Apple Granted Patent to Block Video Recording & Photos at Music Events

When attending clubs and festivals in this era of technology, too many people are more engaged with recording the event on their mobile devices as opposed to actually experiencing it live. Apple has been seeking since 2011 to solve this problem with a patent, and the patent was granted yesterday. In order to stop both moving and still photography, the camera would detect an infrared signal and interpret the data. The signal could be used to disable video recording and still photos. This technology could also be used to prevent still photography in ‘No Photography’ locations and video recording in movie theaters.

Apple explains as follows: “For example, 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 that includes commands to disable the recording functions of devices. An electronic device can then receive the infrared signals, decode the data and temporarily disable the device’s recording function based on the command.”

The technology also has some more positive uses such as automatically displaying information about what is being photographed or viewed.

Apple describes “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.”

No matter how you feel about the patent, it’s interesting that Apple is exploring this technology!