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Ultimarc Spinner details...
RandyT:
--- Quote from: KevSteele on July 21, 2008, 01:25:10 pm ---..you probably should put a "Patent Pending" on your site. Hopefully there's no prior patent on a similar design, but that's what takes so long for Patent Lawyers.
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Thanks for the advice, but it's been there since the process was started, as well as included in the documentation that ships with them.
--- Quote from: AndyWarne on July 21, 2008, 01:23:38 pm ---Note that we were the first to launch a spinner with a rear-mounted detachable flywheel. When the TT2 was launched with this feature I didnt say a thing.
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There is no other way to design a "flywheel" for my design and it was in development long before Christian started showing yours.
--- Quote ---When a version of the KeyWiz was launched which has the same connector layout as the I-PAC I didnt either.
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It's a simple matter of conserving board space and is hardly an original idea.
--- Quote ---I remember when the TT1 was launched thinking how much like the Tornado it seemed. A good product nevertheless.
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Thank you. Of course you would have had to ignore the fact that it was a solid material design, had a resolution that was several times greater, a printed encoder that resides below the frame, and a PCB that also acted as a structural member to stiffen the box design. But Christian also saw the similarities you did, and went on to attempt to disparage the move toward high resolution spinner devices I was advocating at the time. The thread is still here for those interested, but sadly it has been chewed up a bit by the forum software.
RandyT
RoomTenONine:
--- Quote from: RandyT on July 21, 2008, 12:58:20 pm ---
--- Quote from: RoomTenONine on July 21, 2008, 12:48:21 pm ---And it wasn't successful or is just taking a while? Have the right attorney working on it?
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Obviously you have never prosecuted a patent application (BTW, I have 3 published). It's a long process to get one issued.
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I have not personally prosecuted one, although I am familiar with the process professionally. However, that isn't where my understanding really stems from. My spouse is a commercial litigation attorney so I'm all too familiar with the length of time it can take on such situations and that it can drag on if things aren't handled correctly from the beginning. I can see where your design could get caught up in arguments during the patent process. I also don't notice any patent pending notices with this device, FWIW they may be helpful.
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--- Quote ---It is different. The office scenario is someone stealing your idea before you had a chance to present/submit it and getting all the credit.
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Again, I fully understand all aspects of IP protection. I have even tried to offer "non-legal" advice about it here from time to time. But it is not so different. All a new potential customer, such as yourself, sees is two virtually identical designs. How do I now get a chance to "present my idea first", thus getting the "credit". If nothing else, this post will help serve as a footnote in the history of its creation that can be referenced by interested entities.
Randy
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If you understand IP so well, why are you complaining about your idea being stolen when you could have protected it? It appears you went to market early either because the patent process was taking too long for your liking and/or you aren't sure if the patent will be successful. Now that your idea isn't protected and others follow suit you are irked. I get it, but you are the one that could have prevented this up front. As it stands it is fair game.
Actually, when I began researching spinners your competitor had nothing to offer me. You did "present first" to me. In fact you presented first to the entire industry with this style of footprint. I was planning on buying your spinner and his interface. I asked him about connecting spinners from other companies and he honestly informed that is was possible. He could have easily spun some BS about it not being perfect or that his spinner was better to lure me into buying his products only. He gave me an honest answer.
Also, I do not see the spinners as virtually identical designs. All I see are spinners that may or may not fit my needs. You are the one claiming they are virtually identical by the assertion that the design was copied.
To be honest this discussion is very disappointing. Here I am defending simple comments about keeping industry arguments away from a post intended to inform others of a product. This to me is borderline trolling. There are appropriate and mature ways to handle industry squabbles and hijacking a thread is not one of them.
Edited for messed up quote brackets.
RandyT:
--- Quote from: AndyWarne on July 21, 2008, 01:34:50 pm ---
--- Quote from: KevSteele on July 21, 2008, 01:10:57 pm ---Then how did he blatantly rip off RandyT's design? Sounds like someone else already has a spinner similar to Randy's out there...
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Indeed. The entire unit is a DIN-standard encoder. The manufacturers part number is ENC 33/6DS-300AB/5V
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Let me get this straight: The shaft, bearings, nut, threaded body of the same size and length as an arcade pushbutton is something that you are purchasing, "off the shelf", with no input of specifications by you to the company or being manufactured specifically for you?
Can you provide me with details of the manufacturer?
RandyT
AndyWarne:
--- Quote from: Shoegazer on July 21, 2008, 01:05:49 pm ---Hey Andy,
1) Will there be a wheel add-on option? If so, will it pivot on an axis via gear and stand? My spinner is close to the monitor glass so a wheel larger than say 4" would not be possible, plus it's nice to have a wheel actually facing you of course.. :-) If this is not possible I'd still be interested in a small wheel top if you'll make one available.
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We will not be making available a wheel option unfortunately because I believe the 6mm shaft is too thin to reliably support a relatively large wheel without the risk of getting bent.
--- Quote from: Shoegazer on July 21, 2008, 01:05:49 pm ---
2) From the pictures, it looks like the SpinTrak uses a standard Happ button mount rather than the Tornado's pinhole mount - am I right? If so, I assume I'll need to create a larger hole in my SlikStik classic panel?
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It requires a 28mm hole.
--- Quote from: Shoegazer on July 21, 2008, 01:05:49 pm ---3) Will the SpinTrak work with Vista through a USB hub? My old Tornado will work through a hub in XP, but not Vista.
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Strange that the Tornado did not work in Vista. It will be fine in Vista.
RandyT:
--- Quote from: RoomTenONine on July 21, 2008, 01:47:47 pm ---If you understand IP so well, why are you complaining about your idea being stolen when you could have protected it?
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I'm not exactly sure why you believe it is not protected? Not currently against competition, but we both know that. That is why it is being brought up here, and not in an attorney's office, in order to point out that doing such a thing is an unsavory business practice that sets the stage for future interaction between vendors. I have taken note of this and will, sadly, adjust my practices accordingly.
In any event, there's nothing more I can add here, so I will bow out. They say time heals all wounds, so I'll let the process begin.
RandyT