John Stuart – Amazing Inventor

by Chuck Umeda  2006

John Stuart, who has a “dozen patents” to his name, is an expert in telecommunications, but the range of his patents is amazing: from telecommunications to literally “out-of-this-world” advertising to undersea communications to the medical field.  One of his first patents is a safety “bullet” when inserted into a firearm prevents firing real bullets until the safety bullet is removed. Unauthorized persons or children are not able to fire the weapon. 

 Another patent uses the front door intercom to respond to a visitor ringing the doorbell.  The visitor hears a voice from the intercom and assumes someone is inside. You could talk to the visitor from inside your home.  But via your cell phone, you could talk to the visitor even when you are miles away from home.  The visitor can’t tell the difference.  If the visitor were intent on burglary, he would leave your home and try another place.  This allows you to know if anyone is at your front door even when you are away from home.

John observed that the moon’s dark face could be a celestial “billboard” for advertising to half the world at a time.  A product name or a logo could be projected onto the moon.  If “Drink Loco Cola” appeared on the moon, wouldn’t that get attention?  Unfortunately, the US military likes the idea too and has taken over the patent.  [Writer’s comment: perhaps we’ll see “Join the U.S. Army!”  on the moon.]  Another patent involving undersea communication is so good that the Navy has taken it.

Some facts from the medical world.  The top three causes of fatalities are asthma, diabetes and medication errors.  One big contributor to errors is the fact that pills look alike.  So, drugs and medicines are mistakenly given with disastrous results.  The cost in lives lost is 90, 000 per year and many billions of dollars.  John knows that tiny electronic components are clearly identified through use of an international “color code.”  Each color has a specific value.  The same idea could be applied as an indexing system for pills and tablets.  By using colors blood pressure lowering drugs will not be mistaken for blood pressure elevating drugs, for example. 

This patent is being scrutinized by the government as well.  It has enormous potential.  Patent law is intended to make the country more productive.  A patent protects the inventor by giving him exclusive rights to his product for a period of time.  The U.S. government can exercise rights on patents without royalty payments to the inventor if it determines there is a national security issue or military value.

Happily, there are patents that were issued to John without government contention.

After an inventor receives a patent, the next step is to get it on the market.  Most inventors will seek to license the product to a manufacturer.  In negotiating with a potential licensee, if deals don’t go through, the inventor is usually at fault.  Inventors are superb when it comes to being creative, but they are often terrible at business and marketing.  “Don’t blunder in areas where you don’t excel,” John stated.  If you think a lawyer can help negotiate, remember that lawyers blow more deals than inventors.

John shared several gems of wisdom.  A good rule to follow is don’t love your product.  Don’t get emotionally attached to our product.  This can make to too inflexible.  Love people; own things.  The poor man works for money.  The rich man makes money work for him.

Don’t procrastinate!  Don’t argue; inventors can have closed mind.  This can prevent you from accepting constructive criticism or suggestions on improving your product.  Try to agree with people with the same tenacity and intensity as you approach your idea.

On John’s list of “must” reading:  1) Think and Grow Rich; 2) How to Win Friends and Influence People.