An automatic detector for starting security cameras comprises a detection module disposed on a video camera and the detection module includes a regulator circuit, a light-sensitive circuit, a switch circuit, and a passive infrared sensor circuit, and a recorder control circuit. The passive infrared sensor circuit is connected to the main body of security cameras, the switch circuit is connected to a light and the recorder control circuit is connected to a video camera recorder. In accordance with the structure mentioned above, the main body of the security cameras and the video camera recorder is started by the passive infrared sensor circuit to detect the infrared energy emitted from human bodies. If the illumination of the environment is insufficient, the light-sensitive circuit makes the switch circuit work to switch the light on so that the light is enough to make the pictures clearly.

In a rail-based closed-circuit TV surveillance system, initialization is performed by positioning the surveillance camera at two different positions along the rail from which a target image is acquired. Camera direction parameters for each of the positions are stored. From the stored parameters there is calculated an optimum position for target acquisition. A normal surveillance routine is interrupted in response to an alarm signal. If the camera is within a range for viewing the target, target acquisition occurs immediately while the camera is moved toward the optimum position. If the camera is not within the range for viewing the target, the camera is moved toward the viewing range, while camera direction and focus are adjusted so that target acquisition occurs as soon as the camera reaches the viewing range. Camera direction and focus continue to be adjusted so that a target acquisition is maintained while the camera is moved within the viewing range toward the optimum position.

A surveillance system comprises an infrared motion detector which generates a signal indicative of detected motion. An infrared signal reflecting surface directs an incident infrared signal to the infrared motion detector. A generator generates an infrared remote control encoded data responsive to the signal indicative of detected motion. An infrared emitter is coupled to the generator for modulation by the infrared remote control encoded data. A modulated infrared signal from the infrared emitter is directed to the infrared signal reflecting surface for transmission. In the surveillance system described, battery powered operating time is extended by powering only the motion detector during periods of inactivity. Recording media usage is conserved by only recording periods of detected motion and may be further conserved by recording only predetermined frames.

If motion occurs in an area viewed by a lens (14) of a video camera (12), a video security monitoring system (10) establishes a communication link with a video monitoring facility and begins transmitting compressed video images of the area. The system (10) is fabricated from CMOS integrated circuits, and operates at a reduced clock frequency while motion is not detected. Reducing the clock frequency lowers the required power thus permitting operation of the system (10) on energy supplied by an ISDN basic access communication channel. If motion occurs, a digital video image compression subsystem (16) begins producing low quality compressed video data for transmission to the monitoring facility. If motion occurs in the central region of the area viewed by the lens (14), then the subsystem (16) produces a single high quality compressed video image. Commands transmitted from the monitoring facility to the video security monitoring system (10) may control its entire operation.

The present invention overcomes the serious practical limitations inherent in presently-existing RAM-based audiovisual effects processing systems for essentially instantaneous playback of data. The method of the invention divides individual audio effects into two discrete segments, and stores these two segments in a distributed storage system. The first segment of an effect is stored in memory, allowing nearly instantaneous access and playback of this segment. The second segment is stored in a storage device with a relatively long access time. In operation, the first portion of the effect is played from memory, while the second portion is simultaneously retrieved from storage, such that the second portion is retrieved and is available for playback by the time the playing of the first segment terminates. Playback of these two segments in perfect succession effectively furnishes instantaneous playback of audio data, while reducing cost, facilitating loading of effects data, and providing further operational advantages. The disclosed method and apparatus is equally suitable for implementing essentially instantaneous playback of video or audiovisual data.