Abstract: A computer system and method for distributing, decisions in a network. The network is partitioned into multiple levels including a user interface level, a gateway level and a domain level. All attached devices in the network communicate either directly or indirectly with user interface unit. Several gateway systems are attached to the user interface level. Each gateway system has decision-making capability. Each gateway system has connected to it multiple domains. Each domain level again has a set of decision-making capabilities. When the domain level receives an input, the domain level decides whether or not it may react based upon its decision-making capabilities. The domain system may react to the input and provide the gateway with a report of the event and the domain system's reaction to it. Once the gateway system receives the event and domain system status, the gateway determines whether to react to this event.

Abstract: A high temperature camera apparatus having an elongated steel camera housing tube and an elongated camera support member, supporting a video camera at the furnace interior end of the camera housing tube. A ceramic heat shield tube telescopically surrounds at least a portion of the camera, and preferably the portion of the camera housing tube which contains the camera. The exterior surface of the camera housing tube is plated and polished to provide a highly reflective surface, and the ceramic heat shield tube is telescopically surrounded by an outer steel tube. The ceramic heat shield is spaced in position around the camera housing tube by a plurality of spacers projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the camera housing tube. A steel end plate is fixed at the furnace interior end of the camera housing tube, and is provided with an image hole aligned with the image axis of the camera, and a plurality of spaced ventilation holes surrounding the image hole.

Abstract: A video security system (10) capable of monitoring and recording fixed and moving targets and recording management information into a video signal such that the text can be removed from the video image produced by the video signal at playback of the recorded video signal. The VSS (10) allows a camera (70b) to switch (toggle) between two or more view positions of interest and to set the view positions into memory by pressing a single switch. The cameras (70b) are controlled to move rapidly, but accurately, between the positions within controlled parameters of speed and acceleration--including a period of substantially zero acceleration between changes in the rate of acceleration.

Abstract: A high temperature camera apparatus having an elongated steel camera housing tube and an elongated camera support member, supporting a video camera at the furnace interior end of the camera housing tube. A ceramic heat shield tube telescopically surrounds at least a portion of the camera, and preferably the portion of the camera housing tube which contains the camera. The exterior surface of the camera housing tube is plated and polished to provide a highly reflective surface, and the ceramic heat shield tube is telescopically surrounded by an outer steel tube. The ceramic heat shield is spaced in position around the camera housing tube by a plurality of spacers projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the camera housing tube. A steel end plate is fixed at the furnace interior end of the camera housing tube, and is provided with an image hole aligned with the image axis of the camera, and a plurality of spaced ventilation holes surrounding the image hole.

Abstract: A video system controller inserts synchronization pulses on a video camera line, which create a frame of video on the video camera line. The video system controller also inserts camera code in the active video period of a non-viewed line of the frame of video. A plurality of camera units are connected to the video camera line and use the synchronization pulses placed on the video camera line to remain synchronized with the other camera units. Upon sensing a particular camera code on the video camera line, the camera unit which corresponds with the particular camera code will insert a video image signal into the active video time period of the viewed video line for the frame of video having the particular camera code therein. The video camera code returns to the video system controller which receives the frame of video having a composite of the synchronization pulses from video system controller and the video image signal therein.

Abstract: A display and control module sends synchronization signals and camera display codes to a loop multiplexer module and a home run multiplexer module. The loop multiplexer module has a plurality of cameras coupled to a loop multiplexer unit. The loop multiplexer unit controls the synchronization and selection of video from the cameras for sending to the display and control module. The home run multiplexer includes a home run multiplexer unit coupled to a plurality of coaxial cables, each coaxial cable having at least one video camera thereon. The home run multiplexer unit receives the synchronization and control signals from the display and control module and uses those signals for synchronizing and selecting video images from one of the plurality of cameras for sending to the display and control module. The display and control module uses the video signals from the loop multiplexer module and the home run multiplexer module to display on a display.

Abstract: A plurality of video cameras provide video signals to a video switcher of a video controller. The video switcher selects a video signal of one of the video cameras as the output video based upon a camera control code sent to the video switcher by a timing controller of the video controller. A video synchronization separator of the video controller reads the vertical synchronization interval and the horizontal synchronization pulse from the output video signal and sends those synchronization signals to the timing control. The timing controller generates a vertical drive signal having a plurality of vertical drive pulses that are timed with the vertical synchronization intervals from the video synchronization separator. The timing controller also generates a horizontal drive signal having horizontal drive pulses that are timed with the horizontal synchronization pulses from the video synchronization separator.

Abstract: A system for processing video signals to compensate for distance-induced video signal delays includes a camera controller and distant camera are arranged so that the camera controller generates and sends a synchronization signal to the camera, which upon receiving it generates and sends back to the camera controller a reference signal starting at a fixed time following camera receipt of the synchronization signal, and further arranged so that the reference signal upon receipt by the camera controller is compared by the reference pulse comparator to determine if it is late, early, or at an acceptable time, upon which determination a phase adjustment signal is generated and sent by the camera controller to the camera second timing generator phase offset adjustment section to adjust appropriately the timing of the insertion of a video signal onto the transmission line by the camera.

Abstract: A plurality of video cameras each send a video signal and an audio signal to a video controller. Each of the video cameras receive a vertical drive signal and a horizontal drive signal from the video controller. A sensor interface sends sensor signals to the video controller. The video controller sends camera status signals to camera status indicators which indicate which of the video cameras are active. The video controller determines which of the video cameras are active, selects the video signals from one of the plurality of cameras, inserts a camera number code into the selected video signals which corresponds to the selected video camera, inserts indicator symbology into the selected video signals which represent the information from the status interface, and sends the selected video having the camera number code and the indicator symbology to a video recorder.

Abstract: A video signal routing system includes a video signal carrying line arranged in a loop beginning and ending at a signal multiplexer, a plurality of video cameras electrically connected to the line at points spaced therealong, and a video output line connected to receive video signals from the multiplexer. A synchronization signal insertion device and a code signal insertion device are located in the video signal carrying line adjacent the beginning of the loop between the multiplexer and the cameras. A duplicate synchronization signal insertion device and a duplicate code signal insertion device are located in the video signal carrying line adjacent the end of the loop between the multiplexer and the cameras. A timing generator and interface receives signals from a synch detector and a video level detector in the video output line and is controlled by a microcontroller.

Abstract: A multiple room portable camera system having a plurality of rooms, a camera unit, a switching unit, and a video printer. Each of the plurality of rooms has a monitor, a signal connector, and a control connector. The camera unit has a signal connector and a control connector for connecting to the signal connectors and control connectors in the plurality of rooms. The switching unit connects to each of the monitors, signal connectors, and control connectors of each of the rooms. Based on the connection of the control connector of the camera into the control connector of a particular room, the switching unit will route the camera signals from the camera, through the video printer, and return those signals only to the monitor of the room containing the camera.

Abstract: An electronic optical viewing wand capable of viewing an object in a confined space, such as a dental patient's mouth, using only ambient light. The wand can be held and the focused in one hand via a telescoping/sliding focusing casing. The focal distance is adjustable from about 5 mm to infinity without having to change lenses.

Abstract: A surveillance system having a monitor, a camera connected to the monitor by a camera cable, an event recorder connected to the monitor by a recorder cable, and an activation unit connected to the camera by an activation unit cable. The monitor receives power through a power cable. A power supply in the monitor supplies power to the camera and the activation unit receives power from the camera. The power supply of the monitor also provides power to the event recorder. The monitor displays video and audio signals from the camera. When the activation unit detects a condition for which the surveillance system is to record, the activation unit sends an activation signal through the activation unit cable, camera, and camera cable to the monitor. A processor in the monitor sends a command to the event recorder over the recorder cable to record the video and audio signals generated by the camera, which are also sent to the event recorder over the recorder cable.

Abstract: An ultrasonic communication system capable of wireless installation and supervised operation is achieved by communicating each information bit as two distinct ultrasonic frequencies separated in frequency enough to assure that the signal strength of both transmissions will not be in a deep null at the receiver location at the same time. The transmissions can be coded with a format that recognizes the correct data transmission even if reception of one frequency is lost. By use of transponders and other auxiliary units with periodic polling, supervised operation throughout a building can be maintained with events such as intrusion, fire or emergency as well as failures of particular units of the system reported.

Abstract: A system for modifying behavior of passengers in passenger vehicles includes housings and video tape recording equipment. When the system is used with a plurality of vehicles there is at least one fully operational vide recording arrangement in housings in one of the vehicles along with empty housings set up to have the appearance of being operational arrangements in the other vehicles. The operational video recording arrangement is for keeping a video taped record of activity in a passenger area of the vehicle. The empty housings set up to appear operational help reduce the expense of the system and complement the operational arrangement to deter undesirable behavior of passengers in the passenger areas of the vehicles. The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/004,194, filed Mar. 27, 1996, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).