Patent ID: 8855621

Claim:
A cellphone controllable vehicle monitoring system for use with a vehicle having a vehicle ECU, a vehicle interior, and vehicle exterior, the system comprising: an electrical monitoring system including a plurality of cameras and a plurality of sensors, the plurality of cameras being configured to capture images within a zone including the vehicle interior, the vehicle exterior, and an area surrounding the vehicle, the plurality of sensors being able to detect a monitoring event and generate a monitoring signal in response thereto; a storage device in communication with the plurality of cameras and configured to store the images captured by the plurality of cameras wherein the data storage unit includes a short term memory module and a long term memory module, the data storage unit being configured to buffer data in the short term memory module for a prescribed buffering period and to transition the buffered data to the long term memory module in response to receipt of a storage signal indicative of a triggering event or command; a local monitoring communication system in communication with the plurality of cameras and sensors and configured to transmit an alert signal in response to receipt of the monitoring signal; and a cellphone in wireless communication with the local monitoring communication system, the cellphone having: a local cellphone communication system disposed therein; and a control unit configured to generate a startup signal when the alert signal matches operating criteria stored on the cellphone; the startup signal being communicated to the plurality of cameras via the local monitoring communication system to initiate operation of the plurality of cameras.