Whats the first step...

W

What you need is a patent (utility). You may patent the implementation, not the idea. Your implementation must be new, unique, and non-obvious. Additionally, you must deal with any prior art.

To get one of these patents, you can either 1.) file it yourself (read USPTO documents), or 2.) get a patent attorney to do it all for you. Number 2 gets preferential treatment, because time and experience are working against you.

Note that if/when a patent issues, you effectively have a deadlock on your invention. This is when you begin making your rounds to various companies.

-W

Emjay

Thanks for the reply W.

So I guess my real question was, (and this is an example) if I were to take a pair of sunglasses a gps system, and small lcd screens and make a gps sunglass unit could I patent it and protect my rights?

(haha thats not a bad idea btw)

W

Yes. But only if someone else has not already created such a system.

W

Oh, and as a reminder (just in case anyone forgets): do not disclose your invention to these forums until you have either filed for a patent or talked with an attorney.

-W

Emjay

Thanks again W, This forum could prove very usefull.

JimIvey

I'll just weigh in a little late here, W is right -- as long as your combination of known things is new and non-obvious, you should get a patent.

One part of your post not addressed yet is how to approach the potential interested parties -- either major manufacturers or investors to help you manufacture the product.  Don't tell anyone about your idea before you file your patent application without an NDA (non-disclosure agreement).  Well, attorneys are always under NDA, so it's not necessary for them.  Most manufacturers and investors won't sign them, so you have a bit of a conundrum -- it's difficult to get a good patent application without other people's money and it's difficult to get other people's money without a good patent application.  

I hope that's more helpful than it sounds.