Abstract: The present invention is a protective rotatable enclosure for the sensitive internal electrical and mechanical components of a surveillance camera scanner system that is particularly suited for deployment in an inverted position. The invention includes a sloped mounting base with an optional annular lip, a stepped relationship between the mounting base and the rotary spindle, and at least one O-ring seal. The invention also has the ability to set and adjust the limits of the scanning arc(s) of the scanner enclosure through the use of one or more fixed-position magnetically operable electronic sensors located inside the enclosure which are triggered by one or more external magnetic actuators adjustably deployed on the rotatable enclosure.

Abstract: A durable, reliable and comfortable joystick for use in precision applications such as controlling a surveillance camera. The joystick of the present invention incorporates mechanical linkages that convert the user's motion into the rotation of three different resistive potentiometers, one for each of 3 axes of movement (X, Y and Z). The potentiometers and linkages for the X- and Y-axes are incorporated into the joystick base, and the potentiometer and linkage for the Z-axis is uniquely incorporated into the joystick handle. Rotation of the handle is restricted in order to prevent damage to the internal parts and preserve the life of the joystick.

Abstract: An image comprises pixels, and has repetitive high-frequency information. Decision circuitry identifies the repetitive high-frequency information in at least a subset of the pixels of the image to provide a repetitive-sequence signal. A low-pass filter filters the image to produce low-pass filtered pixels. A switch outputs the pixels of the image as adaptive-filter output, and in response to the repetitive-sequence signal, outputs the low-pass filtered pixels as the adaptive-filter output.

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: The present invention is an adjustable aesthetically pleasing support structure for a large surveillance camera that is resistant to water and moisture penetration and protects the wires connected to the camera while providing a wide range of adjustable viewing angles for the attached camera.

Abstract: A system and method for tensioning a belt drive in a remotely controlled video camera is provided in which the belt drive tensioning system has an accessory pulley. A receptacle has a substantially circular opening and an extension. The extension is disposed partially around a periphery of an end of the circular opening and projects partially over the opening. A drive pulley is substantially coplanar with the accessory pulley. A housing has a body wall, a first longitudinal axis and a substantially circular tab provided at an end region of the body wall. The substantially circular tab has a second longitudinal axis which is parallel and eccentric to the first longitudinal axis. A drive pulley is substantially coaxially aligned along the first longitudinal axis and is rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing is configured to engage the receptacle in a first position where the drive pulley is at a first distance from the accessory pulley.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic memory module that retains information that is specific to physical location of a piece of surveillance equipment which can be used by any equipment that is deployed at that location. The memory module of the present invention is kept at the same physical location in order that it may be attached to and used by whatever surveillance equipment is subsequently placed there.

Abstract: A universal adaptor that may be used to hold any of a number of different surveillance cameras for deployment in any of a number of different camera housings or enclosures. The adaptor is in the form of a bi-sectional open-ended generally rectangular assembly designed to snap together around a camera and its associated PC boards encapsulating them into a single unit. The assembly includes a plurality of internal slots for holding up to several PC boards associated with the camera, and optional frontal tabs for heating/defrost elements. The camera lens extends through a wide opening at one end of the adaptor. Ventilation, access and attachment openings are provided on the adaptor allowing access to the interior for adjusting PC board switches, running wires and attaching the unit inside a larger mounting enclosure.

Abstract: A low profile captive screw assembly used, for example, for attaching a protective cover, such that the captive screw assembly can be retracted to remove the protective cover without damaging the protective cover's seals. The low profile captive hardware assembly providing a standoff including a proximal end region, a distal end region opposite the proximal end region, and a central bore defining an interior surface. The interior surface including a threaded section. The low profile captive hardware assembly further provides a fastener including a head and a shaft, the shaft having a shank and a fastener threaded section. The fastener threaded section being interposed between the head and the shank such that when the fastener is positioned through the proximal end region of the standoff the fastener threaded section and the standoff threaded section are in engageable relation. A retaining clip positioned about the shank, the retaining clip capturing at least a portion of the fastener within the standoff.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmission of audio signals over a dedicated video transmission line in which the analog audio signal is inserted into and becomes a part of the video signal. Samples of the audio signal are inserted into the active video line, either at the beginnings or endings, or both, of each active video line scan signal. A defined amount of the active video interval is reserved from the active video line, and is replaced with samples of the analog audio signal. An analog switch in the modulator of the invention toggles to pick up the samples of audio and place them at the designated location (either at the beginnings or at the ends) of each active video line scan signal. A corresponding switch in the demodulator of the invention toggles to retrieve the audio samples from the active video line scans for output to the user. Stereo and/or bi-directional audio signals can be transmitted by insertion into both the beginnings and the endings of the active video line scan signals.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly for use in a rotational camera. The camera has a rotating plate portion and a stationary base. The assembly comprises a housing, the housing having a body with a longitudinal axis, a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the housing includes an inner cylinder protruding therethrough, and upon the cylinder, a plurality of connectors rotationally coupled to the rotating portion of the camera. The second end of the housing is affixed to the stationary portion of the camera. The top end and the bottom end of the housing rotate with respect each other. The slip ring assembly acts as a connector, joining the rotational and the stationary portions of the rotational camera. The present invention minimizes component wear in the camera's stationary base since the end of the assembly in the stationary portion and all of the wires and electrical components coupled to it remain stationary during rotation of the camera.

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: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmission of audio signals over a dedicated video transmission line in which the analog audio signal is inserted into and becomes a part of the video signal. Samples of the audio signal are inserted into the active video line, either at the beginnings or endings, or both, of each active video line scan signal. A defined amount of the active video interval is reserved from the active video line, and is replaced with samples of the analog audio signal. An analog switch in the modulator of the invention toggles to pick up the samples of audio and place them at the designated location (either at the beginnings or at the ends) of each active video line scan signal. A corresponding switch in the demodulator of the invention toggles to retrieve the audio samples from the active video line scans for output to the user. Stereo and/or bi-directional audio signals can be transmitted by insertion into both the beginnings and the endings of the active video line scan signals.

Abstract: A universal adaptor that may be used to hold any of a number of different surveillance cameras for deployment in any of a number of different camera housings or enclosures. The adaptor is in the form of a bi-sectional open-ended generally rectangular assembly designed to snap together around a camera and its associated PC boards encapsulating them into a single unit. The assembly includes a plurality of internal slots for holding up to several PC boards associated with the camera, and optional frontal tabs for heating/defrost elements. The camera lens extends through a wide opening at one end of the adaptor. Ventilation, access and attachment openings are provided on the adaptor allowing access to the interior for adjusting PC board switches, running wires and attaching the unit inside a larger mounting enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus, including a processor and software incorporating a table that contains sets of pre-determined correction values that are used to supply different amounts of power to an electric stepper motor when the motor is operating at different speeds. Use of the correction values in the table allows power to be supplied to the motor in differing amounts that are approximately the same as the power actually required by the motor at different motor speeds or ranges of speeds.

Abstract: A viewing angle-dependent retractable surveillance camera mounting mechanism allowing for pivotal movement of the camera (tilt and retraction capability) fully up into the interior of the housing; and correlation of the camera tilt/retraction angle to the lens telephoto angle and zoom in order to provide a consistent view. A protective cover and a fixed or movable dome bubble may be provided with the camera mounting mechanism.