Well, initially you must become acquainted with the way the patent process works. The usa Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) administers patents to inventors who are able to prove there's a novel idea that nobody else has done before. Even though many people claim that there's really nothing new on the planet, in reality, in 2009 there have been over 400,000 U.S. patents filed. So, other inventors are more than prepared to keep solving our planet's problems with original ideas.
When you're just beginning the patent process, the first thing you want to do is ensure that you document your whole idea in some recoverable format. Including documenting every little aspect of the way your invention was created and how it's going to work. The harder details you record, the harder unique the concept becomes. The truth is, while there could be another product that is analogous, it can't be the same as yours. Your invention should be the only one of it's kind so that you can qualify for patent protection.
Yet another thing you will need to do is to search for patents which are already on record which may be similar or identical to your idea. If someone else has already thought up and declared the patent, you're doomed. Let's pretend that you are located on a concept for any awesome ipod that will store digital music and it can also store a bunch of photos and other cool stuff. It's a very sleek design and includes detachable earplugs. Hmmm. That sounds a great deal as an iPod, and you are right. You can't file a patent for any portable music player that appears and processes the same as what's already available on the market.
However, should you came up with an mp3 player that can bounce just like a ball and glows at nighttime, now that would be something could patent as unique. Anyway, you must do an intensive patent search to make sure that your idea hasn't already been claimed by someone else. This can be achieved yourself, or pay an expert to conduct the search for you.
When you have established that nobody else had the idea of your bouncing mp3 music player, you need to spend cash on getting a prototype made. A prototype can be a demo form of your product or service that permits you to see results for yourself in the real world. Until you find an investor, the amount of money for this will need to leave your own pocket.
Now you have to attend the USPTO and file an application for a provisional patent. This isn't the final patent, but a preliminary one which lets you keep taking care of marketing your invention while giving you full legal protection. For example, there is a company thinking about marketing the bouncing mp3 music player, nevertheless they would love you to make a few tweaks. Make the tweaks and then make an application for the ultimate patent. You're then ready to license it for the highest bidder to make a nice income.