Method and system for distributed camera network

1. A method at a first image capture apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving, at the first image capture apparatus, from a second image capture apparatus a trigger to begin image capture, wherein the trigger includes a field indicating a range around the second image capture apparatus for which image capture data is needed and a location of the second image capture apparatus;

determining, by the first image capture apparatus, its location;

finding, by the first image capture apparatus, whether the first image capture apparatus is within the range around the second image capture apparatus based on the location of the second image capture apparatus;

if the first image capture apparatus is within the range, starting the image capture; and

providing image capture data to a processing service.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the trigger includes one or more information elements selected from: an event identifier; a device identifier for the second image capture apparatus; a position of the second image capture apparatus; an alert type; an endpoint to report information to; a time of an event; the fixed duration; or a report timeslot.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing the image capture data to the processing service further includes providing at least one information item selected from: a device identifier for the first image capture apparatus; an event identifier; a position of the first image capture apparatus; and a bearing for an image sensor on the first image capture apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining whether to relay the trigger to another image capture apparatus; and

if the trigger should be relayed, sending the trigger to the another image capture apparatus.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the another image capture apparatus is within a predetermined distance of the first image capture apparatus.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first image capture apparatus is affixed to a trailer or shipping container as part of a fleet management system.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first image capture apparatus further reports a location of the first image capture apparatus to the processing service.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the trigger is received based on the reported location of the first image capture apparatus.

9. A first image capture apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a communications subsystem; and

at least one sensor for capturing images,

wherein the first image capture apparatus is configured to:

receive, at the first image capture apparatus, from a second image capture apparatus a trigger to begin image capture, wherein the trigger includes a field indicating a range around the second image capture apparatus for which image capture data is needed and a location of the second image capture apparatus;

determine, by the first image capture apparatus, its location;

find, by the first image capture apparatus, whether the first image capture apparatus is within the range around the second image capture apparatus based on the location of the second image capture apparatus;

if the first image capture apparatus is within the range, start the image capture; and

provide image capture data to a processing service.

10. The first image capture apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the trigger includes one or more information elements selected from: an event identifier; a device identifier for the second image capture apparatus; a position of the second image capture apparatus; an alert type; an endpoint to report information to; a time of an event; the fixed duration; or a report timeslot.

11. The first image capture apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first image capture apparatus is further configured to provide the image capture data to the processing service by providing at least one information item selected from: a device identifier for the first image capture apparatus; an event identifier; a position of the first image capture apparatus; and a bearing for an image sensor on the first image capture apparatus.

12. The first image capture apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first image capture apparatus is further configured to:

determine whether the trigger needs to be relayed to another image capture apparatus; and

if the trigger needs to be relayed, send the trigger to the another image capture apparatus.

13. The first image capture apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the another image capture apparatus is within a predetermined distance of the first image capture apparatus.

14. The first image capture apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first image capture apparatus is affixed to a trailer or shipping container as part of a fleet management system.

15. The first image capture apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first image capture apparatus further reports a location of the first image capture apparatus to the processing service.

16. The first image capture apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the trigger is received based on the reported location of the first image capture apparatus.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a first image capture apparatus, cause the first image capture apparatus to:

receive, at the first image capture apparatus, from a second image capture apparatus a trigger to begin image capture, wherein the trigger includes a field indicating a range around the second image capture apparatus for which image capture data is needed and a location of the second image capture apparatus;

determine, by the first image capture apparatus, its location;

find, by the first image capture apparatus, whether the first image capture apparatus is within the range around the second image capture apparatus based on the location of the second image capture apparatus;

if the first image capture apparatus is within the range, start the image capture; and

provide image capture data to a processing service.