[analog31]

You didn't ask me, and I don't have a complete answer, but here's a starting point. Consider what's required for a patent: Novelty, usefulness, and reduction to practice. The latter step often changes the first two, for instance by uncovering problems, or even improving the overall quality of the idea.

Of course a lot of things need to right, beyond that point. I use the patent rule as a guide to make sure that the right people get credit where credit is due, when an idea reaches the market successfully.