Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Apple Patents Technology for Deactivating iPhone Cameras at Live Concerts

Apple Patent

Apple’s Patent – Block Camera Feature of iPhone


Now recording plays on phones would soon be a thing of the past since Apple has patented a technology that tends to block the camera feature of the iPhone. The invention of the company enables venues to utilise infrared beam to disable photography on devices, avoiding users from taking photos and videos. The California-based US firm company had been awarded the patent recently in the midst of mounting hindrance which intimates live events being ruined in various screens as the visitors record videos for the purpose of sharing them on social media.

A recent request had been made by actor Benedict Cumberbatch to fans to stop filming while he performed in Hamlet and Adele a pop singer had informed a female fan filming on her mobile at a concert in Italy to enjoy the same in real life instead of the camera. The patent of Apple explains how the iPhone would be temporarily disabled at the time of the rock event and would need an infrared transmitter to be installed during shows.

It states that `an infrared emitter can be located in areas where picture or video capture is prohibited and the emitter can generate infrared signals with encoded data which includes commands to disable the recording functions of devices. An electronic device can then receive the infrared signals and temporarily disable the recording function of the device, depending on the command’.

When Switched on – Phone Displays `Recording Disabled’


The patent states that when switched on, the phone seems to simply display a `recording disabled’ message when the audience members try to take images or videos. On the other hand, a watermark or blur effect could be applied to disappoint people from sharing them.It is not certain if Apple plans to apply the technology to the iPhone since companies regularly patent innovations without utilising them.

However, securing down on recording would be appreciated by several artists and venues. Besides this, other advantages comprise of shining lasers on visitors who use mobile phones at the time of the performances which has become a well-known approach in cinema in China and also adopted recently by London’s Jermyn Street Theatre.

Should the technology of Apple be introduced, it could lead to uncertainties that it could be utilised by oppressive regimes as well as law enforcement in avoiding citizensin documenting oppression. It is not known whether Apple intends to put the patent in use and the company has not commented in response for comment.

Concern on Technology Stating to be Indiscreet


Actors and musicians have been regularly complaining that the increasing use of mobile phones and selfie tend to stick at live performances and sharing the content through media sites for millions who did not really pay for the tickets. Several civil liberty advocates have conveyed their concern on the technology stating it to be indiscreet. They claimed that the same technology could be utilised in blocking out the covering of live protest by the activists. Though the technology would be focused on preventing copyright infringement, it would also come with additional advantage of improving the experience of concert going.

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