[geeks] Doorbells

[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

On Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 09:41:40AM -0400, Joshua Boyd wrote:
> On Mar 20, 2008, at 1:50 AM, der Mouse wrote:
> 
> >>In fact you have just given me an idea, and this is "first
> >>publication" for patent rights.  A programmable device for playing
> >>sounds when actuated,
> >
> >Any MIDI synth with downloadable sample memory.
> 
> I was thinking of a simple MP3 chip before Geoffrey decided to patent  
> the idea.


Sorry for the delay in answering, I was playing tour guide for an old
friend.

Speaking generally, a posting to a mailing list and a patent a miles
apart. If I were to persue a patent, I would quote my publication of
the idea as first publication, which gives me both a limit of 1 year
to file a real (as opposed to provisional) patent application.

If I were to not file a patent application in a year, which is quite
likely, leagly I have abandoned the right to patent protection which
would place the idea in the public domain.

Assuming I were to file a provisional patent application, I have
one year from date of first publication in this case to claim
"patent pending" without filing a real patent application. 

Since provisional patent applications don't require a prior art
search, although they do require you disclose the results of one
if you do it, I would not do a prior art search, unless I file
a real patent application.

Note that if I were to obtain a patent on such a device, that only 
restricts the commercial sale or distribution of infringing devices.

I have my reasons for mentioning the patent, and would gladly discuss
them off list. 

If you want to design such a device as you mentioned, feel free to.
If you want to describe it in a public forum, such as this list,
put them up on your or any other website, write a magazine article
about it, and so on, feel free to. The last thing I want to do is
to stifle creativity. 

To be honest, I don't see a lot of money in selling programable
door bells. Even if I were to get a patent, some company in China
could make them, and sell them for a lot less than I could, and
it would be difficult to stop them.

Where I see the money would be in selling "ring tones" for your
doorbell, which is a patent I'd love to have, and let someone else
figure out and sell the hardware.

Geoff. 
-- 
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm at mendelson.com  N3OWJ/4X1GM