Phone blocking beam to stop fans filming at concerts
Infrared Apple technology obstructs audience members who annoy others by taking video
THE nuisance of audience members ruining concerts and plays by recording them on their phones could soon be a thing of the past after Apple patented a technology that would allow venues to block the iPhone’s camera feature.
The invention uses an infrared beam to disable the ability to take photographs or video on mobile phones.
It has become a frustrating feature of the modern age for live events to be spoiled by a sea of screens as audience members record videos.
Apple’s patent, which illustrates how an iPhone could become temporarily disabled during a rock concert, would require an infrared transmitter to be installed at shows.
The document shows the transmitter, installed above the stage, beaming a signal to the audience. When an audience member attempts to take a photograph or video with their iPhone, the camera is deactivated, and the screen simply displays a “recording disabled” message. Alternatively a watermark or blur effect could be applied to discourage people from sharing their photos.
It is unclear whether Apple intends to apply the technology to the iPhone, since technology companies often patent inventions without using them, but clamping down on recording would be welcomed by many artists and venues.
The technology could also have other uses, such as preventing documents being surreptitiously photographed.
Many artists have become frustrated at footage of their concerts emerging on the internet, and the atmosphere of their shows being ruined by audience members concentrating on their phones. They often plead with people to put their devices away.
Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor, recently asked fans to stop filming while he performed in a production of
Hamlet in London, saying there was “nothing less supportive or enjoyable” than being distracted from the audience by lights.
Last month, Adele, the singer, told a female fan filming her during a concert in Italy to “enjoy it in real life rather than through your camera”. “This isn’t a DVD, this is a real show, and I would really like you to enjoy my show because there’s lots of people outside that couldn’t come in,” she said.
Others have turned to more inventive solutions. One company, Yondr, sells self-locking phone pouches, which are handed out to concert-goers on entry and can then only be unlocked by touching the pouch against a special disc when exiting the venue. The pouches have been used by artists including Alicia Keys and Guns ‘n’ Roses, as well as being tested in schools to prevent pupils fiddling with phones.
Another initiative used in cinemas and theatres has been to shine lasers on smartphone users, embarrassing them into putting their handsets away. The tactic has become popular in Chinese cinemas and was recently considered by London’s Jermyn Street Theatre, with its artistic director saying that somebody using a phone to record “makes you irrationally angry”.
If Apple’s technology is introduced, however, it could lead to fears that it could be exploited in other scenarios, for example by police forces or oppressive regimes to prevent brutality or crime being documented.
The patent also suggests the infrared technology could be used for other purposes such as transmitting supporting information to a smartphone for visitors to a museum exhibition.