If you’ve had an idea for a product or service but don’t know how to move forward with it, you may want to start by conducting some preliminary research on it. You can also use the internet to conduct searches in the category to make sure your product or idea is unique. There are several steps involved in patenting an idea. In this article, I’ll cover the problem-solving process, the business plan, and the patenting process.
Problem-solving
Inventors who want to generate new ideas often rely on the same process – problem-solving. They begin by identifying the problem, generating ideas for the solution, and then evaluating these ideas in a systematic manner. These methods can be applied to all stages of the creative process. For example, the idea of a bagless vacuum cleaner was born out of creative problem-solving.
Various disciplines view problem-solving in a different way. In psychology, it is a mental process, whereas in computer science, it is a purely mechanical process. Problems can be well-defined or ill-defined, with the former having a definite end goal and an expected solution. Regardless of the type of problem, solving is an essential part of our daily lives.
Preliminary research
When developing a new invention idea, it’s important to conduct preliminary research. This isn’t the same as deep reading, though. Deep reading helps you separate fake news from valid reasoning and salesmanship. Inventions based on deep reading are more likely to become marketable products. However, shallow reading is fine if you’re trying to identify the hottest conversation topics or identify the issues facing a particular knowledge domain.
Business plan
When developing a business plan for a new invention idea, you should start by defining the product. Your business plan should detail how your invention will solve a problem that many customers are facing, but for which there is currently no adequate solution. Include results of market research, including interviews with customers and surveys, to demonstrate how much demand there is for your product. If the market is not large enough, you can consider selling your product to a small business that does not have the budget to build a full-fledged business.
After you’ve identified your target market, you can focus on finding that market. If your invention is a new type of kitchen equipment, you’ll need to identify the existing market as well as identify potential customers. Potential customers may already be solving similar problems that you’ve addressed through your invention. A business plan based on endorsements from your potential customers will be most appealing to investors. The following sections should be included in your plan:
Patenting
There are several steps to follow when you are considering patenting your new invention idea. The first step is to make a complete description of the product or idea. As much as possible, describe every aspect of the product or idea, from how it is made to how it will be marketed. Documenting the entire process will prevent your idea or copying your work. In addition to describing your invention, the NDA will also ensure that your idea is protected.
Once you have an idea for a new product or process, you should write it down in a journal. The journal must be signed by a witness. You can use a notebook or any other bound journal as long as each page is consecutively numbered and cannot be removed. It is essential to research the idea from a business and legal perspective before you file for a patent. You must be able to demonstrate the functionality of the invention to the patent examiner. It is also important to note that you must not sell or publicly disclose the invention before you file for a patent.
