DETECTING AND THWARTING CONTENT SIGNALS ORIGINATING FROM THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES

• US 20080081552A1
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DigiMedia Tech, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Auctnyc 19 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: LIGHT, Elliott, Roberts, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 7,755,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91392 using means for preventing making copies of projected video images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection

Abstract

A system and method of detecting and thwarting the use of unauthorized imaging systems at theatrical performances. Sensors are deployed at a theatrical event to detect a focusing signal and/or the RF signal of an unauthorized imaging device. De-focusing signals are used to disrupt the auto focus system of imaging devices that do not use IR focusing systems. A thwarting signal comprising invisible light frequencies may be combined to produce a thwarting signal that is received by the CCD of an imaging device as white light thereby rendering the recorded image unusable. Emission signatures of imaging devices are stored in a datastore and distributed to users of thwarting systems via a network. Emission signatures are associated with thwarting signals to allow detection and thwarting systems to respond quickly to the use of an unauthorized imaging device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a sensor located in a theatrical performance venue;

a signal generator; and

a processor,

wherein the sensor is configured to detect RF noise emission within the theatrical performance venue and to generate a signal related thereto, and

wherein the processor is configured to receive the signal from the sensor, determine if the RF noise emission is indicative of a presence of an imaging device that has transmitted a content signal and, when so determined, actuate the signal generator to transmit a thwarting signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the content signal is a spread spectrum signal, a Bluetooth signal, an 802.11(x) signal, an amplitude modulated signal, or an FM modulated signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the theatrical performance venue is a space defined by side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface and the sensor is located on one or more of the side surfaces or the top surface.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the theatrical performance venue is an outdoor theater and the sensor is mounted on structures arranged spatially so as to sense an area occupied by an audience.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located in audience seating fixtures.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator is configured to generate the thwarting signal as (a) a noise signal, (b) an infrared signal, (c) an RF signal, (d) a signal visible to the imaging device but invisible to the human eye, (e) short duration pulses of visible light that are not visible to the human eye, (f) pulsed light comprised of both visible and invisible light, or (g) visible light having frequency, power, and pulse rate sufficient to saturate a CCD array in an imaging device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator is configured to transmit infrared and/or RF control commands to stop or interfere with the imaging device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator is configured to direct the thwarting signal (a) toward the imaging device, (b) onto a performance screen, or (c) outward from a performance area.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor location identifier that is associated with a location within the theatrical performance venue.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor uses the signal to determine a physical location of the imaging device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:

a location system; and

the sensor comprises a transceiver, comprising

an antenna;

a local receiver adapted for receiving RF noise emissions from the imaging device; and

a local transmitter adapted for sending RF noise emissions data to the location system in response to reception of the RF noise emissions by the local receiver,

wherein the location system locates the imaging device based on the RF noise emissions.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor uses the signal to approximate the location of the imaging device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor outputs an alert that the imaging device has transmitted a content signal.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors located in the theatrical performance venue.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises a plurality of signal generators located in the theatrical performance venue.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising another sensor that is located outside the theatrical performance venue and is configured to detect RF noise emission and to generate a signal related thereto to the processor.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the another sensor comprises a plurality of sensors located outside the theatrical performance venue.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a content signal datastore; and

wherein the processor is configured to characterize the signal as a content signal signature, associate the content signal signature with the thwarting signal, and store the content signal signature and the associated thwarting signal in the content signal datastore.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to actuate the signal generator to transmit the thwarting signal periodically or continuously.

20. A method comprising:

using a processor to determine whether RF noise emissions are indicative of a presence of an imaging device that has transmitted a content signal; and

upon successful determination, initiating transmitting of a thwarting signal from a signal generator to thwart the imaging device.

21. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon, the computer program logic comprising:

a module for determining whether RF noise emissions in a theatrical performance venue are indicative of a presence of an imaging device that has transmitted a content signal; and

a module for initiating transmitting of a thwarting signal from a signal generator to thwart an imaging device upon a successful determination.

22. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling at least one processor by a method comprising:

determining whether RF noise emissions in a theatrical performance venue are indicative of a presence of an imaging device that has transmitted a content signal; and

initiating transmitting of a thwarting signal from a signal generator to thwart an imaging device upon a successful determination.