Expert: Maurice Duteau - 9/16/2009

Question
Hello,

I am trying to figure out the patentability of my invention. I have already submitted my provisional patent application, but am not sure if I am ready for the full patent.

My invention is for an electrical socket assembly. The problem is that I have made a diagrammatic illustration of the necessary logic of a circuit for my invention, but not the specific schematic w/ semi conductors and values. I'm not an electrical engineer, and my invention is based more on the logic of the system, rather than the specific circuitry.

I have exhausted the USPTO website for clues, but still feel uncertain. One precedent I found that seemed vague yet patentable, is the "Phonographic turntable with built-in audio to USB or firewire device"*. THis seems to be a simple ordered assembly of connections and (already invented) circuits.

Is there another resource to check the relevance and novelty of my invention? I called a patent attorney, but they are too expensive for me (I'm a student).

Thanks in advance, Nathan

*U.S. pat. no. 7,567,498
Phonographic turntable with built-in audio to USB or firewire device
Mazur et al.

Answer
If I were you, I'd just make the thing and worrry about the patent later. I've seen my customers spend a lot more money designing around someone else's patent than they would spend on licencing the thing to begin with. From the little I know about patents, one of the first steps is to actually make the device so you may as well just get started on that for now. Which means money to work up a design...... best of luck to you.
Maurice