Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for viewing video images. The method includes the steps of an input of a video server receiving indicia identifying an image source providing a sequence of video images of interest and requesting that notification be sent to a user of a wireless electronic device, pushing a notification of the identified source through a persistent connection to the user of a wireless electronic device in response to the request, a user input of the wireless electronic device receiving input accepting the notification and the wireless electronic device automatically launching a viewing application installed on the wireless electronic device in response to the acceptance, the viewing application downloading video images from the image source to the wireless electronic device for viewing.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a region and directly controlling objects in the region via a single interface are provided. The method includes displaying a video data stream on a viewing interface and controlling an object in a region via the viewing interface. The video data stream is associated with a data collection device monitoring the region, and the video data stream includes a representation of at least one object in the region that is displayed on the viewing interface.