Introduced a new method of detecting hidden cameras using a simple smartphone

Experts from Singapore and South Korea introduced a new method detecting hidden spy cameras using a modern smartphone equipped with a Time of flight (ToF) sensor to determine the depth of the scene. The technology was tested on Samsung Galaxy S20 +, S20 Ultra 5G and Note 10+ smartphones with Sony IMX516 iToF VGA sensor.

Time of flight is a reflection-based measurement method for quickly measuring the distance to objects by determining the flight time of the laser light emitted by the ToF sensor. Experts recalled that hidden tiny spy cameras, which are increasingly being placed in hotel rooms and restrooms, today pose a serious threat to privacy around the world.

Special devices are commercially available for detecting signals from hidden cameras and other similar electronics, such as the CC308 + and K18 devices. Much can be done with specialized open source software, but it is too difficult for novice users.

Smartphones are commonplace today, and a new technology called Laser-Assisted Photography Detection (LAPD) is clearly more convenient than carrying around an additional dedicated device.

During the tests conducted, 88.9% of hidden cameras were detected using the LAPD, while the naked human eye detected only 46%. Interestingly, the dedicated K18 signal detector only detected 62.3% of the total number of cameras.

In addition, the LAPD has the lowest false positive rate (16.67%), while the dedicated K18 device has 35.2%.

A source: acm 1, acm 2, image-sensors-world

Illustrations: image-sensors-world