Abstract: A method of improving a video image by removing the effects of camera vibration comprising the steps of, obtaining a reference frame, receiving an incoming frame, determining the frame translation vector for the incoming frame, translating the incoming frame to generate a realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the reference frame, determining the absolute difference between the filtered pixels in the reference frame and the filtered pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the temporal domain on the pixels in the realigned frame to generate the output frame if the absolute difference is less than a predetermined threshold, and providing the realigned frame as the output frame if the absolute difference is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for providing reliable sealed enclosures for surveillance cameras that are capable of protecting an internal surveillance camera and related electronics from harsh external environmental conditions without using adhesives using a unique a sealing gasket that is sandwiched between upper and lower housing parts of a camera enclosure. The unique sealing gasket includes a flexible portion corresponding to the surfaces of the housing parts to be engaged that is generally perpendicularly attached to a front panel. The front panel has a central viewing pane, and a peripheral flexible sealing surface. A unique aspect of the sealing member of embodiments of the present invention is the inclusion of the front panel, viewing pane and upper/lower housing seal in a single member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems, methods and apparatus for amplifying a composite video signal transmitted over long distance unshielded twisted pair cabling. The apparatus and system may include a plurality of amplifiers, an analog switch, and a control unit. The control unit generates a configuration signal to enable the output of one or more amplifiers (which may be serially connected) and configure the analog switch. A user input may be provided for manually configuring the amplifiers and analog switch. When the video signal is a color signal, the control unit may automatically configure the amplifiers and analog switch with reference to the amplitude of the color burst.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for supporting and easily adjusting the position of a surveillance camera in an enclosure. Embodiments of the present invention also provide systems, methods and apparatus for keeping the front panel of a camera enclosure clear during cold temperature periods. Finally, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for the efficient transfer of heat out of a camera enclosure during warm temperatures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for providing reliable sealed enclosures for surveillance cameras that are capable of protecting an internal surveillance camera and related electronics from harsh external environmental conditions without using adhesives using a unique a sealing gasket that is sandwiched between upper and lower housing parts of a camera enclosure. The unique sealing gasket includes a flexible portion corresponding to the surfaces of the housing parts to be engaged that is generally perpendicularly attached to a front panel. The front panel has a central viewing pane, and a peripheral flexible sealing surface. A unique aspect of the sealing member of embodiments of the present invention is the inclusion of the front panel, viewing pane and upper/lower housing seal in a single member.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a video surveillance system comprising providing a distributed video surveillance system having a plurality of devices, building a script having a parameter that is filled in when an event occurs, storing the script, detecting the occurrence of an event, loading data related to a first device from the plurality of devices in a first parameter to generate a first script, the first device being associated with the detection of the occurrence of an event, and executing the first script.

Abstract: A method of controlling a method of dynamically controlling the use of a video analysis program in a video surveillance system having a plurality of video sources connected to a network comprising the steps of providing a video analysis program to the video surveillance system, allowing the video analysis program to be used with a predetermined number of video sources, and allowing the use of the video analysis program to be transferred from one of the plurality of video sources to another of the plurality of video sources provided that the total number of video sources using the video analysis program at one time is less than the predetermined number of video sources.

Abstract: A method of searching recorded video from a surveillance camera comprising the steps of displaying a first timeline representing a first period of time, using a first user input to select a first time on the first timeline, using a second user input to display a second timeline, said second timeline having a shorter duration of time than said first timeline, using a third user input to select a second time on the second timeline, and using a fourth user input to display the video that was recorded at the second time.

Abstract: A method of configuring a storage device for recording video data from a plurality of video sources comprising the steps of providing a list of parameters that control settings of the plurality of video sources that affect the amount of video data that will be provided by a video source from the plurality of video sources, allowing a user to select a parameter from the list, allowing the user to change the selected parameter, determining the effect of changing the selected parameter on the amount of video storage available; and providing the user with feedback concerning the effect of changing the selected parameter.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for managing the overwriting of existing stored video data with new incoming video data by prioritizing all video categories, and establishing rules for each level of priority. The methods are based upon the classification or prioritization of the each video segment into discrete categories. Rules are established for each particular category. Then as incoming video arrives, a two-part filtering system is used to identify which existing video will be overwritten. First, video in the lowest priority category is identified. Then the retention rules are applied to the identified video in the category to determine whether it can be overwritten. This two step filtering process is repeated for each category from lowest to highest until sufficient space is made available to receive the incoming video. The prioritization of the categories may be changed in real time by the user, according to the value or importance of any particular existing stored video in order to preserve it.

Abstract: A surveillance camera comprising a camera mounted in a housing, a trim ring and dome assembly, a flexible member and a clamping member. The housing and the trim ring and dome assembly have first and second surfaces. One of the first surface of the housing and the first surface of the trim ring and dome assembly has an indentation, and the flexible member is positioned in the indentation. The clamping member can be tightened and is shaped to contact the second surface of the housing and the second surface of the assembly such that when the clamping member is tightened the clamping member causes the housing and the assembly to compress the flexible member so that the flexible member provides a seal between the housing and the assembly.

Abstract: A system and method which provides simultaneous display of characters on one or more display monitors in multiple languages. The languages can include icon based languages such as Chinese and Japanese or can be traditional character based languages such as romance and Germanic languages. The system includes a main unit having a first memory in which the first memory includes character data stored in a plurality of languages. A portion of the character data in a first language corresponds to another portion of the character data in a second language, the portion of the character data in the first language and the portion of the character data in the second language are stored in the first memory at memory locations having an offset value from each other.

Abstract: A method of controlling a video surveillance camera comprising the steps of creating a first camera control to cause the camera to perform one of the control functions from a group of control functions comprising pan, tilt, zoom, and focus, storing the first camera control in memory, providing a video analysis module for analyzing the video images generated by the camera, and associating the first camera control with the video analysis module so that the video analysis module analyzes the video images generated by the camera when the first camera control is implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for superimposing a character on video for display on a video screen comprising providing a system capable of displaying a plurality of RGB pixel values on a video screen, designating a portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values to have special values, receiving video data having a first plurality of RGB pixel values for display on a video screen, superimposing a character on the video data to create a composite video having a second plurality of RGB pixel values for display on a video screen, determining if a first RGB pixel value from the second plurality of RGB pixel values is in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, displaying the first RGB pixel value if the first RGB pixel value is not in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, determining the special value for the first RGB pixel value if first the RGB pixel value is in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, and displaying the determined special value for the fir