Coming up with new invention ideas isn’t always easy, for anybody. But, as innovators, we know it can be done. Lets break it down to six easy steps. Follow them consistently, keep an open mind for new ideas and possible areas of improvement, and be sure to have your invention ideas in place before you actually start working on them. This will help assure your achievement. Think of this as being like building a house – it’s cheaper to buy a kit than to start from scratch.
Start With an Idea. The first step to take when thinking about new products or inventions is to simply have an idea. This is the initial step, an “intellectual leap of faith.” If you can’t come up with an idea, at least get a feeling of what you want to make. For some inventors, this comes through sheer instinct, others may need to look for a model or image that inspires them.
Next, research your idea. There are a number of ways to do this. You can use an attorney, patent professional, or even a mentor. In addition, you can purchase software tools to help you develop the invention idea, such as prototype creation software. Some inventors prefer to create a more tangible model in order to patent their invention ideas, which is also a common way to patent an invention.
Once you have your invention ideas developed, you need to step one into the patent process. This will require that you submit a patent application that describes your invention idea to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. One thing to remember: if your invention is a new product, each country has a different definition of what it means for a new product to be patented. Therefore, it is very important to talk to a patent attorney about the specifics.
After submitting your invention idea, you need to make sure that it fits into the category of what the USPTO will consider as a patentable idea. For instance, there are many ideas that do not fall within the realm of what the USPTO will consider as a patentable invention, such as ideas related to mechanics and electricity. However, if your product falls within the realm of these ideas, you can patent it, but it will not be easy to do so.
The last step in the patenting process involves the USPTO examiner. According to the USPTO site, before an invention is deemed patentable, an examiner will review the invention for novelty, utility, economy, design, trade secrets, or novelty. The last two points are not actually a part of the USPTO’s decision, but they are often what people think about when they say gibbets about how important it is to patent an idea. Utility and design are considered by most patent examiners and are usually not too dismal. Therefore, you should not worry about novelty or utility, as they do not really have anything to do with the overall value of your invention.