- Alfred North Whitehead", "\"When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.\"
- Arthur C. Clarke", "\"New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.\"
- John Locke", "\"All great truths begin as blasphemies.\"
- George Bernard Shaw", "\"If we watch ourselves honestly we shall often find that we have begun to argue against a new idea even before it has been completely stated.\"
- Wilfred Trotter", "\"It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.\"
- Robert Goddard", "\"There is nothing particularly scientific about excessive caution. Science thrives on daring generalizations.\"
- L. Hogben", "\"The creative person pays close attention to what appears discordant and contradictory and is challenged by such irregularities.\"
- F. Barron", "\"The voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new horizons, but in seeing with new eyes.\"
- Marcel Proust", "\"Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.\"
- Albert Szent-Gyoergi", "\"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?\"
- Albert Einstein", "\"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.\"
- Mark Twain", "\"If what we regard as real depends on our theory, how can we make reality the basis of our philosophy?\"
-Stephen Hawking", "\"There are children playing in the street who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perception that I lost long ago.\"
- Robert Oppenheimer", "\"Who never walks save where he sees men's tracks makes no discoveries.\"
- J.G. Holland", "\"In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.\"
- Galileo Galilei", "\"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.\"
- Sir Martin Rees", "\"Advances are made by answering questions. Discoveries are made by questioning answers.\"
- Bernhard Haisch", "\"All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed; Second, it is violently opposed; and Third, it is accepted as self-evident.\"
- Arthur Schopenhauer", "\"The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out the conservative adopts them.\"
- Mark Twain", "\"If you are only skeptical, then no new ideas make it through to you.\"
- Carl Sagan", "\"Now, my suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose; I suspect that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of, in any philosophy\"
- J.B.S. Haldane", "\"Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be defeated, but they start a winning game.\"
- Goethe", "\"If we want to solve a problem that we have never solved before, we must leave the door to the unknown ajar.\"
-Richard Feynman", "\"It is through science that we prove, but through intuition that we discover.\"
- H. Poincare", "\"Nothing is too wonderful to be true if it be consistent with the laws of nature.\"
- Michael Faraday", "\"The skeptic will say, 'It may well be true that this system of equations is reasonable from a logical standpoint, but this does not prove that it corresponds to nature.' You are right, dear skeptic. Experience alone can decide on truth.\"
- Albert Einstein", "\"The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny...'\"
- Isaac Asimov", "\"Name the greatest of all the inventors. Accident.\"
-Mark Twain", "\"Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.\"
- Mark Twain", "\"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.\"
- F. Scott Fitzgerald", "\"I can live with doubt and uncertainty and not knowing. I think it is much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers that might be wrong.\"
- Richard Feynman");
$quoteNum = sizeof($quoteArray)-1;
mt_srand((double)microtime()*1000000);
$rand = mt_rand(0,31);
echo $quoteArray[$rand];
?>
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- Does Invent Resources, Inc. (IRI) work with individuals
as well as companies?
- How may I be assured that my concept will be kept confidential? Doesn't my idea also make me an inventor?
- I may be interested in obtaining a patent on my concept.
How can I tell whether my concept is new or whether it already exists?
- Can my concept be patented?
- If IRI helps me to patent and develop my product, how
can I be sure that it will be successful in the marketplace?
- I have a new product in mind that would extend my firm's
product line. How do I go about exploring this with Invent Resources,
Inc?
- I have an idea I'd like to market it. How can I accomplish
this and can Invent Resources help me?
- I require a unique new product that will result in significantly
improved sales and competitive status. My own business has not provided
this product - either it is not well enough staffed, or it has tried
but not succeeded. Should I outsource this product development to Invent
Resources?
- How do I make first contact with IRI?
- When do we proceed to first face-to-face contact?
- Where/how do we meet?
- Does IRI automatically agree to participate in a new
product development program with the client?
- How does IRI proceed to create the concept on which
the new product will be based?
- Is the new concept a piece of proprietary property?
- How can IRI presume to innovate in industries in which
it has had no experience?
- To whom does the new intellectual property belong?
- How do I learn the details of IRI's newly created intellectual
property?
- How do I take ownership of all or part of this intellectual
property?
- If I want to pursue IRI's new concept, what is next
step?
- Where are these models made?
- What is IRI's role as the program proceeds?
- How do IRI product development costs compare with inhouse
product development costs?
- How does IRI profit from its new product development
programs?
Q:
Does Invent Resources, Inc. (IRI) work with individuals as well as companies?
A: We do. There are several ways
to work with IRI. You may review our
procedures at one of the radio-buttons. Please note, however, that we
do
not accept deals for a percentage of future equity, and we do not market
or attempt to license the inventions of non-clients. However, we do offer individuals
reduced rates and procedures at certain stages of the concept-to-product sequence.
Back To Top
Q:
How may I be assured that my concept will be kept confidential? Doesn't my idea also make me an inventor?
A: We execute a confidentiality agreement (NDA) before receiving
any
confidential information. Examples of such agreements may be seen by
going to the radio-button NDAs.
Regarding your second question, an idea is not an invention.
Invent Resources often encounters clients who suggest problems or product ideas
and then believe that they should be named as inventors on the
corresponding patent applications. Below, we cite a case that
demonstrate the legal status of such clients:
If a client sets forth the ideal attributes of a useful product
without a technical description of the physical structure by which the
objective or these attributes are to be achieved, he has not defined
or conceived an invention. If such a client were to appear as a
co-inventor the patent would be subject to invalidation in a suit.
Conception in patent law, is the formulation of the complete means,
i.e., the physical structure, for solving a problem. The recognition
of a problem, a desirable result, or even a general approach to
solving a problem, without the formulation of a description of the
physical structure to obtain that result or solve the problem, does
not constitute conception of an invention and does not make the person
who recognized the problem inventor or co-inventor of a physical
structure invented by another, see generally Townsend v. Smith, 36 F.
292, 295, 4 USPQ 269, 271 (CCPA, 1929); Vanal v. Arata, 202 USPQ 581
(Bd. Pat. Int. 1977); and Freeman v. Motorola, 209 USPQ 829, 834 (N.D.
Ill. 1980).
Furthermore, the inventions are defined by the claims: "The claim is a
statutory requirement, prescribed for the very purpose of making the
patentee define precisely what his invention is ..." White v. Dunbar,
119 US 47, 51 (1886); and see Texas Instruments, Inc. v United State
Int'l Trade Corem., 871 F.2d 1054, 1063; 10 USPQ 2d 1257, 1263 (CAFC,
1989).
However, the client may sign a licensing agreement that gives him world-wide
exclusive rights to the intellectual property that Invent Resources generates.
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Q:
I may be interested in obtaining a patent on my concept. How can I
tell whether my concept is new or whether it already exists?
A: One can never be certain that it's new. However, IR
can perform
patent and literature searches to answer the question of whether it
already exists with some certainty. This does not involve much cost and
reduces the financial risk of investing in patents and model-making.
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Q:
Can my concept be patented?
A: Here are some guidelines regarding patentability:
U.S.
patent law specifies that a patent can be obtained for any new and
useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any
new and useful improvements thereof. Inventions must satisfy three
criteria to be patentable: utility, novelty and non-obviousness.
Utility:
An invention must work in some beneficial way. Mechanical
inventions must be operable. A specific use must be identified for
chemical compositions. Drugs should be demonstrably effective.
Novelty:
An invention cannot be considered novel if it has been known
or
used by others in the U.S. or patented or published by others anywhere
in the world before the date of invention. A new use of a known
invention may be novel, however. The relationship between publication
and timing of the patent application filing is of the utmost importance.
When and how the invention is publicly disclosed will affect the novelty
criterion. A premature "public utterance" of the invention can
destroy
the right to patent.
Non-obviousness:
An invention must not be "obvious" to "one of
ordinary
skill in the art." Since these are subjective terms, there is frequent
disagreement about the fulfillment of this requirement, particularly
between the patent applicant (typically through a patent attorney) and
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This criterion must be assessed
on
a case-by-case basis and expert legal opinion is essential.
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Q:
If IRI helps me to patent and develop my product, how can I be sure
that it will be successful in the marketplace?
A: There are no guarantees because the buying public can be very fickle.
Here are two sets of guidelines that will help you to answer that question:
Guideline
1: The following is a check list to analyze and evaluate the
potential of proposed technology or a patent to become a commercial
success. Examples are color TVs, jet planes, VCRs, PCs etc.
1.
Does it work?
2. Is it protectable?
3. Is there a demonstrated predecessor need?
4. Is it sufficiently better than alternatives?
5. Will it be used?
6. Are there potentially better future competitive alternatives?
Guideline
2: Below are the twelve characteristics of a successful new
consumer product taken from guidelines published by the J.C. Penney
Company for their buyers.
1.
The new product must be an innovative solution to a problem, not
simply a solution. It must clearly solve some problem better than any
other solution.
2. The new product must be easily understood. Do not try to educate the
consumer.
3. The new product must be obvious. Its attributes must be self-evident.
It cannot require marketing to distinguish it from its competition.
4. The new product must be low technology. It must sell without a warranty.
5. The product must utilize simple materials and processes. There must
be low tooling investment, and it must work.
6. The product must be at the right price point. It must qualify as an
impulse purchase or gift and retail for $39.95 or less.
7. The new product must convey consumer satisfaction. It must not be too
faddish or temporary.
8. The product must be positive. It cannot be destructive, unsafe,
harmful to the environment, sexist and such.
9. The product must be freestanding. It must be independent; it cannot
be part of a system. It cannot be tied to the success of another product.
10. The new product must have an established distribution network. It
must have a known retail or catalog source for availability.
11. The product must be desirable. It should be irresistible. It can be
a "need" but must be a "want" as well.
12. The new product should not appeal to everyone. If it does, there is
danger that it will appeal to no one.
Back To Top
Q:
I have a new product in mind that would extend my firm's product
line. How do I go about exploring this with Invent Resources, Inc?
A: Define the need this product will satisfy. Estimate the sales potential.
Arrange for meeting or conference call under a confidentiality agreement for a discussion of the technical possibilities.,
etc.
Back To Top
Q:
I have an idea I'd like to market it. How can I accomplish this and
can Invent Resources help me?
A: I'm sorry to say that ideas are marketable only if they are in
fictional form such as the Harry Potter books and the like. Ideas converted
into practical reality by patenting them may be sold or licensed.
Back To Top
Q.
I require a unique new product that will result in significantly
improved sales and competitive status. My own business has not provided
this product - either it is not well enough staffed, or it has tried but
not succeeded. Should I outsource this product development to Invent
Resources?
A. Outsourced new product development has a good record
of success in
bringing the product from an original concept to sales in the
marketplace (see Invent Resources, Inc. “Products” in this
web site).
Back To Top
Q.
How do I make first contact with IRI?
A. By telephone or Email for exploratory discussions.
See “Contact Us,”
this web site.
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Q.
When do we proceed to first face to face contact?
A. After the “four steps” (see above) have
been prepared for
presentation to IRI. These define the desired new product and the
practicality of proceeding with its development.
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Q.
Where/how do we meet?
A. At IRI premises in Burlington, MA Such a meeting has the
advantage of
bringing together all four principals of IRI, each with his own unique
technological and scientific background. As an alternate, one or more
of
IRI's principals will travel to client's facility at client's expense.
Another option is to conduct the meeting through a series of conference
calls. Video conferencing can also be arranged.
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Q.
Does IRI automatically agree to participate in a new product
development program with the client?
A. Only if it is satisfied that the product to be created
has a
realistic chance to perform as specified by the client, to be
manufactured effectively, to meet safety and cost targets and to be
accepted by the public in a competitive marketplace. IRI also must be
confident that the program will be supported by the client's top
management and that, if successful, it will be adequately funded through
product introduction.
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Q.
How does IRI proceed to create the concept on which the new product
will be based?
A. In a separate internal program IRI principals explore
the technical
aspects of the field to be addressed. They ascertain the state of the
art and search the literature and patents as required. In a series of
brainstorming sessions, they then utilize their own experience and
creativity to come up with a series of concepts on which to base a new
product development program. The best one is selected. This program is
funded by IRI and constitutes its own investment in the new product.
Back To Top
Q.
Is the new concept a piece of proprietary property?
A. In most cases, the new concept amounts to invention.
It may already be
patentable, or it may require enabling experiments to strengthen such
a
patent. If not patentable it may still be the means for creation of the
new product. In any case, it is now a piece of intellectual property.
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Q.
How can IRI presume to innovate in industries in which it has had no
experience?
A. IRI's four principals have devoted their entire careers
to new
product development in many different industries
(http://www.inventresources.com/members.html). In IRI's nine-year
history, it has turned out that at least one of the four principals has
worked in similar products and technologies to the client's. But even
for unfamiliar products, the basic science to be utilized is always the
same. All products rely on fundamental physics and chemistry, with
particular emphasis on certain subclasses of these such as heat
transfer, electromagnetic radiation, hydraulics, mechanics, electrical
circuitry, materials, etc. It is in these sciences, and their
technological application, that IRI's skills are strong. Combined with
IRI's innate creativity, the new concept and the new intellectual
property results.
Back To Top
Q.
To whom does the new intellectual property belong?
A. To IRI, since it created it at its own expense. The
client's
statement of need for the new product or the description of the new
product's desired performance are not patentable and are not
intellectual property (http://www.inventresources.com/procedures.html).
Back To Top
Q.
How do I learn the details of IRI's newly created intellectual property?
A. By signing a non-disclosure agreement
(http://www.inventresources.com/nda.html).
A. IRI provides a written disclosure of the new concept
as well as a
quotation for pursuing construction of first operating models of the
required
Back To Top
Q.
How do I take ownership of all or part of this intellectual property?
A.
By negotiating a Licensing Agreement with IRI which assigns all or part of the intellectual property to the client. The purchase of the intellectual property is another option. See our procedures at (http://www.inventresources.com/procedures.html).
Back To Top
Q.
If I want to pursue IRI's new concept, what is next step?
A. Each case is different, but generally, a phased program
to achieve a
series of operating models on which to base production prototypes is
presented. It includes dated target events and with estimated costs.
Client agrees to sponsor the program.
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Q.
Where are these models made?
A. Either within the client's facility or in a model
shop which IRI
engages and which is funded by the client. In either case, one or a team
of designated IRI principals provides consultation services for which
it
is reimbursed at regular consultant day rates.
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Q.
What is IRI's role as the program proceeds?
A. IRI's role progressively diminishes and may disappear
entirely as
client's staff takes over production and sales.
Back To Top
Q.
How do IRI product development costs compare with inhouse product
development costs?
A. Far less, since the client is not laden with maintaining
an internal
R & D team of engineer and technician with their overhead burdens.
IRI
is also less expensive than consulting houses because it works faster
and at with less internal overhead of its own. The cost of obtaining
patents is also cheaper because IRI staff writes the teaching portion
of
each patent, thus avoiding costly hourly fees of patent attorneys.
Back To Top
Q.
How does IRI profit from its new product development programs?
A. Through royalties for the life of resulting patents
- although other
arrangements may be made in special cases. This arrangement is good for
both IRI and for the client since more sales means more gain for both
parties. (Consulting income for supervising model-making, etc. is
incidental and only covers incremental time contracted for. IRI is happy
to minimize or even to eliminate such work since consulting is not its
primary activity.)
Back To Top
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