Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a television interphone monitor system including at least one television interphone monitor connected via internal communication lines and a matrix selector with at least one entrance panel, and with at least one interface unit to an E concierge station via a communication network selected from the group consisting of dedicated network, public network and the Internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a plurality of digital video recorders to a plurality of video transmitters via first transmission lines and for connecting the plurality of digital video recorders to a playback receiver via second transmission lines. The playback receiver incorporates an external synchronizing generator for externally synchronizing the plurality of the digital video recorders and the video transmitters. The recorders receiving the video signals generate and inject into the output signals a signal corresponding to identification codes allotted to each video signals. The playback receiver has a selection control circuit receiving selectively and synchronously any individually coded playback or monitored signal, or multiple playback or monitored signals which are displayed individually or in a split screen, respectively.

Abstract: An adjustable housing for a surveillance TV camera which can be mounted by a mount to a wall, a pole or a ceiling inside or outside the building includes a front panel, an adjustable camera support for adjustably mounting the TV camera inside the housing, an adjustable pane assembly with front and rear holders and a transparent window having a transparent pane enclosed between the two holders and a rear support for supporting and locking the pane assembly to the front panel. The front holder has a front window frame which is smaller than the opening in the front panel through which the TV camera is aimed at different zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a television interphone monitor system including at least one television interphone monitor connected via internal communication lines and a matrix selector with at least one entrance panel, and with at least one interface unit to an E concierge station via a communication network selected from the group consisting of dedicated network, public network and the Internet.

Abstract: A television camera apparatus for surveillance applications has a housing including a ball-shaped camera case which has a transparent front portion. An inlet for an electrical cable is provided at the rear end of the camera case. The housing has a rear holder which can be attached and tightened to a structural body such as a electrical box mounted to a surface of a wall or a ceiling and a front cover which can be also attached and tightening of the front cover to the rear holder. Each of the rear holder and front cover has a circular cutout with a curved rim. A curvature diameter of the curved rims of the cutouts is equal to the diameter of the ball-shaped camera case which can be locked between the circular cutouts of the rear holder and the front cover.

Abstract: An electric motor apparatus in a direct drive positioning device for positioning for example a television camera or a robot arm along X-Y-Z axes, which provides a direct drive which permits a free and unobstructed continuous rotation over 300° in horizontal, vertical and any other angular axes with no electrical wires or cables twisting or flexing. The apparatus includes a motor which has a hollow central shaft connected to a rotary member for mounting thereon a robot arm or television camera of the direct drive positioning device. The central shaft encloses a rotating slip ring assembly coupled to respective wires for connecting to the television camera. Electric power is supplied through the wires which are not twisted or flexed while the rotating member is being directly driven by the motor and is rotating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a television interphone monitor system including at least one television interphone monitor connected via internal communication lines and a matrix selector with at least one entrance panel, and with at least one interface unit to an E concierge station via a communication network selected from the group consisting of dedicated network, public network and the Internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a television interphone monitor system including at least one television interphone monitor connected via internal communication lines and a matrix selector with at least one entrance panel, and with at least one interface unit to an E concierge station via a communication network selected from the group consisting of dedicated network, public network and the Internet.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for delaying propagation time of an external synchronizing signal transmitted from a receiver to transmitters which transmit a video signal to the receiver, each transmitter has an adjustable propagation delay timer which delays propagation of the external synchronizing signal. The receiver includes a detection circuit for detecting a time coincidence or a time difference between the external synchronizing signal and a sync portion of a video signal selected by a selector to be transmitted to the receiver, and a circuit which modifies the external synchronizing signal to produce a fluctuated external synchronizing signal when the detection circuit detects the time difference between the external synchronizing signal and the sync portion of the selected video signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying location of a scene which is viewed via a remotely operated system includes a first TV camera operated to observe a scene through a narrow angle lens and a second TV camera to observe the scene through a wide angle lens. At least the first TV camera has a dual mode image pick up device which executes either color mode or a black and white mode. Both TV cameras are moved co-jointly. The apparatus has a processor which combines video signals generated by both TV cameras. At least one of the TV cameras has a switchover unit which switches the modes of the image pick up device from one mode to another and back. The processor activates the switching from one to another mode by comparing video signals generated by the first and second TV cameras with a reference signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and digital recording video signal where transmitters for generating video signals receive an external synchronizing signal for synchronizing the transmitters. A recorder receiving the video signals has a switch sequentially connecting the transmitters to a digital video recorder. Code signals corresponding to identification codes allotted to video signals are generated. An injection circuit mixes code signals into video signals. The digital video recorder has a copy including circuit for time and date signal generating, for compressing the received signals and outputting them with the extracted codes and time and date of recorder signals to a memory storing those signals in endless cascaded rotation. Freshly stored signals replace the oldest signals stored in cascade. An alarm data signal for triggering the alarm state of the apparatus is received and the video signals recorded during the alarm state are recorded.

Abstract: A digital signal recording apparatus and a method of operating the same, used in conjunction with TV and video cameras, for example for security applications, includes a disk feeder system having a disk recorder and an upper compartment for holding fresh unrecorded disks, a pull slider assembly which pulls a first fresh disk at the bottom of the compartment and places the same and a printing head assembly which imprints coded information onto the placed disk, a disk recorder having a sliding table for supporting the disk and a lower compartment which accommodates the recorded disks. Supported by the sliding table the recorded disk is retracted into the disk recorder which, after the completion of recording, generates a command signal to start a new cycle.

Abstract: A holder for a ball-shaped camera case for holding the camera case containing a TV camera to a fixed mounting structure such as a wall, ceiling and the like includes a ring-shaped holder having an outer thread and an inner curved rim with a curvature radius of the camera case. The holder further includes an elongated cover having a flanged rim at one end and a portion of hemispherical shape at another end. An elongated cutout wider than a pane of a lens of the camera is made in the elongated cover for providing an optical path for the lens and gripping the camera case inside that portion of hemispherical shape. A locking nut is tightened onto the outer thread of the elongated cylindrical cover. The locking nut has an inner shoulder for locking the cover to the ring-shaped holder. The cylindrical cover can be rotated for positioning the cutout around the axis of the hemispherical portion within the length of the cutout and the optical path is not obstructed.

Abstract: A combination of a swivel joint with an arm for mounting an apparatus for surveillance applications, such as a television camera includes a truncated ball, an arm attached at the end thereof to the truncated ball and having a passage for a cable, a ring-shaped holder having an inner curved rim of a curvature radius equal to that of the truncated ball for locking that truncated ball. An elongated cylindrical cover having an elongated cutout provides a passage to the arm for gripping the truncated ball and provides the arm with positioning capacity extending through the length of the cutout. A locking nut locks the cylindrical cover to the ring-shaped holder. The cylindrical cover can be rotated for positioning the cutout so that the arm can be adjusted to any position within the length of the cutout and the cable passing through the truncated ball and the holder is not obstructed.

Abstract: A television camera apparatus for surveillance applications includes a television camera having a base plate to be attached to a supporting structure, a camera holder fixed to the base plate and a camera body protruding from the camera holder. The camera body includes two antipodal segments spaced from each other and fixedly attached to the camera holder and having chord planes facing to and parallel to each other and a central segment disposed between the antipodal segments and having a shape of an arcuated drum having two sides parallel to each other and a thickness slightly smaller than the distance between the chord planes of the two antipodal segments facing each other. The central segment houses a picture pickup element, a lens and a lens pane which has a curvature surface of a diameter equal to that of the central segment so that the television camera looks like a dome-shaped television camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for powering one or more television cameras through an information signal transmission line wherein the television camera is operated by a constant DC current and outputs multiplexed electrical information signals is provided with a constant current supply unit and a rechargeable battery for powering the television camera when the constant DC current is cut off. A transmission line connects the television camera with the constant current supply means for feeding the television camera with the constant DC current and feeding the current supply unit with the multiplexed electrical information signals. The constant DC current provided by the constant DC current supply unit is equal to the sum of a constant current required for operating the television camera and a constant current required to charge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: In an apparatus for powering a television interphone monitor for communication between entrances of a building and individual apartment of the building, power is fed to the television interphone monitor which is operated by a rechargeable battery, through a transmission line which is of low cost. The apparatus includes a single entrance panel or a number of entrance panels each of which has a TV camera and a circuit for processing an electrical information signal which may include a video signal. One or a number of television interphone monitors are connected via respective transmission lines to power supply units which may be included in an entrance unit which is in turn connected to the entrance panels. The power supply units supply a regulated current to the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for the selective routing of information signals includes a plurality of transmitting units. Each transmitting unit has a transmitter for transmitting information by converting the same into a light signal. A plurality of fiber optic lines are provided for carrying the light signal from the transmitting units. Each fiber optic line corresponds to one of the transmitting units. At least one receiving unit is provided for selectively receiving the information carried by the fiber optic lines. The receiving unit includes a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of light passing areas. The optical transmission properties of the light passing areas are controlled individually, for selectively receiving the light from the fiber optic lines, for effecting connections between the transmission units and the receiving unit by the fiber optic lines in any arbitrary combination. Each light passing area corresponds to one of the fiber optic lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting information signals includes a plurality of transmitters, each of which processes an electrical information signal preferably including a video signal. A plurality of receivers selectively receive that video signal. A plurality of information transmission lines connect each receiver to the plurality of transmitters. A generator for generating an external synchronizing signal generates and feeds an external synchronizing signal to the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of receivers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronous switching of a plurality of transmitters each including a television camera for generating composite video signals and each incorporating an individually allotted identification code, in which at least one transmission line receives and transmits information to and from the plurality of the transmitters. A receiver incorporates an external synchronizing signal generator and an identification code generator for receiving and displaying the images on the monitor, for synchronizing a plurality of the transmitters and for transmitting identification codes superposed into the composite video signal generated by the transmitter by injecting the external synchronizing pulses and the identification code into the video transmission line.