Innovating under pressure
sam_in_nyc: Unless your class is to "invent a company," I wouldn't sweat the fact that there are patents on the ideas you've come up with.  At any rate, I've been told that it's not too hard to differentiate your idea enough to file a new patent yourself.  If you can significantly improve the existing patent, or implement it through different means, then you should be alright.  Of course, it wouldn't hurt to have an awesome IP lawyer.I have no personal experience on the matter of patents other than filing a provisional patent.