WO2017141062A1

WO2017141062A1 - Security device and method for displaying motion picture

Info

Publication number: WO2017141062A1
Application number: PCT/HU2017/000005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dániel BAKOS
Original assignee: Bakos Dániel
Priority date: 2016-02-15
Filing date: 2017-01-27
Publication date: 2017-08-24
Also published as: HUP1600089A2

Abstract

The invention is a security device for displaying motion picture, comprising a first camera (21 ) adapted for monitoring at least a portion of a screen (12) of a visual display unit (10) and a second camera (22) adapted for monitoring an auditorium., The security device comprises - a camera unit (20) adapted to be located at a fixed position with respect to the screen (12), the first camera (21) and the second camera (22), oriented differently than the first camera (21), being mounted inside the camera unit (20), - computer means adapted for communication with the first camera (21) and the second camera (22), - video signal transfer means adapted for transferring a video signal to an input of the visual display unit (10), the video signal transfer means being connected to the computer means, - a position sensor module adapted for sensing a relative position of the camera unit (20) based on detecting by the first camera (21) an image displayed on the screen (12), the image being displayed by the video signal sent by the computer means via the video signal transfer means, and - a module adapted for detecting by the second camera (22) light originating from the displayed image and reflected off the auditorium as a change in light intensity, and thereby for checking that the second camera (22) has a view of the auditorium. Furthermore, the invention is a security method carried out with the above device.

Description

SECURITY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING MOTION PICTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a security device and method for displaying a motion picture. The invention particularly relates to a security device and method allowing for verifying compliance with copy protection and authorization rules.

BACKGROUND ART Showing films, especially film premieres at home, in cinemas or other locations entails the fundamental problem of copy protection and authorization. The prior art includes a number of technical solutions for providing security to this effect.

US 5,959,717 discloses a solution wherein for copy protection and anti-theft purposes additional information is projected applying an additional projector over a subarea of a projected film image. The system can also be applied for the recognition of additional information projected on the screen such that the projected image or a subarea thereof is captured. According to the document the audience may also be simultaneously monitored, by way of example in order to determine the number of viewers.

According to the solution disclosed in US 2004/0061676 A1 , an additional pattern of infrared light is projected on the projected film image, with infrared sensors being arranged in the seating area of the cinema. If a violation of anti-piracy rules is indicated, the film projector is shut down.

According to the solution described in US 6,809,792 B1 , for copy protection a special "watermark" is applied to the projected image. This pattern cannot be sensed by the viewers but can be captured with a camera.

According to US 2006/0262280 A1 identification information adapted to be detected e.g. for copy-protection purposes, is projected on the displayed image. According to the technical solution disclosed in US 2007/0013778 A1 the presence of a camera capable of making a pirated copy of the motion picture being shown is detected in the audience. The solution is based on preferably detecting signals emitted by the camera (autofocus), or detecting the image of the camera or lens.

The technical solution according to US 2010/0321493 A1 involves the remote monitoring of the projected image and the audience, partly for copy-protection purposes. According to the solution disclosed in DE 10 2004 023 800 A1 , optical information is added to a projected image that is undetectable by the human eye but interacts with portable electronic camcorder equipment. The solution also involves detecting capture devices in the auditorium. The common drawback of prior art solutions is that they do not provide for the verification of the stationary (i.e. non-displaced) position and the verification of the view of the security device, and that they cannot provide anti-sabotage protection in case the device is utilized for home application. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problem to be solved by the invention is to reduce or eliminate the drawbacks of prior art solutions to the greatest possible extent. The object of the invention is to provide a security device and method that provide for the verification of the stationary position and the verification of the view of the monitoring means and thus allow for securely carrying out copy protection measures and authorization checks. A further objective of the invention is to provide a sabotage-free operation even for home applications.

The problem has been solved by providing the security device according to claim 1 and the security method according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The security device according to the invention comprises playing and monitoring means adapted for communicating with each other, and therefore monitoring required for secure operation can be performed in a centralized manner, eliminating attempts of user intervention and also providing for securely performing further checks (by way of example, checks based on face recognition).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the following drawings, where

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a security device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a spatial view of the security device illustrated in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is a front view of the security device illustrated in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 4 is a schematic top plan view of a visual display unit equipped with the security device illustrated in Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional side view of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the assembly illustrated in Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary security device according to the invention, and

Fig. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary mode of operation of the security device according to the invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following the invention is presented primarily as a cloud-based device allowing for showing film premieres while providing copy protection, but other embodiments may of course also be contemplated. The device that by way of example can be implemented as an HDMI stick allows for showing films while providing means for copy-protection and authorization, expediently eliminating the possibility of recording the film with a camera (camcorder). The invention is particularly suited for home use but other applications (by way of example, in cinemas) can also be contemplated, with the invention being capable of handling larger square areas provided its parameters (such as resolution, intensity of emitted infrared light) of anti-recording means are scaled up. The main component of the invention is a bidirectional camera system that has a permanent, preferably wired connection to the microcomputer. Expediently, the camera system is equipped with a dedicated identifier that is pre- programmed in the microcomputer and thus cannot be changed later.

The security device shown in Fig. 1 is adapted for displaying a motion picture, comprising a first camera 21 adapted for monitoring at least a portion of the screen 12 of a visual display unit 10 and a second camera 22 adapted for monitoring an auditorium. The security device comprises a camera unit 20 adapted to be disposed at a fixed position with respect to the screen 12, with the first camera 21 and the second camera 22, oriented differently than the first camera 21 , being mounted inside the camera unit 20. The computer means is in communication with the first camera 21 and the second camera 22, with a video signal transfer means adapted for transferring a video signal to an input of the visual display unit 10 being connected to the computer means. The computer means is preferably also arranged in the camera unit 20. The security device further comprises a position sensor module adapted for sensing the relative position of the camera unit 20 based on detecting, applying the first camera 21 , the image displayed on the screen 12 utilizing the video signal sent by the computer means via the video signal transfer means, and a module adapted for detecting, applying the second camera 22, light originating from the displayed image and reflected off the auditorium as a change in light intensity, and thereby for checking that the second camera 22 has a view of the auditorium. The modules according to the invention and the modules constituting the components of the preferred embodiments may be software, hardware or combined hardware-software modules. The security device shown in Fig. 1 therefore comprises two cameras. The first camera 21 is adapted for monitoring the screen 12. In case the security device is mounted on a rim 11 of the screen 12, the housing of the security device is expediently slightly extends into the visible area of the screen 12 (as seen from the viewing direction) and the device monitors the screen 12 or at least a portion thereof. The first camera 21 may look downwards (as illustrated in the drawing), in which case it can monitor the largest possible portion of the screen 12, but the first camera 21 may also be directed at the screen 12 in an oblique manner, or such embodiments can also be contemplated wherein the first camera 21 is directed at the screen 12 directly opposite the viewing direction of the second camera 22 (i.e. perpendicular to the screen 12). In the case where the device is mounted on the rim 11 of the screen 12, in this latter situation the first camera 21 is not able to view the entire screen 12 but expediently only a small portion thereof, practically a subarea located opposite the camera. The objectives of the invention can also be completely fulfilled with such a configuration, the security device extending into the screen 12 area to a small extent without disturbing the viewing experience. Optionally, the security device may also be arranged at a corner of the screen 12 where it obstructs the view even less.

Before and during film playback the position of the first camera 21 relative to the screen 12 is established utilizing the first camera 21 by the software of the security device based on the detected image of the picture sent to the screen 12. Once the position is established, it is recorded by the software that now starts showing special frames - intermittently or continuously - for the first camera 21 , which frames are compared with the displayed image by the software. If the camera has not been moved the two images have to be identical; otherwise an attempt of sabotage is assumed and the display of the motion picture is preferably blocked by the device. The image displayed and detected for position detection can be a stationary or moving image that has to be markedly different from the remaining displayed picture information on the pixel level.

Thanks to that, the camera system can be regarded as being installed at a fixed position, and therefore the second camera 22 can be directed to the auditorium in a fixed manner. The second camera 22 of the bidirectional camera system is therefore adapted for monitoring the audience. With its face recognition system it may be capable of determining the number of viewers for implementing access based on the number of viewers, or instead of or in addition to that other security checks may also be performed. The second camera 22 is applied for continuously monitoring the reflection of bright and dark frames displayed by the visual display unit (by way of example, TV set) by detecting the increases and reduction of light intensity, and therefore it is capable of detecting the interruption of or tampering with the direct view. Additionally, the device may also comprise a distance measuring functionality for checking whether the it has been displaced. According to the invention, therefore, the second camera 22 can be applied for providing one of the basic functionalities of the invention, i.e. checking the uninterrupted and unobstructed view of the auditorium. The security device and method according to the invention allow that the device can simultaneously undertake image display and bidirectional security monitoring and checking. Accordingly, the security device is in full possession of the displayed image, and therefore it is capable of carrying out the position detection operation realized by the first camera 21 , as well as of checking the uninterrupted and unobstructed view of the auditorium by the second camera 22.

The computer means is preferably a microcomputer arranged in the camera unit 20, with the security device comprising network means adapted for providing access to an internet movie database. The network means is preferably a Wi-Fi adapter and the database is cloud-based.

Expediently, a preconfigured access account protected with a unique identifier and password is installed on the microcomputer that is preferably situated inside the camera unit 20 but may also be disposed in a different housing. For operating the microcomputer an online connection is preferably required, which allows for downloading the films into an internal buffer and also for updating the device's software.

The security device preferably has functionality for blocking access upon detecting a local hardware or software attack or a copying attempt. Expediently, the device can only be unblocked with the cooperation of a round-the-clock online support team.

Although the security device preferably requires an online connection and it is possible to manage the access account in an online manner, no possibility for online film viewing is expediently provided. Thereby the problems generated by video capture software that evolves at an extremely high rate and thus is almost impossible to keep up with from a copy protection aspect can be eliminated. In Fig. 2 there can be seen a spatial view of the security device of Fig. 1 , the security device being disposed at a corner of the visual display unit 10 such that it obstructs the view as little as possible. In Fig. 3 the same exemplary security device is shown in a front view. The security device has to be installed at a fixed position relative to the screen 12. The position is detected and stored by the device, the device also performing periodic checks to ensure that the position has not been modified. The security device can expediently be arranged at any such location relative to the screen 12 which provides an adequate view of the screen 12 and the auditorium. As can be seen in Figs. 1 to 6, in a particularly preferred embodiment the security device is mounted on the rim 11 of the screen 12, preferably applying specifically formed structural components. The device can be mounted by way of example by adhesive bonding, by a pincer-like component, an adjustable bracket, or by providing an appropriately shaped configuration for the camera unit 20 so that it can be simply pulled on the screen rim.

In Figs. 4-6 various views of the visual display unit 10 are shown. In the depicted embodiment the visual display unit 10 is equipped with a security device that is connected to the visual display unit 10 through a connecting cable 23 and a standard connector 24. The visual display unit 10 is preferably a TV set, but may also be any sort of appropriate display apparatus. Accordingly, such an embodiment may also be contemplated wherein the security device is connected to a standalone unit, by way of example a computer, video game console or other unit capable of controlling a display instead of being connected to the back of the screen 12, the camera unit 20 always being arranged in a fixed position with respect to the screen 12. Such embodiments may also be contemplated wherein the camera unit 20 is connected to the visual display unit 10 in a wireless manner rather than via a connecting cable. The advantage of the depicted wired embodiment is that it is simple to install. Due to the standard connections there is no need to perform any other steps on the part of the user for putting it into operation, and thereby it can be expediently applied together with commercially available common visual display units that can usually be found at the users' households.

The video signal transfer means of the exemplary security device depicted in the drawings therefore comprises a connecting cable 23 and a standard connector 24 disposed at the free end of the cable. The standard connector 24 is preferably an HDMI connector, and the security device comprises a module adapted for retrieving and checking the EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) identifier of the applied TV set through the connector 24 and the connecting cable 23.

The security device preferably retrieves the EDID identifier of the TV set after startup, and then checks it against its online database. The database includes information on the television set types made by various manufacturers together with the corresponding EDID identifiers. In case the identifier cannot be found or it does not match the identifier stored in the database, the security device preferably blocks itself, unblocking being possible only after a check performed by a round-the-clock support team.

The security device can communicate with the TV set via the HDMI port, utilizing by way of example the CEC protocol which may be applied for blocking programs running in the background (manipulation programs, image capture tools etc.) but the primary functionalities of the security device are controlling the playback process, storing and playing films and displaying them expediently through the HDMI port.

The security device preferably comprises one or more of the following security modules:

- a module adapted for detecting in the image of the second camera 22 a refracted reflection off a camera lens being in the auditorium,

- a module adapted for detecting in the image of the second camera 22 an infra- refracted reflection off a camera lens being in the auditorium,

- a detector module adapted for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a camera being in the auditorium,

- a face recognition module adapted for measuring, in the image of the second camera 22, the number of viewers being in the auditorium,

- a distance measuring module operating based on processing the image of the second camera 22 or utilizing a dedicated infrared distance measuring device, or - a module adapted for applying a watermark to the displayed motion picture.

Applying the above modules the bidirectional camera system may provide protection against camera recordings. The camera lens detector can be based on a number of operating principles:

- Camera lenses refract light, with a portion of the light being reflected off their surface. This reflection can be found by software among the reflections detected in the image retrieved from the second camera 22.

- When infrared light is emitted at various frequencies, camera lenses reflect it as red light that can be found by software among the reflections detected in the image retrieved from the second camera 22.

- Cameras emit a characteristic electromagnetic signal at 15.75 kHz which can also be detected utilizing a frequency detector.

- In addition to that a number of other camera lens detection methods can also be applied.

By adding a watermark it can be made sure that, even if a recording of the film being shown be successfully made, the infringing person will record also the unique identifiers (watermarks) placed inside the film. By "unique identifier" it is meant any such modification to the frames of the film which, by means of the security device, can function as a unique watermark connected to the given user and the playback session. Such modifications are preferably also stored on the service provider's server assigned to the individual users, and thereby in the event of unauthorized copying, provided that the copy is available, the perpetrator and the location of the infringement can be easily identified. The modification or the watermark can be constituted by periodically adding a unique identifier, by distorting certain frames by a suitable algorithm, applying colour changes etc.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the security device and method, therefore, the display of the motion picture is blocked by a suitable blocking module upon fulfilment of certain predetermined conditions. These conditions can be generated by a logical function from one or more of the above mentioned checks; an embodiment being also possible in which blocking is triggered by the failure of only one such check. According to the schematic block diagram shown in Fig. 7 the security device comprises a power supply 30 that is not shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity. In addition to the power supply the preferred security device illustrated in the diagram does not require any other external connections. If the security device is connected to a USB port as a video input, power can be supplied to the device from this port, making it unnecessary to utilize an additional external power supply. The core component of the security device is the microcomputer 31 that is responsible for operating and controlling the device. Preferably, a peripheral 33, by way of example a keyboard or a mouse can also be connected to the microcomputer 31 for updating the software running on the device or for making configuration changes. In addition to that, a network device, preferably a Wi-Fi adapter is also connected to the microcomputer 31 , allowing for accessing network databases, for example an internet movie database. The Wi-Fi adapter 32 may supply further communications data, i.e. it may be applied for checking security settings or for updating the software of the security device.

The microcomputer 31 is also in communication with the first camera 21 and the second camera 22. Furthermore, as described above, the microcomputer 31 is also applied for generating and transferring the video signal to be displayed on the visual display unit 10. For performing the security checks according to the invention it is sufficient to utilize the video signal, but in common applications there is audio playback in addition to video. The invention of course covers any such technical solutions that also comprise audio playback in addition to video playback. The microcomputer 31 is preferably connected to an infrared detector 34 adapted for detecting infrared light or for distance measurement as required by the above described checks.

The exemplary operation of the device illustrated in Fig. 8 is as follows: In operational step 40 the security device is turned on, followed by checking the EDID identifier of the visual display unit via the HDMI connector in operational step 41. In case the identifier cannot be found in the list of accepted identifiers, image display is blocked in operational step 42. If the result of the check is positive, in operational step 43 log on is preferably performed to an online account, followed by performing the initial checks with the first and second cameras in operational step 44. After that, in operational step 45 infrared light detection is preferably performed in order to determine by way of example the distance of between the device and an opposite point of the auditorium. A detected change of this distance will now indicate that the security device has been displaced. In the next operational step 46 playback of the film selected according to the user's instructions is performed, simultaneously also carrying out continuous monitoring by camera in operational step 47. In case any one of the checks performed by camera has a negative result, control is transferred to the blocking operational step 42. Finally, after the playback of the film has been completed, in operational step 48 control is also transferred to the blocking operational step 42. As can be seen in the diagram, control can be transferred to the blocking state 42 from any one of operational steps 43-48 in case the program running on the security device is brought to a blocking state by the log on operation, by the check results or even by a user command.

The films to be played according to the invention are strictly network or online content, and as such they cannot be downloaded or locally stored for a prolonged period of time. For an easier, uninterrupted playback it is possible to store the films in a cache in a proprietary encrypted form. The films can be bought on a pay for duration or pay per view basis. The system optionally allows for fee calculation on the basis of the number of viewers (provided by the face recognition system of the second camera 22). In case an incorrect number of viewers is detected, it is possible to ask for instant operator assistance, where the user's live camera image is made available to an operator for a period of e.g. 15 minutes. Furthermore, if an incorrect number of viewers is detected by the security device, it is possible to manually identify in the live picture the object/person recognized by the software as a person.

The invention is, of course, not limited to the preferred embodiments described in details above, but further modifications and developments are possible within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A security device for displaying motion picture, comprising a first camera (21 ) adapted for monitoring at least a portion of a screen (12) of a visual display unit (10) and a second camera (22) adapted for monitoring an auditorium, characterised by comprising

- a camera unit (20) adapted to be located at a fixed position with respect to the screen (12), the first camera (21) and the second camera (22), oriented differently than the first camera (21 ), being mounted inside the camera unit (20),

- computer means adapted for communication with the first camera (21 ) and the second camera (22),

- video signal transfer means adapted for transferring a video signal to an input of the visual display unit (10), the video signal transfer means being connected to the computer means,

- a position sensor module adapted for sensing a relative position of the camera unit (20) based on detecting by the first camera (21 ) an image displayed on the screen (12), the image being displayed by the video signal sent by the computer means via the video signal transfer means, and

- a module adapted for detecting by the second camera (22) light originating from the displayed image and reflected off the auditorium as a change in light intensity, and thereby for checking that the second camera (22) has a view of the auditorium.

2. The security device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the computer means is a microcomputer (31 ) arranged in the camera unit (20) and in that the security device comprises network means adapted for providing access to an internet movie database.

3. The security device according to claim 2, characterised in that the network means is a Wi-Fi adapter (32) and the database is cloud-based.

4. The security device according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises one or more of the following modules:

- a module adapted for detecting in the image of the second camera (22) a refracted reflection off a camera lens being in the auditorium,

- a module adapted for detecting in the image of the second camera (22) an infra-refracted reflection off a camera lens being in the auditorium,

- a face recognition module adapted for measuring, in the image of the second camera (22), the number of viewers being in the auditorium,

- a distance measuring module operating based on processing the image of the second camera (22) or utilizing a dedicated infrared distance measuring device,

- a module adapted for applying a watermark to the displayed motion picture.

5. The security device according to any of claims 1-4, characterised in that the video signal transfer means comprises a connecting cable (23) with a standard connector (24) being mounted on the free end of the cable.

6. The security device according to claim 5, characterised in that the standard connector (24) is an HDMI connector, and the security device comprises a module adapted for retrieving and checking the EDID identifier of a TV set through the connector (24) and the connecting cable (23).

7. The security device according to any of claims 1-6, characterised in that it comprises a blocking module adapted for blocking the image display operation of the security device upon fulfilment of one or more predetermined conditions.

8. The security device according to any one of claims 1 -7, characterised in that it comprises one or more structural components adapted for mounting the camera unit (20) on a rim (11 ) of the screen (12).

9. A security method for displaying motion picture, comprising the steps of monitoring by a first camera (21) at least a portion of the screen (12) of a visual display unit (10) and monitoring an auditorium by a second camera (22), characterised by

- utilizing a camera unit (20) adapted to be located at a fixed position with respect to the screen (12), the first camera (21) and the second camera (22) being mounted inside the camera unit (20), where the second camera (22) is oriented differently than the first camera (21),

- detecting by the first camera (21 ) an image displayed on the screen (12), and based on the detected image, determining the relative position of the camera unit (20) with respect to the screen, and periodically repeating this position- determining step and checking that the camera unit (20) has not been displaced, and

- applying the second camera (22) for detecting light originating from the displayed image and reflected off the auditorium as a change in light intensity, and thereby checking that the second camera (22) has an uninterrupted view of the auditorium.

10. The security method according to claim 9, characterised by comprising one or more of the following steps:

- examining the image of the second camera (22) for detecting a potential refracted reflection off a camera lens being in the auditorium,

- examining the image of the second camera (22) for detecting a potential infra- refracted reflection off a camera lens being in the auditorium,

- detecting electromagnetic radiation potentially emitted by a camera being in the auditorium,

- applying a face recognition module for measuring, in the image of the second camera (22), the number of viewers being in the auditorium,

- carrying out a distance measurement operation based on processing the image of the second camera (22) or utilizing a dedicated infrared distance measurement device,

- applying a watermark to the displayed motion picture.

11. The security method according to claim 9 or 10, characterised by applying a computer means in the camera unit for generating the video signal of the image to be displayed on the screen (12) and transferring the signal to the visual display unit (10) by a video signal transfer means.

12. The security method according to claim 11 , characterised in that the video signal transfer means comprises a connecting cable (23) with a standard connector (24) being mounted on the free end of the cable and, in that the EDID identifier of the TV set is retrieved through the HDMI connector and is checked.

13. The method according to any of claims 9-12, characterised by blocking the image display upon fulfilment of one or more predetermined conditions.