Mobile device management system

Abstract

A mobile device management system including a method for monitoring a remote video camera and event scheduling, synchronization and modification using location information. Video from a remote camera is encoded by a computer and streamed in real time over a network to a mobile device for decoding and display. The computer encoder and mobile device decoder are software-based. Event calendar and schedule information is incorporated, shared and automatically updated among multiple mobile devices. Location information, such as from a locator network or a satellite-based global positioning system, is used to provide real time updates to a mobile device calendar or event schedule. A map or other indicia of the location of other mobile devices may be provided.

1 . A wireless video monitoring system comprising: 
 a camera for capturing a live video image;    a computer coupled to the camera and comprising a software-based video encoder for encoding and streaming the video image; and    a mobile device comprising a software-based video decoder for receiving, decoding and displaying the video image.    
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a software-based video encoder for encoding and transmitting control information to the camera.  
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the control information controls basic camera functions.  
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the video images are encoded by the computer as multi-packet MPEG frames and streamed sequentially to the mobile device, and wherein the mobile device completes assembly of each received frame before signaling the computer to send the next frame.  
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device comprises a display configured to best take advantage of the available storage capacity of the mobile device.  
     
     
         6 . A method for wireless monitoring on a mobile device comprising: 
 receiving an encoded video stream from a remote camera;    decoding and displaying the video stream on the mobile device.    
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , and further comprising: 
 encoding control signals and transmitting the encoded control signals from the mobile device to the camera to control basic camera functions.    
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the encoded video stream comprises a real-time video feed.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the encoded video stream comprises a summary file of images containing significant activity.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the summary file contains images in which motion was detected.  
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the encoded video stream is received only when significant activity occurs and is accompanied by an alert to the user of the mobile device.  
     
     
         12 . An event management system for a mobile device comprising: 
 a calendar query module for obtaining calendar information from a second mobile device;    a location query module for obtaining location information from the second mobile device; and    an event scheduler for scheduling an event based on the location and calendar information obtained from the second mobile device.    
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the location query module comprises a GPS receiver.  
     
     
         14 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , and further comprising a display for displaying the relative proximity of the second mobile device.  
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , and further comprising an alert system for alerting a user of the mobile device when the second mobile device enters or leaves a pre-defined geographical area.  
     
     
         16 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , and further comprising a network of fixed location, short-range wireless devices for storing and tracking the location of the second mobile device when the second mobile device is not within the range of a conventional cellular or satellite communications network.  
     
     
         17 . A method for mobile device event management comprising: 
 obtaining calendar information with a first mobile device from a second mobile device;    obtaining location information with the first mobile device from the second mobile device; and    managing an event between the first and second mobile devices based on the obtained location and calendar information.    
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the managing step comprises: 
 scheduling an event with the first mobile device when the obtained location and calendar information indicates that the second mobile device is available for the event.    
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the managing step comprises: 
 analyzing the obtained location and calendar information to determine whether the second mobile device will be on time for an event scheduled with the first mobile device.    
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the relative proximity of the second mobile device is displayed on the first mobile device.  
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein an alert is issued on the first mobile device if it is determined that the second mobile device will not be on time for the scheduled event.  
     
     
         22  A mobile device management system comprising: 
 a wireless monitoring system for monitoring video feed from a remote camera, the monitoring system comprising means for receiving, decoding and displaying video feed from the remote camera; and  
 an event management system for managing events with other mobile devices, comprising means for obtaining calendar and location information from the other mobile devices.