Detecting and thwarting imaging systems at theatrical performances

• US 7,020,383 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2005
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DigiMedia Tech, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Robelight LLC
• Inventors: Roberts, Jon L., Light, Elliott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): YAM, STEPHEN K
• Application Number:
  US11/122,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20050194522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/208.2, 250/208.4, 352/38, 352/39, 380/201, 353/122, 353/90, 353/34, 386/94, 360/60, 348/744, 340/539.1
• US Class Current: 386/248
• 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.

Claims

1. A thwarting system for preventing the pirating of a theatrical experience comprising:

a processor; and

a sensor arranged spatially proximate to an area wherein the theatrical experience is taking place and connected to a thwarting system network, wherein the sensor is adapted to;

detect RF noise emission data from the area in which the theatrical experience is taking place; and

send the RF noise emission data to the processor; and

wherein the processor is connected to the network and adapted to;

receive the RF noise emission data-from the sensor;

determine if the RF noise emission data is indicative of the presence of an imaging device; and

if the RF noise emission data are indicative of the presence of the imaging device,

initiate a remedial action.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a thwarting signal generator and wherein the remedial action comprises commanding the thwarting signal generator to transmit a thwarting signal for disrupting the imaging system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further adapted to characterize the emission data received as an emission signature of the imaging device and to associate the emission signature with the thwarting signal.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the system thrther comprises an emission signature datastore comprising emission signatures, and wherein the processor is farther adapted to store the emission signature and the associated thwarting signal in the emission signature datastore.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the thwarting signal generator comprises an RF thwarting signal generator.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the thwarting signal generator comprises an IR thwarting signal generator.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the thwarting signal generator comprises a visible light pulse signal generator having a pulse rate, wherein the pulse rate renders the light pulse signal undetectable to a human observer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the area wherein the theatrical experience is taking place is a room and the sensor is located on the interior walls defining the room.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the area wherein the theatrical experience is taking place is an outdoor theater and the sensor is mounted on structures arranged spatially so as to sense the area occupied by an audience.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises a computer program for determining the location of the imaging system from which the emission emanates.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is adapted to receive radio frequency emissions and is located in audience seating fixtures.

12. A method of detecting the pirating of a theatrical experience comprising a sensor located proximate to an area in which the theatrical experience is taking place, the method comprising:

receiving at the sensor RF noise emission data from the area in which the theatrical experience is taking place;

receiving at a processor the RF noise emission data from the sensor;

determining at the processor whether the RF noise emission data are indicative of the presence of an imaging system; and

initiating a remedial action if the RF noise emission data are indicative of an imaging system.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the initiating a remedial action comprises automatically generating a thwarting signal for disrupting the imaging system.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising characterizing the RF noise emission data received by the processor.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising using the characterized RF noise emission data to generate a thwarting signal particular to the characterized auto focus emission.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the automatically generating the thwarting signal for disrupting the imaging system comprises generating an RF thwarting signal.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the automatically generating the thwarting signal for disrupting the imaging system comprises generating an IR thwarting signal.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the automatically generating the thwarting signal for disrupting the imaging system comprises generating a pulsed visible light thwarting signal.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises determining the location of the source of the emissions data received by the sensor.

20. A method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience, wherein a thwarting signal generator is located proximate to an area in which a theatrical experience is taking place, the method comprising:

detecting RF noise emissions indicative of the presence of an imaging device within the area in which the theatrical experience is taking place using a sensor arranged spatially proximate to an area wherein the theatrical experience is taking place; and

emitting a thwarting signal that is visible to an imaging system but that is not visible to the human eye.

21. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal that is visible to an imaging system but that is not visible to the human eye comprises emitting a thwarting signal that is in the infrared region of the spectrum.

22. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal that is visible to an imaging system but that is not visible to the human eye comprises emitting a thwarting signal comprising a short duration visible light signal not visible to the human eye.

23. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal comprises emitting the thwarting signal from a thwarting signal generator attached to on-stage equipment.

24. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal comprises emitting the thwarting signal from a thwarting signal generator attached to the periphery of a stage.

25. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal comprises emitting the thwarting signal from a thwarting signal generator positioned behind a screen.

26. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal that is visible to an imaging system comprises emitting a thwarting signal to a still photo camera.

27. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal that is visible to an imaging system comprises emitting a thwarting signal to a moving picture camera.

28. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal that is visible to an imaging system comprises emitting a thwarting signal to a CCD array camera.

29. The method of thwarting the pirating of a theatrical experience of claim 20, wherein said emitting the thwarting signal that is visible to an imaging system comprises emitting a thwarting signal to an imaging cellular telephone.

30. A method for interfering with an imaging system involved in pirating a theatrical experience comprising:

detecting RF noise emissions indicative of the presence of an imaging device within the area in which the theatrical experience is taking place using a sensor arranged spatially proximate to an area wherein the theatrical experience is taking place; and

emitting a thwarting signal of a short duration visible light signal not visible to the human eye, wherein the thwarting signal is varied in intensity.