Gadget inventors, start your engines

If you happen to be inventing an amazing new mouse that also plays MP3s, spell-checks your text and hunts down monsters in "Everquest," you might want to know about Digital Innovations' D.O.C. (Design, Originality and Creativity) Awards. The awards, kicking off this year, offer inventors of consumer electronics accessories and peripherals the chance to take their products to the worldwide market.

The $25,000 worth of prizes include cash, the opportunity to nab an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Digital Innovations and an all-expenses paid trip to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Winners will be announced at the show on Jan. 5, 2006.

Eligible for entry are accessories and peripherals that improve or extend the functionality of audio, video, gaming, mobile, computer, photo imaging or personal-security products. Entries, according to Digital Innovations, should be tangible, beneficial, unique and oriented to consumers. Entries will be judged on their innovation and originality, ability to enhance or optimize users' lives, and manufacturability and marketability.

Official rules, contest details, deadlines and an online entry form can be found at www.digitalinnovations.com/awards. Now get back to the lab!