can you get a patent on the improvement of an existing device?
84513
Yes, many patent are just that.
404612
Not certain about the question, but the United States Patent Office is the best place to get clear and correct information about patents.  Go to uspto.com
701026
Get a patent on it first. If you send the idea to a developer or a car manufacturer they will blow you off and steal your idea.
72660
Start by finding a patent attorney. \n\nTo prove you are the original inventor, you want a patent. Whoever files in the patent office first wins (providing that the patent is ultimately issued).  File a provisional patent.  This will give you a "placeholder" and protect your invention for one year during which you need to prepare a full patent application. No other documentation will stand up to a patent. You can do the provisional patent yourself.  Look at this website:
26547
a patent ofice that is the first step make sure no one steals ur invintion there might already b a patent for it if thats the case your out of luck\n\np.s. good luck
512955
I would like to suggest something from my own experience. I had invented a flow measuring system. That i sold to a company. The credit now lies with the company, that bluffed me. won't tell the name but is a big company in the world. \n\nBefore you sale the invention, try and git the international patent in your name. Please consider this sereously. Can you tell a bit about your your invention? The principle of operation etc. Can you mail that to me?
588132
A patent is a federal office thing. You may want to look for a local patent repository to learn about other inventions and search the records. (a repository is a duplicate of the records in the patent office in Washington).\nOtherwise, go to http://www.uspto.gov\nor look in the yellow pages under "Attorneys" and look for one that knows patenting law.
178589
The first step is to get your idea patented....you don't want to contact MS with your idea and have them steal it...it happened to me with an invention...make sure you CYA
8951
You can protect your idea by filing a provisional claim with the USPTO. This is kind of like a "patent lite" and allows you to protect the product for up to a year.  The cost is US$200 and should be done straight away. Visit the PTO website for information on filing applications electronically. \n\nAfter that, prepare yourself for a tremendous uphill battle. If this is a design patent (i.e. a new form of an existing product), you will find it difficult to locate interested buyers. If this is a utility patent (a new product or process), you will need to find companies within the industry and see if they are interested. \n\nYou will want to get a hold of a standard NDA/NC (Non-Disclosure Agreement / Non-Compete). These are fairly boilerplate and should be easy to locate on the 'net. Requiring NDA's is STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE when shopping around an idea and manufacturers are generally comfortable signing them. If a manufacturer refuses to sign, WALK AWAY. There is something wrong. An NDA is no guarantee that a company won't steal your idea, but at least it provides evidence of due dilligence during any potential infringement lawsuit.\n\nSearch the various government department websites for grant applications. The government is always looking to foster the development of new ideas that can potentially benefit the nation. There are grants for both non-profit and for-profit company's available and some even include grants for "concept development and R&D". \n\nBarring that, you may want to consider some form of rapid prototyping. Depending on the invention idea, this could be a short production run of the product, some kind of stereo lithography or other RP, or a "proof of concept" 3-D model, engineering analysis, etc. Having a physical, working prototype that a potential buyer can see, touch and interact with is FAR more impressive than a napkin sketch. Be prepared to spend $1-10K on a prototype. Well worth the investment, because if a picture is worth 1,000 words, a prototype is worth 1,000,000.\n\nGood Luck!
512428
You can obtain a patent from the US patent office. It can take months to years, depending. You can use "patent pending" in the interim once you have actually applied.\n\nHere's where you start:\n\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/\n\nThat's the US patent office's website.\n\nHeop this helps, and good luck with your idea!\n--J.
988121
http://members.aol.com/rtmadaan1/public_html/patents.html\n\nhttp://members.aol.com/rtmadaan1/
484133
I know where you can get an invention protected....\n\nwww.provisionalpatenttemplate.com
1018226
Try the US Patent Office.  Perhaps the FAQ's can help a little.
978342
If its a new item, i would be trying to Patent it first.
499716
Don't worry about who is doing it, an agent or an attorney.  Just go to several patent firms and get a quote.  Several people will probably be working on it anyway.  It will be expensive no matter where you go.
222641
Check the U.S. patent website, www.uspto.gov.  They have a link for people to get basic information about patents.  That would be a good first step.
609729
For patents in the US go to:\n\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html