'Big Brother' Redux? Now TVs May Watch Viewers

In future, while you are watching your television set, it may be busy watching you -- capturing conversations and moods from its surroundings and then delivering customized ads. Verizon has filed a patent application for targeting ads to TV viewers based on information collected from TVs equipped with infrared cameras, microphones and other devices that detect viewers' conversational keywords, moods and activities, well as information about objects and even animals near the TV. For example, if the TV sensors detect that a couple is arguing in the "Verizon Detection Zone," the system could send an ad for marriage counseling to the TV or a mobile phone in the room. If the system detects that the viewer is playing with a dog, a dog food commerical could be transmitted, and so on. It will be interesting to hear the privacy arguments generated by this proposed data-gathering! For more on the story, go to http://broadcastengineering.com/company-news/verizon-patents-targeted-advertising-watches-tv-viewers