Abstract:
A method of compromising an image received by an image recording device including the steps of projecting light that is invisible to the human eye toward the image recording device and receiving a portion of the light along with the image by the image recording device. The portion of the light causing a degradation of the image.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/533,642, entitled “IMAGE DEVICE JAMMING APPARATUS”, filed Dec. 31, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a device that degrades an image received by an image recording device, and, more particularly, to a light emitting jamming device.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Cameras, particularly digital cameras have benefited from the advances in technology to the point where such cameras are small in size and have a substantial picture storage capability. In the movie picture industry, for example, new releases of movies are often not available for purchase by the general public. This creates a market that is satisfied by black marketers who utilize digital camera technology to record a newly released movie in a theater and then utilize the captured image to duplicate and sell unauthorized copies to the public. This results in a loss of revenue to movie companies by reducing the number of individuals who will buy tickets to see the movie and it reduces the demand for video tapes and DVD&#39;s that are released at a later time.  
         [0006]     Additionally, owners of objects, such as paintings, often post signs that their art work is not to be photographed. However, it is difficult to prevent small digital cameras from being utilized to take undesired and unauthorized photographs of protected objects.  
         [0007]     Unauthorized photographing of copyrighted materials constitutes a violation of rights retained by the owners of the objects and/or images. Law enforcement agencies have groups of officers that are dedicated to stop the copying and distribution of these illegal copies. Such an effort is directed toward the individuals that are duplicating the stolen images.  
         [0008]     What is needed in the art is a method to make the pirated images less marketable to thereby dissuade the capturing of the images in an unauthorized manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides an image device jamming apparatus and method, which is utilized to render an image recorded by a digital camera to be degraded in quality in some fashion.  
         [0010]     The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a method of compromising the functioning of an image recording device including the steps of projecting light upon an object, the light being invisible to the human eye and receiving an image of the object along with at least a portion of the light by an image recording device, the portion of the light altering the image recorded by the image recording device.  
         [0011]     An advantage of the present invention is that the image, as viewed by the human eye, is not altered by the method.  
         [0012]     Another advantage of the present invention is that it takes advantage of the digital camera&#39;s sensitivity to invisible light.  
         [0013]     Yet another advantage is that the present invention can be incorporated with currently utilized technology in movie theaters.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematical view of one embodiment of the jamming apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematical view of another embodiment of the jamming apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematical view of yet another embodiment of the jamming apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematical view of an application of the jamming apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a view of an image of an object shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates an image received by an image recording device of the object in  FIGS. 1-4  as modified by a jamming apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a schematical view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a portion of a projection screen as shown in  FIG. 4 ; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention with light transmitting devices embedded into the screen of  FIGS. 4 and 7 . 
     
    
       [0023]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an embodiment of an image jamming apparatus  10  of the present invention, which generally is situated and oriented relative to an object  12  and an imaging device  14 . An operator of imaging device  14 , also known as camera  14 , and more particularly a digital camera  14 , orients the lens thereof towards an object  12  in order to photograph object  12 . The photographic terminology utilized herein is intended to include still photograph and video recording methods. The operator of camera  14  orients the lens thereof so that light  16  from object  12  enters through the optics of camera  14  to form an image therein. Jamming device  10  emits a light beam  18 , which is invisible to the human eye. Light beam  18  is scanned in a pattern  20  in a direction in which it is considered likely that a photograph will be taken from. Light beam  18  may be an infrared light, which enters the optics of camera  14  and thereby distorts, degrades or conveys a message on top of the image of object  12  taken by camera  14 . As way of illustration,  FIG. 5  illustrates an image  26  of object  12  that is perceived by the human eye.  FIG. 6  illustrates an image taken by camera  14  in which a message has been superimposed upon image  26  indicating that the image is protected by I.R. light. Alternative to the text message illustrated in  FIG. 6 , may distort the image recording devices capabilities causing a light blooming or other distortion of image  12 , thereby degrading the recorded image and reducing its usefulness to the operator of camera  14 .  
         [0025]     The reference numbering scheme utilized herein retains the two least significant digits for similar items in the embodiments illustrated herein.  
         [0026]     Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention, which is substantially similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 1 . However, jamming apparatus  110  detects the presence of camera  114  either by way of human intervention or an automatic detection device and directs an invisible light beam  118  towards the optics of camera  114 . This serves to degrade the image of object  112  that is received by way of light  116  by camera  114 . The advantage of this embodiment of the present invention is that a less intense light  118  is utilized since the full energy is directed directly to the optics of camera  114 .  
         [0027]     Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the present invention, where jamming apparatus  210  directs light  218 , which is invisible to the human eye, toward object  212 . Camera  214  is taking a photograph of object  212  by way of light  216 , which is visible light that is reflected from object  212 . Infrared light  218  is also reflected off of object  212  and is received by camera  214 . The image visualized by the human eye is illustrated in  FIG. 5  in the form of image  26  of object  212 . Camera  214  receives light  216  and light  218  to generate an image  28  along with image  26 . Image  28  is either a symbol, a text message and/or a distorting light, which simply distorts image  26 . Text message  28  can convey information that the image is protected by law to dissuade the copying of the image received by camera  214 . Light beam  218  may be scanned or projected upon object  212  in manners known in the art for visible light.  
         [0028]     Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated jamming apparatus  310 , an image  312  and a camera  314 . Image  312  is projected by projector  322  onto projection screen  324 , as in a movie theater. Light beam  318  is directed towards projection screen  324  and is reflected therefrom, some of the light being received by camera  314 . Light beam  318  may be scanned and/or projected in a fashion known in the art relative to visible light. The application of light beam  318  to screen  324  produces an image  28 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 6 , which is detectable by camera  314 . Digital camera  314 , by its nature, is sensitive to infrared light, which is not visible to the human eye. The sensitivity relates to the solid state detection device utilized by camera  314 . As an audience views images on screen  324  they are unaware of the infrared message being painted upon screen  324 , which is being detected by camera  314 . The detected message by camera  314  indicates that the image being photographed is being copyrighted, or otherwise protected by law. Alternatively, light beam  318  may be a projection of a pattern causing great distortion of image  312  as it is received by camera  314 .  
         [0029]     Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8  there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  illustrates light emitting apparatuses  430  on a portion of screen  424 , as in this example forming a letter ‘T’. Light emitting apparatuses  430  are attached to, or installed upon, screen  424 . Light emitting apparatuses  430  may be light emitting diodes installed in screen  424  or optically infrared transmittable lenses or openings allowing infrared light to pass from screen  424  in a general direction towards camera  314 . Additionally, light emitting apparatuses may be in the form of fiber optics as shown in  FIG. 8 , which are coupled to a light source  434 . Fiber optic links  432  are installed into screen  424  thereby transmitting light from light emitting apparatuses  430 . Alternatively, an infrared photo-fluorescent material can be placed on screen  324 , which operates to receive visible light and then convert its energy and retransmit it at infrared light wavelengths. Light emitting apparatuses  430  are arranged to form a symbol or a message on screen  324 , which is not visible to the human eye, yet conveys a message to camera  314  regarding the protection of the image on screen  324 .  
         [0030]     The present invention advantageously protects images from unauthorized recording to thereby protect valuable intellectual property rights of the owners of the objects and images, which are the subject of protection. While the embodiments illustrated herein are directed to objects and images, the protection can additionally be utilized in other areas such as in court rooms where photographs may be prohibited by court order and yet enforced by one of the embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0031]     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.