Patent ID: 7748021

Claim:
A method for obtaining camera information using a network based system including a central computer system and at least one personal communication device, said method comprising: identifying a plurality of cameras by the personal communication device based on a first location of the personal communication device; selecting a first one of the cameras by the personal communication device; determining a type of network utilized by the central computer system; selecting a network that is compatible with the personal communication device and the central computer system; adjusting the personal communication device as necessary to maintain communication compatibility with the network; receiving transmissions from the first camera comprising first data related to conditions at or proximate to the location of the first camera; formatting the first data for display on a display device of the personal communication device; displaying the first data on the display device of the personal communication device; moving the personal communication device to a second location different from the first location while maintaining communication between the personal communication device and the network; selecting a second one of the plurality of t cameras based on the second location of the personal communication device; receiving transmissions from the second camera comprising second data related to conditions at or proximate to the location of the second camera; formatting the second data for display on a display device of the personal communication device; and displaying the second data on the display device of the personal communication device.