Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for streaming pay-per-view digital content to a content display unit a viewing audience is watching in a viewing area. An audience detection controller controls the display of content as a function of whether or not payment has been received for the number of viewers present in the viewing audience. The controller includes one or more light responsive cameras combined with a thermal camera to detect a presence of one or more members of the audience in the viewing area, and an operating system to analyze the captured images to detect the number of persons of the audience. The controller further includes a reverse camera to capture a watermark inserted in the streaming content to confirm the controller is in the same room as the display unit, IR lighting, and ambient light sensors to detect ambient light conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for streaming pay-per-view digital content to a content display unit a viewing audience is watching in a viewing area. An audience detection controller controls the display of content as a function of whether or not payment has been received for the number of viewers present in the viewing audience. The controller includes one or more light responsive cameras combined with a thermal camera to detect a presence of one or more members of the audience in the viewing area, and an operating system to analyze the captured images to detect the number of persons of the audience. The controller further includes a reverse camera to capture a watermark inserted in the streaming content to confirm the controller is in the same room as the display unit, IR lighting, and ambient light sensors to detect ambient light conditions.