It can be exciting to acquire a patent for something you have created. However, for many inventors out there, this process can be quite confusing - and intimidating - if they are not familiar with how it works. 

So, if you are not sure how to go about your patent process, allow us to offer some guidance to help you get started.

Determine the Types of Intellectual Property You Will Need

There are several different types of intellectual protection - this can include patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and trademarks. Hence, it is crucial that you know what types each of them is and which one would best apply to your invention before moving forward.

Is Your Invention Patentable?

The next step of the process is to determine whether your invention is patentable or not. You must remember that your invention needs to be novel and non-obvious while also being useful to be eligible to receive patent protection. A patent search can be an essential step in this process to determine its patentability.

Establishing the Kind of Patent That Will Apply to Your Invention

This step focuses more on the nature of your work. Depending on what it is, you will need a utility patent, a plant patent, a design patent, or a combination of all of them. In addition to that, you will also need to be more aware of the different patent types before you start an application for any of them.

Applying Preparation

Here is the part when you develop an application strategy, thereby involving a process where you need to consider your costs and decide where you will want to use professional legal services. So if you are planning on getting a plant or utility patent, you will have to figure out if you want to file a provisional or nonprovisional application. Having this kind of application can make it a cheaper way to establish a United States filing date for your invention - which can then be claimed with your nonprovisional application.

There are so many ways you can use patented technology and bring about exceptional changes in the world. In fact, there are many professionals out there who are constantly trying to make use of their patented technology to change the world for the better.

A prime example of such a person is none other than Robert Edwin Douglas - a highly accomplished businessman, inventor, and engineer who has diverse abilities associated with image processing and 3D technology.

Over the years of his career, he has established many businesses that have benefited industries in various ways - a few examples include his position as the Founder of Douglas Labs Inc., D3D Technologies Inc., and Opic Technologies Inc. Additionally, as an experienced military strategist, Dr. Douglas has worked on improving various tech for the military. For example, he improved the headset designs for soldiers and enhanced the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS).

He also patented a method with Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), where he went ahead and patented a way that combined Automatic Target Recognition with both a digital object. This way, he was able to draw the attention of soldiers and a corresponding movable high-resolution field of display, which ultimately improved the close combat situation for all soldiers.