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A method for providing video images to a remote viewer using a video communication system, comprising: operating aa video communication client in a local environment connected by a communications network to a remote viewing client in a remote viewing environment; capturing video images of the local environment; analyzing the captured video images with the video analysis component to detect ongoing activity within the local environment; characterizing the detected activity within the video images with respect to attributes indicative of remote viewer interest; determining whether acceptable video images are available; receiving an indication of whether the remote viewing client is engaged or disengaged; and transmitting the acceptable video images of the ongoing activity to the remote viewing client if the remote viewing client is engaged, or alternately, if the remote viewing client is disengaged, recording …