Refinement Workflows

Pre-built templates to guide your invention from seed idea to patent-ready application

Choose Your Path

Different projects have different needs. These workflow templates provide proven paths through the CAGE method, each optimized for specific goals, timelines, and resources.

Every workflow integrates session types, focus areas, and AI experts to deliver patent-ready outputs efficiently.

stars

Full CAGE Cycle

Comprehensive refinement through all four stages

schedule 2-4 weeks trending_up Most thorough engineering All expertise

Best For

  • • High-value inventions requiring deep analysis
  • • Complex technical domains
  • • Building foundational IP portfolios
  • • First-time inventors wanting guidance
  • • Projects with 2+ week timelines

Key Deliverables

  • ✓ Complete patent application (claims + spec + figures)
  • ✓ Comprehensive prior art analysis
  • ✓ Embodiment matrix with 5+ variants
  • ✓ Business case & market analysis
  • ✓ Investor pitch deck (optional)

Workflow Stages

C

Create (Days 1-5)

Interview → Ideation → Innovation sessions

Outputs: Seed idea refined, embodiment matrix, concept sketches

A

Assess (Days 6-10)

Prior art analysis → Critique → Consolidation sessions

Outputs: Novelty map, risk assessment, focus area selection

G

Generate (Days 11-18)

Refinement → Review sessions on claims, spec, figures

Outputs: Draft patent application, polished claims, technical drawings

E

Execute (Days 19-28)

Final critique → Business case → Market analysis

Outputs: Filing-ready application, business case, pitch materials

speed

Lite / Fast-Track

Streamlined process for rapid filing

schedule 1-2 weeks bolt Fastest filter_list Focused

Best For

  • • Time-sensitive provisional patent filings
  • • Well-defined inventions with clear scope
  • • Experienced inventors who know their domain
  • • Budget-conscious projects
  • • Deadline-driven scenarios

Key Deliverables

  • ✓ Provisional patent application
  • ✓ Core claims (1 independent + 3-5 dependent)
  • ✓ Basic specification
  • ✓ Essential figures (3-5 drawings)
  • ✓ Quick prior art check

Workflow Stages (Condensed CAGE)

Days 1-3: Quick Interview + Innovation → Generate core claims and embodiment
Days 4-6: Basic prior art check + Refinement → Polish claims and spec
Days 7-10: Create figures + Review → Finalize provisional application
gavel

Claims-First Approach

Start with claim construction, build supporting materials later

schedule 2-3 weeks balance Legal-focused security Protection-first

Best For

  • • Inventions with complex claim strategies
  • • Competitive landscapes with tight prior art
  • • Portfolio strategies requiring precise scoping
  • • Inventors with legal/patent backgrounds
  • • Maximum protection priority

Key Deliverables

  • ✓ Comprehensive claim set (multiple independents)
  • ✓ Claim tree analysis
  • ✓ Specification built to support claims
  • ✓ Figures designed to illustrate claims
  • ✓ Claim construction memo

Workflow Stages (Inverted CAGE)

Week 1: Innovation → Draft initial claim set → Iterate with Claims Drafter + Virtual Examiner
Week 2: Write specification to support claims → Generate embodiments to cover claim scope
Week 3: Create figures illustrating claimed elements → Final review & critique
science

Prototyping Focus

Technical proof of concept before patent documentation

schedule 3-6 weeks build Technical-first verified Proof-driven

Best For

  • • Early-stage inventions needing validation
  • • Technical feasibility uncertainty
  • • Hardware/physical inventions
  • • Research-driven projects
  • • Inventions requiring experimental data

Key Deliverables

  • ✓ Working prototype or proof-of-concept
  • ✓ Test results and performance data
  • ✓ Detailed technical specifications
  • ✓ Patent application with experimental support
  • ✓ Technical drawings from actual design

Workflow Stages (Prototype-First CAGE)

Weeks 1-2: Interview + Ideation → Design and build prototype → Test and iterate
Weeks 3-4: Document technical specs from working prototype → Assess novelty and patentability
Weeks 5-6: Generate patent application based on proven design → Include test data and results
search

Prior Art Heavy

Deep competitive landscape analysis and differentiation

schedule 2-4 weeks manage_search Research-intensive analytics Competitive

Best For

  • • Crowded technical fields with heavy prior art
  • • Incremental innovations in mature markets
  • • Portfolio defense strategies
  • • Design-around projects
  • • Freedom-to-operate concerns

Key Deliverables

  • ✓ Comprehensive prior art search (50+ references)
  • ✓ Detailed novelty analysis
  • ✓ Differentiation strategy and claim design
  • ✓ Freedom-to-operate opinion
  • ✓ Patent application optimized for narrow scope

Workflow Stages (Research-First CAGE)

Week 1: Deep prior art search → Competitive landscape mapping → Identify novelty gaps
Week 2: Innovation session focused on differentiation → Design around blocking patents
Weeks 3-4: Draft claims emphasizing novelty deltas → Multiple critique sessions to stress-test

Workflow Comparison

Workflow Duration Focus Complexity Best Application
Full CAGE 2-4 weeks Comprehensive ★★★ High High-value inventions
Lite / Fast-Track 1-2 weeks Speed ★☆☆ Low Provisional filings
Claims-First 2-3 weeks Legal protection ★★☆ Medium Complex claim strategies
Prototyping Focus 3-6 weeks Technical validation ★★★ High Early-stage hardware
Prior Art Heavy 2-4 weeks Competitive analysis ★★★ High Crowded fields

Choose Your Workflow

Launch the initiation wizard to select and configure your refinement workflow

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