# US 2010/0166408 A1 · Camera-steady focus requirements for preventing inconspicuous use of cameras on handheld mobile communication devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166408 A1 - Document ID: US20100166408A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/724,569 - Filed: 2010-03-16 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2006-09-01 - Assignees: Research In Motion Limited - Inventors: Archer Chi Kwong Wun - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166408A1 ## CPC - G03B 17/00: Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor (lens hoods or caps G03B11/04) - H04M 1/72463: to restrict the functionality of the device - H04N 23/631: {Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters} - H04N 23/634: {Warning indications} - H04N 23/64: {Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image} - H04N 23/661: Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet - H04M 1/0264: {for a camera module assembly} - H04M 2250/52: including functional features of a camera - H04N 1/00307: {with a mobile telephone apparatus (constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00)} - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Methods and devices for implementing a camera restriction on a wireless handheld communication device. As more handheld devices incorporate camera functionalities, organizations and individuals with privacy concerns are more vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure. The camera restriction prevents a user from taking a picture of a subject if the device has not been steadily focused on the subject in question for a predetermined period of time. In short, this process extends the normal camera-taking procedure and thus requires the camera user to take pictures in a conspicuous manner—the rationale being that a camera user would be less likely to take unauthorized pictures if such actions could be easily recognized. The camera restriction can be communicated to the device via a wireless communication network. Additionally, the restrictions and boundaries can be communicated to the device as part of an IT security policy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for preventing unauthorized photography utilizing an electronic device, the method comprising: providing an electronic device having an integrated camera assembly configured for taking photographs, a focus sensor, a time-actuator, and a timer; and permitting a photograph to be taken in the event the time-actuator has been engaged and an accumulation at the timer of a predetermined time of camera-steady-focus, sensed by the focus sensor, has occurred. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is sufficiently long to expose the unauthorized taking of photographs during the course of visually policing a restricted area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is approximately ten seconds. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is approximately five seconds. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: storing data at the wireless handheld electronic device that defines the predetermined time of required camera-steady focus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising: storing data at the wireless handheld electronic device that defines geographical boundaries of a restricted operating area of the device; ascertaining a present geographical position of the device and determining whether the device is presently located in the restricted operating area based on a comparison to the stored geographical boundaries of the restricted operating area; and imposing the camera-steady focus restriction on the device when it is determined that the device is presently located in the restricted area. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the camera-steady focus restriction on the device lasts until it is ascertained that the geographical position of the device is outside the restricted operating area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless handheld electronic device transmits data to, and receives data from an electronic network utilizing radio frequency signals. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless handheld electronic device further comprises an input device located essentially between a display and a keyboard in the text communicating orientation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless handheld electronic device further comprises at least a first input device and a second input device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the first input device is a keyboard having alphabetic characters are arranged in one of a QWERTY layout or QWERTZ layout, or AZERTY layout. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, wherein first input device is a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys with which alphabetic characters are associated and wherein at least a portion of the individual keys has multiple characters associated therewith. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, the second input device takes the form of a trackball for controlling a cursor on a display. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is sufficiently long to expose an unauthorized shooter taking unauthorized photographs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising enabling the wireless handheld electronic device to wirelessly communicate photographs taken with the camera assembly to a remote receiver. ### Claim 16 An electronic device, comprising: an integrated camera assembly configured for taking photographs, a focus sensor, a time-actuator, and a timer, wherein the integrated camera-assembly is enabled to take a photograph in the event the time-actuator has been engaged, and an accumulation at the timer of a predetermined time of camera-steady-focus, sensed by the focus sensor, has occurred. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The wireless handheld electronic device of claim 16, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is sufficiently long to expose an unauthorized camera user in the course of visually policing a restricted area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The wireless handheld electronic device of claim 16, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is approximately ten seconds. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The wireless handheld electronic device of claim 16, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is approximately five seconds. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The wireless handheld electronic device of claim 16, wherein the predetermined time of camera-steady focus is sufficiently long to expose an unauthorized shooter taking unauthorized photographs.