Abstract: Applicants' Contention-Resolution System for a Command-Response Data Network uses a base unit (base) that detects the occurrence of collisions for the entire network and controls the maximum length of time allowed for the multiple remote units (remotes) in the network before re-trying to send responses to the base. The base either expands or contracts this maximum time delay as needed to accommodate the number of the possible network remotes, depending on the detected collision rate and the overall utilization of the network until the base determines that there are no remotes to be registered or all of the available network slots are filled, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: The Remote Mosaic Imaging System having High-Resolution, Wide Field-of-View and Low Bandwidth (“Remote Mosaic System”) uses image frame synchronization and multiplexing to reduce the bandwidth needed to transmit the plurality of images to a remote location. The Remote Mosaic System employs a plurality of remote sensors to create a plurality of images. The use of readily available and inexpensive commercial imaging sensors significantly decreases the cost of the system while greatly increasing the capabilities of the imaging system to cover virtually any target space with virtually any desired resolution.

Abstract: Applicants' Contention-Resolution System for a Command-Response Data Network uses a base unit (base) that detects the occurrence of collisions for the entire network and controls the maximum length of time allowed for the multiple remote units (remotes) in the network before re-trying to send responses to the base. The base either expands or contracts this maximum time delay as needed to accommodate the number of the possible network remotes, depending on the detected collision rate and the overall utilization of the network until the base determines that there are no remotes to be registered or all of the available network slots are filled, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: Parallel data busses are embedded in multiple parallel grooves that are inscribed onto the exterior surface of a rectangular substrate or a cylindrical substrate that has a cylindrical hole running through the center thereof. These grooves which run along the length of the substrate may contain a suitable polymeric optical medium such as plexiglass or lexan or left entirely vacant to be filled with air. Optical transceivers placed to be orthogonal to the data busses and reflective conical structures positioned within the busses expedite the injection and retrieval of optical signals travelling through the data busses.

Abstract: The focus meter is an electronic circuit that is responsive to a video sil input to provide an output signal which indicates the degree of focus on a target. Imaging systems require alignment or focusing of the imaging sensor aimed or directed toward a target. The image sensor is aimed at the target and the degree of focus on the target is varied. As the maximum point of focus is reached a peak signal output results. The input video is coupled to an amplifier. The input signal is then processed through a differentiator to a peak detector. A portion of the signal is coupled from the amplifier to a sync separator circuit which causes a gate signal to be generated to an electronic switch during undesirable portions of the input video signal. This allows the differentiator output to be short-circuited to ground when undesirable signals are present. When the desired video lying between the blanking pulses are present, the differentiated signals are coupled to the detector. The detector measures the peak values.

Abstract: A fiber optic attenuator in which male and female members connect a fiber detector means with an attenuator member mounted between the end of the fiber and the detector for reducing the signal from the fiber before arriving at the detector to reduce the signal arriving at the detector sufficient to prevent the detector from becoming saturated and making it impossible to recover the video signal transmitted through the fiber.