Well, first of all you have to become acquainted with how a patent process works. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) administers patents to inventors who can prove they've got a novel idea that no one else has done before. While many people say that there's really nothing new under the sun, in fact, in 2009 there was over 400,000 U.S. patents filed. So, other inventors tend to be more than prepared to keep solving the earth's issues with original ideas.
When you're just beginning the patent process, the first thing you want to do is make sure that you document your complete idea in some recoverable format. Including documenting every little aspect of how your invention is designed and the way it'll work. The more details you record, the more unique the thought becomes. The thing is, while there may be another creation that is analogous, it can't be exactly like yours. Your invention has to be the only person of it's kind in order to be eligible for patent protection.
One more thing you'll have to do would be to search for patents which can be already on file that could be similar or exactly like your idea. If someone else has thought it up and declared the patent, you're out of luck. Let's pretend that you will be located on a thought for a awesome portable music player that will store digital music and it can also store a lot of photos and other cool stuff. It's an extremely sleek design and includes detachable earplugs. Hmmm. That sounds a lot like an iPod, and you are right. You can not file a patent for any ipod seems and processes just like what's already on the market.
However, should you developed an mp3 player that could bounce just like a ball and glows at night, now that would be something you could patent as unique. Anyway, you must do an intensive patent search to ensure your idea has not yet been claimed by another person. This can be achieved yourself, or pay a professional to conduct the search for you.
Once you have revealed that nobody had the idea of one's bouncing music player, you want to spend some money on getting a prototype made. A prototype is really a demo form of your products that permits you to see results for yourself in person. Until you obtain an investor, the amount of money because of this must leave your own personal pocket.
Now you must to attend the USPTO and file a software to get a provisional patent. This isn't the ultimate patent, but a preliminary one which allows you to keep working on marketing your invention while giving you full legal protection. For instance, there exists a company considering marketing the bouncing mp3 music player, however they would like you to make a few tweaks. Make the tweaks then submit an application for the ultimate patent. You are then ready to license it for the highest bidder making good money.