In order to succeed as an inventor, you have to have a great idea. There are a number of ways to come up with an idea, including through brainstorming, a feasibility study, or an non-obvious improvement to an existing product. Once you have an idea, it's time to document it so you can use it as a reference. Sometimes ideas come at once, but that's not always the case. For instance, J.K. Rowling's idea for her Harry Potter series came to her as she was riding a train. The ideas began to flood her mind one by one.

Non-obvious idea

A non-obvious idea for invention is one that was not previously known. In order for your invention to qualify as a patentable idea, it must be something that has never been done before and has not been described in any published work or in a patent application. A non-obvious idea for invention is one that is not immediately obvious to others, so it's important to do your research before coming up with an idea. This might involve going against technical prejudice and solving a problem using a different mechanism.

To determine whether your idea is non-obvious, you can conduct a patentability search. You should aim to find the most relevant prior art, if any, and use that as your basis for telling your story of inventiveness. In addition to highlighting how your invention solves a problem or improves on existing technology, you can also include the reason why your invention is better than previous attempts or technologies.

Novel idea

Many people claim to have a novel idea for an invention, but the reality is that most things have been done before and are already common knowledge. A novel idea is not necessarily a commercially viable one unless you can protect it strongly. If you cannot protect your idea, few companies will consider it for patenting. Luckily, there are ways to make your invention more unique. The first step is to find out if it has already been done.

Next, define your invention's scope. For example, an invention of an anti-aging cream could include plant extracts that act as powerful antioxidants that help reverse the effects of aging, cure heart disease, and even treat acne. You must also define what your invention is, because patents must be "novel and not-obvious," meaning that it's completely new and not previously used. There are many different ways to create a new invention, and each method requires a different approach.

Non-obvious improvement

A non-obvious improvement is one that does not have to be new to be patented. While there are several different standards for patentability, the standard used is not the same for everyone. In general, if your improvement is already commonly used in the marketplace, it would be obvious to someone of average skill. For example, if you invented a new plastic part that has improved performance, it would probably not be deemed a non-obvious improvement.

In the pharmaceutical industry, the argument of non-obviousness is crucial. A slight change to a known chemical compound can create an unexpected result. For example, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer initially synthesized Viagra as a blood pressure drug. Then, during clinical trials, it was discovered that it was an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. This type of argument is crucial in patent applications. Likewise, a non-obvious improvement to an existing item does not demonstrate ingenuity.

Feasibility study

A feasibility study identifies the risks and benefits of your project. This step also includes a discussion of potential commercialization options and manufacturing costs. A feasibility study for your invention idea will also evaluate patent issues. In addition, it will outline the business structure and management team for your invention. This information is vital to the success of your idea. It is important to follow these steps carefully to create a high-quality study.

In the process of conducting a feasibility study for your invention idea, you will need to conduct research. This research is done in a variety of ways. Secondary research is generally used in larger research projects and can strengthen your project. If your invention idea is a product or service, you may also want to conduct some desk research to see what the market is like for that specific product or service. This type of research will also include demographic analysis.