Abstract: A camera system includes a base including a processing circuit and a communications circuit, a plurality of imagers, and a plurality of connections. The processing circuit is positioned in the base. The plurality of imagers are coupled to the processing circuit via the communications circuit, each imager including a lens and a sensor module that receives light via the lens and outputs a plurality of images based on the received light. The plurality of connections couple each imager to the processing circuit via the communications circuit. Each imager is mounted to an outside surface of the base or spaced from the base, each connection including at least one of a wired connection and a wireless connection. The processing circuit receives the plurality of images from each imager via each respective connection and generates a combined image using the plurality of images.

Abstract: A camera system includes a base including a processing circuit and a communications circuit, a plurality of imagers, and a plurality of connections. The processing circuit is positioned in the base. The plurality of imagers are coupled to the processing circuit via the communications circuit, each imager including a lens and a sensor module that receives light via the lens and outputs a plurality of images based on the received light. The plurality of connections couple each imager to the processing circuit via the communications circuit. Each imager is mounted to an outside surface of the base or spaced from the base, each connection including at least one of a wired connection and a wireless connection. The processing circuit receives the plurality of images from each imager via each respective connection and generates a combined image using the plurality of images.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring moving objects in a video system. The system includes at least one video camera; and at least one motion detector. The motion detector may include a lens having a field of view fixedly directed to an area of interest, and an imager for receiving an image through the lens and converting the image to video data. The motion detector may be configured to monitor the video data for movement of an object in the field of view and provide a detector output in response to the movement of the object. The detector output may be configured to cause adjustment of at least one operating characteristic of the video camera to target the camera on the object. A motion detector and methods of monitoring a multiplicity of moving objects are also provided.

Abstract: A controller for a video surveillance camera enclosure including a method and apparatus for controlling a stepper motor by decoding a command for a specific camera action, setting the state of a state machine, and instructing a position control process and a speed control process based upon the state of the state machine. A drive signal is send from said position control process to a motor current process and a phase control process to generate the current and phase signals to control the stepper motor. The stepper motor drive current is preferably a non-linear current. The speed control signal includes ramp up and ramp down speed control for gradually increasing motor speed and gradually decreasing motor speed, respectively. Another aspect of the invention detects a plurality of pan and/or tilt positions to reset the pan and/or tilt motor step count to a known count associated with a known location without the need to pan and/or tilt past a preselected home position.