New Apple Patent Could Disable Phones Aimed At Stages

Apple’s newly-approved patent could allow your ability to record video on your phone to be impaired when detecting an infrared signal.

Reported by CNN and Patently Apple, this technology offers noticeable applications at entertainment venues such as concerts and movie theaters when recording is prohibited.

The patent details the process. In simple terms, the infrared signals are sent out in venues, i.e. from the stage or screen. Once the phone picks up these signals, the image on the phone would be altered or the video recording ability shut down completely. The phone’s functionality would not be affected if it was not directed towards the infrared signals. This would permit photos of the crowd, selfies, etc., as well as videos, to be taken in the venue.

The application could also be used to add content to the video, rather than shutting it down, by allowing information to appear on your phone about the subject matter being viewed once it detected the infrared signal.

In the past, recording concerts was mostly banned. Now, many artists value the benefit of fans capturing content and subsequently sharing on social media. These fans essentially become unpaid advertisers for the artist. However, other artists prefer to restrict photo and video recording in order to eliminate unauthorized distribution. Some feel recording a concert on a phone diminishes the value of the live experience.

With different views, it’s unclear at this time how Apple’s newly-approved patent will affect future live entertainment.