• Rockin’ Patent®: US Patent No. 8,848,059
• Filed: 2 December 2009
• In the name of: Apple, Inc (Assignee)
• Title: Systems and Methods for Receiving Infrared Data with a Camera Designed to Detect Images Based on Visible Light
• What’s claimed: “A method for controlling the operation of a device based on infrared data received with a camera of the device, the method comprising: detecting with the camera an image of at least one object based on visible light, wherein the detected image comprises an infrared signal with encoded data; determining with the device whether the detected encoded data comprises a disable command; and in response to a determination that the detected encoded data comprises the disable command, disabling with the device a record function of the device”.
• Why this patent rocks:
  • One of the features described in this patent is the ability to disable a recording function of a device (e.g. a mobile phone) in certain situations, e.g. at a concert.
  • As described in the patent “[infrared] transmitters 590 can be located adjacent to stage 580. Accordingly, when a device near stage 580 or pointed at stage 580 receives an infrared signal from transmitters 590, the [device] may be unable to capture pictures of videos because of a command encoded in the infrared signal… [Device] 510 may be unable to display or store images if the device has received a command to disable recording. In some embodiments, display 516 may provide indicator 521 to a user to convey that it has received a command to disable recording. For example, if a user selects a record function while that function is temporarily disabled, display 516 may provide a black screen with indicator 521 to notify the user that recording has been disabled”

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