Innovation Session Types

Seven structured session types to refine your invention from seed idea to patent-ready application

Session-Driven Refinement

Each session type serves a specific purpose in the invention refinement process. Use them strategically throughout the CAGE method to extract knowledge, generate embodiments, evaluate novelty, and sharpen your patent application.

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Interview (Q&A)

Extract deep, domain-specific technical knowledge

Process Flow

  1. 1. Introduction & technical context
  2. 2. Expert Q&A (pre-selected + emergent questions)
  3. 3. Capture insights, quotes, technical details
  4. 4. Summarize key takeaways

Outputs

  • • Insight log with expert Q&A transcript
  • • Technical specifications captured
  • • Domain-specific terminology and definitions
  • • Problem constraints and boundaries

Example Prompts:

"What are the top 3 technical challenges in this domain, and how do leading solutions address them?"

"What performance metrics matter most for commercial viability in this application?"

CAGE Stage: Create (Empathize & Define) • Duration: 30-60 minutes
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Ideation (Brainstorm & Test)

Generate embodiments, variants, and alternatives

Process Flow

  1. 1. Define problem & technical requirements
  2. 2. Diverge: brainstorm embodiments (SCAMPER, morphological analysis)
  3. 3. Converge: cluster & select promising variants
  4. 4. Quick test/validation through expert feedback

Outputs

  • • Embodiment matrix with variants
  • • Idea clusters organized by approach
  • • Alternative implementations documented
  • • Feasibility assessments for each variant

Example Prompts:

"Generate 10 variants of this solution using SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to use, Eliminate, Reverse)."

"What alternative materials, structures, or processes could achieve the same functional result?"

CAGE Stage: Create & Assess (Ideate) • Duration: 1-2 hours
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Innovation (Design Novel Solutions)

Push beyond state of the art with breakthrough concepts

Process Flow

  1. 1. Frame opportunity space (problem + prior art context)
  2. 2. Generate breakthrough concepts (cross-domain analogies)
  3. 3. Build concept sketches & claim hooks
  4. 4. Evaluate novelty & feasibility with examiners/advisors

Outputs

  • • Concept sketches with novelty highlights
  • • Draft claims with claim hooks
  • • Novelty map (invention vs. prior art)
  • • Cross-domain analogy report

Example Prompts:

"Design a solution that would leapfrog current prior art by at least 2 non-trivial technical deltas."

"What cross-domain insights from [other field] could we apply to create a breakthrough here?"

CAGE Stage: Create & Assess (Prototype) • Duration: 2-4 hours
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Consolidation (Prepare to Launch Crew)

Synthesize discussion outputs and shape a shared direction

Process Flow

  1. 1. Recap key threads & divergent perspectives
  2. 2. Identify common ground & disagreements
  3. 3. Select focus area(s) for next sprint
  4. 4. Assign roles / outputs needed for CAGE stage

Outputs

  • • Decision log with rationale
  • • Focus area brief (what to prioritize)
  • • Role assignments for next phase
  • • Unresolved issues tracker

Example Prompts:

"List the most promising 2-3 directions and the unresolved risks for each."

"What decisions do we need to make before moving to the Generate stage?"

CAGE Stage: Assess → Generate (Define) • Duration: 1-2 hours
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Refinement (Sharpen Focus & Clarity)

Improve precision of claims, specifications, and strategies

Process Flow

  1. 1. Pinpoint ambiguity or over-breadth
  2. 2. Clarify language, scope, intent
  3. 3. Strengthen weak points (claims, spec, figures)
  4. 4. Produce a refined draft/plan

Outputs

  • • Red-lined claims with improvements
  • • Clarified specifications
  • • Improved figures and diagrams
  • • Terminology consistency report

Example Prompts:

"Rewrite this claim section to maximize clarity and enforceability while maintaining scope."

"Identify ambiguous terms in the specification and propose precise definitions."

CAGE Stage: Generate (Prototype refinement) • Duration: 1-3 hours
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Review (Positive)

Provide constructive, supportive feedback for improvement

Process Flow

  1. 1. Highlight strengths & innovations
  2. 2. Identify promising directions to expand
  3. 3. Suggest incremental improvements
  4. 4. Endorse readiness for next step if applicable

Outputs

  • • Positive feedback summary
  • • Strengths analysis (technical & legal)
  • • Next-step recommendations
  • • Readiness assessment

Example Prompts:

"What are the strongest aspects of this draft? Which features should be emphasized more?"

"What opportunities exist to broaden claim scope while maintaining novelty?"

CAGE Stage: Generate & Execute (Test) • Duration: 30-60 minutes
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Critique (Negative)

Provide rigorous, adversarial feedback to expose weaknesses

Process Flow

  1. 1. Stress-test assumptions (novelty, enforceability, feasibility)
  2. 2. Identify vulnerabilities and likely objections
  3. 3. Propose alternatives or tougher standards
  4. 4. Decide: repair, pivot, or abandon

Outputs

  • • Risk log with severity ratings
  • • Attack scenarios (examiner/competitor)
  • • Counter-measures and responses
  • • Go/no-go recommendation

Example Prompts:

"If you were a patent examiner, how would you attack this claim or application?"

"What prior art references pose the greatest threat to patentability?"

CAGE Stage: Assess & Execute (Test) • Duration: 1-2 hours

Common Session Sequences

Combine session types strategically to achieve your invention goals

Rapid Patent Filing

1. Interview (extract domain knowledge)
2. Innovation (generate novel concepts)
3. Refinement (sharpen claims)
4. Critique (adversarial review)

Deep Technical Innovation

1. Interview (deep dive into state of the art)
2. Ideation (generate embodiment variants)
3. Innovation (push beyond prior art)
4. Consolidation (select focus areas)
5. Refinement (sharpen spec & figures)
6. Review (positive feedback)
7. Critique (examiner perspective)

Portfolio Building

1. Ideation (generate multiple concepts)
2. Consolidation (select most promising)
3. Innovation × N (develop each concept)
4. Refinement × N (polish each application)

Prior Art Heavy

1. Interview (understand competitive landscape)
2. Critique (analyze prior art weaknesses)
3. Innovation (design around prior art)
4. Refinement (maximize differentiation)
5. Review (confirm novelty)

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