WO1990004304A1 - Multiple channel video camera programming and control system - Google Patents

Multiple channel video camera programming and control system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990004304A1
WO1990004304A1 PCT/US1989/004534 US8904534W WO9004304A1 WO 1990004304 A1 WO1990004304 A1 WO 1990004304A1 US 8904534 W US8904534 W US 8904534W WO 9004304 A1 WO9004304 A1 WO 9004304A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
video
video camera
control signals
signals
recording
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1989/004534
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William V. Smith
Original Assignee
Lectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc. filed Critical Lectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc.
Publication of WO1990004304A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990004304A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • H04N5/77—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television camera
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a programming and control system for the automatic operation of remote controlled devices.
  • the present invention relates to a control system for programming and providing multiple channels for the remote control operation and positioning of one or more cameras as well as operation of various functions thereof for remote controlled closed-circuit television systems using the audio track of a video tape recorder tape.
  • the system can also be used as a multiple channel remote control device to control one or more electrically operated devices.
  • a surveillance camera be repetitively focused on several fields of view.
  • the camera operator operating from a location remote from the camera, manually causes the camera to move from one desired field of view to another.
  • Such operation includes the functions of panning and tilting the camera, as well as zooming the camera in and out in order to focus on a particular area within the field of view of the camera.
  • the operator will repeat this surveillance either once per eight hour shift, or more often.
  • the operation of a camera control system under such circumstances is both tedious, personnel intensive and time consuming.
  • it requires the operator to develop a skill in controlling the operation of the remote camera, or many cameras, and thus requires a high degree of both concentration and compensation of the operator.
  • the invention set forth herein provides apparatus for automating the video camera control system disclosed in applicant's above-identified pending patent applications.
  • a programming circuit which is connected to the input circuit utilized by the camera operator to control the operation and movement of each of a plurality of cameras.
  • the input circuit controls such functions as the up, down, left or right movement of the camera, the zooming in or zooming out of the camera lens, the focus and iris functions of the camera and other auxiliary functions such as the auto iris function disclosed in applicant's co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626.
  • a unique dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal is generated by the programming circuit and is recorded on the audio track of, for example, a video tape recorder.
  • DTMF dual tone multi-frequency
  • the tape in the video tape recorder is rewound and then the video tape recorder is placed in the record position.
  • the video tape recorder used in the present invention may be specially modified such that in the record mode a video signal is recorded but the signal on the audio track is reproduced as in the playback mode.
  • the recorded program is utilized to control the video camera, the scene seen by the video camera is recorded on the video portion of the tape.
  • the signals output by the play head during the record mode of the modified video tape recorder are decoded by a decoder circuit which converts the dual tone multi- frequency signals recorded on the tape to the appropriate control signals recognizable by the camera control circuitry for instructing the video camera to perform the desired function.
  • the programming circuit can record the dual tone multi- frequency signals corresponding to the selected camera functions on any tape recorder, whether video or audio, which, when rewound and placed in the play position, will reproduce the recorded signals for decoding by the decoder circuitry.
  • control signals are recorded on an audio tape recorder
  • the camera being controlled can be constrained to repeat its operations by playing the tape in reverse, after first playing the tape in the forward direction.
  • a camera can be continuously controlled without human intervention simply by reversing the direction of play of the tape when it reaches the end of the tape.
  • the signals produced by the programming circuit can be stored on other magnetic storage media such as floppy disks or hard disks, or can also be stored on a CD- ROM. It should also be understood that the invention as described herein can be used to control a plurality of cameras, or other electrically or electronically operated devices, although in many cases, the invention is described in the context of controlling a plurality of functions of a single camera.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the subsystems which form the apparatus of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the single channel circuitry for the programming and input circuits of the present invention
  • Figure 3 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the single channel circuitry of the decoder circuit of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the multiple channel circuitry for the programming and input circuits of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the multiple channel circuitry of the decoder circuit of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the keypad used with the multiple channel circuitry of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of control circuitry suitable for connection to the circuitry of Figure 5 for controlling the pan and tilt functions of a camera system controlled by the present invention
  • Figure 8 is an electrical schematic diagram of control circuitry suitable for connection to the circuitry of Figure 5 for automatically controlling the iris function of a camera system controlled by the present invention.
  • Figures 9 and 10 are electrical schematic diagrams of control circuitry suitable for connection to the circuitry of Figure 5 for controlling a plurality of functions of a camera system controlled by the present invention.
  • Figure 1 a block diagram schematic of the circuitry of the present invention.
  • An input circuit 10 is connected to the inputs of both a programming circuit 12 and a camera control circuit 20.
  • the input circuit is comprised of a plurality of control switches, which will be described in more detail in connection with Figure 2.
  • the output from the input circuit is transmitted as the input to the camera control circuit 20.
  • the camera control circuit 20 may be, for example, the circuitry set forth in Figures 4-7 of applicant's co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626, which discloses a video camera control system utilizing a single conductor control line.
  • the camera control circuit 20 may comprise a series of motors and actuators which are hardwired to the input circuit 10 by means of a multi-conductor cable.
  • the camera control circuit is connected to the video camera in a known manner such that the pan/tilt, zoom, focus, iris, auto-iris or other auxiliary functions of the camera may be remotely controlled by an operator utilizing the input circuit 10.
  • an additional output signal is generated which is used by the programming circuit 12 to generate a dual tone multi- frequency (DTMF) signal which is unique to the specific function then being actuated by the operator.
  • the DTMF signal is generated for a period of time corresponding to the exact time that the camera operator is actuating the input circuit 10 and the camera control circuit 20 to cause the video camera 22 to perform one of its many functions.
  • the dual tone multi-frequency signals generated by the programming circuit 10 in response to receiving the input control signals from the input circuit 10 duplicate exactly the control signals generated by the input circuit 10 for transmission to the camera control circuit 20 for controlling the video camera 22.
  • the output from the programming circuit 12 may be recorded on the audio portion of the magnetic tape utilized by a video tape recorder 14. If it is contemplated that the video tape recorder 14 is to record the scenes seen by the video camera 22, then such video tape recorder may be modified in order to perform a video recording and audio playback simultaneously.
  • the video tape recorder is first actuated for use with the programming phase of the present invention, the video camera is placed in a known starting position and then the video tape recorder is placed in its normal record position. Alternatively, the first programmed instrutions on the tape can be used to move the video camera 22 to its predetrmined starting position.
  • the tape is rewound and then the video tape recorder 14 can be placed in the play mode in which case the signals appearing at the audio output terminal of the video tape recorder, on line 28, correspond exactly to the functions previously actuated by the camera operator. It is necessary, however, to return the video camera 22 being controlled to its initial known starting position before placing the video tape recorder 14 in the play mode to automatically control the video camera 22.
  • the video tape recorder 14 must be placed in a special modified record/playback function position. In that position, the video signal output from the video camera 22 on line 24 is recorded on the video track while the DTMF signals previously recorded on the audio track are played back and output on line 28 to the decoder circuit 16.
  • the decoder circuit 16 functions to translate the dual tone multi-frequency signals into signals which can readily be used by the camera control circuit 20 to control the operation of the video camera 22.
  • the output from the decoder circuit can be via a single control line as disclosed in applicant's co-pending patent application Serial No. 131,626, or, as shown in Figure 3, can be hardwired directly to the appropriate control motors or other devices utilized to operate the video camera 22.
  • DTMF signals can be used in place of other methods of generating unique signals corresponding to a selected actuated video camera function.
  • One such illustrative example is frequency shift keying or FSK signals.
  • the input circuit 10 is comprised of a joy stick 100 which includes four contacts which generate a voltage on each respective output line which causes the camera to pan or tilt in the up, down, left or right direction.
  • the input circuit 10 also includes a zoom switch 102 which produces a voltage on the appropriate lines which cause the lens of the camera to zoom in either the in or the out direction, depending upon the position of the switch.
  • a focus control switch 104 and an iris control switch 106 which operate in a manner similar to that of the zoom switch 102 previously described.
  • An auxiliary auto iris switch 108 which may function to operate an auto iris circuitry or perform other auxiliary functions with respect to the video camera to be controlled is also provided.
  • Each of the switches 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 are connected to the camera control circuit or hardwired directly to control the functions of the video camera control circuit 20 and are also connected to a different terminal of a standard push-button telephone keypad 110. Therefore, as the operator is moving the appropriate control and the respective switch 100, 102, 104, 106 and/or 108 makes contact, it closes the appropriate contact at the push-button 110 which causes the generation of a dual tone multi-frequency signal by means of the DTMF chip 112 which may be a part number S2559, manufactured by AMI.
  • the DTMF chip is part of the programming circuitry 12 and can provide up to 16 different frequencies using pins 2-5 and 14-11. For purposes of the instant invention, those frequencies produced using pins 3-5 and 11-14 are utilized and are combined by the wiring of the keypad 110. A simple terminal strip or other set of terminals could be utilized in place of the keypad.
  • the output of the DTMF chip at pin 16 is fed through a resistor and capacitor network to the base of a transistor 114 whose collector is connected through one coil of an isolation transformer 116 to pin 1 of the DTMF chip 112.
  • the transistor 114 may preferably be part number 2SC945, manufactured by RCA.
  • the output terminals of the isolation transformer 116 are connected to the audio input of a video tape recorder, or other magnetic storage medium device.
  • the ratio of the input coil to the output coil of the isolation transformer 116 may preferably be 1:1.
  • the signal produced at the output of the isolation transformer 116 is a real time signal which exactly corresponds to each of the movements of the switches 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 made by the camera operator during his operation of the video camera 22.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown therein an electrical schematic diagram of the decoder circuit 16 which may preferably be at the location of the input or programming circuits.
  • the video camera 22 is generally located at a position remote from the operator viewing what is seen by the camera and controlling the video camera 22 by means of the input circuit 10 and, subsequently, the programming circuit 12 and video tape recorder 14.
  • the recorded tape is placed into the video or other magnetic tape recorder and the DTMF signals recorded thereon are played back.
  • the signals are fed via line 28 into the signal in port of the decoder circuit 16 and then into an input terminal of IC1, which may preferably be an op amp Model LM324, which functions as an audio amplifier.
  • IC1 which may preferably be an op amp Model LM324, which functions as an audio amplifier.
  • the output of that op amp is fed into input pin 7 of IC2 which may preferably be a model number SSI 204 chip, available from Silicon Systems Inc.
  • IC2 functions as a decoder-to-binary-coded-decimal chip and produces up to four outputs Dl, D2, D3 and D4 at output pins 2, 1, 13 and 14.
  • the output from pin 12 of IC2 is connected to the enable pin 23 of IC4 so that, when a signal appears on at least one of the Dl, D2, D3 or D4 signal lines of IC2, the IC4 chip is enabled.
  • the IC4 chip is preferably a model number CD4514 chip which is a 16 position dual latch decoder chip available from Radio Corporation of America.
  • the outputs Dl, D2, D3 and D4 are each fed to an individual input of one of four op amps contained on a model LM324 quad op amp integrated circuit, IC-3 which functions as a buffer.
  • the other input terminal of each of the op amps is connected to a 12-volt power source VDD.
  • each of the op amps of IC-3 is fed to a respective input terminal of chip IC-4, namely, input terminals 21, 22, 3 and 2. That integrated circuit determines, based upon the particular signals received at its input terminals, on which of 12 output terminals a predetermined voltage should be generated.
  • Each of these voltages serves to close a relay 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 or 220 which corresponds to the pan/tilt unit up, lens focus (far) , auxiliary, pan/tilt right, lens focus (near) , pan/tilt left, zoom (in) , iris (open) , pan/tilt (down) , zoom (out) or iris (close) .
  • a voltage on pin 5 can be used to enable an auxiliary function, as can a voltage at pins 13, 16, 15 or 11.
  • the auxiliary function could be used, for example, to actuate a different camera to be controlled under programmed control using the same tape.
  • a plurality of video cameras could be sequentially controlled by a single programmed signal source.
  • the outputs produced by closing the switches 200-220 can be used in a hardwired camera system to directly operate the appropriate camera function.
  • those outputs can be utilized through, for example, a diode network disclosed in applicant's co-pending patent applications, to operate the same camera functions using only a single line connection between the decoder 16 and the video camera 22.
  • a diode network disclosed in applicant's co-pending patent applications
  • any means of producing and interpreting an audio signal may be used to accomplish the results of the invention.
  • the invention can be utilized with any number of closed circuit remote control television cameras as that, for example, disclosed in applicant's co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626, except that a separate audio track must be recorded for each camera to be controlled.
  • a standard video tape recorder available from many manufacturers may be used with the present invention. If it is desired to record the image seen by the video camera as it is being controlled under program control, the video tape recorder must be modified such that, upon being placed into the record mode, the playback head for the audio track is actuated rather than the record head. At the same time, the video heads must be in their record mode. It should also be understood that any type of video tape recorder or video cassette recorder. whether using a beta, VHS or 8mm format, or any other format, may be used to produce the same result.
  • any magnetic storage device or optical storage device that can reproduce a signal recorded thereon may be used to control the operation of the camera to duplicate the procedures performed by the operator without the need for human assistance.
  • a simple and inexpensive audio cassette tape recorder can be used with which to record the DTMF or other signals. The tape can then be rewound and played back and the output signal thereof fed through the decoder circuit 16 for controlling the video camera 22.
  • the camera must always be placed in the same start position as it was when the operator generated the programming signals, so that the operation of the camera under program control will conform to the operations performed by the operator.
  • This function may be accomplished manually by the operator or automatically by the input circuit 10, if, for example, the input circuit 10 provides for a plurality of camera presets. Such presets are disclosed in co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626.
  • Figures 4-7 show a multiple channel embodiment of the video camera programming and control system disclosed herein, there is shown in Figure 4 an electrical schematic diagram of a multiple channel programming circuit 12.
  • the circuitry of Figure 4 is shown without a multiple channel keypad 110A, which is shown in Figure 6.
  • the connections to the various terminals of the keypad shown in Figure 6 are shown in Figure 4.
  • the multiple channel programming circuit 12 produces two unique series of dual tone multi-frequency signals, utilizing two S2559 DTMF chips 112A and 112B.
  • Each of these DTMF chips may be a model S2559 integrated circuit, the same as element 112 shown in Figure 2.
  • the circuitry of Figure 2 utilizes a single S2559 DTMF chip 112 which is driven by a crystal operating at a frequency of 3.58 megahertz
  • the circuitry of Figure 4 utilizes crystals of different frequencies for each of the DTMF chips 112A and 112B.
  • the first DTMF chip, IC- 1 utilizes a 3.579 or 3.58 megahertz crystal 400 whereas IC-3, the second DTMF chip 112B, may utilize a crystal 402 having a frequency of oscillation of 7.3725 megahertz, or about twice the frequency of the crystal 400. While it is important that each of the crystals 400 and 402 have different frequencies of oscillation, they do not necessarily have to be related to each other by an approximate integer factor. In fact, it has been found that crystals having frequencies of oscillation of only about 200 hertz provide sufficient separation for proper operation of the multiple channel video camera programming and control system disclosed herein.
  • each of the crystals 500 and 502 associated with integrated circuits IC-2 and IC-4 of Figure 5 have the respective frequencies of oscillation of the crystals 400 and 402 associated with the "transmitters" IC-1 and IC-3 of Figure 4. In that manner, integrated circuits IC-2 and IC- 4 "receive" the DTMF signals transmitted from the programming circuit 12A.
  • the output from each of the DTMF chips 112A and 112B is fed through a resistor and capacitor network to the base of a transistor 114A whose collector is connected through one coil of an isolation transformer 116 to a 6-volt DC source, designated as VDD on Figure 4.
  • the transistor 114A may preferably be part number 2N2510, manufactured by .
  • the output terminals of the isolation transformer 116 are connected to the audio input of a video tape recorder 14, an audio tape recorder or other magnetic storage medium device, and may also be connected to drive a loudspeaker so that the system user can hear the programming tones.
  • Integrated circuit IC-2 shown in Figure 4 is a clock circuit 404, which may preferably be a part number NE555 clock chip, which is readily available from many suppliers.
  • the output from the clock 404 is connected to ground pin 6 of the first DTMF chip 112A and, through a switching transistor 406 to the ground pin 6 of the second DTMF circuit 112B.
  • Transistor 406 which may be a part number 2N4401 available from National Semiconductor Corporation, functions as a switching transistor and converts the output from the clock chip 404 to its opposite state before the signal reaches pin 6 of the second DTMF circuit 112B.
  • Each of the DTMF circuits 112A and 112B are thus alternatively grounded, by means of a their respective ground pins 6 and thus produce their output, from their respective pins 16, which is of a duration of about l/20th of a second. In that manner, two control functions can be operated simultaneously by the multiple channel programming and control system disclosed herein.
  • FIG 6 there is shown therein interconnections for a standard 16 button telephone keypad 110A.
  • the push-buttons 1 through 12 which comprise the left most three columns of the keypad 110A, may be connected in the same manner as shown for keypad 110 in Figure 2.
  • the 16 button keypad 110A is utilized in place of the 12 button keypad 110 shown in Figure 2.
  • pins 3-9 and 11-14 of the keypad 110A are connected as indicated in Figure 4 to the respective outputs of the DTMF circuits 112A and 112B.
  • the rows and columns of the keypad 110A are not connected to the same column and row terminals shown in Figure 4 for each of the two DTMF circuits 112A and 112B.
  • Each of the push-buttons in the keypad is a separate SPST switch. In order to actuate multiple functions simultaneously, multiple push-buttons are depressed simultaneously. Thus, 16 different functions can be actuated by using the keypad 110A. Additional functions are controlled by means of the input circuit 10. Also, additional camera systems may be controlled by means of a video switcher (not shown) connected to receive the signals from the input circuit 10 and decoder circuit 16 and to pass those signals to the appropriate camera control circuit 20 of the selected camera system.
  • FIG. 5 there is illustrated an electrical schematic diagram of the multiple channel circuitry of the decoder circuit 16, which can be used in place of the circuitry of Figure 3 in a multiple channel programming and control system.
  • the signal from the video tape recorder 14 is input into the decoder circuitry of Figure 5 into the positive input of both integrated circuits IC-1 and IC-6, which may preferably a part number LM358 or ECG 928M operational amplifier, which functions as an audio amplifier.
  • the outputs from each op-amp IC-1 and IC-6 are fed through respective resistor and capacitor networks to the respective input pin 7 of each of the integrated circuits 504 and 506 which function as decoder- to-binary-coded-decimal circuits. They may preferably be part number SSI 204, available from Silicon Systems, Inc.
  • Integrated circuits 504 and 506 produce up to four outputs at output pins 2, 1, 14 and 13, in binary-coded-decimal format.
  • the outputs from the integrated circuits 504 and 506 are fed respectively to the inputs 21, 22, 3 and 2 of respective integrated circuits 508 and 510, which are 16 position dual latch decoder chips available from RCA as model number CD4514 circuits.
  • a filtering network comprised of a .22 microfarad capacitor and a 680K ohm resistor is connected in parallel between each output line from the integrated circuits 504 and 506 and ground.
  • a crystal having a different frequency of oscillation is connected across the pins 9 and 10 of each respective integrated circuit 504 and 506.
  • the frequency of each of those crystals 500 and 502 corresponds to the frequency, respectively, of each of the crystals 400 and 402 of Figure 4.
  • the output of pin 12 of each of the integrated circuits 504 and 506 is connected through a filtering network and switching transistor to enable pin 23 of each of the respective latch decoder chips 508 and 510.
  • the dual latch decoder chips 508 and 510 are respectively enabled when an output signal is present at the outputs of circuits 504 and 508, indicating a command to perform a certain function.
  • the 16 position dual latch decoder chips 508 and 510 determine, based upon the particular binary-coded-decimal signals received at their input terminals 21, 22, 3 and 2, on which of the 16 output terminals a predetermined voltage will be generated.
  • Each of the output terminals of the respective integrated circuits 508 and 510 is connected to operate a different camera system function, other auxiliary function such as switching the camera being operated, performing a time delay, actuating a different monitor from that being currently viewed, controlling other electrical machinery, controlling the operation of the video tape recorder 14, such as, for example, stopping and starting the tape, or performing a motion inquiry function.
  • the circuitry disclosed can be used to sequentially control a plurality of video cameras.
  • FIG. 5 Two such special functions are shown in Figure 5. If the push-button in keypad 110A is depressed which produces an output number 14 on pin 16 of the integrated circuit 508, then the circuitry connected to that output pin will be actuated and LED 514 will be turned on. As shown in Figure 5, such circuitry may preferably be a motion detector 516 located near the camera 22. The output from the motion detector 516 is connected to terminal A when motion is detected at that particular camera location, the LED 518 is turned on so that an operator will be alerted to the movement. When motion is detected by the motion detector 516, the output from IC-1 causes the switching transistor 512 to conduct, thus actuating the VTR 14 to record the scene viewed by the video camera system associated with the motion detector 516.
  • a motion detector 516 located near the camera 22.
  • the output from the motion detector 516 is connected to terminal A when motion is detected at that particular camera location, the LED 518 is turned on so that an operator will be alerted to the movement.
  • the output from IC-1 causes the switching
  • the VTR 14 will be actuated for a time period determined by the time constant of the 4.7 mfd capacitor 518 and the 6M ohms resistor 520, which is about one-half hour. Obviously, a different time constant can be used. At the end of the timed period controlled by the capacitor 518 and resistor 520, the output of IC-6 goes low and the VTR 14 is turned off.
  • the VTR 14 can also be actuated to begin recording, or playing by actuating the appropriate push-button of keypad 110A so that a signal is generated at pin 11 of the chip 510.
  • auxiliary functions which can be controlled by the instant circuitry include the opening of certain gates at a predetermined time, the focusing of certain cameras at a certain time in order to record an event which is scheduled to take place, and the generation of a signal alerting the operator or causing a telephone to alert an operator or security guard.
  • the camera control system should be noted that the system can be programmed such that a telephone can turn the video tape recorder on and off so that the camera control system can be remotely actuated.
  • the video tape recorder 14 As is already known with video tape recorders, their on-board event timers can be programmed to actuate the video tape recorder for predetermined periods over, for example, a two week period. Thus, the video tape recorder 14, as programmed, would turn on, cause the various cameras and other functions under its control to perform the desired functions and then turn off. At a later predetermined date and time, the video tape recorder 14 can be caused to turn on, perform other predetermined or the same predetermined functions and then turn off again. In the event that an audio tape recorder is utilized and only one camera is being controlled, the audio tape recorder can be caused to playback in reverse and all of the control functions performed in the forward playback position will be performed.
  • Figures 7-10 illustrate various control circuitry which can be connected as camera control circuits 20 to operate various different camera system functions. It should be understood that the circuitry shown in each of those figures may be constructed on a separate small circuit board and located adjacent to each camera. Each of the inputs to each of the circuits in Figures 7-10 is connected to a predetermined output of the integrated circuits 508 and/or 510.
  • the circuitry of Figure 7 controls the pan and tilt motors
  • the circuitry of Figure 8 controls the operation of the iris of the camera, either closing or opening the iris or turning the auto-iris circuitry on or off
  • the circuitry of Figure 9 controls the operation of the lens, either focusing the lens, actuating the iris or operating the zoom function
  • the circuitry of Figure 10 can be utilized to move the camera up or down or left or right.
  • video camera programming and control system disclosed herein can be constructed utilizing a pair of twisted wires of up to 6,000 feet in length, the system can readily be constructed using fiber optic, microwave or RF transmission of signals.
  • the present invention Since each set of recorded programming signals is unique to the particular video camera to be controlled, the present invention has the advantage that it will operate with any of the currently available pan/tilt and motor controlled video camera systems. The fact that such systems use motors which operate at different speeds is therefor of no concern to the use of the present invention.

Abstract

An automatic multiple channel programming and video camera control system (10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 22) is disclosed in which, during operating of the video camera system (10, 20, 22), generated control signals are converted to a unique plurality of signals for recordation on a mass storage media, by a video tape recorder (14). Using two or more dual tone multi-frequency circuits (112) having different crystal oscillator frequencies in both the programming (12) and decoder (16) circuits, and causing the DTMF circuits (112) in the programming circuit (12) to provide their outputs as 1/20th of a second alternating pulses, multiple channels of control are recorded on a magnetic tape. On playback, the decoded signals are used to provide two simultaneous camera control or other auxiliary functions. Use of a modified video tape recorder (12), during playback of the programmed signals, allows a video image viewed by the selected camera (22) to be recorded on the video track portion of the magnetic tape.

Description

MULTIPLE CHANNEL VIDEO CAMERA PROGRAMMING AND CONTROL SYSTEM
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of United States Patent Application Serial No. 169,052, filed March 16, 1988 and entitled "Video Camera Programming and Control System."
The inventor herein is also the inventor of United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626, filed December 10, 1987 and entitled "Video Camera Control System." In addition, the inventor herein is also the inventor of United States Patent Application Serial No. 197,953, filed May 24, 1988, entitled "Miniaturized Video Communications Control System." The disclosures of both of those patent applications are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a programming and control system for the automatic operation of remote controlled devices.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a control system for programming and providing multiple channels for the remote control operation and positioning of one or more cameras as well as operation of various functions thereof for remote controlled closed-circuit television systems using the audio track of a video tape recorder tape. The system can also be used as a multiple channel remote control device to control one or more electrically operated devices.
In many known camera control systems, where it is desired to selectively control a plurality of different functions of a member being controlled, it often is the case that, due to the repetitive nature of the surveillance functions provided by the camera, the camera operator often must cause the system to operate through the same functions on a repetitive basis. For example, closed circuit television camera systems, when used for security surveillance systems, oftentimes repetitively scan the same field of view over the course of minutes, hours or for a set period of time each day.
More specifically, it may be desired that, over the period of an 8-hour work shift, a surveillance camera be repetitively focused on several fields of view. Thus, the camera operator, operating from a location remote from the camera, manually causes the camera to move from one desired field of view to another. Such operation includes the functions of panning and tilting the camera, as well as zooming the camera in and out in order to focus on a particular area within the field of view of the camera. Frequently, the operator will repeat this surveillance either once per eight hour shift, or more often. The operation of a camera control system under such circumstances is both tedious, personnel intensive and time consuming. In addition, it requires the operator to develop a skill in controlling the operation of the remote camera, or many cameras, and thus requires a high degree of both concentration and compensation of the operator.
Under such circumstances, it would be desirable if an inexpensive yet easy to program and readily reproducible system could be developed which would relieve the operator from manually controlling the operation of the camera. In addition to relieving the tedium of such operation and requiring less skilled operators, the personnel viewing the video images from the camera would be able to concentrate their entire attention on the scene viewed by the camera, instead of having to also concentrate on the operation of the camera. Furthermore, closed-circuit television cameras are frequently used under circumstances where hazardous conditions exist and are continually changing, for example, when used outside, the movement of the sun requires frequent yet predictable or easily estimated adjustments of the camera in order to maintain the desired field of view. Thus, it would be desirable if such tasks could be automated to relieve the viewer or operator from having to perform them. It is also desirable to operate more than one function of the video camera simultaneously, in order to provide for faster changes from one surveillance site to another.
In addition, it is often necessary, for example, in the gaming industry, to record the scenes viewed by the camera on video tape and to store the video tape for later possible review by regulatory officials. Thus, it would be desirable if a system could be developed which would use the already available video tape medium to effectuate automatic programmed control of one or more cameras.
The invention set forth herein provides apparatus for automating the video camera control system disclosed in applicant's above-identified pending patent applications.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that there still exists a need in the art for a system for automating a camera control system for repeatedly controlling one or more closed circuit television cameras in order to move from one field of view to another in a predetermined and desired manner.
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an automatic programming and control system for operating a multiple function camera control system for selectively enabling a plurality of control functions for a video camera in an automatic and predetermined manner in which more than one function of the video camera can be controlled simultaneously.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a programming and automatic camera control system for a multiple function video camera control system in which the control signals for operating the video camera are recorded on a readily available media which can be readily and inexpensively recorded by the camera operator.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system for automatically controlling a video camera in a simple and unique manner by recording the control signals on the audio track of a video tape unit, such as a video tape recorder.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic control system which utilizes a video tape recorder for controlling a remotely located video camera at the same time that the video tape recorder is recording a video signal on the video tape used by the that video tape recorder.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a programming and control system for a video camera in which the control signals are recorded on the audio portion of a video tape by a video tape recorder and are encoded in the form of dual tone multi-frequency signals.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system for programming and automatically operating in a predetermined manner a video camera system such that any function that can be performed by the video camera system can be controlled by recording the appropriate signals utilizing the present invention.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system for programming and automatically controlling a remotely controlled video camera system which, once actuated, automatically records the camera functions utilized by the operator while operating the camera.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a system for programming and automatically operating a video camera control system in which the camera can be controlled simultaneously while recording the video signals seen by the camera in a manner that is reproducible and easily implemented.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for programming and automatically operating a video camera system in which the recorded control signals are easily utilized by a camera operator to control the video camera system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system for programming and automatically operating a multiple channel video camera control system which controls a plurality of multiple function video cameras.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for programming and automatically operating a remote control system for electrical devices which are capable of being remotely controlled and/or operated.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system for programming and automatically operating a video camera control system in which any electronic mass storage medium including video tape, hard or floppy disks, or CD-ROMS can be utilized as the medium for storing and reproducing the camera control signals.
These and other objects are accomplished by the instant invention by means of a programming circuit which is connected to the input circuit utilized by the camera operator to control the operation and movement of each of a plurality of cameras. The input circuit controls such functions as the up, down, left or right movement of the camera, the zooming in or zooming out of the camera lens, the focus and iris functions of the camera and other auxiliary functions such as the auto iris function disclosed in applicant's co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626.
As the camera operator actuates any camera function, a unique dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal is generated by the programming circuit and is recorded on the audio track of, for example, a video tape recorder. The operation of the programming circuit and video tape recorder is transparent to the camera operator's control of the video camera.
By utilizing transmitters having different frequencies of DTMF signals and receivers corresponding respectively thereto, and continuously switching between those different frequency transmitters, it is possible to simultaneously (at least to the camera being controlled) control a plurality of different camera functions. Such operation is totally transparent to both the camera operator and the camera system being controlled.
When it is desired to reproduce the operator's control movements of the camera, the tape in the video tape recorder is rewound and then the video tape recorder is placed in the record position. The video tape recorder used in the present invention may be specially modified such that in the record mode a video signal is recorded but the signal on the audio track is reproduced as in the playback mode. Thus, while the recorded program is utilized to control the video camera, the scene seen by the video camera is recorded on the video portion of the tape.
The signals output by the play head during the record mode of the modified video tape recorder are decoded by a decoder circuit which converts the dual tone multi- frequency signals recorded on the tape to the appropriate control signals recognizable by the camera control circuitry for instructing the video camera to perform the desired function.
It should be understood that, while it is desirable that a modified video tape recorder or video cassette player be utilized with the present invention, the programming circuit can record the dual tone multi- frequency signals corresponding to the selected camera functions on any tape recorder, whether video or audio, which, when rewound and placed in the play position, will reproduce the recorded signals for decoding by the decoder circuitry.
Further, if the control signals are recorded on an audio tape recorder, the camera being controlled can be constrained to repeat its operations by playing the tape in reverse, after first playing the tape in the forward direction. Thus, after an audio tape has been recorded with the appropriate control signals, a camera can be continuously controlled without human intervention simply by reversing the direction of play of the tape when it reaches the end of the tape.
In addition, through the use of appropriate additional analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog circuitry, the signals produced by the programming circuit can be stored on other magnetic storage media such as floppy disks or hard disks, or can also be stored on a CD- ROM. It should also be understood that the invention as described herein can be used to control a plurality of cameras, or other electrically or electronically operated devices, although in many cases, the invention is described in the context of controlling a plurality of functions of a single camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the subsystems which form the apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the single channel circuitry for the programming and input circuits of the present invention;
Figure 3 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the single channel circuitry of the decoder circuit of the present invention;
Figure 4 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the multiple channel circuitry for the programming and input circuits of the present invention;
Figure 5 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the multiple channel circuitry of the decoder circuit of the present invention;
Figure 6 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the keypad used with the multiple channel circuitry of the present invention;
Figure 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of control circuitry suitable for connection to the circuitry of Figure 5 for controlling the pan and tilt functions of a camera system controlled by the present invention;
Figure 8 is an electrical schematic diagram of control circuitry suitable for connection to the circuitry of Figure 5 for automatically controlling the iris function of a camera system controlled by the present invention; and
Figures 9 and 10 are electrical schematic diagrams of control circuitry suitable for connection to the circuitry of Figure 5 for controlling a plurality of functions of a camera system controlled by the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a block diagram schematic of the circuitry of the present invention. An input circuit 10 is connected to the inputs of both a programming circuit 12 and a camera control circuit 20. The input circuit is comprised of a plurality of control switches, which will be described in more detail in connection with Figure 2.
The output from the input circuit is transmitted as the input to the camera control circuit 20. The camera control circuit 20 may be, for example, the circuitry set forth in Figures 4-7 of applicant's co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626, which discloses a video camera control system utilizing a single conductor control line. Alternatively, as is described in connection with Figures 2 and 3 herein, the camera control circuit 20 may comprise a series of motors and actuators which are hardwired to the input circuit 10 by means of a multi-conductor cable. In any event, the camera control circuit is connected to the video camera in a known manner such that the pan/tilt, zoom, focus, iris, auto-iris or other auxiliary functions of the camera may be remotely controlled by an operator utilizing the input circuit 10.
At the same time that an operator is controlling the video camera 22 by means of the input circuit 10, an additional output signal is generated which is used by the programming circuit 12 to generate a dual tone multi- frequency (DTMF) signal which is unique to the specific function then being actuated by the operator. The DTMF signal is generated for a period of time corresponding to the exact time that the camera operator is actuating the input circuit 10 and the camera control circuit 20 to cause the video camera 22 to perform one of its many functions. Thus, the dual tone multi-frequency signals generated by the programming circuit 10 in response to receiving the input control signals from the input circuit 10 duplicate exactly the control signals generated by the input circuit 10 for transmission to the camera control circuit 20 for controlling the video camera 22.
The output from the programming circuit 12 may be recorded on the audio portion of the magnetic tape utilized by a video tape recorder 14. If it is contemplated that the video tape recorder 14 is to record the scenes seen by the video camera 22, then such video tape recorder may be modified in order to perform a video recording and audio playback simultaneously. Thus, when the video tape recorder is first actuated for use with the programming phase of the present invention, the video camera is placed in a known starting position and then the video tape recorder is placed in its normal record position. Alternatively, the first programmed instrutions on the tape can be used to move the video camera 22 to its predetrmined starting position. That can be easily accomplished by beginning recording of the operator's instructions at the beginning of the tape and by having the operator first move the camera 22 to its predetermined starting position. However, only the signal from the programming circuit by means of line 26 is input into the video tape recorder, using the audio input terminals. Then, every control function utilized by the operator by means of input circuit 10 to control the video camera 22 will be recorded, as DTMF signals, on the audio track of the video tape recorder 14.
After the recording has been completed, the tape is rewound and then the video tape recorder 14 can be placed in the play mode in which case the signals appearing at the audio output terminal of the video tape recorder, on line 28, correspond exactly to the functions previously actuated by the camera operator. It is necessary, however, to return the video camera 22 being controlled to its initial known starting position before placing the video tape recorder 14 in the play mode to automatically control the video camera 22.
If, however, as is frequently desired, the images seen by the camera as it is operated by the thus programmed video tape are to be recorded, the video tape recorder 14 must be placed in a special modified record/playback function position. In that position, the video signal output from the video camera 22 on line 24 is recorded on the video track while the DTMF signals previously recorded on the audio track are played back and output on line 28 to the decoder circuit 16.
The decoder circuit 16 functions to translate the dual tone multi-frequency signals into signals which can readily be used by the camera control circuit 20 to control the operation of the video camera 22. As previously discussed, the output from the decoder circuit can be via a single control line as disclosed in applicant's co-pending patent application Serial No. 131,626, or, as shown in Figure 3, can be hardwired directly to the appropriate control motors or other devices utilized to operate the video camera 22.
In addition, other methods of generating unique signals corresponding to a selected actuated video camera function can be used in place of the DTMF signals. One such illustrative example is frequency shift keying or FSK signals.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an electrical schematic diagram of the input circuit 10 and the programming circuit 12. The input circuit 10 is comprised of a joy stick 100 which includes four contacts which generate a voltage on each respective output line which causes the camera to pan or tilt in the up, down, left or right direction. The input circuit 10 also includes a zoom switch 102 which produces a voltage on the appropriate lines which cause the lens of the camera to zoom in either the in or the out direction, depending upon the position of the switch.
Also included in the input circuit 10 is a focus control switch 104 and an iris control switch 106 which operate in a manner similar to that of the zoom switch 102 previously described. An auxiliary auto iris switch 108 which may function to operate an auto iris circuitry or perform other auxiliary functions with respect to the video camera to be controlled is also provided.
Each of the switches 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 are connected to the camera control circuit or hardwired directly to control the functions of the video camera control circuit 20 and are also connected to a different terminal of a standard push-button telephone keypad 110. Therefore, as the operator is moving the appropriate control and the respective switch 100, 102, 104, 106 and/or 108 makes contact, it closes the appropriate contact at the push-button 110 which causes the generation of a dual tone multi-frequency signal by means of the DTMF chip 112 which may be a part number S2559, manufactured by AMI.
The DTMF chip is part of the programming circuitry 12 and can provide up to 16 different frequencies using pins 2-5 and 14-11. For purposes of the instant invention, those frequencies produced using pins 3-5 and 11-14 are utilized and are combined by the wiring of the keypad 110. A simple terminal strip or other set of terminals could be utilized in place of the keypad. The output of the DTMF chip at pin 16 is fed through a resistor and capacitor network to the base of a transistor 114 whose collector is connected through one coil of an isolation transformer 116 to pin 1 of the DTMF chip 112. The transistor 114 may preferably be part number 2SC945, manufactured by RCA.
The output terminals of the isolation transformer 116 are connected to the audio input of a video tape recorder, or other magnetic storage medium device. The ratio of the input coil to the output coil of the isolation transformer 116 may preferably be 1:1. The signal produced at the output of the isolation transformer 116 is a real time signal which exactly corresponds to each of the movements of the switches 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 made by the camera operator during his operation of the video camera 22. Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown therein an electrical schematic diagram of the decoder circuit 16 which may preferably be at the location of the input or programming circuits. The video camera 22 is generally located at a position remote from the operator viewing what is seen by the camera and controlling the video camera 22 by means of the input circuit 10 and, subsequently, the programming circuit 12 and video tape recorder 14.
After the operation of the video camera 22 by the operator and the recording of the settings of the switches 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108, the recorded tape is placed into the video or other magnetic tape recorder and the DTMF signals recorded thereon are played back. The signals are fed via line 28 into the signal in port of the decoder circuit 16 and then into an input terminal of IC1, which may preferably be an op amp Model LM324, which functions as an audio amplifier. The output of that op amp is fed into input pin 7 of IC2 which may preferably be a model number SSI 204 chip, available from Silicon Systems Inc.
IC2 functions as a decoder-to-binary-coded-decimal chip and produces up to four outputs Dl, D2, D3 and D4 at output pins 2, 1, 13 and 14. The output from pin 12 of IC2 is connected to the enable pin 23 of IC4 so that, when a signal appears on at least one of the Dl, D2, D3 or D4 signal lines of IC2, the IC4 chip is enabled. The IC4 chip is preferably a model number CD4514 chip which is a 16 position dual latch decoder chip available from Radio Corporation of America.
The outputs Dl, D2, D3 and D4 are each fed to an individual input of one of four op amps contained on a model LM324 quad op amp integrated circuit, IC-3 which functions as a buffer. The other input terminal of each of the op amps is connected to a 12-volt power source VDD.
The output from each of the op amps of IC-3 is fed to a respective input terminal of chip IC-4, namely, input terminals 21, 22, 3 and 2. That integrated circuit determines, based upon the particular signals received at its input terminals, on which of 12 output terminals a predetermined voltage should be generated. Each of these voltages serves to close a relay 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 or 220 which corresponds to the pan/tilt unit up, lens focus (far) , auxiliary, pan/tilt right, lens focus (near) , pan/tilt left, zoom (in) , iris (open) , pan/tilt (down) , zoom (out) or iris (close) . In addition, a voltage on pin 5 can be used to enable an auxiliary function, as can a voltage at pins 13, 16, 15 or 11. The auxiliary function could be used, for example, to actuate a different camera to be controlled under programmed control using the same tape. Thus, a plurality of video cameras could be sequentially controlled by a single programmed signal source.
As previously described, the outputs produced by closing the switches 200-220 can be used in a hardwired camera system to directly operate the appropriate camera function. Alternatively, those outputs can be utilized through, for example, a diode network disclosed in applicant's co-pending patent applications, to operate the same camera functions using only a single line connection between the decoder 16 and the video camera 22. It should be understood that while the present invention is designed to record DTMF signals, any means of producing and interpreting an audio signal may be used to accomplish the results of the invention. In addition, the invention can be utilized with any number of closed circuit remote control television cameras as that, for example, disclosed in applicant's co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626, except that a separate audio track must be recorded for each camera to be controlled. Generally, that will require a separate video tape recorder for each camera to be controlled, since it is usually desirable to record the video signals from the camera onto the video tape as the audio signal is read from the tape controlling the camera. After each tape is maintained for a predetermined number of days, it may be reused to again control the operation of the video camera and the new material seen by the video camera recorded over the previous material. Thus, the procedure through which the operator controls the video camera can be repeated without human assistance, once the video tape has been programmed by the instant invention.
As has been explained, a standard video tape recorder available from many manufacturers may be used with the present invention. If it is desired to record the image seen by the video camera as it is being controlled under program control, the video tape recorder must be modified such that, upon being placed into the record mode, the playback head for the audio track is actuated rather than the record head. At the same time, the video heads must be in their record mode. It should also be understood that any type of video tape recorder or video cassette recorder. whether using a beta, VHS or 8mm format, or any other format, may be used to produce the same result.
In addition, any magnetic storage device or optical storage device that can reproduce a signal recorded thereon may be used to control the operation of the camera to duplicate the procedures performed by the operator without the need for human assistance. Thus, for example, a simple and inexpensive audio cassette tape recorder can be used with which to record the DTMF or other signals. The tape can then be rewound and played back and the output signal thereof fed through the decoder circuit 16 for controlling the video camera 22.
It is important, however, that the camera must always be placed in the same start position as it was when the operator generated the programming signals, so that the operation of the camera under program control will conform to the operations performed by the operator. This function may be accomplished manually by the operator or automatically by the input circuit 10, if, for example, the input circuit 10 provides for a plurality of camera presets. Such presets are disclosed in co-pending United States Patent Application Serial No. 131,626.
It should also be noted that the instant invention, as disclosed in connection with Figures 2 and 3, allows for only one function at a time to be recorded on the video tape recorder 14. However, as is shown and as will be described in connection with Figures 4-6, the recording of simultaneous functions for the camera can also be achieved. Referring now to Figures 4-7 which show a multiple channel embodiment of the video camera programming and control system disclosed herein, there is shown in Figure 4 an electrical schematic diagram of a multiple channel programming circuit 12. The circuitry of Figure 4 is shown without a multiple channel keypad 110A, which is shown in Figure 6. However, the connections to the various terminals of the keypad shown in Figure 6 are shown in Figure 4.
It should be understood, however, that while only a two channel programming circuit is illustrated in Figure 4, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a programming circuit 12, utilizing more than two channels, can readily be constructed based upon the circuitry of Figure 4. Additionally, it should be noted that the input circuit 10 shown in Figure 2 is designed and can readily be connected to the keypad shown in Figure 6 such that, together with the connections to the keypad 110A shown in Figure 6, the circuitry of Figure 4 provides a multiple channel programming circuit which incorporates all of the features of the circuitry shown in Figure 2, with the addition of features further described herein.
The multiple channel programming circuit 12 produces two unique series of dual tone multi-frequency signals, utilizing two S2559 DTMF chips 112A and 112B. Each of these DTMF chips may be a model S2559 integrated circuit, the same as element 112 shown in Figure 2. However, while the circuitry of Figure 2 utilizes a single S2559 DTMF chip 112 which is driven by a crystal operating at a frequency of 3.58 megahertz, the circuitry of Figure 4 utilizes crystals of different frequencies for each of the DTMF chips 112A and 112B. For example, the first DTMF chip, IC- 1, utilizes a 3.579 or 3.58 megahertz crystal 400 whereas IC-3, the second DTMF chip 112B, may utilize a crystal 402 having a frequency of oscillation of 7.3725 megahertz, or about twice the frequency of the crystal 400. While it is important that each of the crystals 400 and 402 have different frequencies of oscillation, they do not necessarily have to be related to each other by an approximate integer factor. In fact, it has been found that crystals having frequencies of oscillation of only about 200 hertz provide sufficient separation for proper operation of the multiple channel video camera programming and control system disclosed herein. However, it is important that each of the crystals 500 and 502 associated with integrated circuits IC-2 and IC-4 of Figure 5 have the respective frequencies of oscillation of the crystals 400 and 402 associated with the "transmitters" IC-1 and IC-3 of Figure 4. In that manner, integrated circuits IC-2 and IC- 4 "receive" the DTMF signals transmitted from the programming circuit 12A.
In order to provide multiple channel functionality such that two or more (depending upon the number of channels) camera or other functions can be controlled at the same time, the output from each of the DTMF chips 112A and 112B, which is provided at pin 16 on each of the IC-1 and IC-3 chips, is fed through a resistor and capacitor network to the base of a transistor 114A whose collector is connected through one coil of an isolation transformer 116 to a 6-volt DC source, designated as VDD on Figure 4. The transistor 114A may preferably be part number 2N2510, manufactured by . The output terminals of the isolation transformer 116 are connected to the audio input of a video tape recorder 14, an audio tape recorder or other magnetic storage medium device, and may also be connected to drive a loudspeaker so that the system user can hear the programming tones.
Integrated circuit IC-2 shown in Figure 4 is a clock circuit 404, which may preferably be a part number NE555 clock chip, which is readily available from many suppliers. The output from the clock 404 is connected to ground pin 6 of the first DTMF chip 112A and, through a switching transistor 406 to the ground pin 6 of the second DTMF circuit 112B. Transistor 406, which may be a part number 2N4401 available from National Semiconductor Corporation, functions as a switching transistor and converts the output from the clock chip 404 to its opposite state before the signal reaches pin 6 of the second DTMF circuit 112B. Each of the DTMF circuits 112A and 112B are thus alternatively grounded, by means of a their respective ground pins 6 and thus produce their output, from their respective pins 16, which is of a duration of about l/20th of a second. In that manner, two control functions can be operated simultaneously by the multiple channel programming and control system disclosed herein.
Turning briefly to Figure 6, there is shown therein interconnections for a standard 16 button telephone keypad 110A. As previously discussed, the push-buttons 1 through 12, which comprise the left most three columns of the keypad 110A, may be connected in the same manner as shown for keypad 110 in Figure 2. Thus, in the multiple channel configuration of the instant programming and control system, the 16 button keypad 110A is utilized in place of the 12 button keypad 110 shown in Figure 2. As previously discussed, pins 3-9 and 11-14 of the keypad 110A are connected as indicated in Figure 4 to the respective outputs of the DTMF circuits 112A and 112B.
The rows and columns of the keypad 110A are not connected to the same column and row terminals shown in Figure 4 for each of the two DTMF circuits 112A and 112B. Each of the push-buttons in the keypad is a separate SPST switch. In order to actuate multiple functions simultaneously, multiple push-buttons are depressed simultaneously. Thus, 16 different functions can be actuated by using the keypad 110A. Additional functions are controlled by means of the input circuit 10. Also, additional camera systems may be controlled by means of a video switcher (not shown) connected to receive the signals from the input circuit 10 and decoder circuit 16 and to pass those signals to the appropriate camera control circuit 20 of the selected camera system.
Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated an electrical schematic diagram of the multiple channel circuitry of the decoder circuit 16, which can be used in place of the circuitry of Figure 3 in a multiple channel programming and control system. The signal from the video tape recorder 14 is input into the decoder circuitry of Figure 5 into the positive input of both integrated circuits IC-1 and IC-6, which may preferably a part number LM358 or ECG 928M operational amplifier, which functions as an audio amplifier. The outputs from each op-amp IC-1 and IC-6 are fed through respective resistor and capacitor networks to the respective input pin 7 of each of the integrated circuits 504 and 506 which function as decoder- to-binary-coded-decimal circuits. They may preferably be part number SSI 204, available from Silicon Systems, Inc. Integrated circuits 504 and 506 produce up to four outputs at output pins 2, 1, 14 and 13, in binary-coded-decimal format.
The outputs from the integrated circuits 504 and 506 are fed respectively to the inputs 21, 22, 3 and 2 of respective integrated circuits 508 and 510, which are 16 position dual latch decoder chips available from RCA as model number CD4514 circuits. In order to remove the 1/ 20th second pulses output by the integrated circuits 504 and 506 which result from the multiple channel "transmitters" of Figure 4, a filtering network comprised of a .22 microfarad capacitor and a 680K ohm resistor is connected in parallel between each output line from the integrated circuits 504 and 506 and ground. Thus, the inputs received by the decoder chips 508 and 510 are continuous signals. Additionally, as briefly discussed hereinbefore, in order to receive two different frequency sets of DTMF signals, a crystal having a different frequency of oscillation is connected across the pins 9 and 10 of each respective integrated circuit 504 and 506. The frequency of each of those crystals 500 and 502 corresponds to the frequency, respectively, of each of the crystals 400 and 402 of Figure 4.
In order to enable the dual latch decoder circuits 508 and 510 when an output is present on one of the output pins of the integrated circuits 504 and 506, the output of pin 12 of each of the integrated circuits 504 and 506 is connected through a filtering network and switching transistor to enable pin 23 of each of the respective latch decoder chips 508 and 510. In that manner, the dual latch decoder chips 508 and 510 are respectively enabled when an output signal is present at the outputs of circuits 504 and 508, indicating a command to perform a certain function.
The 16 position dual latch decoder chips 508 and 510 determine, based upon the particular binary-coded-decimal signals received at their input terminals 21, 22, 3 and 2, on which of the 16 output terminals a predetermined voltage will be generated. Each of the output terminals of the respective integrated circuits 508 and 510 is connected to operate a different camera system function, other auxiliary function such as switching the camera being operated, performing a time delay, actuating a different monitor from that being currently viewed, controlling other electrical machinery, controlling the operation of the video tape recorder 14, such as, for example, stopping and starting the tape, or performing a motion inquiry function. Obviously, the circuitry disclosed can be used to sequentially control a plurality of video cameras.
Two such special functions are shown in Figure 5. If the push-button in keypad 110A is depressed which produces an output number 14 on pin 16 of the integrated circuit 508, then the circuitry connected to that output pin will be actuated and LED 514 will be turned on. As shown in Figure 5, such circuitry may preferably be a motion detector 516 located near the camera 22. The output from the motion detector 516 is connected to terminal A when motion is detected at that particular camera location, the LED 518 is turned on so that an operator will be alerted to the movement. When motion is detected by the motion detector 516, the output from IC-1 causes the switching transistor 512 to conduct, thus actuating the VTR 14 to record the scene viewed by the video camera system associated with the motion detector 516. The VTR 14 will be actuated for a time period determined by the time constant of the 4.7 mfd capacitor 518 and the 6M ohms resistor 520, which is about one-half hour. Obviously, a different time constant can be used. At the end of the timed period controlled by the capacitor 518 and resistor 520, the output of IC-6 goes low and the VTR 14 is turned off.
The VTR 14 can also be actuated to begin recording, or playing by actuating the appropriate push-button of keypad 110A so that a signal is generated at pin 11 of the chip 510.
Other auxiliary functions which can be controlled by the instant circuitry include the opening of certain gates at a predetermined time, the focusing of certain cameras at a certain time in order to record an event which is scheduled to take place, and the generation of a signal alerting the operator or causing a telephone to alert an operator or security guard. In addition, the camera control system should be noted that the system can be programmed such that a telephone can turn the video tape recorder on and off so that the camera control system can be remotely actuated.
As is already known with video tape recorders, their on-board event timers can be programmed to actuate the video tape recorder for predetermined periods over, for example, a two week period. Thus, the video tape recorder 14, as programmed, would turn on, cause the various cameras and other functions under its control to perform the desired functions and then turn off. At a later predetermined date and time, the video tape recorder 14 can be caused to turn on, perform other predetermined or the same predetermined functions and then turn off again. In the event that an audio tape recorder is utilized and only one camera is being controlled, the audio tape recorder can be caused to playback in reverse and all of the control functions performed in the forward playback position will be performed.
Figures 7-10 illustrate various control circuitry which can be connected as camera control circuits 20 to operate various different camera system functions. It should be understood that the circuitry shown in each of those figures may be constructed on a separate small circuit board and located adjacent to each camera. Each of the inputs to each of the circuits in Figures 7-10 is connected to a predetermined output of the integrated circuits 508 and/or 510. The circuitry of Figure 7 controls the pan and tilt motors, the circuitry of Figure 8 controls the operation of the iris of the camera, either closing or opening the iris or turning the auto-iris circuitry on or off; the circuitry of Figure 9 controls the operation of the lens, either focusing the lens, actuating the iris or operating the zoom function; and the circuitry of Figure 10 can be utilized to move the camera up or down or left or right.
It should be understood that while the video camera programming and control system disclosed herein can be constructed utilizing a pair of twisted wires of up to 6,000 feet in length, the system can readily be constructed using fiber optic, microwave or RF transmission of signals.
Since each set of recorded programming signals is unique to the particular video camera to be controlled, the present invention has the advantage that it will operate with any of the currently available pan/tilt and motor controlled video camera systems. The fact that such systems use motors which operate at different speeds is therefor of no concern to the use of the present invention.
Although only a preferred embodiment is specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A system for automatically simultaneously controlling a plurality of video camera system functions, comprising: input circuit means for generating control signals for operating said video camera system; means for converting said control signals to a form suitable for recording on a mass storage medium; means for recording and reproducing said recorded converted control signals; and means for decoding said reproduced recorded converted control signals for automatically operating a plurality of said video camera system functions.
2. The system of Claim 1, wherein said mass storage medium is magnetic tape.
3. The system of Claim 1, wherein said means for recording and reproducing comprises a magnetic tape recorder.
4. The system of Claim 1, wherein said means for converting converts said control signals to a plurality of frequency sets of dual tone multi-frequency signals.
5. The system of Claim 1, wherein said means for recording comprises a video tape recorder.
6. The system of Claim 5, wherein said video tape recorder is comprised of: means for recording the converted control signals on the audio track of said video tape recorder; and means for reproducing said recorded converted control signals from said audio track while simultaneously recording video signals from said video camera on the video track of said video tape recorder.
7. The system of Claim 6, wherein said recorded video signals correspond to the images viewed by said video camera system while under control of said control signals recorded on said video tape recorder.
8. The system of Claim 6, wherein the control of said video camera system and the recording of said video signals from said video camera occurs in real-time.
9. The system of Claim 1, wherein said video camera system is positioned in a predetermined configuration prior to beginning the automatic control of said video camera system.
10. A control system for automatically providing a plurality of control signals in which each signal serves to enable a separate control function of a system capable of simultaneously controlling a plurality of different functions, said control system comprising: input circuit means for simultaneously generating a plurality of different control signals; means for converting each of said plurality of different control signals to a uniquely identifiable signal for recording on a mass storage medium; means for recording and reproducing said recorded converted plurality of different control signals; and means for decoding the reproduced plurality of different control signals for automatically simultaneously controlling a plurality of separate different control functions of said system.
11. The system of Claim 10, wherein said mass storage device is magnetic tape.
12. The system of Claim 10, wherein said means for recording and reproducing comprises a magnetic tape recorder.
13. The system of Claim 10, wherein said means for converting converts said control signals to unique dual tone multi-frequency signals.
14. The system of Claim 10, wherein said means for recording comprises a video tape recorder.
15. The system of Claim 10, wherein said input circuit means is capable of providing said plurality of control signals to a plurality of systems capable of a plurality of different functions.
16. A control system for automatically providing a plurality of control signals in which each signal serves to enable a separate control function of a video camera system capable of simultaneously controlling a plurality of different functions, said control system comprising: input circuit means for generating a plurality of different control signals; means for converting each of said plurality of different control signals to a unique signal; means for recording each of the plurality of unique signals and for reproducing said recorded plurality of unique signals while simultaneously recording video signals generated by said video camera system; and means for decoding each of said plurality of unique signals reproduced by said means for recording to generate said plurality of different control signals for automatically simultaneously operating a plurality of different control functions of said video camera system.
17. The system of Claim 16, wherein said mass storage device is magnetic tape.
18. The system of Claim 16, wherein said means for recording and reproducing comprises a magnetic tape recorder.
19. The system of Claim 16, wherein said means for converting converts said control signals to dual tone multi-frequency signals.
20. The system of Claim 16, wherein said means for recording comprises a video tape recorder.
21. The system of Claim 20, wherein said video tape recorder is comprised of: means for recording the converted control signals on the audio track of said video tape recorder; and means for reproducing said recorded converted control signals from said audio track while simultaneously recording a video signal from said video camera on the video track of said video tape recorder.
22. The system of Claim 21, wherein said recorded video signal corresponds to the images viewed by said video camera system while under control of said control signals recorded on said video tape recorder.
23. The system of Claim 21, wherein the control of said video camera system and the recording of said video signal from said video camera occurs in real-time.
24. The system of Claim 16, wherein said video camera system is positioned in a predetermined configuration prior to beginning the automatic control of said video camera system.
25. A system for providing the simultaneous control of at least two electrically operable functions of a video camera system without the intervention of the operator of the system, comprising: means for simultaneously generating at least two control signals for controlling said at least two electrically operable functions of a video camera system; means for storing said simultaneously generated at least two control signals on a recording medium capable of accurately reproducing the stored at least two control signals upon command by said operator; and means for receiving the stored reproduced at least two control signals and separately converting said at least two control signals into a corresponding plurality of signals for operating said video camera system; whereupon after said at least two control signals are stored on said recording medium, and the playback of the control signals stored on said recording medium has been initiated, said video camera system can be automatically controlled without the intervention of the operator of the system.
26. A method for providing the simultaneous control of at least two electrically operable functions of a video camera system without the intervention of the user, comprising the steps of: simultaneously generating at least two control signals for controlling said at least two electrically operable functions of a video camera system; storing said simultaneously generated at least two control signals using a recording and reproducing device capable of accurately reproducing the signals stored thereon; and receiving said stored simultaneously generated at least two control signals after reproduction by said recording and reproducing device and separately simultaneously converting said at least two control signals into a corresponding plurality of signals for operating said video camera system; whereupon, once said at least two control signals are stored and said recording and reproducing device is actuated to reproduce said at least two control signals, the simultaneous control of at least two electrically operable functions of said video camera system occurs without the intervention of the user.
27. The system of Claim 6, further including means adjacent said video camera system for detecting movement, said means for detecting movement being connected to means for automatically actuating said video tape recorder to record said video signals from said video camera.
28. The system of Claim 21, further including means adjacent said video camera system for detecting movement. said means for detecting movement being connected to means for automatically actuating said video tape recorder to record said video signals from said video camera.
29. The system of Claim 27 wherein said video tape recorder is actuated to record said video signals for a predetermined period of time.
30. The system of Claim 28 wherein said video tape recorder is actuated to record said video signals for a predetermined period of time.
31. A system for automatically simultaneously controlling a plurality of system functions of at least one video camera system having a plurality of system functions, comprising: input circuit means for generating control signals for operating said plurality of functions of said at least one video camera system; means for converting said control signals to a form suitable for recording on a magnetic storage medium having at least two tracks; and means for recording said control signals on one of said at least two tracks of said magnetic storage medium and for reproducing said recorded control signals for controlling said video camera system while simultaneously recording video signals generated by said video camera system on another of said at least two tracks of said magnetic storage medium.
32. The system of Claim 31, wherein said means for recording and reproducing comprises a video tape recorder having at least one audio recording head which is configured to record said control signals in a first mode and which is configured to reproduce said recorded control signals in a second mode.
33. The system of Claim 32, wherein said video tape recorder further includes video recording heads which record said video signals while said at least one audio recording head is configured in its second mode.
34. The system of Claim 31, wherein said at least one video camera system is positioned in a predetermined configuration at the beginning of the automatic control of said system.
PCT/US1989/004534 1988-10-12 1989-10-12 Multiple channel video camera programming and control system WO1990004304A1 (en)

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US25662188A 1988-10-12 1988-10-12
US256,621 1988-10-12

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Citations (6)

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US3688262A (en) * 1970-08-27 1972-08-29 Stephen A Liquori Modular audio-visual control system
US4244006A (en) * 1975-07-18 1981-01-06 Nippon Hoso Kyokai Control device for television camera
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GB2041622A (en) * 1978-12-29 1980-09-10 Vigna R Associated working of video tape players
US4326221A (en) * 1980-09-30 1982-04-20 Mallos Gene G Central/remote television monitoring system

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AU4423189A (en) 1990-05-01

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