Invention Convention Process

If you build it, they will come…

Engineering Design LoopFind a Problem

We start out by identifying the need for our engineering project. Instead of asking "what do we want to design?" we ask "why do we want to design that?" and "what problem and or need will our design ultimately be solving?“

Determine a problem you are trying to solve.

List 5; circle one.

(Start with categories then problems within those categories.)

Engineering Design LoopDefining the Problem

1. Work through the 12 questions on the “Defining the Problem” sheet.

The goal is to consider many different aspects of your project (problem, target population, requirements, etc.) and try to finalize your groups’ thinking about the invention BEFORE moving forward.

2. Complete page 4 in your invention packet, using information from your brainstorming and your 12 questions.

This should be done in complete sentences and neatly!

Engineering Design LoopExplore Possible Solutions & Select the Most

Promising Solution

Individually: Sketch an example of your version of your invention. Label important features. Explain with captions how each feature will work. (Does NOT need to be ‘quality’.)

As a group:Share your sketch and explain your idea to your group.Use parts of everyone’s ideas to create a cohesive idea that your group members agree to move forward with.STAPLE the final group sketch/labels/captions to page 5 of your packet!

Engineering Design LoopAre you ON TRACK?

These items should be submitted for a grade by the end of TODAY.

1. Brainstorm 5 problems and/or categories your group MIGHT want to work on.

2. Complete the 12 questions on the “Defining the Problem” sheet.3. Complete page 4 in your invention packet. (complete

sentences/very neatly)4. Complete the individual and group sketch activity.

Engineering Design LoopWhat is a patent?

• What is a Patent?• A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the United States Patent and

Trademark Office. Generally, the term of a new patent is 20 years from the date on which the application for the patent was filed in the United States or, in special cases, from the date an earlier related application was filed, subject to the payment of maintenance fees. U.S. patent grants are effective only within the United States, U.S. territories, and U.S. possessions. Under certain circumstances, patent term extensions or adjustments may be available.

• The right conferred by the patent grant is, in the language of the statute and of the grant itself, “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” the invention in the United States or “importing” the invention into the United States. What is granted is not the right to make, use, offer for sale, sell or import, but the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling or importing the invention. Once a patent is issued, the patentee must enforce the patent without aid of the USPTO.

• There are three types of patents:• 1) Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of

manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof;2) Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; and3) Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.

Engineering Design LoopAnd what about trademarks and copyrights…

1. A trademark is a word, name, symbol, or device that is used in trade with goods to indicate the source of the goods and to distinguish them from the goods of others.

2. Copyright is a form of protection provided to the authors of "original works of authorship" including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works, both published and unpublished. The 1976 Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to reproduce the copyrighted work, to prepare derivative works, to distribute copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work, to perform the copyrighted work publicly, or to display the copyrighted work publicly.

1. http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/general-information-concerning-patents

Engineering Design LoopWhat is a patent search?

1. Link to Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGc7id9TvYw

2. Why is a patent search important?1. A patent search keeps you from wasting a lot of time and money on an

invention that would be not be patentable or at least very difficult to obtain meaningful patent protection for. A good search can turn up prior inventions that could potentially bar an inventor from obtaining a patent. Additionally, a good search will predict the objections that the patent office might raise against patentability and give you extra time to consider a proper response to an office action such as a rejection. If you are trying to form a new company around your invention, you need to be aware of all possible problems associated with your invention.

Engineering Design LoopConstruct a Prototype: Research1. Do a patent search.

1. Complete the “Patent Search Worksheet”.

2. Conduct a user interview.1. Complete the “User Interview Worksheet”.

3. Make a QUALITY scientific diagram for your invention.1. See Ms. P. for materials and rubric.

4. Write a Type 3 summary of your group’s findings from #1/#2.1. See Ms. P. for Type 3 writing paper/FCA’s.

Engineering Design LoopPiece 1: Patent Search

1. With your group:• Make a list of possible search terms based on your invention features.

2. Do a patent search.• Ask Ms. P to replay the 3 minute instructional video if you need help getting

started.• Complete the “Patent Search Worksheet”.

3. When you finish, help your other group members finish their piece.

Engineering Design LoopPiece 2: User Interviews

1. With your group:• Make a list of possible interview questions based on your invention features.• Choose AT LEAST 4 questions you all agree are important to determine if users like

about your invention OR that would prompt them to suggest additional features you haven’t thought of yet.

2. Do 3 User Interviews.• Interview people only within your target population. Choose a range of users.

Example: If you felt your invention would work for users that are females between the ages of 6 and 12, choose a 6-7 year old, a 9-10 year old, and a 11-12 year old.

• Complete the “User Interview Worksheet”. (You might need to use notebook paper to have enough room. Just attach it to the worksheet.)

3. When you finish, help your other group members finish their piece.

Engineering Design LoopPiece 3: Scientific Diagram

1. With your group:• Make a list of possible important labels to include based on your invention

features.• Brainstorm possible captions for the five most important features that show

how different you invention/innovation is from others like it.

2. Do a scientific diagram.• Ask Ms. P for the materials and the grading rubric. (see next slide)• Complete the diagram according to the rubric. USE PENCIL FIRST!

3. When you finish, help your other group members finish their piece.

Engineering Design LoopPiece 3: Scientific DiagramName ____________________

Invention Convention Scientific Diagram Rubric

Required Elements Points Possible Points Earned

Diagram title wording is capitalized and underlined

4

Title is larger than labels; labels are larger than captions. Labels can be read easily from 4 feet away.

8

Labels are written above captions and are underlined

10

(2 pts. each label)

Captions explain AT LEAST five features applicable to invention/innovation

25

(5 pts. each caption)

Diagram wording is horizontal and legible and attaching lines are straight (use of ruler is evident).

15

Quality work (neatness, font size, coloring, spelling, capitalization, punctuation)

12 (2 pts. each)

Scientific vocabulary incorporated as applicable in context

5

Total Possible = 79 Total Points Earned = Grade Earned =

Comments:

Engineering Design LoopAre you ON TRACK?

These items should be submitted for a grade by the end of TODAY.

1. Patent Search (at least 3 patents)2. User Interview (at least 3 users)3. Scientific Diagram

Engineering Design LoopPiece 4: Research Summary

(Type 3)• Invention or innovation and title• Name & explain 2 patents that were similar to your idea• Credit website & include exact patent names

• Describe 2 important thoughts your users shared about your idea• Credit users

• Explain how your group used your research to improve your idea

Engineering Design LoopPiece 4: Research Summary

(Type 3)(Sample Research Summary)

We created an innovation to the paper clip called the Hold-It-All. During our research, we searched for similar patents on www.google.com/patents. One patent we found was called Time Saving Paper Clips. Another patent that we located was called the Interconnected Paper Clips. These designs were similar to ours since the Time Saving Paper Clips had a new way to loop the wire and the Interconnected Paper Clips stacked several clips vertically.

We also interviewed several people that might use our product in the future. We learned from Ms. Burnett that she thinks our idea to stack five paper clips would really help her keep her student’s essays organized for grading. Ms. Abra suggested that we make our paper clips in bright, neon colors so she could easily find different piles of papers on her desk.

After our research, we decided to use the bright neon colors that Ms. Abra suggested. We also modified the idea we saw in the Interconnected Paper Clips patent to allow the user to stack as many as ten clips together.

Engineering Design LoopPiece 4: Research Summary

(Type 3)

Engineering Design LoopConstruct a Prototype: Build

One!Optional Homework:Create a working or non-working model of your invention to display with your board.

HAVING A PROTOTYPE MAKES YOUR DISPLAY MORE EXCITING!

Engineering Design LoopCommunicate the Design

1. Write a marketing plan such as a commercial, jingle, phrase, advertisement, or other idea to make people want to buy your invention. • How will you sell it? • What offers might help convince others to buy it?

2. Create a tri fold board that will showcase your invention during the upcoming science fair.• Subtitles must include:

• Problem• Solution• Diagram• What it Does• Marketing Plan

Engineering Design LoopCommunicate the Design:

Marketing PlanWrite an advertisement to make people want to buy your invention. • How will you sell it? • What offers might help convince others to buy it?

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/09/5-tips-on-how-to-write-a-killer-slogan/Advertising ideas (unitedstreaming video- 5 min.)

Engineering Design LoopCommunicate the Design:

Marketing Plan

Engineering Design LoopCommunicate the Design:

Display Board

Engineering Design LoopCommunicate the Design:

Display Board

Additional Samples

Engineering Design LoopCommunicate the Design:

Display Board

Additional Samples

CRISP, CLEAN LINES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! BE NEAT!

NO! YES!

Engineering Design LoopCommunicate the Design:

Display Board

Additional Samples

USE COLOR BEHIND YOUR BOARD PIECES TO HELP THEM STAND OUT AGAINST A WHITE BOARD!

These items are too hard to see!