There’s a rising epidemic with cellular devices. We are so hooked to our phones nowadays, it makes you wonder if we really live in the moment. Everyone is taking pictures, recording videos, checking-in on Facebook, snap chatting, Instagram, etc, that we forget what’s truly important. This discussion comes up often after attending concerts and music festivals, and even museums. Not only are fans saving memories with their own photos, renditions of live songs and videos, but it’s taking away from artists’ sales, values, and even sometimes morals.
Apple wants to put a stop to this and defend artists everywhere. They’ve come out with a patent that would regulate your iPhone’s picture and video taking ability in designated areas. An alternative option is commanding the photo or video to apply a watermark.
The way it will work is by using the phone’s camera to detect an infrared signal filled with data. Don’t be too disappointed though because these infrared signals can also enhance your experience by sending information about objects detected.
This is how the patent is described:
“In some embodiments, a device may apply a watermark to detected images as an alternative to completely disabling a recording function. For example, a device may receive infrared signals with encoded data that includes a command to apply a watermark to detected images. In such an example, the device may then apply the watermark to all detected images that are displayed or stored (e.g., single pictures or frames of a video).”
“An infrared emitter can be located near an object and generate infrared signals with encoded data that includes information about that object. An electronic device can then receive the infrared signals, decode the data and display the information about the object to the user.”
What do you think about this patent and do you think it’s taking away our rights?
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