Ask HN: How to patent software?
If anyone has software patents to their credit, Could you please tell me how do you come up with ideas that can be patented and how do you verify if the idea is not already submitted ?
More on this page: http://www.tinaja.com/patnt01.asp Yes, the web page colour scheme is /terrible/, but it may save you a great deal of time, trouble and perhaps your sanity.
This resource might also be helpful: http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Software_patents_wiki:_home_page
tl;dr: Small scale patenting is a mug's game.