Patents by Inventor Lawrence R. Mills

Lawrence R. Mills has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10038833
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video surveillance system, having a video camera; a motor operable to move the video camera; and a processor monitoring a value of a signal provided to the motor, the processor terminating the signal to the motor when the monitored signal value exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. A network may be coupled to the processor for communication of the signal termination. The processor may reinitiate a signal transmission to the motor sufficient to maintain a position of the motor after a predetermined period of time, and the processor may monitor the signal transmission and adjust at least one of a zoom setting and focus setting of the video camera based at least in part on the monitored signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas F. Berkey, Lawrence R. Mills
  • Patent number: 9955073
    Abstract: A system providing a graphical user interface incorporating fisheye image data captured by a first camera using a fisheye lens is provided. The system includes a buffer configured to receive the fisheye image data corresponding to a monitored area. A processor is in communication with the buffer. The fisheye image data is transformed into panoramic view data corresponding to a panoramic view of the monitored area using a panoramic transformation process. The fisheye image data is transformed into virtual view data corresponding to a partial view of the panoramic view using a virtual view transformation process different from the panoramic view transformation process. The panoramic view data and the virtual view data are encoded for display in the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Mills
  • Publication number: 20140368648
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video surveillance system, having a video camera; a motor operable to move the video camera; and a processor monitoring a value of a signal provided to the motor, the processor terminating the signal to the motor when the monitored signal value exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. A network may be coupled to the processor for communication of the signal termination. The processor may reinitiate a signal transmission to the motor sufficient to maintain a position of the motor after a predetermined period of time, and the processor may monitor the signal transmission and adjust at least one of a zoom setting and focus setting of the video camera based at least in part on the monitored signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas F. BERKEY, Lawrence R. MILLS
  • Patent number: 8854468
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video surveillance system, having a video camera; a motor operable to move the video camera; and a processor monitoring a value of a signal provided to the motor, the processor terminating the signal to the motor when the monitored signal value exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. A network may be coupled to the processor for communication of the signal termination. The processor may reinitiate a signal transmission to the motor sufficient to maintain a position of the motor after a predetermined period of time, and the processor may monitor the signal transmission and adjust at least one of a zoom setting and focus setting of the video camera based at least in part on the monitored signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas F. Berkey, Lawrence R. Mills
  • Patent number: 8786701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video surveillance apparatus and method of operation for a system having at least one predefined setting. A first parameter corresponding to an alignment of a video camera assembly with a visual target is stored. A second parameter corresponding to the alignment of a modified video camera assembly with the visual target is obtained. A difference between the first and second parameters is determined. The difference is applied to at least one of the predefined settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas F. Berkey, Carlos DeJesus, Lawrence R. Mills
  • Publication number: 20130300822
    Abstract: A system providing a graphical user interface incorporating fisheye image data captured by a first camera using a fisheye lens is provided. The system includes a buffer configured to receive the fisheye image data corresponding to a monitored area. A processor is in communication with the buffer. The fisheye image data is transformed into panoramic view data corresponding to a panoramic view of the monitored area using a panoramic transformation process. The fisheye image data is transformed into virtual view data corresponding to a partial view of the panoramic view using a virtual view transformation process different from the panoramic view transformation process. The panoramic view data and the virtual view data are encoded for display in the graphical user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence R. MILLS
  • Publication number: 20080136913
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video surveillance system, having a video camera; a motor operable to move the video camera; and a processor monitoring a value of a signal provided to the motor, the processor terminating the signal to the motor when the monitored signal value exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. A network may be coupled to the processor for communication of the signal termination. The processor may reinitiate a signal transmission to the motor sufficient to maintain a position of the motor after a predetermined period of time, and the processor may monitor the signal transmission and adjust at least one of a zoom setting and focus setting of the video camera based at least in part on the monitored signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas F. BERKEY, Lawrence R. MILLS
  • Publication number: 20080136910
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video surveillance apparatus and method of operation for a system having at least one predefined setting. A first parameter corresponding to an alignment of a video camera assembly with a visual target is stored. A second parameter corresponding to the alignment of a modified video camera assembly with the visual target is obtained. A difference between the first and second parameters is determined. The difference is applied to at least one of the predefined settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas F. Berkey, Carlos Dejesus, Lawrence R. Mills
  • Patent number: 5953057
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the properly terminated connection between video components transmitting a video signal from one video component to the other. The video and/or data signal is input to a resistance element. A first comparison input device is connected to the input side of the resistance element and a second comparison input device is connected to the output side of the resistance element. A comparison unit is provided for comparing the voltages from the first comparison input device and the second comparison input device to determine whether there is a voltage drop across the resistance element thereby determining whether the video component is properly terminated. A data processing element connected to the output of the comparison unit receives data from the comparison unit which is detected across the resistance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin S. Thompson, Lawrence R. Mills, James R. Paolantonio
  • Patent number: 5801770
    Abstract: A surveillance device having a camera and lens assembly in which a condition of the assembly is controllable by a movable part and in which a closed loop digital motion control system is used to control the movable part and, therefore, the condition. The closed loop motion control system includes a dedicated digital signal processor which is used exclusively to control the movable part. The digital motion control system also includes a drive motor which is responsive to the digital signal processor and a digital encoder which monitors the position of the movable part and provides encoded position signals to the processor. Movable parts for the pan and tilt assemblies of the surveillance device are controlled by separate closed loop motion control systems each having its own dedicated digital signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Paff, Carl Kupersmit, Lawrence R. Mills, Edwin Thompson