Argh not another missed oppurtunity

Nuke detectors could eventually reside in your cellphone – Engadget

Well, we lost another one here, but then who knew. Back in 2000, I remember proposing a cell phone sensor interface. In the claims section, I not only noted confined space applications, but having just taken a course on biowarfare, I also included bio detectors. It was one of those blue sky R-D sessions, and of course, out of the hundreds of ideas presented only a few were deemed viable. Its too bad we didn’t submit a patent app anyhow, as it looks like it might have been quite marketable about now.

The funny thing is, within the comments section of the article folks are debating the percieved techcical merits. Considering back in 2000, non of the tech issues was a show stopper, but were marketing issues. Ie, a bluetooth cell phone back then was a rarity, and GPS location was still a hotly debated issue. Thus, its a time to market thing, and in 2000 the market was definitely not there. In 2002, it might have been, although a PEST analysis would be needed to know for sure, as public opinion of such tech could swing either way.

Today, its a no brainer of course, the technology is readily available and low cost. The question still remains whether its economically viable. It may be a few years yet.

And thats the cool part about patents, the long term allows the market to mature, while the technology proceeds to become cheaper and cheaper, until convergence occurs, and its now viable, and a money maker.