Patent ID: 8787725

Claim:
A method for controlling a DVM system, the method including: providing a user interface for allowing an operator to control the DVM system; by way of the user interface, providing a system alert level controller, wherein the system alert level controller has at least two states respectively corresponding to a first system alert level and a second system alert level, wherein each system alert level is associated with a respective set of system operational characteristics; receiving from the operator, via the system alert controller, an instruction to progress from the first system alert level to the second system alert level; identifying the set of system operational characteristics associated with the second system alert level; applying the set of system operational characteristics associated with the second system alert level in the DVM system such that the system adopts those operational characteristics; and wherein the set of system operational characteristics associated with the second system alert level configure the DVM system to identify one or more cameras for which live video data is being displayed to the operator, and automatically recording video data for that one or more cameras.