Integrated Controls Add Functionality.


Half a decade ago, QuickSet began installing powerful processors and software in its pan and tilt units—the IC products. Commands in the Pan/Tilt (for example, tours or preset pointing locations) can be stored so operator commands or joystick motion can relocate the pointing location of the mount and operate several sensor controls simultaneously.

The UNICOM™ Controller is a versatile QuickSet Pan and Tilt controller that allows full feature control of the pan and tilt as well as typical camera and lens, laser range finder, laser illuminator, laser designator and other serial and Ethernet controlled sensors and active devices. This microprocessor based joystick controller and touch screen interface provides a means to control not only QuickSet pan and tilt positioners, but a variety of sensors (such as visible and IR cameras; lenses like zoom, focus and iris), video, serial control and data switches. Essentially all components of a complete End-to-End Security / Safety Surveillance System can be controlled with this tabletop or rack mountable joystick controller.

The basis for the design was driven by the need to provide a variety of control interfaces including four RS-232 / RS-422 serial data ports, two USB, one 10/100 Base T Ethernet ports. One USB port can be used for the touch screen interface control. The Ethernet port output can be used for IP networked systems including networked pan and tilt nodes, video matrix switches, etc. The four RS-232 serial control ports allow control of up to four pan and tilt nodes each with a full array of sensors and active devices.

The tactile rocker zoom, focus, and slider iris controls were designed to give a positive and deliberate feel to the control of the camera lenses. Manual and auto control of each is provided. This feature is helpful especially during stressful operations. There are three large, bright 7-segment LED displays to facilitate presentation of pan and tilt azimuth, elevation, and an auxiliary read-out for display of other sensor data such as range and bearing.

The touch screen display interface allows higher capacity operations and the ability to control a fully networked video and control data surveillance system. The touch screen interface also provides the means to incorporate Graphical Information System (GIS) to aid in the management of  a networked system of pan and tilt positioners  for surveillance or as implementation of armament components.

Since its introduction, the UNICOM™ Controller has evolved to include hardened military applications. The application environments include mobile combat and marine vehicles that require vision system, laser range finder and other types of sensor control. The operator pushbutton and joystick control panel is completely sealed to prevent water, sand, and other contaminants from getting inside the unit.

An integrated video switch is embedded in the controller to allow up to 10 video inputs to be switched to an external video monitor. In the field changes can be done via the USB port.

The touch screen interface monitor selection includes a Mil-spec hardened LCD monitor that serves as a Graphical User Interface (GUI) controller as well as an NTSC video monitor for local video sensor viewing.