More items that don't deserve patents
in [Design]
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From: Martin Brown on 31 Mar 2010 04:58 Joel Koltner wrote: > --> > http://www.rfglobalnet.com/article.mvc/Mini-Generators-Could-Power-Wireless-Sensors-0001?user=1925643&source=nl:27130 > > > Quote: > > "The researchers have built three prototypes and a fourth is > forthcoming. In two of the generators, the energy conversion is > performed through electromagnetic induction, in which a coil is > subjected to a varying magnetic field. This is a process similar to how > large-scale generators in big power plants operate. " > > "The university is pursuing patent protection for the intellectual > property." > > Um hmm. > > I wonder if the dollar-store "shake lights" could be used as prior art? They are not based on parametric excitation. The idea is possibly a viable one for powering some devices with solid state piezo device. There are only a limited number of ways to convert mechanical energy to electricity. Capturing the energy from the environment is the tricky bit. The novelty is in how they draw power efficiently from aperiodic vinrational excitation. It is a modern day variant of the self winding wristwatch. And may well find its first application in that role. Regards, Martin Brown
From: Jim Yanik on 31 Mar 2010 09:35 Robert Baer <robertbaer(a)localnet.com> wrote in news:WtednW3dnestkS7WnZ2dnUVZ_rAAAAAA(a)posted.localnet: > Joel Koltner wrote: >> --> >> http://www.rfglobalnet.com/article.mvc/Mini-Generators-Could-Power-Wir >> eless-Sensors-0001?user=1925643&source=nl:27130 >> >> >> Quote: >> >> "The researchers have built three prototypes and a fourth is >> forthcoming. In two of the generators, the energy conversion is >> performed through electromagnetic induction, in which a coil is >> subjected to a varying magnetic field. This is a process similar to >> how large-scale generators in big power plants operate. " >> >> "The university is pursuing patent protection for the intellectual >> property." >> >> Um hmm. >> >> I wonder if the dollar-store "shake lights" could be used as prior >> art? > Absolutely! > those dollar store shake lights actually have lithium cells in them; the one I bought for $3 had a CR2032 and a CR2012 in series,no capacitor or diodes on the PCB,and the induction coil was unconnected. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at localnet dot com
From: markp on 31 Mar 2010 18:50 "Robert Baer" <robertbaer(a)localnet.com> wrote in message news:iv-dnVBrZOqaky7WnZ2dnUVZ_h6dnZ2d(a)posted.localnet... > krw(a)att.bizzzzzzzzzzzz wrote: >> On Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:06:44 -0700, "Joel Koltner" >> <zapwireDASHgroups(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >>> "J.A. Legris" <jalegris(a)sympatico.ca> wrote in message >>> news:3d3b76f7-e0cd-441a-9b71-c5731b773c6d(a)v8g2000vbh.googlegroups.com... >>>> You've missed the point - these are self-contained devices that >>>> produce reliable, although small, amounts of power from ambient >>>> vibrations. Sounds novel to me. >>> Self-winding watches have been around forever. >> >>> At least to me the idea of harnessing sound random movement and >>> converting it to electricity (rather than tightening up a spring) is an >>> obvious extension. People have been working on such "micropower >>> harvesters" for decades now... >> >> You make the same mistake most do when considering the worth(lessness) of >> patents. You don't have the claims. Without the claims this is nothing >> more >> than a useless newsblurb to fill a just as useless trade rag. > ...and claims are also worthless unless one has millions of dollars to > enforce them. Ah. You could always try to sell the patent to a company that does have the cash to enforce it. Better still, get a royaly finance deal set up in exchange. Mark.
From: krw on 31 Mar 2010 20:44
On Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:57:12 -0800, Robert Baer <robertbaer(a)localnet.com> wrote: >krw(a)att.bizzzzzzzzzzzz wrote: >> On Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:06:44 -0700, "Joel Koltner" >> <zapwireDASHgroups(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >>> "J.A. Legris" <jalegris(a)sympatico.ca> wrote in message >>> news:3d3b76f7-e0cd-441a-9b71-c5731b773c6d(a)v8g2000vbh.googlegroups.com... >>>> You've missed the point - these are self-contained devices that >>>> produce reliable, although small, amounts of power from ambient >>>> vibrations. Sounds novel to me. >>> Self-winding watches have been around forever. >> >>> At least to me the idea of harnessing sound random movement and converting it >>> to electricity (rather than tightening up a spring) is an obvious extension. >>> People have been working on such "micropower harvesters" for decades now... >> >> You make the same mistake most do when considering the worth(lessness) of >> patents. You don't have the claims. Without the claims this is nothing more >> than a useless newsblurb to fill a just as useless trade rag. >...and claims are also worthless unless one has millions of dollars to >enforce them. Ok, that's the reality of any intellectual property. If you can't defend it, it's not worth much. |