According to an article posted in 9to5Mac today one of Apple’s patents which is on file at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is for a system that will make a device respond to infrared messages beamed at it and detected when using its camera (still or video). Sounds cool right? The idea according to speculation by “Patently Apple” blog is so that the device can act as a digital “tour guide or retail assistant”. I assume they mean that locations will have the infrared lights shining at all times (or maybe by the push of a button?) and when a person stands in front of it they view it through their device’s camera which then scans the infrared light and gets some data telling the phone to do certain things - be it open a webpage download a picture or video or open an app. Sounds really cool but I almost don’t see the point because we already have QR codes, standard barcodes, Google Goggles, and other augmented reality tools that do not rely on an infrared broadcast to activate the system and can be used by anyone with an app for it across all platforms.

9to5Mac, however, mentions a more nefarious plot at play with this patent. They point to the picture and parts of the patent application document, both of which I have inserted below, and say that the invention is a way to please Hollywood studios and bigwigs as well as the record labels who are the ones providing iTunes with so much valuable content. Reading the patent application it is clearly stated that the system will be used to prevent people from recording or photographing certain situations with their iOS devices. This means that if a band is playing a concert and their record label doesn’t want you videoing it or you go to a movie theater and they don’t want you to be able to release footage on the internet they can just turn on this infrared light before the show and when you point your iOS device (of the future, this does not include any of the released ones) at the stage or screen your iOS device simply will not record and will not let you save pictures. The invention according to the patent application is called “Systems and Methods for Receiving Infrared Data With a Camera Designed to Detect Images Based on Visible Light” and goes by number 20110128384 in the USPTO database.

In reference to the above picture here is what the patent has to say:

“In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, transmitters 590 can be located adjacent to stage 580. Accordingly, when a device near stage 580 or pointed at stage 580 receives an infrared signal from transmitters 590, the devices may be unable to capture pictures of videos because of a command encoded in the infrared signal.

Device 510 can be an electronic device with a camera…

For example, device 510 can include a camera (not shown) for capturing images based on visible light as well as images that include an infrared signal with encoded data. Device 510 can include display 516 and any other suitable electronic device components.

As previously discussed, the ability of device 510 to capture pictures or videos may be disabled based on a command encoded in an infrared signal. Accordingly, device 510 may be unable to display or store images if the device has received a command to disable recording. In some embodiments, display 516 may provide indicator 521 to a user to convey that it has received a command to disable recording. For example, if a user selects a record function while that function is temporarily disabled, display 516 may provide a black screen with indicator 521 to notify the user that recording has been disabled.”

What I am wondering is why Apple would want this to be patented? If I were a record label or Hollywood studio bigwig wouldn’t I want this system to be in place on all devices and not just Apple devices? Is it because Apple wants to make their devices, media service, and platform more attractive to Hollywood and record labels so they can get extra special treatment for being a team player? Are they hoping that the media industries will pressure Apple competitors to adopt this system and therefore have to license it from Apple? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

For More Info:

9to5Mac article here

Patently Apple post here

Apple’s Patent at USPTO database number 20110128384 here