detailed circuit

Based on my experience, you won't Patent it. And I would question what it is about your pattern that makes it so different and appealing that you will secure a market... And what makes it so special that it cannot be imitated. It is all too simple to put detectors to each LED/bulb, record what they are doing, and program a chip to do it. If yo ca do what you are doing with a programable chip, then progam it. There is no way a discrete IC design is going to compete. And you best protection is the "locking" of that chip's software, and selling enough before the imitator's jump on board. Understand that a Patent costs $thousands, makes the design "public", and there is no "Super-Patent-Man" or Woman that comes to your rescue when somebody rips it off. And in 16 years (usually), everyone is free to rip it off. Sometimes a simple "Copyright" may be all that is required (as in music & written stuff), else Registered Designs etc. But you "design" will not be your chips & hardware - it will be what they do. Your 4049 is a CMOS chip. Most of the 74xx series chips have their equivalent 40yy CMOS variants. You get CMOS chips from the same place as the 74's. Hunt for datasheets by function - eg Hex inverter - CMOS, LS, TTL. Try freescale etc. (Or google!) Unfortunately my system will be offline for a few days (maybe) so I can't give you specific info...

Ok, well thank you for the information I will search for the CMOS chips. I am going to try to get protection on this circuit because its not out there right now. If I can get a small protection on it and then sell it to a company on a per kit basis I should be able to make some supplementary money to help me pay for my education. I realize that this is not going to be a circuit that will make millions, thousands or probably even hundreds, that is not what I am out for. I want to make this circuit and then get it out for the public so I can see it on the road and say hey I invented that circuit! But of course I want some return on my work. I have been screwed by a company in the past that is why I am going to protect this one so they can't just steal it. If yall want I can post some completed designs and videos when I finally finish it.Novice tinkerer, master of mistakes :)

You don't need a patent for that - just a Confidentiality Agreement. Have you discussed the marketability with anyone? I find that many think they have some new innovative idea or breakthrough product, unfortunately they don't.    As to ideas, a general rule is the prototype & idea is 1% of the final production/marketing cost (and the idea/design 10% of the prototype) - but that's too vague for this.... And again, unless you can present the final package with marketing, distribution etc (ie, a Business Plan), you may only have a circuit. And if that isn't with an appropriate PIC etc, then you are merely selling a lighting sequence idea. And it may not even be legal. (I had to remove my mirror indicators and things that these days are accepted & common...) I don't mean to kill your idea, but don't be too unrealistic. As I said, it must be quite novel - not just a new flavor for an old product.... Maybe too the first step is explaining what it does - not how. But if what it does gives it away, then there is no point patenting or protecting the circuit itself....

I would describe to you what it does, but I am currently in talks with a company that would like to buy the design off of me and they specifically told me to not discuss the product, but I took an exception for this website because I did not know how to successfully complete the project within the time range that I told them I would have a working prototype. I realize you are trying to keep me down to earth about the circuits possibilities and I am a very down to earth person and wouldn't take it this far without reason. :)Novice tinkerer, master of mistakes :)

seasonalskier wrote: ...that would like to buy the design off of me and they specifically told me to not discuss the product

So you must have some sort of agreement or non-disclosure agreement in writing.

Correct there is an agreement as of right now. But nothing is in writing yet therefore I am not going to give them the final product until there is. If they refuse to put it in writing then I will go about getting some form of design protection so that I can market it to other companies.Novice tinkerer, master of mistakes :)