16-year-old orissa boy eyes US patent

16-year-old Orissa boy eyes US patent

NAGESHWAR PATNAIK

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

[ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 07, 2006 12:00:00 AM]

BHUBANESWAR: Indian scientists are opting for American patents. For 16-year-old Apurv Mishra of Orissa — the inventor of the world-acclaimed Glabenator — having an American patent will give him an extra mileage over an Indian patent. Glabenator, which costs less than Rs 1,500, is a gadget somewhat similar to a PC that enables people having disabled hands, legs and mouth to express their feelings without much movement from their seats.
The Glabenator displays several choices like food and clothing that a patient needs in his day-to-day life. And what the patient has to do is to get attached with two sensor-rods on the muscles above his eyebrows. By raising his eyebrows, the patient can scroll the different options available on the screen of the Glabenator. By contracting his eyebrows he can select the option. The machine, then after, says in a human voice what the patient wants for. The inventor, however, has lost faith in the Indian market and is raring to go for the US patent. “I have no other option but to go for an American patent. I will have the backing of a great economy, once I get it,” Apurv told ET. He looks for sponsors to get the US patient to hone his talents. The American patient will ensure him copyright protection and pave the way for handsome amount of sponsorship for his further research work, explains the budding scientist. He looks to the American market not only for selling his product but also for importing components. “The components required for the Glabenator are not manufactured in India. They have to be imported to develop the machine. Hence, it is better to take the American patent and manufacture it in the US which will be quite cost-effective,” contends Apurv. “It is very important to patent it in America, which will require at least Rs 6 lakh,” says Apurv’s father Anup Kumar Mishra, an executive engineer in the Rural and Works department of Orissa government. Regarding Glabenator Apurv says, “In case of doctors, pilots and shooters, this machine will help them to a long deal. These professionals can convey their messages through this gadget with out using their hands and mouth while engaged in their activities.” He has bagged the third prize for this project in the engineering category at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in the US. He has also been awarded by the US Army for this unique machine.

http://infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1625098.cms