Abstract: In the preferred embodiment this video system comprises a master control unit 52, several slave devices 50 connected to a video camera, a videotape recorder and a video monitor. This system adds video bus capabilities to a standard video system, so a standard video surveillance system may be upgraded to a video bus system without major changes. The video bus system requires an external control device because an embedded controller could limit the final application to a single manufacturer. Using this approach, the videotape recorders and cameras may be standard systems, and the control of the video bus system resides in the external control device, adding features without any major changes.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment this video system comprises a master control unit 52, several slave devices 50 connected to a video camera, a videotape recorder and a video monitor. This system adds video bus capabilities to a standard video system, so a standard video surveillance system may be upgraded to a video bus system without major changes. The video bus system requires an external control device because an embedded controller could limit the final application to a single manufacturer. Using this approach, the videotape recorders and cameras may be standard systems, and the control of the video bus system resides in the external control device, adding features without any major changes.

Abstract: A method to design a controller is provided, considering controller“s versatility to work over any kind of layer 3 or layer 2 communication protocol and under any kind of control application. A programming language running on a system external to the controller considers a high level programming method. At the same time, the corresponding graphic interface needed to monitor a controller or a group of networking controllers is considered as a central program capable of communicating with the controller(s) in order to request for valuable data to monitor the control system and the process being controlled. Defining an object-oriented programming methodology the high level programming language as long as the centralized monitoring graphic interface can be abstract entities from the point of view of the controller(s) and vice versa. In order to abstract the controller from the type of selected communication protocol or control network working on layer 3 or layer 2, a network adapter is defined.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a novel and comprehensive method that can be justly called TRUE distributed control (TRUE-DC). This paradigm or method is based on a thorough understanding of real industry needs, and of the theory behind distributed control systems (i.e., the idea of distributed control). It encloses, supplements and/or corrects existing distributed control methods and concepts by introducing a new and real distributed control model based on distributed logic, redundancy and security.

Abstract: On the preferred embodiment, this system comprises two video cameras 18 and 20, a document tray 12 performing document detection, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen 10, a push button 14 for local activations, and an LED indicator 16. The main function and object of this system is to act as a front-end for a video security system able to record documents transactions. This camera system provides compatibility with any existing image storage device capable of storing and managing composite video images. If the main storage system can handle and store composite video images, this camera system is compatible with it and can get any advanced feature shown in the main video system.