Lutron Electronics Company, Inc.

Sony Corporation

Robert G Palmer, Jr

Donald R Mosebrook

Joel S Spira

David E Houggy, Jr

David G Luchaco

Robin C Moseley

Donald F Hausman

Geoffrey Egnal

Bobby Gintz

Kyungnam Kim

Bennett Wilburn

Rodney Feldman

David E Houggy

Methods and systems for combining multiple video streams are provided. Video feeds are received from multiple optical sensors, and homography information and/or corner metadata is calculated for each frame from each video stream. This data is used to mosaic the separate frames into a single video frame. Local translation of each image may also be used to synchronize the video frames. The optical sensors can be provided by an airborne platform, such as a manned or unmanned surveillance vehicle. Image data can be requested from a ground operator, and transmitted from the airborne platform to the user in real time or at a later time. Various data arrangements may be used by an aggregation system to serialize and/or multiplex image data received from multiple sensor modules. Fixed-size record arrangement and variable-size record arrangement systems are provided.

System and method to combine multiple video streams

A repeater for use in a two way communication system for retransmitting information between a first device and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communication between the devices, comprising: a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receiving signals from the first and second devices and transmitting the received signals for reception by the respective first and second devices; and further wherein a direct communication path for the information between the first and second devices is provided, the direct communication path being intermittently unreliable, the repeater providing an additional path for the information between the first and second devices; the repeater being spaced from said first and second devices by a specified distance, said specified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensure communication reliability. A plurality of repeaters can be provided in the system as the overall system expands when additional first and second devices, such as master units and control devices, are added. The plural repeaters employ a repeater transmission sequence in order to ensure reliability of communication. In addition, the repeaters build a bit map of status information received during the repeater sequence to ensure that all status information is received by each master, unit.

Repeater for transmission system for controlling and determining the status of electrical devices from remote locations

Apparatus for controlling an electrical device by remote control including a control device coupled to the electrical device by a wire connection for providing power to the electrical device, the control device having an actuator for adjusting the status of the electrical device and a radio frequency transmitter/receiver and antenna for adjusting the status of the electrical device in response to control information in a radio frequency signal. The transmitter/receiver receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna and transmits a status radio frequency signal with information regarding the status of the electrical device. A master control unit has at least one actuator and status indicator and a transmitter/receiver for transmitting a radio frequency signal having the control information therein to control the status of the electrical device and for receiving the status information from the control device. The status indicator indicates the status of the electrical device in response to the status information. A repeater receives the radio frequency signal from the master unit and transmits the control information to the control device and receives the status information from the control device and transmits it to the master unit.

Method and apparatus for controlling and determining the status of

A repeater for use in a two way communication system for retransmitting information between a first device and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communication between the devices, comprising: a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receiving signals from the first and second devices and transmitting the received signals for reception by the respective first and second devices; and further wherein a direct communication path for the information between the first and second devices is provided, the direct communication path being intermittently unreliable, the repeater providing an additional path for the information between the first and second devices; the repeater being spaced from said first and second devices by a specified distance, said specified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensure communication reliability. A plurality of repeaters can be provided in the system as the overall system expands when additional first and second devices, such as master units and control devices, are added. The plural repeaters employ a repeater transmission sequence in order to ensure reliability of communication. In addition, the repeaters build a bit map of status information received during the repeater sequence to ensure that all status information is received by each master unit.

Repeater for transmission system for controlling and determining the

A communication protocol for a two way transmission system having at least one first transmitter/receiver device, at least one second transmitter/receiver device and at least one repeater for relaying signals between the first and second devices. The protocol includes the steps of transmitting a first signal comprising a command from the first device, repeating the first signal with each repeater in a respective repeater time slot, receiving the first signal at the second device, transmitting status information from each second device in a respective status time slot, forming a status bit map comprising all status information in the at least one repeater, and transmitting the status bit map with the repeater so that the at least one first device has received the status bit map. Preferably, the transmission system comprises an R.F. communication system. If a plurality of repeaters are employed, the repeaters repeat the transmitted signals in a defined repeater sequence. The repeaters build a bit map of all status information received by the respective repeaters during the repeater sequence. In this way, it is assured that all first and second devices receive those signals intended for the respective devices.

Communication protocol for transmission system for controlling and

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Allentown, PA, United States of America

Robert G Palmer, Jr