New DVR's To Use Camera's and Microphone's: To Monitor Their Owners

**claud3** · 12-06-2012

Think Google ad targeting is crossing the line? Verizon filed a patent for a cable television box that uses sensors to record what you’re doing and target you with specific advertisements that relate to your mood.

The telecom giant Verizon wants to know you better. Much better. The company just registered a patent for its DVR of the future. The set-top box would use a depth sensor, an image sensor, an audio sensor and a thermal sensor to determine what those watching television are doing. If a couple is having an argument in front of the TV, a marriage counseling ad may come up. If two people are cozying up, Verizon may put up an ad for contraceptives or a romantic getaway.

The sensors would also be able to detect where someone is looking. If the viewer is watching a certain ad, Verizon might use that as an indicator to play similar ads in the future.

“If detection facility detects one or more wordsspokenby a user (e.g. while talkingtoanother user within thesame room or on the telephone), advertising facility may utilize the one or more words spoken by the user to search for and/or select an advertisement associated with the one or more words,” Verizon wrote in its application.

Rather than watching television, television will be watching its viewers.

But even pets and inanimate objects could become a part of the targeted advertising. The detection facility would in some cases be able to identify animals (such as dogs, cats, and birds), retail products with brand images or words (such as a bag of chips or a soft drink), furniture and decorations. Verizon would then stream ads that would correspond to the viewer’s style or interests.

Even more intrusive might be the DVR’s ability to detect and communicate with mobile devices held by viewers. If Verizon senses a mobile phone being used, it may “communicate with themobile device to limit the content accessible by the way of the mobile device”, as well as stream advertisements that correspond to what the viewer is looking at on his or her phone.

If Verizon proceeds with its plans, the technology may bring Big Brother into the households of millions of Americans, giving the tech company a strategic advantage over what Americans watch on their devices.

The company would always know whether a user is “eating,exercising,laughing,reading,sleeping,talki ng,singing, humming, cleaning, playing a musical instrument, performing any other suitable action, and/or engaging in any other physical activity during the presentation of the media content,” according to the patent.

The paperwork was filed by Verizon in 2011, but the patent filings weren’t required to be released by the US Patent and Trademark Office for 18 months.

Verizon officials declined to comment on the patent when questioned by the media source FierceCable, but released a statement to CBS Radio about the issue of privacy.

“Verizon has a well-established track record of respecting its customers’ privacy and protecting their personal information. As a company that prizes innovation, Verizon takes pride in its innovators whose workis represented in our patents and patent applications. While we do not comment on pending patent applications, such futuristic patent filings by innovators are routine, and whatever we might do in the future would be in line with our well-established track record of respecting our customers’ privacy and protecting their personal information,” the statement reads.

While the patent may not represent plans for current technology, it may provide a glimpse into the future – a future where every private action becomes the interest of a major corporation.

http://rt.com/usa/news/verizon-paten...elevision-382/

This is so not going to work and what a stupid idea

**Bigdoggy** · 12-06-2012

they can patent it as they wish but be sure if they released it, they would owe so much money from lawsuits it would be so severe. LOL I mean we are talking multiple millions up to billions and that isn't even from multiple fines from the feds and states. lolz

**F34R** · 12-06-2012

Thank goodness I wouldn't have to buy anything like that.

**jinsoo** · 12-06-2012

Originally Posted by Bigdoggy

they can patent it as they wish but be sure if they released it, they would owe so much money from lawsuits it would be so severe. LOL I mean we are talking multiple millions up to billions and that isn't even from multiple fines from the feds and states. lolz

Realistically there wouldn't be a single law suit to come from this. It operates through a cable set top box which is an optional luxury you enjoy. You would have to agree to let them do this in terms and conditions or you could just not use cable. They're not forcing their way into any home, the consumer would be allowing this to happen and agree to it. There are no rights being violated whatsoever as long as they don't backdoor this into your home and are upfront about it. It's like Facebook scanning your entire profile to create targeted ads. I agree that it's creepy and unsettling by today's standards but this is something they've been trying to do for years. This will happen and eventually will the only way TV is watched. If you don't like it don't watch cable.

**F34R** · 12-06-2012

Originally Posted by jinsoo

Realistically there wouldn't be a single law suit to come from this. It operates through a cable set top box which is an optional luxury you enjoy. You would have to agree to let them do this in terms and conditions or you could just not use cable. They're not forcing their way into any home, the consumer would be allowing this to happen and agree to it. There are no rights being violated whatsoever as long as they don't backdoor this into your home and are upfront about it. It's like Facebook scanning your entire profile to create targeted ads. I agree that it's creepy and unsettling by today's standards but this is something they've been trying to do for years. This will happen and eventually will the only way TV is watched. If you don't like it don't watch cable.

You can use cable w/o a dvr, and you can record shows with a media center setup, that doesn't come from the cable company. So, adding that onto your description is spot on +1.

**jinsoo** · 12-06-2012

Originally Posted by F34R

You can use cable w/o a dvr, and you can record shows with a media center setup, that doesn't come from the cable company. So, adding that onto your description is spot on +1.

It's just DVR's for now. Then it will be set top boxes. Then those little converter boxes. Then it'll just be on the TV set itself.

**F34R** · 12-06-2012

Originally Posted by jinsoo

It's just DVR's for now. Then it will be set top boxes. Then those little converter boxes. Then it'll just be on the TV set itself.

You don't even need a set top box for cable, but I agree with what you're saying. Some tv's will have it, some won't. etc.

**jinsoo** · 12-07-2012

Originally Posted by F34R

You don't even need a set top box for cable, but I agree with what you're saying. Some tv's will have it, some won't. etc.

Maybe where you're from? Where I'm from all the cable providers (VZ FiOS, Comcast Cable, and the satellite companies) require you to have some sort of box to unscramble the signal. You can only watch the basic channels without one.

**efs5030** · 12-07-2012

Not getting Verizon TV service....

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

**Bigdoggy** · 12-07-2012

Originally Posted by jinsoo

Realistically there wouldn't be a single law suit to come from this. It operates through a cable set top box which is an optional luxury you enjoy. You would have to agree to let them do this in terms and conditions or you could just not use cable. They're not forcing their way into any home, the consumer would be allowing this to happen and agree to it. There are no rights being violated whatsoever as long as they don't backdoor this into your home and are upfront about it. It's like Facebook scanning your entire profile to create targeted ads. I agree that it's creepy and unsettling by today's standards but this is something they've been trying to do for years. This will happen and eventually will the only way TV is watched. If you don't like it don't watch cable.

in this case it would be invasion of privacy.. you say this comment but then completely contradict your assumption in others.

considering a camera is placed in your house from the box which people can spy on you, think about it. this may work in some other countries for sure. The only reason why they patent it is just for the sake of patenting it.