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: A method of compensating for the movement of a video surveillance camera comprising the steps of moving an interlaced camera, capturing a first video field of a frame at a first point in time, capturing a second video field of a frame at a second point in time, determining the speed at which the camera is moving, and shifting the relationship between the first and second video fields based on the period of time between the first point in time and the second point in time and the speed at which the camera is moving.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprising: a first housing portion adapted to be mounted to an object, the first housing portion having a first opening and a plurality of pins located in the opening and a first portion of a closing mechanism located on the outside of the first housing portion; and a second housing portion having a member having a plurality of slots for mating with the plurality of pins and a second portion of a closing mechanism that mates with the first portion of a closing mechanism.

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 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 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: 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 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 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

Abstract: A workstation for a surveillance system comprising a display, a user input device and a control unit in communication with the display and the user input device. The user input device has a plurality of keys and a light source to light the keys with a plurality of different colors. The control unit generates an image on the display that has a plurality of differently colored icons with each of the icons symbolizing a function to be performed by the control unit. The control unit generates a control signal to the user input device causing the light source to light the plurality of keys in the user input device in colors to correspond to the colors of the icons in the image on the display. The control unit performs the control function corresponding to a particular icon from the plurality of differently colored icons when a user activates a key from the plurality keys having the color that corresponds to the color of the particular icon.

Abstract: A surveillance system controller comprising a housing, a first control module and a second control module. The first control module is located in a first location in the housing, and it is rotatable around a first axis so that the first control module can be rotated to a first angular position. The second control module is located in a second location in the housing, and it is rotatable around a second axis so that the second control module can be rotated to a second angular position independent of the first angular position.

Abstract: A video surveillance camera comprising an image sensor, first housing, second housing, electronic circuit, and thermal barrier. The image sensor is located in the first housing, and the electronic circuit is located in the second housing. The thermal barrier has first and second sides with the first side located adjacent to the first housing and the second side located adjacent to the second housing. The image sensor and other electronics, such as the processor board associated with the image sensor or the camera power supply, are located in separate housings or chambers that are separated and insulated from each other by a thermal barrier, thereby minimizing the heat generated by the processor electronics or power supply from being transferred to the area of the image sensor.