Apple Files U.S. Patent Application (#20110128384) to Disable iPhone's Video Cameras at Live Events

The above red apple isn't Apple's logo, but I don't have the money for a license or an ample fair use argument at this time.

Apple Files Patent to Disable iPhone's Video Cameras at Live Events (App. 20110128384)

There is no guarantee that this patent will ever issue, but technology companies typically file patent applications for technologies where patents will never issue. This application was filed by Apple on December 2, 2009. You can read the patent (Application #20110128384) at the USTPO entitled - Systems and Methods for Receiving Infrared Data with a Camera Designed to Detect Images Based on Visible Light.

1. A method for using a camera, comprising: using the camera to detect an image based on at least visible light; determining whether the image includes an infrared signal with encoded data; in response to determining that the image includes an infrared signal with encoded data, routing at least a portion of the image to circuitry operative to decode the encoded data in the infrared signal; and in response to determining that the image does not include an infrared signal with encoded data, routing the image to a display operative to display the image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein routing at least a portion of the image to the circuitry comprises routing only the infrared signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein only images that do not include an infrared signal with encoded data are routed to the display.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: decoding the encoded data in the infrared signal; and modifying a device operation based at least on the decoded data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein modifying a device operation comprises applying a watermark to a detected image.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein modifying a device operation comprises disabling a device function...

One key portion of the patent's claims is the part where the iPhone's camera may be potentially disabled via infrared technology at live events.

Anybody holding up their iPhone will find it triggers infra-red sensors installed at the venue.

These sensors would then automatically instruct the iPhone to shut down its camera function, preventing an footage from being recorded.

Source: The Daily Mail