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Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

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Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#51

Post by antihero »

Tyrannosaurs wrote: post #43
pavel_lishin wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reality check: at least at first, this would likely only exist on the iPhone.

That's the problem - if it only existed on the iPhone you basically have no significant suppression, particularly once it's known. Going to a protest, take your Flip, your camera, your Android phone, whatever. Unless it's almost universal there's little or no point. And Apple just patented it so no-one else can implement it....

And most handsets can be rooted/jailbroken to disable said features anyway.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#52

Post by antihero »

scelerat wrote: post #45
Tyrannosaurs wrote: post #42

The thing about this which makes me think it wouldn't be something Apple would implement is that Apple's priority (after doing what's right for Apple) is what's best for the user over what's best for third parties (most notably the networks when they launched the iPhone, stopping their "value add" customisations) and it's hard to see how using this technology to implement a kill switch benefits the user. Even Apple's…

My fear would be some consortium of big-box retailers, the MPAA, police unions, and fearful save-the-children groups lobbying congress to create laws requiring the inclusion of such turn-off features in all cameras. Possibly paranoid, but not exactly far-fetched. See: Communications decency act; DMCA. I agree, photo crippling features seem hardly in Apple's interest.

Perhaps then people would consider rioting. Probably not, seeing as the critical aspect the average person is essentially neutralised if they have been appeased by gadgets and cheap entertainment.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#53

Post by mortenjorck »

vacri wrote: post #3
gaius wrote: post #2

Maybe they patented it to stop anyone from implementing it, did you think of that?

After all, Apple does have a strong tradition of altruism!

Apple has a strong tradition of making the best possible user experience. Imagine the following scenario:

1. Sony Ericsson invents the camera-disabling technology instead of Apple. Pressure from Sony Pictures results in its implementation in a new SE Android phone.

2. The MPAA catches on and begins requiring theaters to install the technology while lobbying for laws that require it to be implemented on phones and cameras sold in the US.

3. Other mobile manufacturers start implementing the technology just in case the MPAA's lobbying succeeds, and to maintain relationships with content providers.

4. Apple, despite really not wanting to damage the user experience of its phones, is forced to implement the technology as well, as the industry has mostly adpoted it and Apple's content partners are using this as leverage in negotiating iTunes deals.

And so here we have the alternative, where Apple has foreseen this and patented the technology to keep the industry from adopting it and forcing Apple to make a less-enjoyable product.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#54

Post by sixtofour »

scelerat wrote: post #45
Tyrannosaurs wrote: post #42

The thing about this which makes me think it wouldn't be something Apple would implement is that Apple's priority (after doing what's right for Apple) is what's best for the user over what's best for third parties (most notably the networks when they launched the iPhone, stopping their "value add" customisations) and it's hard to see how using this technology to implement a kill switch benefits the user. Even Apple's…

My fear would be some consortium of big-box retailers, the MPAA, police unions, and fearful save-the-children groups lobbying congress to create laws requiring the inclusion of such turn-off features in all cameras. Possibly paranoid, but not exactly far-fetched. See: Communications decency act; DMCA. I agree, photo crippling features seem hardly in Apple's interest.

1. Patent something that appeals to government and other control freaks.

2. Watch the technology become mandatory by law.

3. Profit.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#55

Post by mirkules »

epochwolf wrote: post #48
pavel_lishin wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! It's kind of ridiculous that I have to dig through a Japanese-language-only website to find a Beta software to simply control the fact that my computer moos like a cow with intestinal distress every time it boots up.

If you mute the computer before rebooting, it doesn't make any noise.

This works in Snow Leopard (and possibly Leopard), but in Tiger it definitely didn't work.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#56

Post by kragen »

Joakal wrote: post #18
jcromartie wrote: post #7

I could see police lobbying to have this kind of technology required in all mobile devices. Just look at the DMCA and how it is used to enforce anti-consumer technologies like region coding. However, the IR technology described in the patent is so easily circumvented that it's hardly worth anything. So, that's good news if our country takes another (probably unsurprising) huge step in the dystopian direction.

It's already mandatory (Korea/Japan) for phones to make sounds when taking a picture. It's one of the aims to curb perverts. [0] [0] https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Camera_phone#...

It is not, however, mandatory that they continue to make sounds when they are recording video.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#57

Post by jrockway »

pavel_lishin wrote: post #23
Construct wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It depends on 1) the IR attenuation of the filter and 2) the sensitivity of the camera element to IR. IR filters can only attenuate incoming IR so much while still allowing nearby red wavelengths through. And any filter will have a non-flat response through the visible wavelengths, slightly distorting the color response of your photos. A properly coded IR signal from the transmitting 'disabler' device could still be…

> If it does get implemented, the popularity of jailbreaking will move up another notch. Unless they implement it at the hardware level.

If only there were multiple suppliers of mobile phones.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#58

Post by jerf »

ghurlman wrote: post #50
pyre wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> And Apple just patented it so no-one else > can implement it.... [citation needed]

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Se...

I think it may have been an observation that patents can be licensed. Having a patent doesn't mean nobody else will implement it.

Further, if a government requires it, they'll do whatever it takes to make sure you will include it. If that means legislatively nulling the patent, they'll do it.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#59

Post by camiller »

sixtofour wrote: post #54
scelerat wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My fear would be some consortium of big-box retailers, the MPAA, police unions, and fearful save-the-children groups lobbying congress to create laws requiring the inclusion of such turn-off features in all cameras. Possibly paranoid, but not exactly far-fetched. See: Communications decency act; DMCA. I agree, photo crippling features seem hardly in Apple's interest.

1. Patent something that appeals to government and other control freaks. 2. Watch the technology become mandatory by law. 3. Profit.

Worked for the SawStop, oh wait, no it didn't. Despite their intense lobbying to get congress to mandate that all table saw manufactures use their patented tech, congress never went for it.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#60

Post by albemuth »

mortenjorck wrote: post #53
vacri wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After all, Apple does have a strong tradition of altruism!

Apple has a strong tradition of making the best possible user experience. Imagine the following scenario: 1. Sony Ericsson invents the camera-disabling technology instead of Apple. Pressure from Sony Pictures results in its implementation in a new SE Android phone. 2. The MPAA catches on and begins requiring theaters to install the technology while lobbying for laws that require it to be implemented on phones and cam…

Another scenario: Certain venues will not allow mobile devices unless they have iDisable technology. That's a win for the user I guess...
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