one of their friends or contacts has also checked-in.

Abstract: A reservation system for travel, accommodation, venue ticketing and other purposes may be accessed on-line, for example via a social networking website. A user enters their social networking identification into the reservation system. When a subsequent user makes a reservation, they also enter their social networking ID and the system retrieves a list of associated parties from the social networking website, which may be a friends or contacts list, and searches for reservations made by any of those parties which have an overlapping criterion, such as date and destination. The overlap may be used to identify parties who will be at the same destination at the same time as the subsequent user, and/or are travelling on the same flight or journey. On check-in, the system may use the list of associated parties to notify the party checking-in that one of their friends or contacts has also checked-in.

Abstract: The disclosed system can be used by cabin crew on-board an aircraft. At a location remote from the aircraft, a server can include a database. The server can selectively communicate with systems external to the server and external to the aircraft to retrieve information related to a flight to be made by the aircraft. The server can run an application for communicating with the external systems to send and receive data to and from the server. The external systems can include a source of baggage information. The server can be configured to transmit the passenger related baggage status information to the portable computing device for storage in the portable computing device database. The portable computing device can be on-board the aircraft. The portable computing device can have a portable storage device database for receipt and storage of flight related information received from the server during the flight.

Abstract: A system for use by cabin crew on board an aircraft, comprising a server including a database, the server being at a location remote from the aircraft. The server selectively communicates with a plurality of systems external to the system to retrieve information related to a journey to be made by the aircraft. The server runs an application for communicating with the external systems to send and receive data to and from the server. A portable computing device such as a tablet computer on board the aircraft has a database for receipt and storage of flight related information received from the server, the flight related information including seating information and other passenger related information. The portable device runs an application for real-time communication with the server during a flight or after the flight, for exchange with the server of at least one of seating and passenger related information.

Abstract: A mobile drive apparatus (1001) for item handling. The drive apparatus comprises at least one platform for supporting an item; a drive means; and a movable door (5003, 5001) coupled to the at least one platform and configured to move between an open position in which the platform is accessible to a user and a closed position in which the platform is enclosed. The apparatus further comprises control means coupled to the drive means. The control means are configured to control the drive means to move the drive apparatus from a current location associated with an item pickup point to a second different location for processing by an item handling hub, in response to receiving an indication that a token presented by the user is a valid token.

Abstract: A system for determining a user's path is described. The system comprises a location server arranged to receive location data of a communication device associated with the user, the location data defining the detected position of the communication device at a number of different points in time, the location server further arranged to receive sequence data associated with the location data indicative of the order in which the location data was determined; path determining means for determining the user's path passing through points defined by the received location data and the associated sequence data; and a comparator for comparing the determined path of the user with one or more predetermined user paths; wherein the location server processes the received location data depending upon the result of the comparison and corrects the determined user path with the processed location data.

Abstract: A system for determining a user's path is described. The system comprises a location server arranged to receive location data of a communication device associated with the user, the location data defining the detected position of the communication device at a number of different points in time, the location server further arranged to receive sequence data associated with the location data indicative of the order in which the location data was determined; path determining means for determining the user's path passing through points defined by the received location data and the associated sequence data; and a comparator for comparing the determined path of the user with one or more predetermined user paths; wherein the location server processes the received location data depending upon the result of the comparison and corrects the determined user path with the processed location data.

Abstract: A system for determining a user's path is described. The system comprises a location server arranged to receive location data of a communication device associated with the user, the location data defining the detected position of the communication device at a number of different points in time, the location server further arranged to receive sequence data associated with the location data indicative of the order in which the location data was determined; path determining means for determining the user's path passing through points defined by the received location data and the associated sequence data; and a comparator for comparing the determined path of the user with one or more predetermined user paths; wherein the location server processes the received location data depending upon the result of the comparison and corrects the determined user path with the processed location data.

Abstract: A portable control system for use by an agent in the travel industry and the like is disclosed. A reader reads user data from a user identity document and also reads further user data from a token associated with a product or service. A display is provided for displaying a field of view for the agent. In response to the agent positioning the user identity document and token within the field of view, the reader reads the user data from the document and reads the further user data from the token and compares the user data and further user data.

Abstract: A reservation system for travel, accommodation, venue ticketing and other purposes may be accessed on-line, for example via a social networking website. A user enters their social networking identification into the reservation system, which is stored for future use. When a subsequent user makes a reservation, they also enter their social networking ID and the system retrieves a list of associated parties from the social networking website, which may be a friends or contacts list, and searches for reservations made by any of those parties which have an overlapping criterion, such as date and destination. It then sends the subsequent user the social networking ID of the overlapping party. The overlap may be used to identify parties who will be at the same destination at the same time as the subsequent user, and/or are travelling on the same flight or journey.

Abstract: A reservation system for travel, accommodation, venue ticketing and other purposes may be accessed on-line, for example via a social networking website. A user enters their social networking identification into the reservation system, which is stored for future use. When a subsequent user makes a reservation, they also enter their social networking ID and the system retrieves a list of associated parties from the social networking website, which may be a friends or contacts list, and searches for reservations made by any of those parties which have an overlapping criterion, such as date and destination. It then sends the subsequent user the social networking ID of the overlapping party. The overlap may be used to identify parties who will be at the same destination at the same time as the subsequent user, and/or are travelling on the same flight or journey.