PPA - Outline of the patent application PDF

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Outline of the patent application...

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STS#1500:#Provisional#Patent#Application#Assignment# # Provisional*Patent*Application* Patents# are# one# of# the# most# important# types# of# documents# used# in# engineering# practice.# Through# patents,# engineers# and# innovators# describe# new# products# and# processes# to# potential# investors,# colleagues,# and# business# associates.# Once# examined# and# approved# by# the# U.S.# Patent# and# Trademark# Office,#a#patent#converts#an#idea#into#intellectual#property.## # Working# with# your# design# team,# your# assignment# is# to# prepare# a# provisional# patent# application# (PPA)# that#describes#a#new#technological#device#or#design#that#could#help#the#University#community#achieve# one#or#more#of#the#UN#Sustainable#Development#Goals.# Your# team’s#PPA#should#be#based#on#a#design# idea#that#was#presented#in#the#Design#Pitch.#Please#note#that#your#group’s#PPA#does#not#necessarily#have# to# be# for# a# physical# product# or# device# –# it# can# also# be# for# a# material,# process,# method,# or# software# application.# # Based# on# their# experience# with# the# PPA,# former# STS# 1500# students# have# gone# on# to# work# as# Patent# Examiners# for# the# US# Patent# Office# in# Washington,# DC# and# as# Patent# Engineers# who# assist# patent# attorneys#in#researching#and#writing#patent#applications#for#clients.# # Searching*Prior*Art* As#part#of#this#assignment,#your#group#will#need#to#conduct#a#search#and#review#of#existing#patents#and# products#(prior#art)#related#to#the#innovation#your#PPA#proposes.#This#search#and#review#is#necessary#to# determine#that# your#idea# is,#in#fact,#new# and#more#useful# than#prior# art.#For#the#purposes# of#our#PPA# assignment,#you#are#only#required#to#search#U.S.#patents#and#products;#you#may#widen#your#search#to# include# international# patents,# but# this# is# not# required# for# your# PPA.# For# help# in# searching# the# patent# literature,# consult# chapter# 3# in# Stim# and# Pressman,# Patent& Pending& in& 24& Hours# (CollabUResourcesU Readings).#The#STS#librarian#Maggie#Nunley#has#also#created#a#slide#show#(Resources#–#Slides)#and#four# short#videos#(Resources#–#Videos)#that#walk#you#through#how#to#search#for#prior#art#related#to#your#idea.## # Patent*Criteria* Your#PPA#should#make#the#best#possible#case#that#your#design#is#new,#useful,#and#nonUobvious.#A#“new”# design#is#one#that#is#not#identical#or#too#similar#to#“prior#art”#(i.e.# a#technology#that#is#already#patented,# produced,#or#marketed).#A#“useful”#design#is#one#that#solves#a#particular#practical#and/or#design#problem# better# than# prior# art.# A# “nonUobvious”# design# has# an# “unexpected”# quality# to# it# that# adds# value# to# a# design,#which#means#that#it#embodies#an#improvement#or#change#that#someone#knowledgeable#about# your# particular# technology# would# not# normally# make# in# building# or# using# it.# According# to# Pressman,# a# nonUobvious# design# contains# “new# features# that# are# important,# significant,# and# produce# valuable,# unexpected#new#results”#(Pressman,# Patent&It&Yourself,# Ch.#9,#p.#11).# To#make#the#argument#that#your# design#is#new,#useful,#and# nonUobvious,#your#PPA#must#compare#your#design#to#prior#art,# describe# the# form# and# function# of# your# design,# illustrate# it# with# figures,# and# end# with# a# list# of# alternate# ways# of# configuring#the#design#to#allow#for#a#broader#coverage#of#your#intellectual#property.## # Sections*of*the*PPA* Your# PPA# should# have# each# of# the# following# sections# in# the# following# order:# preamble,# definition,# advantages#over#prior# art,#description#of#form#(with#figures),#description#of#process#(with#figures),#and# alternatives.# Use# headings# throughout# the# document# to# indicate# the# various# sections# of# the# patent:# preamble,# definition,# description# of# form,# etc.# For# a# complete# discussion# of# the# elements# of# a# PPA,#

please#carefully#review#chapter#5#in#Stim#and#Pressman,#and#give#special#attention#to#the#example#at#the# end#of#the#chapter#(the#doll#patent).#What#follows#are#directions#for#writing#each#section#of#the#PPA.# # *Preamble:#To#write#the#preamble,#identify#the#names#of#the#designers#and#their#location.#Then#move#on# to#the#definition.#You#may#begin#the#definition#at#the#end#of#the#preamble.#For#example:#“We,#Jane#Kim# and#John#Jackson,#engineering#students#at#the#University#of#Virginia#in#Charlottesville,#VA,#have#invented# a#device/method#for#[definition].#.#.”## & *Definition:&Include#a#one#or#two#sentence#definition#that#clearly# states# the# purpose(s)#of#your#design.# When# you# refer# to# your# design,# use# a# descriptive# name# instead# of# a# marketing# name# (e.g.# instead# of# using#“Snuggie,”#a#marketing#name,#use#“blanket#with#sleeves,”#a# descriptive#name).#To#help#you#define# your#innovation,#consider&the#various#kinds#of#designs#typically#described#in#patents:#process#or#method# (including#software#process),#machine#(including#software#machine),#article#of#manufacture,#composition# or#matter,# and#new#use.# It# may#be# that# your# patent# includes#more# than#one# new#design# element;#for# example,# Thomas# Edison’s# phonograph# patent# describes# a# design# for# both# a# new# machine# and# a# new# method# for# recording# and# reproducing# sound.# For# a# discussion# with# examples# of# the# various# kinds# of# designs# claimed# in# patents,# see# Pressman,# Patent& It& Yourself,# chapter# 9# (“Now# for# the# Legalese# –# Claims”),# pp.# 5U8# (section# C)# –# note:# this# section# of# Pressman’s# chapter# is# recommended;# it# is# not# required#reading.# & *Advantages& over& Prior& Art:# To# write# the# advantages# over# prior# art# section,# (1)# begin# by# explicitly# describing#a#specific#practical#and/or#design#problem#that#your# design#is#intended#to#address#or#solve.# This# problem# should# be# related# to# a# problem# addressed# by# at# least# one# of# the# UN# Sustainable# Development# Goals.# Be# explicit# and# specific# when# you# describe# the# problem.# Do# not# assume# the# problem#is#obvious#and#does#not#need#to#be#stated.#For#example,#if#you#are#inventing#an#umbrella,#do# not#assume#that#everyone#knows#people#get#wet#when#it#rains#and#what#to#stay#dry;#state#the#problem# explicitly,# even# if# you# think# it’s# obvious.# (2)# Then# explain# how# at# least# two# examples# of# prior# art# (published#U.S.#patents#and/or#existing#products)#have#attempted#to#solve#the#problem#but#have#done# so#inadequately.#(3)#Finally,#explain#how#your#design#improves#on#prior#art#by#solving#the#problem#better# in#some#particular#way(s).#In#doing#so,#you#will#have#established#that#your#design#is#new,#useful,#and#nonU obvious.#Remember#to#include#formal#APA#citations#for#the#prior#art#you#discuss#both#in#the#text#and#at# the#end#of#the#PPA#in#a#References#list#(see#below#for#citation#formatting).#See#the#doll#patent#example# at#the#end#of#Stim#and#Pressman#chapter#5#for#an#example#of#a#wellUwritten#advantages#over#prior#art# section.#Note#that#the#design#problem#the#inventor#is#trying#to#solve#is#the#need#to#create#a#toy#doll#that# simulates#reality#(e.g.#by#producing#realistic#tears#and/or#crying#noises).## & *Technical& Description:# At# the# heart# of# your# patent# application# is# a# technical# description# that# should# have#a#form#description#that#lists#and#describes#each#part/element#and#a#process#description#that#lists# and#describes#each#step#in#the#operation#of#the#device#/design#(though#not#as#a#set#of#user#instructions).# For#the#process#description,#consider#how#to#organize#the#steps#in#a#logical#manner#to#express#a#cause# and# effect# sequence.# If# you# propose# a# software# application# in# your# PPA,# consider# describing# (and# illustrating)#the# user#interface#in# the#form#section# and#the# sequence#of#pathways# configured#for#users# (with#a#flowchart)#in#the#process#section.#Begin#both#the#form#and#process#sections#with#what#Eisenberg# calls#a#“lead# sentence.”#A#lead# sentence#sets#out#the#number#of# parts/steps,#followed# by#a#colon,#and# then# lists# the# parts/steps# before# describing# them# in# detail# (e.g.,# The# stapler# contains# six# parts:# base,# hammer,#anvil,#etc.).#Make#sure#to#go#on#to#describe#the#parts/steps#in#the#same#order#they#are#listed#in# the#lead#sentence.# Writing#a#strong#lead#sentence#is#important#because#it#gives#the#reader#a#preview#of# what#you# are#going#to# describe#or#argue# before#you#discuss# particular#details#or# data.#For# a#review# of#

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what#constitutes#a#good#technical#description,#consult#the#chapter#on#Collab#from#Eisenberg.#Note:#If#you# incorporate#prior#art#into#your#invention#(e.g.#a#USB#port),#include#a#citation#for#the#prior#art#in#the#form# section#and#also#in#the#References#page#at#the#end#of#the#PPA#(see#below#for#citation#formatting).#Also,#if# you#incorporate#prior#art#into#your#design#(e.g.#a#USB#port),#you#should#mention#what#and#where#it#is#in# the#form#section,#but#you#do#not#have#to#describe#its#appearance#in#detail;#then#in#the#process#section,# focus# on# how# the# prior# art# contributes# to# the# overall# function# of# your# design# (you# do# not# have# to# describe#how#the#prior#art#works#on#its#own#apart#from#your#design).# # *Figures:#Regarding#the#location#of#your#figures,#please#integrate#the#figures#into#the#form#and#process# descriptions# respectively.# Do#not# bundle# the# figures# together# and# display# them# all# at# the# beginning#or# end#of#the#document.#To#facilitate#clarity#and#ease#of#understanding,#all#figures#should#be#numbered#and# given# descriptive# titles.# All# key# parts# in# the# figures# should# be# labeled# with# descriptive# names,# not# just# letters#(a#departure#from#common#patent#practice).#All#figures#should#be#neat,#clear,#and#legible.#Each# PPA#should#have#at#least#one#form#figure#that#shows#the#overall#configuration#of#your#design#with#the# major#components#labeled.#If#your# design#involves#developing#new#electrical#or#electronic#circuits,#you# should# include# the# appropriate# schematics.# Likewise,# if# you# propose# a# software# application,# you# must# include# a# process# figure# that# contains# a# basic# sample# of# the# code# to# demonstrate# the# application’s# viability.#For#more#information#on#how#to#prepare#the#figures,#consult#Eisenberg’s#chapter#on#technical# description#writing.### # *Alternatives:#Patents#are#required#to#include#a#description#of#alternative#ways#of#configuring#the#design# that# still# allow# it# to# achieve# the# same# result# or# function.# This# broadens# the# scope# of# the# intellectual# property#covered#by# the#patent# by#anticipating#reasonable# variations#and#modifications# of#the# design.## To# write# the# alternatives# section,# describe# at# least# three# plausible# and# reasonable# alternate# ways# of# configuring# your# design# that# would# still# allow# it# to# achieve# the# same# result# or# function.# Consider# alternate# materials# or# power# sources,# a# different# scale,# etc.# Begin# the# section# with# a# topic# sentence.# Thereafter,#you#may#use#sentences#or#bullet#points#to#describe#each#alternative.## # Due*Date* The#PPA#is#due,#together#with#the#Proposal#argument,#as#a#single#PDF#to#your#lab#section#Collab#site#by# 10:00#PM# Sunday,# April#26# (Lab# Section# Collab# Site# –# Assignments#–#PPA# +#Proposal# Argument).#Make# sure#that#the#group#turns#in#only#one#copy#of#the#PPA#+#Proposal#Argument#PDF;#do#not#have#multiple# group# members# submit# the# paper;# instead,# select# one# responsible# group# member# to# upload# the# document#to#Collab.## # Remember#that#we#grade#the#document#as#it#appears#on#Collab.#Please#make#sure#to#turn#in#your#work# correctly#(i.e.#not#a#Word#doc.#or#a#rough#draft)#and# on#time#by#the#deadline,# and#check#Collab#to#verify# that# your# PPA# was# submitted.# Any# late# or# missing# work# will# lose# significant# points# regardless# of# the# reason# (and# even# if# you# can# produce# an# electronic# timeUstamped# document# that# shows# you# haven’t# made#any#changes#since#before#the#deadline).#It#is#your#responsibility#to#make#sure#your#work#is#turned# in#correctly#and#on#time#(especially#when#you#are#relying#on#someone#else#to#do#it).## # Formatting* The#paper#should#be#grammatically#accurate#and#written#in#straightforward#prose#with#an#objective#tone# appropriate#for#the#genre#of#technical#writing.#It#should#be#at#least#6#full#pages#long#but#no#more#than#8.# Use# 12Upoint# Times# New# Roman# font,# 1”# margins,# double# spaces,# and# page# numbers.# Use# headings# throughout#to#indicate#the#various#sections#of#the#patent:#preamble,#definition,#description#of#form,#etc.# (a#departure#from#common#patent# practice).#Include#a#title#at#the#top#of#the#first#page#and#a#heading*

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(not#a#repeated#header)*on#the#first#page* (singleUspaced)*with#your#names,#your# lab#instructor’s#name,# and#the#course#title#(STS#1500).#Include#the#honor#pledge,#signed#with#your#names#(typed),#at#the#end#of# the#paper.#Save*the*paper*as*a*PDF.#You#will#lose#points#if#the#paper#is#formatted#incorrectly.# # Citations* Whenever#you#discuss#prior#art#(e.g.#the# Prior#Art# section#or#Form#section),#include#inUtext#citations# of# the#prior#art# formatted#in#APA#style.#For#general#APA#formatting#guidelines,#consult#Purdue#University’s# Online#Writing#Lab:# https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/.#To# cite#a#patent#in# the#text# of# your# paper,# use# the# following# format# at# the# end# of# the# sentence# in# which# you# first# mention# the# patent:## # .#.#.#(patent#number,#year).## # Example:#In#1846#J.#Smith#invented#a#method#for.#.#.#(U.S.#Patent#No.#174,465,#1846).## # For#each#patent#cited# in#the# text#of#your# PPA,#you#should# also#include#a# full#bibliographic#citation#in# a# References# list# at# the# end# of# the# PPA.# Title# the# page# References;# use# double# spaces# throughout;# and# leave#the#first#line# of#a#citation#flush#with#the#margin,#but# indent#every#line#after#the# first.#Include#the# following# information# in# the# full# bibliographic# citation:# Author’s# name(s),# year# the# patent# was# issued,# patent#number,#location#and# name#of#the#patent#office#or#other#official#source#of#the#information.#Use# the#following#format:## # Author’s#Surname,#First#and#Middle#Initials.#(year).#Patent&No.&xxx.#Location:#Patent#Office.## # Example:# # Hoff,#M.#E.,#Jr.,#Mazor,#S.,#&#Faggin,#F.#(1974).#U.S.&Patent&No.&3,821,715.#Washington,#DC:#U.S.#Patent## and#Trademark#Office.# Evaluation* Your#PPA#will#be#evaluated#on#the#basis#of#the#following#criteria.# • Does# the# PPA# have# all# the# required# sections:# preamble,# definition,# advantages# over# prior# art,# description#of#form#(with#figures),#description#of#process#(with#figures),#and#alternatives?# • Is# the# PPA# clear# and# well# organized# (e.g.# headings,# lead# sentences# in# the# form# and# process# descriptions)?## • Do# you# provide# sufficient# details# about# your# design# but# at# the# same# time# not# overwhelm# the# reader#with#too#much#information?# • Do# your# figures# reinforce# what# you# say# in# the# text# and# vice# versa?# Can# the# reader# readily# visualize#what#you#design#looks#like#and#how#it#works?## • Do#you#make#an#effective#argument#that#your#idea#is#new#and#more#useful#than#prior#art#(i.e.#it# solves#a#particular#problem#better#than#similar#existing#technologies)?#Does#this#discussion#show# that# your# team# made# a# reasonable# effort# in# searching# prior# art# (published# patents,# existing# products)?#Do#you#cite#correctly#at#least#two#examples#of#prior#art#in#the#text?# • Is#your#PPA#laid#out#neatly#and#accurately?#Does#it#convey#that#you#are#a#thoughtful,#orderly,#and# conscientious#professional#who#is#concerned#about#getting#the#details#right#and#communicating# them#clearly#to#nonUexpert#readers?#Would#it#convince#investors#to#support#your#idea?##

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Is# your# document# properly# formatted?# Does# it# speak# with# one# voice# (e.g.# are# the# idea# and# its# parts#referred#to#the#same#way#consistently#throughout#the#document)?# Above#all,#make#sure#that#your# PPA#fully#captures# how#your#design#improves#on#prior#art.#You# cannot#get# credit#for#what#you# intended#to# say#but#inadvertently# left#out# of# your#PPA.#Do# not# assume#that#anything#important#about#your#design#is#obvious.#It#only#counts#if#you#say#it#and#say# it#well#in#your#PPA.##

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