Inventing by the NCMR Method

John Andrew, P.E.

Course Outline

This 10 hour online course describes the inventing process from idea conception to writing a patent application and filing it online at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. An example contract for outsourcing the patent manufacturing and sales to a company is also included. It is necessary to be innovative if you work in an industrial environment.

The course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course the student will:

• Be aware of innovation paths;
• See what some major corporations a saying about innovation;
• Observe an early invention method;
• Go to a website with descriptions and prices of 435,000 industrial products;
• Study an innovation path from idea to the marketplace;
• Read examples of inventions creating wealth;
• Study the innovation path from manual water pump to the gasoline engine;
• Have an increased appreciation of the benefits inventions provide;
• Understand the NCMR inventing method;
• Use the NCMR method to generate new and useful ideas;
• Apply the NCMR method to make improvements;
• Combine items to meet needs;
• Apply the item modification list to inventing;
• Innovate in the: food, housing, clothing, and transportation areas;
• Review inventions and inventors from the past;
• Study the role of human needs in the inventing process;
• Practice using the subconscious computer;
• Avoid innovation blockers;
• Read a list of inventions needed in our future;
• Review the Car-copter invention example;
• Apply a modification list to improve the wheelbarrow;
• Practice sketching inventions concepts;
• Study a bookshelf bracket design project;
• Review a bevel gearbox mechanism project;
• Consider an invention manufacturing plan example;
• Examine a manufacturing plant layout;
• Study a price quotation request for manufacturing prototypes;
• Look at an overview of enterprise resource planning;
• Study a manufacturing and sales outsourcing contract example;
• Practice writing a patent disclosure example;
• Define what a patent is;
• Make a patent search online;
• Practice writing a patent application;
• Examine a patent, "Prior Art" example;
• Examine a patent, "Background of the Invention" example;
• Examine a patent, "Summary of the Invention" example;
• Examine a patent, "Brief Description of the Drawings" example;
• Examine a patent, "Preferred Embodiments" example;
• Examine a patent, "Claims" example;
• Study examples of patent drawings;
• Learn how to file a patent application online;
• Understand the method for writing patents;
• Explore the information at the United States Patent Office web site;
• Read a chronological list of inventions from 1440 to 1958; and
• Invent a new and useful apparatus.
  
  

Intended Audience

The information will be especially useful to students, entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators who need tools for any creative processes.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will be able to think more creatively, generating improvements and innovations to products and methods more effectively.


Course Introduction

The Model-T Ford was highly successful in the early 1900's, but could not compete in today's market place. Almost all products and enterprises must progress along an innovation path or they will become obsolete. If the NCMR method is studied and practiced, it will enable and improve the students inventiveness.

Course Content

The course content is in a PDF file (5 MB) Inventing by the NCMR Method. You need to open or download this document to study this course.

Course Summary

Existing and new innovation paths are described. The NCMR inventing method is defined and applied to inventing new products. Existing items are improved and new items are created by combining and modifying ideas and things. Making a patent search online and writing a patent disclosure are described. A method for writing a utility patent application and submitting it online is presented.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

Innovation Articles, Guides, and Newsletters at: http://inventors.about.com/

The United States Patent and Trademark Office Home Page at http://www.uspto.gov Provides links to information about all aspects pertaining to invention patents.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

---

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

---