System, devices, and methods for switching between video cameras

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.

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.

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.

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.