Gathering a small group of creative minds can spark incredible ideas—sometimes for the exact invention you’re aiming for and sometimes for something completely unexpected. In the accompanying video, Gary Shuster draws on personal experience running invention sessions to explain why brainstorming with others is such a powerful way to generate patentable ideas. Below, we delve into tips, strategies, and cautionary tales for making your own invention sessions productive and fun.
1. Why Invention Sessions Work
- Fresh Perspectives
Sharing concepts with a group—ideally two to four people—helps unlock new angles you may never have considered. A single offhand remark can morph into a game-changing invention. - Instant Feedback
Brainstorming in real time lets you know right away if an idea resonates or needs a pivot. This saves you from spending weeks or months pursuing a flawed concept. - Informal Brainstorming
When you spend a day in an invention session, it usually involves going to lunch, taking breaks to walk to the coffee shop, and other information interactions. Inventors don’t stop being creative just because they’re on a break, and putting creative people together in a friendly setting can lead to unexpected synergies and inventions (often in art areas wholly unrelated to the topic for the invention session).
2. Setting Up Your Session
- Keep It Small
More than four people can lead to chaos. Aim for a manageable team so everyone’s voice is heard. - Record Everything
You might rely on a dedicated note-taker or use audio/video recording (check legal considerations with your patent counsel first). Detailed records help you revisit overlooked gems later. - Supply Food and Caffeine
Creative people often forget to eat, and hunger is a distraction. A bit of caffeine can also help with focus, especially if some members have a touch of ADHD (common among inventors!). - Establish “No Bad Ideas”
Even the wildest suggestion can spark a subsequent improvement. Give all ideas a chance before discarding them.
3. Staying on Track… or Not
- The Nuclear Physicists and the Ice Machine
Sometimes your team veers off-topic—like the group tasked with revolutionizing nuclear fusion but instead ended up brainstorming an improved ice machine. It’s not always a bad thing if the conversation drifts, but if your sponsor (like a company) has specific goals, you’ll need to redirect the group at some point. - Facilitator Role
A facilitator (who might also be a co-inventor) should keep the session aligned with the core objective. However, allowing occasional detours can nurture excitement and creativity that might circle back to the main invention. It is a hard balancing act that is made easier by not taking yourself too seriously. A relaxed environment is more conducive to innovation.
4. The NDA Factor
- Confidentiality
Many invention sessions, especially in commercial settings, are governed by Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). This often restricts you from sharing detailed stories publicly. - Practical Tip
Always confirm which ideas and materials you’re allowed to discuss outside the session. Misunderstandings over confidentiality can cause legal headaches later. When in doubt, assume you should not share information you learned during the invention session. Even if you are legally entitled to do so, you risk getting a reputation as a dangerous person to confide in.
5. Prior Art Searches and Documentation
- Before You File
Doing a prior art search can quickly reveal whether your novel concept has already been tried. If you do one, document all relevant references—your patent examiner may want to see them. - Cut Your Losses
If a search shows your invention is already covered by existing patents or public domain knowledge, it might be time to pivot or abandon the idea, saving you time and money.
6. Turning Brainstorms into Patents
- Draft a Disclosure
Once you settle on a promising concept, write a thorough disclosure detailing how it works. Include sketches, diagrams, and all the variations you discussed. - Have a Patent Lawyer Sit In
Having a patent lawyer present during the session can make the transition from “cool invention” to issued patent more efficient. You may also consider creating video of the session. there are upsides (you can prove which inventor came up with which portion of the invention, and that can be important in naming inventors correctly) and downsides (you can expect every second of that video to be carefully scrutinized by opposing counsel in any later patent litigation). If you have a patent lawyer there, that lawyer may have suggestions as to how to keep the video as a privileged attorney client communication (rely on that lawyer, since this is not legal advice). - Legal Next Steps
Consult a patent attorney (or do it yourself if you’re comfortable) to file a provisional application or utility application. Just ensure you name all co-inventors correctly—anyone who contributed a key idea that ends up in the claims.
7. Final Thoughts
Invention sessions can be some of the most energizing, creative experiences you’ll have as an innovator. By combining multiple viewpoints, capturing every idea, and knowing when to explore tangents or refocus on the goal, you stand a great chance of producing breakthroughs that might become future patents.
Want More Details?
Check out the accompanying Innovation Cafe video to hear Gary Shuster’s full account of running—and sometimes wrangling—dynamic invention sessions.