In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

$59,000.

In the United States in 1979, this amount of money was undoubtedly a huge sum of money that could change the lives of an ordinary working family.

However, for the grand, epoch-making blueprint that Yang Guangming was sketching out in his mind, this $59,000 was merely a crucial spark, the initial, albeit small, but necessary force needed to push the first domino to fall.

It is also a heavy impetus, driving Yang Guangming to ensure that this money circulates quickly, efficiently, and rapidly in this land filled with the atmosphere of a free market and unlimited opportunities, so as to achieve greater and more added value.

Back on the Stanford campus, Yang Ming immediately immersed himself back into the regular, even somewhat rigid, rhythm of academic life.

Professor Hoffman's research group holds regular weekly seminars, during which he needs to read and digest a large amount of cutting-edge literature, while also beginning to seriously consider the initial direction of his doctoral dissertation. This is a crucial starting point for a doctoral student to establish his academic standing.

On the surface, he was no different from other graduate students who were devoted to academic research—he would arrive at the laboratory on time, occupy that familiar corner of the library, actively participate in and even occasionally lead group discussions, and sometimes put forward some profound insights that made Professor Hoffman nod slightly.

He perfectly embodies the role of a diligent and talented Eastern student.

However, beneath this calm and focused exterior, Yang Guangming devoted more of his energy to other things.

The $59,000 in seed funding was like a burning flame igniting in his chest, radiating an urgent pressure that compelled him to act quickly and put his blueprint into practice.

"Patents," the most fitting and also the most discreet business entry point for his current identity as a "Stanford computer science PhD student," clearly stands at the forefront of his strategic landscape.

Using knowledge to invent and create, and then seeking legal protection, is not only a natural extension of academic ability, but also an activity encouraged and supported by schools and society.

This path perfectly packages his "future-derived" knowledge into a plausible crystallization of personal wisdom, making it the most ideal choice at this stage.

The problem is how to safely and efficiently transform those priceless "future ideas" in our minds into patent assets protected by law in this era, and ultimately achieve rapid monetization.

This is by no means a simple registration process, but a systematic project that requires careful planning and step-by-step execution.

His first task is to sift through the vast and complex torrent of future information, like stars twinkling in the sky, to find the "fruit" most suitable for action at the current time and under the current technological context.

This requires accurate judgment and profound business insight.

In the following days, while efficiently completing the research tasks assigned by Professor Hoffman and the necessary coursework, Yang Guangming devoted all his free time and energy to the refinement and evaluation of the "patent list".

He often sat alone at his desk in the dormitory late at night.

The desk lamp cast a dim, warm glow, illuminating the thick notebook spread out on the floor. It was filled with clear, dense handwriting of key inventions and creations that would profoundly change the way the world works or completely influence people's daily lives over the next few decades.

Patents in the field of computers and personal electronics are undoubtedly the most powerful of all.

Optimized mouse design, core interaction logic of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), efficient implementation of certain key data compression algorithms, and the basic architecture of early search engine ranking and indexing...

The foundations upon which these future internet empires will stand are, at this moment, mostly still in the stage of vague concepts in a laboratory, or have not yet been systematically proposed and defined.

Yang Guangming understood their value better than anyone else.

Patents in the Internet and communications fields represent a high potential value area and are the cradle for future trillion-dollar giants.

Some key optimization schemes of the TCP/IP protocol, the basic ideas and standardized definitions of hyperlinks, and even some wireless signal processing patents that laid the foundation for cellular mobile communication (1G and even 2G)... each of these contains the genes that could give birth to a tech giant.

Even in the field of biotechnology, although he admits to only knowing the basics, some key treatment concepts, star targets for drug action, and simplified gene sequencing processes are enough to secure a place in the upcoming wave of biotechnology and reap amazing rewards.

However, reason quickly prevailed over impulse.

These groundbreaking patent ideas are simply beyond his ability to protect, given his current status as a student who has just established himself in the United States and has no background or connections.

Is it wise to rashly register a graphical user interface or search engine algorithm? Not only is it highly likely that the patent will be rejected during the patent examination stage because you cannot provide a detailed implementation plan that meets current technical conditions, complete experimental data, or a working prototype.

What's even more frightening is that once industry giants like IBM, AT&T, and Xerox sense the enormous potential of these concepts, they will face relentless scrutiny and crushing from legal, commercial, and even deeper forces that they cannot resist.

The most likely outcome is that they will end up benefiting others, or even getting burned themselves, with their basic studies and safety not being guaranteed.

He must make choices and maintain strategic patience.

The current goal is to select "lightweight" inventions that are in line with the current technological context, easy to understand and manufacture, have high market acceptance and quick results, and at the same time will not immediately threaten the huge traditional interest groups.

These inventions should be like sophisticated tools that solve specific, minor pain points, rather than attempts to disrupt the entire technological paradigm.

After repeated weighing, comparison and screening, a final list of thirty patents was finally determined.

This list focuses on two main categories: "everyday consumer goods" and "business methods".

Within the major category of everyday consumer goods, he meticulously listed:

• A two-wheeled suitcase, this is the first core patent he plans to develop.

• Travel backpacks with wheels (as a complement to rolling suitcases, catering to different user groups)

• Squeeze-type portable sauce bottles (e.g., for ketchup, mustard, solving the problem of glass bottles being difficult to pour).
• Improved series of patents for bottled plastic water
• Hand warmers (disposable heating pads that use a simple chemical heating principle)

• Disposable ice packs (using the same principle for cold compresses, with similar technology)
• Electric toothbrush (an improved version of the existing product's drive mechanism and brush head design)
• Pill bottles with built-in counters (simple mechanical structure used to remind patients of the number of doses).
• Child-safe bottle cap (requires specific operation to open, preventing accidental ingestion by children).

Leak-proof sports water bottle with valve design
• Baby diapers with elastic legs and a more absorbent polymer core (significantly improving upon existing products for enhanced leak prevention and comfort).

• The cushioning system in athletic shoes (such as early concepts similar to Nike Air, providing better shock absorption)

• Improvements in specific applications of barcode scanning systems in retail inventory management
Within the broader category of business methods, he focuses on business model innovation:

• The basic framework of the Frequent Flyer Program and its points accumulation and redemption system (an idea that could change the profit model of the airline industry).
• The standardized process of the "online booking system" (based on the existing computer terminals and telephone networks at the time, the standardized process design for booking hotels, air tickets, etc., laid the foundation for future OTA giants)

Most of these projects seem simple and ordinary to later generations, or even taken for granted, but in 1979 they were groundbreaking.

They precisely target the pain points that are prevalent but often overlooked in modern life, directly addressing humanity's eternal pursuit of "more convenient," "more comfortable," and "more efficient."

Among them, the patent for the two-wheeled suitcase that Yang Guangming values ​​the most and has devoted the most energy to designing is the one he puts the most effort into.

He knew perfectly well that, in the original historical trajectory, this seemingly simple invention would have been invented and popularized by a pilot in the late 1980s, ultimately revolutionizing the way global travelers travel. The Travelpro brand founded by its inventor, Robert Plath, and the subsequent follow-up by countless manufacturers, together gave rise to a huge market worth billions of dollars.

The core idea of ​​this patent—fixing two wheels at the bottom of the suitcase and equipping it with a retractable and lockable handle so that the suitcase can be easily pulled upright, freeing up the hands and shoulders—has not yet been systematically proposed, perfected, and successfully obtained widespread patent protection.

Although an inventor named Bernard Sado obtained a patent for a wheeled suitcase in 1972, it was a suitcase that glided on the ground by pulling four wheels diagonally with a strap. Its structure and user experience were fundamentally different from a two-wheeled suitcase that could be pulled upright.

What Yangguang Ming wants to precisely seize is this almost blank strategic opportunity.

As for the patent registration for the omnidirectional wheel suitcase, he is not in a hurry. His first priority is to explore the market potential of two-wheeled suitcases.

Yang Guangming closed his eyes, trying to search his memory for every exquisite detail of later suitcases: the material of the wheels and how to install them more securely and quietly into the suitcase; whether the telescopic structure of the pull rod used nested metal tubes or other materials, and whether its locking mechanism was a button or a buckle; how the internal compartments and straps of the suitcase were designed to maximize space utilization and secure the items.

He further conceived of the concept of a "universal wheel" (rotating wheel) that could serve as an important patent for future improvements. Although he decided not to include it in the first batch of applications, it could be used as a reserve for subsequent iterations and building patent barriers.

He recorded these insights in his notebook, supplementing them with simple yet clear hand-drawn sketches that conveyed the underlying principles.

He calmly assessed the potential value of the patent.

Granting production rights to multiple luggage manufacturers and charging a patent fee for each suitcase sold is the most typical "license fee" model.

Patent licensing fees are typically charged as a percentage of sales revenue. For consumer product inventions that change the industry landscape, the rate is usually between 3% and 7%, or even higher.

For a two-wheeled suitcase invention that was patented in 1979 and successfully commercialized, the total licensing fees generated over the entire patent lifecycle, even with the most conservative estimate of selling ten million suitcases, would be between $1500 million and $3500 million, or even higher.

Of course, he was also keenly aware that turning a patent certificate into a steady stream of real money was by no means an easy task.

He needs professional and reliable legal assistance to draft rigorous and impeccable patent application documents; he needs to conduct complex and difficult business negotiations with potential licensees or direct buyers; and he also needs to monitor the market to prevent infringement.

What he lacks most right now is precisely the time and energy to do everything personally.

Therefore, finding a reliable, professional patent attorney with a certain business acumen has become the most crucial and urgent step at present.

This lawyer not only needs to be proficient in US patent law to ensure the success of patent applications and the maximization of the scope of rights, but also ideally possess a certain business acumen and network of contacts to provide valuable assistance or key referrals in the early stages of patent commercialization.

Stanford University, as the heart and engine of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, has no shortage of professionals who deal with intellectual property.

Yang Guangming first targeted Stanford’s Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) – although this office mainly deals with inventions made by faculty and students in the course of employment, its staff must be very familiar with the patent law ecosystem around Stanford and even the entire Bay Area.

He made an appointment via email, posing as a doctoral student in the Department of Computer Science, and cautiously inquired about the general process, precautions, and approximate costs of applying for patents as an independent inventor outside the university.

He was received by a friendly and experienced middle-aged woman. After clarifying that Yang Guangming was not consulting about his on-campus technical position, she offered some constructive advice and casually mentioned the names of several patent lawyers in the Palo Alto and San Francisco areas who had good reputations and were skilled at handling cases involving independent inventors.

At the same time, Yang Guangming did not give up using his valuable academic network for consultation.

After a routine discussion with Professor Hoffman about the complexity of a certain algorithm, he casually brought up the topic with a slightly inquiring tone:

"Professor, while observing daily life recently, I have come up with some small creative ideas on how to make objects more convenient and practical, which may involve some simple mechanical structures and designs."

Do you know any trustworthy lawyers specializing in patents? I'd like to get a preliminary consultation about the protection process and assess its feasibility.

Although Professor Hoffman himself focuses on the pure world of theoretical computer science, he is based in Silicon Valley and has always maintained an open and even encouraging attitude towards technological innovation and commercial applications.

He appreciated Yang Guangming's academic acumen and diligence, and also expressed his mild support for the young student's "extra" interests and creativity that went beyond academics.

He pondered for a moment, then turned around and rummaged through his desk drawer for a while before finally pulling out a high-quality business card and handing it to Yang Guangming.

"Ernest Larson".

Professor Hoffman read out the name, “He once helped several professors in our department who were in the engineering field, and handled some of their private invention applications.”

Feedback indicates that he is highly skilled, very familiar with the patent office's examination process, and has extensive connections within tech companies and networks in Silicon Valley.

Well… I heard his fees might not be cheap, and supposedly he's quite selective about his clients and cases, and might not accept every job that comes his way.

Yang Guangming accepted the business card.

The business card is printed on a simple white cardstock with the words "Ernest Larson, Patent Attorney" in understated black lettering, followed by an address and phone number in downtown Palo Alto.

"Thank you, Professor Hoffmann. This is very helpful to me. I will contact him for advice," Yang Guangming said sincerely.

Having received a personal recommendation from Professor Hoffman was already a much better starting point than he had expected.

Without hesitation, Yang Guangming left Professor Hoffman's office and dialed the number on the business card from a public phone booth downstairs in the dormitory that afternoon.

After the call was connected, he explained his purpose as concisely as possible, emphasizing that it was a recommendation from Professor Hoffman of Stanford University, and successfully scheduled an interview.

The assistant on the other end of the phone spoke professionally, and her tone became noticeably more enthusiastic after hearing Professor Hoffman's name.

Ernest Larson's law firm is located in a rather unassuming but well-maintained two-story detached building in downtown Palo Alto.

Unlike Mr. Harrison's place, which exuded a traditional and even somewhat old-fashioned atmosphere, the decor here leans more towards modern minimalism.
The light beige walls, the clean lines of the dark wood furniture, and the extensive use of glass partitions make the space feel open and bright. Several abstract geometric paintings hang on the walls, and the overall environment conveys a sense of efficiency, professionalism, and keeping up with the times.

The person who greeted Yang Guangming was a well-dressed and capable young assistant.

After confirming the reservation information, she led Yang Guangming to a small but fully-equipped meeting room and considerately asked if he needed coffee or water.

A moment later, the conference room door was pushed open, and Ernest Larson himself walked in.

He looked to be in his early fifties and was in very good shape, without the signs of weight gain common at that age.

He wore a well-fitting dark gray suit, but no tie, and the collar of his white shirt was casually unbuttoned, a combination that exuded a touch of Silicon Valley casualness and competence amidst his formality.

His hair was meticulously combed, and his eyes were sharp and insightful, as if he could instantly see through the core of the problem, carrying the prudence and assessment unique to a senior lawyer.

“Mr. Yang? I am Ernest Larson.” He stepped forward, extended his hand, and shook hands firmly and briefly, without any unnecessary formalities. “Professor Hoffman spoke to me on the phone a few days ago and mentioned that you are a very outstanding and imaginative young man. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

"Mr. Larson, hello. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet me," Yang Guangming replied calmly and respectfully.

After they were seated, Attorney Larson barely engaged in any social pleasantries and went straight to the point: "So, Mr. Yang, based on your brief explanation over the phone, what specific assistance do you hope to receive regarding the patent? Is it an invention that is already fully developed, or one that is still in the conceptual stage?"

Yang Guangming took out a pre-prepared kraft paper folder from his canvas bag, which was printed with the Stanford logo, and solemnly pushed it onto the table in front of Attorney Larson.

“Mr. Larson, I have thirty invention ideas that have been preliminarily screened and sorted. I would like to seek your professional legal advice and hope to start the patent application process for them as soon as possible.” Yang Guangming’s tone was calm, but the content was enough to move any lawyer.

“Thirty items?” Attorney Larson’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and returned to his professional calm.

He opened the folder, which contained a list carefully compiled by Yang Guangming. Each item clearly listed its name, a brief description of its function, and a simple yet effective hand-drawn sketch that conveyed the core principle.

He began browsing quickly, his eyes scanning over items like "two-wheeled suitcases," "hand warmers," "wheeled travel backpacks," "frequent flyer programs," "electric toothbrushes," and "improved bottled plastic water."

At first, he maintained a professional composure, but as he read more, he slowed down his page turning, his eyes became more focused, and he would even stop occasionally to point to a certain description with his finger and think for a moment.

He picked up the sketch of the "two-wheeled suitcase" and examined it carefully for a long time, his fingers lightly tracing the connection between the handle and the wheels.

Next, he turned to the instructions for the "hand warmers" and the "frequent flyer program" and read them very carefully.

As an experienced patent lawyer who has seen countless "inventions," Larson has long since developed a keen eye for detail.

He had seen too many outlandish, impractical, or market-worthless so-called "creative" ideas, but the projects on this list gave him an unusual sense of impact.

These ideas are not far-fetched, but rather precisely target those ubiquitous yet poorly addressed details in daily life, possessing strong practicality and obvious market potential.

In particular, the "two-wheeled suitcase" concept is extremely clear, and the pain point it addresses is specific and widespread. Once realized and promoted, it is almost foreseeable that it will completely change the landscape of the global suitcase industry.

He gently put down the folder, crossed his hands on the clean table, and looked at the overly young Chinese student in front of him again, his gaze now filled with inquiry and seriousness.

“Mr. Yang, I must say, these ideas… are truly impressive.” Attorney Larson’s tone was much more serious than before, no longer just formulaic politeness. “They don’t seem like random daydreams, but rather a collection of systematic solutions proposed after in-depth market observation and careful consideration. The breadth of their coverage and the precision of their entry points have exceeded my expectations.”

He paused, then asked in a direct yet non-oppressive tone, "May I ask, what is the main source of these market-savvy ideas? Are they based on your personal observations, or inspired by specific research?"

Yang Guangming was prepared for this. He answered calmly and frankly: "Part of it comes from my personal reflections in real life; the other part comes from systematic improvement inspiration generated by extensively reading various engineering, design, and business magazines, as well as observing obvious defects in existing products."

I personally have always had a strong interest in 'innovation' itself, and in how to solve practical problems with better solutions.

This explanation makes sense. It is amazing, but not entirely impossible, for a Stanford doctoral student with an interdisciplinary knowledge background and keen observation skills to generate so many creative sparks.

Attorney Larson nodded thoughtfully, not delving further into the matter.

For him, the source of the ideas is certainly interesting, but the ideas themselves are more important.

"Based on my initial professional assessment..."

Attorney Larson leaned back, his fingertips touching, and entered a professional analytical state. "Most of the items on your list have the potential to be patented, especially utility model patents and design patents."

Their novelty and utility seem to be of little concern; the key is how to draft a high-quality claim to ensure that the scope of protection obtained is broad and robust enough that competitors cannot easily circumvent it with minor modifications.

This is the essence of a patent application.

He paused, looking at Yang Guangming, "So, what are your specific commercialization plans for these ideas? Do you intend to find investment to develop and produce them yourself, and create a brand, or are you more inclined to seek patent licensing or direct transfer?"

"My current status is that of a doctoral student."

Yang Guangming frankly stated, "My time and energy are very limited. Moreover, my long-term interests and strengths may lie more in planning and investment than in specific product operations and management."

Therefore, I prefer to commercialize these patent assets as soon as possible, either by licensing them for royalties or by making a one-time transfer at a suitable price, in order to obtain funding for future development.

I understand that applying for a provisional patent is an effective method with relatively low upfront costs and a quick way to establish priority. Do you think it's feasible?

A hint of undisguised admiration flashed in Larson's eyes.

The other party not only possessed outstanding creativity, but also clearly had done their homework beforehand, demonstrating a clear understanding of the key tools and processes of the patent system. This is quite rare for a scholar or student who is new to the field of patents.

"Completely correct."

He nodded affirmatively, his tone relaxed as if he had met someone "in the know," explaining, "Provisional patent applications do not require the submission of all formal claims and affidavits, making them relatively quick to prepare, and the government fees are much lower."

Legally, it can grant your invention a one-year 'patent pending' status.

This year is a critical window of opportunity, giving you ample time to further refine the invention details, create functional prototypes, and conduct market testing.

Or more importantly, with the legal status of 'patent pending,' one can confidently contact and negotiate with potential licensees or buyers without worrying that the core idea will be stolen or preemptively applied for by others after disclosure.

Of course, it must be remembered that you must file a formal non-provisional patent application based on this provisional application before the one-year deadline; otherwise, the provisional application will automatically lapse, and the priority right will be forfeited.

This is exactly the strategy that Sunshine Ming needs—to use minimal upfront capital costs and the fastest application speed to legally claim these intellectual property rights that represent the "future," lock in priority rights, and secure a valuable one-year window for subsequent evaluation, packaging, and monetization.

It's like in a land grab, where you first quickly plant your flag to declare sovereignty, and then calmly measure, plan, and develop.

“This is exactly the strategy I need right now.” Yang Guangming nodded in confirmation. “Therefore, I would like to formally retain you as my patent attorney to prepare and file provisional patent applications for all thirty inventions on this list as soon as possible.”

"Thirty items, to be carried out simultaneously?" Attorney Larson confirmed again.

Even for a lawyer as experienced as him, initiating thirty provisional patent applications simultaneously is a considerable workload, requiring coordination with assistants, conducting searches, drafting specifications, and so on.

"The total cost involved, including government fees and my legal fees, will be a considerable sum..."

"I have already prepared and budgeted for the expenses."

Yang Guangming interrupted him at the right moment, his tone calm and confident, conveying full confidence: "I hope the entire application process can start as soon as possible; time is an important consideration for me."

Additionally, given the large number of projects, I would like to agree on an overall package price, or a tiered pricing system based on the number of projects, rather than calculating solely based on hourly rates. I hope to lock in this cost in advance.

He demonstrated a clear negotiating stance, which was not only about creativity but also about practical business operations and cost control.

Attorney Larson leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his stomach, and pondered for a moment.

He realized that the young man in front of him was not only exceptionally creative, but also remarkably experienced and decisive in business negotiations and project planning.

This is a huge volume of business. Although the official fees and basic service fees for a single temporary application are not high, the total amount for thirty applications is quite considerable, making it a good business.

More importantly, with his years of professional experience, he keenly perceived the enormous commercial potential behind these patents.

If these ideas do indeed have market value as he judges, then subsequent formal patent applications, more challenging international patent layouts, and more complex business negotiations and licensing agreement drafting will all bring continuous and more substantial business revenue.

This is a potential client worth his time and effort, and a potential long-term partnership.

"can."

Attorney Larson quickly made his decision, leaning forward to show his sincerity in cooperating, "I can give you an overall package quote based on the approximate complexity and technical field of these thirty projects."

This quote will cover the basic legal services for preparing and filing all thirty provisional patent applications, excluding any additional drawing, complex search, or communication costs that may arise.

If I continue to be responsible for the formal patent applications and other related legal matters for these projects, we can then discuss the fees separately based on the specific circumstances and complexity of each project.

What do you think of this?”

“That makes perfect sense,” Yang Guangming agreed.

Attorney Larson took out a black calculator, quickly tapped on it, then consulted the official fee manual beside him, wrote a number on a sticky note, and pushed it in front of Yang Guangming.

Yang Guangming's gaze swept over the number—twenty-six thousand US dollars.

He quickly weighed the options in his mind.

The total price was within his expected range, and even slightly lower than his worst-case scenario estimate.

This clearly indicates that Larson, the lawyer, was also very keen to facilitate this collaboration and had a long-term perspective.

"This price is acceptable."

Yang Guangming readily agreed and then put forward the next request: "In addition, while preparing to submit the provisional patent application documents, I would like to create more exquisite renderings that are closer to the final product form and a brief market potential analysis for several core products that I think have the greatest market potential, such as two-wheeled suitcases and wheeled backpacks."

I would appreciate it if you could recommend a reliable product designer or drafting assistant; I can pay them that fee directly out of pocket.

He was preparing a crucial "demo package" for future commercial contacts.

Dry, legally jargon-filled provisional application documents are not enough. Visually appealing, attractive product renderings that inspire purchasing desire, along with a clear, concise description of the market prospects that directly points to profits, are the key to impressing potential corporate buyers and licensees.

Attorney Larson was once again surprised by Yang Guangming's meticulous and step-by-step preparations.

This young man seemed to have an incredibly clear plan and a sophisticated operational approach to the entire process—from initial intellectual property protection to mid-term project packaging, and finally to market monetization.

He was by no means a whimsical inventor; he was more like a thoughtful and shrewd businessman.

“No problem. It’s a very professional idea.” Attorney Larson agreed without hesitation.

"I happen to know a few skilled and efficient freelance designers who often collaborate with startups in Silicon Valley and are very adept at creating product concept art and renderings. I can introduce you to one or two of them, and you can directly discuss and settle the specific needs and fees."

“That’s great, thank you for your help.” Yang Guangming stood up and extended his hand to Attorney Larson again. “I look forward to a pleasant collaboration, Mr. Larson. I hope to see the submission of these provisional patent applications as soon as possible.”

“I will have my assistant prioritize your case and coordinate a time for the technology disclosure meeting,” Attorney Larson said, shaking his hand firmly with certainty.

"Of course, you may need to provide more detailed descriptions, technical principles, and sketches when preparing application materials. We need to schedule a time to have in-depth discussions on each item to ensure the quality of the documents."

"I will fully cooperate to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of information transmission," Yang Guangming said solemnly.

Leaving Larson's law firm and walking in the warm afternoon sun of Palo Alto, Yang Guangming felt a long-lost excitement mixed with a strong sense of urgency.

The first step in patent strategy was taken steadily and well, and Attorney Larson seems to be the right choice.

What follows will be an even more tedious, meticulous, and time-consuming task.

He needed to hold multiple, in-depth meetings with his lawyers and their team to clarify every technical detail, innovation, difference from existing technologies, and beneficial effects of each of the thirty inventions.

This process is not only a test of the accuracy of Yang Guangming's knowledge of the future, but also a challenge to his ability to clearly and rigorously explain these "advanced" concepts using the technological language and logic of this era.

He had to carefully walk a tightrope between being "innovative enough" and being "understandable and achievable with current technology".

Meanwhile, through Larson's introduction, he quickly hired a Chinese-American freelance designer named Sarah Lee.

Sarah graduated from the California Institute of the Arts, renowned for its design programs, and has a strong intuition for product structure, materials, and user experience.

Yang Guangming had several in-depth conversations with her, explaining in detail the design concept, target users, and usage scenarios of core products such as the "two-wheeled suitcase".

Sarah demonstrated excellent comprehension and creativity, and quickly began to create several versions of product renderings based on Yang Guangming's descriptions. These renderings were vibrant, with precise perspective, and were highly visually appealing and commercially viable.

These renderings are no longer simple sketches, but rather posters that look like mature products ready for production.

Yang Guangming personally wrote concise yet powerful market analysis reports for these core products.

He emphasized the specific user pain points that each invention addresses, the potential target market size, a rough profit margin forecast, and possible promotion channels.

These illustrated materials, along with his prepared technical explanations, gradually formed the prototypes of business plan presentation packages that were impressive enough to attract the attention of businesses.

The money was being spent slightly faster than he had initially anticipated.

The initial legal service package fee paid to Larson, the design fee paid to Sarah, and some unavoidable miscellaneous expenses such as printing, communication, and transportation quickly depleted nearly $30,000 from his $59,000 start-up capital.

But looking at the gradually forming, legally binding application documents and exquisite business materials, he didn't feel any heartache.

He understood that these investments were absolutely necessary, the price to pay to transform those "ideas" and "memories" that existed only on paper and in his mind into "hard assets" that were protected by law and had tangible commercial appeal.

These upfront expenses are like the fuel that must be put in to ignite the engine of wealth.

Time slips away quietly in a busy and fulfilling pace, and the palm trees on the Stanford campus seem to have gained a few more touches of green under the California sun, making the breath of spring even stronger.

During this period, he had two more small gatherings with his two friends, Wang Ruzhou and Li Sihan.

Still in his slightly cramped but lively dormitory, he was mainly responsible for providing relatively abundant ingredients—fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits—and everyone worked together to cook a delicious meal.

The three sat together, sharing interesting stories and challenges they encountered in their studies and lives, exchanging information, encouraging each other, and temporarily forgetting the loneliness and pressure of being in a foreign land.

Wang and Li's lives remained austere, relying mainly on scholarships and occasional part-time jobs. However, their mental state was clearly much better than when they first arrived in the United States. The stable nutritional supplements and invaluable spiritual comfort provided by Yang Guangming here undoubtedly played an important role.

Yang Guangming was happy to maintain and deepen this pure friendship that had been built up in a foreign land.

This is both a bond of blood ties with his compatriots and the initial node in his network of contacts established at Stanford and in the future Silicon Valley tech circle.

Their future development may become an unexpected boost at some point.

Of course, he remained cautious throughout the gathering, not revealing any details about his patent plans or funding. The conversations were mostly limited to academic, cultural, and personal experiences.

This is both to protect the secrecy of their business plans and to protect them from premature involvement in potential investigations.

Before we knew it, it was early March 1979.

Early spring in California is sunny and warm, with the air filled with the fresh scent of earth and newly blooming flowers, making it a truly delightful time.

On Monday, Yang Guangming received a thick envelope from Larson Law Firm in his dormitory mailbox.

He opened it and found neatly arranged official acceptance receipts issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Each receipt clearly displays the name of an invention, the designated application category (provisional patent), and a unique official serial number and application date.

All thirty provisional patent applications under his name have been formally accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and he has obtained valuable application numbers and statutory application dates!
This means that for the next full year, these thirty inventions will be under the legal protection of "patent pending".

Any subsequent application by any other person for the same or substantially similar invention will be denied due to loss of novelty.

He successfully gained a year's advantage!

Looking at the heavy stack of legal documents in his hand, representing thirty future business possibilities, Yang Guangming slowly let out a sigh of relief, as if exhaling all the tension and pressure of the past few months.

This is only the first step in his grand plan, but it is a crucial and foundational one.

He has quietly sown the first seeds of hope in this land full of boundless opportunities and competition, with wisdom from the future and decisiveness in the present.

The next step is to irrigate and fertilize efficiently, taking advantage of the golden window of opportunity to help these seeds take root, sprout, and bear abundant financial rewards.

This also allows him to accumulate as much readily available resources as possible for his next move on the larger stage of the financial market.

Commercializing the patent and finding potential buyers must be put on the agenda immediately and should be carried out as the top priority.

Opportunities in the financial market wait for no one; he needs funds, a large amount of funds that he can flexibly allocate and invest in the next hot trend.

Quickly monetizing these patent assets, which have already been legally recognized, has become the most urgent and crucial task among all current objectives. (End of Chapter)