Topic 5 Flashcards
define invention
the process of discovering a principle which allows a technical advance in a particular field that results in a new product
define innovation
the commercialization and marketing of the invention to impact society
drivers for invention
- a personal motivation
- scientific/technical curiosity
- constructive discontent with an existing invention/design
- desire to make money
- desire to help others
- necessity (need for it)
what is intellectual property (IP)
a legal term for intangiable property (creations of the mind) –> makes the property protected by law
benefits of IP
- allowing sale or licensing
- differentiating a business from competitors
- marketing/branding
- establishing a valuable asset that can be used as security for loans
IP strategies
COPYRIGHT ==> protects the original work and idea
- protects up to 70 years after owner dies
- doesn’t need to be registered (automatic)
TRADEMARK ==> protects the idea in its graphically expressed state (e.g. logos, symbols)
- protects up to 2-3 years without register (TM) but needs registration to use (R) symbol and that is renewed every 10 years (10-25)
DESIGN RIGHT ==> protects the shape of the design/product (the look)
- needs registering
PATENT ==> protects the function, method, or working of things (e.g. folding of milk cartons)
- gives the right to make or sell creation
- needs registering
PATENT PENDING –> indication the owner has applied for a patent but hasn’t been processed yet (gives a level of protection by warning others the inventor is claiming rights)
how inventions become innovations
- marketability –> high product demand
- financial support –> there is monetary backing from the organization or an outsider
- marketing –> good advertising, shipping, storing, selling (needs to be advertised as a product the public wants
- necessity –> is there a need for this product? - e.g. there’s a need for alternative energy resources
- price –> affordable, cost-effective, or value for money
- open to change –> if people and organizations are resistant to change, feeling comfort and security in the familiar, they will resist the new product
sustaining innovation
innovative ideas that are constantly updated to maintain their success
- a new or improved product that meets customer needs and sustains manufacturers
disruptive innovation
a product or type of technology that challenges existing companies to ignore or embrace technological change
- e.g. the iPod which changed the way we managed and listened to music or mobile phones which allowed us to no longer be restricted to landlines
process innovation
an improvement in the organization or method of manufacture that often leads to reduced cost or benefits to customers
architectural innovation
the technology of the components stays the same but the configuration of the components is changed to produce a new design
modular innovation
the basic configuration stays the same but one or more key components are changed –> incremental design
- e.g. a new type of switch/button on a toaster
configurational innovation
modifying the arrangements of components to improve performance, usability, and function
- e.g. better heating elements, 4 slots instead of 2 for a toaster
radical innovation
changing the paradigm of the market that the product is produced in (e.g. smartphones changed the phone industry
- radical innovations have the risk of not being accepted into the marketplace or be successful
diffusion and suppression - roger’s characteristics
Diffusion: a process where a market will accept a new idea or product
Factors affecting the acceptance rate:
- innovation: whether it’s perceived as a better product
- compatibility –> consistent with existing values, past experiences, and needs
- complexity –> is it too difficult to use and understand?
- trialability –> trying before buying gives reassurance
- observability –> if the benefits of the idea or product are easily observable
Suppression: process where a new idea or adoption of a product by the market is actively slowed
- may be due to difficulties competing w/ a dominant design, competing companies petitioning against a new product it perceives threatening, natural resistance to unfamiliar concept
act of insight
a sudden image of a potential solution is formed in the mind, usually after a period of thinking about a problem
adaptation
a SOLUTION to a problem in one field is adapted for solving a problem in another field
technology transfer
TECHNOLOGICAL advance used for new designs can be applied to the development of different types of products/systems
analogy
an IDEA from one context is used to stimulate ideas for solving a problem in another context
chance
an unexpected discovery leads to a new idea
technology push
scientific research leading to advances in technology for new ideas –> the driving force for a new design emerges from a technological development
market pull and its approaches
a new idea is needed as a result of demand from the marketplace
market pull approaches:
- implemented on platforms
- has low market-related risk because application is known
- has low technology-related risk because solution is not known
- platforms are openminded and can evolve on changing needs
the lone inventor
an individual working outside or inside an organization who is committed to the invention of a new product and often becomes isolated
- individuals with the goal of inventing a revolutionary product
- have ideas that are completely new and different
- marketing and sales isn’t good
- isolated with no backing towards their design (fund problems)
- have a hard time pushing forward their designs esp. in markets where large investments are required for success
- their ideas are often resisted due to how different they are
the product champion
an influential individual, usually working within an organization, who develops enthusiasm for a particular idea or invention and promotes it within organization
- has business experience
- can speak intelligently about the issues
- acts as a good facilitator
- collaborates well with others
- accepts responsibility for product
the entrepreneur
an influential individual who can take an invention to market, often financing the development, production, and diffusion of the product into marketplace
- self-control
- self-confidence
- businessman
- sense of urgency
advantages and disadvantages of multidisciplinary approaches
effective designs draw from multiple areas of expertise
- complex products usually require expertise from various disciplines
ADVANTAGES: many perspectives to improve creativity, increase in adaptability,
product life key stages
- LAUNCH: slow sales and little profit
- GROWTH: the market gradually accepts the product so diffusion starts and sales expand
- MATURITY: sales peak but remain steady, max profit is achieved
- DECLINE: market saturation is reached and sales start to reduce as well as profit
types of obsolescence
- PLANNED: a product becomes outdated on purpose to ensure continuing market or ensure that safety factors and new technologies can be added into the later version of product
- STYLE: fashion and trends change over time which can result in a product no longer being desirable –> products can become desirable again with retro styling
- FUNCTIONAL: over time products wear out and break down so if parts are no longer available the product can’t work as it used to
- TECHNOLOGICAL: when a new technology replaces an existing technology, the ET falls out of use and no longer used in new products –> users prefer the new and more efficient tech
product versioning and generations
a company produces different versions of the same product but changes different prices for each model.
- product versioning offers a range of products based on the core idea
- a company can maintain consistent income flow by introducing new versions or generations of product
advantages of versioning and generations
- improved customer choice: customers can choose the version that suits them
- improved customer choice: can choose a budget level
- maximise profits for company through increased sales
categories of consumers
- innovators
- early adopters
- early majority
- late majority
- laggards
market analysis
- geographical
- demographic
- psychographic
- behavioral
user need
the essential requirements that the product must satisfy in relation to market and user need
competition
- a thorough analysis of competing designs is required to establish market need
- identifying competition helps the organization to clarify how the new product can edge out and respond to competition
research methods
- Literature Search
- User Trial product to note feedback
- User research
- Expert Appraisal
- Performance Test
design specification
a list of requirements the product must fulfill
- aesthetic requirements
- cost constraints
- customer requirements
- environmental requirements
- size constraints
- safety considerations
- performance requirements and constraints
- material requirements
- manufacturing requirements
