Video analytics with pre-processing at the source end

1. A method comprising:

receiving video data at a source end, the video data including video data relating to an event of interest captured using a video camera disposed at the source end;

pre-processing the video data comprising performing first video analytics on the video data using a first processor disposed at the source end, the first video analytics for detecting the event of interest in a portion of the video data;

in dependence upon detecting the event of interest in the portion of the video data, transmitting pre-processed video data comprising the portion of the video data, via a Wide Area Network (WAN), from the source end to a second processor connected to the WAN;

transmitting with the portion of the video data at least a pre-processing result other than the pre-processed video data itself;

using the second processor, interpreting the pre-processing result and selecting second video analytics processing based on a result of the interpreting; and

performing the second video analytics processing on the portion of the video data, the second video analytics for determining predetermined information relating to the event of interest.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein transmitting the at least a pre-processing result comprises inserting metadata into the transmission of the portion of the video data.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the metadata is descriptive of a type of the event of interest detected during the pre-processing.

4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the metadata specifies a particular video analytics engine to be used to perform additional video analytics processing of the pre-processed video data.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the second video analytics processing selected by the second processor is fee-per-use-based or subscription based.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a bandwidth requirement for transmitting the portion of the video data is less than a bandwidth requirement for transmitting the received video data absent pre-processing thereof.

7. A method according to claim 1 , comprising providing a real-time indication of the results of the second video analytics processing.

8. A method according to claim 1 , comprising providing the results of the second video analytics processing to another video analytics engine.

9. A method according to claim 1 , comprising generating a signal for performing a predetermined action in response to the second video analytics determining the predetermined information relating to the event of interest.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the signal is for generating an alert.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein the alert is a human intelligible alert provided to an indicated user.

12. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the alert is provided via a wireless communications channel to a portable electronic device associated with the indicated user.

13. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the signal is for forwarding at least a portion of the video data for review by a human operator.

14. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the signal is for storing at least a portion of the video data.

15. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the signal is for providing at least a portion of the video data to another video analytics engine for further processing.

16. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the signal is for billing for usage of a fee-based video analytics engine.