- 1). Choose a category. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office categorizes patents into three sections: design, utility or plant patents. Design patents exhibit some sort of ornamental features; utility ideas present a useful machine or process; and plant patents identify new plant discoveries. (Note: Your idea can fall in between these categories while you are thinking of ideas, but when applying, you will have to choose one category.)
- 2). Research the topic. Think of ways to adapt an existing machine to arrive at an idea. If you want to create a utility patent, think of everyday processes or activities you would like to improve with a simple or complex machine. For instance, attaching a spray bottle to a fan creates a refreshing mist for people to carry in hot weather.
- 3). Investigate existing patents and patent ideas. the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website maintains and archive of established patents and patents under consideration. Visit the "Process for Obtaining a Utility Patent" web page. Skim through full-text and full-image patents online. Read about successful patents and the latest ideas.
- 4). Branch off of established patent ideas. Read books on successful inventions throughout history. Use classic and modern inventions to trigger ideas for your patent. Take notes on how inventors and scientists problem-solved to create their patent. Observe how you would improve an object, design or machine. Think of what you would add, subtract or change about the invention to make it more useful or user-friendly. Brainstorm new concepts.
- 5). Join a patent forum. Register as a member of a patent or invention forum. Sort through the forum topics seeking one related to your field. For example, if you are interested in inventing safer toys for infants, join a toys and games forum. Discuss patent ideas with forum members. Get an idea of what others are coming up with and how they might differ from your ideas. Jot down some of the members' ideas. Note interesting features and materials they are thinking to use and how those differ from your concept.
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