System and method for image monitoring

摘要

An image monitoring system uses wireless communications to transmit images for security monitoring. The system includes a central controller ( 105 ) and a plurality of digital still camera units ( 110 ) operatively connected to the central controller ( 105 ). At least one of the camera units ( 110 ) includes an image sensor ( 215 ), a motion detector ( 220 ) that causes the image sensor ( 215 ) to receive image data when motion is detected, a micro controller ( 205 ), and a first nonvolatile memory operatively connected to or included in the micro controller ( 205 ). The micro controller ( 205 ) determines whether received image data should be transmitted to the central controller ( 105 ), and the central controller ( 105 ) determines whether received image data should be transmitted to a monitoring station ( 115 ). The camera units ( 110 ) may further be used as standalone units as replacements for motion detectors in existing security systems.