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Some experts believe that this kind of "seek and destroy" approach may find a niche in the anti-piracy market. "You're going to see that [the Motion Picture Association of America] demands these types of things in theatres in the next few years," says Delp.
In fact, the film industry is looking at many different technologies to thwart people trying to record movies for bootlegging, says Brad Hunt, chief technology officer of the MPAA. "Camcorder piracy is a large problem for the industry, so we've been talking to a number of companies that have been developing anti-camcorder technologies," he says. "And the camcorder jamming technologies are the most interesting."
Delp also points out that the Georgia Tech team faces stiff competition, though, from other companies who have tackled the problem using similar approaches -- as well as a potential intellectual property issue. Apogen Technologies, a defense contractor, has developed a camcorder detection technology called PirateEye, and has also been working with the MPAA. Apogen's technology, says Greg Mooradian, the company's chief technology officer, is very similar to the Georgia Tech prototype. Although the two systems differ in the wavelength of light used to detect and jam, the technologies are similar enough that Apogen's patent counsel will be contacting the Georgia Tech team, he says.
To address these legal issues, Georgia Tech has hired a law firm to conduct a patent search, and a provisional patent was filed on the technology last October, Abowd says. The researchers are currently raising money for a startup based on their technology, and, if all goes well, they think they could deploy the technology within a few years for as little as a couple hundred dollars.
The group has already had preliminary discussions with the MPAA, says the association's Hunt, who believes they're on the right track. "I think the most intriguing thing about this type of approach -- the jamming approach -- is that it doesn't require an enforcement effort," he says, such as using an official to confiscate the camcorder. "It destroys the commercial value [of the bootlegged video] without disrupting the audience."
Guest (oyao)
Is this sounds bad news for those paparazzi? Since they cannot capture those pirate photo or video anymore. But as what Micheal suggested above, is just a matter of time for those people to figure out how to counter bac this type of device.
Seem there is everyone desire to intrude other people piracy. Then what shall we lay on for this problem? Education???
Guest (tj)
Great invention for nak robbers and other who want to thwart legitimate survallience cameras and perhaps a market to thwart the thwarters.
Guest (sentinelwolf)
But will it stop traffic cams?
Just kidding, oppressive local Big Brother law enforcement agaencies!
Guest (Artfldgr)
Nefarious applications will trump its good
Team of theives use it to enter areas that use cameras. they rely on the fact that when someone uses a camera, they are overconfident and dont spend on things that would work without a camera.
just the flashing white lite (or vibrating laser pointer), is enough and easy enough to set up to point into a camera lens from far away. once set up, no one would notice it, and the cameras are effectively disarmed.
think of all the art museums and such that use external cameras (which were always vulnerable to being knocked out any way. however this is very unobtrusive).
i will bet that even without the actual device being made, that there is some person out there willing to walk away with something now that they know how they can dissarm a camera from outside its view zone.
Re: Nefarious applications will trump its good
HELP, I have been years trying to get someone to listen to me that my cameras get shut down. I am a single 62 yr old woman that has spend a lot of money to protect my home and STILL Can't. In 1994, a man and his wife move next to me. He was in the Military as a high officer in Securities. His job was to disarm or distroy cameras. My house started getting broken into all the time. all christmas, tools, blankets , dishes all my nice things gone and my house was still locked up. I kept changing my locks and put deadbolts in and still could not keep them out. I also in 2001 , I put 12 cameras in on three DVR's to tape them. First all my Tapes would be gone and still no proof. Then my cameras started been burned up. I sent a couple back to company and they say they was burned up. I even quit my job to stay home and watch my home, but that did not do any good. I even changed locks again. This time got a lock that no locksmith can change. Now they keep trying to break into my new door. In June 2009, I again put up 3 cameras. all that I could afford. Iam on a small pension. Now when I leave, my cameras are shut down. example. Sun, when I go to church, they are shut down from 9am to 12 noon. Wed. Bible study , I leave about 6 Pm and home about 8:30 PM. I came home again this Wed and put in the time of 5pm to 8:30 and My cameras was down from 6:20pm to 8:15 PM. AS ALWAY down when I leave my home. My yard and everything is being torn up and still no proof. Do you have any answers for me. When I read your article, then I new someone would believe me.
Guest (VSo)
There is a simplier anti-camcorder technology. Visit www.peervision.com.
Guest (Fran Taylor)
How about using a film camera? Maybe those old James Bond Minox-C cameras will make a comeback.
Guest (Phil)
How about just detecting the camera and then alerting the usher or manager that someone is filming? No need for a technological solution to the actual filming part...
Guest (Allan Gillard)
It is always good when the predictions of science fiction are turned into reality - the Thunderbirds television series presented this capability over forty years ago !
Guest (peter ashworth)
it's indicative of the increasing negativity in todays society, that Gregory Abowd. thinks this is a good way to further push the frontiers of technology. I see ity differently, i see it as a wasteful use of resources, only there to aid those who have something to hide, and have the bucks to hide it. WHY, OH WHY, CAN'T PEOPLE LIKE ABOWD DO SOMETHING BENEFICIAL TO SOCIETY? like make those digital cameras BETTER.
Guest (Al)
Exactly. Especially considering that consumers are funding this kind of research. I guess the costs are in the ticket / cameras prices already. I guess some people will do anything for a buck or misunderstood "achievements".
Guest (xyz)
The technology already exists to beat this jamming system. Go to a professional photo shop, and buy yourself an IR filter and a photographic hood for your camera's objective. That's all you need. Let those retarded geeks at Georgia Tech think they accomplished something:)))
Guest (Gunnar Eriksson)
Good news for criminals or terrorists
If this Technology reaches the market, anyone with criminal intentions will be able to block or to take out cctv-cameras or any digital device guarding our recording our vauluables i.e. homes or premises, not to speak the implementation on the battlefield to counter high-tech armies equipped with digital tracking and observation devices.
Guest (xyz)
If you want to take out security cameras, you just have to shine a laser beam onto them. You can buy a laser pointer for $5 - but a "professional' would go for a more powerful laser - these are also widely avaliable to the public. The question is whether the security people will notice the camera blinding in time.
Please explain, I have cameras that keep getting shut down when I leave my driveway. When I am home they are working, when I leave , they are not.
earthlings-why-do-you-think-you-have-no-pictures-of-us -- that-is-because-we-always-make-sure-we-jam-you-(just-before-we-jam-it-to-you)
Please explain how you can shut down the cameras.
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Guest (Michael Braundar)
Counter-counter measures?
As with any technology, it will be only a matter of time before serious bootleggers adopt counter-measures to thwart the detect and destroy system. It would seem to be only a matter of optics and electronics, a challenge to anyone with a modicum of knowledge of electronic technologies.
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Guest (Mr.B)
Optics Alone can
With the advent of newer optic coatings that can filter out such white light and a few innovative means to adjust these optics to work with DVC's is not a problem. But my guess is why someone would want to buy a DVC copy of a movie taken in a dark theater is beyond me. Besides anyone knows the best way to stop theives as well as those annoying cell phones is to find a means to disable all electronic devices within the small area of the theater without damaging them in any way. Just the idea of device detection is good, at least that way they can be confiscated before they enter the room. All electronic devices emit a small EM field, why this can not be detected I do not know?
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Guest (david)
simple
actually it wouldn't seem to take much of anything to overcome this...... how about a number of cameras filming? how about dummy cameras that emit just the kind of infrared spectrum they are looking for, while the real camera in action doesn't.... but of course the real implications are... is the military or are the police working on this so there won't be "inconvenient" evidence of massacres, beatings etc.?
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Guest (Chris Rose)
easy
How about an infrared filter over the lens so there's no infrared signature?
This sort of technology bugs the hell out of me. Next, it'll be legally possible for someone to shutter your eyes and stopper your ears!
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Guest (Jonathan)
They already do that
You don't have to filter any IR or EMF's to expunge unflattering news. You just filter the information.
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