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Trying to sell 'a better mouse trap'
by jason&karen » Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:23 am
- jason&karen
- White Belt
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:32 am
Firstly we would like to apologise if this question has been posted in the wrong section or if it's contents are not 'on-point' for this site, being that it is software related in nature.
We are new here, based in the U.K, and were attracted by the wealth of knowledge there appeared to be and the willingness of the members to offer advice and share their experiences.
Our postion is basically this, for the last 12 years or more there has been
significant interest in the use of computers to transfer analogue audio media,
vinyl records & tapes, to digital file formats and Audio CD.
Using Google a search for 'vinyl tape cd copying' returns about 1,230,000 results, a search for 'usb tape' returns about 3,190,000 results, a search for 'usb turntables' returns about 1,180,000 results. clear evidence that there is a continuing interest in the activity.
Currently if a user wants to transfer vinyl records & tapes to a computer
the computer and/or playback equipment have to be moved close enough together to connect the playback equipment to the computers soundcard. Some recent developments have resulted in USB Turntables and cassette decks, these are basically turntables and cassette decks with built in USB soundcards. They typically retail of £80 or more and are plugged directly into a computers USB port.
We have developed a hardware/software interface that allows the user
to transfer analogue records & tapes to digital audio files and/or Audio CD without using a soundcard of any description. Unlike all other methods the majority of home users would not be required to purchase any hardware in addition to the playback equipment. It also has no requirement for the playback equipment and computer to be moved close together for connection, moving such equipment is generally less convenient for home users.
Most laptop computers do not have a audio Line-in port and generally have to purchase someform of external soundcard. Our hardware/software interface is equally suited to laptop users since it does not require a soundcard. The hardware/software interface devised is applicable to Windows, Mac and Linux users alike.
Our hardware/software interface produces results that are technically
superior to that of those using the standard Playback equipment &
computer/soundcard method used by all applications currently on the market.
We have a working prototype of the hardware/software interface which is
fully functioning and is complete in terms of hardware/software, connection
details, it is fully researched and is usable, no further development is
required. Five years have been invested on our part in developing it. We
have proof of concept and have proved it in practical terms.
I have attempted to approach two software manufacturers to date, one of
which sells a software/hardware combination to perform the same task at
£39.99 If they were to use our method the hardware box they include in
their package would be obsolete, reducing the package to little more than
a software only sale, with obvious cost savings in production, packaging,
technical support and no payment to a third party to manufacture the
hardware box which additionally increases the cost of their software
package and provides the hardware manufacturer a profit. this company
claims to have shipped 350 million units of it's software, it does not
state over what period of time.
In addition our hardware/software interface would effectively make USB
Turntables & Cassette Decks obsolete and the purchase of any type of
external soundcard unnecessary, since the high quality audio playback
equipment which it uses offers better audio fidelity at lower cost.
We don't have the cash to pursue a patent and in any case the software
related nature of our solution apprears to be precluded since a patent
might be seen to prevent advances in its' use, example you can't patent
the use of software for word processing?
Most of the companies are based in the united states and contacting anyone in product development seems to be beyond us. At the moment we feel as though we couldn't even give this technology away, is there anyone out there willing to chip in with some ideas?
Lastly, we apologise for the length of this post, there seemed to be
little way of asking for advice about our difficulties without outlining
the products' advantages and its' target market.
We are new here, based in the U.K, and were attracted by the wealth of knowledge there appeared to be and the willingness of the members to offer advice and share their experiences.
Our postion is basically this, for the last 12 years or more there has been
significant interest in the use of computers to transfer analogue audio media,
vinyl records & tapes, to digital file formats and Audio CD.
Using Google a search for 'vinyl tape cd copying' returns about 1,230,000 results, a search for 'usb tape' returns about 3,190,000 results, a search for 'usb turntables' returns about 1,180,000 results. clear evidence that there is a continuing interest in the activity.
Currently if a user wants to transfer vinyl records & tapes to a computer
the computer and/or playback equipment have to be moved close enough together to connect the playback equipment to the computers soundcard. Some recent developments have resulted in USB Turntables and cassette decks, these are basically turntables and cassette decks with built in USB soundcards. They typically retail of £80 or more and are plugged directly into a computers USB port.
We have developed a hardware/software interface that allows the user
to transfer analogue records & tapes to digital audio files and/or Audio CD without using a soundcard of any description. Unlike all other methods the majority of home users would not be required to purchase any hardware in addition to the playback equipment. It also has no requirement for the playback equipment and computer to be moved close together for connection, moving such equipment is generally less convenient for home users.
Most laptop computers do not have a audio Line-in port and generally have to purchase someform of external soundcard. Our hardware/software interface is equally suited to laptop users since it does not require a soundcard. The hardware/software interface devised is applicable to Windows, Mac and Linux users alike.
Our hardware/software interface produces results that are technically
superior to that of those using the standard Playback equipment &
computer/soundcard method used by all applications currently on the market.
We have a working prototype of the hardware/software interface which is
fully functioning and is complete in terms of hardware/software, connection
details, it is fully researched and is usable, no further development is
required. Five years have been invested on our part in developing it. We
have proof of concept and have proved it in practical terms.
I have attempted to approach two software manufacturers to date, one of
which sells a software/hardware combination to perform the same task at
£39.99 If they were to use our method the hardware box they include in
their package would be obsolete, reducing the package to little more than
a software only sale, with obvious cost savings in production, packaging,
technical support and no payment to a third party to manufacture the
hardware box which additionally increases the cost of their software
package and provides the hardware manufacturer a profit. this company
claims to have shipped 350 million units of it's software, it does not
state over what period of time.
In addition our hardware/software interface would effectively make USB
Turntables & Cassette Decks obsolete and the purchase of any type of
external soundcard unnecessary, since the high quality audio playback
equipment which it uses offers better audio fidelity at lower cost.
We don't have the cash to pursue a patent and in any case the software
related nature of our solution apprears to be precluded since a patent
might be seen to prevent advances in its' use, example you can't patent
the use of software for word processing?
Most of the companies are based in the united states and contacting anyone in product development seems to be beyond us. At the moment we feel as though we couldn't even give this technology away, is there anyone out there willing to chip in with some ideas?
Lastly, we apologise for the length of this post, there seemed to be
little way of asking for advice about our difficulties without outlining
the products' advantages and its' target market.
Re: Trying to sell 'a better mouse trap'
by Scrupulous » Thu Nov 04, 2010 5:03 am
-
Scrupulous - Black Belt
- Posts: 2414
- Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:32 pm
- Location: United States
Sounds interesting. No pun intended.
Are you talking about something like a stereo-in USB adapter?
Are you talking about something like a stereo-in USB adapter?
________________
I'm Ken Campbell, a registered US patent practitioner at the Affordable Patent Serviceâ„¢.
As a forum moderator, though, any input I provide should be considered general information, and not legal advice. The ideas I express are not necessarily the opinions of InventorSpot.com or its affiliates. In general, any action taken as a result of information, analysis, or advice from any forum members on this site is ultimately the user's responsibility.
I'm Ken Campbell, a registered US patent practitioner at the Affordable Patent Serviceâ„¢.
As a forum moderator, though, any input I provide should be considered general information, and not legal advice. The ideas I express are not necessarily the opinions of InventorSpot.com or its affiliates. In general, any action taken as a result of information, analysis, or advice from any forum members on this site is ultimately the user's responsibility.
Re: Trying to sell 'a better mouse trap'
by jason&karen » Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:18 am
- jason&karen
- White Belt
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:32 am
Thankyou for reply. No, this method makes no electrical connection between the computer and the playback equipment. In fact they don't even have to be in the same room!
Re: Trying to sell 'a better mouse trap'
by dughorn » Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:33 pm
- dughorn
- White Belt
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:20 pm
Don't forget about get a UPC barcode for your packaging. The most affordable
way to purchase an authentic legal UPC barcode for your business is from a
company reselling there unused ones. Don't buy your UPC barcode from a
company unless you can verify their company name in the GS1 US website. Many
companies selling UPC barcodes are not the owners. They are just licensing
someone else's barcode which puts you at risk. Try looking at
www.authentic-legal-upc-barcode.com
way to purchase an authentic legal UPC barcode for your business is from a
company reselling there unused ones. Don't buy your UPC barcode from a
company unless you can verify their company name in the GS1 US website. Many
companies selling UPC barcodes are not the owners. They are just licensing
someone else's barcode which puts you at risk. Try looking at
www.authentic-legal-upc-barcode.com
Re: Trying to sell 'a better mouse trap'
by THEWHEEL » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:01 pm
- THEWHEEL
- White Belt
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:40 pm
GET A BUSINESS ACCOUNT DRAWN UP THEN -DRAGONS DEN
5 posts
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