People filming live events with their phones — a sight very familiar to anyone who's been to a music concert, comedy or theatre show in recent years — could become much less common if Apple makes good on a newly-granted patent.
First applied for in 2011, the patent describes a system whereby a phone could receive and understand information from infrared emitters placed in public spaces, via its camera. The primary example given is an emitter placed on stage that would disable photography and recording on any phones pointed towards it.
While bad news for anybody wanting to save memories of seeing their favourite band or performer, such a system would be a boon for entertainment companies whose profits are eaten into by bootleg footage online — not to mention other patrons annoyed by constant flashes and and bright phone screens ruining their night.
High-profile entertainers clearly annoyed by the trend of film-happy audience members include Benedict Cumberbatch, who recently urged fans to stop filming his performances of Hamlet.
Apple is not alone in exploring solutions to the problem.
A firm called Yondr has developed a special bag which patrons would be asked to place their phones in upon entering a venue. The bag locks shut so long as it's within the venue, and can only be opened once the patron takes it outside. Fans were surprised to be given these bags at a series of Chicago shows by comedian Dave Chappelle last December. Alicia Keys also used the product at a concert.
Others have long experimented with software and hardware solutions, such as apps that lock certain functions of phones, or mobile jammers that disrupt phone use within a certain area (although the latter is illegal).
A key difference with Apple's proposed system, apart from the fact that it would only be applicable to punters with iPhones, is that it could be used for all manner of applications beyond the restriction of photography.
Another example shown in the patent application is an emitter placed alongside objects and displays in a museum. When observers point their phone camera at an exhibit, relevant information like titles or descriptions could be displayed.
