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Taking photographs for your patent
drawings.
Photographs of a physical prototype are an excellent starting point
for formal patent drawings. Good photos of your prototype will
help you describe your invention more clearly and thoroughly and
will save time and money on patent prosecution and patent drawings.
If you have CAD files click
here.
If you are applying for a utility patent, take photos of all the
views you wish to include in your patent. This will usually
include:
- At least one 3D view of your entire invention.
- If your invention interacts with other objects, take a photo
of the interaction.
- Close-up photos of the parts that make your invention work.
If you are applying for a design patent, take at least seven
photographs of your invention, even if some of the views are the
same or are mirror images of other views. The seven views
required by the patent office are:
- Top
- Bottom
- Front
- Back
- Left side
- Right side
- At least one 3D view, more if they help describe the shape
of your invention.
Design patents for large items often present the problem of how
to take photos of inventions that can not be moved or positioned
up-side-down for a camera such as cars or clothing. Taking a
quality top view photo may require standing on a ladder, bridge or
photographing from the window of a tall building. Bottom views
may have to be estimated from top views so take care to create a
high quality top view photograph.
For soft inventions such as clothing have someone wear the
invention and take care to hold their arms or legs in a consistent
position as top, front, side and rear view photos are taken.
Be sure to photograph all of the orthographic views and at least
one 3D view as listed above and when in doubt, take extra photos.
It is often easier to disregard extra photos than take more photos
if needed later.
Tips for taking the best possible
photos.
Be sure you have ample light, if
possible take the photos in a very bright room or outdoors on a bright day,
but not in direct sunlight. If light is low, using a flash can
help but try to avoid strong reflections from shiny or smooth
surfaces on your invention.
Use your camera's zoom lens.
Standing back and using the zoom lens will reduce the distortion in
your photo. Even with the zoom lens, it may help to use the
macro mode if your camera offers the option.
After taking your photos.
Great photos will help your attorney,
patent illustrator, customers and manufacturers understand your
invention. Be sure to get a signed NDA from anyone who will
see your invention before it is patented. You can get a
signed NDA from QuickDraw here.
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