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Patents are an important source of information in any technical field. Obviously patents are significant for economic reasons, providing the holder with a defensible monopoly on the invention for the term of the patent. That benefit mainly accrues to the assignee and/or inventor. However, there are benefits to other individuals working in the field, as well. In fact, the patent system itself is based on a quid pro quo principle at its very heart: the government gives you a monopoly, but you have to teach the public about your art.
 Source of the Nitty Gritty
The legal requirement that the patent "teach" the method of the invention generally results in more details about practicing a technology in the patent's specification (the body of the patent) than in academic or meeting proceedings papers written by the very same individuals. This means that information about materials and techniques can often be found in a patent which is often missing from a presented or published paper. While attorneys and inventors sometimes go to great lengths to obfuscate, and inventor's are known to hold back their very best methods - in spite of statutory requirements to the contrary - nevertheless, there is often no other place to look for such fundamental information.
Unique and Otherwise Unknown Technologies
There are numerous technologies which are sufficiently unique to result in patents, but are not, for one or more reasons, commercially available. In fact, much developed technology never is offered for sale, or sees the light of day beyond its initial conceptual state. This is reflected in the estimates often given that more than 90% of patents don't provide any economic return whatsoever. These technologies may be developed by individuals, universities, governments or corporations. While some literature trace can almost always be found for the technology developed in universities, patents may be the only source of information from the other entities. In spite of its obscurity, this work may be very pertinent to developments in currently commercially available technologies, or to technologies that are still in the lab, or simply the mind of an inventor.
It is often helpful to use these patents as a starting point to try to determine why a particular technology hasn't yet made it off paper, or out of the lab. It may be possible to glean more information about the individuals and companies involved to provide a window on both the past and the future. Why did they fail? or exactly when is this development going to stand the field on its collective head?
Psych Out the Competition
"Know thyself" was the inscription on the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi. It's still valid today, but "Know thy competition," is a powerful corollary. The trajectory of competitive development efforts can often be discerned from scrutinizing a company's patent portfolio. Certain companies also stake out broad areas of defense with a wall of patents which may prevent protection of disparate - maybe even your own - technology; better to know about it ahead of time.
Make Progress
You will be a better innovator and inventor, if you understand what others have done before you. Better inventions occur not through your genius alone (although that is very great), but through steeping the brain in the wide variety of problem solutions and dead ends that others have pursued. Breakthroughs and great understanding favor the prepared mind.
Humility is a tool you may use to competitive advantage because so few others have access to it.
Making a Patent Search...
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