Sensormatic Electronics Corporation

Edwin S Thompson

Luis E Anderson

Lawrence Robert Mills

James R Paolantonio

Norbert M Stiepel

William A Crable, Jr

Albert Harding

A modular video signal matrix switcher is constructed with a midplane architecture. The functional components of the system include a power supply board, a controller board, one or two output boards, an optional control signal generating board, and one or more switching boards. These components are contained within a housing which has a number of non-dedicated board placement slots. The non-dedicated slots can receive any one of a switching board, an output board or a camera control signal generating board. Each type of board component is assigned a respective distinguishing color pursuant to a color coding system. The color coding system facilitates configuration management, assembly and maintenance operations.

Modular video signal matrix switcher with color-coded components

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.

Video termination detector with data receiver

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above and other objects are realized in an apparatus and method for superimposing text information on a video background signal. The apparatus includes means to input the video background signal, a text generator for generating a text signal containing the text information to be superimposed on the video background signal and automatic contrast circuit means for selectively controlling the brightness of the text signal to maintain at least a predetermined minimum contrast between the brightness of the text signal and the brightness of the video background signal as the brightness of the video background signal varies. The automatic contrast means maintains at least a predetermined minimum contrast by adding a predetermined amount of brightness to a first text signal generated by the text generator above the brightness of the video background signal to provide a second text signal for superimposing on the video background signal. The automatic contrast means may also include a comparison means to compare the brightness contrast between the first text signal and the video background signal and if the brightness of the first text signal is sufficiently greater than the brightness of the video background signal to provide a contrast greater than or equal to the predetermined minimum contrast, the brightness of the first text signal is not increased and is superimposed as the second text signal on the video background signal.

Control of brightness of text/graphics overlay

A surveillance assembly in which a camera and lens assembly is surrounded by a shroud to form an eyeball assembly which is rotatable about first and second axes and which is enclosed within a housing. A carriage assembly for mounting the eyeball assembly to the housing is provided in the surveillance assembly and includes pivot and engagement parts which allow the carriage assembly to be pivoted into position. Additionally disclosed is a camera/lens mounting with a resilient annular member for permitting adjustment of the mounting along the lens axis and a cable support assembly for an electrical cable connected between a camera lens assembly and another part of a surveillance assembly in which the cable support assembly permits the cable to be wound about the pivot axis of the camera and lens assembly.

Surveillance device with eyeball assembly and pivotably mountable

A video system in which synchronization of the vertical phase components of a plurality of video signals is carried out by a plurality of reference signals having substantially the same frequency and substantially a fixed relative phase relationship. Each vertical synchronization signal is locked to one of the reference signals at a phase associated with the measured phase difference between the vertical synchronization signal and a selected one of the reference signals. In this way, all the vertical synchronization signals are brought into phase with one another.

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Campbell Hall, NY, United States of America

Edwin S Thompson