Controlling Use Of Devices In Large Restricted Areas
First Claim
1. A system covering a large area, said system comprising:
- a plurality of devices located in said large area, each device being designed to use an information signal according to the intended use of said information signal; and
a usage specification device sending a control signal which is designed to limit use of said information signal by said plurality of devices, wherein said control signal is sent on a wireless medium,said plurality of devices receiving said control signal, decoding the information in said information signal, and limiting use of said information signal according to said control signal,wherein the source of said information signal is physically separate from said usage specification device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A usage specification device is used to limit the use of information signals (audio, image, data) and to limit the output of disturbing signals (speaker, flash, light, RF transmission) in several devices in a large restricted area. For example, the usage specification device may transmit a certain type of control signal to disable image capture by camera-equipped portable/mobile devices, or it may transmit other types of control signals to disable audio capture or data capture by such devices. Similarly, the specification device may transmit a certain type of control signal to reduce the speaker volume on portable/mobile devices, or it may transmit other types of control signals to disable the flash, or minimize the intensity of light emitted by the display or restrict the transmission of RF signals from such devices. Due to such features, only undesirable features of portable/mobile devices may be prevented in restricted areas, while permitting other uses. According to another aspect, the device can be scanned by an external scanner for a built-in code, with the code indicating the specific type of capabilities the device has and the specific type of usage controls supported by the device. Accordingly, the owner of a premises may first scan a device to determine the specific capabilities and control features supported before permitting the device to be carried into the premises.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system covering a large area, said system comprising:
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a plurality of devices located in said large area, each device being designed to use an information signal according to the intended use of said information signal; and a usage specification device sending a control signal which is designed to limit use of said information signal by said plurality of devices, wherein said control signal is sent on a wireless medium, said plurality of devices receiving said control signal, decoding the information in said information signal, and limiting use of said information signal according to said control signal, wherein the source of said information signal is physically separate from said usage specification device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device comprising:
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a first interface block designed to control the manner in which a corresponding information signal is used; and a second interface block providing a code indicating whether said first interface block can be caused to limit use of said information signal in response to receiving a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of determining whether to permit a device in an area, said method comprising:
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subjecting said device to a scan operation; determining whether a code is received in response to said scan operation; examining said code to check whether said device would limit use of one or more information signals of interest upon receiving corresponding control signals; and permitting said device in said area only if said code is received and said code indicates that said device would limit use of one or more information signals of interest upon receiving corresponding control signals.
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Specification