Infrared Image Projection for Camera Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of solid state imaging devices has led to a decline in revenue for venues like museums and theme parks, as visitors can easily capture high-quality images of displayed content using their devices, undermining the sale of photographs and other keepsakes.
Innovation Solution
Infrared image projection installations are used to obscure or degrade images captured by solid state imaging devices, either by illuminating the area with infrared light that is invisible to the human eye or by overlaying messages that spoil the image quality, thereby discouraging image capture while maintaining the visible experience for humans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If visible light is emitted from the display, then the image is visible to human viewers, but the image can be captured by solid state imaging devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system emits invisible infrared light that appears as a different color spectrum to imaging devices than to human eyes. The infrared emitters project content that is invisible to humans but visible to solid state imaging sensors, effectively creating a color/spectrum transformation that protects the visible image from being captured.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of light emission by using infrared wavelengths (invisible to humans) in addition to visible wavelengths. This parameter change allows the display to emit light that imaging devices can detect while maintaining human visibility of the intended content.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If infrared light is emitted to obscure the image, then image capture is discouraged, but the visible image remains unchanged for human viewers
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the light emission into different wavelength bands: visible light for human viewing and infrared light for imaging device obscuration. By separating these functions into different spectral segments, the system can protect the image from capture while maintaining normal visible display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror serves as an intermediary element that reflects visible light from the display while allowing infrared light to pass through or be emitted independently. This intermediary component enables the coexistence of visible display and infrared protection without direct interference between the two light paths.
3Illumination intensity
If a mirror is used to reflect visible light, then the display is visible, but the mirror may block infrared light from emitters
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror is positioned and oriented specifically to reflect visible light at certain angles while being transparent or non-obstructive to infrared light at different angles. This local quality differentiation in the mirror's optical properties allows simultaneous visible light reflection and infrared light transmission based on wavelength-specific behavior.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively discourages visitors from capturing high-value content with their imaging devices, potentially increasing sales of official photographs and enhancing the entertainment experience by providing unique, infrared-only content for imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror is positioned at an angle in front of a display such that visible light emitted from the display is reflected from the second side
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of invisible light emitters positioned in front of the second side that transmits the invisible light through the mirror from the second side to the first side
Implementation Method 3
the process bends at least one of the visible light and the invisible light such that the visible light and the invisible light are combined and directed at a viewing location
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror is at least partially transparent on a first side and at least partially reflective on a second side. The mirror is positioned at an angle in front of a display such that visible light emitted from the display is reflected from the second side. Further, the a plurality of invisible light emitters are positioned in front of the second side that transmits the invisible light through the mirror from the second side to the first side.