Abstract: A system is described that provides a full end to end test of a recorder system to assure that a failure of any one or more channels is quickly detected so that maintenance can be performed. The system causes the recorder to sequence all or some of its outputs so that they appear sequentially on one (or more to increase speed) video signal line. The testing system uses one (or possibly multiple) testing circuits to check the signal from each recorder channel as it appears in the sequence. If one or more channels are inoperative, they are identified and a maintenance needed alarm is generated. The sequence includes a pause or similar discontinuity so that the tester can synchronize to the sequence so that the specific identifier of a channel can be identified with the detected operating status. This identification is also possible from communication between the tester and the recorder.

Abstract: A video switching and control system is described that provides compatibility with conventional analog cameras while also accepting network IP type cameras. The system offers reduced control latency, improved recording efficiency, and more flexible display features with greatly improved performance and update rates. The system offers greatly reduced wiring and installation complexity thus improving reliability. The architecture is scalable and expandable in either the analog camera count or the IP camera count. The system integrates these two camera technologies so that the camera source or recorder is transparent to the user. Each user can control all video sources, analog, IP, or recorded, from one keyboard and one or more monitors at each work station. The unique all digital solution provides digital reliability and broadcast quality performance.

Abstract: A new system is described that integrates real time item location data from electronically tagged items with a video system to allow cameras in proximity to a tagged item to automatically be enabled or recorded and to move and follow the movement of the tagged item. The methodology to implement such a system is described and involves computerized coordinate system scaling and conversion to automatically select and command movement if available of the most appropriate cameras. The system can follow a moving tagged item and hand off the item from one camera to another, and also command other facility assets, such as lights and door locks.

Abstract: This is a security and identification system designed to obtain improved images for use by real-time facial recognition and identification systems for screening individuals passing through secure entry or checkpoints such as airport passenger terminals, government offices, and other secure locations. The system detects the presence of a subject at the checkpoint, interactively instructs the subject to stop and move into position for proper identification and recognition, analyzes the facial features of the subject as (s)he passes through the checkpoint, and compares the features of the subject with those in a database. The system then generates different signals depending upon whether or not the subject is recognized. In one aspect of the invention, different methods and apparatus are provided for compensating for low ambient light so as to improve the quality of the facial image of the subject that is obtained.

Abstract: A technique, specifically a method and apparatus that implements the method, that allows a memory to be located remotely from a video source. Specifically, the method provides a write control signal between a video source and a remote memory that allows the remote memory to provide a video image during slow-shutter operation of the camera.

Abstract: Vertical deflection circuitry for substantially eliminating rolling and bouncing in a video monitor, where, for example, the video monitor successively displays images produced by each of one of a plurality of non-synchronized video cameras and an incoming vertical synchronization (synch) signal to the monitor is merely a composite of the individual vertical synch signals generated by each of these cameras. Specifically, the vertical deflection circuitry generates the appropriate vertical sweep signal for a current one of these cameras from this composite synch signal so as to properly locate the corresponding video image generated by this camera on a display screen of the monitor.

Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed which compensates for magnitude and phase variations in the transfer function of a transmission medium. The medium is characterized by amplitude and phase variations in its transfer function wherein the amplitude variations produce increasing loss in the medium as frequency increases. The circuitry possesses an inverse characteristic to these variations, thereby generating a relatively flat magnitude characteristic for the medium-circuitry combination. The circuitry includes a buffer amplifier that receives a portion of an input signal, a network coupled to the amplifier and having zero-pole pairs in its signal transfer function, and a summer which has both the input signal and the output of the network as inputs. Accordingly, the compensation circuit has an overall transfer function which has fixed poles but adjustable zeros, these zeros being dependent on the amplifier gain and the portion of the input signal applied to the amplifier.

Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed for regenerating a digital output stream referenced to an output timing signal from a digital input stream referenced to an input timing signal wherein the input and output timing signals are typically unsynchronized. Both the digital input stream and a delayed version of the input stream alternately serve as inputs to a dual-port memory. The output port of the memory emits the output stream under control of the output timing signal. Whenever the output stream is being transferred from the dual-port memory to an output buffer, the storing of data through the input port of the memory is temporarily suspended. In order to ensure that no input data is lost, the delayed input stream is presented to the memory after interrupt of the memory by the output timing signal. Prior to the interruption, the input port receives its input directly from the input stream. The delay interval is chosen to be commensurate with the output timing signal to preserve data input into the memory.

Abstract: An image processing system, which receives asynchronous analog video output signals from a plurality of independently operating video cameras (preferably four) and simultaneously displays the image obtained from each camera, dimensionally reduced by a factor of two, on a non-overlapping basis on one video monitor, is described.

Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) and digitizing circuit, particularly suitable for use in digital video image processing and/or display systems, is disclosed. This circuit advantageously defines an active window within an image area and operates the AGC only on the active window in order to ensure that the active window is always displayed, on a remote monitor, with proper brightness and contrast. The active window can be located anywhere within the image area and can be set to encompass an area extending from only a single picture element to the entire image area.

Abstract: Each orthogonal driver channel for the magnet deflection yoke of a conventional CRT includes a simple bifilar wound transformer which is connected so that the deflection current waveform passes therethrough. The transformer effectively minimizes the inherent parasitic capacitance between the two windings of the magnetic deflection yoke as it affects a high frequency input signal presented to the input terminal of the high gain operational amplifier. However, the impedance introduced within the feedback loop of the operational amplifier is minimal with respect to an input signal to either driver channel, and thus no significant distortion is presented to the current waveform driving each winding.

Abstract: A deflection waveform generator uses a low voltage accurate capacitor to integrate the yoke deflection current and derive a parabolic waveform for "S" correcting the basic sawtooth deflection waveform. This parabolic waveform is fed back to the inverting input of a balanced operational integrating amplifier, the inverting input also having the integrating network coupled thereto. The polarities of the signal waveforms at the inverting input are such that the combined signal fed through the integrating network creates a "S" corrected sawtooth yoke deflection current which drives the electron beam in a manner which compensates geometric distortion inherent in the CRT.

Abstract: A high speed driver circuit for the magnetic deflection yoke of an orthogonal channel displaying high speed alphanumeric characters, or the like, includes a first input receiving a stored signal proportional to the derivative of the vector slope component and a second input receiving a positive feedback from the yoke sense resistor. At high frequencies the yoke current is primarily inductive so that the voltage across the yoke is proportional to the rate of change of current through the yoke, hence, this voltage, when properly connected by positive feedback, is also proportional to the derivative of the voltage across the magnetic deflection yoke. By combining this voltage waveform directly within the vector slope signal, the need for an active integrator in the closed loop driving the magnetic deflection yoke is eliminated.

Abstract: A regulated power supply for a CRT has an amplifier connected to the output of the high voltage power supply for sensing variations in the operating potential supplied to the CRT anode. The amplifier allows a double acting response to voltage fluctuations in this high voltage operating level supplied to the CRT anode which causes a directly adding voltage to feedback from the intermediate voltage power supply and also unloads the intermediate voltage power supply.

Abstract: A non-interlaced video camera has twenty four light pipes orthogonally terminated at its field of view, each light pipe having a lens at its distal end focused at a spot on one of a plurality of spinning, labeled bottles. For each of the spinning bottles, the vidicon camera output is quantized, stored, and compared repetitively, over successive cycles, with an 8-bit pattern of four digital "dark" bits followed by four digital "white" bits, a match indicating that a label edge has passed a sensing station several cycles previously so that the bottle may be stopped in a desired position following a settable delay. Video threshold and successive samplings ensure integrity of stored data; processing hardware is time shared; digital timing synchronizes processing with the vidicon camera; and a cursor aids initial alignment. Data which changes modulo 192 is stored in a preloaded memory (RAM) modulo 193, advancing data in each cycle group in a caterpillar fashion, in a last-in/first-out basis.

Abstract: A non-interlaced video camera has twenty four light pipes orthogonally terminated at its field of view, each light pipe having a lens at its distal end focused at a spot on one of a plurality of spinning, labeled bottles. For each of the spinning bottles, the vidicon camera output is quantized, stored, and compared repetitively, over successive cycles, with an eight-bit pattern of four digital "dark" bits followed by four digital "white" bits, a match indicating that a label edge has passed a sensing station several cycles previously so that the bottle may be stopped in a desired position following a settable delay. Video threshold and successive samplings ensure integrity of stored data; processing hardware is time shared; digital timing synchronizes processing with the vidicon camera; and a cursor aids initial alignment. Data which changes modulo 192 is stored in a preloaded memory (RAM) modulo 193, advancing data in each cycle group in a caterpillar fashion, in a last-in/first-out basis.

Abstract: Elimination of an inverting amplifier and a video switch, which provide selective polarity reversal to permit usage of unipolar A/D conversion in prior art bipolar A/D converters, for improved economy and performance, is achieved by usage of two comparators, one for comparing positive input signals and one for comparing negative input signals, the output of one of the comparators, at any one time, providing the input to unipolar A/D converter successive approximation logic, and establishing the sign of the result.

Abstract: The phosphor screen of a cathode ray tube (CRT) has its phosphor coating protected against damage caused by a stationary or low sweep velocity electron beam that strikes its surface, by removal of the video signal that controls the beam whenever there is a simultaneous presence of video signal and absence of a proper horizontal or vertical sweep signal.

Abstract: A regulated current source including a large inductance provides desired, average DC current by modulation of an electron switch, such that the inductance is disconnected from the power supply on a regular basis by a clock circuit, and the switch reconnects the power supply when the current in a return path to the inductor has decayed to a desired magnitude. The desired decay current across a resistor is compared with a reference which turns the switch on in the absence of the turn-off signal from a clock. As an energy saving adjunct in a deflection amplifier system for a CRT, a bipolar embodiment employing a single large inductance and duplicate other apparatus provides a regulated current of either polarity or zero magnitude, the inductor current being maintained even when providing zero current with the deflection system.