First off: I can not.
You can not patent the "idea". It is against the law. A patent can be granted only for things, processes, compositions, machinery, manufactured goods, inventions. Abstract theory and ideas themselves can not patent. The US Supreme Court frequently reaffirms this basic point. You need to figure out a little more than a great idea for getting a patent.
So did you take your idea and make a prototype? There is something to take a patent right now. The lawyer probably will not agree with the first step. Some say that it is documented in inventor's notebook. Some say they will work on it and develop it. My advice: I talk to a lawyer when you are reasonably close to the "completed" product. Maybe you only need three prototypes. If you get what you think is really different, truly new, almost completed, please consult a patent attorney.
It is when you first disclosed when you have the ability to acquire patents. In particular, please respect the term of this one year. After disclosing the invention to a person who is not obligated to keep a secret, there is a period of one year to obtain a patent in the United States. Then, you lose your rights. In other countries you will lose that right before you file a patent application if you teach or show someone that invention.
A patent attorney may propose some when talking to him or her for the first time. They should listen to what you came out, watch it, discuss what your final plan and goals are and discuss your options. Some may recommend provisional patent applications. This is a kind of placeholder that can benefit from advantageous early filing. Some people recommend advancing a complete utility model patent application. Others may suggest firstly to conduct a patent search to determine if your invention was invented earlier or not.
In advancing patent applications, lawyers need to prepare a draft of the application. I would like a patent attorney to write a patent application in the same way as the plumber moves across the bathroom and moves the supply and drain of the toilet and instructs the cardiologist to do the bypass. Doing it yourself can make your invention worthless. There are many rules to be complied with, there are many court cases to inform how patent applications are interpreted and interpreted, and the patent attorneys recognize these and use it when preparing applications.
The patent attorney will work closely with you before submitting the application. While discussing the invention and its possible variations, I often talk to him or her. Once the application is ready, you need to sign the document certifying the contents and accuracy of the application form and approve the obligation of the patent office at the time the application is submitted. The application will be submitted with a series of fees paid to the Patent Office. After that, I will start the waiting game.
The Patent Office is very late and it may take 2-4 years for the Patent Office to send the first response. Then, you will be disputed whether the application is approved or disapproved pointing out problems with the application. At that point you can abandon the application or make changes and make it back. Continuing the application, the Patent Office will send a second letter. Sometimes at this point you may have to keep discussing the patent office's refusal. In some cases it's worth the application to die. Hopefully your application will be approved and issued as a patent. In order for your application to actually become an official patent, you have to pay another fee (issue fee).
After the patent is issued, you will have to pay regular maintenance fees. In the meantime, you can monitor the patents and see if others are not infringing. You can also sell products and licens them to companies that may use competitors or products. The patent expires 20 years after the filing date of the patent application. At that point, the citizens can begin the invention without your permission.
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