Abstract: The present invention provides a synchronization system comprising a base unit and at least one video camera. The base unit includes a master time-base adapted to set a time period that samples a frame of video data, a memory, and a base unit communications transceiver. The base unit communications transceiver is adapted to transmit a frame synchronization signal to a video camera communications transceiver. The video camera includes an image sensor adapted to store the video data, an exposure control adapted to control an exposure level of the image sensor, and a camera time-base adapted to receive the frame synchronization signal from the video camera communications transceiver. The camera time-base is further adapted to receive the frame synchronization signal, reset its time and initiates its internal timing sequence, transmit signals to the exposure control to control a length of the exposure, and transmit timing signals to the image sensor to read the video data.

Abstract: A digital observation system and method for processing and transmitting video data between a video camera, or video cameras, and a base unit. The video data is transmitted, for example, by a communication protocol that is compliant with Ethernet physical drivers for transmitting and receiving data at around 100 Mbps. Video is captured at a sensor in the video camera, digitally processed and transmitted, thus overcoming limitations associated with analog processing and allowing unique features to be added. Images and other data may be transmitted efficiently in their native format, with reduced overhead, and in a non-compressed format due to the data transmission rate at or below 100 Mbps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video transmission system that comprises a camera and a base unit. The camera includes a sensor memory adapted to store video data until each line of the video data is sequentially transmitted, a data buffer adapted to receive and store the sequentially transmitted video data until it is completely received at a base unit memory without errors, a data port adapted to receive from the data buffer and transmit to a camera physical transceiver the data buffered video data, a controller adapted to control data flow between the camera and the base unit, and the camera physical transceiver adapted to transfer the data buffered video data to a physical transceiver of the base unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal serial bus (USB) display unit comprising a microprocessor with a USB interface, where the USB interface is adapted to receive video data from a first source, and a video decoder adapted to receive other video data from a second source. The USB unit also comprises a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) adapted to process the video data and the other video data, a memory adapted to store the processed video data and the processed other video data, and a display adapted to contemporaneously display the processed video data and the processed other video data. The microprocessor is adapted to transmit the processed other video data to the first source via the USB interface which is adapted to receive audio data from the first source. The USB unit further comprises an audio circuit adapted to provide the audio data via the FPGA, where the video decoder, the audio circuit, the microprocessor, the display, and the memory are operably coupled to the FPGA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video transmission system that comprises a camera and a base unit. The camera includes a sensor memory adapted to store video data until each line of the video data is sequentially transmitted, a data buffer adapted to receive and store the sequentially transmitted video data until it is completely received at a base unit memory without errors, a data port adapted to receive from the data buffer and transmit to a camera physical transceiver the data buffered video data, a controller adapted to control data flow between the camera and the base unit, and the camera physical transceiver adapted to transfer the data buffered video data to a physical transceiver of the base unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital observation system that comprises a digital camera and a base unit. The digital camera includes a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor memory, a CCD image sensor, a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit, and a physical interface. The CCD image sensor memory is adapted to store video data, while the CCD image sensor is adapted to transmit the stored video data in analog RGB color space format native to the CCD image sensor (analog RGB data), where the CCD image sensor comprises the CCD image sensor memory. The CDS circuit is adapted to receive the analog RGB data from the CCD image sensor and convert the analog RGB data into digital RGB data and the physical interface is adapted to receive the digital RGB data and transmit the digital RGB data with reduced operational overhead and increased operational functionality. The base unit includes a base unit physical interface, a base unit programmable logic device (PLD), and a display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synchronization system comprising a base unit and at least one video camera. The base unit includes a master time-base adapted to set a time period that samples a frame of video data, a memory, and a base unit communications transceiver. The base unit communications transceiver is adapted to transmit a frame synchronization signal to a video camera communications transceiver. The video camera includes an image sensor adapted to store the video data, an exposure control adapted to control an exposure level of the image sensor, and a camera time-base adapted to receive the frame synchronization signal from the video camera communications transceiver. The camera time-base is further adapted to receive the frame synchronization signal, reset its time and initiates its internal timing sequence, transmit signals to the exposure control to control a length of the exposure, and transmit timing signals to the image sensor to read the video data.

Abstract: A video system (30) including an illuminator (26) and a silicon detector (34) which provides operators of motor vehicles (20) with an enhanced display of the vehicle's operating environment (24 and 28). The illuminator (26) provides a source of short wavelength infrared energy. A single silicon detector (34) processes electromagnetic signals in the short wavelength infrared spectrum and selected color signals in the visible light spectrum. A visual display (60) of the operating environment comprising the infrared image with enhancements from selected portions of the colored light spectrum are provided to the operator of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: A video processing system (10) is provided that comprises an image sensor image area (14) that operates to transfer an image to an image memory (18) to be processed by a video processor (16). The exposure length of the image is controlled by an iris controller (24) which comprises a signal decoder (30). An IMAGE CLEAR signal is juxtaposed with an IMAGE TRANSFER signal to set the length of the exposure. The IMAGE CLEAR signal is generated by an iris counter (36) and an iris signal decoder (34). The maximum count used by the iris counter (36) is set using a count length set circuit (38) which receives command signals generated by monitoring the video output.

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: The apparatus and method (10) are applied to an image sensor (26) having an image area (32) for receiving light to form a first predetermined number of lines of image data. In certain image sensors (40, 100), a storage area (44, 108) is coupled to the image area (42, 106) for receiving a second predetermined number of lines of image data from the image area (42, 106) in response to an image area gate signal. A serial register (68, 110, 126) is further coupled to the storage area (44, 108) for receiving successive lines of image data therefrom in response to a STORAGE AREA GATE signal, and the serial register (68, 110, 126) further serially outputs the successive lines of image data in response to a SERIAL REGISTER GATE signal. The image centering command input from an operator is generated by and received from a vertical and horizontal adjust input device (12, 14) that generates a vertical adjust value and a horizontal adjust value indicative of the amount of adjustment needed for centering the image.

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 digital observation system and method for processing and transmitting video data between a video camera, or video cameras, and a base unit. The video data is transmitted, for example, by a communication protocol that is compliant with Ethernet physical drivers for transmitting and receiving data at around 100 Mbps. Video is captured at a sensor in the video camera, digitally processed and transmitted, thus overcoming limitations associated with analog processing and allowing unique features to be added. Images and other data may be transmitted efficiently in their native format, with reduced overhead, and in a non-compressed format due to the data transmission rate at or below 100 Mbps.

Abstract: A digital observation system and method for processing and transmitting video data between a video camera, or video cameras, and a base unit. The video data is transmitted, for example, by a communication protocol that is compliant with Ethernet physical drivers for transmitting and receiving data at around 100 Mbps. Video is captured at a sensor in the video camera, digitally processed and transmitted, thus overcoming limitations associated with analog processing and allowing unique features to be added. Images and other data may be transmitted efficiently in their native format, with reduced overhead, and in a non-compressed format due to the data transmission rate at or below 100 Mbps.