Method and apparatus for inhibiting the piracy of motion pictures

Abstract

A method and apparatus to inhibit the piracy of motion pictures in theaters by taking advantage of the frame rate discrepancies between film (or digital) display and video camcorders. By alternating specific image display intervals and, shuttering cadences, or with digital video projectors commanding a similar modified display via the digital projector's blanking and display capabilities, so that the projected images occur in a random and/or phase shifted manner, objectionable distortions are produced in an illicitly captured video image, while being invisible to theatrical viewers. In addition, various serrated, slit, multi-quadrant or spotted patterns may be used on mechanical shutters, or simulated on digital displays, to further degrade the quality of illicitly captured video by pirates in theaters.

1 . A method of inhibiting the piracy of a motion picture including displayed images, the method configured to cause a camera used for illicit recording of the motion picture to at least one of capture intervals of darkness or miss some of the displayed images of the motion picture, the method comprising:
 displaying an image for an interval;   following said displaying, including an interval of darkness where no image is displayed; and   selectively changing the intervals of image display and the intervals of darkness.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising projecting the images onto a screen by a motion picture film projector. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  comprising projecting the images onto a screen by a digital projector. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  comprising maintaining an average rate of display of the images substantially corresponding to an intended rate of image display for the motion picture, wherein said intended rate is between about 24 frames-per-second and about 72 frames-per-second. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  comprising maintaining an average rate of display of the images substantially corresponding to an intended rate of image display for the motion picture, wherein the intended rate of image display for the motion picture is at least about 24 frames-per-second. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  comprising changing in a random or asymmetrical manner the intervals of image display and the intervals of darkness. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  comprising changing the intervals of darkness and image display occur in an unpredictable pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the intervals of image display and the intervals of darkness are for unequal duration. 
     
     
         9 . In a motion picture projector, a controller that commands the projector to display an image for an interval, to follow said display by an interval of darkness, and to selectively changes the intervals of image display and the intervals of darkness. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the motion picture projector comprises a digital projector. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the motion picture projector comprises a motion picture film projector. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the intervals of image display and the intervals of darkness are for unequal duration. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the motion picture projector comprises a motion picture film projector for projecting film having a series of frames and a plurality of perforations along the edges of the film, the apparatus further comprising:
 a plurality of constant speed sprockets having teeth for engaging the perforations and moving the film through the projector;   an intermittent advance mechanism for moving the film frame-by-frame past an aperture in the projector;   a shutter that blocks light from entering the aperture when the frames are being advanced into position relative to the aperture, and that permits light to enter the aperture when a new frame is properly positioned;   a motive element that actuates the constant speed sprockets, the intermittent advance mechanism and the shutter; and   wherein the controller is adapted to control the motive element to maintain or change the intervals of image display and the intervals of darkness.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is adapted to change the intervals of image display and the intervals of darkness in a random or asymmetrical manner. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is adapted to change the intervals such that they occur in an unpredictable pattern.