Wrapping up 2018, Unwrapping 2019
Proving a Patent – Mine!
Greetings as we wind down another productive year! It is gratifying to see so many clients taking proactive steps toward their Intellectual Property, innovation, and business goals.
Are your business goals and budgets for 2019 and beyond locked in? The clock is ticking.
I’ve been excited this year to see my personal patent development journey move forward rapidly. A Senior Design team from Texas State’s Ingram School of Engineering has picked up development of my three HVAC condensate drain clearing patents as a project.
The team created a functional prototype demonstrating blowing out the P-Trap (where the mold grows and causes clogs). I am proud to report that they won the Industry Choice Award at the end of the semester for their hard work.
Texas State students Deola Aina, Justin Ratcliff and Wesley Howard (shown with their instructor Mark Summers, left) won the Industry Choice Award for their project based on my HVAC Condensate Drain Clearing patents.
A little background on the concept and patents… It’s amazing how many people have suffered the results of clogged HVAC drains: roughly 80% based upon my informal polling. It happened to me three times before I came up with this fix about ten years ago and the problem hasn’t returned.
Of course, the concept of blowing out lines has been around a long time, plumbers count on this as part of their income, and there are a couple of patents in the area. The key to my three patents is a method for automating the line clearing. The whole clearing function is autonomous and prevents clogs from forming. I’ve done a lot of research in this area and haven’t found any art that predates my own.
I know many of my clients relate to my personal experience and even appreciate that I have been through the same struggles they are feeling. (I’m hopeful that the insurance industry will recognize the benefits and offer homeowner/business owner discounts.)
Will this set of patents hit pay dirt? Of course, I hope so, but the odds may be stacked against it. Read on…
– Steve Pearson
IP INSIGHTS:
Why Patents are Often Worthless
“Get a patent!” is one of the most common goals we hear from new clients at Pearson Strategy Group. But for many inventors and companies, the patent path is an expensive mistake.
In fact, roughly 95 percent of U.S. patents are never monetized (licensed, sold or included in a product).
Austin patent attorney Craige Thompson shares the three root causes most patents never generate a nickel of revenue.
Read more on the PSG blog.
Something’s Cooking
If you are interested in Food and Technology in the Austin area, be sure to sign up for news and upcoming events from the Austin Food & Tech Meetup.
As the new organizer for the group, I am working with several Alliance Partners to line up innovative events to connect, educate and support this vital growth area. We’re already collaborating with Food + City, The City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability and Austin Foodshed Investors.
With more than 800 members already showing interest, we should have a lot to chew on.
Trade Shows and Making Connections
PSG turned out for the annual Austin Regional Manufacturers Trade Show in the fall. Management consultant Gary Seale, left, stopped by the booth to chat with his colleague Steve. This is a valuable event and PSG is already planning for next year.
Outstanding News
The Austin IEEE chapter named Steve Outstanding Volunteer. That’s Andrew Blueitt, Awards Chairman, congratulating him. Steve is Chairman-elect of the IEEE Power & Energy, Power Electronic, Industrial Application and Industrial Electronic Societies – Austin Joint Chapter.
On the Road Again…
Detouring for a personal note, I’ve just earned my Commercial Driving License to help out the marching band at my daughter’s high school. With about 225 members, the group is ranked 15th in the nation and travels to football games and other events as far away as Florida and Indiana. Hauling their instruments and other equipment requires a 53-foot trailer and trained volunteers. Yep, that’s me.
Keep on trucking, and Happy Holidays!
Contact Steve at the Pearson Strategy Group
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Call 1-512-466-1450 or email innovate@pearsonstrategy.com
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