The U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed a 'dazzler' -- a non-lethal weapon which uses flashing lights to distrupt a target's equilibrium. A person effected by lights for long enough, will temporarily lose visual acuity, balance, and become nauseous. The government spend about $1 million on the project. Limor Fried, a MIT-educated engineer, decided that she could build one for a lot less money. She's made her design schematics and source code available for free online. Below is a video of the results of her work.
(Video Link)
Link via io9 | Fried' s Bio | Image: AdaFruit Industries
(Video Link)
Link via io9 | Fried' s Bio | Image: AdaFruit Industries
Nauseated!
On a serious note, should these be used to stop rioters, but who is to blame when someone with epilepsy chokes to death on their tongue due to one of these being flashed in their face? Other then this issue... yay science!
(I'm one of those people that can get vertigo and sick just watching a video of a rollercoaster ride. -_-)
Yes, you can certainly recreate a device a lot more cheaply if someone else has done all the research, development, and optimization for you. Instead of using their patent, start from scratch and see how long it takes you.
And speaking of patents, the nice lady has basically admitted she copied the device out of someone's issued (and presumably enforceable patent). Depending on what the granted claims cover, I imagine it would be VERY hard for her to avoid a finding of willful infringement. Oh, and potentially contributory infringement, since she's encouraging others to do the same.