In article ,
drawnai{at}hotmail.com says...
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4300823.stm
>
> In 1983, I came up with a design for making perfectly quite cars by
> inverting the sound of the engine and tyres, and playing it back out of
> speakers in the cab.
>
> The engineer I discussed it with said it would never work.

It might have been difficult with 1980's technology.  With
current DSP technology, it's a bit easier. Now, they sell sound-
canceling headphones bases on that principle for $100.
Headphones work better than trying to damp out sound with
speakers because it's hard to keep the inverted phases right
if the person moves their head.
>
> After 11/9, I came up with a design, which for a one off payment of
> =A350 per head + =A31.20 per metre, could reduce casualties in high
> buildings by 99%.
>
> Unfortunately noone thought it was a good idea.

Not a good idea, or not a profitable idea?
>
> My dad came up with designs like this all the time. He thought up the
> idea of a tracked vehicle that could pick up people with injuries,
> without moving them. It's in use now.
>
> There should be some kind of number you can ring when you have ideas.
>

There is.  Look up the Patent and Trademark Office.   Be prepared to
spend a bit of time and money to get your idea registered.

There are lots of good ideas out there----converting a good idea into
money in your pocket is not always an easy process.


Mark Borgerson



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