After another few seconds of silence, Li Rui spoke again as a representative:
"I think rudder surface operation should be feasible, but the key is whether the lift of the wings can support sustained flight..."
Zhu Jingyuan also nodded and said:
"Yes, the key is still flying. I hope Qi Gong can test it as soon as possible. The available aircraft can have a huge impact, which is beneficial to our... ahem..."
Zhu Jingyuan almost spoke out his true thoughts, but when the words came to his lips, he suddenly realized that the relevant information had not been made public yet, so he forcibly stopped talking.
At this juncture of the start of peace talks, if Ming Dynasty can quickly build a usable aircraft, it will definitely be very beneficial to the negotiations.
Although this early aircraft, like tanks, would be difficult to directly affect the overall process of the war, the potential and deterrence of flying machines cannot be ignored.
If the enemy has it but they don't, it will create anxiety and mental pressure, which can make them speak better.
As for the role of the aircraft after it matures, Zhu Jingyuan does not need to describe it specifically. Everyone can imagine that it is absolutely suppressive from the air to the ground.
Zhu Jingyuan looked at Zou Bingtai, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, with a serious expression, hoping that the other party would understand:
"Da Sikong..."
Zou Bingtai really understood what he was thinking and ordered Li Rui very seriously:
"As soon as possible... no, get tested immediately."
Li Rui originally didn't want to chat with others, but now his colleagues in other departments of the Ministry of Industry were too busy, so he could only ask officials from the Ordnance Department and Shipbuilding Department to come and accompany the guests.
After receiving the order at this time, Li Rui immediately stood up with the drawing drawn by Zhu Jingyuan and saluted Zhu Jingyuan, his son and Zou Bingtai:
"Whether it is successful or not, I would like to thank His Highness Jingyuan for the idea. I will go and test it now."
Obviously, he felt that Zhu Jingyuan's idea could be tried, but his confidence was still not high. After all, he had failed too many times before.
After Li Rui left, Zou Bingtai, who was a little anxious, instinctively began to prepare and prepare some kind words to see off the guests.
As a result, Zhu Jingyuan took a sip of tea and immediately spoke again:
"Da Sikong, can I apply for a patent for my new flying machine airfoil that increases lift and controls the flight attitude through rudder surfaces, pulleys, and wires?"
The armored shield car can basically only be used by the military. There are already patents for civilian cars, but the new invention of the airplane can be used by civilians.
There is no doubt about the future prospects of aircraft. Even in areas with stricter restrictions, air transport cannot be completely rejected.
Moreover, in the Ming Dynasty of this world, whether it is the mainland or various vassal states, in this extremely vast space, there are too many places where ground transportation is inconvenient.
The overall population density may not be as good as the United States in the 21st century, and the private aircraft market will also have great potential.
Therefore, the upper limit of the value of the aircraft patent is immeasurable.
Although airplanes are also a public idea, the key implementation solutions should be patentable.
This is a good thing that allows you to make money while lying down.
Zou Bingtai was obviously taken aback when he heard this question, and he instantly realized the value of these two patents, provided of course that they could be realized.
If it cannot be realized, even if it is patented, it will be useless and it will not be sold.
So after thinking for a few seconds, Zou Bingtai carefully considered his words and replied:
“Your Highness, if you just want to apply for patents on these two solutions, I can arrange for someone to do it now.
“Perhaps no one has thought about it this way before, but there should be no one applying for a patent.
"If you want to apply for a complete patent for a fixed-wing flying machine, you have to wait until the flight experiment is successful."
Zhu Jingyuan was shocked:
"Can I apply for a patent for an airplane? I can also apply for a patent for something like an airplane that everyone knows about?"
Zou Bingtai nodded slightly and said:
“Yes, although the concept of flying machines existed hundreds of years ago and is now a well-known and popular project, no one has actually made it.
"It can't be said that it didn't happen at all. Some flying machines did fly, but only for a few seconds, and they were very unstable.
“We couldn’t even tell whether it was blown up like a kite for a few seconds, so the application was not approved.
"That is to say, no one still has the invention patent rights for flying machines."
Zhu Jingyuan immediately realized that the principles of patent application in this era were obviously different from those in his previous life.
This era is based on the "first to invent principle", that is to say, whoever successfully creates a physical object first will have the patent for this thing.
Early inventions and creations were usually relatively simple. They could be produced by raising a little money, and most of their functional effects were relatively intuitive.
However, with the development of science and technology, invention and creation are becoming more and more difficult. Many people can only propose ideas and plans, but are gradually unable to directly produce physical objects.
If you go to someone to raise production funds without obtaining a patent, you usually need to inform investors of your idea, which can lead to plagiarism.
Therefore, in later generations, many countries have adjusted their patent laws from the early "first-to-invent principle" to the modern "first-to-file principle."
With a complete idea, you don't need to make a physical object. You can first apply for a patent, then raise investment and money, and finally make a physical object to make a profit.
At the same time, we can no longer apply for well-known things, nor can we apply for objectively existing natural laws.
The concept of airplanes has existed for hundreds of years, and as everyone knows, the application deadline has long passed.
In future generations, if the aircraft is never built, the first successful person will not be able to apply for a patent for the aircraft itself, but can only apply for a patent for "solutions to realize the functions of the aircraft."
But now, under the "first to invent principle", you can apply as long as no one has succeeded before.
Being able to obtain the invention patent for the airplane itself is like the Wright brothers in another world.
The thing and concept of airplane will belong to you!
Just thinking about this makes me uncontrollably excited.
So Zhu Jingyuan nodded directly and said:
"Thanks for the reminder, Da Sikong. Please help Da Sikong apply for a patent for the airfoil and control method first.
"If the flight experiment is successful, then we can apply for a patent for the flying machine itself and cite the first two patents."
This is a typical operation in later generations. Multiple patents are cross-referenced and bound to each other. In the future, aircraft-related patents will also be bound to them.
In the future, we can also continue to apply for patents for improved models and improved functions through continuous research and development of new technologies and innovations in the concept of aircraft.
Achieve de facto unlimited extension of the protection period and build increasingly tighter patent barriers.
Of course, Zhu Jingyuan did this not to make huge profits without a bottom line, but to keep control in his own hands to prevent others from occupying the patent and not working.
Historically, the Wright brothers were busy litigating lawsuits against other American companies that did not pay patent fees, but they also stopped subsequent research and development.
As a result, the United States, which was the first to invent the aircraft, was at a long-term disadvantage in early aircraft competition.
Zhu Jingyuan will adopt a low-price and broad-based licensing approach to attract members, allowing as many manufacturers as possible to participate in research, production, and promotion.
He must establish and lead the rules and standards for the entire aviation industry.
Of course, you have to make money yourself.
With the aircraft's own patent and a lot of upgrade plans in mind, you can apply for a large number of improved patents and make a lot of money just by charging a licensing fee.
