Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are related to minimize data usage over a costly or slow communication link, this method allows a camera to stream only when a user or a plurality of users are actively watching the video. When the user(s) are not watching the video stream the stream is terminated preventing any further data usage on the metered data connection. The system may also include a user device and a back-end network with a stream manager service. The stream manager service terminates streaming over a wireless channel by an application of the user device when the user device determines one of inactivity of a user of the user device with the application or navigation on the user device away from the application.

Abstract: A camera system is provided. A system may include at least one camera, at least one storage device communicatively coupled and local to the at least one camera, and a modem communicatively coupled to the at least one storage device. The system may further include a server coupled to the modem and including an application program. The application program may be configured to periodically download an image from the at least one camera, enable one or more downloaded images being associated with a known time period to be displayed at an electronic device, and enable video based on a selected downloaded image to be displayed at the electronic device.