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An Audio Sampler Rube Goldberg Would Love
Thiago writes "Here is an audio sampler I made with 4 IR LEDs and 4 IR sensors. When something reflective goes by one of the sensor/LED combos, it triggers an event on the computer. On the videos, I mount the device on a turntable and use coins to trigger sound samples of my choice. I'd also like to make the project open-source (or whatever applies to hardware) but know nothing about licenses for this."
IANAL, but as long as you tell people about how it works it can't be patented...
...in theory. That's never stopped the USPTO from approving patents for well-known ideas before.
One suggested improvement: have the reflectivity control some variable (like pitch). small/dark/further away reflector will give you a low note, and a large/bright/close one will give you a high note.
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
A patent only gives you the right to sue someone who infringes on your patent. Deepest pockets win. Better to put in the public domain so that no one can grab it and claim ownership.....
I don't know any licenses specifically designed with hardware in mind, but why not use one of the Creative Commons licenses?
quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.
I'd describe this as a sequencer, not a sampler.
I bet you didn't already apply for a patent? then you just published it(making it unpatentable, even by you) and made the idea free for all to use.
world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
This device is simple. If you had a quarter dispensed by a complex pathway, say using wires, traps, egg timers, cats yowling after having their tails smashed, etc., THEN you would be approaching Rube Goldberg territory.