System, devices, and methods for switching between video cameras

• US 20030071902A1
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digeo Incorporated (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digeo Incorporated (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Allen, Paul G., Smith, Geoffrey M., Novak, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US09/975,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20030071902A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/211.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19682 Graphic User Interface [GUI] presenting system data to the user, e.g. information on a screen helping a user interacting with an alarm system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19693 using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/268 Signal distribution or switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Improved systems, devices, and methods for switching viewing between multiple video cameras. In one embodiment, switching between cameras is accomplished at lower cost and higher reliability by providing a system, devices and methods that utilize power switches, instead of high bandwidth switches. Embodiments provide local and remote access control installations to monitor multiple camera locations. Select specific embodiments verify user and/or monitoring site identity and/or authorization prior to permitting monitoring. In some specific embodiments, still picture monitoring may be utilized to decrease bandwidth requirements.

Claims

11. A camera controller for controlling a plurality of video cameras, the camera controller comprising:

a memory configured with a camera control process;

a communication bus coupled to the memory for transmitting command codes from the camera control process; and

a switch controller coupled to the communication bus for receiving the command codes,

wherein the switch controller is configured to use the command codes to control a plurality of addressable power switches that control application of power to the plurality of video cameras.

12. The camera controller of claim 11, wherein the memory is further configured with an authentication process for authenticating remote commands to control the plurality of cameras.

13. The camera controller of claim 12, wherein the memory is further configured with an encryption process to securely transmit video from the camera controller to a requesting controller.

14. The camera controller of claim 11, wherein the switch controller comprises a wireless transmitter for transmitting control signals to the plurality of addressable power switches.

15. The camera controller of claim 14, wherein the switch controller comprises a decoder for decoding the command codes to generate the control signals.

16. The camera controller of claim 11, wherein the camera controller is incorporated into a set top box.

17. The camera controller of claim 11, wherein the camera controller is provided as part of customer premises equipment that is configured to transmit video over a cable network.

18. The camera controller of claim 11, wherein the camera controller is provided as part of customer premises equipment that is configured to transmit video over an Internet.

19. A method for monitoring a plurality of video cameras, the method comprising:

processing a command to view images from a particular camera of the plurality of video cameras to determine if the command is authorized;

if the command is authorized, then generating a control code and communicating the control code to a power switch controller;

decoding the control code to generate control signals, wherein the control signals are configured such that power is applied to a single video camera at a time; and

transmitting the control signals to a plurality of addressable power switches, wherein each addressable power switch is coupled to and controls power applied to a corresponding video camera.

1. A system for switching between a plurality of video cameras, the system comprising:

a camera controller for controlling the plurality of video cameras;

a plurality of addressable power switches, wherein each addressable power switch is coupled to and controls power applied to a corresponding video camera;

an output device capable of receiving a video signal from any of the plurality of video cameras and configured to output the video signal received; and

a switch controller controlled by the camera controller for addressing the plurality of addressable power switches.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch controller controls application of power to the plurality of video cameras such that power is applied to a single video camera at a time.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein switch controller includes a wireless transmitter, and wherein the addressable power switches includes wireless receivers.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit radio frequency signals to the wireless receivers, and wherein the wireless receivers are configured to receive radio frequency signals from the wireless transmitter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch controller is integrated into the camera controller.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the camera controller is integrated into customer premises equipment that is communicatively coupled to a cable network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a camera control process provides commands from remote access controllers to the camera controller.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein an authentication process limits commands accepted to only authorized commands.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein an encryption process provides security to video signals transmitted from the camera controller to a remote access controller.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of video cameras comprise wireless transmitters for sending video signals to the output device, and wherein the output device comprises a wireless receiver for receiving video signals from the plurality of video cameras.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the transmitting occurs by sending signals over AC power lines that provide power the video cameras and the power switch controller.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the transmitting occurs by sending control signals over a radio-frequency carrier from the power switch controller to the addressable power switches.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the command is received from a local system within the premises of the customer.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the command is received from a remote system outside the premises of the customer.

21-1. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of cameras are placed about a premises of a customer.

24. A system for switching between a plurality of video cameras, the system comprising:

means for processing a command to view images from a particular camera of the plurality of video cameras to determine if the command is authorized;

means for generating a control code and for communicating the control code to a power switch controller if the command is authorized;

means for decoding the control code to generate control signals; and

means for transmitting the control signals to a plurality of addressable power switches,

wherein each addressable power switch is coupled to and controls power applied to a corresponding video camera, and

wherein the control signals are configured such that power is applied to a single video camera at a time.

25. A method for providing access to a plurality of video cameras, the method comprising:

receiving a command from a requestor to view images from a particular camera of the plurality of video cameras, wherein the command as received is encrypted using a private key of the requestor;

decrypting the command by using a public key of the requester to determine if the command is authentic;

processing the command to determine if the command is authorized;

if the command is authentic and authorized, then a) encrypting a video signal from the particular camera by using the public key such that the requestor may decrypt the video signal using the private key and b) transmitting the encrypted video signal to the requestor.