Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA)

A computer includes an integrated processor, a PCIe compatible interface bus that includes a root that is connected to the processor, and the routing complex is connected to the root and managed by the processor. The computer also has one interface slot that is connected to the root by the switches as well as a second slot that connects to the root via switches, and an extended interface slot that can be connected to the root by the switches. The switches are set according to the properties of the first peripheral device to define the first configuration of switching when the primary device is only connected to the interface slot that is first. It is also possible to determine a second switch configuration when the first peripheral device is attached to both of the interface slot that is first and the expanded interface slot.

Computers typically have an interface bus which allows peripheral devices to be connected to the computer. As an example, a peripheral device can be connected to a computer device through connecting an expansion card with a slotconnector which is connected to an interface bus. Interface buses are typically implemented according to an established standard, for instance the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) standard.

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What is a patent?

Patents are granted by the government to protect the invention. It gives the inventor the exclusive right to develop, utilize and market the idea. Society is benefited when new technologies are brought to market. Benefits can be realized in direct terms, as it allows people to do previously impossible things. Or indirectly due to the opportunities for economic growth (business growth and employment) which the invention provides.

Patent protection is demanded out by many university researchers and drug companies to protect their research and development. Patents are granted for products, processes, or method for making new materials. To be granted patent protection an invention has to be useful, new and not apparent to other people in the same subject.

Patents give inventors a chance to be recognized for commercially viable inventions. They provide a reason for inventors to come up with new ideas. Small businesses and inventors can rest certain that they will receive the most return from the investment they make in technology advancement through patents. It means that they can earn a living from their work.

Businesses that have the capacity to:

Secure the latest products and services;

Increase the visibility and value of your products ‘ presence on the market

Your business and your products should be distinguished from the rest;

Access business and technical expertise and information;

Avoid the risk of accidentally using proprietary content from third parties or losing important information, innovative outputs, or any other output of your imagination.

Patents transform inventors’ knowledge into a marketable asset, which creates new opportunities for employment creation and business growth by licensing or joint ventures.

Investors involved in the commercialization and development of technology may find small businesses with patent protection appealing.

Patenting can lead to innovative ideas and inventions. This information could be patent-worthy.

Patents can be used to stop untrustworthy third parties from profiting from the invention’s efforts.

The profits from technology patents that are successful and commercially viable can be used to fund technological research and development (R&D) and improve the chances of developing better technology in the coming years.

Intellectual property ownership is a way to convince investors and lenders that there are legitimate chances to commercialize your product. Sometimes, a single patent can lead to a variety of financing possibilities. Patents can be used in conjunction with other IP assets as collateral or security to secure financing. Investors are also able to view your patent assets in order to boost the value of their company. Forbes and others have noted that each patent can increase anything from $500,000 to a million dollars in company valuation.

Startups require a well-constructed business plan that is built on the IP to prove that your product or service is distinctive or superior to others. Investors will be impressed when your IP rights are secured or are in the process of becoming secure and if they are supportive of your business strategy.

It is essential to protect an invention before submitting a patent application. Public disclosure of an invention prior to filing could often erode its originality and make it ineligible for patent protection. Therefore, pre-filing disclosures (e.g. for test-marketing, investors, or other business partners) must only be done after signing a confidentiality agreement.

There are many kinds of patents, and understanding them is essential to protecting your invention. Patents for utility are used to protect the development of new methods and machines. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Utility patents are the best because they shield the owner from copycats and other competitors. In most cases, utility patents are issued to improve or modify existing inventions. Utility patents can also be used to enhance or alter existing inventions. A process patent could cover the acts or methods of performing a specific act. But, a chemical composition will include an amalgamation of components.

What is the average length of the patent? While utility patents are valid up to 20 years from the initial filing, they are able to be extended by delay at the Patent Office.

Are you interested in the patenting of your idea? Patents are granted only to the first-to-file applicants which is why you must file as quickly as possible. Call PatentPC now to have your patent application submitted!

When drafting your patent application it is recommended to conduct an internet search for patents, since it will provide you with some insight into other people’s thoughts. You’ll be able narrow down the scope of your invention. It is also possible to find out about the technological advancements in your field of invention. This will help you to understand the scope of your invention and help prepare for the filing of your patent application.

How to Search for Patents

The first step to obtain the patent you want is to do an internet search for patents. You can do a google patent search or do a USPTO search. Patent-pending refers to the product protected by the patent application. You can use the public pair to locate the patent application. Once the patent office approves the patent application, you can perform a patent search to find the issued patent, and your product has been granted patent. In addition to the USPTO search engine, you may also use other search engines, such as espacenet, as detailed below. It is possible to seek help from an attorney who specializes in patents. In the US, patents are issued by the US patent and trademark office as well as the United States patent and trademark office, which also examines trademark applications.

Are you looking for similar patents? Here are the steps to follow:

1. Think of terms to describe your invention, based on its intended purpose, composition and usage.

Start by writing down a brief and precise description of your invention. Do not use generic terms such as “device”, “process” or “system”. Think about synonyms for the terms you initially chose. Also, make note of key technical terms as well as keywords.

To help you recognize terms and keywords, you can use the following questions.

  • What is the objective of the invention Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
  • Is the invention a method of creating something or carrying out a function? Are you referring to an item?
  • What is the basis of the invention? What is the physical makeup of the invention?
  • What’s the objective of the invention?
  • What are the technical terms and terms that describe an invention’s nature? A technical dictionary can assist you to find the appropriate words.

2. Use these terms to search for pertinent Cooperative Patent Classifications for your invention at the Classification Text Search Tool. If you’re not able to determine the correct classification for your invention, go through the classification’s class Schemas (class schedules). You may want to consider substituting the terms you’re using for describing your invention, if you fail to receive any results from your Classification Text Search with synonyms like the ones you used in the first step.

3. Go through 3. Check the CPC Classification Definition for confirmation of the CPC classification you’ve found. If the chosen classification includes a blue square with a “D” to its left, clicking on the hyperlink will take you to the CPC classification definition. CPC classification definitions can aid you in determining the classification’s scope, so you can choose the most relevant. The definitions could also contain research tips or other suggestions that could be helpful for further investigation.

4. Find patent documents that have the CPC classification from the Patents Full-Text and Image Database. By focusing on abstracts and illustrations, you can narrow down your search for the relevant patent documents.

5. Use this selection of the most pertinent patent documents to study each one in depth for any similarities to your idea. Be sure to read the claims and specifications. Refer to the applicant and patent examiner for additional patents.

6. Retrieve published patent applications with the CPC classification you selected in Step 3 of the Applications Full-Text and Image Database. You can use the same strategy of searching as Step 4, narrowing your results to the most relevant patent applications by examining the abstract and drawings that appear on each page. After that, take a close look at the patent applications published and pay particular attention to the claims and the additional drawings.

7. Locate additional US patents using keywords searching in PatFT or AppFT databases, classification searching of non-U.S. patents per below, and searching for non-patent publications of inventions with internet search engines. For instance:

  • Add keywords to your search. Keyword searches may turn up documents that are not well-categorized or have missed classifications during Step 2. For example, US patent examiners often supplement their classification searches with keyword searches. Think about the use of technical engineering terminology rather than everyday words.
  • Search for foreign patents using the CPC classification. Then, re-run the search using international patent office search engines such as Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s worldwide patent publication database of over 130 million patent publications. Other national databases include:
  • Search non-patent literature. Inventions can be made public in many non-patent publications. It is recommended that you search journals, books, websites, technical catalogs, conference proceedings, and other print and electronic publications.

To review your search, you can hire a registered patent attorney to assist. A preliminary search will help one better prepare to talk about their invention and other related inventions with a professional patent attorney. In addition, the attorney will not spend too much time or money on patenting basics.