Abstract: A method of storing and accessing surveillance camera video data is provided. Captured video data as well as corresponding metadata is stored, at least temporarily, at the user sites. Additionally, the metadata and at least a portion of the video data is transmitted to a remotely located third party site where it is stored. The user server systems located at the independent user sites are connected to the third party server system via the Internet. Parties having data access rights, i.e., validated users, access the data stored at the third party site using Internet connected secondary computer systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows one toy to identify a plurality of objects is provided. The system relies on the inductive coupling of the toy with a tank circuit contained within the object to be identified and therefore does not require physical contact between the toy and the object. The sensing circuit includes a variable frequency RF oscillator and an air wound coil to radiate a magnetic flux which couples to the air surrounding the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the sensing circuit serves as the signature for the object. In one approach, the frequency of the RF oscillator is varied over a range of frequencies while the current drawn by the oscillator is monitored. The current draw provides a means of identifying an object since the current will be at a minimum when the oscillator frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency of the inductively coupled tank circuit.

Abstract: A facsimile forwarding phone system for receiving, storing and transmitting facsimile data includes a facsimile forwarding device that receives, stores and transmits facsimile data to a remote destination device. The facsimile forwarding device generates simulated public switched telephone network (PSTN) signals and outputs them over the telephone line to the destination device, so that it appears to the destination device that it is directly attached to the public switched telephone network. The facsimile forwarding device generates a ring signal and sends it over the phone line to the destination device. Thus, it appears to the destination device that it is directly connected to the public switched telephone network, rather that to the facsimile forwarding device. The destination device may include remote facsimile machines and remote computer systems. The stored facsimile data is transmitted upon the facsimile forwarding phone system receiving a forwarding request.

Abstract: A dedicated paging system having single button paging, requiring only a single press of a dedicated button on a page base to automatically page a pager associated with the page base. Information associating the page base with the pager is stored in the page base and/or a database maintained by a paging service provider with which the paging system is registered. When the dedicated button on the page base is pressed, the page base automatically calls the paging service provider. The paging service provider strips the caller identification number from the incoming call, uses the number to look up the pager identification number stored in the database, and then uses the retrieved pager identification number to send a page signal to the pager. Additionally, the paging system is automatically registered with a single press of the button. When the button is pressed, the page base automatically calls a clearinghouse.

Abstract: A video game includes a pre-recorded video signal depicting selected objects upon a background; e.g., a race track where the selected objects are colored racing cars, the color being used to distinguish the cars from their background. An associated video game unit with manual player controls generates a manually actuated object and collisions are indicated by sensing the time coincident signals of the selected object and the manually actuated object.

Abstract: A shooting arcade game where several players each with a rifle may shoot at several common targets. A multiplexer provides for sequentially connecting a score display associated with each rifle to the targets the multiplexer also enabling the rifle only during the unique and dedicated time period that the associated score display is connected to the targets. An associated loudspeaker for each rifle is also provided.

Abstract: A simulated perspective view of a landscape is provided on a video display screen used, for example in a video game where a player by means of manual control seeks out various moving targets on the landscape. Specifically, the perspective is achieved by converging the landscape toward the top of the display screen. This is done from a vertical standpoint by distorting in a concave manner the vertical drive voltage. From a horizontal line standpoint a change of horizontal line length is accomplished by a voltage controlled oscillator which has an output frequency which controls readout of video display data. In addition, each line of the specific image is formed by segments and defined by binary bytes to specify either color or level of gray in one portion and the length of the segment in the other.

Abstract: An image animation apparatus includes a rotating disk having film negatives mounted around its periphery each film negative having a different facial expression on it. By use of an associated microprocessor which responds to certain control inputs the sequence of facial expressions can be selected by activating a flash tube at the proper time to project the image on the face of a featureless mannequin to cause the sequence of facial expressions to correspond to spoken phonemes which are synchronized with the facial expressions. Alternatively, instead of a rotating disk a matrix of optical cells can be selectively flashed. In addition, the image forming film negative associated with each optical cell can either contain a complete facial expression or a portion such as the eyes, mouth or eyebrows with the simultaneous activation of, for example, three cells producing a complete facial expression.

Abstract: A system and method for operator alignment of a pointing device with a video target display wherein the gun is mounted to be deflected horizontally and vertically for aiming at all portions of the video display includes a first variable device coupled to the gun to provide a varying electric output therefrom in response to horizontal deflection of the gun and a second variable device coupled to the gun to provide a varying electric output in response to vertical deflection of the gun. These outputs control the positioning of an image of a shot on the video display. Each end of the operative range of electric outputs for each variable device is determined by comparing each output successively with each of a series of steps with the gun first pointed to one position of the display and then pointed to another position of the display. This operative range can then be divided equally into a predetermined number of shot positions on the display.

Abstract: System and method in which correction signals are computed and applied individually and automatically to eliminate aberrations produced by non-linearities in the deflection amplifiers, yoke and cathode ray tube of a television display. During a programming period, alignment signals are applied to the deflection circuits in place of the normal scan signal, and the position of the beam on the screen is monitored. When the beam is at predetermined points, the correction signals are computed, and these signals are stored. During normal operation of the television system, the correction signals are addressed in accordance with the beam scan signals, and the correction signals are combined with the scan signals to maintain the beam on the desired path.

Abstract: An improved joystick having an operating shaft mounted on a base with a ball and socket joint and a plurality of circuit elements directly actuated by the operating shaft. The circuit elements vary in impedance in correspondence to the displacement of the operating shaft so that the displacement of the operating shaft is converted into corresponding electrical signal.

Abstract: System and method for producing an animated image of a moving object on a video display screen wherein digital data for a plurality of progressively different images of the object is stored in a memory and read out during successive frames of the picture. The data from the memory is combined with data corresponding to the position at which the image of each frame is to be displayed on the screen, and the images are displayed in accordance with the combined image and location data.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing a single motion control circuit or comparator for controlling the display of a plurality of moving images on a video screen. At the outset of each frame, position data for the images is arranged according to the order at which the images are to appear in that frame. In one embodiment, numbers corresponding to the distance between successive images along the path of the beam are stored, and pulses corresponding to the position of the beam are counted to determine when the position of the beam corresponds to the locations at which the images are to be displayed. In a second embodiment, the image location data is compared with signals corresponding to the position of the beam to determine when it reaches the locations at which the images are to be displayed.