Wouldnt a simple IR filter strapped to the camera lens neutralise the system?
The filters are really not that hard to get - most cheap webcams use one because their CCD are actually very sensitive to IRs
The filters are really not that hard to get - most cheap webcams use one because their CCD are actually very sensitive to IRs
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 picked up by the iPhone even if it was severely attenuated. At ~30fps, you can quickly get 100+ samples to cross-correlate with to search for the encoded 'disable' signal.
My gut feeling is that Apple patented this technology because it was low-hanging fruit. They saw they could roll it into a legitimate patent and prevent others from claiming it down the road. Still, I think it's worthwhile to send a quick letter to the powers that be to let them know we all disprove. If it does get implemented, the popularity of jailbreaking will move up another notch.
Unless they implement it at the hardware level.
How about IR filter + 555 timer connected to an IR LED near the camera lens. Filter down the unwanted IR signal, then wash it away with a flood of intermittent IR of your own.
At ~30fps, you can quickly get 100+ samples to cross-correlate with to search for the encoded 'disable' signal.
Can you explain how that works? I don't have a deep grasp of CCDs, so I don't understand how a signal like this could be encoded within a single 1/30 second frame. I thought that all pixels were captured simultaneously, is that not the case?
It would probably be titled 'Decensored' and accompanied by a spoof of the famous 1984 Super Bowl ad. Or, failing that, a guy in a shed with some IR filters, a pair of scissors, some Pritt Stick, and a dream.
That means that an IR filter physically placed in front of the objective would stop the secret signal but make the camera useless as well.
It would also make the camera useless in situations with low light or lit by e.g. fluorescent lights. I don't think that would fly.
---------IR Filter----------
------IR Light Ring-------
---------Camera----------
Besides which, when Apple adds features, they traditionally do so to benefit their users. I'd suggest that, even though they cite concert censorship as an example of use in the patent, that's probably a cover-all-bases addition; we're more likely to see an iPhone IR sensor that enhances the user experience rather than one that impedes it.