Researchers Working on Camera-Blocking Technology

Recently at the Georgia Institute of Technology, researchers completed a prototype device that locates digital cameras in a certain area and renders them unusable. They say this technology could be pivotal in preventing recording of copyrighted material, especially in movie theaters.

The device scans the area for certain sensors found in digital cameras that produce the image and then send a thin beam of white light at the sensor, obscuring the camera from seeing anything but the light.

The research team says they need to create a better, more efficient algorithm for the device, so that it doesn’t receive false signals from similar objects, like a bright earring. They also have not received enough funding at this point to go commercial just yet. But I wouldn’t be surprised if this surfaced in movie theaters across the country in 10 years’ time.

Of course, this would open the floodgate to all kinds of other, more annoying restrictions. Imagine Disney World installing an all-encompassing device like this, blocking your digital cameras so that they could force you to buy pictures directly from them. It would be tough to regulate this technology.





  1. soulxtc

    I wonder if it will affect the digital picture recroding / capture features of cell phones. If so it’ll certainly be guaranteed to piss off a whole lot of people especilally if it was a movie that really suckes like “the Lake House” or something……..

    Reply · Jun. 19 2006 at 8:37 pm
  2. shawners

    Yeah they would use them at concerts and in the movie theaters.. It will backfire. If it causes damage or battery drain or malfunctions.. Then shit will hit the fan.

    Reply · Jun. 19 2006 at 5:29 pm
  3. MP3Pr0

    Beaming white lights at photo sensors in movie theatres… that would just disrupt the movie for everyone. Real smart.

    Reply · Jun. 19 2006 at 5:19 pm
  4. inoesomestuff

    i guess back to the old non-digital cameras it will be it doesnt say anything about camcorders though and ppl will be using thoes for recording video

    Reply · Jun. 19 2006 at 3:50 pm
  5. mountain_rage

    For some reason im sure someone will come up with a way to trick the system. Its a smart technology but all things have their flaws and those flaws can and will be exploited.

    Reply · Jun. 19 2006 at 12:08 pm
  6. Unsueable Davey Brown

    Cops should carry these to avoid messy lawsuits like the Rodney King thing. They’d come in handy if you were going to rob a 7-11 too.

    Reply · Jun. 19 2006 at 11:48 am
  7. mdeveaux

    just needs a little mod and we can apply it to speed and toll cameras

    Reply · Jun. 19 2006 at 11:10 am

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