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 apparatus a trigger to begin image capture, wherein the trigger includes information indicating a range around a location for which image capture data is needed;

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 location for which image capture data is needed;

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 location for which image capture data is needed is a position of the second apparatus.

3. 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 apparatus; the location for which image capture data is needed; an alert type; an endpoint to report information to; a time of an event; the fixed duration; or a report timeslot.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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 apparatus a trigger to begin image capture, wherein the trigger includes information indicating a range around a location for which image capture data is needed;

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 location for which image capture data is needed;

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

provide image capture data to a processing service.

11. The first image capture apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the location for which image capture data is needed is a position of the second apparatus.

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

13. The first image capture apparatus of claim 10 , 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.

14. The first image capture apparatus of claim 13 , 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.

15. The first image capture apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the another image capture apparatus is within a predetermined distance of the first image capture apparatus.

16. The first image capture apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first image capture apparatus is affixed to a trailer or shipping container as part of a fleet management system.

17. The first image capture apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first image capture apparatus further reports a location of the first image capture apparatus to the processing service.

18. The first image capture apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the trigger is received based on the reported location of the first image capture apparatus.

19. 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 apparatus a trigger to begin image capture, wherein the trigger includes information indicating a range around a location for which image capture data is needed;

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 location for which image capture data is needed;

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

provide image capture data to a processing service.