US 4,225,886 AGranted

Video camera control system

AssigneeLectrolarm Custom Systems, Inc.

InventorWilliam V. Smith

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Abstract

A video camera control system is provided capable of selectively providing one of a plurality of control signals with each signal corresponding to a particular predesignated function of a video camera. The output signals from the control system are generated in response to constant voltage input signals produced by an input circuit. The input circuit is coupled to a control circuit through a single transmission line over which different constant level voltage signals are transmitted. The voltage level of the input signal which is transmitted is selected from among a plurality of predetermined levels in dependence upon the control function to be achieved. The control circuit, in turn, receives the input signals and in response thereto will activate one of a plurality of switches for providing a corresponding output signal which serves to enable an appropriate camera function.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A video camera control system for selectively providing a plurality of control signals, one at a time with each signal serving to enable a separate control function of a video camera capable of a plurality of different functions, said system comprising:

(a) input means for providing a plurality of different level voltage signals;
(b) a plurality of first switch means coupled to receive the voltage signals from said input means, each of said first switch means being activated when the voltage signal is above a corresponding predetermined level with the predetermined level for each of said first switch means being different and each of said first switch means providing at its respective output a first switching signal upon being activated;
(c) a plurality of blocking means, each being coupled to the output of a respective one of said first switch means except for said first switch means corresponding to the lowest level input signal, and each of said blocking means providing a blocking signal upon receiving a first switching signal from the corresponding said first switch means;
(d) a plurality of second switch means, each being actuated by a corresponding one of said first switch means and said blocking means associated with said first switch means that is to be activated by the next higher level input signal, each of said second switch means providing at its output a second switching signal upon receiving a first switching signal from the corresponding said first switch means unless said second switch means also receives a blocking signal from the associated said blocking means;
and,
(e) a plurality of output means for selectively controlling the different functions of the video camera, each of said output means being coupled to the output of one of said second switch means and enabling one of the control functions of the video camera when receiving a second switching signal from the corresponding said second switch means.

3 more elements

A video camera control system for selectively providing a plurality of output signals to operate a video camera capable of a plurality of different functions, said system comprising:

(a) input means for providing a plurality of different level voltage signals;
(b) a plurality of first switch means coupled to receive said voltage signals from said input means, each of said first switch means including a zener diode, each of said zener diodes being selected so as to pass current at a different breakdown voltage level and each zener diode being coupled to receive the voltage signal from said input means so as to be activated thereby so that each of said first switch means is activated when the voltage signal is above a corresponding predetermined level with the predetermined level for each of said first switch means being differend and each of said first switch means providing at its respective output a first switching signal upon being activated;
(c) a plurality of blocking means, each being coupled to the output of a respective one of said first switch means except for said first switch means corresponding to the lowest level input signal and each of said blocking means providing a blocking signal upon receiving a first switching signal from the corresponding said first switch means;
(d) a plurality of second switch means, each being actuated by a corresponding one of said first switch means and said blocking means associated with said first switch means that is to be activated by the next higher level input signal, each of said second switch means providing at its output a second switching signal upon receiving a first switching signal from the corresponding said first switch means unless said second switch means also receives a blocking signal from the associated blocking means;
and
(e) a plurality of output means for selectively controlling the different functions of the video camera, each of said output means being coupled to the output of one of said second switch means and enabling one of the control functions of the video camera when receiving a second switching signal from the corresponding said second switch means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.