Abstract: This invention provides a family of improvements to video security systems. In a first embodiment, a television set employed for normal television viewing is switched to be the monitor of the security system only upon the happening of a security violation event as sensed by a sensor. I one variation thereof, the switching capability is built into a dual-deck VCR along with the ability to reset the system to normal television watching by means of the remote control for the VCR. In another embodiment, the video cameras of the system are made easily adjustable and relocateable by the use of a bi-directional wireless transmission system linking the cameras to the base station and monitor. Video is sent from the cameras and control signals to adjust the field of view of the cameras are sent without the need for connecting cables.

Abstract: This is a method and associated apparatus for operating a control signal repeater system to receive infrared (IR) control signals at a first location and cause duplicate control signals to be input at a second location to an IR-controlled device containing an IR detector with connecting wires without creating a duplicate IR signal at the location of the controlled device. This is accomplished by directing voltage-inducing energy into the wires of the IR detector in the controlled device so that the signals are induced directly into the wiring to be amplified and used without the need for first generating an IR beam into the IR detector.

Abstract: A rotating scan device for use with magnetic storage media, including a rotor, multiple magnetic transducers on the rotor with suitable gaps and orientations for writing or reading electronically modulated signals directly to or from magnetic storage media. The transducers scan in a helical fashion and include video and audio heads. There are means on the rotor for receiving and amplifying the signals read by the magnetic transducers. The rotor has means on it for transferring the amplified read signals from the rotating device. The rotor also has means for receiving write signals, as well as means for driving the magnetic transducers with the write signals. Means are provided for transferring power to the amplifying, transferring, receiving and driving means. Analog switch means are located on the rotor for connecting one of the multiple video head signals to the transferring means, and the analog switch means has a control input.

Abstract: A video cassette recorder and taping system is disclosed in which two video cassette decks are included within a single housing. Selection switches are provided so that a prerecorded tape may be displayed from a tape located in one video cassette unit deck while one of a plurality of inputs is being recorded on another video tape located in the second video cassette unit deck.

Abstract: This is a supplemental signal splitting apparatus for use with television apparatus having a cable signal input including scrambled signal channels; a cable select box including a cable tuner for selecting a channel, descrambling circuitry for unscrambling scrambled signals, and first output circuitry for outputting a first signal on a television channel frequency; and a programmable video cassette recorder (VCR) including a VCR tuner for selecting a channel, an antenna input to the VCR tuner, an audio/video input, programmable selection means for selectively receiving an input signal from the VCR tuner or the audio/video input, and second output circuitry for outputting a second signal on a television channel frequency. The supplemental signal splitting apparatus allows the VCR to be programmed to record both an unscrambled pay channel and normal cable channels.

Abstract: A videocassette deck and taping system includes two videocassette decks therefor (A and B) included within a single housing utilizing a common power supply, tuner, controls, and switching and control circuitry to enable simultaneous multiple functions using both decks and to also enable tape to tape duplication (dubbing) in a manner avoiding degradation of video information content, as well as additional function selection.

Abstract: This invention is a dual-deck VCR including answering machine logic whereby the VCR can also be used to answer a video telephone system. The video cassette decks of the VCR are switched between and are shared by the VCR and telephone answering functions. The VCR can be switched between its answering mode of operation and its VCR mode of operation by a remote controller.

Abstract: A dual deck video cassette recorder, having first and second video decks in a common housing. Each deck has a plurality of heads and both of the decks can playback, and at least one of the decks can record. A switch arrangement is connected to both decks to provide for selective connections of video and audio signals between, and from the inputs to and outputs from, the two decks. A sensor detects the angular position of the heads of each deck to assure they are in phase prior to initiating recording. A mechanism corrects the angular position of the heads of at least one of the decks to assure the heads of each will be in the same angular phase prior to initiating recording. A circuit detects a copy protection signal on a tape in one deck during vertical blanking and the signal is located and timed so that it will not interfere with normal operation of the video signals, to produce a quality picture on a TV monitor or place information onto tape in one deck which provides a quality picture.

Abstract: A videocassette deck and taping system includes two videocassette decks therefor (A and B) included within a single housing utilizing a common power supply, tuner, controls, and switching and control circuitry to enable simulataneous multiple functions using both decks and to also enable tape to tape duplication (dubbing) in a manner avoiding degradation of video information content, as well as additional function selection.

Abstract: A video cassette recorder and taping system is disclosed in which two video cassette decks are included within a single housing. Selection switches are provided so that a prerecorded tape may be displayed from a tape located in one video cassette unit deck while one of a plurality of inputs is being recorded on another video tape located in the deck of the second video cassette unit.