Preface

• Author: Steven H. Voldman
• Profession: Is an IEEE Fellow and graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Pages: 19-21

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Invention and patents continue to be an important issue in technology and a factor

driving our global economy. The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow, as well as

the Internet of Everything (IoE). In the future, inventions and patents will drive the

global economy and trade. The future will witness a flourish of the field of electronics,

medicine, energy, transportation, and other areas. At present, the entire world is com-

peting or desires to compete within the same areas of interest.

In today’s work environment, there is a higher expectation that scientists and engi-

neers not only do their work but also innovate. In early years, companies or govern-

ments did not expect innovations.

In the early 1980s, the expectation within the IBM Corporation was that an engineer

or scientist would produce one patent in their 30‐year career. Why? Because that was

the level of what an average employee produced! After the 1990s, the expectation started

to change. Individual and organizational goals were established with annual expecta-

tions. Attitudes about innovation and patents changed for an average employee.

From Invention to Patent: A Scientist and Engineer’s Guide provides a clear picture of

how to be a prolific inventor, understanding patents and the patent process. It provides

illuminating insights into the writing of invention disclosures to patents from the sub-

mission process to final drafts. The book will teach you how to communicate effectively

with patent lawyers and patent examiners, teaching the language of “legalese.” The book

is unique in covering both the early invention process and final patent drafting to pro-

vide high‐quality patents in technologies.

This text consists of multiple goals, which are discussed in what follows.

The first goal of the text is to teach the reader how to become an inventor and what

invention is. The first step is to stimulate the reader to start inventing. This will require

some suggestions about acquiring the confidence to proceed as an inventor. Additionally,

the concept of what invention is and what defines invention. Secondly, one needs to

prepare to be an inventor.

The second goal of the text is how to do patent searches. Today, there are many search

engines that can be used to study patents and provide patent searches. The text will

point out the pros and cons of different search engines.

The third goal of the text is to teach the patent structure. It is important to understand

the requirement of the patent offices.

The fourth goal is explaining how to draft a patent. In order to draft a patent, the

format, the text, and the figures have specific requirements.

Preface