Digital Camera Image Blocker Patented
February 02, 2005
Fort Collins, CO - Having covered a beautiful wedding ceremony, having taken lots of great video and digital still imagery, the videographer returns to the studio to check the results - only to find all the faces are blurry and unrecognizable!
Fact or fiction?
New technology being described by Hewlett-Packard could add circuitry to a digital camera that can blur any face captured in any image - by remote control!
The patent pending technology, credited to inventor Maurizio Pilu, is described as allowing someone who does not want their picture taken to use a device that ensures any camera or camera-equipped gadget in range only gets a fuzzy outline of the face.
In a U.S. patent filed almost two years ago but published last fall (United States Patent Application 20040202382), HP's Intellectual Property Administration describes a system that automatically modifies images based on commands sent by a remote device.
Although such a system, touted as allowing people to selectively choose to not heve their photo taken, may address security concerns that arise with camera-equipped mobile phones, it might also affect creator's rights and the otherwise appropriate activities of digital photographers and videographers.
The patent describes technology to be incorporated into both cameras and what is called an "image inhibitor module" that would transmit and receive signals that effectively say "No photos of me." The system would require that cameras register the inhibitor signal.
Reportedly, the in-camera technology includes sophisticated image-analysis software to identify faces that would be blurred or otherwise obscured.
According to reports, HP says it has no current plans to commercialize the technology without widespread adoption by camera manufacturers, and perhaps government mandates or financial assistance.
For more information, visit
www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html
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