Intellectual Property Forum The Intellectual Property Forum

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

The forum software has been upgraded.  New registrations are not currently permitted while we iron out any bugs and other matters.  Please report any problems you find.

Author Topic: How detailed the idea be?  (Read 1094 times)

sharanbr

  • Junior Member
  • **
  • Posts: 42
    • View Profile
How detailed the idea be?
« on: 01-11-08 at 12:37 am »

Hi,

I am working on an idea in the field of computer algorithms?
The algorithms basically automates certain steps which are till now done manually.
The algorithm uses existing libraries available in most of the computer languages to achieve this.
With this background, I have following question:

Is it enough if I put down how the algorithm works without going into details how
the libraries work? The libraries are available in different flavors in different languages,
but they all do the same function. How much should I explain about the libraries
themselves? Since the libraries come with different names in different languages,
should I keep generic names for these? Also should I give an example of one such
library taking one of the language?

Regards

Logged

Wiscagent

  • Lead Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1405
    • View Profile
Re: How detailed the idea be?
« Reply #1 on: 01-11-08 at 05:34 am »

"The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention." - 35 USC 122 para 1

Exactly what that means for your particular application is difficult to say; but focus on providing enough of a description, in sufficient detail, that any person of ordinary skill in the art could build and use your invention.  It is also a good idea to provide several examples.
Logged
Richard Tanzer
Patent Agent

CriterionD

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 360
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: How detailed the idea be?
« Reply #2 on: 01-11-08 at 01:30 pm »

If you are seeking to write your own patent, or most of it, it might be a good idea to purchase and read Patent It Yourself by David Pressman.

Otherwise, it couldn't hurt to read a few issued patents pertaining to similar technology - see how detailed those apps were. 



still_studying

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 246
    • View Profile
Re: How detailed the idea be?
« Reply #3 on: 01-14-08 at 01:15 am »

You don't need to delve into the library implementation details unless they're somehow relevant to your invention.  If you rely on a quirk of some library's quicksort implementation, then you need to explain why it's essential to your invention, but if you're just using some generic sort routine (e.g., "sort the vertices by order of their Z coordinates"), and it can be whatever any library supplies, then stop at that level of detail.

JMHO, not a lawyer, not legal advice, YMMV, objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.
Logged

sharanbr

  • Junior Member
  • **
  • Posts: 42
    • View Profile
Re: How detailed the idea be?
« Reply #4 on: 01-17-08 at 08:23 am »

Thanks to all. I got what I was looking for ..
Logged
 



Footer

www.intelproplaw.com

Terms of Use
Feel free to contact us:
Sorry, spam is killing us.

iKnight Technologies Inc.

www.intelproplaw.com

Page created in 0.073 seconds with 16 queries.