Dianne - Did you plan to patent this technology?

Do they use something similar for NFL games?

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What is there to patent? This is all stuff that exists already...

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Casey Allen Shobe | http://casey.shobe.info
"What matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study'."
"At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable" ~ Christopher Reeve

One of the coaches at our rink has wireless headphones for him and his pupils. They are quite big and cumbersome of skate with but they can both hear the music simultaneously. They just plug into whatever music system you are using.

I've not tried them but one of my friends has and she said having headphones on throws off her balance somewhat.

I think you could patent it if you made it specifically for skaters and other sports addressing things like size and function. All inventions come from something that exists. It is the application that is interesting to me with this idea.

spinning with headphones is seriously funny

Aside from a patent, which would probably cost more than you could recoup, just putting it all together and selling it as a package may fly. Its well worth the $$$ to buy a package that actually works than try and re-invent the wheel.
Lyle

Yes, there is nothing that would qualify for a Patent because there is nothing that is truly unique. I may have a combination of existing parts that particularly suits figure skaters but the functionality is already there in other forms.

Coach and I used the system today (on nearly deserted ice) while working on the opening to my program. It works great! She could stop, start, re-start the music as she wished and we went through the same 15 Seconds like a zillion times - imagine how the other skaters would have loved hearing that music again and again and again! She did say that she is looking forward to trying the version with the coach's microphone.

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

I read DallasSkater's post and just wondered if a patent was something you were planning to pursue since you had "published" the technology. Forgive my ignorance in not knowing patent rules.

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Guys, I do believe it is possible to patent a design idea that is involving other technology that already being used. Recently, there was a thread about the design of a skate bag. Although there are many skate bags out there each can have it's own design that can be legally protected. Owning name brands is also possible.

I am not suggesting anyone has to do this. Just that I think if there were such a great cost effective one already available to skaters, we would already know of it in even our level of participation in the sport. I know NFL and highly elite athletes will have products to use outside the typical financial range of most.

I am very impressed with Rusty's ability to create everything from a ice rink to a boot press to a boot hanger to a sound system specific to her needs. I say this woman is quite marketable! giggle

remarkable I'd say!
Lyle

***blush!***

(Now, if I could just SKATE!! LOL!)

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

A cool idea indeed but how on earth can you keep earbuds in your ears when jumping or spinning? They always fly out on me.

LWalsh

Surgical glue?

(Sorry!)

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

These stay in pretty well. It's pretty rare that they come out. I run the wire up my shirt so that it's not tugging at them and if one does come out, it's not far.

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Casey Allen Shobe | http://casey.shobe.info
"What matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study'."
"At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable" ~ Christopher Reeve

I agree with Lyle that the patent (and subsequent upkeep) would probably cost more than you'd recoup... at least in the short term. But if you have the right claims that noone has patented yet (altogether), patenting this is not impossible (although, technically, you've revealed this to a TON of 3rd parties and a patent lawyer would probably have kittens over trying to work that!). But this is an amazing idea! (especially since I can't hear my coach when I'm 2 inches from him, not to mention a few feet!)

Actually the potential profit from The Wireless Coach, even marketed world wide thru skate shops wouldn't justify the cost of the patent. A patent is also fairly useless unless you have the significant financial resources (and desire) to defend it in court. (As in most law suits, he with the deepest pockets wins.)

I am much happier just to put the idea out there for everybody and to produce the BEST one at a reasonable price. If somebody else wants to produce a better product at a competitive price, that's great - it is to the benefit of skating in general and that's the purpose.

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

I should like a similar system so that Husband and I can both hear the music when we are dancing. With so many elite skaters at our rink, we're lucky if we get to play our music once in the session, and usually not at all unless we are having a lesson, so headphones are invaluable.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!