Abstract: The invention provides an environmental shroud (190, 290, 390) and a camera assembly (10, 20, 30) including the shroud. The environmental shroud (190, 290, 390) absorbs and dissipates heat energy that is not reflected and heat energy that is generated by the contents of the camera housing so that the camera housing temperature does not exceed the maximum rated temperature. In one embodiment, the camera assembly includes a camera housing (130) having a mounting cap (140) attached to sidewalls (126) to which is attached an optical surface (135), the camera housing enclosing a camera system; and an environmental shroud (190) attached to the camera housing .

Abstract: The invention provides an environmental shroud (490, 590) and a camera assembly (40, 50) including such environmental shroud (490, 590) which absorbs and dissipates heat energy that is not reflected and/or deflected from radiation and heat energy that is generated by the contents of the camera housing so that the camera housing temperature does not exceed the maximum rated temperature. In one embodiment, the camera assembly (40) includes a camera housing (430) which has a mounting cap (440) attached to sidewalls (426) to which is attached an optical surface (135). The camera housing encloses a camera system. An environmental shroud (490) is attached to the camera housing and includes a plurality of vertical strips (441,445) situated concentrically with the camera housing (430) and with each other with gaps being present between the vertical strips (441, 445) and between the camera housing (430).

Abstract: A camera housing is fixed against rotation in a cavity in a backbox which is mounted in a ceiling. The housing carries a camera module which is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the housing, the module in turn carrying a camera which is pivotable about a horizontal axis with respect to the module. The housing is held in place in the cavity by a locking ring which is received around the camera module and engages a backbox ring fixed to the backbox. The locking ring has an outward facing cylindrical surface which is concentrically received in an inward facing cylindrical surface of the backbox ring. The surface on the locking ring has cam followers which ride up a cam ridge on the surface of the backbox ring as the locking ring is rotated, in order to position the camera housing in the backbox. A spring loaded detent mechanism holds the locking ring in the locked position until it is counter-rotated to overcome the spring force.

Abstract: A camera module for use in a surveillance camera system is provided. The camera module includes a housing and a pan-and-tilt mechanism that is mounted to the housing. The pan-and-tilt mechanism includes a pan motor for panning a camera and a tilt motor for tilting the camera. The pan motor is mounted on the pan-and-tile mechanism so as to be stationary relative to the housing. A slip ring, mounted to the pan-and-tilt mechanism, provides electrical connections to the tilt motor and the camera and a flex cable connects the camera to the slip ring. Also provided are methods for controlling unique functions of the surveillance camera system. Calibration of a home pan position for the camera is achieved by monitoring an optical homing sensor. Calibration of a home tilt position for the camera is accomplished by driving the camera against a stop. Thereafter, pan and tilt positions of the camera are tracked relative to the home pan and tilt positions.

Abstract: A video surveillance system includes a plurality of remote surveillance units, each of which has a video camera mounted in a dome housing. The video camera is panned and/or tilted to a desired orientation within the dome by a pan motor and/or a tilt motor. The surveillance system also includes a keyboard for entering user commands, a joystick for controlling the positioning of the cameras, a central processing unit for interpreting the user commands and the joystick movements, and a communication system for issuing operating commands to the remote surveillance units. Each remote surveillance unit is constructed and arranged to store and to recall selected camera control parameters in association with selected pan and tilt coordinates in response to commands entered by the user. The camera control parameters include white balance, focus, and shutter speed settings for the camera. Additionally, automatic control of the camera exposure, white balance, and focus is provided.

Abstract: A control panel structure for electronic equipment. The structure comprises multiple layers in which an electronic chassis has attached to it, in sequence, a bezel, a PC board which fits into a cutout on the bezel, a cover inset to align and lock the other parts together, and an adhesive backed overlay to furnish labels and decorative features. The assembly is held together by split bosses extending back from the bezel. The bosses fit into holes in the chassis, with the bosses expanded so that they fit tightly into the holes by alignment pegs which extend back from the cover inset and fit tightly into the bosses.

Abstract: An electrical switch actuator mechanism which has an accurately aligned position. The actuator operates printed circuit board pushbutton switches by depressing a spring finger to operate each pushbutton. Each of the fingers has a raised land with a precisely angled slope which a rub bar on the back of the actuator handle rides upon to depress the spring. However, the angled slope and the spring action of the leaf spring also act backward against the rub bar to precisely locate the position of the actuator handle so that a group of such switches are properly aligned when the switches are in the same position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a termination between (a) a fiber optic cable having a centrally positioned optical fiber, a plurality of reinforcement strands positioned about the optical fiber, and a jacket positioned about the reinforcement strands; with (b) an electro-optic component housing having a tubular extension. In accordance with the method of this invention, in the initial step a predetermined length of the outer jacket is removed from the fiber optic cable to expose a length of optical fiber and reinforcement strands. The optical fiber is then inserted into and through a passage in the tubular extension to a point within the component housing and preferably fixed in place. The reinforcement strands are then positioned about the outer diameter surface of the tubular extension so that portions of the outer diameter of the tubular extension are covered with the reinforcement strands and other areas are left exposed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a termination between (a) a fiber optic cable having an optical fiber, a plurality of reinforcement strands positioned about the optical fiber, and a jacket positioned about the reinforcement strands; with (b) an electro-optic component housing having a tubular extension. In accordance with the method of this invention, in the initial step, a predetermined length of the outer jacket is removed from the fiber optic cable to expose a length of optical fiber and reinforcement strands. A rigid sleeve is then slideably placed onto the optical fiber until it extends a distance under the jacket and is retained thereby. The optical fiber is then hermetically sealed to the sleeve, suitably by solder introduced through one or more holes in the wall of the sleeve. The seal and the integrity of the fiber can be tested at this point, a decided advantage.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a termination between a fiber optic cable having a centrally positioned optical fiber and a plurality of surrounding reinforcement strands and an outer jacket and a component housing having a tubular extension. In the disclosed method of forming the termination, a portion of the outer jacket is removed to expose a predetermined length of the optical fiber and reinforcement strands. The exposed length of the optical fiber is then inserted through the tubular extension into the component housing and fixed in alignment with an electro-optic component. Thereafter, an adhesive layer is applied over the outer diameter surface of the tubular extension and the reinforcement strands are positioned about the tubular member on the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a termination between (a) a fiber optic cable having a centrally positioned optical fiber, a plurality of reinforcement strands positioned about the optical fiber, and a jacket positioned about the reinforcement strands; with (b) an electro-optic component housing having a tubular extension. In accordance with the method of this invention, in the initial step a predetermined length of the outer jacket is removed from the fiber optic cable to expose a length of optical fiber and reinforcement strands. The optical fiber is then inserted into and through a passage in the tubular extension to a point within the component housing and preferably fixed in place. The reinforcement strands are then positioned about the outer diameter surface of the tubular extension so that portions of the outer diameter of the tubular extension are covered with the reinforcement strands and other areas are left exposed.