Invention

• Author: Steven H. Voldman
• Profession: Is an IEEE Fellow and graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Pages: 37-71

From Invention to Patent: A Scientist and Engineer’s Guide. First Edition. Steven H. Voldman.

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

37

2

2.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses how to be an inventor, how to increase your focus on creative

processes, and how to be a prolific inventor. It also discusses how to become an inventor

[1, 2], how to learn how to write patents and invent [3, 4], invention methodologies

[5–8], patent offices [9–15], and books [16–28].

2.2 How toBecome anInventor

In this section, steps and processes to become an inventor are discussed.

2.2.1 What Do YouDo That Is Creative?

Of the steps to become an inventor, the first step is to understand what you do is crea-

tive. We do not admit the creative processes that we already do (Figure2.1). Many of us

already do the following processes [1, 2]:

● Draw pictures

● Paint

● Play a musical instrument

● Sing

● Computer art

● Graphics

● Software

● Engineering work

● Design

● Writing.

All these are creative processes that help you to take the steps to become an inventor.

In my own case, I used to paint paintings with acrylics on canvas and e ven painted on

plexiglass from the back. I used to play trumpet and trombone. I do not sing! I work on

the patent art with computer graphic tools such as CorelDraw and other tools. I write

books, which is also part of my creative process. And, of course, wr iting patents [1, 2].

Invention

From Invention to Patent: A Scientist and Engineer’s Guide38

2.2.2 How Do YouThink?

People think differently (Figure2.2). It is important to understand your strengths and

take advantage of them. Here are some of the different ways people think [1, 2]:

● Some people are analytical.

● Some people are detailed.

● Some people are visual.

● Some people think when they work with their hands.

● Some people are mechanical.

What is your strength?

In my case, my mode of thinking is dependent on the environment that I am in. I am

definitely more visual oriented and take advantage of this skill from drawing inventions

to writing patents. I am left‐handed, which means I am more “right‐brain” oriented [1, 2].

2.2.3 Where Do YouThink?

An important concept is to understand where and how you personally think. This is key

to allow yourself personal time to do thinking on invention.

Different people think in different places. Some people find they do their best think-

ing at their desk in their office. For others, the office place today has too many distrac-

tions that interfere with effective thinking [1, 2].

Paint

Writing

Musical Instrument

Drawing

Creative

Processes

Design

Figure 2.1 Creative processes.

Thought

Processes

VisualAnalytical Mechanical

Figure 2.2 Thought processes.

Invention 39

When I used to teach invention courses in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka,

Iwould ask the attendees to mention the best place to do their thinking. Each class that

I asked, there is always a manager who says they do their best thinking while sitting on

the toilet. When I asked why, they responded that it is the only time that they get five to

ten minutes of privacy.

2.2.4 When Do YouThink?

Some people do their best thinking in the morning when their mind is clear. This could

be at home over coffee or before family members wake up. Sometimes, when you are

sleeping, your mind is thinking about things, and it is best to document and record it in

the morning. I used to wake up in the morning and go to a breakfast diner at 5 or 6 a.m.,

and pull out a napkin and scribble my invention thoughts before the coffee arrives. When

I arrived at work, I would begin recording my thoughts and submit the invention ideas.

Some people think in the shower when they wake up. Your mind is clear, and the ideas

begin to flow out. Some people would like to listen to music.

When I was at MIT, there was a child prodigy that would walk all day long. When he

was thinking, he walked.

At times, my best thinking was also when I was jogging or running. For me, it would

be best to start thinking about a subject, and then go for a one‐hour jog. This allowe d

me to focus on the thoughts.

So, it is important to understand where you do your best thinking– and then go to

that place, mentally or physically [1, 2].

2.2.5 Capturing Your Ideas andInventions

An important part of the invention process is to capture your thoughts, document it,

and record it. Almost everyone forgets. It is important with invention to capture your

thoughts [1, 2]:

● Store it in an invention notebook.

● Store it on a note pad.

● Store it on your cell phone.

● Submit it on an electronic invention database.

Historically, corporations used to have Invention Disclosure notebooks. These

Invention Disclosure notebooks were corporate property that was a controlled docu-

ment. There was a number on the front page, your name, and a date. Each page was

numbered, and there was a signature line, a witness line, and a date. These notebooks

were used to record the thoughts and ideas of employees. For invention, it was impor-

tant to have a signature, date, and a witness. In the case of “First to Invent” systems, this

was a legal document to prove who is the first inventor. Some corporations still use this

method for documentation.

In some corporations, they have now moved to electronic online databases. For

example, IBM switched to an online database system that would record date, time, and

inventor. It was used also for tracking, scheduling, and recording. The submission of an

invention to the system also fulfilled legal documentation of the initiation of a new

invention.