Friday, May 2, 2014
Final Post - Learning Experience
Throughout IEOR 190G, we used various tools that were new to me and tools that most classes on this campus do not utilize. We kept a blog, which I thought was the most useful part of the course. Through reading articles and writing subsequent summaries or opinions on the subject matter, I really felt that I started understanding the course material better. Also, reading the blog of other students in the class allowed me to gain perspectives from all different angles. In addition, making the YouTube videos was a great way of being able to present my points in a more structured and direct manner. I do think the blog was more effective in general because in the videos it was easy to lose track of the main argument by the end of the video.
One thing that Professor Lavian said early in the semester definitely stuck with me. He said that nowadays it is not as feasible to get all the possible knowledge and learn strictly from textbooks and professors. It is most beneficial to learn from your peers, because with the combination of everyone's perspectives, it is easier to get a full picture of the subject matter. I think that many classes would benefit from this structure. In addition, keeping a blog and making YouTube videos allows people from all around the world to benefit from this knowledge as well. I would encourage the continued usage of these methods in future semesters.
One thing that Professor Lavian said early in the semester definitely stuck with me. He said that nowadays it is not as feasible to get all the possible knowledge and learn strictly from textbooks and professors. It is most beneficial to learn from your peers, because with the combination of everyone's perspectives, it is easier to get a full picture of the subject matter. I think that many classes would benefit from this structure. In addition, keeping a blog and making YouTube videos allows people from all around the world to benefit from this knowledge as well. I would encourage the continued usage of these methods in future semesters.
Final Post - Experience in the Class
I took IEOR 190G this semester to learn more about patents, and the process of getting a patent filed and approved. I really enjoyed this semester, and I believe Professor Lavian used an approach that is very effective for the goals of the class. I would definitely recommend the course to people of all majors who are looking to take a practical course that they can use throughout their life.
In the class, we began by discussing what the benefits of a patent are to the inventor. A utility patent protects intellectual property for any technological innovation. Individuals and businesses can use patents to protect their idea and sue other entities if they infringe on the patent. There are 4 requirements for patentability:
1) Patentable subject matter - basically means the idea must fall under the given categories for patentability
2) Novel - some part of the invention must be new based on prior art
3) Non-obvious - Based on combinations of prior art, the invention cannot be obvious to someone of normal skill in the art
4) Useful - must have some purpose and use
Next we discussed the 3 aspects of wireless mobile devices that make it unique, which are listed below:
1) Wireless - there is limited bandwidth, but can be utilized over longer distances than wired communications
2) Mobility - this relates to the dynamic nature of the user and terminal locations
3) Portability - small dimensions, but limited battery capcity, computing and storage
Then we combined both patents and wireless mobile devices by discussing the smartphone war. Many major companies, including Samsung and Apple, are consistent players in patent litigation.
Finally, for the last few weeks, we deconstructed various patents and patent lawsuits. This included Supreme Court cases as well as silly patents. I found this portion of the course to be most useful, as it really made concrete many of the concepts we discussed in class. I would like to thank Professor Lavian and Arezu for helping me throughout the course and again would like to recommend the course to any future students that may be reading this.
In the class, we began by discussing what the benefits of a patent are to the inventor. A utility patent protects intellectual property for any technological innovation. Individuals and businesses can use patents to protect their idea and sue other entities if they infringe on the patent. There are 4 requirements for patentability:
1) Patentable subject matter - basically means the idea must fall under the given categories for patentability
2) Novel - some part of the invention must be new based on prior art
3) Non-obvious - Based on combinations of prior art, the invention cannot be obvious to someone of normal skill in the art
4) Useful - must have some purpose and use
Next we discussed the 3 aspects of wireless mobile devices that make it unique, which are listed below:
1) Wireless - there is limited bandwidth, but can be utilized over longer distances than wired communications
2) Mobility - this relates to the dynamic nature of the user and terminal locations
3) Portability - small dimensions, but limited battery capcity, computing and storage
Then we combined both patents and wireless mobile devices by discussing the smartphone war. Many major companies, including Samsung and Apple, are consistent players in patent litigation.
Finally, for the last few weeks, we deconstructed various patents and patent lawsuits. This included Supreme Court cases as well as silly patents. I found this portion of the course to be most useful, as it really made concrete many of the concepts we discussed in class. I would like to thank Professor Lavian and Arezu for helping me throughout the course and again would like to recommend the course to any future students that may be reading this.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Silly Patents - Optical Illusion Wear
US Patent 7107621 was granted for optical illusion wear, which is basically a suit for females that has a pattern conducive to thinking they are skinnier than they actually are. Although perhaps there would be some market acceptance for such a product, it is unlikely that the patent should have been granted based on the requirements for patentability.
1) In terms of novelty, it is not the first article of clothing that has attempted at making people look skinnier, even if it is the first that uses the design.
2) The biggest question here is whether the suit is useful by the standards of patents. In my opinion, this should not pass the test for usefulness.
If anything, I believe that this should have been granted a design patent instead of a utility patent.
(Information obtained from http://www.patentlysilly.com/patent.php?patID=7107621)
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